The Newtown bee. (Newtown, Conn.) 1877-current, 1898-09-30

one pass and disclosed poor Zayda on the
other side, so hemmed in by group Of
guests that she could not escape. Ethel
lo oked at her scornfulIy, mutteripg some
thing about listeners hearing no good of
themselves, while John Gregory, making
hasty excuses, left the scene in a boiling
rage. Fortunately for Ethel's discount
ture, the lace of her flounce was discover
ed to be torn, giving her an excuse to 20
TO her room for repairs. Some Of the
girls went with her, and she gave them q
version of the story which made Zayda
out to nave been purposelY eavesdrop-
ping.
ZaYda, too, went to her chamber,
though not without giving Gregory q
shy, grateful glance as she passed him in
the side hall. He sought TO detain her,
but she fastened on, struggling hard to
repress her tears, thinking If only she
need not 60 back! She knew she could
not be excused, as later she had to play
accompaniment, and so reasoned herself
into calmer frame Of mind, for red and
swollen eyelids would only disclose how
keenly her self-pride was wounded. The
salve to her hurt which was supplied by
/ the remembrance of John Gregory's COM
mendation perhaps helped her; at all
events, it brought delicate blush to her
cheek. She was lust leaving her door
with half-smile on her lips as she looked
! down at the so-called Smauve" dress,
when she heard a piercing shrek in the
corridor,
''Help! Helpl Ethel's dress ia on fire p
screamed one of the girls frantically,
running toward her.
1t was the " ork Of an instant for her
to reach Ethel, who stood enveloped In
little tongues of flame. which were feed
| ivrv no trF oF har md
) growing larger and larger. She seemed
in dazed state, which gave way TO one
of frenzy; she rushed wildly about, call.
ing for help, while her companions, par.
alyzed with fright, helplessly wrune
their hands.
drop on the floor ~ commanded Fay.
da, Ia calm, firm tones. But as Ethel
was too frightened to comprehend, she
pushed and pulled her until she was
prone, and in another instant had snatch.
ed the extra wooden blankets at the foot
of the bed, wrapped them firmly around
her, rolling her over and over In them
smothering the little darts of fame with
her hands, until all were extinguished
By that time the terrified girls had come
TO their senses and were pouring water
from the pitcher and ever upon the car
pet, while the alarm had reached below,
bringing madame, the teachers every
1 body, upon the scene, but first and fore.
Faost Ethel's mother, whose cries OF
fright and solicitude were -agonizing. ~
| The hastily summoned physician ex'
amined Ethels burns, prOnOuncing heI
not seriously injured, but likely to have
to keep her bed for a few days from the
shock. 49, Meantime Zayda had sunk on q
couch nearly faintipg from the intense
pain of her badly burned hands and arms,
and it was not until Margaret KilburG
tried to give an account of the accident
that she was discovered. :" Margaret said
Ethel was standing before the long dress.
ing-glass arranging her skirts, gradually
stepping back to see the effect, until she
was near the CRATE, where, as the evening
was cool, there had been a little fire kin.
died, and in which there remained 'ew
Goals. The lace-trimmed ruffies of hel
thin dress must have brushed against
them, for in an instant she was ablaze.
! "We were to frightened, to stir,'' ex
planned one of the girls, 'sbut just then
Zayda Brent met Helen, who had gone
for help. Zayda rushed into the room
rolled Ethel in blankets, and. ohs where
| ia she She must be terribly burned y
Margaret ran WILDLY about upbraiding
herself for neglect of Zayda, whom mad
anne found, a little gray heap in the cor.
ner Of the room, moaning, In an almost
unconscious state. Her injuries were
pronounced much the MOST severe: in
addition to her burned. hands and arms it
was. feared she. bad inhaled hot air
1 Tears were in the eyes OF those about
her when the story Of her her oism and
presence OF mind was related, and wher
1t was repeated below, there was sub
dued applause among the college bows
led BY John Gregory, who then and there
Registered q vow. 5 I'd, tsas.s
| The reaction after Zayda's .wonderfH
calmness and self possession added tc
the severe Inflammation of her burns,
brought about q serious illness, and Iona
after Ethel was convalescent, her life
was in danger. Mrs Damera spent hel
Itime between the two sick rooms mad
me was goodness Itself and Card fol
Zayda asAif she were her daughter Vids