Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1902-12-31
M ODERN
CHIV AIRY
Tcopyright. 1sol, By 2. J. webster.l

to trouble.
$50 she threw her glove down into
the lions den," said Helen in conclu-
sion, "and the knight jumped over aft
Ter It, But when he came back he threw
1T In the lady's face, which was a thing
no knight that called himself gentle
man would do, and Pm sure l wouldn't
have blamed her if
1T served her right" interrupted
Harry ANY girl who wanted fellow
to risk his life for the sake Of an old
glove didn't deserve any better treat
ment."
Helen frowned disapproval.
"If he was afraid to go into the den,
he didn't need to- she retorted "He
could just have said: Never mind the
old glove. I'll get you a new pair to-
morrow But after he got it there was
no occasion for throwing 1t in her face.
I'm sure you wouldn't treat me that
way" And the brown eyes glanced
Iwinningly at the sturdy fireman.
But Harry was obstinate.
"And do you think that the next time
we go up to the park. If you throw
your glove into lions cage, I'll trail
after It? I'm afraid you'd be out a
glove"
Helen hadn't the least intention Of
putting her lovers devotion to this
test. Nevertheless she was irritated at
the unnecessary positiyeness of his
tones.
"Well. there are lots of other fellows
who would be willing TO. Anyhow men
aren't as brave as they used to be-" she
added, rather illOgically.
| AS Harry Warren risked his life pro-
fessionally on an average Of once a
week. he thought this last remark
rather unjust, so he retired to the other
end of the boat to smoke cigar and
mediate on the fickleness of women In
general and of pretty girls with brown
eyes in particular. Helen's thoughts
were of the unreasonableness of men
and their readiness to take Offense
when none was intended.
When the time came for the band to
strike up a twostep, the fat musician
who played the bass viol threw away
the cigar he had been smoking. 1t
rolled to the top of the companionway,
down the steps leading to the lower
deck and finally dropped into a pile OF
waste left by some careless member OF
the crew. There 1t smoldered. The
crew were occupied with their duties
about the boat, and the excursionists
were dancing on the deck above.
While Harry Warren was debating
the problem of modern versus medi@vai
chivalry and Helen Burke was wish
ing he would ask her for dance a
thin column Of smoke came circling up
from the lower deck. At first no one
noticed 1t. 1t grew thicker. Then
broke out the most terrible cry that can
be heard on crowded boat:
sFirei Flrel The boat is on fire?'
Harry Warren heard the cry OF fire,
and his heart gave throb that had In
it little of exultation. Here was
something that he could do, and do
well. He might not be willing to enter
a lions den for glove, but ne would
chow Helen that he possessed both
GOODNESS and bravery when 1t was
question of saving human beings from
the flames. The first thing was to get
Helen to a place of safety, and Harry
dashed forward through the crowd OF
frightened excursionists. who were
rushing to the rear Of the boat
Helen had been sitting on the oppo'
site side OF the boat from the spot to
which Harry had retired to smoke the
cigar of wrathful meditation. When
the fireman reached the front OF the
boat. the smoke pouring from the coFi-
panionway prevented his seeing clearly
hut he could make out dimly the hat
with the big flowers which he remem-
bered Helen had been wearing. Per-
hans she had tainted or had been over
come by the smoke. Harry drew a long
breath and rushed through the smoke
toward the gay bit Of headwear.
In the meantime the officers had been
ouieting the frightened passengers. get
ting out the fire hose and making prep
arations for manning the lifeboats In
case the fire should be a serious one
Fortunately the flames had gained lit
tie teadway and were under control al
most before the passengers in the rear
of the steamer realized what had hap
pened. As soon as he saw that Helen
was in no danger Harry set to work TO
n ssist the crew. When the blaze hau
been extinguished, he started for the
rear Of the boat In search of his sweet
heart In his hand he carried the hat
with the big flowers The passengers
came trooping forward, laughing at
their recent panic. Among them was
Helen. Harry felt rather abashed al
being caught with large hat. plainly
the property Of some young woman
dangling from his hand, but Helen
looked at him with evident pleasure
and wide eyed admiration;
"And you went into all that smoke
and fire Just to save my new hatr she
exclaimed, "Well, you can say what
you please, but think you are just az
brave and showed just ms much chiyaI'
ry as that knight who went Into the
lions den after his lady's glove.
Harry blushed at this undeseiveo
praise.
1T wasn't anything" he replied mod
estly. There wasn't bit Of danger
And thought there was some one IN
der the hat Anyhow he added. with