, 1905-06-14

after the evening meal. lie was as
sured at least II welcome by n fresh
supply of fireworks. These he assist
ed Danny to set off in the front yard.
seriously burning one of Mr.. Des-
mond's famous naples with his PIN
wheels and smashing a skylight in the
conservatory next door with a misdi-
rected rocket.
Presently Carroll began to regret his
generosity, for he argued that were
the supply less plentiful he might pos
sibly be left alone with Dorothy. Be
cause Of this hope he was only too
ready. when she complained of the
noise, to flick the ashes carelessly from
his cigar into an pen box of caps
The expected explosion did not come.
and. disappointed. he turned away
just as Danny reached over for Il fresh
cap.
With Il flare the entire supply explod-
ed in the boys face. The ash with the
live heart had taken Il moment to heat
through and explode he illuminate.
With n cry Dorothy caught him up
and carried him into the parlor. refus-
ing all aid from the thoroughly fright
ened Carroll.
Don't touch him." she stormed. IF
you have any decency. go away at
once
Il didn't mean TO-" he protested. But
his words fell upon u%nheeding ears. 1t
was enough for Dorothy that her dar-
ling was suffering. She ran to the tel
ephone to call up old DR.. Bryan. only
10 be met with the disheartening re-
sponse that the doctor had been called
to the country. There was only one
other physician in the town.
For one brief second Dorothy hest
tated; then Il groan from the huddled
figure Oh the couch drove from her
head all feelings of pride. She tool the
receiver down again. No need this
time to look in the book for the num-
Der. she knew it by heart.
Ronald answered the call in person,
and with a cry of relief she told him of
her need and implored him to come.
There was no answer to her request,
only the click as the receiver at the
other end was hung up. With IA cry
she sank to the floor. She was alone
in the house with her suffering idol
Her father had gone to the celebration
in the town hall, and Carroll had skunk.
away at her fierce repulse.
She could not believe that a man
would be so cruel as to refuse little
Danny help. And Dir. Ronald had pre-
tended to be so fond of the boy. Hot
anger burned in her heart, but she re-
membercd that her first duty was to-
ward Danny. She struggled to her
feet and started toward the couch in
the other room. In the doorway her
heart gave Il great leap. There, bend
ing over the lad, was the stalwart fig
ure she loved so well. Without turning
from his work he spoke:
II thought it would be better to
cole right over" he explained. Il
was afraid that his eyes might be in
danger. illuminate makes such a mas
ty burn"
you might have told me that you
were coming" she protested.
DO you imagine | would refuse to
answer the call of distress a~nywhereT'
he asked, as he saturated a strip of
cotton batting in sweet oil. WAS
there need of that assurance? Even
you gave me credit for being absorbed
in my work"
Il beg your pardon" she said sim
ply, trying to still the beating of her
heart as she came forward and took
one of Danny's hands in her own. rs
he much hurt?"
Not as badly as I feared was the
assuring answer. "The burns are SUI
pericial and confined to the lower
part of the face. His eyes are unhurt.
and he did not breathe the flame
"Thank God" she said softly, that
you are here
lie shot Il quick glance at her as he
raised his eyes from his work, but he
went quietly on, and by the time he
had finished she had regained her self
possession.
"How can | ever repay your she
said as she replaced his packages in
the tiny satchel. He caught her face
in his two hands and searched her
eyes. What he saw there must have
satisfied him.
MY fee is a heavy one," he declared
s%olemnly-"a kiss"
There was a tense moment, then,
with a sob, she paid him double price.
Champion Tightwad.
- 49,. 2.%nI 81