The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-10-01

panions absence
 Just as the boat race was becoming exciting the laundering, papitatlng noise peculiar to automobiles was heard com ing down the inclined driveway that cir cled the lake. Then suddenly burst into view runaway automobile without an occupant It was headed straight to- wards the lake, where the crowd had gathered. Wildly the people scampered out of the way of danger going up over q steep bank that separated the driveway from the park grounds.
 Oracle fled with the others when sud denly there flashed through her mind the thought of the old Invalid, helpless In her wheei-chalr. She turned and dashed back down the slope and ieized the han dies of the chair, dragging 1t from dan. ger just in time, for within another min ute the runaway machine crossed the spot where the chair had stood and plunged Into the water. not stopping till some of the machinery broke.
 After the first few minutes excitement Oracle turned her attention to the In. valid. The frightened woman sat mo- tionless, her hands trembling violently In her lap and her face deadly pale.
 "I hope, Madam, that this excitement has done you no harm," said Oracle in a tender voice.
 "Oh, 1t has almost killed me- gasped the sick woman, holding some smelling salts to her nose. Why doesn't that girl come? Oh, It's awful to To at the mercy of others. If l had that nurse of mine I'd shake her.
 ,,t ha t,y For : that moment the attendant came running up with a runshade which her mistress had dispatched her for Mercy, Pauline, 1" cried the sick woman In a complaining voice. how long you have been I al most got killed bit ago. Take me out of the park Immediately. But, wait a minute" Then, turning to Oracle, the old lady said. Give me your address In case l shall want 1t. You were very thoughtful to rescue me from the wheels of that awful machine" ''N E
 And that was all she had to say in commendatlon of Gracie's heroic act and after having her nurse write down Ora cies address she bowed stifly and was gone.
 A week passed by and Oracle had ceased
 
 when. on Saturday morning, the post man brought her letter bearing a strange handwriting. The letter ran:
 Miss Grace Hilman-An old lady, whose life you saved last Saturday In the park wishes very much to see you. Please call al your earliest convenience at the address given berein." Then fol lowed the signature and street number.
 And this was the letter which brought the look of perplexlty to Gracie's face as she sat by the window looking out. Her mother had gone to market that morning and would not return for sometime, so Oracle was undecided whether or not to go without her mothers Knowledge. "Of course. the old lady is very anxious to see me-, thought Oracle. Tor she would never have sent this letter. There may be something on her mindLthe way she treated me that day in the park, and perhnps she IS sorry In that case should go ut once and set her mind at rest" i ettf #NA
 And, writing a note of explanation to leave for her mother, Oracle set out to cali on the invalid at the given address. She found the house4a pretentious one and was ushered into the sick woman's chamber Immediately. When Oracle en- tered the old lady (to Gracies surprise) held out her wan hand in greeting, and something like faint smile frightened her face. Good morning. my child, " she said. "Come, be seated beside me- Then she excused her attendant from the room .'lm afraid you've been carry ing in your mind very bad impression of me-" she went on, holding one of Gracie's hands while she spoke. "And I've worried myself about It . great deal. ."N~'s
 "Oh. I'm 30 sorry" said Oracle. feel