The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-03-12

the nostrils of all present and the next
instant Lucy Avery was seen enVeloped In
flames. The crowd Of girls and boys
children, screaming frantically In their
terror. Lucy, crazed with fear, started,
shrieklDg, toward the curtained banquet
ball, the flames growing as she famed
the grown people, seemed to have CON-
pletely lost their senses and a panic en-
sued. Some ran out at the doors, while
others stood transfixed with fright In the
center Of the room. But In the midst of
It all there was one quick-witted, brave
person, a slender, pale-faced girl, who
sPrang from her seat and ran n pursuit
she was about to dash through the cur
tains that divided the room. As quick os
a fash Hannah-for the pale-faced girl
curtains and tore 1t forcibly from ltss
place. 1t was the work Of second 10
throw It about Lucy, enveloping her fig
ure entirely except her head Then by
sheer force Hannah pressed Lucy down
to the floor, crushing the curtain closely
about her and smothering out the flames
1t all transpired so, quickly that those
who witnessed 1t could not realize what
had happened. After the crowd had again
assembled and began to recover its senses,
several persons ran to assist Lucy and
Hannah to their feet; but Hannah had
tainted However, she had not lost con
seriousness till every spark Of fire bad been
smothered out.
1t was found that Lucy, though burned
some about her hands and wrists, was not
seriously injured, for the heavy velvet of
her costume had not caught readily; but,
had 1t not been for Hannah's quick action.
the accident must have been fatal to
Lucy, and all held their breath as they
realized the close call to an awful death
the young, thoughtless girl had had.
A messenger had summoned Lucy's par
ents, who had not attended the carnival,
and very quickly they arrived with car
rage and hurriedly took their daughter
home. In the excitement of the moment
no one thought to tell Mr.. and Mrs. Avery
of Hannah's heroism.
Just as Hannah, bit weak from her
fainting spell, was starting home on her
fathers arm, with her anxious mothers
arm also about her for support, the Avery
carriage oo dashed tb n and the nnn
nah:
please miss, our Miss Lucy sends the
carriage to take you and your parents
home Mr.. and Mrs. Avery are anxious to
sp9g If T"y hurt bey 'ny Also way whale ha
they'll be over the first thing In the morn
ing to see you and thank you for the great
service you have done. Miss Lucy says
you shall hear from her tomorrow. for she
has so much In her heart to say to you
that she could not trust me to repeat IT.
The next morning just as Hannah was
dressing a messenger called and left with
MIR. johnston an eHVeiope addressed TO
Hannah. The good man hurried with It to
his daughter, aud when they opened II
they found twenty-dollar gold piece and
a note, which rend:
at is the wish OF the High School
pupils, who participated In last nights
carnival, that the money which WINS to
have been used In awarding prizes to the
two persons wearing the handsomest cos
tunes be presented to Hannah Johnston
in appreciation Of her brave and heroic
act In risking her own life to save that
of fellow-creature. The High School
pupils also wish to say that this small
sum OF money but feebly expresses their
admiration for Hannah Johnston. who is
now a heroine In their hearts"
Hardly had the surprised Johnstons In
ished reading the note when a tap came
at their little sittiDg-r room door, and Mr..
and Mrs. Avery came In. Tears Of graft
tnde filled their eyes as, unable to speak
through their emotion, they took Han
nahs hands In their own, caressing them
gently. Mrs. Avery stopped aud kissed
Hannah; ut last, finding voice to pour out