The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-09-16

her hands and arm and the relaxation of the extremely oyerwrought nerves, caused by the trying ordeal she had just passed through But Ned never stopped to ex- anime hls own hurts; he ran to the lunch basket and brought out a small cup in which was some butter left from their meal. This he rubbed over the bllsters on his sisters arms and hands. Then he tore into strips the soft linen cloth and soon had the wounds well bandaged from the air.
 And then it was that Belle saw for the first time that Ned was more hurt than herself, for his shirt was all burned away at the back, even his net undergarment having been consumed in patches by the fire, while his soft, quivering flesh showed through, blistered and fiery red. Belle sprang to her feet, and taking the re- maining bit of butter went gently to work on Ned's poor scorching back. And although her hands were pretty well tied up, she managed to thrust two fingers Of the right hand out to use to spread the butter with. Then she got napkin from the lunch basket ana laid It carefully over Ned's blisters.
 After they had dressed each others wounds as well as could be done under the circumstances, Belle and Ned stood apart and surveyed each other. And even while tears still coursed down Belie's cheeks and Ned was a real pale face, they were moved to smile. for the humor- ous side of the situation was forced upon them, There stood Belle In dripping shoes and frock, both arms wound up ungrace- fully, while her fair curls dangled and dripped over her shoulders, the red rib bon bow on her hair sending its color. like blood stains, over her left eye ana cheek. In front of her, splitting the river water from his mouth every mo- ment, stood poor Ned, looking for all the world like dripping rat, bis back barred of clothing and his sleeves, In conse- quence, hanging off hls shoulders.
 ''well, haven't we gone and done it?' said Ned "I guess we'll do no nutting today. What do you sayf'
 ''I say Pm thankful to be alive" said Belle Then she became very grave in a moment, and dropping to her knees she said: Brother, I'm going to make a prayer of thanks to our dear Lord. When | first saw the blaze catching my clothes l whispered, Oh, Lord, save me-save mel And that prayer was answered.
 Ned made no reply, but stole behind a tree where ne also knelt to whisper a prayer of thanks for their deliverance from the flames. When they had both finished their little, blessed prayers they decided to go to a farmhouse that stood on the hill just above the place where their awful accident had happened, and there ask for someone to carry them home In a wagon. But after they had been admitted 10 the farmhouse, and a dear, good. motherly woman had heard their story and examined their burns she would not allow them to depart for town, but dispatched her son with the buggy and their fastest horse for Belles and Ned's parents and the doctor; for she de- clared the burns were too deep to permit Of the children going about till they were properly dressed. And while waiting for the parents and the doctor the kind hearted woman brought sweet cream and soft cotton lint, which she spread where the butter had been; then she supplied the children with dry clothing and made them lie down on a bed to rest