The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-10-28

sure, put your question proves it.
 am easily trapped" admitted He felt sudden sense of ease and confidence and of comradeship with this stately looking girl and almost before he knew 1t. he was pouring forth the whole story of his aims and ambitions, his plans and hopes even to his love for little Fine Danverr. and his chasrin at her cool reception.
 Miss Van Vance listened interestedly, smiling half-sadly +-.E $f
 MT Brady" she said slowly, 'T am older than you. and have had, per haps. wider opportunities for observing human nature And I'm like Samanthy Allen. know women just like a book because I've ben one quite spell. It Is woman's nature to want a man to beat down all barriers. even those she herself has erected. Is the hint sui ficient, MT. BradyT
 T think so." quietly, and thank you Miss Van Vance
 He resolved to act upon the sugges- tion. yet 1t was two days before he summoned courage to go again to the hotel. ...f rt
 Miss Danvers is not here just now" said the talkative bell boy. that whole gettin' ready to go.~ You'll find them, guess. If you go down, pocketing a dime with accustomed celerity, "theyre going in a launch" t
 For an instant. Brady was tempted to go away. then hs thought of Miss Van Vance and ran quickly down the steps to the boat landing
 Miss Van Vance. standing on tho float. greeted him delightedly.
 T am so glad you happ ,ncl along. Can you spare the time, to go aroun.l the lake with us?' r.'t.--'
 Brady surprised himself with the ready ease of his acceptance:
 Miss Van Vance introduced him with an air of proprietorship. My friend. MT. Brady" adding, as she presented him to Miss Danvers The fact that you are both .yermonters ought to bs an immediate bond between you two.'
 Poor litte Fife colored and faltered: she dared not say they were old-time friends. in the face of Brady's some what formal acknowledgement of the introduction.
 With delicate tact. Miss Van Vance drew out Brady's gift for narrative. and he was soon in :he midst of an absorbing story of a genuine. wild fox hunt. -. -. The other two young men or the party were seated in the bow of the ,, launch, smoking. Suddenly. sheet of flame shot high
 
 ignited the gasoline in the escape basin and an explosion of the main tank seemed inevitabl. Tn yonug fel- low employed to run the launch wa- paralyzed with fear.
 The girls shrleked in terror and two or three spring upon the seats to lear into the water.
 Sit down. shouted Brady, sternly He plunged his hand into the fire and turned the valve. thus stopping the flow of oil from the main tank. Then he threw himself against the flames wherever they appel cd, oeal. ing them out with his coat and bare hands. *:
 The other men. recovering from their momentary panic, wet their caps and assisted him. ":.-:
 Then some one screamed again, and Miss Danvers' clothing was seen to be on fire, in the back. Brady in stantly threw his arms around her. smothering the flames against his own body.
 I No one was more than slightly in. jured except Brady. His arms and hands were quite badly burned, and the physician looked grave as he dress. ed them
 T hope you will pardon the manner in which I embraced you. Miss Dan- vers,' said Brady. nonchalantly. I fear it was hardly according to eti- quette---" glancing humorously at Miss Van Vance. You are splendid heroe." cried Mrs. Lyons. hysterically, Fife should be ,nraud to be embraced by such man. I.. . :s-.-" -... Even ie he is an utter stranger" added Miss Van Vance. significantly Fine threw back her girlish head defantIy, and stepped to Brady's side He is not d stranger+' she ex claimed, putting her land caressingly on his shoulder; Ross and have been engaged ever since we were children onIy--I-I--
 Never mind. Fife. interrupted Ross. tenderly. :" you needn't try to explain" q congratulate you both said Mss Van Vance. cordially. "only.' teasingly. as she held F,ffie's hand warmly n her own, "only, Miss Danvers. your man ner of announcing your engagement Is so wholly without regard to-. Fife smiled brightly through her tears. II know. Miss Van Vance. and deserve q lesson. You nave been good friend to me" Better than you know. little Effie." murmured Miss Van Vance to herself. as she turned away. and the tempta- tion was greater than you can pos Sibly understand"