The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1907-06-20

never got acquainted with any one.
All of our friends live on the other
side of town"
I'VE. come from the country. where
we are used IL being neighbor.T." size
explained. Il want you To feel that
you are welcome here any time"
There was sincerity IN lie. tones
that brought a genial glow 10 DigDy's
heart, and the girl (he knew now H.
name was EtheD seconded her mother
with glance.
That night was but the beginning c.
a new life for Digby. The following
evening he brought home box o..
candy as a return courtesy and was in
vited TO spend the evening, 50 gradual
ly he fell into the habit of dropping in
after dinner. There were trips to the
theater, little excursions or Sunday.
and even when he had word from his
mother that she had decided to remain
west for the summer he did not offer
objection.
The more he was with Ethel the
more deeply in love he became. He
had never known many women. and
this charming girl was the first he had
ever loved. Often he would declare
to himself that he would propose. but
each time his courage failed him.
Then one night came the climax. The
gas began to flicker and burn low. and
Ethel left the room to drop in the coin
that would turn on the flow again. He
heard match strike in the kitchen.
where the gas had not been lit. then
came an explosion. and he rushed down
the narrow hall.
In some fashion the meter had
sprung a leak, and the lighted match
had caused the ignition of the gas.
Ethel, her light gown ablaze, came
staggering blindly toward him. He
had his coat off before they met and
threw it about her shoulders, forcing
her to the carpet that the blaze might
not be able to gain Roadway toward
her face. The gas in the apartment
had been eXtinguished. and he was
forced TO work in the dark. but he beat
out the flames with his hand and then
rushed into the kitchen to check the
flow OF gas.
1t was easy to eXtinguish the flames
there and shut off the gas Mt the inlet.
Then he opened the doors from their
apartment to his and bore her in his
arms TO his mothers room. Mrs. Fal-
lows followed and took charge Of the
girl while he went for the doctor.
1t was some hours later that he was
permitted to see Ethel She had asked
for him, her mother said, and he stole
gently into the room. She put out her
uninjured hand and smiled up at him.
In some miraculous fashion her face
had not been touched by the flames,
though her masses of golden hair were
crisp ana blackened.
ut was awfully brave of you, Ben"
she whispered as he bent over her.
when that explosion came the first
thing thought was that was so glad
that you We're there. | knew you
would help me. The doctor says you
saved my life by putting the fire out 80
quickly"
ANY one could have done it," he
protested, but I'm glad it was l."
$50 am l." she answered.
I'D like to be around all the time, IL
you'll let me-" he went on in sudden
bravery.
81 was afraid you were getting to
look on me more as sister" she said
as the blood came slowly into her
cheeks. Are you sure. Ben. that It's
not just because of the accident?"
The accident has nothing to do with
it, he protested, except that the
thought of how l might have lost You
gave me the courage to speak"
81 think" she smiled family. that
we ought to be very grateful to that
gas meter. That's how first met you.
you rem cmber."