The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1907-01-31

said the talkative bellbOy. "That
whole party is out on the lake-that is.
they're gettin' ready to go. You'll find
them, guess, If you go down." pocket
ing a dime with accustomed celebrity.
'They're gOin' In a lannch."
For an instant Brady was tempted
to go away. Then he thought of Miss
Van Vance and ran quickly down the
steps to the boat landing.
Miss Van Vance, standing on the
float, greeted him delightedly.
II am so glad you happened along.
Can you spare the time to 60 around
the lake with usY
Brady surprised himself with the
ready ease of his acceptance.
Miss Van Vance Introduced him with
an air of proprietOrship. MY friend,
Mr.. Brady" adding, as she presented
him to Miss Danvers. "The fact that
you are both VermOnters ought to be
an immediate bond between you two"
Poor little Effie colOred and faltered.
She dared not say they were old time
friends in the face of Brady's some
what formal acknowledgment of the
Introduction.
With delicate tact Miss Van Vance
drew out Brady's gift for narrative and
he was soon in the midst of an absorb
Ing story of genuine wild fox hunt.
The other two young men of the
party were seated in the bow of the
launch, smoking.
Suddenly a sheet of fame shot high
into the air. A lighted match had ig-
nited the gasoline in the escape basin
and an explosion of the main tank
seemed inevitable. The young fellow
employed to run the launch was para
lyzed with fear.
The girls shrieked In terror, and two
or three sprang upon the seat to leap
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 wher-
ever they appeared, beating them out
with his coat aud 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 instantly
threw his arms around her, smothering
the flames against his own body.
Nn SliO
ed, except Brady. His arms and hands
were quite badly burned, and the ply
slcian looked grave as he dressed them.
Il hope you will pardon the manner
in which ! embraced you, Miss Dan
vers," said Brady nOnchalantly. Il
fear 1t was hardly according to eti,
quette"- glancng humorously at Miss
Van Vance.
You are splendid hero" cried
Mrs. Lyons Historically. "Ettie should
be proud to be embraced by such d
man"
Even If he Is an utter stranger u
added Miss Van Vance significantly.
Ettie threw back her girlish head de-
family and stepped to Brady's side.
HE Is not strangerw she exclaim'
ed, putting her hand caressingly on his
shoulder. ROSS and have been en-.
gagged ever since we were children,
Only II
Never mind, Etfie," interrupted
Ross tenderly; you needn't try to ex,
plain"
II congratulate you both," said Miss
Van Vance cordially, ''only," teasingly
as she held Etfie's hand warmly in hel
own, "only, Miss Danvers, your man
ner of announcing your engagement il
so wholly without regard to-
Effie smiled brightly through hel
tears. 81 know, Miss Van Vance, and
deserve lesson. You have been q
good friend to me-"
Better than you know, little Effie,
murmured Miss Van Vance to herself
as she turned away, land the tempta
ton was greater than you can possibly
understand"