The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1911-04-12
to his love Tor little Emp Danvers ana

to his love Tor little Effle Danvers ana
his chagrin at her cool reception.
Miss Van Vance listened Interesting
ly, smiling half sadly.
"Mr. Brady" she said slowly. Il ana
older than you, aud | have had. pp,
haps, wider opportunities for obserN
ing human nature. And | am Hike Sa
manthy Allen know women Just
like book because I've been one quite
! a spell. 1t is II woman's nature tu
want Il man to beat down all barriers
even those she herself has erected. Is
the hint sufficient, MIR. Brady?"
II think So" quietly. "and | thank
you. Miss Van Vance"
| He resolved to act upon the sup
| gestion yet it was two days before he
summoned courage to go again to the
hotel.
Miss Dnnvers is not here just now,
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 launch"
For an instant Brady was tempted
to 20 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.
81 am so glad you happened along
Can you spare the time to go around
the lake with us?"
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
absorbing story of 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
wherever they appeared. beating 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 instantly
threw his arms around her. smother
ing the flames against his own body.
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
dressed them.
81 hope you will pardon the manner
in which | embraced you. Miss Dan
vers," said Brady nonchalantly. II
fear it was hardly according to eti-
quette." glancing humorously at Miss
Van Vance.
"You are a splendid heror' cried
Mrs. Lyons Historically. "Effie should
be proud to he embraced by such
man."
Even if he is an utter stranger"
added Miss Van Vance significantly.
Effie threw back her girlish head de-
family and stepped to Brady's side
"He is not stranger!" she eX-
claimed. putting her hand caressingly
on his shoulder. Ross and | have
been engaged ever since we were chill
| dren. Only II
"Never mind, Etfie." interrupted Ross
tenderly; you needn't try to explain"
81 congratulate you both" said Miss
Van Vance cordially, "only," teasiurly,
as she held Eflie's hand warmly in her
own-"only, Miss Danvers. your MN
ner of announcing your engagement is
so wholly without regard to-
Effie smiled brightly through her
tears. 81 know. Miss Van Vance. and
! deserve a lesson. You have been Il
good friend to me-"
Better than you know, little Eftic,"
murmured Miss Van Vance to herself
as she turned away, land the tenipta
tion was greater than you can possi-
bly, understand"
Kaiser and Cafetier,