The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1913-09-17

give him the opportunity"
''Do you mean that you would rather
married George Fenwick for his
money than-than Dick Ashmore, be-
cause | love him?" flared Mabel.
love him, do your quavered Mrs
knight wrathfully. Marry him, then.
and 90 to the poorhouse, for you will
never get one penny Of my money"
She arose and thumped her cane an
grily on the floor
Tears came to Mabel's lovely eyes,
but she winked them away from the
long. lefty lashes. and when she spoke
her voice was so like that. of her dead
father that Flora Knight was shaken
to the soul.
every well. grandmother, l will re-
spect your wishes until your stay at
Rose Hall is ended, but then I will
leave you and go away, because love
Dick and | shall marry him."
"And leave me all alone?" demanded
Mrs. Knight in an odd tone.
"You cannot miss me. granny, be-
cause you are rich, and money will
make up to you for lack of love and
everything. It's what you want me to
throw away. Cousin Susie will be
glad to come"
81 dare say she will She's been
pulling wires to that end for five
years" snapped Mrs. Knight GROSSLY.
Remember. Mabel, don't let that
young man come near me. shall GER
tainly be rude to him.
81 am quite sure he will not intrude,
grandmother" said Mabel coldly, and
she did not turn her head as the old
lady battered away toward the dining
room. for the luncheon bell was sound
ing.
Luncheon over, the older boarders
scattered to their rooms for the mid
day siesta, while the young people
started on long talked Of tramp up
East mountain Mabel knight did not
go She sat in her room and read and
dreamed until sharp cry echoed
through the house, a wOman's shrill
cry of alarm.
"Fire. Fire! Fire!'
the hall filled with a thick yellow
smoke. The cook was crying hysteric-
ally in the hall below, and doors were
popping open, and other shrill fem
mime voices were added to the alarm.
Mabel went to her grandmother
room and found it empty. She was re-
ieved. because she thought Mrs.
knight was safely out of danger on
the front piazza.
So, picking up her own valuables
and her grandmothers leather travel
ing box that contained precious be.
longingS. Mabel hurried downstairs
after knocking at the different closed
doors along the hall.
Half choking and gasping for breath
she fought her way down to the piazza
to find that among all the other board.
ers two were missing. No one had
seen Mrs Knight or Mrs. Tillerby
since luncheon.
Mabel thrust her bundles into some.
body's trembling hands and dashed
back to the house.
II must get grandmother she called
back And there was no one to stop
her going. for the only man left on the
place had gone to ring the village fire
alarm. and Mrs. Brownlee had gone
over to Brookedge station to meet
some expected guests. e.
Smoke was pouring from the rear OF
the big white house, and every door
and window belched forth yellow
clouds.
Mabel CROPPED her way into the hall,
crept upstairs on her hands and knees
and so along to Mrs. Knights room.
Here she found the valiant old lady
holding wet towel before her face
while she sought frantically through
drawers and closets for something.
"Come. granny; come! l will carry
you down. cried Mabel. tugging at
her arm.
go away. dol" grumbled Mrs
Knight from her muffled lips. "I'n
trying to find Wrinkles leash. The
poor darling is frightened to deathP
Mabel saw that Granny's pet Pomera
MAN was shivering under her arm.
"Oh. granny; take him as he is. Don't
wait. Why, you will be burned te
DEATH" begged the girl.
go yourself Nobody cares if l dc
burn upr' retorted granny obstinately
but she caught her breath sharply.
A big form dashed into the room and
gathered granny in his strong arms
Wrinkle and all
"Come, darlng!" he shouted. and he
wasn't talking to granny, either. Ma
bel followed. only pausing to help poor
Mrs. Tillerby down the stairs.
An hour afterward it was all over.
The fire was confined to the kitchen
and the boarders gathered on the grass
and voted to camp out there under the
naples until the house should be free
from smoke once more
Dick Ashmore, who had carried of
granny against her strong wishes, con-
tinued to go to and fro, bringing va
rious comforts from their room, until
Mrs Knight laid a trembling hand on
his sooty shirt sleeve.
do stop this running about, Mr.
er. Dick" she said sharply. "You re-
mind me so much of Mabel's father
She hesitated and coughed. "Mabel's
been telling me some things, and some
how I'd rather like to have masterful
man about. and. well, Mabel. you need
not hug me to death. and | declare,
Dick Ashmore. do believe you kissed
me, sir! Everybody's looking on too.
Well, | suppose we might as we'll an
nounce the engagement that way!'
And strong willed granny stroked
Winkie and rocked contentedly in her
own chair. which Dick had brought
from the piazza.