The daily Alaskan., 1914-01-29
A BRAVE
 FOOL By ESTHER VANDEVEER

ing as lazily as he walked He was city chap, who had been ordered by his physician to go to the country even though the January winds were blow ing cold, and recuperate. He was thinking as he walked what hum drum thing life was, to be sure' now free from any kind of risk or excite ment his own individual life was and how when be was "bowled over," as he expressed 1t, it would probably be by an animaIcule, so small that he could not see 1t, entering his system in- creasing and multiplying vigorously the colony at last eating him up.
 Strange 1t is how often fate IS doing with us what we least suspect At the moment this last idea entered George Carrolps brain a death dealing force was driving at him from behind. A shadow, accompanied by the sound Of horses hoofs, shot transyersely before him. Turning, he saw girl on horse back in a red coat, moving between him and bull that was making Tor him, the girl glancing backward as she rode to observe the bull. She was about to turn and ride back again when the bull caught sight of her, abandoned the straight line he was fol- lowing in the direction of the man and turned his attention to the girl.
 Now, George In regard to all mat ters pertaining to the country was very stupid. He did not realize that he was or had been in any danger. He did not gather from what he saw that this girl, seeing the bull going for him, had leaped a fence and ridden between him and his enemy for the purpose of turning the animal from him to her self. Instead of thus taking in the situation and getting out of the field as soon as possible, he stood looking at the bull chasing the girl.
 The incIosure was about ten acres, and George stood near the middle of It. The girl led the bull as far as possible from him, then turned and, eluding the animal as dexterously as a toreador, galloped away ln the opposite direc- ton. By that time 1t began to dawn upon the city man that the horse and the girl were being pursued by the bull for the purpose of goring. But not even yet did be realize that she had taken this danger upon herself for the purpose of saving his Hfei that had 1t not been for her e pair of horns would have taken him in the back, broken 1t and the earthly spark of his existence would have gone out forever.
 What occupied George CarrolPs mind to the exclusion of all else was the danger that threatened the girl and what he could do to relieve her from her perilous position. The only thing he could do was to run for the fence as fast as his legs could carry him and climb over 1t. If he had done this the girl would have made her exit as she had made her enrance-by urging her horse over that same fence. She was waiting for him to get out of the field before securing her own safety. It is singular how a brave man may be fool, or, rather, is not good deal of what we call bravery follyf George by his stupidity was leaving both him self and the girl in danger. She could see him standing there gaping at her, but was so close pressed that she was unable to make a sign to him to fly for his life. Nearing the opposite end of the field, she turned her head to see George running toward her! She could have jumped the fence, but when she saw the man she was trying to save hurrying again into danger, tn- stead of saving herself she turned about and started again across the field. If she went near the man the bull might leave her and turn upon him. So she galoped diagonally across the field, making an effort at a sign for him to leave 1t. But he did not understand and. turning, continued his pursuit of her.
 Then followed events in such quick succession-so quick that George could | scarcely separate them. He saw the horse stumble and fall; he saw the bulls horns go into the horses belly; he heard a report, and the bull, too, fell to the ground. 4 man dropped gun, dashed to the fence and, jumping 1t, ran to where the girl was trying to get up from the ground. George and the man reached her at the same time. The man lifted her up, and she stood on her feet,
 Are you killed?" asked the man.
 NO; not even hurt"
 Then the man turned to George.
 For heavens sake" he cried, "hoW in the world have you escaped the fool killer all these yearsT
 He's not a fool at all," said the girl; "he's a brave man. He didn't real ize his own danger, he was so intent upon mine"
 When George Carroll realized what the girl had done for him and how he had stupidly come very near being the cause of her death he was paralyzed. AS it was, he had been the cause of