The Washington herald., 1915-09-19

That was very brave of vou." sait
Mr. Holman. You can go"
BrI1rer was glad enough to be free
| from further mination; ht
wanted to get back to Alison to coach
him in further details in case h<
| should be sent for.
kriLger had just finished his COM
mun'cation 20 Alison when the lattef
Ike an awkward Question
But Bridser, how did nc know your
boots we're dry"
Il s'pose he saw them as I Same IN.
replied Sr,dger
Then did he see Gl'ae were dry
too
BridLsr saw the weak spot in his
story Instantly. There was 10 time Ia
lose. II Mr. Holman were % inspect
Alson's boots the whole game was
up. Getting permission from the mon
itor II charge to go to his room to
fetcn a book from his jacket pocket,
nc hurried to Alisou's closer and alb
srccLed the telI-tale boots
In deadly fear lest Mr. Holman
might appear, he held them under the
raucet for a few seconds and then re-
placed them. Now he felt safe.
Alison was summoned by Mr. Hol-
man shortly after. Bridger gave him a
few hurried instructions and awaited
his return with some anxiety. He
feared that Alison might be wanting in
that ready inventiveness which he
found so useful himself
But Alison returned triumphant Mr..
Holman had only asked a few ques-
tions, and had believed everything he
had said Moreover. he had managed
to inform the master that his boots
We're quite wet That of course proved
the truth of his story.
Study hour concluded without fur
ther incident: Mr.. Holman read pray
ers and bedtime came. But instead
of dismissing the boys as usual. Mr..
Holman remained at his desk.
I've a few words to say to you be-
fore you go upstairs" he began; and
every boys attention was instantly
fxed on him 1T is my privilege to-
night 10 be able to acknowledge pub
licly that we have among us a boy
who has shown that he has in him the
makings of hero. 1t seems that
Alison. while fishing off the rocks in
the swimming cove, slipped and fell
into deep water. Fortunately, Bridger
was with him. and. seeing that his
companion was in danger. for the sea
was rough and he was encumbered
with his clothes, he plunged in after
him and brought him to land. 1t was
a brave deed. and I shall recommend
Brideer for a medal to the Carnegie
hero fund. Now. three cheers for
Bridger,''
Bridser started up. but not in time
to stop the cheering, which enectually
prevented his being heard. Those near
him clapped him on the back and
shook his hand, Mr.. Holman looking
on with a peculiar smile.
As soon as he could be heard
Rridser shouted out: please. sir.
there's a mistake"
The noise stopped instantly.
"A mistake" repeated the master.
DO YOU mean that Alison rescued
you?'
Bridser had gone too far to re-
treat, even IL he had wished to do so.
He a hero, to wear medal for saw
ing life, No. il was impossible: Tor
he was not all bad, and was learning
a wholesome and bitter lesson.
please. sir, we were oatnlns' anu
a wave reached our clothes-except our
hoots" he added by way Of explana-
tion.
SO Won lied to me-" asked Mr.. Hol-
man sternly.
yes. sir" Bridger replied in q low
tone. II sounded very unpleasantly
when his clever little story was blunt
lv called by its proper name-a lie.
He hadn't thought of that before. He
wished now that Mr.. Holman had not
been such a fool as to believe every
word he had said. and call him q hero.
And the other fellows who had cheer
ed him, What would they say when
they got upstairs!
Five hundred lines and lose two
half holidays, That was the sentence.
But the bitterest pill Of all was when
he discovered that MI Holman had
heen making fool Of him all along
Scar~-;.ht Nv the Associated Litezary PrsR)