ved. "She
threw water on her, and rolled her in the rug."

"That is what my governess said we should do in such cases," said Mary
quietly, though her face was twitching. "I never loved Miss Sharp
before," she added with a little laugh.

"You certainly did save Polly's life," said her uncle as he examined
Polly's clothing. "Fortunately she has on a woolen frock and has been
only slightly scorched about the legs. The fire evidently did not
reach her bare flesh. You didn't breathe the flames, did you, Polly,
for I see the fire did not go above your waist."

"I am sure I didn't breathe any flames," Polly assured him. "Mary was
so quick. She saw at once that I had caught fire and she threw the
water over me right away, but oh, Uncle Dick, I may not be burned
badly, but it does hurt." And she buried her face on her uncle's
shoulder to hide her tears.

"Poor little girl, I know it hurts," he said. "Get some salad oil,
Molly, and some baking soda; then see if you can find an old
handkerchief or two and some raw cotton. We must try to ease this
wounded soldier. How did you children happen to be here alone?"

Mary explained, her uncle listening attentively. "I wish I had known
it," he said; "I would not have stayed to supper with the boys. We
came in on the Gawthrops' yacht about supper-time and they persuaded me
to stay, but somehow I felt that I ought to get home soon after. You
children must not be left alone again."

"I'll never try to kindle another fire," said Polly woefully. "Molly
said I was putting on too much light stuff and it just leaped out like
a tiger to bite me."

Molly had returned with the oil and other things by this time, and soon
Polly was made as comfortable as her hurts would allow, but it was some
days before she could run about, and if there was anything lacking in
her affection for her English cousin before this, now it was that she
could not bear her out of sight, for Mary, by her coolness and capable
help, had proved herself a heroine to be loved and admired.

Although this scare was the important topic with the family for some
time, the scheme for helping the distressed Dixon family went forward
rapidly and the next week when Polly's burns gave her no more
uneasiness, the bazaar was held. There was no prettier table the
length of the room than that at which Miss Ada presided, assisted by
her three little nieces. Their Uncle Dick had cleverly helped them
with the decorations