hat Bessie was fourteen years old, her father sold the
beautiful home where she had spent so many happy days, and bought a
tract of land in a dense wood farther up the lake. On account of the
dense forest, the place appeared very dismal. As the purchaser of their
old home wanted possession as soon as possible, Mr. Worthington had time
to build only a barn before removing his family. In this building they
lived during the first summer. Though these circumstances were
discouraging, the Worthingtons tried hard to be brave. By fall a house
was ready for them.

Many good things were lacking in this new forest home; but God knew
this, and he put it into the hearts of friends and neighbors to supply
the family with fruit and vegetables and also chickens. So generously
were these supplied that there was no lack.

During the winter following much wood was cut, hauled, and piled out
along the roadside in front of the house; but still there was standing
timber nearly everywhere one might look, and to the south and west it
extended for many miles.

The next summer Bessie learned how dangerous an enemy a large forest
could become. There was so little rain during the hot months that things
became dry and brittle. One day she heard the cry of "Fire! Fire!"
Looking away to the southwest, she beheld a sight that made her feel
faint with fear. The woods were ablaze, and the fire was coming directly
toward her home.

Her father came to her, explained their danger, told her to warn her
mother and then to do all she could to put out any sparks that might
fall around the woodpiles, house, or barn. This said, he hastened to
join the men in their desperate battle with the fire. When Bessie
entered the house, she saw her mother weeping over her little baby, who
had been born during the winter months and who had known nothing but
sickness and suffering. When Mrs. Worthington heard the news, she
continued to weep, and said, "Well, dear, do all you can to put out the
sparks; for I think your little brother is dying, and I can not leave
him."

By much hard work, the fire was held in check until evening. Bessie made
her rounds with a pail of water and a dipper until her eyes became so
painful on account of the smoke and heat that she was forced to lie down
on the ground until they quit hurting. As soon as possible, however, she
returned to her task, informing her mother frequently of the progress of
the fire.

At last word came that nothing