out it, Bess, for you were with Nan when she went to
Lakeview Hall last September. Why, girls! this Nan of ours, when the
train stopped at a station, went alone to the rescue of a child
threatened by a rattlesnake, killed the snake, and rescued the child.
What do you think of _that_?

"And now some of the passengers on that train, who saw the brave deed,
have applied for and obtained a medal for bravery which has been brought
here by a committee, and is to be presented to our Nan. You dear girl!"
cried Mrs. Mason, kissing her heartily. "_What are you crying for_?"

CHAPTER XXI

LONG TO BE REMEMBERED

There were lights and music and flowers all about the big reception
rooms, and a number of ladies and gentlemen were present besides the
committee that had brought the medal for Nan. This was no time to retail
such gossip as Linda Riggs had brought to her ears, and Miss Hagford, the
governess, did not take her employer into her confidence at that time.

Besides, Nan was suddenly made the heroine of the hour.

If she had felt like running away as the party of young people returned
to the Mason house from the moving picture show, Nan was more than
desirous of escape now. The situation was doubly embarrassing after Linda
Riggs' cruel accusation; for Nan had the feeling that some, at least, of
these strange girls and boys must believe Linda's words true.

Nan knew that, all the way from the picture show, Linda had been eagerly
giving her version of the difficulties that had risen between them since
she and Nan had first met on the train going to Lakeview Hall. These
incidents are fully detailed in the previous volume of this series, "Nan
Sherwood at Lakeview Hall," as likewise is the incident which resulted in
the presentation to Nan of the medal for bravery.

The ladies and gentlemen who had made it their business to obtain this
recognition of a very courageous act, had traced the modest schoolgirl by
the aid of Mr. Carter, the conductor of the train on which Nan and Bess
had been so recently snow-bound.

The committee were very thoughtful. They saw that the girl was greatly
embarrassed, and the presentation speech was made very brief. But Mrs.
Mason, with overflowing kindness, had arranged for a gala occasion. A
long table was set in the big dining room, and the grown folk as well as
the young people gathered around the board.

The ill-breeding of Linda Riggs, and her attempt to hurt Nan's
reputation in the