Helping Himself | Page 6

were not more than thirty feet apart, and the situation was critical.
Grant was no coward, and he instantly resolved to rescue the girl if it
were a possible thing.

CHAPTER IV
A TIMELY RESCUE

"I will save her if I can," said Grant to himself.
The task, however, was not an easy one. The drunken man was tall and
strongly made, and his condition did not appear to interfere with his
locomotion. He was evidently half crazed with drink, and his pursuit of
the young girl arose probably from a blind impulse; but it was likely to
be none the less serious for her. Grant saw at once that he was far from
being a match for the drunkard in physical strength. If he had been
timid, a regard for his personal safety would have led him to keep aloof.
But he would have despised himself if he had not done what he could
for the girl--stranger though she was--who was in such peril.
It chanced that Grant had cut a stout stick to help him on his way. This
suggested his plan of campaign. He ran sideways toward the pursuer,
and thrust his stick between his legs, tripping him up. The man fell
violently forward, and lay as if stunned, breathing heavily. Grant was
alarmed at first, fearing that he might be seriously hurt, but a glance
assured him that his stupor was chiefly the result of his potations.
Then he hurried to overtake the girl, who, seeing what had taken place,
had paused in her flight.
"Don't be frightened," said Grant. "The man can't get up at present. I
will see you home if you will tell me where you live."
"I am boarding at Mrs. Granger's, quarter of a mile back, mamma and
I," answered the girl, the color, temporarily banished by fright,
returning to her cheeks.

"Where did you fall in with this man?" inquired Grant.
"I was taking a walk," answered the girl, "and overtook him. I did not
take much notice of him at first, and was not aware of his condition till
he began to run after me. Then I was almost frightened to death, and I
don't think I ever ran so fast in my life."
"You were in serious danger. He was fast overtaking you."
"I saw that he was, and I believe I should have dropped if you had not
come up and saved me. How brave you were!"
Grant colored with pleasure, though he disclaimed the praise.
"Oh, it was nothing!" he said, modestly. "But we had better start at
once, for he may revive."
"Oh, let us go then," exclaimed the girl in terror, and, hardly knowing
what she did, she seized Grant's arm. "See, he is beginning to stir. Do
come quickly!"
Clinging to Grant's arm, the two hastened away, leaving the inebriate
on the ground.
Grant now had leisure to view more closely the girl he had rescued. She
was a very pretty girl, a year or two younger than himself, with a bright,
vivacious manner, and her young rescuer thought her very attractive.
"Do you live round here?" she asked.
"I live in Colebrook, the village close by. I was walking from
Somerset."
"I should like to know the name of the one who has done me so great a
service."
"We will exchange names, if you like," said Grant, smiling. "My name
is Grant Thornton. I am the son of Rev. John Thornton, who is minister
in Colebrook."
"So you are a minister's son. I have always heard that minister's sons
are apt to be wild," said the girl, smiling mischievously.
"I am an exception," said Grant, demurely.
"I am ready to believe it," returned his companion. "My name is Carrie
Clifton; my mother is a minister's daughter, so I have a right to think
well of ministers' families."
"How long have you been boarding in this neighborhood, Miss Carrie?"
"Only a week. I am afraid I shan't dare to stay here any longer."
"It is not often you would meet with such an adventure as this. I hope
you won't allow it to frighten you away."

"Do you know that drunken man? Does he live nearby?"
"I think he is a stranger--a tramp. I never saw him before, and I know
almost everybody who lives about here."
"I am glad he doesn't live here."
"He will probably push on his way and not come this way again during
the summer."
"I hope you are right. He might try to revenge himself on you for
tripping him up."
"I don't think he saw me to recognize me. He was so drunk that he
didn't know what he was about. When he gets over his intoxication he
probably won't remember anything that has happened."