LOTUS TO THE RESCUE.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 204, 29 August 1928, Page 17

LOTUS TO THE RESCUE.

(By Doreea Douglas, West Coast Road, Glen Eden, age 14.) '•Any old newspapers?" queried Dad, as he came into the scullery, where Lotus and I were washing the dishes. '"Plenty in the washhouse," I answered, and Dad made for the door, when Lotus suddenly said, "What are you going to do, Dad?" "Oh!" replied our parent easily, "just going to burn off that grass down the side of the house." Xow Lotus had a positive fear of fire, and when she heard Dad's lightly-spoken words, she went white. '"Don't," she pleaded. "You know the weather has been so fine and the grass is so dry." But Dad just laughed, and went off whistling. "Come out and have a look at the fire!" yelled Tom, our youngest brother, who had reached the mature age'of seven years. I dried my hands quickly, and went out, but nothing would induce Lotus to come into the garden. There certainly was a blaze, and Dad was in his element, as also were the smaller boys from all the houses in our street. Before dinner the fire was out, Dad decleared, so we partook of the meal with easy minds, especially Lotus. After dinner all went out in the car, with the exception of Lotus and I, who wanted to stay home and make sweets for our Guide Bazaar.

"What's that?" said Lotus. clutching at my arm. I shook her off impatiently, and went to the window. Below, the grass had caught again, and it was burning fiercely under the window. Lotus looked over my shoulder, and all the old fear came into her grey eyes. "Get wet sacks," she said steadily, and wet sacks I obtained quick and busy. Down the back stairs we went with remarkable agility. I was in such a hurry that I slipped, and when I went to raise myself I found it impossible. I had sprained my ankle. But Lotus was in the midst of the flames, beating her wet sack down on the flames with all her strength. Her face had gone very white and in her eyes lurked fear, but her mouth was set, and I knew she would win through if she kept it up. 1 glanced up and saw a stalwart navvy coming up the road. I called out in a loud voice, and in less than a minute he was over our five-wire fence beating out the fire with the strength of a modern Hercules.

I felt useless lying there on the grass while Lotus and the bronzed giant swung the wet 9acks with a zeal. Then came the familiar hoot of the motor-born, and Dod and the rest were soon on the scenc. Lotus was the heroine of the hour, and we all declared she had saved the dear old home. She said she had not, but she had conquered her fear of fire for ever.