SAVED!

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 209, 3 September 1932, Page 2 (Supplement)

SAVED!

(By Joan Delamar, Moore Street, Ohtikunc • age 15.) At last exams were finished, arjd the term holiday® had commenced. The three o'clock train found Juno Hill speeding homewards with a merry heart and well-thought-out plans for the coming fortnight. About five o'clock she arrived at the little station of her home-town, full of excitement at fleeing aguin the family, from which she had been absent so long. A jolly eyening was spent around the fireside, and little did June dream of the shadow that was hanging over tlie household. " She went to bed very happy, but tlie next day her mother gently broke the news to her; of how Mr. Hill had been very ill, and was forbidden to work; and v of a harsh landlord ready to turn them out. Only by the help of a Mend had they managed to pay June's 'school fees, but now there was little or no hope of her going back. Although this was a bitter disappointment June determined to make the best, of things, and keep a smiling face. .The first week seemed to pass very slowly, which was most unusual for the school holidays. Saturday dawned bright and clear, the brilliant sun cheering the dreary earth, and-June felt quite happy as she -started for the town on her bicycle. Th% streets Were thronged with noifify vehicles, and June had to Wend her Way very carefully in and'out of the ever-increasing traffic. "This delayed her considerably, and sh& was more than thankful wlieh she finally reached the corner store. After completing her few purchases, she pushed her bicycle a short distance, and was just going to mount, when the 1 excited scream of ft child attracted her Attention. June looked round, and saw to her horror a little girl standing almost in front of a faßt-approaching motor-van. She dropped her bicycle; and ran across the road, just in time to grab the helpless child. The driver, witnessing the incident, applied his brakes, and went over to thank the plucky girl. "Why," he said, "'tis my own little daughter I may have killed—but for you. (He turnfed to June and a strange look of amazement caine over his face.) "Surely!" he exclaimed, "the heroine cannot be June Hill, whose parents I was going to turn out of their humble dwelling." He drove Jane home, and happy indeed were tie family when Mr, Watts <the landlord!) as a gift of gratitude made them a present of the dear, little cottage, and also a substantial sum of money for June's education. JUne danced round the room, singing at the top of her voice, th© popular' theme-Song, "Happy Days Ave Here Again."