clothing. With a long leap he was in the water, and with a half-dozen
vigorous strokes he had reached Jeff's elbow.

"Let go! I've got her!" he cried, and Jeff, spluttering and breathing
hard, attempted to let go.

But Lucy still fought so desperately that it was no easy matter to get
her clutch away from Jeff's clothing. By this time, however, Just was
also in the water, and the three soon had the girl under control.

"Keep quiet! You're all right! Let us take you in!" called Doctor
Churchill to the struggling, strangling little figure. So in a minute
more they had her on the bank.

"Why, it's Lucy!" Doctor Churchill cried in astonishment, as he dropped
upon his knees beside her and fell to work.

"Yes, it's Lucy!" panted Jeff.

But there was no chance just then for explanations. For the next ten
minutes he and Just were kept busy obeying peremptory orders. As under
Andy's directions they silently and anxiously worked over the young form
upon the grass, they were feeling intensely grateful that the necessary
skill had been so close at hand. But until the doctor's satisfied "She's
coming out all right!" gave them leave, neither dared draw a good breath
for himself.

Just was wondering what he and Jeff were to say, but his brother was
heaping reproaches upon himself, and sternly holding Jeff Birch
responsible for the whole unfortunate affair.

By the time Lucy was herself again and able to breathe without distress,
Evelyn had come flying down the path---the only other person roused by
the distant shouts. It had been a day full of active sports, and
everybody was sleeping the sleep of the weary. Even Charlotte had not
been roused by Andy's departure.

Just ran to the house for blankets; Evelyn, at Doctor Churchill's
direction, followed him to prepare a steaming hot drink for Lucy; and
presently they had her in her bed, warm and dry, although much exhausted
by her experience in the waters of the river, which were cold even on a
June night. Doctor Churchill had insisted on calling Charlotte, but
Evelyn had begged him to arouse nobody else, and after one look into her
face he had agreed.

At last, Lucy having dropped off to sleep under the soothing influence
of the hot beverage, the others gathered quietly in a lower room. The
three wet ones had acquired dry if informal garments, and a council had
been asked for by Evelyn.

"It's entirely my fault," began Jeff, promptly, and he plunged into a
brief but graphic