bringing back
the spark of life. Then, all at once, a change took place--the ashy look
of her face gave way to a faint tinge of color--the blue lips parted in
something very like a sigh, and her hands, which had been lying inert
and lifeless at her side, twitched almost imperceptibly.

"Oh, she's coming back! she's coming!" cried Amy almost in tears. "Oh, I
was sure she was dead!"

"Hush," Betty cautioned her in a whisper. "I think she knows what we are
talking about," then bending over the girl she said very gently: "Do you
feel better, dear?"

Slowly the eyelids fluttered, and the eyes gazed vaguely up into Betty's
sweet ones. The lips moved and Betty bent down closer to listen.

"I don't know you, do I?" the words were almost inaudible. "I--I--don't
seem to remember----"

"Don't try, my dear," said Betty soothingly, while two tears made their
way down her face, only to be dashed away impatiently. "You have been
through a terrible experience, and you don't have to think very hard
just now--there is plenty of time."

Slowly, understanding replaced the vague wonder in the girl's eyes, and
she reached out with an unsteady hand to touch Betty's white dress.

"I wanted to be sure you were real," she explained, smiling wistfully.
"I was afraid you might vanish. Will you help me to remember?" she
pleaded.

Betty's warm heart went out to the girl, and when she spoke her voice
was full of pity and tenderness.

"I'll help you as far as I can," she promised. "You were swimming and
something happened that made you cry for help. Luckily we happened to be
near and one of the boys got you and brought you back to land. And here
you are getting strong and well again," she finished brightly.

"Well, whoever you are, you're a dear," said the stranger, the emphasis
showing how quickly she was gaining strength. "I remember now all about
it. Mother and dad have told me over and over that I must not come over
here alone; but the day was perfect for a swim and no one else would
come, so I slipped off by myself. I was swimming all right, and then I
was taken with cramps. Oh, oh, it was terrible!" and she covered her
face with her hands to shut out the memory.

"Don't think of it," said Amy compassionately, kneeling down beside the
girl and taking the cold hand in hers. "It's all over now, and you are
safe and sound. Try just to remember that."

The girl looked up wonderingly at the sweet girlish faces gathered about
her. "I thi