n shining above
a cloud of pink and white lawn.

"He's visitin' Mr. Fred--he's from the city, I think. He just came
to-day and I didn't hear his name."

"Why, that's Dr. Medway," said Alene; "he's from Dr. Luke's hospital."

"I never dreamed he was a doctor! I talked away like a graphophone,
and he told me about many children worse than I am who were cured, just
think!"

"Oh, Ivy, Ivy, he'll cure you then!" cried Alene with a quick breath of
ecstasy.

Ivy's joy subsided; the tears came in her eyes.

"But I guess it would cost a fortune," she said dejectedly.

Shortly after lunch Dr. Medway, sauntering along the walk enjoying a
cigar and escorted by Prince, who had taken a fancy to him, was
arrested by a voice.

"I beg your pardon, sir, but are you Dr. Medway?"

"I am. What can I do for you, young man?"

"Ivy, the little lame girl--I'm her brother, Hugh Bonner--you told her
about so many cures--Oh, sir, if you would undertake to cure her--why,
I haven't any money now, but I'd pay you some day if it took me a
lifetime, and I'd--I'd work my fingers to the bone for you!" cried the
lad, forgetting in his earnestness the dignified speech he had
prepared, and speaking with all the intensity of his long-cherished
desire.

"You are a good brother, Hugh, my lad, but I'm not a Shylock. I heard
of the little girl before I came here. I shall see your mother about
her to-morrow; and be assured the main thing is to cure Ivy--nothing
else matters!" and the doctor gave Hugh's hand a vigorous grip.

CHAPTER XXVI

AN ADVENTURE

"Where is Lois?" Laura flitted from one group of people to another,
growing anxious in her continued failure to get any information.

"She was naughty, and she's gone!" screamed Claude and Nettie, who came
rushing hand in hand out the front door.

"Where did she go?"

"Over the roof."

Laura grew pale.

"The roof? Whereabouts? Where is she, I say? Where were you?" She
took hold of their shoulders as if to shake the answers out of them.

Alas, when they spoke her worst fears were confirmed! The children had
climbed the four flights of steps to the tower room, where Lois had
crawled out upon the roof; they called to her and in trying to turn she
had slipped out of sight over the edge.

Laura ran moaning toward the foot of the tower, dreading to find a
little crushed body lying there inert, but no! the crowd was gazing
upward horror-stricken, and she caught a glimpse of a