I won't have to take your dear mother from you so often. Good-by,
Martha. You want to take care of that cough, old lady, or I shall have
to send up some of those plasters you love so."

They were off and rattling down the path between the lilacs before
either Archie or the old woman could answer. To hearts like Jane's and
the doctor's, a suffering body, no matter how far away, was a sinking
ship in the clutch of the breakers. Until the lifeboat reached her side
everything was forgotten.

The doctor adjusted the robe over Jane's lap and settled himself in his
seat. They had often driven thus together, and Jane's happiest hours
had been spent close to his side, both intent on the same errand of
mercy, and BOTH WORKING TOGETHER. That was the joy of it!

They talked of the wounded boy and of the needed treatment and what
part each should take in the operation; of some new cases in the
hospital and the remedies suggested for their comfort; of Archie's life
on the beach and how ruddy and handsome he was growing, and of his
tender, loving nature; and of the thousand and one other things that
two people who know every pulsation of each other's hearts are apt to
discuss--of everything, in fact, but the letter in her pocket. "It is a
serious case," she said to herself--"this to which we are hurrying--and
nothing must disturb the sureness of his sensitive hand."

Now and then, as he spoke, the two would turn their heads and look into
each other's eyes.

When a man's face lacks the lines and modellings that stand for beauty
the woman who loves him is apt to omit in her eager glance every
feature but his eyes. His eyes are the open doors to his soul; in these
she finds her ideals, and in these she revels. But with Jane every
feature was a joy--the way the smoothly cut hair was trimmed about his
white temples; the small, well-turned ears lying flat to his head; the
lines of his eyebrows; the wide, sensitive nostrils and the gleam of
the even teeth flashing from between well-drawn, mobile lips; the
white, smooth, polished skin. Not all faces could boast this beauty;
but then not all souls shone as clearly as did Doctor John's through
the thin veil of his face.

And she was equally young and beautiful to him. Her figure was still
that of her youth; her face had not changed--he still caught the smile
of the girl he loved. Often, when they had been driving along the
coast, the salt wind in their faces, and he had looked at her sudd