it was horrible,--it made her shudder.

Effie was a thoroughly healthy girl, healthy both in mind and body, but
now a sick pain was over her. She did not care to think of the real
terror which haunted her. She arrived at The Grange between six and
seven o'clock. The woman at the lodge ran out and opened the gate for
the doctor's gig in some surprise. She thought something was wrong
again up at the house, but her surprise strengthened to astonishment
when she saw that Effie was driving the horse.

"Why, Miss Effie, what is the matter?" she exclaimed. Everyone in the
place knew Effie, and loved her for her father's sake.

"The doctor is ill, Mrs. Jones," said Effie, "and I have come to fetch
Miss Fraser."

"Oh, God help us! he hasn't taken it?" said the woman, falling back a
step or two in horror.

Effie nodded her head--she had no words to speak. She whipped up Jock,
and drove quickly down the avenue.

A kitchen-maid was on her knees whitening and polishing the front steps.
Effie jumped from the gig, and asked the girl to call someone to hold
the horse.

"There ain't any of the men round just now, it is too early," said the
girl.

"Then take the reins yourself," said Effie. "Stand just here; Jock won't
stir if I tell him to be quiet. Hold the reins. I am in a great hurry."

"You are Miss Effie Staunton, ain't you, miss?"

"I am. My father is ill, and I want Miss Fraser."

"God help us! the doctor ill!" exclaimed the girl.

She stood where Effie told her, holding Jock's reins.

"Be quiet, Jock; don't stir till I come out," said Effie. The old horse
drooped his head. Effie ran up the steps and into the house. She had
never been at The Grange before, but she had no eyes for the beauties of
the old place this morning. There was something too awful lying at the
bottom of her heart, for any external things to affect her. She went
quickly up the broad front stairs, and paused on the first landing. How
was she to discover the room where Dorothy and little Freda Harvey
spent their time together? She was about to turn back in utter
bewilderment, when, to her relief, she saw another servant. The servant
stopped and stared at Effie. Effie came up to her quickly.

"You may be surprised to see me here," she said. "I am Miss Staunton,
Dr. Staunton's daughter. He is ill. I want to see Nurse Fraser
immediately. Take me to her at once."

"We are none of us allowed near that part of the house, miss," replied
the woman.