him telling Dorothy that Mrs. Harvey
had been very imprudent. You know how young she is, mother, and how
beautiful; and she has been with this dear little child day and night
from the beginning, not knowing in the least what ailed her, and Mrs.
Harvey is expecting another baby, and of course father is anxious."

"I should think he is," cried Mrs. Staunton, drawn completely out of
herself by the tragedy conveyed in these words. "Oh, poor young thing,
poor young mother! I wish I were strong and well myself, that I might go
and help her. She will have a bad time. She will have an awful risk when
her baby arrives, Effie. Well, my darling, we can do nothing but pray
for them all. There is One who can guide us even through dark days. Go
down, Effie, and get breakfast, and then come back to me. I am very
tired this morning, and will lie still for a little, now that I have got
such a dear, useful daughter to take my place for me."

Effie put on a bright smile, and turned toward the door.

As she was leaving the room, her mother called out after her:

"There is one good thing, there is no diphtheria in the case; nothing
terrifies me like that."

Effie shut the door hastily without reply.

CHAPTER III.

Meanwhile Dr. Staunton and Dorothy drove quickly to The Grange. It was
still very early in the morning, and when they arrived at the great hall
door it was opened by Squire Harvey himself.

"That's right, Dr. Staunton!" he exclaimed. "I am so glad you have come.
Oh, and I see you have brought a nurse. What a blessing! Now, perhaps,
you will induce my wife to take some rest. How lucky that you were able
to find a nurse in a little place like Whittington!"

"I am very fortunate indeed," replied the doctor in his hearty voice.
"Nurse Fraser has been trained at St. Joseph's, and happens to be
staying at Whittington for a brief holiday. She has most kindly
consented to undertake the case until we can get fresh assistance from
London."

"I will stay as long as I am wanted," said Dorothy in her quiet voice.
"If I can be shown to a room for a moment to take off my bonnet and
cloak, I will go immediately afterward to the little patient."

Dorothy's voice was perfectly cool and calm. She did not speak in the
constrained whisper which the poor Squire thought it right to use. There
was an everyday tone in her voice which at this moment was absolutely
refreshing, and the sympathy in her blue eyes just gave the right
quali