own, intense interest was felt in this
bare-footed boy on the foaming steed, and a dozen voices asked, "Who's
killed?" as he pulled up at the doctor's gate.

"Jest drove off that way; Mrs. Flynn's baby's in a fit," cried a stout
lady from the piazza, never ceasing to rock, though several passers-by
paused to hear the news, for she was a doctor's wife, and used to the
arrival of excited messengers from all quarters at all hours of the
day and night.

Deigning no reply to any one, Ben rode away, wishing he could leap a
yawning gulf, scale a precipice, or ford a raging torrent, to prove
his devotion to Miss Celia, and his skill in horsemanship. But no
dangers beset his path, and he found the doctor pausing to water
his tired horse at the very trough where Bab and Sancho had been
discovered on that ever-memorable day. The story was quickly told,
and, promising to be there as soon as possible, Dr. Mills drove on to
relieve baby Flynn's inner man, a little disturbed by a bit of soap
and several buttons, upon which he had privately lunched while his
mamma was busy at the wash-tub.

Ben thanked his stars, as he had already done more than once, that
he knew how to take care for a horse; for he delayed by the
watering-place long enough to wash out Lita's mouth with a handful of
wet grass, to let her have one swallow to clear her dusty throat, and
then went slowly back over the breezy hills, patting and praising the
good creature for her intelligence and speed. She knew well enough
that she had been a clever little mare, and tossed her head, arched
her glossy neck, and ambled daintily along, as conscious and
coquettish as a pretty woman, looking round at her admiring rider to
return his compliments by glances of affection, and caressing sniffs
of a velvet nose at his bare feet.

Miss Celia had been laid comfortably in bed by the farmer's wife and
daughters, and, when the doctor arrived, bore the setting of her arm
bravely. No other serious damage appeared, and bruises soon heal, so
Ben was sent home to comfort Thorny with a good report, and ask the
squire to drive up in his big carry-all for her the next day, if she
was able to be moved.

Mrs. Moss had been wise enough to say nothing, but quietly made what
preparations she could, and waited for tidings. Bab and Betty were
away berrying, so no one had alarmed Thorny, and he had his afternoon
nap in peace,--an unusually long one, owing to the stillness which
prevailed in the