th was undoubtedly a contributary cause. With
proper medical attention she may recover from this attack--partially,
at least. She should be removed to a good hospital, or a trained nurse
placed in charge of the case here. That will be expensive. Do you know
whether the family can afford--"

"The family can afford anything she needs, anything that will give her
a chance," Lance told him brusquely.

"She will probably be an invalid as long as she lives," the doctor
went on. "She will be a great care. Are there any relatives, other
than the girl? It's a tremendous burden to fall on her shoulders, Mr.
Lorrigan."

"The burden," said Lance, "will not fall on her shoulders. I don't
mind telling you that Miss Douglas and I will be married very soon. As
soon as possible."

The doctor brightened visibly. "Congratulations, Mr. Lorrigan! I
should strongly advise you, then, to have the old lady removed to a
nice, quiet hospital. You will not want the care of her--young people
should not be handicapped in that way. I can make the necessary
arrangements. She should not be subjected to the discomforts of the
journey just at present--it's a long way by team, and a long way by
train. I should like to have her as quiet as possible for a few days,
at least."

"We'll look after that," said Lance, and hurried in to tell Mary Hope
that her mother was not going to die, and that Belle was coming--he
could hear the rattle of the buckboard.

"I don't know what mother will say," Mary Hope began, and stopped and
hid her eyes behind her hands. Her mother, poor soul, could not say
anything. It seemed terrible to Mary Hope that her mother must lie
there and endure the presence of the painted Jezebel in her home, and
be unable to utter one word of denunciation, one bitter reproach. It
was like a judgment; and she could not bear the thought that her
mother must suffer it. A judgment, or treachery on her part,--the
terrible treason of a child betraying her mother.

"It's all right, girl; you don't _know_ our Belle. We'll just leave it
to her. She'll find a way. And I'll go out now and tell her all about
it, and leave her to manage."

"I'll go," Mary Hope decided unexpectedly. "I have things to say--you
shall not go, Lance Lorrigan. You will please let me see her
alone--first. I'm that afraid of Belle Lorrigan I could creep under
the table and hide! And so I shall go alone to her."

Lance surrendered, and rolled a cigarette and smoked it in th