the
house drooping and discouraged, doubly appreciated the home into which he
had fallen. Jake had been devoted to Elizabeth with a dog-like devotion
since his first meeting with her in the little schoolhouse six years
before. He was more than glad that he could secure his return to the
Hunter home by the simple method of borrowing money. More nearly than any
one else in her whole circle of acquaintances, Jake Ransom had Elizabeth's
situation figured out. He wanted to come back to her service, and it was
with a satisfied security that he helped prepare the bobsled for the trip
to town. They went early and took Mrs. Hunter with them to do some
shopping for herself and Elizabeth. John hoped to find a man who could
come back with them that afternoon and help with the work of watering and
feeding the hundred and fifty head of cattle that made of their farm life
a busy round of daily toil.

CHAPTER XV

HUGH NOLAND

Doctor Morgan folded his stethoscope and thrust it into his inner pocket.

"Your heart's been pounding like that for seven years, you say?" he asked
of the man sitting before him.

"Seven years in May," was the brief answer.

The patient got up from the office chair and adjusted his waistcoat. The
waistcoat was ample and covered a broad chest. The face also was broad,
with a square chin, and eyes set well apart. The man was twenty-eight or
thirty years old and nearly six feet in height.

"I know all you've got to tell me," he said, going to the mirror to brush
his tumbled hair. "They sent me out to find a place on a farm because
medicine wouldn't do anything for me. I'm tolerably comfortable if I don't
overdo--that is, if I stay out of doors while I'm doing. I don't expect
you to make a new man out of me; I only thought I'd have you look me over
the first thing, because I might need you suddenly, and it's better for
you to know what sort of patient you've got beforehand." He paused for an
inspection of his well-groomed hands.

"You may not need me for years," Doctor Morgan interrupted hastily. "That
kind of a heart outlasts the other organs sometimes. The doctor twisted
the heavy-linked watch chain which dangled from his vest pocket as if
calling upon it for words. Of course an out-of-doors life is best. What
have you been doing of late?" he asked.

"Teaching in the old university since I got my degree, but they've sent me
out like a broken-down fire horse. I'll get used to it," the young man
sa