ction to Mr. Traverse he departed to see his
other waiting charges.

They were sad and anxious days that followed, for it was feared that Mr.
Sherwood might not, after all, survive the shock; but Dexie never lost
heart, and was rewarded, after many days, by hearing the welcome news that
her father could safely be moved to his home.

Traverse had proved himself a helpful and faithful friend, and more than
one broken-hearted person blessed him for his ready help and sympathy, for
the accident had been attended with much loss of life and had spread
mourning into many homes.

Dexie had written twice daily to her mother; but having once mentioned the
fact that the few houses in the vicinity of the accident were filled with
maimed and wounded who were too ill to be sent to their homes, Mrs.
Sherwood considered it impossible for her to witness the sight, and Dexie
advised her to stay at home. She was well aware that the distressing sights
and sounds which were to be witnessed hourly in every house would have such
an effect on her mother that her presence would be more hurtful than
beneficial to her father in his present condition.

Dexie was very anxious to know if everything was in readiness for her
father's arrival, and Mr. Traverse relieved her anxiety by offering to go
to the house with the family doctor and make everything sure, and then
return and accompany them home.

It was with a feeling of shame that she gave her last message to him as he
was about to leave her.

"Will you be kind enough to tell Dr. Brown how necessary it will be for
papa to come home to a quiet house; and if mamma is not able to bear the
sight of his arrival, will he see that she is not at home just at the time?
He will understand and can manage it, I am sure."

Traverse looked at her in surprise.

"Mamma is apt to be hysterical, and papa will be too tired with the journey
to bear any unusual excitement. I dread the time of his arrival at the
house more than I do the rest of the journey; but it must be managed
quietly, somehow. It would take so little to set him back when he is so
weak."

"It shall be managed quietly, Miss Dexie, so do not be anxious; I will see
that your father has every chance," and he turned away, wondering at the
care and tact that could see and overrule the want of thought in others,
when age and experience should have given others the self-control that was
so wonderful to see in a girl of her years.

Mr. Sherwood b