putting a greater distance between them. Then,
slowing for an instant, he vanished round a distant corner.

"Zounds!" muttered the Colonel.

"He turned right opposite that white birch!" cried Polly.

"Sure?"

"Yes; I was keeping watch."

So was the Colonel; but he had not noticed the tree.

Polly's assurance held enough decision to satisfy the driver, and
he took the turn she had indicated, where the glint of the weeping
white birch on the opposite side of the street had caught her
observant eye. But on the cross-road no dark green auto was in
sight.

As they came to the first street on the right, however, a solitary
car met their eager eyes.

Polly looked her delight, as the swept round the corner and along
the hard, clear stretch. The flicker of a smile was on the
Colonel's rugged face.

"Doc-tor! Doctor Dud-ley!" called Polly.

The physician turned his head.

"Oh, don't stop!" she entreated, for he was slowing up, as they
came alongside.

"Please go right back--quick! David's worse!"

One astonished glance, and he comprehended, and obeyed. Colonel
Gresham gave him room for the turn. Then, with a graceful gesture
of farewell, and, "I thank you!" he whizzed past them and out of
sight.

"Oh, I hope he'll get there in time!" sighed Polly.

"I think he will," the Colonel nodded. "He looks it."

"I don't want David to die; he's such a nice boy."

Lone Star was taking the road easily, after his spurt of speed.
The lines lay loosely on the Colonel's knee.

"Is this David some relative of yours?" he asked.

"OH, no, sir! I've only known him a few weeks, since he was
knocked down by a runaway horse, and hurt so badly. He's David
Collins, and I'm Polly May. Dr. Dudley took me up to see him,
because he needed cheering up; but now he has bad turns with his
heart, and I can't go. He's a lovely boy. It was so good of you
to take me to catch the Doctor--I don't know what I should have
done if you had n't! And did n't your horse go fast! I never saw
a horse go so fast before. I think he's beautiful; don't you?"

"I like him." The Colonel smiled down into Polly's eyes quite as
if they were old friends. "Suppose I take you for a little longer
drive--would your friends mind?"

"Oh, thank you!" Polly began, "I'd love it!" Then she stopped,
with sudden recollection. "I guess I can't, though--I'd
forgotten all about it!--I must go back, and finish being
punished."

Colonel Gresham laughed outr