e noise of humming wings.

Presently Hoke came plodding up from the field, and smiled as he passed
her. "Doc inside?" he asked.

She nodded. When David came out, he found her still seated there, her
head resting wearily against the rough tree. She rose and came toward
him.

"I thought I wouldn't leave until I knew if there was anything more I
could do," she said simply.

"No, you've done all you can. She'll be all right. Where's your horse?"

"I walked."

"Why did you do that? You ought not, you know."

"Hoyle rode the colt down to see could Aunt Sally come here for a day or
two, until Miz Belew can do for herself better." She turned back to the
house.

"Come home now with me. Ride my horse, and I'll walk. I'd like to walk,"
urged David.

"Oh, no. Thank you, Doctor, I must speak to Azalie first. Don't wait."

She went in, and David mounted and rode slowly on, but not far. Where
the trail led through a small stream which he knew she must cross, he
dismounted and allowed the horse to drink, while he stood looking back
along the way for her to come to him. Soon he saw her white dress among
the glossy rhododendron leaves as she moved swiftly along, and he walked
back to meet her.

"I have waited for you. You are not used to this kind of a saddle, I
know, but what's the difference? You can ride cross-saddle as the young
ladies do in the North, can't you?"

"I reckon I could." She laughed a little. "Do they ride that way where
you come from? It must look right funny. I don't guess I'd like it."

"But just try--to please me? Why not?"

"If you don't mind, I'd rather walk, please, suh. Don't wait."

"Then I will walk with you. I may do that, may I not?" He caught the
bridle-rein on the saddle, leaving the horse to browse along behind as
he would, and walked at her side. She made no further protest, but was
silent.

"You don't object to this, do you?" he insisted.

"It's pleasanter than being alone, but it's right far to walk, seems
like, for you."

"Then why not for you?" She smiled her mysterious, quiet smile. "You
must know that I am stronger than you?" he persisted.

"I ought to think so, since that day we rode over to Cate Irwin's, but I
was right afraid for you that time, lest you get cold; and then it was
me--" she paused, and looked squarely in his eyes and laughed. "You
wouldn't say 'it was me,' would you?"

He joined merrily in her laughter. "I never corrected you on that."

"You never did,