people cling to with such pathetic
persistence, I smiled, and then in alarm leaned closer to the window.

They had begun their walk again, and were now at the end of the path
opening on to the pavement. I could see them clearly, and
instinctively my hands went out as if to catch her, for the girl had
fallen forward, and on the snow a tiny stream of red was dripping
from her mouth. Quickly the man caught her and put his handkerchief
to her lips, and with equal swiftness he looked around. He could not
lay her on the snow, but she could no longer stand. The fear in his
face, the whiteness of hers, were plainly visible. I raised the
window.

"Bring her over here," I called. "I'll come down and help you."

In a flash I was out of the room and down the steps. Mrs. Mundy, who
had heard my hurried running, followed me to the door. "What is it?"
she asked. "What's the matter, Miss Dandridge?"

Opening the front door, I started down the steps, but already the
man, with the girl in his arms, was coming up them. "Go back," he
said, quietly, though his breath was quick and uneven. "Go back.
You'll get your feet wet."

With a swift movement Mrs. Mundy pushed me aside. "Mr. Guard?" Her
voice was questioning, uncertain; then she held out her arms. "The
poor child! Give her to me. Who is it? Why, it's--it's Lillie
Pierce!"

"Yes." The man's voice was low, and with a movement of his head his
hat fell on the floor. "It's Lillie Pierce. She has fainted. Where
shall I take her?"

"In here." Opening a door at the end of the hall, Mrs. Mundy
motioned Mr. Guard to enter. From the girl's mouth the blood was
still dripping, and on the collar of her coat was a big round splotch
of red.

"No," I said. "Bring her up-stairs. There's a room all fixed, and
you have so much to do." I put my hand on Mrs. Mundy's arm. "I can
take care of her. Can't we take her up-stairs?"

A swift look passed between Mrs. Mundy and Mr. Guard. "No." The
latter shook his head. "It is better for her to be down here."
Going inside of the little room, he laid the girl on a cot at the
foot of the bed, then turned to me. "Get a doctor. Call Chester
4273 and tell Carson, if he's there, to come at once. If you can
find her, get Miss White also."

I turned to leave the room, but not before I saw Mrs. Mundy and Mr.
Guard at work on the girl, and already her hat and coat were off, and
warm covering was being tucked around her. Mrs. Mu