hazards"; and the mare, as if sensing the importance of her piission, would leap forward with a sympathetic whinny.
The door was opened by Mr. Burns, revealing a scene of domestic comfort.
A little table, covered with a snowy cloth and spread with light refreshments, stood before a blazing fire; and at its head sat Mrs. Burns, daintily attired in a light blue wrapper of exquisite workmanship.
"Why, Harry Ranger!" she exclaimed, as the lad stood inside the door, shaking his dripping garments. "I hope Jean isn't worse? I left her calm and seemingly out of danger."
"She's fallen in a fit! I Ve come for the Doctor!"
The wind had lulled a little as the little party hurried down the muddy highway toward the Ranch of the Whispering Firs. The Little Doctor, nattily arrayed in a rain suit, hood and all, sat her horse securely and plunged headlong through the darkness, while Hal rode by her .side, followed at a distance by her husband, who bumped up and down in Scotch-English fashion on a heavy trotter, reminding himself of John Gilpin, as his hat blew off and his stirrup slipped from his foot.
"I've heard rumors of the ' coming woman ' many a time," he thought, bracing himself by clinging to the horn of his Spanish saddle. "But the deuce take me if I like the article in practice, though I Ve long advocated her cause in theory."
He said as much in an injured tone to his wife, as they alighted at the Ranger home, and received for answer, "We must always consider what is the greatest good for the greatest number, dear. Won't we be well repaid for this night's adventure if Jean is saved?"
The Little Doctor found her patient in a rigid, trance-like state, her eyelids fluttering and her breathing stertorous.
"The heart's action is fairly good," she said, after a
