not coherently, to the doctor, who during the rapid ride gathered
the idea that North had rescued a young married woman from
drowning, who had since given birth to a child.

The few words that set the doctor right when he arrived at the
cabin might in any other community have required further
explanation, but Dr. Duchesne, an old army surgeon, was prepared
for everything and indifferent to all. "The infant," he said, "was
threatened with inflammation of the lungs; at present there was no
danger, but the greatest care and caution must be exercised.
Particularly exposure should be avoided." "That settles the whole
matter, then," said Bessy potentially. Both gentlemen looked their
surprise. "It means," she condescended to further explain, "that
YOU must ride that filly home, wait for the old man to come to-
morrow, and then ride back here with some of my duds, for thar's no
'day-days' nor picknicking for that baby ontil she's better. And I
reckon to stay with her ontil she is."

"She certainly is unable to bear any exposure at present," said the
doctor, with an amused side glance at North's perplexed face.
"Miss Robinson is right. I'll ride with you over the sands as far
as the trail."

"I'm afraid," said North, feeling it incumbent upon him to say
something, "that you'll hardly find it as comfortable here as--"

"I reckon not," she said simply, "but I didn't expect much."

North turned a little wearily away. "Good night," she said
suddenly, extending her hand, with a gentler smile of lip and eye