Pagina 326 di 439

Time crept slowly, but it could hardly have been a quarter of an

hour later that she heard the galloping of horses.

"It is Dick!" she cried joyfully, and, running to the door, she

unbolted and unlocked it just as France dragged Teddy to a halt

and flung himself to the ground.

The young man gave a shout of gladness at sight of her.

"Is it all right, Arlie?"

"Yes. That is--I don't know. He is delirious. A man came to the

window, and I shot at him. Oh, Dick, I'm so glad you're back."

In her great joy, she put her arms round his neck and kissed him.

Old Doctor Lee, dismounting more leisurely, drawled his protest.

"Look-a-here, Arlie. I'm the doctor. Where do I come in?"

"I'll kiss you, too, when you tell me he'll get well." The

half-hysterical laugh died out of her voice, and she caught him

fiercely by the arm. "Doc, doc, don't let him die," she begged.