rap on the half-closed door was at once followed by the frightened
face of one of the upstairs young nurses.

"Oh, Polly!" she cried, at sight of her, "run quick, and catch
Dr. Dudley for David! He's out there cranking up, and I can't--"

But Polly had shot past her, and was already on the stairs.

The physician was starting his car, as she gained the front
entrance.

"Doctor! Doctor! OH, Doctor!" she screamed, dashing down steps
and walk at a reckless speed; but he did not look round and her
voice was lost in the noise of the machine.

Her feet never slackened. Straight on she flew, like a real
thistledown, her fair curls streaming on the wind, her eyes big
with a vague terror. As the Doctor sped farther and farther away
from her, she ceased calling realizing that she must reach him in
some other way.

The second house below the hospital was Colonel Gresham's. The
Colonel himself was stepping into his light buggy, to give Lone
Star, his favorite trotter, a little exercise, when Polly rushed
up.

"Oh, please, sir!" she panted, "will you catch Dr. Dudley?--
They want him at the hospital--and I could n't make him hear!
He's right ahead--in his auto--the dark green one! David
will die if he don't come!"