"Would it do any good, doctor?"

"It might. One can never tell. Anyway, I think that Miss Royanna
should be told how sick he is. She is very fond of the boy. You
should send word to his mother as well."

"You're right, doctor," the clergyman replied.

"I shall send two messages at once."

In less than two days Anna Royanna entered the room where Rod was
lying. She had been driven from the station by a fast team. Her face
was pale and worn, clearly showing that little or no sleep had come to
her eyes the night before. In fact, she had not slept since she had
received Parson Dan's message. Everything else was forgotten. Only
one thing mattered to her, and that was the boy lying sick unto death
in far-off Hillcrest.

Rod had been more restless than ever during the night, and the fever
was at its highest. All realised that this was the crisis, and that a
short time would decide everything. He was still calling and raving as
the singer entered the room. Stepping quickly to his side, she placed
her hand upon his hot forehead.

"Hush," she soothed. "I am here. It is Anna Royanna."

That touch, more than the words, seemed to have a magic effect. The
parched burning lips ceased to move, the staring eyes closed, and with
a deep sigh Rod turned his head on the pillow, and sank into a peaceful