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.

He had known her all her life, had been by the bedside when she came
into the world, and he put his arm round her shoulders and gave her a
little hug as they passed into the room.

"We'll do our level best, little girl."