"There she is! I had almost given her up; for I didn't believe that
old father of hers would let her come," cried Lucy, catching sight of
Glossy and her rider just entering the avenue; and she sprang up in
such haste as to upset half the men upon the board.

"Hollo! see what you've done!" exclaimed Harry. "Why, it's Elsie, sure
enough!" and he hastily followed in the wake of his sister, who had
already flown to meet and welcome her friend; while Herbert started up
to a sitting posture, and looked enviously after them.

"Archie, John," he called, "one of you please be good enough to hand
me my crutch and cane. Dear me, what a thing it is to be a cripple!"

"I'll get 'em, Herbie, this minute! Don't you try to step without
'em," said Archie, jumping up to hand them.

But Elsie had already alighted from her horse with Harry's assistance,
and shaken hands with him, returned Lucy's rapturous embrace as warmly
as it was given, and stepped upon the veranda with her before Herbert
was fairly upon his feet. As she caught sight of him she hurried
forward, her sweet face full of tender pity.

"Oh, don't try to come to meet me, Herbert," she said, holding out her
little gloved hand; "I know your poor limb is worse than usual, and
you, must not exert yourself for an old friend like me."

"Ah," he said, taking the offered hand, and looking at its owner with
a glad light in his eyes, "How like you that is, Elsie! You always
were more thoughtful of others than any one else I ever knew. Yes, my
limb is pretty bad just now; but the doctor thinks he'll conquer the