d Dr. Forbes really think
she ought to give up her trip in order to take Freda Martin into her
home and probably nurse her as well, since skilled nursing of any kind
was almost unobtainable in Blythefield? No, of course, Dr. Forbes did
not mean anything of the sort. He had not known she intended to go
away. Margaret tried to put the thought out of her mind, but it came
insistently back.

She knew--none better--what it was to be alone and friendless. Once
she had been ill, too, and left to the ministration of careless
servants. Margaret shuddered whenever she thought of that time. She
was very, very sorry for Freda Martin, but she certainly couldn't give
up her plans for her.

"Why, I'd never have the chance to go with Mrs. Boyd again," she
argued with her troublesome inward promptings.

Altogether, Margaret's walk was spoiled. But when she went to bed that
night, she was firmly resolved to dismiss all thought of Freda Martin.
In the middle of the night she woke up. It was calm and moonlight and
frosty. The world was very still, and Margaret's heart and conscience
spoke to her out of that silence, where all worldly motives were
hushed and shamed. She listened, and knew that in the morning she must
send for Dr. Forbes and tell him to bring his patient to Fir Cottage.

The evening of the next day found Freda in Margaret's spare room and
Margaret herself installed as nurse, for as Dr. Forbes had feared, he
had found it impossible to obtain anyone else. Margaret had a natural
gift for nursing, and she had had a good deal of experience in sick
rooms. She was skilful, gentle and composed, and Dr. Forbes nodded his
head with satisfaction as he watched her.

A week later Mrs. Boyd left for Vancouver, and Margaret, bending over
her delirious patient, could not even go to the station to see her
off. But she thought little about it. All her hopes were centred on
pulling Freda Martin through; and when, after a long, doubtful
fortnight, Dr. Forbes pronounced her on the way to recovery, Margaret
felt as if she had given the gift of life to a fellow creature. "Oh, I
am so glad I stayed," she whispered to herself.

During Freda's convalescence Margaret learned to love her dearly. She
was such a sweet, brave little creature, full of a fine courage to
face the loneliness and trials of her lot.

"I can never repay you for your kindness, Miss Campbell," she said
wistfully.

"I am more than repaid already," said Margaret sincerely.