ses just within his reach.

Alice was about to reply, when an exclamation from those near the
window, and the heavy tramp of horse's feet, arrested her attention, and
drew her also to the window, just as a most beautiful gray, saddled but
riderless, came dashing over the gate, and tearing across the yard,
until he stood panting at the door. Rocket had come home for the first
time since his master had led him away!

Hearing of Hugh's illness, the old colonel had ridden over to inquire
how he was, and fearing lest it might be difficult to get Rocket away if
once he stood in the familiar yard, he had dismounted in the woods, and
fastening him to a tree, walked the remaining distance. But Rocket was
not thus to be cheated. Ever since turning into the well-remembered lane
he had seemed like a new creature, pricking up his ears, and, dancing
and curvetting daintily along, as he had been wont to do on public
occasions when Hugh was his rider instead of the fat colonel. In this
state of feeling it was quite natural that he should resent being tied
to a tree, and as if divining why it was done, he broke his halter the
moment the colonel was out of sight, and went galloping through the
woods like lightning, never for an instant slackening his speed until he
stood at Spring Bank door, calling, as well as he could call, for Hugh,
who heard and recognized that call.

Throwing his arms wildly over his head, he raised himself in bed, and
exclaimed joyfully:

"That's he! that's Rocket! I knew he'd come. I've only been waiting for
him to start on that long journey. Ho! Aunt Eunice! Pack my clothes. I'm
going away, where I shan't mortify Ad any more. Hurry up. Rocket is
growing impatient. Don't you hear him pawing the turf? I'm coming, my
boy, I'm coming!" and he attempted to leap upon the floor, but the
doctor's strong arm held him down, while Alice, whose voice alone he
heeded, strove to quiet him.

"I wouldn't go away to-day," she said soothingly. "Some other time will
do as well, and Rocket can wait."

"Will you stay with me?" Hugh asked.

"Yes, I'll stay," was Alice's reply.

"I'm glad he's roused up," the doctor said, "though I don't like the way
his fever increases," and Alice knew by the expression of his face that
there was but little hope, determining not to leave him during the
night.

Densie or Aunt Eunice might sleep on the lounge, she said, but the care,
the responsibility shall be hers. To this the doctor willin