w, revealing an ugly cut. A stream of blood trickled from the wound,
to which the doctor mechanically pressed his handkerchief from time to
time, while the others were lavish in their expressions of sympathy and
regret. They laid the wounded driver gently on his cot, and then
withdrew and placed themselves in the doorway to await the doctor's
verdict, while the landlady bustled about somewhat noisily in her
eagerness to procure the necessary restoratives.

"We must have more air and quiet," was the doctor's first remark, after
he had carefully examined the wounds and counted the pulse of the
injured man. No second hint was needed, and he and the landlady were
left alone with the patient.

In the bar-room, Tucker was giving the details of the accident. "Joe
must er felt that he was in fur hard luck, fur I noticed that he wasn't
like hisself the minute I jined him. He looked so sour and seemed so low
in his sperits that I asked wot was up. Then he seemed madder'n ever,
and he druv so reckless that I was putty derned sure we wouldn't come
out with whole hides. Sure enough, afore we knowed it, the animals shied
at somethin' on the road and started to run. I got a holt onto the
ribbons, Harris, here, a helpin' all he could; but Joe jist let go, and
laid back until we came to a turn. Then away the poor fellow went flying
over the rocks 's if he'd been shot from a cannon. As soon as we could
git the horses hauled in and quieted down, we went back to get Joe. We
thought he was dead, but Harris got some water and throwed it on him
till he began to groan, then we fixed him in the stage and fotched him
along. That's the upshot of the hull business. It's dern'd lucky you had
a doctor handy, though he don't seem to be much 'count."

After duly discussing the accident in all its bearings, the bar-room
occupants disposed themselves as usual at the card tables.

The clock struck ten. At that moment Mary Jane, who having failed to
obtain news through Joe's keyhole, had taken her stand at a window which
commanded a view of the stable, saw her aunt emerge. In an instant she
was at her heels, and the two women entered the bar-room together.

Mrs. Parkenson wore a mysterious air, and there was something about her
that attracted all eyes. It was easy to see that she brought important
tidings. Her eyes glistened, her face was flushed, and she seemed
bristling with information. Some of the men rose and gathered about her,
asking questions.