er look in Betty's eyes, for he asked
gravely if Miss Leicester had a niece to lend, it being a moonlight
evening and not too long a drive. Aunt Barbara made no objection, and
our friend went skipping off to the doctor's stable in high glee.

"Oh, that's nice!" she exclaimed. "I'm so glad that you're going to take
Pepper; she's such a dear little horse."

"Pepper is getting old," said the doctor, "but she really likes to go
out in the evening. You can see how fast she will scurry home. Get me a
whip from the rack, will you, child? I am anxious to be off."

Mrs. Prince and Aunt Barbara were busy talking in the parlor, and were
taking great pleasure in their social occasion, but Betty was so glad
that she need not stay to listen, instead of going down the town street
and out among the quiet farms behind brisk old Pepper. The wise, kind
doctor at her side was silent as he thought about his patient, yet he
felt much pleasure in Betty's companionship. They could smell the new
marsh hay and hear the tree-toads; it was a most beautiful summer night.
Betty felt very grateful and happy, she did not exactly know why; it was
not altogether the effect of Mrs. Prince's tea and cakes, or even
because she was driving with the doctor, but the restlessness and
uncertainty that make so great a part of a girl's life seemed to have
gone away out of her heart. Instead of the excitement there was a
pleasant quietness and sense of security, no matter what might be going
to happen.

Presently the doctor appeared to have thought enough about his patient.
"You don't feel chilly, do you?" he asked kindly. "I find it damp and
cold, sometimes, after a hot day, crossing this low land."

"Oh, no, I'm as warm as toast," answered Betty. "Whom are you going to
see, Dr. Prince? Old Mr. Duff?"

"No, he is out-of-doors again. I saw him in the hayfield this morning.
You haven't been keeping up with my practice as well as usual, of late,"
said the doctor, laughing a little. "I am going to see a girl about your
own age. I am afraid that I am going to lose her, too."

"Is it that pretty Lizzie Edwards who sits behind the Becks' pew? I
heard that she had a fever. I saw her the last Sunday that she was at
church." Betty's heart was filled with dismay, and the doctor did not
speak again. They were near the house now, and could see some lights
flitting about; and as they stopped the sick girl's father stole
silently from behind the bushes and began to faste