d the ruddy blaze, which
seemed, somehow, like a friend, and they stretched out their cold hands
to its warmth as they waited, too frightened to wonder aloud what was
being done in that room where Euphemia and Uncle George were shut up
with Clary.

When Mother's bell rang their hearts jumped into their mouths.

"No! none of you boys are going up!" said Mary Jane firmly. "Euphemia,
she said as 'twas as much as my place was worth if I let the mistress
know o' this before the doctor comes home. So I'll carry up her
dinner-tray and keep my tongue atween my teeth, and you boys must bide
quiet as quiet till we see!"

The boys shivered as Mary Jane, lifting up the tray, significantly
nodded.

* * * * *

It was quite an hour after. Mary Jane, loyal to the core, had kept her
ailing mistress in perfect ignorance of the terrible calamity, and the
little boys still crowded round the kitchen fire waiting.

Suddenly every head was raised. "That's Peter's trot; don't you hear?
Father's coming home!"

Each of the boys stood up. Who was to go out to meet the gig and tell
the dreadful news to Doctor John?

"Perhaps I ought to do it!" said Mark, in a strangled voice. "I started
the train, y' know! So I'll take all the blame on myself!"

Somehow the other boys thought poor Mark, for all his shock of red hair,
looked exactly like one of the brave knights of old setting forth to
battle. Old Peter, the doctor's horse, eager for his stable comforts and
shelter, brought the gig round in fine style, and Doctor John alighted
quickly, with the upward glance at Mother's window which he never
forgot.

"Why, sonny," he began cheerily, then halted as, with a tweak at his
Father's sleeve, Mark beckoned him indoors. "Is there anything the
matter with Mother? Quick; speak, boy!" The doctor's voice was sharp
with fear. But Mark could not speak, and Doctor John, with a heart of
lead, followed the boy into the house.

"In there, Father! It's Clary, and it's all my fault!" Mark's voice had
come back, but it was a mere whisper, and he pointed to the close-shut
door.

[Illustration: _Doctor John was on his knees beside the bed_]

Turning the door-handle quickly, Doctor John nearly fell backwards. Over
the bed, on which lay a little figure, bent the brother to whom he had
not spoken for three years, with his ear laid close to the little heart,
listening to its fluttering beats, and one hand raised warningly at the