re pressing near, eager to know what was exciting
Miss Lucy and Polly.

"Let's see if it fits your finger, Elsie!" taking the hand of
the astonished child. "Perfectly! It is a birthday present from
Dr. Dudley and me. We were going to give it to you directly after
tea; but when I looked for it, it was gone. Polly will tell you
the rest."

And Polly did, imitating the organ grinder's words and gestures,
till her listeners were shaking with laughter.

Elsie was too overpowered with joy to want to go to bed at all.

"When the lights are out I can't see my ring!" she cried in
sudden dismay.

"But you can feel it," returned Polly.

"Oh! May I keep it on my finger all night long?" she asked
incredulously.

"Certainly, dear," the nurse replied.

That was enough. Without another word she allowed herself to be
undressed.

The ward had been dark and quiet for at least two minutes when a
voice piped out, "Miss Lucy! OH, Miss Lucy!"

"What is it, Elsie?" came the quick answer.

"I just happened to think--you and Dr. Dudley and Polly and
the organ man and the monkey and everybody have been living such a
splendid story for my birthday! I did n't thank you half
enough!"

"You have done just right, dear. All the thanks we wanted were
in your happy face. Now pleasant dreams!"

With a glad good-night, Elsie settled back contentedly on her
pillow, the ring finger pressed against her cheek. And, at last,
the hush of sleep brooded over the convalescent ward.

Chapter VII

The Little Sad Lady

David grew strong steadily, but not so fast that Polly was allowed
to see him as soon as they both wished. When, at last, she went
up for a brief ten minutes, she was brimful of pleasure.

"I want to know about the day you ran after Dr. Dudley for me,"
began David, almost at once; "the time I was so sick. The Doctor
said you had a race, and enjoyed it. I don't see how you could
enjoy running your legs off for me; but it was awfully good of
you."

"Why," cried Polly, "it was n't I that ran--at least, not
much; it was Lone Star."

"Lone Star?" gasped David. "Polly! Do tell me quick!"

"I am telling you," she laughed. "Lone Star, Colonel Gresham's
beautiful horse, did the running--the trotting, I mean--why,
David! What's the matter?"

The boy's eyes had grown big with excitement, and his cheeks were
bright.

"Go on!" he breathed.

"That's about all. I saw I was n't going to make the Doctor
hear, and Co