etch cold water quickly, and a drop of
whiskey."

Mrs. Bays hastened downstairs, and Dic followed her.

"Get the whiskey," he cried. "I'll fetch the water," and a few seconds
thereafter Billy was dashing cold water in Rita's face. The great brown
eyes opened, and the half-conscious girl, thinking that Dic was still
leaning over her, lifted her arms and gave poor old Billy a moment in
paradise, by entwining them about his neck. He enjoyed the delicious
sensation for a brief instant, and said:--

"I'm Billy Little, Rita, not Dic." Then the eyes opened wider as
consciousness returned, and she said:--

"I thought Dic was here."

"Yes--yes, Rita," said Dic, "I am here. I was by your side a moment
since. I came so suddenly upon you that you fainted; then Billy Little
took my place."

"And you thought I was Dic," said Billy, laughingly.

"I'm glad I did," answered the girl with a rare smile, again placing her
arms about his neck and drawing his face down to hers; "for I love you
also very, very dearly." Billy's heart sprang backward thirty years, and
thumped away astonishingly. At that moment Mrs. Bays returned with the
whiskey, and Billy prepared a mild toddy.

"The doctor said she must not have whiskey while the fever lasts,"
interposed Mrs. Bays.

"We'll try it once," replied Billy, "and if it kills her, we'll not try
it again. Here, Rita, take a spoonful of this."

Dic lifted her head, and Billy administered the deadly potion, while the
humbug lover stood by, confidently expecting dire results, but too much
subdued by the situation to interpose an objection.

Soon Rita asked that two pillows be placed under her head, and, sitting
almost upright in bed, declared she felt better than for several days.

Mrs. Bays knew that Dic's motive had been pure and spotless, but she had
no intention of relinquishing the advantage of her false position. She
had for months been seeking an excuse to turn Dic from her house, and
now that it had come, she would not lose it. Going to Rita's side, she
again took up her theme:--

"No wonder my poor sick daughter fainted when she was insulted. I can't
tell you, Mr. Little, what I saw when I entered this room."

"Oh, mother," cried Rita, "you were wrong. You do not understand. When I
saw Dic, I held up my arms to him, and he came to me because I wanted
him."

"_You_ don't know, my daughter, you don't know," interrupted Mrs. Bays.
"I would not have you know. But I will protect my