Latterly the doctor had taken to driving in his buggy, and when Maddy

was strong enough he took her with him one day, himself adjusting the

shawl which grandma wrapped around her, and pulling a little farther

on the white sunbonnet which shaded the sweet, pale face, where the

roses were just beginning to bloom again. The doctor was very happy

that morning, and so, too, was Maddy, talking to him upon the theme of

which she never tired, Guy Remington, Jessie and Aikenside. Was it as

beautiful a place as she had heard it was, and didn't he think it

would be delightful to live there?

"I suppose Mr. Guy will be bringing a wife there some day when he

finds one," and leaning back in the buggy Maddy heaved a little sigh,

not at thoughts of Guy Remington's wife, but because she began to feel

tired, and thus gave vent to her weariness.

The doctor, however, did not so construe it. He heard the sigh, and

for the first time when listening to her as she talked of Guy, a keen

throb of pain shot through his heart, a something as near akin to

jealousy as it was possible for him then to feel. But all unused as he

was to the workings of love he did not at that moment dream of such an

emotion in connection with Madeline Clyde. He only knew that something

affected him unpleasantly, prompting him, for some reason, to tell

Maddy Clyde about Lucy Atherstone, who, in all probability, would one

day come to Aikenside as its mistress.

"Yes, Guy will undoubtedly marry," he began, just as over the top of

the easy hill they were ascending horses' heads were visible, and the

Aikenside carriage appeared in view. "There he is now," he exclaimed,

adding quickly: "No, I am mistaken, there's only a lady inside. It

must be Agnes."

It was Agnes driving out alone, for the sole purpose of passing a

place which had a singular attraction for her, the old, red cottage in

Honedale. She recognized the doctor, and guessed whom he had with him,

Putting up her glass, for which she had no more need than Jessie, she

scrutinized the little figure bundled up in shawls, while she smiled

her sweetest smile upon the doctor, showing to good advantage her

white teeth, and shaking back her wealth of curls with the air and

manner of a young coquettish girl.

"Oh, what a handsome lady! Who is she?" Maddy asked, turning to look

after the carriage now swiftly descending the hill.




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