Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1910-07-12


unfastened she leaped TO Moilie's back
and headed her again toward town
and the doctor.
Mollie was much better as driver
than as a rider. and Gladys found rid
ing her without a saddle hard, jolting
work But she set her teeth and held
grimly to the little mares name. urg-
ing her to a still faster gait.
She was almost to the town now and
could see the light in the doctors big
house on the corner. In another mo-
ment she was at the door. Giving
Mollie's reins twist around the post,
she ran up the steps and rang the
doorbell.
The doctors wife opened the door.
''The doctor| she said In reply to
Gladys breathless question. "I'm sor-
ry, but he started to Kensett just
about ten minutes ago."
Gladys started back as If she had
been struck. The Doctors wife sprang
forward and caught her. "Why, my
GIRL" she cried. you're all tired out
Come In and get warm"
Gladys shook her head. "I-I must
catch the DOCTOR" she gasped. "Has
he saddle can takeT
The doctors wife, quickly realizing
that this was no ordinary CALL pointed
toward the barn and hurried into the
house after the lantern. 1t was but
moments work to throw off the
harness and replace 1t with the sad
die. Gladys hesitated an instant and
then reached for the doctors riding
whip. She was so stiff that she could
hardly swing into the saddle, but she
smiled bravely back at the good doc
tors wife as she turned away into
the darkness.
Kensett was directly west, and her
own home was straight south. If she
could catch the doctor soon enough
he might still be able to get there in
time. But what chance did weary
colt ridden by a still wearier girl have
of overtaking fresh team OF bron-
chos? Gladys leaned forward and
spoke caressingly to MOllie. The little
mare sprang nimbly forward, but
Gladys felt rather than saw that she
was not running as easily as ut first.
Minute after minute passed and still
the mare held pluckily to her pace. At
last after what seemed hours of hard
riding Gladys heard the tinkle Of sleigh
bells ahead. She knew the time had
come for the final squirt. She raised
her whip to strike the struggling mare.
but threw 1t in the snow instead.
"Molliep she cried, leaning forward.
go, Mollie, go-just for a few mo-
ments moreW
Mollie gave a snort that was almosl
groan and struck slightly faster
pace. Louder and louder sounded the
bells, and soon Gladys could see the
sleigh as q black speck ahead.
Then she called with all her might,
and the sound of the bells stopped
abruptly. In a moment she was be-
side the doctors cutter and in a few
gasping sentences told her story.
"Ride up to the Greys' and have
them put that colt in the barn and
give her a good rubbing down." the
doctor ordered. "She's done great
nights work tonight. And tell Mrs.
Grey to give you some hot coffee and
put you to bed!" He shouted the last
words back over his shoulder as he
turned quickly around and commenced
bis part Of the race with life and
death.
That climb up the hill to the Greys
seemed harder to both Mollie and
Gladys than all the rest together. Mr..
Grey lifted the exhausted girl from
the saddle and led the steaming mare
Away to the barn, while his wife put
Gladys In the big chair back Of the
stove and set the old granite coffeepot
on to boil.
At home Mrs. Sanders and Mabel
watched and waited anxiously. Mr..
Sanders moaned and tossed in fever
ish delirium. The towel which they
had twisted tightly around his ieS had
failed to stop the bleeding entirely.
and the faces of the silent watchers
grew white with fear as they saw the
blood slowly oozing from the tightened
bandages.
The patient grew weaker and more
delirious as the hours passed. Mrs.
Sanders ran to the window every min
ute or 80 to peer out into the darkness.
"He ought to be coming" she cried
Historically. "Oh. what II anything
has happened to GladysT
Mabel tried to comfort her, but with
little success At last they heard the
Jingle of sleighbells. and almost be
fore they had time to look the big
doctor himself was at the door.
II wonder II you can put my team
ln," he said to Mabel as he threw OF
his coat and stepped over to where the
injured man lay.
Mabel ran to put away the bronchos
and then came back and stood holding
her mothers hands while the doctor
worked. Somehow his masterful pres
ence was reassuring. and they brcathed
freer In the confidence that their re
spect for his skill inspired.
There" he said at last, straighten-
Ing up. Hell be all right now as
soon rs the fever goes down. Wen
have him on his feet again in week.
It wasn't a moment too soon. though,
he added. Il want to tell you Mrs.
Sanders, that you have daughter
to be proud Of. She saved her
fathers life tonight" And he pro
ceeded to tell the story Of as much
cf that lonely night ride as he knew
When Gladys came down to break
fast the next morning an unwonted
pallor on her cheeks was the only visi'
BILE effect Of her hard night ride. She
stopped in surprise as she entered the
dining room door. A tall. handsome
youth, with the self assured smile Of
one who has supreme confidence In his
own ability to do and say the right
thing at the right time. came forward
with low bow.
Harold Du valw cried Gladys
What are you doing out here"
Harold held out his hand with
smile. 81 might ask you the same
question, only 1 happen to know al
ready" he replied. You're brave
girl. GLADYS"