Another harrowing moment, and the anguished voice was hushed, the sweet eyes closed, the throbbing heart stilled! In their mad rush trying to evade capture, the horses collided with a tree, shattering the light vehicle, and hurling the young girl out upon the grass. All white and unconscious, she lay there, a thin stream of blood trickling down her temple where a stone had grazed it and staining the gold of her hair with crimson. A sympathetic crowd soon gathered around, exclaiming in wonder and pity at her girlish beauty and her sorrowful plight. But in a minute a light dogcart that had swiftly followed the runaways was reined in upon the spot, and a young man sprang quickly from it, advancing on the scene, while he cried with an air of authority: “Stand back, everybody, and give her air!” “Who is she? Who is she?” rang on every side, and the young man, who was no other than Carey Doyle, answered impudently: “She is my little sister Jessie, and I would like to take her home, if you people will give me room to pass!” Before his impatient show of authority, every one stupidly gave way, and, lifting her carefully in his arms, Carey Doyle placed Jessie in the dogcart, while he muttered exultantly to himself: “Ah, my scornful little beauty, you are in my power now, and I will pay you well for your fine airs as well as for the kick that rich fool gave me!” He was about to leap into the cart when an elegant victoria drove up, in which sat two very handsome women. One of them, the youngest, leaned forward and called him to her side. Flashing her great eyes imperiously at the impatient young man, she whispered eagerly: “What is she to you?” He muttered curtly: “My sweetheart!” “Ah!” she murmured joyfully, and added softly: “I saw you come up behind them and frighten his horses with the lash. Why did you do it?” His coarse face was scowling as he answered sullenly: “She went with him against my will, and I was furious enough to kill them both!” “Do not be afraid of me--I will not betray you unless you disobey my orders. Listen: He is my lover, and she is trying to lure him from me. It is your task to keep them apart, and if they ever meet again, I will denounce you for this crime. You understand?” “Yes, and will obey!” he returned, just as the other lady leaned across the seat, saying anxiously: “What does he say about the young girl? Is she injured much?” Carey Doyle answered quickly: “Only a scratch on the temple and a fainting spell, madame. I’ll take her home fast as I can, and she will soon be all right,” and he leaped into the cart. “I hope so,” she said kindly, and, as he drove away, she said to her companion: “What an exquisitely lovely face the poor girl has! And what beautiful sunny hair, so fine and curly! I wonder who she is, Cora, and where Frank happened to make her acquaintance?”