There was a blur before Maddy’s eyes, so that at first she could not see clearly, and Jessie, climbing on the bench beside her read aloud: “Your grandmother is dying. Come at once. Agnes and Jessie will stay till next week. GUY REMINGTON.” It was impossible to go that afternoon, but with the earliest dawn Maddy was up, and, unmindful of the snow falling so rapidly, started on that sad journey home. It was the first genuine storm of the season, and it seemed resolved on making amends for past neglect sweeping in furious gusts against the windows, sifting down in thick masses from the leaden sky, and so impeding the progress of the train that the chill wintry night had closed gloomily in ere the Sommerville station was reached, and Maddy, weary and dispirited, stepped out upon the platform, glancing anxiously around for the usual omnibus, which she had little hope would be there on such a night. If not, what would she do? This had been the burden of her thoughts for the last few hours, for she could not expect Guy to send out his horses in this fearful storm, much less to be there himself. But Guy was there, and it was his voice which first greeted her as she stood half-blinded by the snow, uncertain what she must do next. “Ah, Mr. Remington, I didn’t expect this. I am so glad, and how kind it was of you to wait for me!” she exclaimed, her voice expressing her delight, and amply repaying the young man, who had not been very patient or happy through the six long hours of waiting he had endured. But he was both happy and patient now, with Maddy’s hand in his, and pressing it very gently he led her into the ladies’ room; then making her sit down before the fire, he brushed her snowy garments himself, and dashing a few flakes from her disordered hair, told her what she so eagerly wished to know. Her grandmother had had a paralytic stroke, and the only word she had uttered since was “Maddy.” Guy had not been down himself, but had sent Mrs. Noah as soon as Farmer Green had brought the news. She was there yet, the storm having prevented her return. “And grandma?” Maddy gasped, fixing her eyes wistfully upon him. “You do not think her dead?” No, Guy did not, and stooping he asked if he should not remove from the little feet resting on the stove-hearth the over-shoes, so full of melting snow. Maddy cared nothing for her shoes or herself just then. She hardly knew that Guy was taking them off, much less that as he bent beside her, her hand lay lightly upon his shoulders as she continued her questionings. “She is not dead, you say; but do you think—does anybody think she’ll die? Your telegram said ‘dying.’”