Again she poured a teaspoonful of brandy into his mouth, and this time he seemed to swallow it. She bathed his face and hands with spirits, while her every breath was a prayer. Miss Eulie did not want a long explanation. Annie's hurried words, "A ladder fell on him," satisfied her, and she set to work, and more effectively with her riper experience. She took off his collar and opened his shirt at the throat, and soon, with a look of joy, to Annie, said, "His heart beats distinctly." Again they gave him brandy, and this time he made a manifest effort to swallow it. With eyes aglow with excitement and hope they re-doubled their exertions, Hannah and Zibbie helping, and at last they were rewarded by seeing their patient make a faint movement. Now with every breath Annie silently sent the words heavenward, "O God, I thank thee." She bent over him, and said, in a low, thrilling tone, "Mr. Gregory." A happy smile came out upon his face, but this was the only response. "Do you think he is conscious?" she whispered to her aunt. "I hardly know. Let me give him a little more stimulant." After receiving it he suddenly opened his eyes and looked fearfully around. Then he tried to rise, but fell back, and asked, faintly, "Where is Miss Walton? Is she safe? I heard her voice." "You did. I'm here. Don't you know me?" "Are you really here unhurt?" "Yes, yes," she answered, eagerly; "thanks to you." Again he closed his eyes with a strange and quiet smile. "Can't you see me?" she asked. "There seems a blur before my eyes. It does not signify. I know your voice, so true and kind." "Why can't he see?" she asked, drawing her aunt aside. "I don't know. What I fear most are internal injuries. Did the ladder strike his head?" "O merciful Heaven!" said Annie, again in an agony of fear. "I don't know. Oh, if he should die--if he should die--" and she wrung her hands with terror at the thought. The doctor now stepped lightly in. Jeff had told him enough to excite the gravest apprehensions. He made a few inquiries and felt Gregory's pulse. "It's very feeble," he said. "More brandy." Then he added, "I must make such examination as I can now without disturbing him much. Miss Morton, you and Jeff stay and help me." Annie went down to her father with a greater anxiety as to the result of the examination than if the danger had been her own. She found her father awake, and wondering at the sounds in the room above. "Annie," he said, feebly, "what is going on in Mr. Gregory's room?"