The doctor told her what the message was and was back in slumberland in an incredibly short space of time. Not so his wife. She was too thoroughly awake at last and dawn was beginning to peep around the edges of the window shades. She would not court slumber now but would lie awake with her own thoughts which were very pleasant thoughts this morning. By and by she rose softly, dressed and went out onto the veranda and looked long into the reddening eastern sky. Ever since she could remember she had felt this keen delight at the aspect of the sky in the very early morning. She stood for awhile, drinking in the beauty and the peacefulness of it all. Then she went in to her awakening household, glad that the little boy had 'phoned his "Pa" and by some means had got her too. * * * * * One midsummer night a tiny ringing came faintly and pleasantly into Mary's dreams. Not till it came the second or third time did she awaken to what it was. Then she sat up in bed calling her husband, who had just awakened too and sprung out of bed. Dazed, he stumbled about and could not find his way. With Mary's help he got his bearings and the next minute his thunderous "Hello" greeted her ears. "Yes." "Worse tonight? In what way?" An instant's silence. "Mrs. Brownson?" Silence. "Mrs. Brownson!" Silence. "Damn that woman! She's rung off." "Well, don't swear into the 'phone, John. It's against the rules. Besides, she might hear you." The doctor was growling his way to his clothes. "I suppose I've got to go down there," was all the answer he made. When he was dressed and the screen had banged behind him after the manner of screens, Mary settled herself to sleep which came very soon. But she was soon routed out of it. She went to the 'phone, expecting to hear a querulous woman's voice asking, "Has the doctor started yet?" and her lips were framing the old and satisfactory reply, "Yes, he must be nearly there now," when a man's voice asked, "Is this Dr. Blank's residence?" "Yes." "Is the doctor there?" "No, but he will be back in about twenty minutes." "Will you please tell him to come to J. H. Twitchell's?" "Yes, I'll send him right down." "Thank you." She went back to her bed room then, turning, retraced her steps. The doctor could come home by way of Twitchell's as their home was not a great distance from the Brownson's. She rang the Brownson's and after a little while a voice answered. "Is this Mrs. Brownson?" "Yes." "May I speak to Dr. Blank. I think he must be there now." "He's been here. He's gone home."