Not until afterwards did she realize the struggle Donald had undergone while bringing her home. Not until the neighbors had gathered about her, days later, and commented on the terrible severity and destruction of the storm, which had lasted three days and brought death and sorrow to many homes. Then Tibby heard of those who but a stone’s-throw from their own doors had perished; of others who, like herself, had been lost and wandered about to finally lie down and die; of horses and cattle, in large numbers, frozen to death; of a whole school of children who, headed by the teacher, had tried to make their way through the impenetrable snow and fallen to be gathered in the icy embrace of the blizzard, and delivered into the arms of Death. And as Tibby reflected upon her narrow escape from the grim harvester, she turned in horror from her wilful self, as she stood with the light of recent experiences upon her. How nearly fatal had been that foolish ride across the prairie which she had wilfully persisted in taking in the face of better counsel. But for Donald, whom she had snubbed and abominably ill-treated, she would have perished. Ah, she was punished, and yet she would not be willing to owe so much to any other man. Donald had been forced to remain at Mark’s until the storm lessened in its severity, but he had gone away before Tibby had fully recovered from her lethargy. He had aided in caring for her frost-bitten ears and hands, but he had not returned to make inquiry concerning her since then. Tibby was becoming restless at his continued absence. Was he thoroughly disgusted with her behavior that day of the storm? she questioned. Could any one have been more exasperating and unladylike? Yes, she merited his contempt—and he had saved her life, saved her from such a terrible death. Ah, if she could blot out the memory of that morning. How she despised herself, her foolish, egotistical self. He would be divine if he ever forgave her. She had tried to make him angry, and how she had been punished. She had even mocked at him when he paid her the highest compliment a man can pay a woman. Why had she acted thus? Why must a woman always be false to herself? Thus, bitterly, Tibby cogitated, and scourged herself, and shed tears of contrition. But the second week went by and still Donald came not to see her. Tibby became hysterical. She was wildly mirthful and hilarious at times, and again her eyes showed signs of weeping. Mrs. Wylie became anxious concerning her protege, fearing she was ill. Tibby ate little, and was in every way capricious, and unlike her strong, forceful self. “The shock of her dangerous ride has unnerved her,” Mrs. Wylie reiterated. She believed she ought to consult a physician, but as the nearest one was twenty-five miles away she put off doing so, hoping for an improvement in her child.