The Outdoor Girls at Rainbow Lake | Page 9

to be hurt."
Oh, it isn't so much Prince himself, though Will would feel very badly if anything happened to him. It is---- "
Then Grace recalled that to mention the papers in the saddle bag might not be wise, so she stopped.
"There now, don't worry, my dear," spoke the woman, soothingly. "Some one will catch the horse,"
"Oh, he must be caught!" cried Grace. "You say the doctor was here to see me?"
"Yes, we sent for one soon after a passing farmer carried you in here when you fell and fainted. You were lying out in the rain-- insensible. We managed to get off your wet dress, and I just slipped this dressing gown of mine on you."
"You were very kind. I can't seem to think very clearly," and poor Grace put her hand to her head.
"Then don't try, my dear: You'll be all right in a little while. Just rest. I'll see if the doctor can come to you now."
"Why is he here-- in the house-- is some one else ill?" asked Grace, quickly.
"Yes, my dear. Poor little Dodo was knocked down by the horse, and we fear is badly hurt."
"Dodo?" and the voice of Grace fairly rang at the name.
"Yes, little Dora Billette. This is her aunt's house. She and her brother Paul are visiting here."
"Yes, yes! I know. They live near me in Deepdale. Their sister Mollie is one of my best friends. I am Grace Ford."
"Oh yes, I know you now. I thought I recognized your face. I have seen you at Mollie's house. I am a distant relative. But rest yourself now, and the doctor will come to you as soon as he can. He has to attend to Dodo first, the little dear!"
"Oh! Dodo, Dodo!" cried Grace, much affected. "You poor little darling, and to think that it was my fault! I must go to her. Mollie will never forgive me!"
She tried to rise.
"Lie still," commanded the woman, but gently. "It was not your fault. I saw it all. The twins persisted in running out in the storm. The girl could not stop them. Dodo got away and ran directly for the horse."
"Yes, I saw that. I thought she would be terribly hurt. Oh, to think it had to be I and Prince who did it!"
"It was not at all your fault. If anyone is to blame it is those autoists for going so fast, and passing you so closely. There was no excuse for that. The road was plenty wide enough and they scarcely stopped a moment after you went down, but hurried right on. They should be arrested!"
"Oh, but poor Dodo! poor Dodo!" murmured Grace. "Is she much hurt?"
"The doctor is not sure. He is afraid of internal injuries, and there seems to be something the matter with one of her legs. But we are hoping for the best. Here, take some more of this; the doctor left it for you."
Grace was feeling easier now. Gradually it all came back to her; how she had raced to get home before the storm broke-- the pursuing auto, the injured horse and then the heavy fall. She had no recollection of the passing farmer carrying her into the house.
The doctor came into the room.
"Well, how are we coming on?" he asked, cheerfully. "Ah, we have roused up I see," he went on, as he noted Grace sitting up. "I guess it is nothing serious after all. Just a bump on the head; eh?" and he smiled genially, as he took her hand.
"Yes, I feel pretty well, except that my head aches," said Grace, rather wanly.
"I don't blame it. With that fall they say you got it is a wonder you have any head left," and he put out his hand to feel her pulse, nodding in a satisfied sort of way.
"How-- how is little Dodo?" faltered Grace.
Dr. Morrison did not answer at once. He seemed to be studying Grace.
"How is she-- much hurt?" Grace asked again.
"Well, we will hope for the best," he answered as cheerfully as he could. "I can't say for sure, but her left leg isn't in the shape I'd like to see it. I am afraid the horse stepped on it. But there, don't worry. We will hope for the best."
"Little Dodo's sister is my best chum," explained Grace, the tears coming into her eyes. "Oh, when I saw her running toward Prince I thought I would faint! Poor little dear! I called to her, but she would not mind."
"That was the trouble," explained Mrs. Watson, who had been ministering to Grace, "she seemed just wild to get out in the rain."
"Well, it may yet come out all right," said Dr. Morrison, "but it is not going to be easy. I don't believe you need me any more-- er---- "
He paused suggestively.
"Miss