The Outdoor Girls at Rainbow Lake | Page 9

her ears, her head ached and she felt she was losing that much-to-be
desired drowsiness.
"Try and take it."
She felt some one raise her head, supporting her shoulders. She
struggled with herself, resolving not to give way to that lethargy. She
opened her eyes with an effort, and looked about her in wonder. She
was in a strange room, and a strange woman was bending over her,
holding a glass of some pleasant-scented liquid.
"There, you have roused up, my dear, try to take this," said the woman,
with a smile. "The doctor will be back to see you in a little while."
"The doctor," stammered Grace. "Am I hurt? What happened? Oh, I
remember, Prince was frightened by the auto, and ran away. Where is
he?" she asked in sudden terror, as a thought came to her.
"He got up and ran off after he fell with you," said the woman, as she
held the glass for Grace to drink. "We had no time to try and catch him,
for there were others to attend to."
"Oh, but Prince must be caught!" cried Grace, trying to rise from the
couch on which she was lying, but finding it too much of an effort.
"He will be, my dear," said the woman. "Don't fret about the horse. He
did not seem 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