Page 196 - A Little Bush Maid

Linton, you’d better send a wire to Melbourne for a trained nurse."

"And one to mother," Dick said quickly.

"That’s gone already," Mr. Linton said. "T sent George back with it last
night when he brought the mare out." He smiled in answer to Dick’s
grateful look. "Well, come on, Norah."

The remembrance of that helpless form in the bottom of the wagon haunted

Norah’s memory all through the remainder of the ride home. She was
thoroughly tired now--excitement that had kept her up the day before had
prevented her from sleeping, and she scarcely could keep upright in the

saddle. However, she set her teeth to show no sign of weakness that should
alarm her father, and endeavoured to have a smile for him whenever his

anxious gaze swept her white face.

The relief of seeing the red roof of home! That last mile was the longest of

all--and when at length they were at the gate, and she had climbed stiffly
off her pony, she could only lean against his shoulder and shake from head

to foot. Mr. Linton picked her up bodily and carried her, feebly protesting,
into Mrs. Brown.

"Only knocked up," he said, in answer to the old woman’s terrified
exclamation. "Bed is all she needs--and hot soup, if you’ve got it. Norah,

dear"--as she begged to be allowed to remain and help-- "you can do
nothing just now, except get yourself all right. Do as T tell you, girlie;" and
in an astonishingly short space of time Norah found herself tucked up in

bed in her darkened room, with Daddy’s hand fast in hers, and a comforting
feeling of everything fading away to darkness and sleep.

Tt was twilight when she opened her eyes again, and Brownie sat knitting
by her side.

"Bless your dear heart," she said fervently. "Yes, the old gentleman’s come,

an’ he’s quite comfertable in bed--though he don’t know no one yet. Dr.
Anderson’s gone to Cunjee, but he’s coming back in his steam engine to