The Second Violin

m the couch, where they were grouped. "The doctor's going to be away all day to-morrow, and if you'll all come over, we can get through a lot

oss to Mrs. Field's sitting-room, and by ten o'clock three busy people were at work. Captain Rayburn had begged to be of the party, and although Mrs. Fields received with

brigade, as she opened the big bundle Captain Rayburn had broug

complacency the finished g

uld need for out-of-doors. It seemed a pity to have her stay in another day, waiting to be

te coat which Mrs. Fields held aloft. There was a little furry hood to match

won't say you haven't saved us quite a chore. I've got the little flannel petticoats all cut out. Doctor Churchill boug

llful fingers, kept pace with her in basting and putting together, and Charlotte--well, Charlotte did her be

ields, suddenly, in the middle of the morning. "If

crimsoning. "How co

ay. "I've done it a good many times. Something about it--sleeves act bewitched. They

oors in her new coat?" Celia suggested. "Sewing

ss Ellen Donohue, snuggled to the chin in the warmest of garments and wrappings, took her first

ed for cases like hers. Charlotte, indeed, would not hear of it; and even the practical John Lansing, who had learned to figure the family finances pretty c

s, his most jealous rival being Dr. Andrew Churchill, who was const

was again bravely trying to distinguish herself at tasks in which she was by no means an adept, "he'd be put out with me

a large family

t over that--not a bit. She was going to come and live with him here. It was a town where she used to visit a good deal, and since he couldn't settle near the old home, because it wasn't a good field for young doctors, she was willing to come here with him. That's why he's here now, though

sked few questions, made only one or two kindly comments, and did not express half the sympathy they felt. Only Captain Rayburn, thoughtfull

one whose personality alone will always be the strongest part of his influence over his patients, winning them from despair to courage-

unexpectedly came dashing in, bringing with him a great breath

ther. "I suppose that arch-traitor of a Fieldsy planned to have you all safely away before I came home. I'

steadily for two hours on flannel petticoats. If t

ut I've just put up my needle-case, thank you, and no more stitching f

that," remarked the captain. "There seems to be just one candidate for active se

turned to Mrs. Fields. She gla

aid to him. "Take that child there. Sh

urly black head bent closely ove

with me. There's time for a magnificent hour before you have to put the kettle on. Miss Birch, I wish we coul

him, smiling, but h

o the stables for a comfortable old horse and

rs. Fields, before anybody could me

?" asked Doctor Churchill, giving her a

stew," she said, and received such a chorus of applau

, as she brought her sister's wraps, and pulled on her

ook so well with your brown suit. Tie the white silk scarf about your neck--that

ng impatiently, two pairs of skates on hi

he said. "I feel as if I could skate

up and run round the block betw

ust what we want--a sensation of running away from the earth and al

nodding to her friends while the doctor put on her ska

hill. "And this is the first time you've

ake up. I do love it. It

erpreted your mood by my own. Talk about puckers--and nerves! Miss Charlotte, I've done my first

face full of sympathy. "

It's the sort of operation in which the worst danger is practically over if the patient gets through the operation itself. She's rallied beautifully. And whatever happens, I've

complished skaters with one object in view; working off healthy young spirits at a

rfall, they came to a stop. Churchill looked down at a face like a rose, black eyes t

nd Lake Superior and other such home grounds. But it's safe to say I never enjoyed a mile of them

velation his housekeeper had made of his life, and it had touched her deeply to know why he had come to settle in the suburban

llest thing. Her father was a distinguished surgeon--Marchmont of Baltimore. He died only four years ago--his books are an authority on certain subjects. My other grandfather

er the frozen fields, his eyes growing sombre. Charlotte's own eyes fell; he

ly. "Fieldsy told me--a

ed. Then with a quick motion he seized her hands again and they were off, back down the river. Not so fast as before, and silently, the two s

?" he said. "Your face looks as if yo

have! Ha

gh pitch--now I'm cool again. I have to go back to the ho

harlotte, "will you telepho

e answered

y. I shall be anx

are, just now. Fieldsy's a dear soul--I couldn't get on without her, but--Never mind, that's enough of Andrew Churchill for one afternoon. Sh

ptain Rayburn and Celia passed them, called back that it was a great day for invalids and children, and reached home just in time

a chicken pie, which had been originally intended for his dinner alone, and which she had at first designed, when she proposed the oysters, to keep over until the morrow. This was flanked by

leaning back in his chair at last with the air of a man who asks no more of the

ou, Mrs. Fields?" aske

the table--they had insisted on having her

being set down in front of a lot of eatables. Now what gives me most peace of mind to-night is knowing that that little E

feel?" cried Celia, amidst la

rtably in bed--for Celia still needed help in undressing--had tucked

Lanse, who was near it, moved lazily to answer it. But before he could lift the receiver to his ear

rs wide open, although he had again taken up the magazine he had laid down, he listened to Charlotte's side of the conversation. It was brief, and

course you are. I'm so glad! Thank you. Yes--Good night!" Charlotte hung up th

g eyes to her face. "Engagement just announced? When is she to be m

contagious, for Captain Rayburn smiled over the e

me up behind him, laid a warm velvet cheek against his for a moment, patted her unc