In the High Valley / Being the fifth and last volume of the Katy Did series

to-day?" was Clover's firs

said she was preserving raspberries; so, as I

e, left to ourselves with not a Rose to our name. How we shall miss

east consoling, for it was to break t

the Thousand Islands. It all seemed so nicely settled, and here comes this blow to unsettle it. Well, Dieu dispose,-there is nothing for it but resignation, and unpacking our hopes and ideas and putting them back again in their usual shelves and corners. We must make what we can of the situation, and of course, it isn't anything so very hard to have to pass the summer in Burnet with papa; still I was that wild with disappointment at the first, that I actually went the length of suggesting that we sho

year, and no Johnnie. I suppose we are spoiled, but the fact is, I have grown to count on the Daytons and their car as

er. "It doesn't bear t

he sense of disappointment was bitter. She put away her bonnet and folded her gloves with a very sober face. A sort

oking across at the peak through a blur of tears,-"I must brace up and comfort Elsie." But E

ed and started for the Youngs'. Rose's last remarks had made her uneasy about Imogen, a

to meet her as she dismounted at the door. His bark

y well, me think

? Where is Mr

to Uppey Valley. Mi

. "Tie Marigold in the shade, plea

lit

id "Come in." Imogen was lying on the bed in her morning-dress, with flushed c

is the matter? Have

then everything seemed to go round, and I had to come and lie down. So stupid

illy rather than hot, but the pulse seemed weak and quick. Clover began to feel anxiou

e well yesterd

for some time back, and I tried to do some raspberries and felt very tired. I dare say it's

make yourself comfortable, and take a long sleep. I have come to spend the day, and I will give Lion his lu

have her hair brushed and knotted up, and a bandage of cold water and eau de cologne laid on her forehead. This passive compliance was so unlike he

till Imogen fell into a troubled sleep. Then she stole softly away and busied herself in washing the breakfast things and putting the room

droom, and hurried back to find Imogen s

e demanded. Then, before Clover could re

d. "What a comfort! I th

her room, straightening things out a little. It was settled tha

on her pillows again. "Ah Lee will know. I don't seem able to think clearly of anything." Sh

bring out Dr. Hope, that she herself was a fixture at the other house for the night at least, and would like a number of things sent up, of which she inclosed a list. This note threw the family into a wild dismay. Life in the High Valley was only meant

Colorado. He hoped it would be a light case, gave full directions, and promised to send out medicines and to come again in three days. Then he departed, and Clover, as

d not be spared from her baby, and Geoffrey, beside being more especially interested in the Youngs, would be far more amenable and less refractory than Clarence at a curtailment of his domestic privileges. So, pluckily and reasonably, she "buckled to" the work so plainly set for her, established herself and her belongings in the spare chamber, gathered

not easily detected save by the clinical thermometer. In her semi-delirious moments she would ramble about Bideford and the people there, or hold Clover's hand tight, calling her "Isabel," and imploring her not to like "Mrs. Geoff" better than she liked her. It was the first

anifestly uneasy and unhappy. She never said that she missed Clover, but lay watching the door with a strained, expectant look, which melted into relief as soon as Clover appeared. Then she would feebly move her fingers to lay hold

el said one day. Clover felt oddly pleased at this remark. It was a new exp

stiffen up again when she gets well; so I must b

ful for Imogen's recovery, Clover would reply, as a matter of course, "Certainly,-I will send it up directly," and thereupon proceed to concoct one out of materials already in the house, which would answer as well as the original article and do Imogen just as much good. She cooked the nicest little sick-room messes, giving them variety by cunningly devised flavors, and she originated cooling drinks out of sago and arrowroot and tamarinds and fruit juices and ice, which Imogen would take when she refused everything else. Her lightness of touch and bright, equable calmness were unfailing. Dr. Hope said she would make the for

e most trying part of an illness to those who nurse; the excitement of anxiety and danger being past, the space between convalescence and complete recovery seems very wide, and hard to bridge over. Clover f

most languid and hopeless she clung most to her. There was a wistful look in her eyes as they followed Clover in her comings and goings, and a new, tender tone in her voi

actory cows who turned upon their herders and "horned" them, and wild steers who chased mounted men, overtook and gored them; how Felipe was stampeded and Pepe just escaped with his life. The result of this "heartening,"

can't bear to see her sit so dull and silent. Poor Moggy! and c

little, and pet her all you can; but pray don't allude to horned animals of any ki

ed like a queen. Lionel was in raptures at seeing her in her old place, at the head of the table, "better than new," as he asserted; and certainly Imogen had never in her life been so pretty. They had cut her long hair during the illness because it was falling out so fast; the short rings round her face were very becomi

st come down and make us a good long visit. I can't and won't have you left alone up here, to

dismayed tone; "but yes, of course

ngly. "But you are nearly well now, and will

ordinary things fevers are! I declare, I am as bad as any child. It is absurd,

bors still, and see each other every day. And you won't be

now, I almost think I would go through the fever all o

to say! It's the greatest complime

should never think of paying

. Compliments are n

nd put her arms on Clover's

"I was so unjust when I came over,-so rude and unkind in my

particular difficulty. Every

haps that's the reason my hair has fallen off so," with a mirthless laugh. "I used to feel them burn and burn, on those nights when I lay all scorching up with fever, and you

ngs that you muttered when you were not q

you best,-who wouldn't? How horrid it was in me to feel so! I used

not jealous

out of me. If I am ever jealous again it will be just the oth

at this outburst, but inexpressibly pleased. The stiff, reserved Imogen seemed transformed. Her fac

n-squashes and things, and letting your own affairs go to wrack and ruin, and you never seemed to remember that you had any affairs, or that there was such a thing as getting tired,-never seemed to r

at the matter lightly. "You exaggerate things dreadfully. We all have a claim on each other, especially here in the Valle

n't have

rful teachers. Now, dear Imogen, you must get to bed. If you exc

any more about the things you have done, though it's all true,-and I don't exaggerate in the least, for all th

n interloper. I never meant to come between you, I am sure; but I daresay that I seemed to do so, and I can understand it all easily. There is no question of f

nt over for a good-night kiss. She put her arms ro

r, but I shall be only too glad if I may be your friend. I don't be

she withdrew with the candle. "Go to sleep, and remember that y

decidedly. He was an autocrat with his sick p

e been nursing her," he told Clover. "There is a look of tension about you both which is not the correct thing. She'll improve much faster at St. He

al of notes from Mrs. Hope, asking

t. Helen's is rather empty just now, in this betwixt-and-between season, and a visitor will be a real God-send to me. I am so afraid that you will be disobliging, and say '

ns, a formula was enclosed setting forth with due professional precision that Miss Imogen Young was to be put in a

ody is so wonderfully good to me! I think Ame

everybody except Clover, who was in the secret of her new-born resolves. They packed her things at once, and Lionel drove her down to St. Hel

e again at home, won't you?" she said. "I shall be half-starved to see

We shall count on it, and Lion has promised

am sure, so far as you are concerned, after all you have done for her. I never supposed she could look so pretty or come so near being agreeable as she does now. Evidently moun

rts,-Geoff quite down in the mouth, little Geoff not at all contented with me as a mother; even Euphane has worn a long face and exhibited a tendency to revert to the Isle of Man, which she never showed so long as you were to the fore. As for me, I have felt like a person with one lung, or half a head,-

e side, too. Imogen is so sweet and grateful and demonstrative that it would asto

probable. But don't let's talk of Im

. This was the letter that Lionel Young brou

n to Salt Lake, with a couple of his directors, and there are two places in car 47 at our service if any of us still care to make the trip to Colorado, late as it is. We had to answer at once, and we took only ten minutes to make up our minds. Dorry and I are to start for Chicago to-morrow, and will be with you on Thursday if all goes well,-and for a good long visit, as the company have given Dorry a two months' vacation. We shall come back like common folks at our own charges, which is an unusual extravagance for the Carr family; but papa says sickness is a valid reason for spending money, while mere pleasure isn't. He thinks the journey will be the very thing for Dorry. It has all come so suddenly that I am quite bewi

ectionat

ng how happy we are that

never has been here, and John, and for October, when we so rarely have anybody! I think it

d Lion to stay while his sister is gone. He's a dear good fellow, but it

there might be a little something like a sentiment or tenderness between John and Lionel? Are

I never thought

e part of Miss John to send messages to that young man in her letters, and always in postscripts. Mark that, postsc

illstones that don't exist. It would be very nice if it were so, but it isn't. I

torted Elsie. "I'll bet you Phillida's back-hair agai