A Daughter of the Land

Kate slipped her arm around Nancy Ellen as they walked to the

gate.

"You know," said Nancy Ellen, "the MORE I study you, the LESS I

know about you. Usually it's sickness, and sorrow, and losing

their friends that bring people to the consolations of the church.

You bore those things like a stoic. When they are all over, and

you are comfortable and happy, just the joy of being sure of

Little Poll has transformed you. Kate, you make me think of the

'Winged Victory,' this afternoon. If I get this darling little

girl, will she make me big, and splendid, and fine, like you?"

Kate suddenly drew Nancy Ellen to her and kissed her a long, hard

kiss on the lips.

"Nancy Ellen," she said, "you ARE 'big, and splendid, and fine,'

or you never would be going to Chicago after this little

motherless child. You haven't said a word, but I know from the

joy of you and Robert during the past months that Mrs. Southey

isn't troubling you any more; and I'm sure enough to put it into

words that when you get your little child, she will lead you

straight where mine as led me. Good-bye and good luck to you, and

remember me to Robert."

Nancy Ellen stood intently studying the picture she held in her

hand. Then she looked at Kate, smiling with misty eyes: "I

think, Kate, I'm very close, if I am not really where you are this

minute," she said. Then she started her car; but she looked back,

waving and smiling until the car swerved so that Kate called after

her: "Do drive carefully, Nancy Ellen!"

Kate went slowly up the walk. She stopped several times to

examine the shrubs and bushes closely, to wish for rain for the

flowers. She sat on the porch a few minutes talking to Little

Poll, then she went inside to answer the phone.

"Kate?" cried a sharp voice.

"Yes," said Kate, recognizing a neighbour, living a few miles down

the road.

"Did Nancy Ellen just leave your house?" came a breathless query.

"Yes," said Kate again.

"I just saw a car that looked like hers slip in the fresh sand at

the river levee, and it went down, and two or three times over."

"O God!" said Kate. Then after an instant: "Ring the dinner bell

for your men to get her out. I'll phone Robert, and come as soon

as I can get there."

Kate called Dr. Gray's office. She said to the girl: "Tell the

doctor that Mrs. Howe thinks she saw Nancy Ellen's car go down the

river levee, and two or three times over. Have him bring what he

might need to Howe's, and hurry. Rush him!"

Then she ran to her bell and rang so frantically that Adam came

running. Kate was at the little garage they had built, and had

the door open. She told him what she had heard, ran to get the

baby, and met him at the gate. On the way she said, "You take the

baby when we get there, and if I'm needed, take her back and get

Milly and her mother to come stay with you. You know where her

things are, and how to feed her. Don't you dare let them change

any way I do. Baby knows Milly; she will be good for her and for

you. You'll be careful?"