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��The Doctor's Gratiddaughter.
��Bluff stood over her : his eyes grew dark, and he uttered a low whine, as she laid her tear-stained face on his soft, round neck. The dog sympathized with his mistress : he stood by her, with his head hung down, and his face was sad. The shadows fell towards the east, and the sun began to slip behind the western hills, when Susanna sat up, and pushed back her hair. She laid her hand on Bluffs head, and felt that even the company of this mute friend had done her good. She trembled as she looked back over the last few hours, and saw how near to the brink of unbelief she had wandered. She felt that now she must take up the burden of life again, and travel on alone. She should have no plans now, — only live from day to day.
CHAPTER V.
The hay had been cut, and the grain garnered ; the oaks had begun to drop their acorns ; the squirrels, rabbits, partridges, and wild pigeons were gleaning ; the air was balmy, and all nature seemed at peace.
Susanna was getting ready to ride with her grandfather ; she heard his step in the hall, and hastened down to help him. " Well, dear, are you all ready?" said the doctor, with a kindly smile. " Yes, grandfather. What can I do to help you?" said Susanna. "Let me see," said her grandfather, peering into the saddle-bags : " I have got my cupping-glass, — there, just step into the office, and get that punk on the table : the old lady Grummet always wants to use punk when she is cupped ; " and the doctor went on looking over his ' articles. He took out his often-used lancet, felt of the edges, and said to Susanna when she returned, "I suppose Jason's wife will want to be bled while
��I am there ; about twice a year I bleed her. — Peter," said the doctor, when he and Susanna were ready to ride off, "if any one calls, tell them that we have gone to Jason Grummet's, and sha'n't get back very early." — " Yar, sar," said Peter, with a low bow.
Sorrel seemed to feel young this fine morning ; and he shook his rusty mane, and cantered along with his double burden.
" Did Jason think his mother very sick, grandfather? " — " No : her cough was a little more troublesome ; and she thought winter was at hand, and wanted me to come up and attend to her be- fore cold weather." — " What is that in the road, grandfather?" — "I don't know. Ah ! it's Jabez West : he is hav- ing another crazy spell." Sorrel stopped to walk, and eyed askance the rocks rolled into the road, and the strange antics of the man before him. " Good- morning, Jabez. What's the matter here ? " — "I want you to pay for going this way : this road is mine ; and you must pay, or I shall murder you," said the madman. Susanna drew back be- hind her grandfather : a murderous look gleamed in the maniac's eye, and his hair was hanging over his face, crim- son with madness. The doctor drew a small silver coin from his waistcoat pocket, and tossed it to Jabez. " How is that, Jabez?" — "All right, sir, go on ; " and he rolled away the rocks so that Sorrel could get through.
Susanna felt a sense of relief when they had left the poor soul behind them : he was busily engaged in barricading the road against the next traveller.
" Do you consider him dangerous, grandfather?" asked Susanna. "At times I suppose he is ; but Stephen can't do much with him unless he chains him, and he don't like to do
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