Part 44 (2/2)
”Dr. Poole!” they cried, as one.
”Bad news for you, Janice,” said the red-faced doctor, in his brusk way. ”Know you're interested in that Narnay youngster. I've just come from there. I've got to go half way to Bristol to set a feller's leg.
They telephoned me. Before I could get there and back that Narnay baby is going to be out of the reach of all my pills and powders.”
He did not say it harshly; it was Dr. Poole's way to be brusk.
”Oh, Doctor! Will it surely die?”
”Not two hours to live--positively,” said the physician, gathering up the reins. ”I'm sorry for Jim. If the fellow is a drunkard, he is mighty tender-hearted when it comes to kids--and he's sober,” he added, under his breath.
”Is he there?” asked Janice, quickly.
”No. Hasn't been in town for two weeks. Up in the woods somewhere.
It will break him all up in business, I expect. I told you, for I didn't know but you'd want to go down and see the woman.”
”Thank you, Doctor,” Janice said, as the chaise rattled away. But she did not turn back down the hill. Instead, she quickened her steps in the opposite direction.
”Well! I am glad for once you are not going to wear yourself out with other people's troubles,” said Nelson, looking sideways at her.
”Poor Mr. Narnay,” said the girl. ”I am going after him. He must see the baby before she dies.”
”Janice!”
”Yes. The car is all ready, I know. It will take only half an hour to run up there where those men are at work. I took Elder Concannon over there once. The road isn't bad at all at this time of year.”
”Do you mean you are going clear over the mountain after that drunken Narnay?” demanded Nelson, with some heat.
”I am going after the baby's father, Nelson,” she replied softly. ”You may go, too, if you are real good,” and she smiled up at him so roguishly that his frown was dissipated and he had to smile in return.
They reached the Day house shortly and Janice hurried in for her dust-coat and goggles. Marty offered his own cap and ”blinders,” as he called them, to the schoolmaster.
”You'll sure need 'em, Mr. Haley, if you go with Janice, and she's drivin'. I b'lieve she said she was in a hurry,” and he grinned as he opened the garage door and ran the Kremlin out upon the gravel.
The automobile moved out of the yard and took the steep hill easily.
Once on the Upper Road, Janice urged the car on and they pa.s.sed Elder Concannon's in a cloud of dust.
The camp where the baby's father was at work was easily found. Jim Narnay seemed to know what the matter was, for he flung down the axe he was using and was first of the three at the side of the car when Janice stopped. Mr. Trimmins sauntered up, too, but the sullen Jack Besmith seemed to shrink from approaching the visitors.
”I will get you there if possible in time to see the baby once more, Mr. Narnay, if you will come right along as you are,” said Janice, commiseratingly, after explaining briefly their errand. ”Dr. Poole told me the time was short.”
”Go ahead, Jim,” said Trimmins, giving the man's hand a grip. ”Miss Day, you sartain sure are a good neighbor.”
Janice turned the car as soon as Narnay was in the tonneau. The man sat clinging with one hand to the rail and with the other over his face most of the way to town.
Speed had to be reduced when they turned into High Street; but Constable Poley Cantor turned his back on them as they swung around the corner into the street leading directly down to Pine Cove.
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