Soon away went the Judge, on a splendid chestnut, with the Doctor, and two or three others, on horseback, followed by Mrs. Markham and Nell Roberts in a carriage.  The sun mounted up, the snow melted away, and so did the crowd.  Some returned home, and many gathered in little knots to talk up the exciting event.  The absurdest speculations were indulged in, as to how Bart found Julia, and what would come out of it.  There was an obvious element of romance in the affair that appealed to the sensibilities of the rudest.  And then, would Bart come back with Julia?

As the day advanced, the neighboring women and children gathered at Judge Markham’s, all glad and happy, and a little teary over the exciting incidents, and all impatient for the return of Julia.

At a little past two the party returned—­the Judge, Mrs. Markham, Julia, and Nell, in the carriage—­Julia on the front seat with her father, a little pale, but with sparkling eyes, radiant, and never so lovely.  As the carriage drove up, a noisy welcome saluted her.  As she arose to alight, and again as she was about to enter the house, her mother observed her cast her eyes eagerly over the crowd, as if in search of some face, and she knew by her look that she did not find it.  What a gathering about her, and kissing and clinging and crying of women and girls!  Then followed, “ohs!” and “ahs!” and “wonders!” and “did you evers!” and “never in my born days!” “and did Barton really find you?” and “where is he?” etc.

Every one noticed that he did not come with them, and wondered, and demanded to know where he was, and doubted if he had had anything to do with it, after all.

The Judge told them, that by some means not yet explained, Barton had found her, overcome, chilled, exhausted and in a swoon, and had carried and conducted her out to Wilder’s; that when she was restored, he sent Wilder off with the news, and then went home, and that the Doctor and Roberts had gone around to his mother’s to see him.  Beyond doubt he had saved his daughter’s life.  He spoke with an honest, manly warmth, and the people were satisfied, and lingeringly and reluctantly dispersed to talk and wonder over the affair, and especially the part Barton had performed.

Toward sunset, Julia, in her luxurious chamber and night-robes, seemed anxious and restless.  Her mother was with her, and tried to soothe her.  Her father entered with a cheery face.

“Roberts has just returned,” he said.  “Barton got home in the morning, very much exhausted, of course.  He seems not to have told his mother much, and went to his room, and had not been out.  His mother would not permit him to be disturbed, and said he would be out all right in the morning.”

“Did the Doctor see him?” asked Julia.

“I suppose not; I will go and bring him around in the morning myself,” said the Judge.

“Thank you, Papa; I would so like to see him, and I want to know how he found me,” said Julia.