Ida Bellethorne began to cool down after a while and Betty could guide her more easily.  She had begun to talk to the pretty creature soothingly, and leaned forward in her saddle to pat the mare’s neck.

“I don’t blame you for being scared, Ida Bellethorne,” crooned Betty.  “I was scared myself, and I’m scared yet.  But don’t mind.  Just be easy.  Your pretty black apron in front is all spattered with froth, poor dear!  I wonder if this run has done your cough any harm—­or any good.  Anyway, you haven’t coughed since we started.”

But Betty knew that if the mare stood for a minute she must be covered and rubbed down.  She had this in her mind when she came to the blacksmith shop and the store, directly opposite each other.  Dr. Pevy’s, she had been told, was the second house beyond on the blacksmith side of the road.

It proved to be a comfortable looking cottage with a barn at the back, and she urged Ida Bellethorne around to the barn without stopping at the house.  The barn door was open and a man in greasy overalls was tinkering about a small motor-car.  He was a pleasant-looking man with a beard and eyeglasses and Betty was sure he must be the doctor before he even spoke to her.

“Hullo!” exclaimed the amateur machanic, rising up with a wrench in one hand and an oil can in the other.  “Whew!  That mare has been traveling some.  And such a beauty!  You’re from Bill Candace’s I’m sure.  Did she run away with you?  Here, let me help you.”

But Betty was out of the saddle and had led the mare in upon the floor, although Ida Bellethorne looked somewhat askance at the partly dismantled car.

“Needn’t be afraid of the road-bug, my beauty,” said Dr. Pevy, putting out a knowing hand to stroke the mare’s neck.  “She must be rubbed down and a cloth put on her——­”

“I know,” said Betty hastily.  “I’ll do it if you’ll let me.  But can you go back with me, Doctor?”

“To the Candace Farm?”

“Yes, sir.  A man has been seriously hurt and there was nobody else to come.”

“Wonder you got here without having a fall,” said Dr. Pevy.

“She is sharpened.  And she is a dear!” gasped Betty.  “But I hope you can start right away.  Hunchie is suffering so.”

“Can’t use the road-bug, that’s sure,” said Dr. Pevy, glancing again at the car.  “That’s why I was doctoring her now while the snow is too deep.  But I still have old Standby and the sleigh.  I’ll start back with you in a few minutes and we’ll lead the mare.  The exercise will do her good.  My!  What a handsome creature she is.”

“Yes, sir.  She is quite wonderful,” said Betty; and while they gave Ida Bellethorne the attention she needed Betty told the doctor all about Hunchie and her ride through the forest.  When Dr. Pevy heard about the broken wires in the road, he went to the house and telephoned to the Cliffdale power house to tell them where the break was.  The linemen were already searching for it.