“It’s a long distance to the village, and I will be glad if you will let me carry her.”

He made as if he simply wished to assist the superintendent.  The latter knew better, but he did not say so.

“I shall be glad to have your aid; you have had a rest for several days, and a little exercise like this won’t hurt you.”

Hugh brought forth his best coat and gathered it around Dollie, as if he was tucking her up in her trundle bed.  Then Harvey placed her with much care in his arms and made sure they were fully prepared to go out doors.

The Hansell brothers quietly looked on during these proceedings.  They felt that there was no special use for them, and therefore they kept in the background.  The hound Nero showed much interest.  He walked around Hugh and Harvey, whining and wagging his tail as if he thought his views ought to have some weight in the questions the couple were called upon to consider.

“Come, Nero,” said his master, as he drew the door inward.  The dog shot through like a flash and the tramp to the village was begun.

Hardly a word was spoken on the way, but when the house was reached Hugh handed his burden over to Harvey and, refusing to go in, started to move off.  The superintendent put out his free hand.

“Hugh, I want you to come and see me to-morrow afternoon; will you do so?”

“I will.  Good-night.”

“Good-night.”

Hugh O’Hara had walked but a short distance up the mountain path when he was caught in a driving snow-storm.  He cared little for it, however, and reached the cabin in due time, there to perform a strange duty.

CHAPTER V.

A little child shall lead them.

When Hugh O’Hara came to the door of Harvey Bradley, he was in his best dress—­the same that he wore to church on Sundays.  Aunt Maria met him on the threshold, and, in tremulous tones, thanked him.  Then she led the way to the back parlor, where the young superintendent awaited him.  The moment he entered, there came a flash of sunshine and a merry exclamation, and with one bound, little Dollie (none the worse, apparently, for her adventure the night before) landed in the iron-like arms and kissed the shaggy-bearded fellow, who laughingly took a chair and held her a willing captive on his knee.

Harvey sat smiling and silent until the earthquake was over.  Then, as his chief foreman looked toward him, he said: 

“As I said last night, Hugh, the service you have done is beyond payment.  You know what a storm set in just after Dollie was brought home, she never could have lived through that.”

“It would have gone hard with her, I’m afraid,” replied the embarrassed visitor; “does the little one feel no harm?”

“We observe nothing except a slight cold, which the doctor says is of no account.  I have made up my mind to give to you, Hugh——­”