15. CHAPTER XV.
THE DOCTOR FOLLOWS BARRY'S EXAMPLE.
Two days after this interview, Doctor Thomas was
passing by hunter John's on his way up the valley to see
Mrs. Nina Lyttelton, who had occupied much of his leisure
thought-time lately, when he observed the mountaineer
busily engaged in some mysterious occupation at his door.
He held a dog between his knees and in his right hand a
hot iron.
Suddenly, a horrible howling echoed along the valley,
and, released from his master's hands, the animal ran
yelping into the pines.
The doctor stopped, and called out to know the cause
of the howling. On becoming aware of the presence of
the doctor, hunter John seemed much confused.
“I was burning Belt,” said he.
“Burning him?”
“Yes, doctor; and if you don't know what burning a
dog in the forehead 's for, I can't tell you. Won't you
stop?”
“No, my friend, I am going to pay a visit up the
valley. So I am to apply elsewhere for information as to
—your servant, Miss Sally, you are wholly well, I see, and
really looking like a rose-bud.”
Sally laughed.
“A very white one then, sir.”
“Why, yes, but the bloom is coming back, and you'll
soon bear the bell as usual among the mountain beauties.”
“Oh, sir!”
“I have but one last prescription.”
“What is that, sir?”
“That you shall mount behind me—my horse is perfectly
gentle—and ride up the valley to Mr. Von Horn's.
I really think the ride would do you good.”
Sally's eyes sparkled.
“Oh, I should like so much to go, sir! Do you think
it would be good for me?”
“Why, you may have a very dull time up there with
only Mrs. Nina, and that young Mr. Barry, as you call
him. But then you will have had your ride, and it will
do you service. If you could stand the tedious visit
now!” said Doctor Thomas, smiling.
Sally laughed and blushed, and her mother bringing
out a large shawl, she was soon mounted behind the doctor
and merrily conversing, they took the road to father
Von Horn's—the large Dutch dwelling visible some five
miles off at the “locking” of the mountains to the south.
They there found Nina and Barry—father Von Horn
was out attending to his farm. He was about arranging
every thing for the winter, they said, when he would return
with his family to Martinsburg where he lived eight
months in the year. It is not perfectly certain whether
the absence of the old man was regretted or not, but the
conversation was very merry and animated—between the
doctor and Nina at least. As to Barry and Sally, they sat
at a window some distance from the talkers, and spent
two hours very foolishly, whispering and smiling softly at
each other.
Father Von Horn gave the doctor and his “daughter
Sally” a hearty greeting, asking them how all were down
the valley, and whether hunter John had killed that buck
yet? “He ought to be allowed to hunt him in peace—
glancing at Barry—and two persons ought not to go after
the poor deer at once. It gave him no chance!”
With such cheerful conversation and much hearty
laughter, father Von Horn beguiled the half hour before
dinner; and then the plentiful meal was spread before
them; and then after more conversation they rose to go.
Nina kissed Sally with great affection, and warned the
doctor—with a flitting blush—to take care of her.
“Certainly, madam,” he said, “I value my little patient
more than any thing in the world. I hurt her! or
suffer any thing to!”
“Well, sir, you show good taste,” said Nina, half laughing,
half pouting. “Good-by!”
The doctor placed the little arm of Sally carefully
around his waist with one hand, while he took off his hat
with the other and made the old German and his daughter
a low bow. This time Nina undoubtedly thrust out
her pretty lip.
As they went along, Sally perceived that Doctor Thomas
was shaking with internal laughter.
“Why, what are you laughing so funnily at?” she
asked, laughing herself.
“Oh! I couldn't tell you, Miss Sally, if I tried; but I
am ready to burst. A ride! a ride! that's what I want.
Would you like a ride?”
“Oh, yes!” said Sally, her eyes sparkling. And in a
moment they were going at full gallop.
