It seemed an age that the frantic beasts sped onward, following their own will, before the crash came and they tore themselves free, leaving the hindering vehicle to go to ruin against the great post, where it struck. But it was, in reality, not more than half a moment, and when the reins were wrenched from his grasp the Gray Gentleman looked anxiously about him to learn if anyone was hurt.
Mary Jane and the baby were on the floor of the carriage, safe and sound. The terrified footman was clinging to his seat behind; the coachman had either leaped or been thrown out, but had landed upon his feet; but where was Bonny-Gay?
A white, motionless little figure lay face downward in the dust, a rod away, and over this bent a black, shaggy dog, whining and moaning in a way that was almost human.
“Max! Max! Was it you, was it you! Oh! wretched animal, what have you done!”
Max it was. But, at the sight of his silent playmate and the altered sound of a familiar voice, a cowed, unhappy Max; who crouched and slunk away as the Gray Gentleman lifted from the roadway the limp figure of his own beloved Bonny-Gay.
CHAPTER IV
MAX REAPPEARS
There was neither drug store nor doctor’s office near, and the Gray Gentleman’s instant decision was to carry Bonny-Gay to Mrs. Bump’s house. Strong man though he was he felt almost faint with anxiety as he sprang from the carriage and without losing an instant of time lifted out Mary Jane and the baby. Then he dropped her crutches beside her and ran to the child in the roadway.
Five minutes later, Bonny-Gay was lying on Mrs. Bump’s bed, and the Gray Gentleman had gone away in pursuit of aid, leaving a last injunction behind him as he disappeared:
“Do everything you can for her, I beg, but keep useless people out.”
Thus it was that, though curious faces peered in at the window, no person save Mrs. Stebbins crossed the threshold of their neighbor’s house, and the two women were left unhindered to minister to the injured child as best they knew how. They were not able, indeed, to restore the little girl to consciousness; but they had cleared the soil of the street from her face and clothing and had placed the inert figure in an easy posture, long before there was heard the rattle and dash of another approaching vehicle, and a doctor’s phaeton drew up at the door.