“We’ll all pray for her,” said a motherly old German woman. “We want to see her runnin’ about with the other children.”
The days that followed were full of anxiety. The doctor came every day, bringing words of cheer and comfort. The nurse was very kind, and the neighbors could not seem to do enough for the family.
Larry went back to work, as Dr. Carrolton told him there was no immediate danger nor chance of a change. Lucy had to wear a plaster cast for several weeks, and not until this could be taken off would it be known whether she was better. In the meanwhile they could only hope.
One afternoon, about two weeks later, when the last edition of the Leader was about to go to press, there came a telegram from a small village called Stoneville, about fifty miles from New York, to the effect that the rising waters, caused by a long period of rain, had so swollen the rivers and streams that a large dam, just above the town, threatened to break.
“If that goes there’ll be lots of damage done, and maybe people killed,” said Mr. Newton, who was in the office at the time.
“How do you know?” asked Mr. Emberg.
“Because I spent my vacation in that town once,” replied the reporter. “It’s in a valley surrounded by hills. The dam is at the upper end. It is used to make a reservoir for several large mills. If the dam breaks it’s going to wipe out the village of Stoneville.”
“Hum,” said the city editor, in a thoughtful tone. “I guess we’d better cover that. You haven’t anything special on now, have you, Newton?”
“Then I think you had better go there. Start to-night, and wire us back all the stuff you can. Don’t let the other fellows beat you.”