CHAPTER VII.
THE FIRST WARNING.
For a day or two Jane Merrick seemed to improve in health.

Indeed, Martha Phibbs declared her mistress was better than she had been for weeks.

Then, one night, the old attendant was awakened by a scream, and rushed to her mistress' side.
"What is it, ma'am ?" she asked, tremblingly.
"My leg! I can't move my leg," gasped the mistress of Elmhurst.

"Rub it, you old fool! Rub it till you drop, and see if you can bring back the life to it." Martha rubbed, of course, but the task was useless.

Oscar the groom was sent on horseback for the nearest doctor, who came just as day was breaking.