He had one now, and he brought it to Melinda, who, thinking of her husband, gone to Denver City, felt a thrill of fear lest something had befallen him.

But no; the dispatch came from Davenport, from Mrs.Dobson herself, and read that a strange woman lay very sick in the house.
"A strange woman," that was all, but it made Melinda's heart leap up into her throat at the bare possibility as to who the strange woman might be.

Andy was standing by her now reading the message, and Melinda knew by the flush upon his face, and the drops of perspiration which started out so suddenly around his mouth, that he, too, shared her suspicions.

But not a word was spoken by either upon the subject agitating them so powerfully.

Melinda only said, "I must go home at once--in the next train if possible," while Andy rejoined, "I am going with you." Melinda knew why he was going, and when at last they were on the way, the sight of his honest-speaking face, glowing all over with eagerness and joyful anticipations, kept her own spirits up, and made what she so greatly hoped for seem absolutely certain.