It was responded to promptly. Indeed, it was the sort of shriek that
always commands instantaneous attention; and Aunt Truth came out of
her tent prepared to receive tragic news. Bell followed; and the
entire family would have done the same had they been in camp.
Polly thrust the letter into Mrs. Winship's hand, and sank down
exhausted, exclaiming, breathlessly, 'There's a mattress--and a tent-
-coming up the canyon. It's Elsie's, I know. Philip is down at the
gate--with the cart--but I came ahead. Phew! but it's warm!'
'What!' cried Bell, joyfully. 'Elsie at the gate! It can't be
true!' And she darted like an arrow through the trees.
'Come back! come back!' screamed Polly.
'Elsie is not at the gate. Don S. D. M. F. H. N. is there with a
team loaded down with things. Isn't it from Mrs. Howard, Aunt
Truth?'
'Yes, it is. Written this morning from Tacitas Rancho. Why, how is
this? Let me see!'
TACITAS RANCHO, Monday morning.
Dear Truth,--You will be surprised to receive a letter from me,
written from Tacitas. But here we are, Elsie and I; and, what is
better, we are on our way to you.
('I knew it!' exclaimed the girls.)
Elsie has been growing steadily better for three weeks. The fever
seems to have disappeared entirely, and the troublesome cough is so
much lessened that she sleeps all night without waking. The doctor
says that the camp-life will be the very best thing for her now, and
will probably complete her recovery.
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