THE STBIKE AT SHAXE'S. 57 



.**0h! Mr. Tracy, there has been a runaway, and 

 there is a man lying beside the road. Oh ! I know it 

 must be papa. Do please drive faster and let us see." 



Mr. Tracy needed no urging on this point, for he had 

 already started his horses into a trot. As they neared 

 the place the cause of the trouble was apparent. 

 Edith leaped from the wagon and was at her father's 

 side in a moment. 



" Oh ! dear, dear papa, speak to me," she sobbed, as 

 she lifted his head in her arms. " Oh ! Mr. Tracy, is 

 he dead?" she asked, between her sobs. 



"He is not dead, my dear girl, but very badly 

 injured, I am afraid," he answered. " Can you stay 

 here with him until I go for assistance ? " 



" No, no, don't go away ; I can help you lift him in 

 the wagon and we will take him home." 



"Why, my dear girl, you have not strength to help 

 me lift him." 



" Oh ! yes I have, Mr. Tracy ; I am strong. Come, 

 let me help." 



"Well, if you insist, we will try it," he said; and 

 they lifted him up and succeeded in getting him into 

 the wagon, and drove as rapidly as possible to the 

 Shane farm. When they arrived Edith hastened to the 

 house and met her mother on the porch. Edith's 

 swollen eyes told the whole story to Mrs. Shane, and 

 she clasped her daughter in her arms and sobbed : " Is 

 he dead, Edie? is he dead?" 



"No, mamma; only hurt," she replied, trying to 

 keep up a stout heart. 



