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“But the girl looked so queer!” said the young lady. “I couldn’t help laughing to save my life. Where on earth did she come from?”

Not very keen was their enjoyment of the afternoon’s ride, although the day was particularly fine, and their way was amid some bits of charming scenery. After going out into the country some five or six miles, the horse’s head was turned, and they took their way homeward. Wishing to avoid the Monotony of a drive along the same road the young man struck across the country in order to reach another avenue leading into the city, but missed his way and bewildered in a maze of winding country roads. While descending a steep hill, in a very secluded place, a wheel came off, and both were thrown from the carriage. The young man received only a slight bruise, but the girl was more seriously injured. Her head had struck against a stone with so strong a concussion as to render her insensible.

Eagerly glancing around for aid, the young man saw, at no great distance from the road, a poor looking log tenement, from the mud chimney of which curled a thin column of smoke, giving signs of inhabitants. To call aloud was his first impulse, and he raised his voice with the cry of “Help!”

Scarcely had the sound died away, ere he saw the door of the cabin flung open, and a woman and boy looked eagerly around.

“Help!” he cried again, and the sound of his voice directed their eyes towards him. Even in his distress, alarm, and bewilderment, the young man recognized instantly in the woman the person they had so wantonly insulted only an hour or two before. As soon as she saw them, she ran forward hastily, and seeing the white face of the insensible girl, exclaimed, with pity and concern,–

“O, sir! is she badly hurt?”

There was heart in that voice of peculiar sweetness.

“Poor lady!” she said, tenderly, as she untied the bonnet strings with gentle care, and placed her hand upon the clammy temples.

“Shall I help you to take her over to the house?” she added, drawing an arm beneath the form of the insensible girl.

“Thank you!” There was a tone of respect in the young man’s voice. “But I can carry her myself;” and he raised the insensible form in his arms, and, following the young stranger, bore it into her humble dwelling. As he laid her upon a bed, he asked, eagerly,–

“Is there a doctor near?”

“Yes, sir,” replied the girl. “If you will come to the door, I will show you the doctor’s house; and I think he must be at home, for I saw him go by only a quarter of an hour since. John will take care of your horse while you are away, and I will do my best for the poor lady.”

The doctor’s house, about a quarter of a mile distant, was pointed out, and the young man hurried off at a rapid speed. He was gone only a few minutes when his insensible companion revived, and, starting up, looked wildly around her.

“Where am I? Where is George?” she asked, eagerly.

“He has gone for the doctor; but will be back very soon,” said the young woman, in a kind, soothing voice.

“For the doctor! Who’s injured?” She had clasped her hands across her forehead, and now, on removing them, saw on one a wet stain of blood. With a frightened cry she fell backs upon the pillow from which she had risen.

“I don’t think you are much hurt,” was said, in a tone of encouragement, as with a damp cloth the gentle stranger wiped very tenderly her forehead. “The cut is not deep. Have you pain anywhere?”

“No,” was faintly answered.

“You can move your arms; so they are uninjured. And now, won’t you just step on to the floor, and see if you can bear your weight? Let me raise you up, There, put your foot down–now the other–now take a step–now another. There are no bones broken! How glad I am!”