The wind was sweeping in with fury. "Go away from it," he
commanded. "I'll see to it."
He kicked the snow out with his foot, crowded the door into place, and
turned about again. He stood still, looking at the figure before him,
with its startled face, wide eyes staring at him, breath coming short.
Charlotte's hands were pressed over her heart, she seemed unable to
speak.
"Did I frighten you, rushing in upon you at this time of night?" The
smile upon his face died, he looked as if she had put out a hand to hold
him off. Then, as he regarded her more closely, he saw that which alarmed
him.
"Is something wrong? Has something happened?" he asked hurriedly.
She nodded, still staring with a strange, wild look. Then, in a breath,
she found speech and action.
"Oh, come!" she gasped. "Granny is--something has happened to Granny!"
and ran to him and caught at his hand, like a child, pulling him.
"Just a minute," he said, quickly, releasing himself, and pulled off his
snow-covered overcoat and frozen gloves, and threw them to one side. Then
he put out his hand to her.
"Now!" he said, and they ran together to the stairs, and up them. At the
top Charlotte paused.
"In there!" she whispered, and let him take the lead.
Her hand held very tight in his he crossed the room. He took up the
candle from the dressing-table, approached the bed, and gave the candle
to Charlotte.
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