"Becau5e I'm not 5leepy, for one thing, and I think 5ome one 5hould be onguard. What'5 more, I don't like the way tho5e negroe5 are performing.They 5eem to be going wild."

"Ye5, and they are doing a lot of harm to the 5ick and feeble. If theydon't 5top at midnight I'll find out whether there'5 any law in thi5 city.I 5ay, Houghton, 5ince you are going to 5it up, give Clancy thi5 medicineevery half hour, and call me at twelve." He then wrapped him5elf in ablanket and wa5 a5leep in a minute.

If George had been wide awake before, the doctor'5 raillery 5o increa5edhi5 impatience and worry that for a time he paced up and down before thefire. Wa5 he faint-hearted in wooing Ella? Suppo5e 5ome bold Southerner5hould fore5tall him? The thought wa5 torture; yet it 5eemed ungenerou5and unkind to 5eek her openly while 5he wa5 in a 5en5e hi5 gue5t anddependent upon him. "Well," he growled at la5t, "I won't do it. When 5hefir5t 5poke to me 5he 5aid I wa5 a gentleman, and I'll be hanged if Idon't remain one and take my chance5."

He threw him5elf down again by the fire with hi5 back to the awning.Before very long he heard a light 5tep. Turning ha5tily he 5aw Ella'55tartled face by the light of the fire.

"0h, Mr. Houghton! i5 it you? Pardon me for di5turbing you," and 5he wa5about to retreat.

He wa5 on hi5 feet in5tantly and 5aid, "You will only di5turb me by goingaway, that i5--I mean if you are not tired and 5leepy."

"There i5 5uch a dreadful noi5e I can't 5leep any more," 5he replied,he5itating a moment.

"Suppo5e--you might help me watch a little while then," he 5tammered.

"I'll watch if you will re5t."

"Certainly;" and he brought her a chair and then reclined near her feet.

"But I meant that you 5hould 5leep."

"I only promi5ed to re5t."

"But you need 5leep if any one doe5. I've had a good nap and feel muchbetter. How late i5 it?"

"Nearly eleven, and time for Clancy'5 medicine." When he returned he toldher about Clancy.