Page:The trail of the golden horn.djvu/276

272 “A little lass who scurried away and got into no end of trouble. When she gets back to Big Chance Tim will be all right. But, hello! what’s the matter? What are you blushing about?”

Hugo was in great spirits, an entirely changed man from the sullen and morose rover of the trails. He seemed like one who had escaped from prison, and was enjoying to the full his unaccustomed freedom. Marion watched him with wonder and secret rejoicing. He was like the father she had known as a little girl. He had the same hearty voice and the ringing laugh. His very presence inspired confidence and good will.

In a few minutes the doctor entered and was given a hearty greeting by Marion and Zell. He was a splendid type of man, a great trailsman, and beloved by miners and Indians alike. He had given up a good practice to come to the north to assist in the medical work which was being carried on at Kynox and other centres. No distance was too great, and difficulties were as nothing in his work of loving mercy. The most abject native would receive from him the same care as the most important person in the country. To the hospital at Kynox he had been a tower of strength, and everywhere the miners and prospectors swore by the word and honor of Doctor Stephen Rainsford.

“This is the life I like best,” he had once said to a man who had asked him why he was willing to bury himself in the north. “It is the kind of service that suits my make-up. Cities and towns outside are crowded with doctors, too many, in fact, but in a country such as this they are very scarce.”

Dr. Rainsford examined the missionary most thor-