Request #63

 I remember reading a book in the 70’s. Young girl on a solo adventure through rugged terrain (maybe mountains). At one point in the story she becomes very ill with diphtheria and is helped by a stranger who nurses her through the illness, and somehow even uses a straw like instrument to remove the cob webby coating from the back of the girl’s throat. That’s about all I remember. Any thoughts?  Suggestion: Merlin’s Keep by Madeline Brent