The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-02-28

my mother came hurriedly out, and
was soon folded in my arms, but much
to my establishment began sobbing
wildly
Poor little mother" said T. -tDo you
miss Elsie so much. I will pay them
or for stealing a march on me after
all. 1 fiattered myself that they did
not want the wedding to take, place
without me-
"Oh, hush, Gerald" my mother re-
pied. They did not postpone the we'd
ding on your account. George gave a
very reluctant consent to wait the ten
days, and, though evidently put out,
tried to make the best of it, for Elsie
seemed possessed to wait for you. But
in the meantime a dreadful thing has
happened. George is almost crazy and
. Elsie. poor child, overwhelmed with
grief"
Here my. mother sank into a chair
and motioned me to another close to
hers. With a beating heart 1 remem-
bered Mrs. Macs warning words, while
L waited with what patience | could
muster for my mother to continue.
You remember that Georges elder
sister, Libby, married a Mr. Cranfield
from near Evansville, Ind. 1t was SUD-
posed that he was very we'll off, and
he was, in a sense, or would be after
his parents died. But unfortunately
he died ffrst-about two years ago
and left his wife and two children de-
pendent upon his folks. The children
are boy and girl. While the old peo-
pie delight in the boy, a sturdy fellow
of six, they do not care much for the
little girl-though she is the most beau
t1ful child L ever SAVIOR she is a.
mute. George had some business in
louisville which the postponement gave
him time to attend to. While there he
took it into his head that it would be
nice to have little Gertie here with his
father and mother while he and Elsie
were away on their wedding trip. Ac-
cordtngly one day last week he went
after her, and while returning with
the child she was stolen from the
trainr' -
But, mother" I exclaimed, that,
while strange and sad, certainly is not
all overwhelming calamity. Very few
of the many children lost are not
found again. and no doubt this one
will be. Come, cheer up, and take me
to see Elsie.'
my dear Gerald you do not fully
appreciate the gravity OF the situation.
Scarcely anyone realizes how many
children are never found until they
look into the matter. Not many abduc-
lions are made as public as was that
Of little Charlie Ross. This child has
been gone six days and not a trace
OF her can be discovered. George says
that he left her fast asleep on a seat
while he went into the smoker Just
after the train passed through the long
tunnel before you get to Louisville he
returned to his seat and the child was
gone! No one noticed the absence Of
the little one, though many had re-
marked upon her beauty before she fell
asleep. George has not slept and
scarcely eaten since it occurred. The
poor mother is frantic Elsie blames
herself and I fear George blames YOU.
so altogether it is an uncomfortable
time for your visit, my boy"
And it certainly was. Elsie poor
little soul. was full of self-condemna-
ton and weDt most Of the time and
George, whom sought next day, look
ed like a haggard, worn man Of forty.
instead of twenty-nine
~, Blame you, Gerald? No." he said
but you don't understand what All
In!s means TO me. If it were not for
flls1e-dreadful as it isl could bner
1t better. But T can't marry now
Every dollar I have in the world
must use to find this child. and Col
grant 1t may not be spent in vain Her
lack or vocal expression makes NV
task doubly difficult An ordinarv
child. even Of that tender age coa,l5
tell something Of herself. if she had tba
opportunity. But our little one NOT
quite four wears old. is helpless IN
. the tolls Of the miscreant who abduct-
ed her"
and have you no Sc1ew ait alp" r
questioned. 1
''The only clew is prepostero,,s o,,a
The brakeman and the porter on tbs
train declare, on oath, that tl1ev ca -