Evening journal., 1897-05-10
HEART OF THE WORLD.
BY ADELIxn KNAPP.

HA ADELiNLl lANARF.
Gray shadows were creeping over the
sand dunes beyond Pacific Heights.
Only here and there a lanceolate beam
touched the hills, from the crimson ball
going out to sea through the golden
gate. There was q scent of lilies in the |
air, mingling with the more wonted |
perfume of February roses. The hum |
of the city sounded far away, and the
song of a meadow lark could be heard |
from a treetop.
The door of the house stood open, re- |
vealing broad hall. There was a sug-
gestion, in the dim light, of waving ferns !
and the sivery CLEAN of fountain, in
the conservatory at one side. From
the doorjamb there svayed in the
breeze long ends of soft, snowy ribbon,
holding in place a cluster of white
roses.
In the center of stately apartment
that opened upon the hall stood tiny
white caslSet on slender pillars. Two
candles burned at its head. BY WIN
dow q man sat gazing with unseeing
eyes, in the creeping shadows of the
trees. A woman lay in n crushed heap
among the pillows of divan. Neither
had moved for long time. The little
form in the white casket had been their
all. Now it lay scarcely stiller than
they.
Suddenly the silence was broken by
the sound OF a woman's voice, high
pitched and clear.
"Wilyl Willy oh, Willy!" it cried.
A friend within the house hastened to
the door Along q pathway through
the shrubbery q handsomely-dressed
woman appeared. "Oh!" she eX-
claimed. advancing; "have you seen a
little boy about four years old? Mylit-
tie boy is lostl Some one said they saw
him come in here. cannot find him;
and am afraid he has fallen some
where in the sand dunes"
"Have you notified the police?"
"Long ago. They are all on the
lookout for him. But he may be buried
in the sand. We have been searching
for hours. Oh, 1 have lost two little
ones through death, but never felt as
do this moment!"
The mothers heart walled forth be-
hind the cultured woman's enforced
composure.
The woman who had been lying
among the cushions came through the
hall to the door.
what is it?" she asked.
The friend put her arm about her and
would have drawn her back; but the
stranger spoke.
MY little boy is lost" she said, ex-
citedly. "He is only four years old.
We are afraid he is among the sand
dunes"
"Ohl" cried the younger woman,
''I am so sorryl Is there nothing we
can do? Cannot we help you look for
him? The poor little fellow! Think OF
him all alone in the dunes! How did
it happen?" And she put her hand in
the strangers for sympathy.
The latter was full Of her story of
coming home from q round Of calls to
find tho child missing and the other
children seeking him. Even as she
spoke, voices could be heard calling
from the sand dunes: willy! Willy.
oh, Willy!"
Il must 60" cried the mother. "Oh
my heart is breaking! Willy! Willy!
Where can he be?"
As she turned a passing zephyr Die"
the white ribbon on the doorPosi
straight out across her cheek. She
/ started back. dismayed.
why" she cried, you have deac
child in this house!"
YES" said the other mother; "ml
only child, little boy just four years
old. died this morning"
p Tears came into the strangers eyes
! oh" she cried, "do forgive mel
am so sorry. 1 did not know. Dea'
! heart to think I should have troubled
you. l, too, have lost two children 10.
death; but this is more terrible. NJ.
- little boyl You see, do not know
where he is"
Il know" the other sai5. calmly
You must let us do what we can 70
$ you. Oh, I am sure you win find hin
n Let me so with you. We will searcl
> together. Not to know where you
baby isl All. what trouble there is j
/, the world!"
She seized n wrap. and the two won
en- went'down the walk together. A
the corner they were met by a boy {
$ perhaps a dozen years
. Some children say they met lit
boy like yourn goin' down toward Mort
Beach," he said.
They hurried down the hilly stree
"Have you seen anything Of litt
boy. about four years old. playing abOi
y = here?" asked WHY'S mother OF a bom