Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1904-11-18


toned before, but no one had ever To-
Gated it exactly. 1t couldn't be in her
stomach, she knew that, because hadn't
Aunt Mag said the blackness shone
through on her forehead? Certainly!
OF course! How stupid she was! 1t
was in her head, underneath her hair.
But how was she to get at it?
Again the complication OF circum-
stances appalled, her. Clearly the first
thing to do however, was to cut on
her hair. After that she might scratch
little hole right back of the forehead
and get it out. The operation sounded
painful, and at heart Aggie May was
coward She decided that to crop the
golden tresses might be effcacious.
After that she would go down and hold
her head in the brook all day. Maybe
the water would soak in. She started
back to the house. Obviously the first
thing to do was to get pair of scis-
sors and some soap.
Aggie May crept softly into her
mothers room. 1t was empty, with
her work-basket lying just within Aggie
Mays reach She turned back to the
orchard triumphantly. BY night her
soul should be clean.
Without regret, without remorse, Ag-
gle May shipped diligently at her gol-
den curls-the pride of her mothers
heart, the pest of her own. If soul
washing included the JOY of Kidding
ones self of long hair that would tan
rIa nd OFT 1ifflo hnNS 1ilxo
flies to molasses, she submitted cheer
fully to the sacrifice. Nevertheless, it
was very hard task to accomplish,
and Aggie May pricked her scalp many
times during the process. But at last
she laid down her shears triumphant,
triumT ant, while at her feet lay lit
tie cleaning mass like tangled sun
beams.
Through the orchard, over the mead
ow, into the cool darkness of the
woods Aggie May sped. The brook was
deep in the heart of the forest, and she
had never been there alone before, but
she knew theway. Under the dim alsles
of quiet trees the child ran swiftly,
now in one direction, now another, un-
til in a maze of bark and trunk she
stood, a great fear rising in her heart.
Where was she?
How long she had wandered about
she could not tell, but the woods were
growing strangely still and black with
a solemn stiffness and broOding dark
ness that lent new strength to the
child's fast-failing limbs. She was
hungry and the chill breath of the
forest was beginning to pierce her
thin cotton dress. She wanted her
supper and she wanted her mamma.
But she went on determinedly. The
brook must be found.
Mrs. Sangster stood at the door,
shading her eyes with her hand. What
can make the child so late?" she said.
Her sister glanced up from her work.
Perhaps she has gone to meet her
father" she suggested.
There was a silence, finally broken
by Mrs. Sangster. 81 haven't seen her
since nearly three o'clock, have your
Mag smiled as she suddenly remem-
bered. NO" she said; 1.-The last |
saw of her she was making for the or
chard to clean her SOUL
ITO clean what?" asked Mrs. Sang
ster
Her SOUL repeated the younger wo-
man. "She asked me if saw anything
on her forehead, and said sugar. She
seemed quite awed, and wanted to
know if she could wash it Off l said it
was on her soul, and she went out to
clean it, | fancy. | guess she's all
right" she ended, lightly.
But the mother was not satisfied.
Suddenly she caught sight of a figure
moving across the meadow NO" she
said; there's comes Abe alone. Mag,
something has happened to Aggie
May"
She started down the path, and her
sister rose, and reluctantly followed.
She wanted to finish her sewing. The
child was probably all right, and was
doubtless playing somewhere about in
the yard. 1t was tiresome of Flo to
make such a fuss.
Mrs. Sangster answered only two
words "Aggie May
"Where?" He caught her roughly
by the arm, and she turned white
face toward him.
Gone" she whispered, and their
eyes met. Even Mag felt an electric
shock of horror, and wished she had
not been quite so hopeless about the
sugar.
hoy hor
asked the father. a tremor in his
voice.
Mrs Sangster shook her head.
Il last saw her under the apple tree
at about three, should say" answered
Mag.
The three hurried to the spot, half
expecting to find her at play. 1t was
Aggie Mays favorite spot to retire to
play, to think or to pout. All the
great crises of her life had been en-
acted here. But her swing hung limp
and motionless.
Mr.. Sangster turned to go, but his
wife suddenly called him back with
piercing cry.
Look" she said At her feet lay
a heap of golden curls. and beside
them, thrown upon the ground, lay
pair of scissors-her scissors.
Indians" gasped Mag, turning
white.
"Gipsies," ventured the mother.
"Oh, Aggie May, Aggie May, where
are your" she called, wildly
Mr.. Sangster said nothing. He
stopped, and gathered up the handful
of golden hair, and crammed it in his
pocket Then he turned to his wife.
Il think, Flo" he said, gently, you
had better go home. I'll look for the
Child There was a curious white
line about his mouth.
What. Go home when my child is
perhaps dying?"
Then, my dear, come quickly, for
| think we are needed