Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1905-10-12
CHAPTER v.-(continued.)

doubled strength to the shawl
Come, come, dearie-don't be afraid
Of mel" she expostulated, gently.
But the only reply was q piteous
cry OF "Mumsy! Mumsy!.
Your mother? Yes, yes! I'll help
you to find her. OF course, you've lost
your way, and I'll warrant that she's
in dreadful state of mind about you,
wondering where yo've go to. Lor'!
he's wearing a little velvet suit and
a lace collar, too. worn and mended,
but tidy all the same. There now,''
she continued, in louder and more
soothing voice, don't look so fright
ened, dear. / can't leave you here
asleep in the snow. 1t wouldn't be a
humane thing to do at all"
But her coaxing voice availed moth
ing. Harrys face was still turned
away and his hands still chung to the
shawl
well. if you won't come willingly,
| must carry you away, willing or not.
There, there; I'm not hurting you
Loose hold of what you're clinging to-,
dearie.'
The cbild's frail strength could not
withstand the woman's, and with a
cry of terror he unclasped his hands
and allowed himself to be lifted out
of the pit. But no inducement pre-
vailed to make him stand. He sank
down on the ground and began to
whfmper in weak voice.
TIL carry you to the path and step
back for these parcels. It's hard
walking amongst these bushes said
the woman, taking him into her arms.
And it was equally hard work, too,
for her to carry him. At last it was
accomplished; then she hurried back
to fetch her parcels calling out as she
did 50, "Bide there, dearie. I'll be
back in minute"
The woman $ injunction to await her
return had no influence on Harry. He
did not understand the meaning OF
what she said; but he understood tina.
Efforts We're being made to take hirl
away from the spot where his moth
er's shawl lay hidden, and instantly
he was hurrying back to that spot.
Come. come! You mustn't do
that" cried the woman, her patience
giving way. You mustn't, mdeed!"
Then, in different tone and to her.
self, she added, Its been a night of
terror to the child, and it's fairly driv-
en- him out of his wits, judging by the
look in his eyes. But cant stay here
10 I'M ipht IT,, ~ IL,
OF year"
Already Harry was in front of her.
A moment later he was nesting down
in the pit and drawing more Of the
shawl into view.
Mrs. Mordan--for that was the name
of the would-be preserver-was the
last woman in the world to leave a
chilli, to die Of cold, and for tilw It'll
determined to lose her parcels and
basket in order to carry him out of
danger.
Tenderly but firmly she raised him
once more from the ground; but this
time he chung to the shawl with OBJ
stinate tenacity. Little by little he
drew it from under the dead leaves;
little by little he uncovered his moth
er's body. Now marble-whito hand
smeared with blood was exposed to
view.
But Mrs. Mordan's face was turned
away. She saw nothing. 1t was Har-
~ who first noticed those hands.
"Mumsy! Mumsy!" he cried, In a
weak, piercing voice.
Quickly Mrs. Mordan looked around.
Something in the child's voice startled
her and frightened her. Anxiously
she peered into the pit. One glance
suficed to tell her that she was the
OF a CHASTITY tragedy. Then,
trembling, from head to foot, she
gazed into the shallow pit.
Dead! Murdered! And thrown
down there" she gasped, as the color
rushed from her cheeks. Fl never
saw anything SO awful before!" Her
teeth were chattering from terror now.
II can't stay here! No-not second
longer! OF course, the poor child is
the dead woman's. And her dress is
all covered with blood I wonder IL
she fell IN? It's possible! No, It's
not! Those leaves thrown ali over
her IL someone's work at hiding her.
No wonder the poor child's gone mad!
So shall I, IL don't hurry away! It's
my duty to carry him to the road as
fast as can, and I'll ask anyone who
may drive by to take US to the VII
lage. IL they'll walt q bit ! can step
back Tor ssne parcels. Here, dearie,
you must come away; you must, in
deed.
no unclasp Harryss hands required
strength, and Mrs. Mordan felt her
self more thsn justified in using that
strength.
VA second later she was hurrying to-
ward tke high road, encouraged to
hurry BY the distant sound Of ap.
preaching cart wheels.
CHAPTER Va.
s.sstoD, crSesl MIS-. Mordan. as she
held % her right hand iarrestingly.
s'Stops she repeated with an implor-
Ing gesture
John Hicks the man driving the
cArt drew N. he knew her slightly
quits suticiently wen to realize that