Washington State journal and Adams County news. [volume] (Ritzville, Wash.) 1906-1907, 1907-02-20
The Minister'S Wife
BY MRS. HENRY WOOD

child in each hand, as she had fondly
pictured; he was alone.
II cannot see or hear anything Of
them" he said, in answer to his wife's
impulsive question. II don't think they
can have gone to the fair"
Mr.. Baumgarten was utterly fatigued
and quite at a loss to decide which way
would be the best next to start upon.
Grace shivered inwardly, picturing the
harm which would come, or had come, ia
Charley.
do you think they have been kid
mapped, Ryle? Both are beautiful boys. VI
mo, no." said Mr.. Baumgarten.
By degrees they became aware that sum
dry people were speeding along the high
way one after another, not toward the
fair, but in the other direction.
Where can they be going?" cried
Grace. HAS anything happened?" she
inquired, running to arrest one of them
working man from cottage hard by.
"It's reported that there has just been
great landslip in that cutting they were
making for the railway, my lady, and
some people are buried under it." an
swered the man. Zone boys killed"
Lady Grace cried out in terror. "Oh,
Ryle, Ryle, do you hear?" she moaned.
That's where the children are gone. The
other day when l had them out with me
I could hardly get them past 1t. They
wanted to go down into the cutting"
Mr.. Baumgarten turned very pale.
Hush, my dearr' he said, in low, ten.
der tone, I'VE must hope for the best. Go
indoors, my love; keep yourself as tran
quill as you can, while 60 on with
Brice."
Indoors! In that suspense? No;
Lady Grace could not be tranquil enough
for that. She paced about the avenue,
and sat down on the bench, and stood in
the highway watching the runners speed.
ing to the scene, all by fits and starts.
Twilight was coming on when she saw her
husband returning. Mr.. Brice was with
him.
The landslip had not been so bad as
reported. Landslips and other misha 2s
rarely are. Two men only were injured
and the boy spoken Of; none of them
MORALLY, and Mr.. Brice had attended to
them. No trace had been found there OF
the children.
I'm sure I don't know where to look
now" said Mr.. Baumgarten, his voice be-
traying his WEAKNESS. Grace, believe
1 must snatch some refreshment before
go out again."
She put her arm within his at once,
and led him down the avenue. "Are you
coming, too, Mr.. Brice?" she said, hold.
ing out her hand. THAT'S right. I'm
S,ra WON must paad eopo othipoO
Just as she was speaking the gate
opened and a group came in. A tall man,
with flashing black eyes and yellow
skin, evidently a gypsy, and-the two
boys. He was carrying Charley In his
arms; Cyras trotted beside him.
Mamma, mamma !" cried Charley. And
Grace Baumgarten wondered whether she
had ever before given such heartfelt
thanks to God.
Instead of advancing to meet the chill.
dren and the man, Mr.. Baumgarten sud.
denly sat down on a garden seat. The
same curious sickness, or pain, or oppres.
sion-he hardly knew what 1t was-which
had attacked him once or twice before,
seized him now. Mr.. Brice and Lady
Grace were asking questions.
"Yes, MASTER" said the man, address
ing Mr.. Brice. when we got back to the
women and children this evening these
two little gents was there with 'em round
the fire; 30 I set of again and brough,
'em home"
Looking white and iii, Mr.. Baumgar.
ten came forward. The paroxysm had
passed. He spoke few heartfelt thanks
to the man and rewarded him, and took
him indoors that something to eat and
drink might be given to him.
II shall never speak against gypsies
again." impulsively declared Lady Grace
Baumgarten.