Los Angeles herald., 1907-12-15


He ran up the path and on to the porch,
where he paused to stamp the snow from his
| shoes and to brush it from his coat.
Mrs. Carson, hearing him, opened the front
door and looked out into the hail.
is that you, Percy?" she asked. your
Uncle John is not coming until the eight
o'clock train, and Maisie has probably stayed
to supper with Aunt Martha and Uncle
'Uncle Joe," said Percy slowly with a
startled expression on his face. why,
Aaise can't be at Uncle Joe's. He and his
wife went over to Millersvlle this morning.
Their nephew sent for them to spend Christ
mas with him."
Mrs. Carson was greatly surprised
Where can Maisie be, then?" she ques-
toned
Indeed, | don't know, Aunt Ellen She
must be safe, somewhere Perhaps with one
of her school friends in the village"
just then a heavy gust of wind slammed
a shutter with terrific force Percy turned
pale, and a sudden fear filed his heart
"Pll go find her. aunt" he said, turning
back into the hall. 81 don't want any sup
per, now. Don't you worry; Maise's all
right somewhere I'll soon be back, and
then We'll all have supper together"
81 don't know about that" replied Mrs.
Carson, in evident alarm. IF she found no
in the storm; and if she has attempted to re-
turn by way of Jones woods, the child must
be in real danger, the cold is so intense and
the snowfall so heavy
Il shan't come back without her." Percy
declared, as he buttoned his overcoat, drew
his cap over his ears and again faced the
binding snow.
The first house he stopped at was Billy
Buckles, and Billy himself opened the door,
in response to his loud knock.
"Maisie's lost" exclaimed Percy "She
went over to Uncle Joe's, and they're away
You haven't seen her, have you?"
why, no! You forget | was with you all
the afternoon Hold on, Percy! I'll go with
you
Billy seized his cap and overcoat and
sprang to Percy,,s side, ready to aid him in
his search for Maisie, no matter how stormy
the night or difficult the way.
' In half an hour a dozen men, with Percy
in the lead and Billy not far behind, were
in the direction of Jones woods.
Close, inquiries had established the, fact
Jce's by the short, cut through the woods,
and they decided that it was somewhere in
the great forest Of pines and gloomy spruces
that they were the most likely to find her.
The SaS ri dg9ed Gsd Up efO parties n5
man had gun, which he fired repeatedly
after they had entered the wood.
1t was past midnight, yet no sign of Maisie
had been discovered
falls, peering under cluInps of low-growing
evergreens, they untiringly fought their way,
examining, as 1T seemed every foot of the
ground. But no Maisie!
1t was two o'clock in the morning. The
storm had greatly abated, and the wind had
sensibly decreased in violence. Percy and
Billy, who were together, all of sudden
brought up at the wood choppers cabin. 1t
was so small and low, and the night so dark,
that they almost walked over il, as Billy
Percy lifted the big wooden latch, pushed
open the door, and flashed the light of his
HShe is found! she is found" he cried in
a glad voice. .'Look, Billy; there she is
sound asleep! No wonder she did not hear
our shouts and the firing of the gun
Billy crowded to the door and looked in.
The fire had died out, only few ash
covered Goals remaining, but the cabin was
still comfortably warm.
Maisie slumbered TRANQUILITY in her snug
corner by the fireplace. Her hood had slip
a fair, sweet. face, flushed. naturally with
sleep, and without trace of fear. Her two
little hands were folded over Aunt Martha's
Bible in her lap, and her breathing was as
soft and regular as that Of an infant.
In his joy, Percy would have hugged her
.aPll wake her." he said, crossing over to
'-s aMaisie~ he called, softly, as he
bent over her. "Maisie, wake up. We've
come to take you home
Maisie opend her eyes, looked at him in a
dazed way for an instant, and then, COM
pretending the situation, exclaimed joyfully:
"Oh Percy, Percy, you've come for me!
knew you wouldl Dear cousin, / am SO
gladl"
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