Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1907-02-08
The Minister'S Wife
By MRS. HENRY WOOD

to dispatch Moore by that route, though
1t was hardly likely the children had
taken it.
In any kind of suspense time seems to
move on leaden wings. When an hour
had elapsed and did not bring the tru-
ants, Lady Grace grew very uneasy. In
her restlessness, she put on her bonnet
and went down the avenue to where the
high road crossed it, and stood there look
ing out. All the stragglers, passing by,
were going toward the fair; none COM
ing from it.
About half past g. standing again in
the road, she saw Mr.. Baumgarten hast
ening back. But he was not leading a
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. IL don't think they
can have gone to the fair"
Mr.. Baumgarten was utterly fatigued
and quite at 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, to
Charley.
do you think they have been kid
mapped, Ryle? Both are beautiful boys"
mo, no." said Mr. Baumgarten.
By degrees they became aware that sun
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.
ITS reported that there has just been
a 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
could hardly get them past it. They
wanted to go down into the cutting"
Mr.. Baumgarten turned very pale
Hush, my dear !" he said, in low, ten
der tone, 1--WE must hope for the best. Go
indoors, my love; keep yourself as tran,
quill as you can, while l go 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 hel
husband returning. Mr.. Brice was with
him.
The landslip had not been so bad a.
reported. Landslips and other mishap'
rarely are. Two men only were injured
and the boy spoken of; none Of then
mortally and Mr.. Brice had attended tt
them. No trace had been found there o
the children.
I'm sure l don't know where to lool
now," said Mr.. Baumgarten, his voice be
traying his weariness. "Grace, l believ'
l must snatch some refreshment before
go out again."
She put her arm within his at once
and led him down the avenue. Are yol
coming, too, Mr.. Bricep she said, hold
ing out her hand. That's right. In
sure you must need something"
Just as she was speaking the gat
opened and group came in. A tall man
with flashing black eyes and yellow
skin, evidently a gypsy, and-the tw,
boys. He was carrying Charley in hi
arms; Cyras trotted beside him.
Mamma, mamma !" cried Charley. An,
Grace Baumgarten wondered whether sh
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. Th
same curious sickness, or pain, or oppres
sion-he hardly knew what it was-whicl
had attacked him once or twice before
Grace were asking questions.
YES MASTER" said the man, address
ing Mr.. Brice, when we got back to tn
women and children this evening thes
two little gents was there with 'em roun,
the fire. so / set off again and brough
em home"
Looking white and i'll, Mr.. Baumgar
ten came forward. The paroxysm ha,
passed. He spoke few heartfelt thank
to the man and rewarded him, and tool
him indoors that something to eat an
drink might be given to him.
81 shall never speak against gypsie
again." impulsively declared Lady Grac
Baumgarten.
CHAPTER XI.
The shades of twilight were fast gath
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