The Washington times., 1912-05-30
CHAPTER III (continued).

CHAPTER III (Continued).
frCHE can't carry that bundle" she
cried; 1T is simply barbarous
to ask her to, such a little,
delicate childl Here, let me
carry It," she bent TO lift the wood,
but Mrs. Jennings pushed her roughly
aside.
NO" she said. "In carry II myself.
didn't realize It was so heavy. Run
along home, now, Lizzie. quick; I'll
bring the wood"
The. child turned quickly, a puzzled,
questioning look on her face. She
opened her lips to speak. but at an Inn
closed them and hurried on, scuttiins
through the leaves as quickly as her
big, Tapping shoes would allow her.
fagots and looked after her with scofl-
."she's a great trial, Miss Chisieigh, -
she said presently, trying to smooth the
wish at times We hadn't a KEEP her, for
a meaner, hatefuller, more deceivin'
young one never run across / hate
to hurt the child. but 1 have to correct
Annabels cheeks burned. and she had
much ado to control the words that
sprang to her lips. But for some rea-
son that she, could have have explained
do to give this woman offense now.
YES" she said with difficulty, II
suppose SO. / do not believe that Il Is
ever necessary to strike child,
The woman gave a harsh. unpleasant
Wait till you have a DOZEN. she
SAID: and shaking her fagots into place,
Annabel returned home slowly, her
piood boiling, her cheeks burning with
Indignation; 1t was not until she was
she cooled down sufficiently to think
clearly. Then suddenly she stopped
snort. gasped, and for some time forgot
70 go on. She remained standing with
hnser qswS to ta her lips ana he,
When she entered the house she
straightway sought her mother.
, MQtner,' she said, II have Just seen
the Jennings woman beating that little
child In the woods. She has cut off her
curls and burned all her clothes, and
the child is dressed almost in rags
ed, shoes on her feet" Then as Mrs.
Chisleigh looked up at her with a
shocked, astonished face. she went on
And that is not all. Her mother did
not go back to England. She is dead.
The child told me so''
Mrs. Chisleigh dropped her embroid-
cry.
"Her-mother-is-d ?" she etacu-
lated sharply. "Annabei-chiidNwh do
you mean? Her mother dead, .you say
Why-how-it cannot be possibie!"
..I put IL is; mother" protested the girl.
know what you are thinking; have
way home. 1t is horrible. ghastly, but
1t must be true. I asked the little girl
where her mother was and why she
mad had gone back to England and left
burst out crying and told me that her
mother was dead, that she had gone
away to Heaven to live with God"
stop, Annabel This Is a serious
matter. Go back and tell me carefully
everything you have seen and heard
this morning"
The girl did so. omitting not the small
est detail. When she had finished Mrs.
Chisleigh sat long time in silence.
is time that this matter was being In
vestigated."
Yes" said the girl. with blazing
eyes. II am sure It is"
"Annabel." said Mrs. Chisleigh. very
gravely, you do not realize what II
means to us to start this investigation.
No ono can tell how far It will go or
what the results will be. II may lead
us into all kinds of trouble and un-
between us and the necessary notoriety.
and for three defenseless women"
The girl threw back her head and her
whole face glowed.
what Is the difference" she cried.
I'VE have a duty to do here. A duty to
that defenseless child-a duty to that
poor woman who Is gone. For my part
I am willing to bear any unpleasant
we can help to right this wrong, to un.
ravel this mystery"
And little. indeed. did the girl dream
as she said these words upon what a
long quest they would carry her, OIL
what would be the results of that in.
yestipation