The daily sentinel., 1913-05-24

been busting caught sight of the orouching form d
her mistress. Mrs. Elmslie-for the love OF heavc
Lefty, Lefty She ran forward, but the other WON
ans upltted hand checked her.
See, ElaP rhe shaking finger pointed to th)
hoor, and the girls rosy checks pacd her eye
followed its direction Against the oak, merciess 4
wet foot.
They come up the stairs. ma'am" Ella was rrenl
bling frightened as her own incomprehensble terro1
Il must have left the front door on the latch, and
some child strayed in
Lettys voice sounded below reassuring in its sus
gestion Of matter-offaet common did you cal
me. Ella Is anything wrong?"
See II the door is locked, will your"
90, hey heard her cross the hall and try the doo1
Yes: its locked, Ella" she answered but stiael
cry followed hard on the words. The girl upstairs
carried away by a mysterious panic screamed shril
What's the matter, Lety?"
The answer was unsteady ITS nothing-onI
tracks. hey come up the outside steps, and go 4
up the stars They're the prints of feet Little bal
ieet OhE They heard The sharp intake OF her breath
Ella did not answer The sturdy common sense of IA
farmers daughter was in revolt against intangib
fears After all, the intruder only child "I cou
handle SIX OF that size thought the girl cutching h
broom. She pushed by Mrs. Elmslies kneeling hgurd
and followed the zgzag line of footprints down tl
hall to closed door. There she hesitated Mr|
Elmsle allowed no one but herself and Lefty to en
mat room, yet this emergency was no time for MD
distinctions. Hes in there fast enough" Ella thong
triumphantly; the footprints lead in, and there's
coming out"
Tentatively she turned the knob. The breeze fro
the west held the door against her doubtful pressure
and spurred TO energetic measures by this mild resist
ance, she flung it wide. No intruder was in sig
though the rocking-clair by the window stirred Light
in the breeze and gave to the empty room an air !
occupancy As Ella crossed the white mating she SAD
the prints of bare wet feet running on ahead but Il,
closet was empty except for the garment. hangi1,
there-a boys garments, half worn, with suggested
of vitality still about them.
The emptiness of the room was oppressive In So 4
of the bright sunshine she felt like one making "A
way through the dark watchful for the figure that
any moment might start from some lurking-pace 7 7
siience was clamorous if terrifying voice VS.
on the point OF speaking. The old foolish alarm ws
stealing back She went out hastily
Lefty had come upstairs and helped mer mistress
her room, Mrs. Emslie lay back against the pilloE
her face white the linen but luminous almost smE
ing. Ella choked down a sob.
I've looked about everywhere. / can't find
trace"
Hold your tongue" Lefty commanded. with asper
ity Then her voice changed to grooming tenderness
4 take away your hat, my dearie; you are not a
to leave the house this morning. You'll go the cI
another day
NO, Lefty. Neyerr The answer had the solemntl
Of VOW, the sorrowfu sweetness OF a peniten IA
psalm Never, she said again softly like one whc
whispers promise into loved ears.
In spite of her pleading it was long time bef1rc
they lett her and then they went reluctantly looking
al each other askance each dreaded 10 read in tt
others eyes the confirmation OF her own incredi5;
thought But the woman upstairs sighed with reliei
as the sound OF their footsteps grew faint
Iiy the time she had strength enough to drag herself
from her bed the footprints tn. nall were no ougef
moist but the outline of childs foot showed PLAINLY
against the oak. Her eyes fixed upon them she moy Cd
slowly down the hall to the closed room. The flaming
sword was in its sheath y the angel were still 90
one who prays. she opened the door and went in.
a