The Washington herald., 1916-11-21

-lure Newspaper Syndicate.
tivities were endless.
She had insisted upon running the car
pet sweeper, turning of and on the show
er, ringing. the floor bell under the din
ing table, smearing up the mirrors by
tracing "Agnes'' In unsteady capitals on
the breath-frosted glass, scratching the
letters with a pin on a chair arm, and
finally trying to curl Pussy Purr-mew's
whiskers with the curling iron.
Now you stay here and sew while I
run down to see Mrs. Bennett" said
Helen. when Agnes was finally settled.
basting up the doll dress.
As Mrs. Bennett was III, and her hus-
band out Of town. Helen felt she should
give her some neighborly attention.
Though intending to remain only a mo-
ment, It was half an hour before she
could break away.
Hurrying back, she found the window
seat Uttered with scraps and the unbast-
ed doll dress-but Agnes was not there
She was not IN the other rooms nor in
the kitchen. and Jane declared she had
not seen her.
Alarmed, Helen ran out to the elevator
to question the boy. but neither he nor
the door-man had seen anything of the
child.
With a growing terror she again search
ed the apartment. She looked in every
closet, cupboard, behind every door, un-
der the beds, every nook in which an
impish child might hide.
All the stories she had ever heard or
read Of kidnapped children. beat in her
mind as she called up Warren's office.
"Oh, dear, come home quick! We can't
find Agnes! 80 Only for a moment
down to Mrs. Bennett. Jane was here
1 don't see how she COULD get out!
""' Oh, don't stop to talk-come quick!
Take a taxi!'
1t was an anguished, interminable half
hour before Warren strode in. With a
few brief, brusque questions, he got the
facts from Helen. who by this time was
almost hysterioal.
"Of course she's here-hiding. That
little imp's capable of anything"
But as his own search was unsuccess-
full, his assurance gave way to scowl
Of anxiety.
"Carrie'l be hack in a few momentsl
what'll we do?" walled Helen. "Whatn
we tell her? There she is now!' as the
door-bell rang "You tell her / can'tl"
Carrie, bundled in furs. her face red
dened with the cold. swished in.
ANY packages for ner Now isn't that
provokingH They promised to send those
things special. oh. I'm almost dead"
sinking on the couch. why what's
the matter" staring at Helen, whats
happened?'
Now don't fly to pieces. Carrie. It's
all right" began Warren. but Agnes
either hiding somewhere or she's slipped
out. We can't"
! Carries dropping fatigue fell from her
as she started up wildly.
"Agnes-not herei You didn't leave her
alone-you didn't"
Now Carrie. that won't help" stern
ly "The childs here sonewhere-and
we'll find her"
Don't stand talking" she almost
shrteked. DO something! Call up Law
renee! Call up the police! Get a de-
tectiver'
wen do all that in time.. frowned
Warren. ''Tll have a look around the
basement first She couldn't leave the
| house without being seem"
AS they followed him to the door.
Helen brushed against the hall rack on
which hung his raincoat. that he had
, not worn for several days.
With a piercing Boo! Boow Agnes
jumped from the concealing folds of the
coat. grabbing her Aunt Helen about the
waist.
Helen screamed and would have fallen
had not Warren caught her, and carried
her half-fainting to the library couch
while Carrie gushed over her precious
angel"
Didn't find me, Didn't find met
shrilled Agnes, dancing impishly.
Carrie. are you going to whip that
child?" grimly demanded Warren
whip her? OF course not! She was
only playing-she didn't mean to frighten
US. Why. she's never had a whipping IN
| her life
"She hasn't, eh? Well. I gave her one
last spring. and right here's where she
gets another"
Warren. don't-don't you dare touch
But he had caught the squealing,
squirming Agnes and was slapping her
soundly.
"Oh, her ears-her ears!" Carrie clutch
ed his arm. you'll injure her for nfer'
Didn't touch her ears" as with a final
chattering shake he released her.
TITS the last time I'll ever bring a
child of mine here" furiously. trying to
comfort the shrieking Agnes
You've said that BEFORE" shrugged
Warren. "Of course you'll bring your
children here, and when they deserve a
walloping-they'll get itr'
He hurted my ears! He hurted my
ears!" screeched Agnes shrewdly.
Never mind, precious, mother'n take
you home right away"
Made your head ache?' Warren had
gone over to the couch where Helen was
still lying, her hand over her eyes.
1T makes me sick to be frightened" q"
tremulously unstrung.
THE way that brat jumped out at you
was enough to frighten anybody Wen
not stand for any of her devilment here" "
"Helen. where'd you put Agnes rub
bers?" called Carrie frfgidly, from the
bedroom.
why, aren't they right there with her
cloak?" Then in an undertone' to War
rem, Dear, you're not going to let her
go before dinner?"
Don't care a darn when she goes"
| Still in a sick tremble from her fright,
Helen went in to try to pacify her irate
sister-in-law.
Carrie, you're not going now-you'll
| stay for dinner?"
My ears hurt" whined Agnes with
malevolent intent.
"He might have injured her for life. "
ignoring Helen's attempt at placation.
Come sweetheart, put on your mittens. {"
Seeing that Carrie was determined to
go. Helen ran in to Warren with a whis-
pered.
Dear, she won't stay--corne see her
of. Say something-don't let her 60 like
this"'
But Carries frosty leave-taking held no
note of conciliation.
Jo 4hnH