Cleveland County herald., 1919-02-06

ten miles away, but of course every body knew where the Dunkelbergs lived and any one would show me. I would run and get there before dark and tell them that I wanted to live with them and every day I would play with Sally Dunkelberg. Uncle Peabody was not half as nice to play with as she was. I heard Uncle Peabody drive away. I watched him through the open win- dow. I could hear Aunt Deel wash ing the dishes in the kitchen. I got out of bed very slyly and put on my Sunday clothes. I went to the open window. The sun had just gone over tie top of the woods. I would have to hurry to get to the Dunkelbergs' before dark. I crept out on the top of the shed and descended the lad der that leaned against it. I stood a moment listening. The dooryard was covered with shadows and very still. The dog must have gone with Uncle Peabody. I ran through the garden to the road and down it as fast as my bare feet could carry me. In that direction the nearest house was al- most a hile away. I remember l was out of breath, and the light was growing dim before I got to it. l went on. It seemed to me that I had gone nearly far enough to reach my destination when I heard q buggy coming behind me.
 "Hellon a voice called.
 turned and looked up at Dug Ora per, in single buggy, dressed in his Sunday suit.
 ''Is 1t much further to where the DunlIelbergs live?" l asked.
 'The Dunkelbergs? Who be they?"
 1t seemed to me very strange that he didn't know the Dunkelbergs.
 "Where Sally Dunkelberg lives"
 That was a clincher. He laughed and swore and said:
 "Git in here, boy. I'll take ye there."
 I got into the buggy, and he struck his horse with the whip and went gal ioping away in the dusk.
 By and by we passed Rovin' Kate. I could just discern her ragged form by the roadside and called to her. He struck his horse and gave me rude shake and bade me shut up.
 It was dark and felt very cold and began to wish myself home in bed
 "Ain't we most to the Dunkel- bergs'?' I asked.
 ."No-not yet" he answered.
 I burst into tears and he shook me roughly and showed me down on the buggy floor and said:
 "You lay there and keep still; do you hear?"
 "Yes," I sobbed.
 I lay shaking with fear and fight ing my sorrow and keeping as still as I could with it, until, wearied by the strain, fell asleep.
 What befell me that night while I dreamed of playing with the sweet faced girl I have wondered often. Some time in the night Dug Draper had reached the village of Canton and got rid of me. He had probably put me out at the water trough. Kind hands had picked me up and carried me to little veranda that fronted the door of a law office. There I slept peacefully until daylight, when 1 felt a hand on my face and awoke suddenly. l remember that I felt cold. A kindly faced man was lean ing over me.
 Hello, boyi" said he. "Where did you come from?"
 was frightened and confused, but his gentle voice reassured me-
 "Uncle Peabody" I called, as arose and looked about me and be- gan to cry.
 The man lifted me in his arms and held me close to his breast and tried to comfort me. I remember seeing the Silent Woman pass while I was in his arms.
 s'Tel1 me what's your name," he urged.
 Barton Baynes," said as soon as I could speak.
 "Where do you live?"
 "In LickEtysplit."
 "How did you get here?"
 "Dug Draper brought me. Do you know where Sally Dunkelberg lives?"
 ''Is she the daughter of Horace Dunkelberg?"
 "Mr. and Mrs. Horaee Dunkelberg," :" I amended.
 "Oh, yes, I know her. Sally is a friend of mine. We'll get some break fast and then we'll go and find her."
 He carried me through the open door of his office and set me down at his desk. The cold air of the night had chilled me and I was shiv- ering.
 You sit there and I'll have fire going in minute and get you warm ed up."
 He wrapped me in his coat and went into the back room and built a fire in a small stove and brought me in and set me down beside it. He made some porridge in kettle while I sat holding my little hands over the stove to warm them, and a sense of con- f,t.t