The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-09-17

At regular intervals called his name,
then listened for possible response, de-
| termined that would permit no chance
of his hearing my call to pass. But as
! the black shadows of a moonless night
came down all the anguished terror I
had suppressed since my child disap-
peared voiced itself in a tearing, frantic
shrek:
"Junisrl oh. my babyI Answer
motherF'
The Unexpected.
was down on the ground. grovelling
on it, tearing at the grass. while before
my tortured brain fitted visions of my
sheltered baby wandering terrified and
calling for me In that awful darkness,
of his little body lying cold and lifeless
In some swanpy pool, Of perchance his
being tortured by some kidnapping fiend
such as those of whom 1 had shudder-
ingly read.
] was dimly conscious of Katie trying
to raise me. of my resisting Ier-for /
was like a wild thing. mortally wounded,
seeking the earth-then I heard her
calling frantically for "Jeem! Jeem 20
as she ran away from me-
1 think I must have swooned, for the
next thing I remember was the glare of
q AdAAIGAA III my eyes ana SnOuI-
der supporting me. Katie was kneeling
by me, ehafing one of my hands. upon
which I could feel her hot tears falling,
-and Grace Draper was rubbing my other
hand. The lantern was held by a young
man never had seen before, ana its
rays danced for an instant Enthusiastically
upon Grace Diapers face, giving it for
an instant a sinister, mocklng almost
gloating look that made me SILVER and
Tl1tt xzrta 7 no ztr "a ~,
to- sanity and remembrance 1 realized
that 1t must have been the glow of the
lantern that had misled me. for there
was nothing save the most comprehend
ing sympathy in the gaze she bent on
me as I struggled TO an erect posture.
''Juniorf". exclaimed wildly. II must
keep on calling him. He might hear
me, and, faint to the point OF nausea, !
sank back against Jim.
Grace Draper bent over me and took
my hands firmly in hers.
Listen. Madge.' she said. You have
been SO brave, don't fail your child now.
You simply must keep up your strength,
for I think your mother-in-law will die
If she sees that you have given up.
She's in an awful condition, now that
the darkness has come. Mrs. TIGER is
with her, and she's calling for you and
Dicky. Now, I can stay out here and
call Junior just as well as you. He
knows my voice. you know. And you
must get to the house and be taken.
care of. and see to your mother-in-law.' -
For the moment was without will or
volition, I permitted her to pull me up
to standing position, felt Katie's arm
around me, Jim supporting me on the
other side. Then the young man with
the lantern spoke in a low tone to Jim:
Don't you think we'd better carry
her?''
No. no. protested feebly, then va
cantly I queried: WHO are your"
A Compelling Personality.
Just some one 10 help" he returned
deferentially, boyishly-I saw that he
was in his early twenties. yet with an
air OF manliness and decision far be-
yond his years. the air which SO many
of our young men wear today, the re-
suit of their war experience. We'll
talk about 1t latei. Just now I'll hold
the lantern so you. won't stumble"
us yours lighted7" He turned to
Grace Draper.
Yes" She had been busy with a
second lantern and now swung it.
You aren't afraid out here?" per
funetorily.
mot a Bit" she said promptly And.
Madge, I'll call Just as you have been
doing"
''I'll be back soon" said YEARLY. and
meant 1t, but when I reached the house
I found my hands full with Mother era
ham. and I regaiped IN soothing her some
of the composure had lost. Earlier.
had sent for DR.. Petit, but he was out
OF town. could not be reached, and I
had tried no one else
The young man touched my shoulder
asI crossed the room to take cup Of
hot tea from Katie's hands m the hH8&
OF inducing Mother Graham to drisZ !
, little of It.
Put this in it," he whispered. hand
ing me little pellet. She must sleep
for awhile or theres no telling what
may happen. I'm enough Of a physician
for that"
There was sometAing IN his voice that
seemed to compel my obedience. and I