The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1921-11-20
CHAPTER XXXV
A Desperate Plan

NANCY with her frightened eyes on
Miss Henderson's face waited for
her to respond. She noticed that the
older woman flushed darkly and then
without a moments hesitation she
went quickly over to her brother and
said something to him in a low voice.
But Bruce put her lightly out Of
lis way.
There's no need of you putting up
any kind of argument, Eliza lie
said %brusquely. 1--WE listened to
enough. I didn't approve of adding
Miss Hathaway to the household in the
beginning, if you remember, but in
spite Of everything | have said she
seems determined 10 stay" His eyes
flashed for Il in Nancy's di.
rection with what she felt 10 be a d.
iect reminder of what had actually
happened and she felt her cheeks
burn.
Now | intend to remove TriX from
her care entirely; that will end mat.
ters. And nothing you can say will
have any weight with me. | have made
ur my mind"
With a little smothered sob. Trix
flew across the room and clung TO
Nancy desperately.
You won't let him take me, YOU
won't. you won't?" she said over and
over, appealing TO that faith and trust
that Nancy had aroused in her childish
heart. How often had Nancy assured
Trix that she was safe: that she had
nothing To fear and 1t was because
Trix had learned to trust Nancy ut
terly that she was defying her uncle
now. Nancy knew that!
She had only a few seconds to make
up her mind. II meant either losing
lrix forever or taking a desperate step
the idea for which had crept into her
thoughts several times. Before Bruce
could stride across the room n pun
Trix hastily away from Nancy's arms
Nancy had stopped and was whisper.
Ing quick words into the child's ear.
'Trix, you must trust me. You know
I've always kept my wcrd 10 you, but
| need your help. dear. Go TO your
uncle and wait for me. AS soon as |
can I'll come for you. You must be.
lieve me, dear. III come for you.
Don't forget.
She smiled for a moment into the
child's anguished eyes conscious that
If Trix had been the ordinary child her
terror would have swept away her
reason. As ii was, something about
Nancy's firm, resolute voice steadied
the child; she still believed. Her faith
in Miss Nancy's ability TO perform mir
acles was still with her and. marvel
of marvels, Trix forced a pitiful little
smile, Nancy could have cried at the
pathetic bravery Of it and she pledged
herself then and there to be worthy OF
TriA's faith. But it cost her a pang
10 see Bruce carry the child away
with him and the tears were running
down her cheeks AS she turned to Miss
Henderson. However, n glance al the
other woman's face told Nancy that
this was no time for useless recrimina.
tions. She made no attempt 10 re-
preach Miss Henderson and neither
did she take her into her confidence.
Whatever was done Nancy must
manage by herself, but how? Her plan
was 10 get Trix away. TO take matters
into her own hands and simply kidnap
the child. The risks of such a des-
perate move were many and the re-
suits might be serious. Nancy was apt
to get into trouble; she realized that,
hut there was no room in her heart
for thoughts Of herself. Trix was the
one to be considered, and it was i'm
possible TO leave her with Bruce Hen.
derson longer than was absolutely ne
cessary.