Western news and the Libby times. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1920-1933, 1933-06-08
CHAPTER V-Continued


young man admonlshed her.
He returned to his book and forgot
all about the child. Presently the
front door banged. Cary, probably,
or Tenny back from her sliding. 1t
was too early for Cynthia.
However. 1t was she. Geoff sprang
to his feet and went forward to meet
her.
Anything wrong? Are you slck2"
he asked.
"Just tired. Elsie said she'd hold the
fort for the rest of the day and let me
come home. Where Is everybody"
.Your mother is upstairs lying down.
] have 1T on good authority that the
Captain is asleep Tennys out slid
Ing"
"Ienny's out" She paused In her
task OF removing her gloves. "Who
told her she might go7 How long has
she been out7 Has she her galoshes
on?" she inquired
A sense of guilt began to pervade
Geoffs mind. He remembered their
talk at Red Rock lake; how Tenny
must be guarded from colds
Cynthia, you'll want to STAY me
for this l told her she might go. |
didn't see any reason why she
shouldn't go-every kid goes sliding
when 1t SHOWS"
She wasted no words In discussion.
Where did she say she was going?'
"She didn't say Oh, what dumb
bell was not to have asked her! But
she was all wrapped up" he said
eagerly. "She had on her heavy coat
and red cap"
For answer Cynthia went to the
closet beneath the stairs and brought
out Tenny's small galoshes. "This snow
=is=Wet as Wading In water she said
In frightened voice tTenny had on
those thin little slippers she wears In
the house." She slipped on the coat
she had just taken off and turned, her
hand on the door-knob 'I'll go south,
streets. n you find her. pick her up
and carry her. Don't let her walk In
this snowi"
Geoff dashed madly down the street
the direction Cynthia had Indicated.
His remorse knew no bounds.
She'll probably get pneumonia and
die" he assured himself with egag-
gerated pessimfsm. Why didn't think
about galoshes? Why didn't | ask her
where she was going? Why did let
her go at all?"
He secured the neighborhood for
blocks around without avail. AT last,
disheartened by his failure he re-
turned to the house.
The first sound he heard when he
opened the front door was Tennys
laugh. He bounded up the stairs and
found the little girl, glowing from a
bath, wrapped in woody robe and
tucked into bed with an electric pad
at her feet, listening enraptured to
Cary, who was telling one Of his
funniest stories.
You're fine one, Miss Mentagueiin
Geoff exclaimed, his relief going to his
head like wine. where were you,
Id like to know y
She laughed again. II didn't know
myself! Cynthia found me. 1t was
showing 30 hard and / got lost and
the sled wouldn't 90 at all and my feet
were sopping And then Cynthia came
along and carried me home"
Carried you! Cynthia !"
4She came staggering In with this
young lady over her shoulder like a
bale Of hay" Cary put In
where's Cynthia?" Geofr demanded.
Strengthening up the bathroom
after the recent additions, I imagine"
Gary answered.
Geofr made his way rapidly down
the hall to the bathroom. Through
the open door he saw Cynthia, her wet
3 skirts clinging to her, STOPPING to
pick up Tenny's small garments and
she reeled little as Geoff watched
her.
Look here! You must get those
wet clothes off at oncel Is there no
enc In this house who looks after your"
he demanded roughly. Carrying that
heavy child heaven alone knows how
far-coming In and putting her to
he'd without changing your clothes
Cynthia haven't You any sense at all7"
She looked at him vaguely. II think
shes all right now. / don't think she'll
take cold" she answered
For answer he pushed her down on
low chair and began removing her
soaked shoes.
I'm going to turn the water on In
that tub and II You don't want me to
put you in he threatened.
All right. I'll do 1t myself" she
answered, smiling but still with that
new and alarming vagueness.
He went down to find Miss Mona
and at once she was In flutter OF
maternal anxiety. She brought Gym
thia's bathrobe to her, insisted that
she have her dinner In bed. 1t was a
depleted circle which met at dinner.
Geofr had been asleep about two
hours when he was awakened by a
sound: somebody's harsh, hoarse
cough. He sat up, thinking Instantly