Part 10 (1/2)

”What sort of a woman was she?” With her eyes Cora signalled to Jack to remain quiet. She knew the girls would.

”Well, I couldn't rightly say, miss, as it was so dark right after the storm. But before I knew what she was doin' she had come into the pasture that I hired for the sheep over night, and run toward a hay stack. She stumbled over a lamb, fell down, the dogs barked, and it took all I could do to quiet them sheep.”

”What became of the woman?” asked Cora, making a motion with her lips to signify that she thought her the same mysterious one who had been in her barn.

”Well, she was real sorry for having made me so much trouble, and it _was_ trouble. She said she didn't see the sheep in the field, and she was as scar't as they was, I reckon. I asked her what she was doin' out and she said looking for a girl.”

”A girl?” asked Jack, sharply.

”Yes. I ast her if it was her girl--thinkin' she might be a farmer's wife from around there, but she didn't say any more. Only she kept sort of moanin' like, an' sayin' as how her life was spoilt, an' how if she could only find a girl--well, I couldn't make much head or tail of it, an' anyhow I was worried about the sheep, for one got torn on a barbed wire fence. But I was sorry for the woman. I ast her if she intended to spend the night out-doors, and she said yes.

”I couldn't hardly stand for that--for by her voice I could tell she wasn't a common kind. So I ast her if she had any money. I was goin' to give her some myself, so she could get a night's lodging anyhow. She put her hand in her pocket--sort of absent-minded like, and then she got a surprise, I guess, for she pulled out a silver purse, that she didn't seem to expect to find there. I could see it plain for I was lightin'

my pipe just then to quiet my nerves.”

”A silver purse?” cried Cora.

”Ahem!” coughed Belle, meaningly, and Cora, looking at her, understood there was something to be told--later.

”Yes, a silver purse,” went on the man. ”She didn't appear to know she had it, and when she opened it and saw some bills and silver, she was more struck than ever. She said something about not knowing it was there, and then she cried out: 'Oh, it must have been them dear girls! G.o.d bless 'em!' That's the words she used, miss. I remember 'em well.”

The others had left their cars now, and come up to hear the recital. The boys looked meaningly at one another, and the girls exchanged glances.

”What happened next?” asked Cora.

”Why, nothin' much, miss. You see the woman had money though she didn't know it, which I took to be queer. But it wa'n't none of my affair. She gave me good-night and went back to the road, walkin' off in the direction of the town. I guess she got lodging all right--she could go to a hotel with that money. It was more than I carry. But the sheep was all right by then, quieted down, so I left 'em to my dogs and crawled under the hay. I slept good, too.

”But now, miss, I want to oblige you an' your friends, so I'll just drive my animals into that field. I don't believe the owner will care.”

”Well, take this in case he does,” said Cora, pa.s.sing over a two-dollar bill. ”Get ready now, people!” she cried gaily. ”We're going to move!”

With the aid of the beautiful collies, who seemed to be able to do everything but talk, the herder drove his sheep through the lowered bars of the pasture.

Then, with the bars up again, so they could not come out, the man waved for the auto to proceed, swinging his cap at the boys and girls in token of good will. Cora's _Whirlwind_ speeded up, followed by the others, and soon they were on the broad, level highway that led to Mooreville.

”Cora, I simply must speak or I'll----” began Bess.

”Don't burst!” cautioned Jack, running his car up alongside his sister's.

The road was wide enough for three for a short distance.

”Wasn't that the same woman who was at your house?” went on Bess.

”I'm sure of it,” a.s.sented Cora. ”Only I didn't want to speak of it before him, Poor creature! What a plight to be in! No place to stay!”

”But that silver purse!” cried Bess. ”And the money----” She stopped suddenly and looked at her sister. ”Belle Robinson, you never gave that to her!” she cried.

”Yes I did,” admitted Belle. ”I slipped it into the pocket of her cloak.

I could see she needed it.”