Part 49 (2/2)
And as she spoke, she held up the object.
”You are sure it is his?”
”I am positive. Oh, I am sure something dreadful has happened.”
”Perhaps not, Mrs. Nelson. Let us hope for the best, and search further.”
Mrs. Nelson heaved a long sigh. Her heart was heavy within her breast.
The two searched around until nightfall, but nothing more was found.
At last they returned to Glen Arbor, and after another inquiry there for Ralph, the poor widow made her way back slowly to her home.
She was all but prostrated, and all that night paced the rooms, watching and waiting in vain for her son's return.
The news of Ralph's disappearance spread, and several parties went out to hunt for him. Strange to say, one of the parties contained Squire Paget.
The squire went up to the islands in a private boat of his own. He remained there probably half an hour. Then he returned and called at the Nelson cottage.
”It is too bad, Mrs. Nelson,” he said. ”But I have, I am afraid, very bad news for you.”
CHAPTER x.x.xIV.
THE SQUIRE IN HOT WATER.
As the reader well knows, there was no love lost between Squire Paget and the Nelsons. The squire had not treated Ralph and his mother fairly, and they were inclined to look upon him with considerable distrust.
Yet when the squire entered the cottage with the announcement that he had bad news to convey, the widow forgot all the past and began to question him eagerly.
”You have bad news?” she faltered.
”I am sorry to say I have,” he returned, in a hypocritical tone of sympathy.
”And what is it?” she went on, her breast heaving violently.
”Pray, calm yourself, madam.”
”I cannot wait, squire. You have news of Ralph! The poor boy has been--has been----”
She could get no further.
”His body has not yet been found, Mrs. Nelson.”
”Then he is dead!” she shrieked, and fell forward in a swoon.
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