Part 33 (1/2)

”Yes, that may account for some of her grief,” and Mrs. Peterson's eyes rested thoughtfully upon the floor. ”But there's something else troubling her, mark my word. She's been nearly frightened to death over something, and the way she sits and s.h.i.+vers at times is hard for me to stand.”

”But won't she tell you what's the matter?” Jasper asked.

”I have asked her over and over again, but she always shakes her head, and falls to sobbing and moaning worse than ever. Poor child, I feel so sorry for her.”

”It is strange,” Jasper mused. ”May I see her? Perhaps it is only the excitement that is troubling her.”

Betty's face brightened somewhat as Jasper entered the room. This was for only an instant, however, and then she buried her face in her hands and sobbed as if her heart would break.

”Betty, Betty, what is the matter?” Jasper asked. ”Tell me what is worrying you?”

”It's about Mr. David!” she moaned. ”He's lost and I'm sure he's dead!”

”But we hope to find him,” Jasper soothed. ”Just as soon as it is light enough we are going to continue our search for him. He must have wandered away into the woods, and no doubt we shall soon find him.

There is something else troubling you, is there not? Won't you tell me what it is?”

But the girl shook her head, and try as he might Jasper could not induce her to talk. She was determined to remain obstinately silent.

There was but one person to whom Jasper felt he could turn for a.s.sistance, and that was Lois. He had thought of her before, and wondered if she had heard the news of David's disappearance. He felt that it was unlikely as no one would think of carrying the news there.

As he stood for a few minutes looking upon Betty who was sitting before him the very embodiment of abject misery, he believed that Lois was the only one who could comfort her, and perhaps induce her to reveal the cause of her unusual state of agitation. Telling the girl to be brave, and to keep up hope for David's safe return, he left the Haven and hastened down the road toward the main highway, and then took a short cut across the field toward the Sinclair house. Far off in the east light was breaking above the horizon, and he knew that in a short time the search would again begin for the missing man, and he must be there.

Not a sign of life could he observe around the place, and he wondered how he could awaken Lois and not disturb the whole household. As he drew near the verandah he noticed that a light shone from one of the upstairs windows. Whether it was Lois' room or not he could not tell, but scarcely had he stepped upon the verandah and tapped gently upon the door, ere it was opened and Lois stood before him, dressed in her out-of-door clothes.

”What's the matter?” she asked before Jasper had time to say a word.

”Have you heard anything?” Jasper enquired,

”No, nothing,” was the reply. ”But I saw the lights near the Haven and along the road and felt sure that something was wrong.”

Jasper noted that Lois' face was very pale, and that she was trembling as if cold. He did not know that she had been unable to sleep owing to the strange presentiment which had come to her the previous evening.

So strong had this at last become that she had risen and looked out of the window facing the Haven. It was then that she saw the moving lights, and her worst tears were confirmed.

”David is missing,” Jasper told her, ”and we are waiting for daylight to have another search for him.”

”David is missing!” Lois slowly repeated, as if she had not heard aright. ”Have you any idea where he is?”

”No. I left him last night on the road near the Haven. He may have wandered off somewhere into the woods. But Betty is feeling very badly, and I have come thinking that perhaps you might be able to comfort her.”

”I shall go at once,” Lois replied. ”I am so glad you have come for me, as I was almost frantic wondering what was going on.”

As they made their way toward the Haven Jasper told Lois more about Betty and her state of agitation.

”What is the cause of it, do you suppose?” Lois asked. ”Do you think it is in connection with Mr. David?”

”Not altogether, I am quite certain. There is something else on her mind. She might explain to you what it is when she would tell no one else.”

They had just reached the gate leading to the Haven when Andy Forbes, accompanied by several men, swung up the road.

”I must leave you now,” Jasper told Lois, ”and a.s.sist in the search.”

”Please let us know as soon as you find any trace of Mr. David,” Lois replied. ”I shall stay with Betty for a while.”