It was not for
hours that they grew at all anxious. She's never come back. She did
not go to Skene's. We can hear no word of her from any. Her
grandfather and I and the men at White Farm looked for her through the
night. This morning there's an alarm sent up and down the dale."
"What harm could happen--"
"She might have strayed into some lonely place--fallen--hurt herself.
There were gipsies seen the other day over by Windyedge. Or she might
have walked on and on upon what road she took, and somehow none
chanced to notice her. I am going now to ride the Edinburgh way."
"Have you gone up the glen?"
"That was tried this morning at first light. But that is just opposite
to Skene's and the way she certainly took at first. She would have to
turn and go about through the woods, or White Farm would see her." His
voice had a haunting note of fear and trouble.
Glenfernie caught it. "She was not out of health nor unhappy?"
"She is changed from the old Elspeth. When you ask her if she is
unhappy she says that she is not.... I do not know. Something is
wrong. With the others, I am seeking about as though I expected each
moment to see her sitting or standing by the roadside. But I do not
expect to see her. I do not know what I expect. We have sent to
Windyedge to apprehend those gipsies."
"Let me speak one moment to Mr.
Pages:
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176