Opposite the lane leading to the house of Mr. Kilgore, the teacher
stopped.
"I will go in and get him to join us," said Mr. Layton; "and you had
better hurry home for your father. On your way back, stop for Mr.
Marston; that will give us a pretty large party. If when you reach the
forks you do not find us there, don't wait, but hurry on toward
Dunbarton; you will meet us before you reach the bridge over Shark
Creek."
Nick did as told, and, still on a rapid trot, reached home panting and
excited, with the story which the reader has just learned.
Mr. Ribsam threw down his pipe, donned his hat and coat, and started out
the door. With his hand on the latch, he paused, and, looking back,
commanded his voice so as to say:
"Katrina, you and Nick needn't wait up for me."
"Oh, father," pleaded the lad, moving toward him: "would you make me
stay at home when Nellie is lost?"
"No, no--I did not think," answered the parent, in a confused way; "I
feel so bad I do not know what I do and say. Katrina, don't feel too
bad; we will come back as soon as we can."
Again the half distracted father placed his hand on the latch, and he
had drawn the door partly open, when his wife, pale and trembling,
called out in a voice of touching pathos:
"Gustav, my heart would break should I try to stay here, when no one but
God knows where my darling Nellie is; but, wherever she may be, no
sorrow or pain or suffering can come to her that her mother will not
share, and may our Heavenly Father let her mother take it all upon her
own shoulders!"
"Come on, Katrina; come on and bring the lantern with you.
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