Page:Nattie Nesmith (1870).pdf/36

 her poor father's joy. What will that jintleman say when he knows it all?"

Mr. Stone and his wife consulted together. They both believed that Nattie had hidden herself away, in a spirit of anger and jealousy, for the sake of making them trouble; but, as she was a little girl, they knew not into what difficulty and danger her own rashness might bring her, and felt it incumbent upon them to make search for her without delay. Susan accordingly asked Bridget if Nattie had any particular friend of her own age, on whom she would be likely to make an evening call. Biddy could think of none, nor did she ever know Miss Nattie to be out of an evening by herself before.

"Hasn't she gone into Mr. Hartwell's to see Hattie?" asked Susan.

"I can't think she has, Miss," said Biddy; "for she and Miss Hattie was niver friendly, and to-day she wouldn't even go to carry the cup of jelly to the poor, sick childer; but, if ye thinks best,