irley down, all her powers of endurance
were taxed to the utmost.

Shirley was rigid with fright. She wanted to hang on to Rosemary and
it was necessary to force her to face the ladder and come down step by
step, Rosemary just below her steadying her with a light touch and
constant words of encouragement. Shirley cried piteously, she stopped
often and refused to take another step. Rosemary had to plead, to
scold, to stimulate, everything but pity--that would have been fatal.
Long before they reached the floor of the mill, Rosemary's face and
hands were dripping with cold perspiration.

Shirley safe on the ground at last. Rosemary detached her clutching
little fingers and went back for Sarah. Gone was Sarah's bravado, lost
her courage completely. She hung back and cried and only started the
descent when Rosemary threatened to leave her. Twice Sarah lost her
footing and shrieked and Rosemary's heart raced madly. The climb
seemed interminable and all the time, down in the darkness below, they
could hear Shirley crying to herself.

A great wave of thankfulness surged over Rosemary as she felt her foot
touch the ground and lifted Sarah from the ladder. They were safe!

"Come away, quick!" said Rosemary, her voice sounding hoarse and
unnatural in her own ears. "Don't ever come here again!"

They stumbled over the doorsill, the strong sunlight blinding their
eyes after the darkness of the windmill interior. So it happened that
none of them saw Warren till he was close to them.

"Rosemary!" he cried in quick alarm. "Is anything the matter? You're
as white as a sheet!"

Rosemary tried to smile, but she swayed as she stood. He put an arm
around her and led her to an overturned tomato crate under a tree.
"Sit down," he said commandingly. "Do you feel faint?"

"I'm not!" Indignation sent the color flying back to Rosemary's
cheeks. "I'm never faint."

But to her disgust, she began to tremble uncontrollably. She shook
from head to foot and her lips were blue.

"I was afraid!" she whispered. "So afraid--" and then she could have
bitten her tongue.

Sarah and Shirley were dismayed--never had they seen Rosemary like
this. They crept close to her and she leaned her head against Sarah,
closing her eyes. All the horror of the dizzy climb and descent
pressed in upon her, tenfold stronger.

Warren's quick eyes went from face to face. All three were white and
strained. Plainly something had happened. Sar