going to take you among my friends. We all have some
musical education, but you have musical talent."

"Do you really think so? David loves music. Shall I sing?"

"Are you not afraid of that old woman?" asked Cora.

"Not in the least. Besides, if I sing she will think all is well."
She took up her guitar. But after running her fingers across the
strings she laid it down again.

"Tell me," she spoke suddenly, "about your mother. I hope she will not
worry too much. If ever I knew my sweet mother I should be willing to
live in a cave all my life."

Cora had always heard girls speak this way of lost mothers. Yes, it
was sweet to have one--to know one.

"My mother is a brave woman," said Cora. "She will never give up until
all hope is gone."

"I know she is brave, for you must be like her. And your brother?"

"He will miss me," answered Cora brokenly, for she could not even speak
of Jack without being affected.

The great, dark eyes of the gypsy looked out into the forest. Cora
wondered of what she could be thinking.

"Jack," she repeated, "Jack what?"

"Jack Kimball," replied Cora, still wondering.

"That sounds like a brave name," remarked the queen. "I am getting
spoiled, I'm afraid. I cannot help being interested in the outside
world."

"Why should you not be?" asked Cora.

"Because I do not belong to it. To be content one must not be too
curious. That, I believe, is philosophy, and----"

"There is some one coming," interrupted Cora.

"It is Lena. I am like the blind. I know every one's step."

And she was not mistaken, for a moment later Lena entered the room.

CHAPTER XXII

SADDENED HEARTS

"I am afraid she is dead."

"Jack, you must not give up so easily. The detectives have faith in
the steamship story." Ed was speaking.

"No, Cora would not be induced, under any circumstance, to take a
Portland boat, and she could not have been taken away unconscious."

"Girls before this have been led away with fake tales of a sick mother,
and all that," said Ed feebly, "but I must agree with you--Cora was too
level-headed."

"And Belle is really very ill."

"Mr. Rand has sent for a nurse. Belle feels as if she must die if Cora
is not found soon. She is extremely sensitive."

"Yes, the girls loved Cora."

His voice broke and he turned his head away. The two young men were
seated on the big piazza of the Tip-Top. It was just a week since the
disappearance of Cora, and