ed, but no reply came back, and baffled, as
well as frightened, she ran to the house, in through the hall, her
dripping garment leaving a path of water as she went, until she reached
Jennie in the kitchen.

"Oh, Jennie," she gasped, "someone is out in the storm! They called
me. I am sure it is my old nurse, Reda! How can we find her in this
awful downpour?"

"Out in the storm--who?" asked the maid, astonished at the plight of
the girl who stood trembling before her.

"I am sure it is Reda, and she will perish," wailed Mary. "What shall
I do?"

"Now don't take on so," commanded Jennie, beginning to realize what it
all meant. "Just you wait until a few of these awful claps are over,
and we will quickly find anyone who is out there. Just hear that!
Mercy! what a dreadful storm! I am so glad the girls did not venture
home. I could scarcely get the windows shut when it broke like a
cloud-burst."

"Why, what is the matter?" came Mrs. Dunbar's voice from the hall.
"Jennie, I am sure someone is crying out in the storm," she called.

"Come, we must see who it can be."

"I am afraid it is Reda, my nurse," said Mary, now almost in tears.
"Oh, do you think she will perish? I was out but could not find her."

Hurried arrangements were made now to summon Michael, and as the storm
had somewhat abated it was soon possible to go out with lanterns and
search.

Clad in raincoats and rubbers, Mary, Jennie and Mrs. Dunbar went first
along the path, toward the gate. Everything seemed quiet, except the
late splashes of rain from the trees, and in spite of repeated calls no
answer came, and no trace of the storm's victim could be found.

"Nobody about," announced Michael, as if satisfied the search had been
futile.

Then a stir in the hedge attracted Mary's attention.

"Listen!" she exclaimed. "Something stirred in here!"

"Fetch the lantern, Michael," commanded Mrs. Dunbar. "I do see the
bushes moving."

He brought the light, and swung it into the thick hedge.

"Oh, Reda," cried Mary. "Reda, are you dead!" she screamed, throwing
herself down by a huddled figure that lay ominously still in the deep,
wet grass.

"Mary, wait," ordered Mrs. Dunbar kindly. "Here, Michael, give me the
light so you can lift her. She may be just overcome."

But Mary was on her knees beside the old nurse, whose face, bared to
the glare of the lantern, looked so death-like!

"Reda! Reda!" called Mary, pressing her young face down