nt a quarter of a
mile or more, but in the winter when the trees were stripped of their
foliage it was plainly discernible, and as Harold glanced that way a
gleam of light appeared suddenly, as if the door had been opened and the
flickering rays of a candle had for a moment shone out into the
darkness. Then it disappeared, but not until Harold had cried out:

'Oh, grandma, there's a light in the Tramp House; I saw it plain as day.
Somebody is in there.'

'God pity them.' was Mrs. Crawford's reply, though she did not quite
credit Harold's statement, or think of it again that night.

It was late next morning when Harold awoke to find the sun shining into
the room, and without any sign of the terrible storm, except the snow,
which lay in great piles everywhere and came almost to the window's
edge. But Harold was not afraid of snow, and soon had the walks cleared
around the cottage, and when, after breakfast, which he prepared
himself, for his grandmother could not step, he was told that a doctor
must be had and he must go for him, he did not demur at all, but
commenced his preparations at once for the long and wearisome walk.

'Better go through the park,' his grandmother said to him, as he was
tying his warm comforter about his ears and putting on his mittens. 'It
is a little farther that way, but somebody has broken a path by this
time, and the cross-road, which is nearer, must be impassable.'

Harold made no reply, but remembering the light he had seen in the Tramp
House, resolved within himself to take the cross-road and investigate
the mystery. Bidding his grandmother good-by, and telling her he should
be back before she had time to miss him, he started on his journey, and
was soon plunging through the snow, which, in some places, was up to his
armpits, so that his progress was very slow, but by kicking with his
feet and throwing out his arms like the paddles of a boat, he managed to
get on until he was opposite the Tramp House, which looked like an
immense snow-heap, so completely was it covered. Only the chimney and
the slanting roof showed any semblance to a house as Harold made his way
toward it, still beating the snow with his arms, and thinking it was not
quite the fun he had fancied it might be.

He was close to the house at last, and stood for a moment looking at it,
while a faint thrill of fear stirred in his veins as he remembered to
have heard that burglars and thieves sometimes made it their rendezvou