can't help it."

"Now, girls, we will let you know at once over the 'phone if we have any
news," promised Ed, making his adieux. "We really are hopeful."

Hope, as contagious as fear, had sprung into the heart of each of them.
Yes, there must soon be news of Cora!

CHAPTER XXIV

THE COLLAPSE

"We are to go out to-day!" Helka's face was beaming when she gave this
news to Cora. The latter had longed so for the sunshine since shut up
in the big upper room.

"Out where?"

"In the grounds, of course. They do not let us on the highway."

"And does that satisfy you? You could go--if you chose."

"Well, I could, and I could not. I would be afraid if I ran away that
old Mother Hull's face would kill me in my sleep. She is a dreadful
woman."

"But that is superstitious. No dream can kill. I wish that was all
that held me here," and Cora sighed deeply.

"But you have promised not to try to escape while you are in my
charge," Helka reminded her. "And surely you will keep that promise!"
There was alarm in her voice. Helka had not told Cora all of her fears.

"Yes, I will not run away from you. I doubt if I could do so, at any
rate."

"Indeed, you could not, but you might be foolish enough to try. I keep
hoping for you all the time."

"You are very good to me, Helka, and I hope that whatever becomes of me
I will not lose you entirely. But sometimes I have a fearful dread. I
feel as if I will choke from actual fear."

"I don't blame you. The faces of some of our tribe are enough to
strangle one. But I have promised to take care of you, and you need
fear no violence, at any rate."

They were seated on the floor, as usual. Presently Lena appeared.

"Fetch the walking dresses--the brown and the black," said Helka. "We
are going out in the woods."

"Sam did not go to town," ventured Lena.

"Why?" asked the queen sharply.

"I don't know. He asked if you were going out."

"Indeed! Perhaps he expects to walk with us. Well, don't hurry with
the things. We have all day."

Cora was disappointed. The very thought of getting out of doors had
brought her hope--hope that some one might see her, hope for something
so vague she could not name it.

"Can't we go out this morning?" she asked. "The day is so delightful."

Helka gave her a meaning glance. "I wish Sam would bring me some
fruit," she said to Lena. "Tell him I have not had any for days, and
say that the last--from the farm was