The Heart's Kingdom

"Me, Parson, me!" demanded Mr. Todd.

"A broader, younger man, Todd," answered the parson, and he was casting

his eye over the huddled people before him when a wail came clear and

distinct from within the ruin.

"Stranger is caught and bleeding! Hurry, hurry!" were the words that

Charlotte sent forth with all the strength of her young lungs.

"It's my child, Oh, it's mine!" came an answering, cry, and from behind

some hiding place Martha Ensley flung herself across the front of the

huddled group of the Settlement people and against the defense of

Gregory Goodloe's strong arm which held her from the tottering doorway

he was supporting. "Let me get him out!"

"No, Martha," the parson said calmly and tenderly, as he held her back.

"Then you come and get him," Martha said, as she suddenly straightened

herself and looked out among us of the Town. "He's yours--come and save

him!" But even in her agony she was cautious in her appeal, which came

without the demand of a name. We all held our breath for an instant,

Settlement and Town. Who would answer her?