The box was not in its place. She arose and looked about her
room wildly. Of course, she had not left it anywhere else, that
was out of the question.
She could scarcely believe that any member of the family had been
in her room, much less would disturb anything that was hers.
Not even Aunt Kate came to the east chamber often. Nan had
insisted upon taking care of the room, and she swept and dusted
and cleaned like the smart little housewife she was. Aunt Kate
had been content to let her have her way in this.
Of course Nan never locked her door. But who would touch a thing
belonging to her? And her doll! Why, she was sure the family
did not even know she had such a possession.
Almost wildly the girl ran out of her chamber and into the
sitting room, where the family was still gathered around the
evening lamp, Rafe cleaning his shot-gun, Tom reading slowly the
local paper, published at the Forks, Aunt Kate mending, and Uncle
Henry sitting at the open window with his pipe.
"Oh, it's gone!" gasped Nan, as she burst into the room.
"What's gone?" asked Aunt Kate, and Uncle Henry added: "What's
happened to you, honey-bird?"
"My Beulah!" cried Nan, almost sobbing. "My Beulah, she's been
taken!"
"My mercy, child!" cried Aunt Kate, jumping up.
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