at

in a loud, clear voice and wai

I want you to answer

alarm, Abner Balberry turned back into his

he murmured to himself, as he felt his way toward Nat's room. Co

the farmer and for the moment he stood stock-still, gazing at the bed and fe

rs. More'n likely he went down to git somethin' t

d the living room. Then he passed to the kitchen and the shed, and came bac

him," he reasoned

all came from the hou

, I

all r

all right! N

wn there

all where he is. I'

and she lost no time in slipping on her wrapper

suppose he wen

w?" snarled A

to the pantry. She was about to utter

you say, M

n't say

in there

N

en at the

uch," stammered

ed. Jest wait till I catch him-I'll tan h

went to

looked int

ped out into the dooryard. As he did this he caug

elled. "Stop, Na

r, and the fleeing individ

" asked the

s on him!" And the farmer shook his fist at the

e barn?" demanded Mrs. F

t? Wh

the h

ave a glance tow

ed. "Thet good-fer-nuthin' bo

tremble from head to feet, for to her mind a fi

t," said the farmer, and ran

'll be burnt up!" s

farmer. "Fill everything with water. An' b

his hand, and this he soused in the watering trough as he pa

ardless of his personal safety, Abner Balberry leaped in and threw part of the hay

s. Felton appeared with two pails full to the brim.

d the housekeeper. She was trembling to su

ight be totally destroyed filled him with dread, for there was no insurance on the

farmer was getting the best of the fire. He worked hard and did not seem to

ve got it!" he

ked the housekeepe

o hunt around fer spark

e search of the whole loft, on the lookout for stray sparks. A few

down," said the housekeeper, as the farmer ca

s hot

u burnt

o be. Jest wait

--" began the

r Balberry. "Didn't I see him

ould be wicked enough

dn't give him no supper. H

burn a

n. I've let him have his own way too much. I'm go

me back," suggeste

farmer and he lost no time

. "If he thinks to run away I'll pu

Balberry brought out one of his horses and hitched the animal to a buckboard, in

se you'll find him?

ong the road

e'll hid

e does that, I'll call o

ou do

burn down the barn? The squire can

awful to have

ly. "He had no right to try to set the barn afire. Next thing you

nk Nat would be

an' stubborn, and he'll do 'most anything when he's

ill you fo

ks he can git away from me he'll find

now when you

n town till the squire opens his o

g to look for him

es

off in the darkness. Mrs. Felton watch

ill surely go hard with that boy. Well, I didn't