If she learn it suddenly, it may kill her."
Mr. Hardy had just taken his coffee, and was standing at the door,
looking with a pleased eye upon the signs of comfort and prosperity
around him. There was no need, therefore, for them to approach
nearer. As Mr. Hardy looked round upon hearing the gate shut,
Charley beckoned to him to come down to them. For a moment he
seemed puzzled, and looked round to see if the signal was directed
to himself. Seeing that no one else was near him, he again looked
at the boys, and Charley earnestly repeated the gesture.
Mr. Hardy, feeling that something strange was happening, ran down
the steps and hurried toward them.
By the time he reached them, he had no need to ask questions.
Hubert was leaning upon the gate, crying as if his heart would
break; Charley stood with his hand on his lips, as if to check the
sobs from breaking out, while the tears streamed down his cheeks.
"Ethel?" Mr. Hardy asked.
Charley nodded, and then said, with a great effort, "The Indians
have burned the estancia; one of the men has escaped and brought
the news. We know nothing more. Perhaps she is carried off, not
killed."
Mr. Hardy staggered under the sudden blow. "Carried off!" he
murmured to himself. "It is worse than death.
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