This he knew, for to have gone out by the door she must have disturbed him, as the door opened outward, and he lay directly before it. She had gone out by the window.
He rushed to it, and looked out. She was not in sight; he became alarmed in good earnest, and went hurriedly out of doors into the open air.
He went directly to the house or cabin of the nearest settler, Josh Dunbar, hoping to find her there. Hettie Dunbar was a sweet young girl, Katie’s bosom friend, and their cabin was a favorite resort of Katie’s.
Hattie came to the door at his approach, and smiled gayly at him, not noticing his disturbed appearance.
“Have you seen Katie this morning? is she here?” he asked, hurriedly.
“Katie? Why no. I haven’t seen her since yesterday afternoon. What is the matter?”
“I dunno, I dunno. I’m afraid suthin’s wrong; she ain’t at the house.”
“Oh, she’s gone out awhile, perhaps, before breakfast,” suggested Hettie.
“No, she ain’t—she don’t hev no time ter go a-walkin’ afore breakfast; she allus gets it herself.”
“Are you sure she is not at the house?”