She fell on her knees at Billie’s feet and broke into sobbing.
CHAPTER XIII.
BILLIE AND THE DOCTOR.
Several things had to be done before any steps could be taken to find Phoebe’s father. First Alberdina must be roundly scolded for her carelessness about the clothes and then placated with a ten dollar bill to compensate her for her loss. There must be lunch prepared for hungry travelers, and Phoebe, herself, must be given food and made to rest. In the meantime they questioned her concerning her father’s movements. He had left the cabin with his zither the morning of the day before and had not been seen since, except when he had appeared at the camp and cut Alberdina’s bonds.
“Has he ever stayed away before at night?” asked Dr. Hume.
“No, never. When he is not weaving baskets or carving, he is very restless and often is away for hours, but he always comes back before bed time. He never forgets me. That is why I am so uneasy now,” she went on, clasping and unclasping her hands in the agony of her uncertainty.
“Phoebe,” said the doctor, “what is it that gives you strength to do your day’s work, even if it means walking across a mountain in the hot sun carrying a heavy basket?”
Phoebe lowered her eyes and a flush spread over her sunburned face.