Radio mirror (July-Dec 1947)

lying hurt somewhere. We reassured ourselves by saying that the pony, at least, was hard to hide. By honeycombing the hill with searchers we would be sure to hear Pinto nickering or moving about. But Pinto was found that mornings and no Burke. A farmer came upon the little horse wandering aimlessly near a dirt road, dragging his bridle behind him. Now the search doubled in intensity. Mrs. Gittleson was frantic, refusing the sedative the doctor ordered, pacing up and down outside the house, unable to sit still. Henry's neat, tidy face wore an unaccustomed haggard, disheveled look and his eyes were miserable and haunted. He drove himself tirelessly, punishing himself — forcing hew paths through the scratchy underbrush, going over ground the others had already covered sometimes — as if he would cover every inch of the hill by himself. It was dusk again, and I was trying to persuade Henry to go back to the house with me for a quick bite to eat, when the shout came — the shout we'd been praying for — "We've found him! We've got him — he's safe!" I saw Henry lean for a second against the trunk of a tree, weak in his relief. He took a long shuddering breath. Then he turned and plunged down the hill to where the little knot of men were hurriedly gathering. Burke was safe. Exhausted and whimpering a little from shock and tiredness, but safe and unhurt. One man carried in the limp little figure and put him on his bed, turning him over to his mother. There wasn't much Henry could say in his relief to the searching party; there wasn't much in the way of thanks that these friendly neighbors wanted to hear. They had children of their own and they well knew the burden of anxiety the parents had carried. One by one they slipped away. Even in their relief they kept their voices low so as not to disturb Mrs. Gittleson's vigil. Though I doubt if she would have heard them, so intent was she on the boy on the bed. The doctor came, pronounced him well, though weak from his day-and-night ordeal without water or food — and ordered him to stay in bed for a while. "Where did you find him?" I asked. A neighbor whispered back. "A little cave on the hillside." I might have known that. There's something instinctive for a child, when he finds himself in trouble, to hunt a place to hide himself. Have you ever seen a child crawl under a table or a chair when he's been punished? I started to leave, too, but Henry laid his hand on my arm and held me back. "Don't go, Ed. Not right now. If you don't mind— I'd— I'd like to talk. Im tired, but I've got to talk. You see, Ed, I don't know what to do. When Burke's better, tomorrow, what am I going to say to him? How am I What could bring a mother to give away a child? Heartbreaking . . , and inspiring ... a story told by DR. MATTHEWS or THE GUIDING LIGHT IN NOVEMBER RADIO MIRROR ITIerry Go Round encircles your bust with glamour— transforms a small bust into alluring, feminine curves— gives a full bosom youthful, firm contours. Circles of stitching support the bustpatented Circular Bias molds the bust. The secret's in the circle! f A PETER PAN E V For FREE Booklet, "Your New Guide to Bujtiine Beauty," Write Oept M«-4. PCTCR Pfln ^ Only Peter Pan makea patentedMeny.Go.Round. . LOOK rOH THE LABEL I 116 EAST 27 ST., NEW YORK U Annoxsnclngl A REVOLUTIONARY NEW PROCTOR 40PK?-///7'IRON to JL«*t Ve«« «»««*, It The iron that lifts itself! ♦ Makes sit-down ironing possible! * Even heat for faster ironing . . better work! * Rayon Safe Signal red warning if heat is too high for synthetics. It's new, . . it's exclusive... it's PROCTOR AUTOMATIC ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES P»OCTOR ElECTWC COMPANY, PHIIADEIPHIA 40. PA. A West Branch Cedar Hope Chest will help fulfill your dream of a graciously furnished home. Whether your heart is set on period or modern, every West Brauch is styled to express your sense of beauty in yourpresenthome...orin one you may be planning. Your precious possessions are perfectly protected in its roomy interior. West Branch Chests, Milton. Pa. West Branch CEDAR HOPE CHEST 93