Preview
When trials come…
Laurie
stood still, his jaw clenched, waiting for the verdict, knowing what it would
be, but hoping somehow . . .
The
gavel pounded and the pronouncement was made: “Guilty!”
…And anger flares…
The bars felt cold beneath Laurie’s curled fingers. “You snake! I don’t deserve this!”
…A girl’s hope is tested…
Grayson
laughed and slapped Bess to the ground, laughing even harder.
“I had your old man frightened, didn’t I?”
Bess
wiped away the blood that dripped down from the corner of her mouth and shrank
back from Grayson.
…And a school is in shock.
The
door banged open, and an out-of-breath Tommy yelled, “Bess is gone!
I can’t find her anywhere!”
After
the initial alarm, questions and skeptical voices broke out.
Jo tried to quiet them and take control, but she felt herself caving in
to the fear along with the others.
Amid
the confusion, Nan spoke up, “I saw Bess in the woods this morning . . . by
the creek.”
Dan
needed no further persuasion, and he was up and headed towards the door.
He put his hat on and said with a determined set of his lips, “I’m
goin’ to look for her!”
Sometimes the unexpected…
Emil
grasped the side of the carriage as it tilted around a corner.
Suddenly, he saw something white flashing in the woods.
It looked like Bess! What
was she doing way out here?
“Stop
the carriage!” he shouted.
The
driver looked surprised, but finally halted.
Emil
jumped down and ran towards the trees . . .
