The Victim

KIDNAPPED The hot sun of the South was sinking in red glow through the giant tree-tops of a Mississippi forest beyond the village of Woodville. A slender girl stood in the pathway watching a boy of seven trudge manfully away beside his stalwart brother. Her lips trembled and eyes filled with tears. "Wait-wait!" she cried. With a sudden bound she snatched him to her heart. "Don't, Polly-you hurt!" the little fellow faltered, looking at her with a feeling of sudden fear. "Why did you squeeze me so hard?" "You shouldn't have done that, honey," the big brother frowned. "I know," the sister pleaded, "but I couldn't help it." "What are you crying about?" the boy questioned.