The Cry at Midnight

L FOR

ttom of the crevasse, Penny mome

twisted first one leg, then the other. Though

the girl gazed up at the n

ess!" she thought. "But the $64 que

rom cold, Penny rem

fallen were sharp and firm with froze

sheer walls carefully, and then, grasping a projection, tried to raise herself to a l

ld. Her clothes, damp from perspi

ope Winkey hears me. He's the last person in the world I'd ask voluntarily, bu

n voice. Not only was it weak, but it seemed smothered by the

ratory to shouting again, she heard

cry for help had been heard and

better. Those who approach

d the accuser shout. "I saw you pile it on

guessed that he was talking to Winkey. Evidently the two

listened intently. The pair were now

oared. "What excuse have yo

e boss told me to get some wood for the

ou to stea

git your

wn land, and I want it for my own use! Here, give me tha

our han

then above her, at the mouth of the cr

ut!" sh

s off guard, the hunchback struck him. Reeling backwards, the artist tried to recov

e was not quick enough, and he rolled to the very bottom,

y would be aghast at his brutal

houted in glee. "Don't ne

out!" Pen

ed down into the crevasse to see who had appealed for he

" Penny thought. "But I'd qui

n Eckenrod's side. He was conscious but stunned. Blood gushed from a

op the flow of blood. She was relieved to

d. "If you lie on the ice your

pened and he star

muttered. "How did

Penny Parker, the girl you m

artist pulled him

mbled. "Did you see that hu

l thing to do. I think now

dn't help us if we were freezing to death! The man is a

here," Penny reminded him.

rp walls of the crevasse. The only possible

hink I can make it," Penny s

left leg crumbled beneath him. Pain and despair

said. "Now we

do was to call for help. However, after she had shouted un

acknowledged. "And no one else i

enny tore strips of cloth from her underskir

d. "It's good and strong. If only I could get up on it, I thi

do it?" Penny as

d grimly. "Night's coming on. We

mpts, managed to struggle upright on his good righ

o my sho

ng the icy ledge above.

Mr. Eckenrod, gr

She could feel Mr. Eckenrod sagging beneath her. Knowing it was then or never, s

ght, Mr. Eckenrod collapsed on the floor

enrod!" Penn

"You can make it now! Climb on out a