The more prudent Laura gathered up her clothes from a chair where she
had laid them, and led the way into the hall. They found it pitch dark
there.

Suddenly Laura stopped. "Oh, Beth, I can't let it burn."

"What will burn, Laura?"

"My beautiful new Easter hat. I must go for it."

"Laura Corner, you _must not_ go back for it. We ourselves might burn
while you were getting it."

But Laura had thrust her clothes into Beth's unwilling arms, and was
off like a flash to rescue her Easter hat. Beth did not know the way
sufficiently well to go on by herself, and so, trembling, she awaited
Laura's return.

[Illustration: Laura Corner in the treasured Easter hat.]

Laura was soon back, pressing the precious hat close to her side. Such
treatment was likely to do it great damage, but, in her excitement,
Laura did not stop to think of this.

Down-stairs a light shone in the parlor. Guided by its friendly beams,
Laura led the way there. No one was within. The house was deserted
but for the two trembling girls.

"Beth, God alone can help us," and Laura's face was almost as white as