A MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE A woman was sitting in a low room, engaged in knitting.

Her feet were stretched out toward a small fire that smouldered in an open hearth.

She wore a simple calico gown, neat and well-fitting, and her face bore traces of much beauty that time and care had been unable wholly to efface.
Suddenly she paused in her work, her head turned slightly to one side to listen.
"Come in, sir," she called in a soft but distinct voice; "come in, miss." So Kenneth and Beth entered at the half-open porch door and advanced into the room.
"Is this Mrs.Rogers ?" asked Beth, looking at the woman curiously.

The woman's eyes were closed, but the lashes fell in graceful dark curves over her withered cheeks.

The girl wondered how she had been able to know her visitors' sex so accurately.
"Yes, I am Mrs.Rogers," said the sweet, sad voice.