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[Illustration: THE GIRL’S OWN PAPER

VOL. XX.—No. 1013.]     MAY 27, 1899.      [PRICE ONE PENNY.]




[Illustration: AT THE HELM.]

_All rights reserved._]




THE HOUSE WITH THE VERANDAH.

BY ISABELLA FYVIE MAYO, Author of “Other People’s Stairs,” “Her Object
in Life,” etc.


CHAPTER IX

A WORM AT THE ROOTS.

Each looked at the other, aghast. An expression as of sudden
enlightenment flitted across the boyish face of Tom Black; but nobody
noticed that.

“That sound means some accident!” exclaimed Lucy, hurrying out of the
room. Miss Latimer followed her. Mr. Somerset and young Black stayed
behind, Mr. Somerset holding back little Hugh.

But they only lingered for a moment. A cry from Lucy and a pungent
smell of burning which saluted their nostrils set them too running
downstairs.

Mrs. Challoner and Miss Latimer were bending over the body of Mrs.
Mori