Laura had run away many years ago before. But I didn't believe this time that was the case. She never went anywhere without telling someone she was leaving. I wasn't too worried when Mary told me that Laura hadn't gone to school. She loved to chat with people, and Mary told me that she went over to Mrs. Taylor's. laura was like her ma that way.
However when Jonathan found Laura's things, my heart sank and I now feared the worst. Someone had taken her and done God knows what. God knew where she was and I prayed he'd let me find her and that should would be okay.
I wanted to stay out and look for my little girl all night if it took me but Jonathan suggested that it would be better for me to go home and be with my family. I had to fight the tears and fears all the way home. And I hung my head when I arrived and saw Caroline and Mary standing in front of the house.
I had to tell them that I hadn't been able to find Laura. That no one had seemed to see her. It was like she had vanished in thin air and that wasn't like Laura at all. Something horrible must have happened to her.
It made me sick just thinking about my little girl being out there somewhere. It made me sick thinking about something unthinkable happening to her. I loved all my children but Laura and I have a special connection that is unbreakable.
I feared for her safety and well being. I just wanted to know where my daughter was.
The next morning I went out again with a group of people to Bigsby's to try to find Laura. I was angry when Mr. Taylor shot Bigsby. We hurried up and got him to Doctor Baker's but he said that Bigsby was too weak and scared. We didn't get anything useful out of him.
Then the anger took over and I wanted to hit Mr. Taylor. Because of him I'd never find my precious daughter. I couldn't bare the thought of never seeing her smile, never hearing her laughter, never feeling her hug and never hearing her say she loves her family.
Harriett Olson brusted in claiming Mrs. Taylor had bought presents for Ellen. I knew right then where Laura was. Mrs. Taylor in her grief of losing her own child had stolen mine.
Anger was growing inside me and I wanted to brust into the house and take back Laura. As we rode up to the house I could hear a faint calling. "Pa! Pa!"
I looked up and there was Laura running down the hill towards me. Such relief overwhelmed me as I grabbed her and held her tightly in my arms. In that moment I never wanted to let her go. "Thank God you're alright."
"I'm fine pa."
I looked at her and just thanked God over and over again that she was alright. That I had her again. I gave her another hug and stroked her hair.
Caroline was overwhelmed when we got home and Laura walked in.
"Laura! Thank God!" She exclaimed walking over to give Laura a hug.
Seeing my whole family back together again brought tears to my eyes. But these were happy tears.
End