noon
`` What is it ? '' demanded Miss Muir , pale and steady , though her heart died within her as she recognized Gerald 's handwriting . Bella gave her the note , and hushed her sobbing to hear again the heavy tidings that had come . Dear Bella : Uncle is safe ; he did not go in the noon train . But several persons are sure that Ned was there . No trace of him as yet , but many bodies are in the river , under the ruins of the bridge , and I am doing my best to find the poor lad , if he is there . I have sent to all his haunts in town , and as he has not been seen , I hope it is a false report and he is safe with his regiment .