Sheriff Harry Wheeler and his wife Cora take Ilse in until her relatives can be found .
However , twelve - year - old Ilse Nielsen is found outside , mysteriously having escaped unscathed from the blaze which killed both her parents .
Sheriff Harry Wheeler and his wife Cora take Ilse Nielsen in until Ilse Nielsen 's relatives can be found .
However , twelve - year - old Ilse Nielsen is found outside , mysteriously having escaped unscathed from the blaze which killed both her parents .