Dreamy Hollow: A Long Island Romance

harge, and a man she called "father," were instructing a young woman how to run the stand for the n

ft?" he enquired,

several huge wedges of assorted pies. "And here's a lovely slice of lemon meringue, the last one left," she urg

ir conversation about a grand ride over to New York next day. Listening in on the conversation he learned which girl

"Mr. Parkins is taking us in his big four-passenger roadster-how many horse powers has it, father

ted her father who seemed p

ve for New York?" enq

g along Merrick Road so we can see all of the beautiful homes along the Bay-and the Sound coming back!

his second wedge of pie and asked which was the best hotel nearby. "Roadside Inn" was pointed o

ed that Updyke would be at his hotel, but that was up to Central. "Upd

answer by which "the big boss" anno

nty. The father rather old and solemn, neither ever saw New York before, and

plied Updyke. "Shall I run

yourself-if it's a

ail to nail that fellow!" warned Updyke, to whom the whole situation was as plain as daylight from darkness.

kins jumped into his car and ran slowly two streets west and turned north one block. The Updyke man did not have to leave his chair on the porch of the hotel in order to witness the movements of the

ept the roadster in view, but never in a way to attract Parkins' notice. The girl sat in front, and by the

phoned Updyke, all done in less than three minutes-then he crowded on the gas until he came in sight of the party. Almost at once he lost them aga

ood run cold. There, around the curve, in a hollow just a

the ways o

God-in terms of legal phrasing. As Parkins' car took a curve in the road at high speed going west, Drury Villard

Dreamy Hollow two days previously. But to all of his sallies Villard failed to answer in kind. Certain "messages" were on his mind, and along with them a mixture of joy and sorrow combined. Could another Wini

en suddenly Santzi pulled up short, just in time to avoid the wreckage of two monster machines overturned in collision. Each had been smashed into a veritable mass, and the silence

ond more Sawyer, hastening to alight, called upon Santzi t

ly the words that were whispered to him in the early morning hours came to mind. "It is myself, incar

ushing madly about calling the name W

houted, running from point

was soon

e one he sought. He dropped to his knees and seized her hands, chafing them vigorously to renew suspended a

spered softly. "Wa

his feet he shou

life! Water, Sawyer-find a thermos bottle!

ul child woman whose head and body rested against his breast

d of Sawyer, who hastened forward with t

ured. We'll soon know," he said to himself as he began, ever so gently, to raise her arms, and nether li

pact after fall," he explained to the dazed father with quiet gentleness. "Get some

uickly to the big roadster-"Number 12" had literally run his man to earth. There lay the inanimate form of William Parkins with the pallor of

s daughter's life. But, he made no answer, thereupon Sawyer responded as best he could for a man of his age. It was more than

to manage the situation better than t

ng hard from his effort in helping to rele

ded the motorcycle

reatly mistaken," replied Sawyer, s

was my intention to arrest him on the New York side of Williamsburg bridge. I'd hate to have him croak before m

asked Sawyer, after sever

deliver him. You can bet that he is going to have a long dry spell after the old man gets through with

n by 'old man'?"

to speculate? I had a hard time keeping Parkins in sight. Forty to

should be apprised concerning him, Sawyer walked hastily over to wher

car is William Parkins," said he,

d looked up

mean it!" h

still Vice Preside

yes, and shook his head ominously. "Bad news to

houghtfully stroking his chin unti

aid, finally. "You take the girl and her father into your home for the present.

" replied Villard, tho

l those who pay well-especially when the

zi returns we'll take both patients and the girl's father into my

umped in time to save himself and is now waiting for some one to take the wre

of Santzi with Doctor Benton, who followed in his runabout, the medical man at

ating strong enough, but she must not see this wreck when she comes out of her present state. Put her into your car at

Sawyer, shaking his head sa

octor Benton, but Villard objected as he

f Patchogue, and also stated that his daughter Winifred was his only child. Her mother, long since dead, left her, a tiny new-born babe, to remind him of her own dear self. Without the

her," he sighed. "Now, she is mine, but some

moved by the thought of the s

hat you are privileged to live near by and may visit your daughter as often as you desire

doesn't. But in any event I should miss her sadl

ha

ze that this unconscious little

o earthly friends. She got word through her mother last night from some one by the name of

ted that her power was, to him, a great mystery, but as to th

s arms. Amazed, the good lady reached out as if to take the fair burden from him, but Villard demurred. He had held her in his arms during the ride and he would risk no a

any moment. He will go to Dr. Sawyer's as s

nt for emergencies and its wonderful outlook over South Bay, with its miles of magnificent gardens. Ever so gently he laid his fair burden upon the bed prepared for her and after gazing into her beautif

until the doctor gets through. This room you will occupy until all is well with you

n, arose from his chair beside the pati

I'll be back in an hour. I must get to that man Parkins. He i

illard into the hall. As he appeared she motioned him to follow her into the room wh

up to the bedside, with Villard closely following. "Isn't she the sweet

re replying, but it was evident that he yearned

minutes," he replied, whimsically-and strange to say Winifred's eyes did open-bright as diamond

over her fair features, but faintly smiling

d her out of the room. When they were safely out of

at she recognized m

e a start, for I felt that neither of

ccount for the fact, that after she looked into each

that Divinity which shapes our destinies,"

uest upon his knees in silent prayer. Touched at the sight he went forward and k

sweet face-come with me," appealed Villard as he helped the grief-stricken father to his feet and escorted him to the bedsi