Dreamy Hollow: A Long Island Romance

ave him a ring over the phone. Sawyer personally answered the call. Evidently the ep

e demanded in

tood over your way. All serene over here. The girl ha

hs are blasphemous, and to those who are trying to save his worthless life he shouts defiance and demands his rev

! Wouldn't it be safe to move hi

drunkards-that's what yo

? You can count on me-you know that. I'm awfully sorry that you're mixed

id Sawyer, slamming the receiver back in its pla

n be normal-according to the doctor whose second call had brought complete assurance to the household. But the ever recurring subject between them was William Parkins. What should be done with him? M

lum!-put him in a place where he may reflect at his leisure-and, say!-here's a

into the booth and rang up his

ere, Henry," said he, "I

ave-same old p

ut our trouble," laughed Villard.

lace-night and day shift from now on-but we've got nothing on him. You can't jail a man for a smash-up

ton says she'll com

t easy to extract information from-if he has any. If he ever had any he didn't know it-just gave it up by way of general co

wn at once and break br

ou to-night at eight-have

etty well broken up over the day-but-my boy!-it ha

as the place for him, as early as possible, after his dinner. He urged that Updyke be coaxed to stay over night, and take a look at Parkins

chère along with the servant. Santzi hovered near, but was not obsequious. When the guest had alighted, he jumped upon the running board and showed his man the way to the garage. It had been a

tation in Villard's office. Big men that they were, each eyed the other solemnly, and

, his big open face radiating his good hum

re we live," replied Updyke,

ry!" exclaimed the hos

s phenomenal, old fellow. I cong

and asks for Parkins?" q

cur. But that very thing might happen. Better be prepared for it,"

, Henry. What precede

rt and the uncertainty of the girl's attitude on

me. I'm loaded with booze but it is inside of me, so I do not catch the odor of it myself. But you, who have neve

there

perfectly respectable, but some of it vile and besotted. She reads the Riverhead paper probably, and a magazine of some sort, appealing to her feminine viewpoint. In other words, now that she is a business woman, her vision has e

Benton admitted as much to me," volunteered

hair always smells of pomade and tonic. A country girl might easily believe that perfume used by a fascinating fellow like Parkins was q

bly no girl, sophisticated or otherwise, woul

when she comes to her senses. She will not say what you think she will. The last thing

ical," agre

ooked to be certain death she must have wondered if Parkins was insane. It was all so sudden, her thoughts may not have been entirely formulated, but

be helpful in bringing her out of her present state. Under your

I understand the situation she hasn't opened her eyes since the accident,

she was so beautiful I said to Mrs. Bond, 'I wish she would open her eyes'-I hadn't seen them, you know, although I had held her in my arms for awhile just af

t a loss to account

have a little brain trouble when you saw those bright eyes?" laughed Updyke. "I can'

s eyes open, and the look of recognition-and more, the girl smiled at me, and went

y plain-the message from your dead sweetheart, and the father running around calling h

hat doctors may not have. Benton was here on his second visit just before you came, and is coming back again to-night. Parkins is in very bad shape, so he is giving a larger

d Updyke as they as

to the door, as the two men looked into

Updyke-a specialist in his way.

asleep and I've kept the night lights on in order

yes since you came on

as the reply. "That happened earlier in the day. Her father was in several times,

ed steadily at the eyelids until finally his patience was rewarded-they twitched! Noting the fact, he put his mouth

but Updyke raised his hand indicat

ther wants his breakfast and the booth mu

vement of the hand and lips indicated that her condition was not so serious as Villard had

l wake up naturally bye and bye.

took both men out of the sick room-

d some importan

t everything he knew. 'Number Nine' was with me

oing to give me the confession of Parkins' valet-and the valet is one of my men.

rred to a poor little motherless girl-who evidently lived on Long Island. He was to bring the girl and her father to New York-neither had ever been to the city-although lifelong residents of Long Island. Parkins talked of sending 'the old man,' meaning the father, on a bus ride to the end of the line and back, probably for the purpose of losing him. The girl was to stay with Parkins and be shown the town,

new Parkins by name, and would naturally make inquiries. Parkins could not have risked that. More likely he would take the girl to a sporty restaurant, and order a private dining ro

new vigor, fairly snorted

erative. "Fifteen is in charge of him, here in the o

ake him feel at home, and that he is doing us a great favor, for which he won'

d night," said

ou to-morrow afternoon or evening," replied the chi

erious condition the case might be settled through his death. Meanwhile, bad off as he was, he should be "watched like a hawk," and any attempt at escape should be

doctor was overdue. A last call for the night on Winifred had been agreed upon, but eviden

surgeon from New York had experimented upon Parkins, and were awaiting results which might call for a more dangerous

ipple for life," said Villard, as they strol

e is the more dangerous he will become," said Updyke. "He will steal

frustrate such an eventuality, and with his last drop of blood he would stand between the girl and the evil genius whose touch would defile, and

n acquiring a rogue's viewpoint. Just make up your mind that Parkins can never assume the r?le

the wits for the job, and would probably lose in any fight

red's suite found the nurse in good cheer. The sleep of the patient was more normal, and signs of a desire to awak