Dreamy Hollow: A Long Island Romance

tle, but the furtive roving of his eyes during his wakeful hours denoted his mental activity. Aside from the injuries to his head, all harmful results had disappeared. The wound on his scalp

to escape. He had no way of knowing Villard's views concerning him, but he was aware that Updyke only visited places where something unusual was going on. He c

By degrees he had won her confidence, until finally he asked her if she would

ulness of kind-hearted women toward those who suffer makes life wo

hat the doctors offer. Some weeks I scarcely make anything-other weeks twenty-five dollars, and sometimes fift

of humanity. "How would you like to become housekeeper for me at fifty dol

he asked as if doubt

e on our way to New York, eloping, as a matter of fact, although her father was along. We were going to surprise him by suddenly going to The Lit

prise, indeed!" replied the nurse

iful-just look out of that west window into those grounds. See the big white mansion through the opening? Well, the man

ay!" exclaim

t for a drive. Villard took the girl to his home and I was brought here. The d

replied the nurse thoughtfully. "But it won't be long before you will be

w. We are going to elope, and this time her father will be none the wiser until it's all over. He is pretty much broken up over the accident, but the ho

e a matter as an elopement?"

er, and all that, you can help us easily, and no one will ever kn

nor. The nurse, Mrs. Duke by name, as given to him by D

to aid, but I wouldn't want to be left h

. But don't tell her of our plans, because she is a nervous little soul and might see difficulties in the way.

early, but wha

you walk along with her you could suggest a pretty place you'd like to have her see. When she arrives there the car will be waiting, and you and my

like that!" exclaimed Mrs.

'm afraid of is that the old bachelor who owns the place where she is now might want to marry her, and she

d the nurse, sharply as she again

ions, including the land and beac

an over here last

ndly he was with me, and how concerned he

on of even the thought of such a match. "He may be a nice man, and all that, and seems kindly, but an old man's love is

sand dollars in cash!" whispered Parki

ast appearance of deceit. Whereupon M

ng out for a little fresh air"-all of which was accompan

rich man-his kith or his kin. She likened such men to a huge net stretched across the river of life to which human souls were d

ed indignation at the inequality of human destinies. Had she but known the man, his kindly nature, his open purse, and great benefactions, her hatred of Drury Villard would have been turned into admiration. Good woman that she was, her

f the beach and breathed the ozone borne in upon the breezes from the great Atlantic. She had wondered about Parkins, still bedfast, but no inkling had come to her ears of his perfidious intention

lance. There she was seated upon the sands, grac

Barbour of Patchogue?" inquired Mr

listen to the roaring tide coming in? I adore the splashing of the wav

y remember me, for I left Patchogue years ago, when you were a very

icinity, Mrs. Duke?" a

for that-I am at Mr. Sawyer's at present," said she

! Some one

re so much more patient than women. Not so delicate, you know, and they have more fortitude. But I must confess I've nu

is so beautiful here, almost like heaven. I wonder if one could a

uch a gentleman! Oh, dear-a week or so, and away he goes to his home of plenty

ome, and since she died, we've continued to live there. I love

o her charge. "I hope I'll meet you here to-morrow, Miss Barbour, when I

be on hand," was Winifred's reply,

he dreariness of a life like mine,

d. He figured that no matter how much she might be frightened at the plans he had in mind, that she would calm down, once she saw ho

st it," he soliloquized. "Now for a plan of ac

lly, and by all means live up to them. Go to your room and lock yourself in while you memorize eac

read the pages thrice over, each time in a whispered m

ooth in Murray's Wayside Lunch Room-half a mile

hat you talk to Dan-no one else-tell him who you are, a

the note add

tell him its $500 if su

hedge line of the Sawyer home-to-morrow morning at eleven sharp-with instructions to ta

med assistant who will sit beside him unles

your morning walk, same as to-day. If sh

ong the beach-for fine view of wonderful

o escape, and will be at the Parkway corner by the time the car arri

er of my great love-and don't forget th

the instructions in the bosom of her dress. She gloried in the part she was to take in defeating the purpose of the ri

job, even if it turned out to be a mere elopement. He very much doubted that version, for he knew Parkins too well

rkins, patting the hand she laid o

hereat her eyes b

putting all of the 'eggs in one basket'-we must win or die! Villard is not asleep! Neithe

es envenomed with hatred for such as he. "The girl is yours-you saw her first, and no

marrow of his bones. There they were, two women, easily recognizable, strolling leisurely along the shore line, stopping now and then to admire the beauty of the landscape. A closed car stood off a hundred yar

and Villard's excited voice shouted for

Dr. Sawyer. Have y

, hardly matched that of

y-what is the matte

She walked over toward the beach about ten o'clock, according to Jerry, but that is the last thing known of her. He thinks

ported that neither Parkins nor nurse was to be found, and that a bath r

, stifling the ominous forebodings

p steady. Calm yourself, I'll b

down on the west corner of the front veranda, and at ten minutes after eleven returned and found that the room was empty. The operative's first act was to inform the New York offic

arkins pleaded to be allowed to take a walk in the garden. The doctor opposed the idea, and stated that the patient could not walk a hundred feet without falling in a heap. Also, that another week in bed was nec

with Updyke-that's all I can do. I'll see you later and let you know what I find out. Your help h

s shut. Then, with the rage of a lion he sprang into action.

n-he got fooled the same as the rest of you. It shows that Parkins has more brains than one certain operative. I know one who is g

ur best, but my Winifred is gone! She is i

where. My man got the news to me before you knew anything had h

as becoming noticeable, as Vi

nd what I say. What else"-but

g machine. It can't take to the woods like a small car unless there is an accomplice who knows the way. I have twelve motorcycle men out on the job, and three high-s

k he will head for

he will get there? I'm not going to tell you now, anyhow. You'

to a certain place. That will help so

ne and he fell for it. He stuttered, and hemmed and hawed, until I shouted a real message into his ear. I said,

d he say

ad him. So I answered back-'Because you're an accomplice, and by turning in evidence that will help convict Parkins you will soften the charge

mself to a counterfeit gentleman! I always thou

spoken of as an elopement, offering five hundred for a successful venture, and two-fifty in any event. Regarding Parkins as a rich

id Villard, in a vo

d found Mac all worked up because a man he had depended on to go out on a swell limousine job hadn't shown up. The upshot of it was that he took on

the next step?" demanded Villard

wn with your morning papers," shouted Updy

ell me where he's taki

se? He won't

onger when I know the w

now the truth. But finally, in a rasping voice, almost choking w

started for Herman's Road House-o

witch-board operator for the call next in line-but he was more t