Dorothy Dale's Great Secret by Margaret Penrose

Author:Margaret Penrose
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781620134986
Publisher: Duke Classics

Chapter XIV - The Runaway

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Dorothy was not sure whether she dreamed it, or really heard sounds stirring under the trees. She had been thinking of the Gypsy girl, and Tavia, as she fell asleep, and when she suddenly awoke in the middle of the night, there seemed to be some one moving about just under the window of her room. It was so quiet that even faint sounds could be heard, and Dorothy lay there listening for some time, after being aroused. Presently something banged—like a blind being slammed back. There was no breath of wind—surely someone must have opened the shutter!

The moonlight came in through the casement and illuminated the room enough for her to see to get up and reach her door. It was but a step to the boys' apartment. She would call them, she decided, but was most anxious not to disturb her father or aunt.

Strange to say when Dorothy had slipped on her dressing gown and slippers and knocked at the door of the boys' room, she found them both awake, for they had answered her light tap at once. A moment later they were in the corridor, attired in their big bath robes.

"I'm sure I heard a footstep at the side porch," whispered Dorothy.

"So did I," answered Ned. "I've been awake for a long time, listening."

"Perhaps you had better go down," suggested Dorothy nervously. "It might be a tramp."

"Tramp nothing," declared Nat boldly, as he made his way softly to the front door. "I'll bet it's our friend Urania. I was sure she would call this evening."

Without the slightest fear the brothers opened the door, and searched about for a possible intruder. They even looked under the lilac bush at Dorothy's window, but no midnight prowlers were discovered.

Dorothy bravely stood at the front door, waiting to call for more help in case the boys should need assistance, but they finally returned from their hunt more disgusted than alarmed. Dorothy was entirely satisfied now that no one was about the place.

"I call that mean," grumbled Nat. "I was all primed for an adventure."

"You should be careful what sort of acquaintances you pick up after dark," cautioned Ned. "Your little Urania may turn out troublesome if you cross her. Gypsies have a way of making people 'pony up' with the money, you know."

"Don't wake the folks," cautioned Dorothy, leading the way back to the sleeping rooms. "I'm not a bit afraid now."

"Well, if she comes back again, ask her in," spoke Nat in a hoarse whisper. "I think Urania needs a talking to."

Dorothy fell asleep again, after listening for some time, and was not disturbed any further that night, until the bright sun shining into her windows, called her to get up to begin another day.

As they had planned, Nat was to start early for Dalton. He could easily make some excuse for his solitary trip—say that he wanted to see some friends who were off camping, or that he wanted to go fishing. He mentioned these two objects vaguely as he started off.

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