CHAPTER XIX
A SURPRISE TRIP
When Ralph Willoby carried his senseless burden to the platform, where,so short a time before, the girl had been as merry as any of herplaymates, Squire Travers determined upon one thing--to form asearching party of all the boys to scour the woods from tree to stumpand if possible run down the villain who had attacked Dorothy.
The fainting girl was soon revived by the careful ministrations of MissEllis, assisted by pupils following her directions; and, before thehalf-conscious girl realized what had happened to her, the boys wererunning through the woods, led by the squire and Ralph, bent on findingAnderson.
But such reflections were of little use now that the harm was done.Dorothy was very weak indeed. She felt as if those sinuous fingers werestill about her throat, and she could see those terrible eyes peeringinto hers in spite of all her efforts to forget her awful experience.
Some boys had already been sent off to the nearest place where it wouldbe possible to get a conveyance to take her home, and they now returnedwith a covered carriage.
Into this Miss Ellis and Dorothy were assisted, while the remainder ofthe girls were soon ready to leave the grounds in the large picnicwagons.
The boys "to a man" remained in the woods, helping diligently in, whatnow seemed to be, a useless search.
Over the narrow plank, just above the dam, the man no doubt had escapedto the other side, where the old ruins of a mill, with a big waterwheel, made a safe hiding place for the fellow.
Squire Travers was much annoyed and worried over the occurrence. Tothink such a thing could happen with him right there, in the woods,seemed incredible.
But Ralph assured him a similar thing had happened in the publicstreets of Dalton, and the same man had gotten away. Why should it bestrange then that he would be able to make his escape in a dense woods?
"But he must be caught," insisted the squire, "if we have to canvassthe entire town and surrounding places to get him."
Some boys suggested that they disguise themselves as girlsimpersonating Dorothy and Tavia, and then wait to be "caught" whilehelp remained close at hand. But it was decided such a ruse wouldhardly work that day, as the man would know well enough the girls wouldnot again leave themselves liable to attack.
It was a very discouraged band of boys, with Squire Travers and RalphWilloby as their leaders, that wended their way back to Dalton Centerthat evening. The picnic, of course, had been spoiled, but that did notamount to anything--it was the attack on Dorothy, and the escape of herassailant that concerned the searching party.
The squire and Ralph upon reaching town went directly to the office ofPresident MacAllister, and the result of the meeting held there markedan epoch in the history of the township of Dalton. The new squire hadoutlined a plan that every suspicious character found in the placeshould be apprehended at once, and no sooner had this edict gone forththan the suspected ones very quietly took their departure. While it wasgenerally believed the trouble had to do with a personal affair, thereseemed danger of course to all, while such persons as this "tramp" wereat liberty.
But confidence was at once established by the ruling of the squire,which put an end to the reign of terror, and Dalton became once more apleasant place to live in.
The details of government had little interest now for Dorothy Dale, asshe tossed feverishly about on her bed that night dreaming of the awfulman. Dr. Gray had recommended that some one remain with her, on accountof her nervous condition, and Tavia insisted on being allowed to sit upwith her friend.
A cot was arranged in Dorothy's room for Tavia, but she was too anxiousabout the sick one to sleep. What if Dorothy should die? What a lonelyworld this would be for Tavia without her.
Several times during the night Aunt Libby came in and tried to induceTavia to take another room, and allow her to stay with Dorothy, but thevolunteer nurse would not leave her post.
"Do go, Tavia," said Dorothy, who had just opened her eyes, and heardAunt Libby's argument, "I'm all right now; only nervous."
"But I've promised myself a whole night with you, and I'm not going tobe chased away, just at the witching hour," Tavia insisted.
But tired nature produced an argument incontrovertible, and when Taviastretched out on the comfortable cot, and tried to chat as lively toDorothy as if it had been mid-day on the side porch, she began to feeldrowsy, then she noticed Dorothy did not answer promptly, and so shemade her words "long and draggy" as mothers do when babies show signsof "giving in." Presently there was a hush--both nurse and patient weresound asleep.
When Dr. Gray called the next morning he advised a complete change forDorothy. She was physically well enough, he said, but the shock to hernervous system might result in complete prostration, unless her mindwas speedily disabused of the unpleasant memory.
Major Dale knew this advice was wise, and he concluded to send Dorothyto visit his sister, Mrs. Winthrop White, of North Birchland.
"Pleasant company," said the doctor to Major Dale as he left, "is allthe girl wants. I wouldn't wonder but that little friend of hers--thelively one,--would help her, if it could be made convenient for her togo along."
Convenient? That uncertainty had nothing to do with circumstancesimportant to his daughter's health, Major Dale decided. If Tavia'scompany would be beneficial to Dorothy's health Tavia should go toNorth Birchland with Dorothy.
The question of school did not signify, either, the major reasoned, forif Tavia could not afford to lose the remaining weeks in the term hewould see that they were made up for, amply.
Arrangements were quickly made, letters dispatched back and forth, andbefore the girls had time to think it over themselves, they were toldto be ready for the morning train.
"Oh, isn't it perfectly grand!" exclaimed the excited Tavia, "but doyou think, Doro, I will be able to behave myself, to eat properly andall that?"
"Why, Tavia," answered Dorothy, "you will find real aristocratic peopleare as simple as we are in manners; it is only those who try to be'somebody,' and who do not know how, that make such a fuss overeverything. Aunt Winnie is a lovely lady--we call her Winnie fromWinthrop, because her own name is Ruth and we have another Aunt Ruthout West."
"Lucky thing I had my 'new' dress, and all the other things Aunt Marysent by express last week. And father's new suit case his men presentedhim with when he left the factory--wasn't that providential?" askedTavia.
Dorothy admitted it was fortunate, and so, as this was the very eveningbefore their departure, the girls arranged such matters as requiredconsultation and then hurried off to attend to so many little thingsnecessary for travelers.
Aunt Libby could not hide a tear when Dorothy put her arms about thewrinkled neck, but when Major Dale helped his daughter to step upon thetrain platform he was smiling; glad to have her go it seemed. Joe toldJohnnie afterwards that was the way soldiers always act when they facetrouble.
Mrs. Travers was really glad to have Tavia go, and she did not deny it.It was such a chance for her, she told Aunt Libby, as they went homefrom the depot, and Tavia, she declared, was a girl who always made themost of her chances.
As the train flew along, or Dalton flew away, as it seemed from the carwindows, both girls indulged in a very creditable sentiment--a streakof homesickness.
"It will be fun, of course," remarked Tavia, "but it's creepy to leavethem all."
Passengers about them soon attracted their attention sufficiently tomake the journey interesting. Tavia had such a way of seeing things tomake Dorothy laugh, that little of interest escaped her.
Old ladies with black silk bags were her especial prey, and these shenever failed to analyze--according to her own special method.
Women with babies also afforded no end of amusement to Tavia, and whenshe found a regular nursery cooking outfit in the "end room" of the carshe could scarcely be restrained.
"I could make you the nicest clam bouillon," she told Dorothy, "andbesides cooking, that little alcohol lamp is just the thing for h
aircrimping. I will crimp mine if I can find anything to make a hot pokerof in this train."
"You really must not touch anything," Dorothy insisted, alarmed lestTavia should do something reckless.
"Touch anything? Why my dear girl I have tested the entire outfit, andI am going to get one just like it for my hasty breakfasts."
The woman to whom the "entire outfit" belonged was now almost asleepbeside her baby, on the end sofa, and Tavia assuring Dorothy she wouldstay there indefinitely, sallied forth to further investigate themysteries of a nursery cooking outfit, en route.