Part 30 (1/2)
”Do you mean to say Josiah Crabtree is going to marry her now?”
demanded Dora, springing to her feet.
”More than likely.”
”Then he--he hired you to carry me off?”
”We'll talk about something else,” said the bully. ”Will you leave the _Falcon_ quietly?”
”Where do you want me to go?”
”To the home of an old lady who will treat you as nicely as she possibly can.”
Dora shook her head. ”I don't wish to go anywhere excepting home, and I won't submit a bit longer than I have to.”
”Don't be foolis.h.!.+” exclaimed Mumps. ”We might treat you a good deal worse if we were of a mind to do so. Crabtree told us to bind and gag you.”
”He did?”
”Yes. He says you are a perfect minx.”
A few words more followed, and then both of the boys left the cabin.
”She won't submit,” whispered Mumps.
”What had we best do?”
”Use the drug Crabtree gave us,” answered Baxter. ”It's a lucky thing I brought that vial.”
”Yes--if we don't have any trip-up in the matter,” answered the toady, with a doubtful shake of his head. Mumps had gone into the whole scheme rather unwillingly, but now saw no way of backing out.
A little later the _Falcon_ ran into the harbor of Cayuga and came to anchor close to one of the docks. Then Baxter appeared with some sandwiches and a gla.s.s of milk.
”You might as well eat; it's foolish not to,” he said, and set the food on a little stand.
By this time Dora was very hungry, and as soon as the bully had left she applied herself to what had been brought. Poor creature, she did not know that both sandwiches and milk had been doctored with a drug calculated to make her dull and sleepy!
She had hardly finished the scant meal when her eyes began to grow heavy. Then her brain seemed to become clouded and she could scarcely remember where she was.
”Here's news!” cried Baxter, coming in an hour later. ”We are to join your mother and Mr. Crabtree at Albany.”
”At Albany?” she repeated slowly. ”Have--have they gone there?”
”Yes; they are going on a honeymoon on the yacht _Flyaway_. Your mother wants you to join her and forgive her.”
Dora heaved a long sigh. ”I cannot! I cannot!” she sobbed, and burst again into tears.
Nevertheless, she allowed herself to be led off the _Falcon_ and to the depot. ”Your face is full of tears,” said Baxter. ”Here, put this veil over it,” and she was glad enough to do as bidden, that folks might not stare at her.
What happened afterward was very much like a dream to her. She remembered entering the cars and crouching down in a seat, with Baxter beside her. A long ride in the night followed, and she slept part of the way, although troubled with a horrible nightmare. She wanted to flee, but seemed to lack both the physical and mental strength to do so.