Part 30 (1/2)

Cora was in despair. To be thus detained when there was not an hour to spare! Tom drew the machine well to the roadside. Duncan leisurely climbed out and then asked the girl if she would remain in the car.

”That's the mean part of this business,” remarked Duncan; ”they don't want money--they want time--good, honest time.”

Then, of a sudden, with that boyishness that Cora had so greatly admired in so thoughtful a young man, he sprang off on a run toward the meadow, where the constable had indicated the judge could be found.

”Come on, friend,” he called good-naturedly to the officer on the wheel. ”When a thing's to be done, may as well do it. The sooner the quicker,” he joked, while Cora wondered more and more how so wronged a person could be so good-humored.

Tom fussed about the machine, looking to see that the official bullet had not struck through a tire. Evidently the constable did not expect Duncan to take him at his word, and go after the squire, for it took him some time to put his wheel against a tree and prepare to follow on foot.

”You can't go that way,” he shouted to Duncan. ”That's all swamp.”

”Won't hurt me,” replied the irrepressible Duncan. ”I am taking the water cure.”

Soon Duncan was talking to the farmer--and the constable was still ”picking his steps” toward the spot where the two stood.

”I am sure Duncan will win him,” thought Cora, ”and perhaps we will not be so long delayed, after all.”

But Tom could not stand the suspense. He asked Cora if she would mind being left alone for a few minutes, and soon he, too, was hurrying over the meadow.

Cora had great faith in Tom's judgment now, and was rather glad that he had gone to Duncan's help. She stepped out of the car to gather a few wild flowers, and was just about to step in again when the rumble of an approaching machine attracted her attention.

She turned and saw coming toward her that man Reed. With a.s.sumed indifference she stepped back to the road to get another flower. This took her just a bit farther from his path than she would have been in the car, but as he came up she heard him slacken, then stop.

Her heart seemed to stand still. In an instant she realized what it meant for a girl to be alone on a road--she should not have left Breakwater, and the doctor and Tom should not have left her.

”Miss Kimball,” called a voice from the other car. ”I am sorry to see you in this predicament. I am Mr. Reed, of Roland, Reed & Company,”

and he said this with all possible courtesy. ”I believe we have met before, and I came back to see if I might be of any a.s.sistance to you.

This speeding business is rather troublesome, and I ventured to guess that you are most anxious to be in Chelton to-day, as there are so many interesting things going on there.”

For an instant Cora felt that she had wronged this man. Perhaps, after all, he was a perfect gentleman, and had nothing to do with their being detained. If only Duncan or Tom was there!

”Yes, I am in a hurry to get home,” admitted Cora. ”But I think we will soon be off again.”

”Not very likely,” went on the other. ”That old judge seems to delight in keeping folks away from their business. He has the most roundabout way possible of transacting matters. I was about to suggest that if you really are anxious to get to Chelton I would go over there and speak with your friend, and, as we are not so far away from the home town, it might be wise for you to ride with me. It is very awkward for a lady to be in this position. Sometimes a newspaper fellow comes along, and, as they say, 'gets a story' out of it.”

”Oh, I thank you very much,” she said hurriedly and not without showing her confusion, ”but I will wait until Dr. Bennet comes. I am sure he will not be detained long. They should have some consideration for physicians.”

”Dr. Bennet? Oh, I see. He is in a hurry, too, to get to Chelton.”

(If Cora could have seen the flash that shot through the lawyer's brain at that moment.) ”Well, of course, he ought to be allowed to go--although we all have to keep within the speed limit.”

”They are coming now,” said Cora joyously, for the interview was anything but pleasant. ”I will tell Dr. Bennet of your kindness.”

The man cranked up instantly, excusing his haste with a glance at his watch. ”Well,” he said, ”I have a noon appointment, so I may as well hurry on. Good morning, Miss Kimball. I suppose we shall see each other again in Chelton, as we both are interested, I believe, in the same affair--finding the promise book and finding the lost table.”

Then he was off.

Duncan, Tom and the two officers were up to the car before Cora had quite recovered herself.