Part 27 (1/2)
”I knew it wasn't Lone Star's step,” David replied. ”Besides, he doesn't come home so early as this.”
”Oh, say,” Polly broke out in an undertone of excitement, ”let's go up on Oregon Avenue! Maybe we should meet them!”
”I don't suppose they always go that way,” mused David; ”but it wouldn't do any harm to take a walk--”
”No, come on!” urged Polly, jumping up. ”But I must lock the house first. Mother has a key.”
”I'll help,” volunteered David, following Polly into the front hall.
With windows and doors secure behind them, the two started for Oregon Avenue, Polly talking all the way.
”It was along here that you saw them, wasn't it?” she questioned softly, as if fearful that her voice might carry to the piazza parties that lined the pleasant street.
”Just about,” David answered; ”but it's lighter further on. There's a carriage block in front of that big gray house where you can sit down and rest.”
”I'm not a bit tired,” Polly insisted, yet to please David she sat dutifully on the stone indicated for at least three minutes; then she suddenly decided that it was too conspicuous, and they moved on up the avenue.
The night was warm and still. Occasionally a puff of cooler air would meet the children at some dusky driveway or odorous garden, and they would halt to enjoy it. From dark verandas and brilliant houses laughter and song floated out to them as they pa.s.sed along. Altogether this stalking Colonel Gresham was rather a delightful affair, and sometimes in the pleasure of the moment their errand would be almost forgotten.
Not many carriages were abroad, and this was not one of the highways frequented by motor-cars. Every vehicle, therefore, claimed the children's attention. Far up the avenue, on a corner where an arc light cast fitful shadows over the intersecting roadways, they stopped to catch a breeze straying up from the harbor. Polly was blithely chattering.
”'s.h.!.+” whispered David.
The sound of hoofs came faintly through the stillness.
”I believe it is!” Polly whispered back.
David nodded eagerly.
”Dear me, how that light bobs up and down!” Polly complained. ”I hope it will be bright when they get here.”
”Let's stand in the shadow!” David pulled her under a broad maple tree.
On came the hoofs, nearer, nearer. The light suddenly flared.
”Oh, goody!” exulted Polly.
”It is Lone Star!” whispered David.
The familiar horse appeared in the flickering circle of light. Behind him the form of a man and a woman were barely discernible--then utter darkness! Lone Star trotted by the discomfited two, and was gone. The light did not come back. The children clutched each other in silent disappointment. Polly was the first to find words.
”Wasn't that just mean?”
David laughed--a grim little laugh.
”Don't! It hurts. I'm too mad to laugh.”
He chuckled. Then he grabbed Polly excitedly.
”Come on!” he cried.