Part 9 (1/2)
”And I suppose you'll go up there the first chance you get,” pouted Jessie
”Maybe,” he answered, not altogether liking her tone And then before anything more could be said the automobile swept up in front of Ben Basswood's hoeneral
Ben had been on the back seat with Laura, and now as he left the party, Jessie came into the tonneau to keep Dave's sister company, so that on the journey to the Wadsworth mansion the talk between Jessie and Dave could not be renewed
The next two days were busy ones for our hero He had several matters of business to attend to for his father and his uncle Added to this, old Caspar Potts asked the youth if he would not acco a tio to the farm with you, Professor,” replied Dave
”But what are you going to do there, if I et a box of books that was left in the garret there e caentleht them here before, but it slipped my mind entirely Perhaps you remember the box?”
”Do you arret?”
questioned Dave
”That's the one, David I don't think the books in it are of very great value, but they ht as well be added to the library here,” went on the old professor The Wadsworth library coreat pride to Professor Potts, who had spentout a private catalogue To please the old gentleman, Mr Wadsworth had, froht not otherwise have purchased
Since Dave and Caspar Potts had left the old farm, the place had been leased to another party, but noas unoccupied, and the cottage and stable were locked up
”Looks natural,” ree and looked around on the fahts went back to the past What trees had taken place since he had left that home! He had found a father, a sister, and an uncle, and had made a host of friends Not only that; he was rich, and had received a good education, and was on the fair road to success
”David!” It was Caspar Potts who spoke, and his voice trembled ”How different it is from what it used to be! Certainly your folks and Mr
Wadsworth have been great friends of entleman blinked away the tears that stood in his e, Dave went inside and lost no ti open a nuht dispel the dampness within Then Caspar Potts entered, and both ascended the narrow stairway to the upper floor Here was a tiny garret, which in the past had been given over e of old furniture and other articles not in use
”I trust none of the tenants have disturbed that box,” remarked Caspar Potts, when Dave had lit a candle which he had thoughtfully brought along
”I see the box, Professor,” answered the youth ”Here, if you will hold the candle I will get it out” And then Dave worked his way over to a corner under the eaves, and froed forth a small wooden box, painted blue He threw back the cover, exposing to view thirty or forty books, covered with dust and yelloith age
”Good! good!” murmured the old professor, as he brushed one of the volumes off with his coat sleeve ”Some of these books are not very valuable, David, but a few of them will add quite a little to our library I had those volue,” he added proudly
”I'll carry the box downstairs,” said Dave
Caspar Potts, candle in hand, led the way to the floor below As he cae, he was so earnestly
”hello, you've got visitors!” said Dave, as he set the box of books down on a bare table ”Some one out for a look around, I suppose,” he added
”Maybe it is some one ould like to lease the faro out and see,” and he extinguished the candle
Brushi+ng the dust and cobwebs from his coat, Dave followed the old professor to the porch of the cottage The two visitors were so busy talking that, for the instant, they did not notice the others
”hello there!” exclaimed Dave, in some surprise, as his eyes rested on the face of one of the visitors ”How in the world did you get here?”
”I--er--I--er--It's Mr Porter!” stammered the fellow addressed, and he leaped quickly to his feet
It was Ward Porton, the young man Dave and his chums had rescued from the sea when the steam yacht was on fire