Part 42 (2/2)
”It certainly is,” returned Laura; but her voice had little of enthusiasm in it
”Where is Uncle Dunston?” cried Dave ”I want hione home,” answered Belle At the same time Laura turned away
”Gone home!” repeated Dave, in bewilder until next week”
”He ith Mr Wadsworth,” continued Belle ”They had some very important business to attend to”
”What was it? Laura, do you know?”
”Yes, I know, Dave,” answered the girl, and now her voice had a curious, uncertain ring in it ”Oh, Dave, it's the oing to tell you!” she burst out; and then, of a sudden, began to cry and ran into the bungalow
CHAPTER XXVI
STARTLING NEWS
Dave was so surprised that for the moment he knew not what to say or do
His eyes followed Laura as she disappeared within the bungalow, and then he turned in bewilderment to Belle
”Laura takes it awfully hard, but I don't think she ought to--at least not yet,” said the girl from Star Ranch ”Thereto believe it until they prove it”
”But what are you talking about, Belle?” questioned Dave, his face still showing his perplexity ”What is it all about? Has anything happened at ho wrong at your home, Dave--at least not in the way you think” Belle paused for a o on
”You remember what Link Merwell said; don't you?”
”About me?”
”Yes Of course I don't believe it at all But this young fellow, Ward Porton, sent word to your father, and that has upset hireat deal, so that he sent word to your Uncle Dunston and Laura, as well as to Mr
Wadsworth The word ca, a couple of hours after you had left; and after talking the matter over, your uncle and Mr
Wadsworth made up their minds to return to Crumville without delay”
”And what did this Ward Porton have to say?” questioned our hero, and it ith an effort that he steadied his voice
”I can't give you all the particulars, because Laura did not show me the letter Poor dear! it just broke her up completely, and I've had an awful time with her--and I've had an awful ti,” went on Dave, while the others gathered around, their faces showing their intense curiosity
”Well, as near as I canmatters connected with himself and with you, and he claims that he is the real Dave Porter and that you are somebody else”
”Oh, say, that's nonsense!” burst out Phil, quickly ”Why, we proved Dave's identity beyond question, e came back froer ”Dave's uncle went into all of the details with the Cruot the particulars of how that fellow na husband of that crazy nurse, Polly Margot, abducted Dave and took hiot scared and put him off at Crumville”