Part 47 (1/2)

THE BIG BEAR

Dave was very thoughtful as the four boys rowed back to the bungaloith the things procured from Mr Appleby His talk with Della Ford and her aunt had lasted until the others were ready to depart, but he had gained little information beyond that already known to the reader

”If only I had the address of that Obadiah Jones, I o and see him and listen to what he has to say about Ward Porton,” he told himself

”Of course he may not be Porton's uncle at all--I know lots of children taken from poorhouses and orphan asylums who call the folks aunt and uncle But even if he isn't, he ive arding this affair”

Thesettled once ht from the Appleby camp were divided between the two places, and likewise the kitchen utensils

”I'd like to set solars,” declared Ben

”I don't see how you're going to do it,” returned our hero ”I doubt very ain More than likely they are miles away”

”Dave, do you think Link Merwell had anything to do with this?”

”It's possible, Ben, although I don't see hoould have the nerve to come back here after what happened I should think he would feel like quitting this territory entirely”

Another day went by, bringing no word froer had tra for letters, but the only one to co him to become a subscriber to some local charity

”O shucks! I suppose the charity is all right,” said Ben, when he got this letter, ”but I'd like to get some real news from dad or somebody else at home”

Dave said little, but he felt ht that a letter would surely coer noticed how he felt, and placed a kindly hand on our hero's shoulder

”Don't you worry, Dave, old ht in the end”

”I hope so, Roger,” was the answer ”But this suspense wears on a fellow”

”Perhaps if you went to Maine to that tohere the poorhouse is located that Ward Porton says he ca about that Obadiah Jones,” went on the senator's son, who had been told of what the Fords had revealed

”I was thinking soet on the track any other way, I'll go there,” was the reply ”But I hate to think of leaving here until I get sos et that More than likely your unc--I et to the botto the proofs that Ward Porton said he illing to present”

On the followingof a surprise About eleven o'clock, while so, and Dave had Jessie out in a canoe, there ca in that direction our hero saw Phil approaching, with his uncle beside hi on the youth's shoulder

”hello, Mr Lawrence's ankle ot better quickly!” cried Dave

”And is that the so-called wild man?” returned Jessie ”He doesn't seem to be very wild now”

”You've heard us tell why he acted in that outlandish way,” was the answer, as Dave paddled toward the dock

Soon the boys were surrounding the new arrivals, and Mr Lawrence was led to a couch, upon which he was glad to sit down and thus rest his injured ankle The ladies and the girls were introduced, and the man shook hands with theize to you for acting so rudely,” said Lester Lawrence, after the introductions were over ”I suppose the boys have told you why I did it?”

”Yes, Mr Lawrence,” answered Mrs Wadsworth, kindly ”And under the circuones”

”Can we do anything for your ankle?” questioned Laura, as a natural-born nurse