Dorothy Dale in the City Read online

  CHAPTER XX A THICKENED PLOT

  "This is becoming a habit," said Dorothy to Tavia, as they climbed thesteps of the Fifth Avenue 'bus, homeward bound after a few morning hoursspent in the shopping district, the day after the skating party.

  "Everybody seems to have the habit too," commented Tavia. "We can shopsteadily for two hours, and still not purchase anything. That's what Ifind so fascinating!"

  "To me the charm of shopping lies in being able to buy anything thatinspires one at the moment, and then calmly return it the next day. Inthat way, we can really possess for a few hours almost anything we setour hearts on," said Dorothy gleefully.

  "Like returning the brass horses and finger bowls!" said Tavia.

  "Not to mention the rows of books and boxes of handkerchiefs," Dorothyopened a box of chocolates as she spoke, and the candy occupied theirattention for several minutes.

  The 'bus stopped for a man who had hastily crossed the street in front ofit. He climbed the steps and sat directly opposite the girls from thecountry. Tavia was busy with her thoughts and did not see him. Dorothy,however, noticed him, but said nothing to Tavia, because, for onefrightened moment, she remembered him as the stranger who had so closelywatched Tavia on the lake the morning before. To divert attention shebegan to talk rapidly.

  "I'm so sorry Bob cannot stay after to-morrow morning," she said. Atmention of Bob's name Tavia turned her head toward the sidewalk, and awayfrom the stranger. "Do you recall the first time we met him, Tavia?"

  "I don't recall much about Bob," said Tavia, diffidently, "I think he istoo domineering. He is always preaching to me!"

  "He takes a brotherly interest in your welfare," teased Dorothy, for Bobwas the one subject on which Tavia could really be teased. "Ned seems tohave lost his place of big brother to Tavia," she continued, meanwhilecasting sidewise glances at the man opposite. He sat staring deliberatelyat Tavia, and Dorothy was just about to suggest that they leave the 'busand rid themselves of the man's distasteful glances, when Tavia glancedacross the aisle and recognized the real estate agent!

  For some reason that Tavia could not then fathom, she trembled, andquickly jumped up, saying to Dorothy:

  "Let's get off here! I'd rather walk the rest of the way; wouldn't you?"

  As Dorothy had been about to suggest that very thing, she looked insurprise from the man to Tavia and saw him raise his hat.

  "This is a very fortunate meeting," said Mr. Akerson to Tavia, "Icouldn't have asked for anything more timely. Mrs. White, your aunt,expects to be at my office in twenty minutes and she expressed a desire,over the telephone, to have you girls meet her there. How strangelythings happen! I am so fortunate as to be able to deliver the message,and you will get there almost as soon as she will." He spoke easily, andwith a slight smile about his lips.

  "My aunt?" repeated Tavia, mystified, "I haven't an aunt!"

  "Isn't Mrs. White your aunt," he asked.

  "Mrs. White is my aunt," interrupted Dorothy. "Who are you please?"

  "Mr. Akerson, Mrs. White's real estate manager. Have I the pleasure ofaddressing her niece?"

  Dorothy assented with a quick nod of her head. "But we were not informedof her visit to your office," she said quickly.

  "Do just as you like," said Mr. Akerson, coolly, "I get off here. I onlythought it lucky to have had the pleasure of carrying out Mrs. White'swishes. Don't misunderstand me," he added, "I did not start out to huntthrough the New York shops for you, it was merely a happy coincidencethat we met. Mrs. White 'phoned me after you left and merely mentionedthat as she was coming down town she wished she could meet you. Well,I've an engagement on this block for five minutes, and then I return tomeet Mrs. White in my office."

  He left the 'bus and the girls just stared!

  "How did that man know us?" cried Dorothy, too astounded to think of anyanswer to her own question.

  "I know how he knew me," said Tavia, grimly. "But how did he know I knew?Oh, dear me, it's all knows and knews; what am I trying to say?"

  "Can people in New York sense relationship as folk pass by on top of'buses?" questioned Dorothy, of the dazzling sunlight.

  "Why," queried Tavia, "should Aunt Winnie tell him that she wanted us tomeet her at his office?"

  "Or how," demanded Dorothy, "did he happen to be in just this section ofthe city and jump on our very 'bus?"

  "But Mrs. White may even now be waiting for us, anxiously hoping for ourarrival," exclaimed Tavia; "though of course she couldn't guess he wouldmeet us. It must be a strange chance, as he says."

  "Of course we start down town immediately," declared Dorothy, "I know theaddress."

  "Well Dorothy," said Tavia, mysteriously, "Mr. Akerson may be a shrewdbusiness man, and be playing a skillful game, but I am not one whitafraid to go directly to his office, and see the whole thing through tothe end!"

  "It's exactly what I intend to do," said Dorothy, decidedly. "This, Irather feel, may be our unexpected opportunity to quickly squelch thewell-laid plans of this man. But, Tavia, aren't you just a little bitdubious about going alone? Hadn't we better return home first?"

  "No, we'll take the next car downtown, and we must work together to laybare the real facts!" declared Tavia as they ran for a downtown Broadwaycar.