Doris Force at Locked Gates; Or, Saving a Mysterious Fortune
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CHAPTER V KITTY ARRIVES
What Dave had told her about the old Gates place in Rumson did notdiscourage Doris. If anything, it made her more eager to spend a fewweeks at Locked Gates, for the thought of mystery was indeed veryintriguing.
Unfortunately for her plans, she chanced to repeat to her uncle what Davehad said, and that worthy at once began to regard the proposed visit withmisgiving.
"I'm not sure I should let you go," he told her doubtfully. "There'ssomething funny about this whole affair. Don't you think you had bettergive up the trip?"
"Uncle Ward, you said I could go," Doris moaned. "Don't change your mindnow. There probably isn't anything mysterious about the placeanyway--Dave was just talking."
"I think I shall do a little investigating of my own," her uncle returnedgravely.
He had already learned through a former business associate that theMisses Gates were well thought of in Rumson, but that of late years theyhad kept close to their own premises. Recalling that Jake had at one timeworked in Rumson, Wardell Force sauntered out into the garden where hewas weeding the flowers.
"Well, Jake," he began, "how are your posies doing?"
The hired man straightened and regarded Mr. Force with a delighted smile.
"First rate, sir," he answered. "First rate! Miss Doris's roses goin' tobe in bloom inside of another week."
Jake's hobby was gardening, and he was never more satisfied than when atwork with the flowers. The sun and wind had tanned his wrinkled face butit had brought a glow of health which had not been there when WardellForce had first brought him to Chilton. At that time Jake had been brokenin body and in spirit, but fresh air, good food and kindness had made anew man of him. His hair, which was streaked with gray, seldom wascombed, and his garments usually bore the stamp of his work. He walkedwith a noticeable stoop.
Jake was a rather silent man and seldom spoke unless addressed. He keptto himself and when not working about the grounds usually stayed alone inhis room. Seemingly, he lived only for the present, as he never mentionedthe past and took the future for granted. Of his devotion to WardellForce and Doris, there was not the slightest question.
"Jake, you used to work in Rumson before you came here, didn't you?" Mr.Force questioned.
"Yes, sir." Jake avoided the other's eyes. Any reference to his pastusually caused him to withdraw into his shell, but with Wardell Force hewas more free.
"Do you remember a Gates house there, Jake?"
"Yes, sir, I remember the place well. A gloomy house it was, sir. Many anight I had to pass it after dark, and it sort of gave me the creeps."
"I didn't think anything could give you the creeps," Mr. Force said withan understanding smile.
"Neither did I, sir, but that house--you never saw a soul enter or leave.Folks said the gates had rusted shut. But why are you askin', Mr. Force?"
"Doris was thinking of going there for a short visit."
Jake shook his head as he picked up the rake.
"I'm not aimin' to advise you, sir, but if 'twere me, I'd not let her gothere alone."
"I think perhaps you are right, Jake," Wardell Force returnedthoughtfully as he turned away. "I'll have another talk with Doris andsee if I can't get her out of the notion of going."
Returning to the house, he found his niece in the den studying German.She put aside her book at once as he came over to her, but her faceclouded at mention of the visit.
"I'll give it up if you're so worried, but I don't see any reason for notgoing. The Misses Gates are probably just two dear old ladies who likeprivacy, and the neighbors are inclined to gossip."
"I see you have set your heart upon going," Mr. Force sighed.
"Then you will let me go?"
"Upon one condition."
"And what is that?"
"That you get some one to go with you."
"I know just the person, Uncle Ward. Kitty Norris will be crazy to go!"
"You're both crazy to go," Mr. Force returned with a differentinflection.
Doris, highly pleased at her latest idea, sprang up and rushed to thedesk. It took her only a few minutes to compose a letter to her chum, andhaving finished it, she rushed off to the corner mail box, fearful lesther uncle change his mind again.
The next three days she waited in a tremor of excitement for a response.On the fourth day the postman brought the letter from Kitty. It was briefbut very much to the point.
"Dear Dory:" it read. "Will I come? I'll jump at the chance! Here's to ahigh old time at Locked Gates, and may we discover when they were lockedand why! Meet me Wednesday on the 4:40 train. Yours, Kitty."
It was already Monday and that left only two days before Kitty's arrival.Doris flew about putting the suite in order and spent a great deal oftime getting her clothes ready to pack. The problem was made somewhatdifficult due to the fact that she did not know what sort of receptionawaited her.
"I don't know whether they'll give any parties or not," she told herself,"but my guess is they won't. I'll take a chance on it and leave myevening gown at home."
Late Wednesday afternoon, Doris and her uncle drove to the station tomeet Kitty. She was nearly the last one off the train and Doris wasbeginning to think she had not come, when she caught sight of her in thecrowd.
The girls exchanged enthusiastic hugs and fell to jabbering as excitedlyas two magpies, or at least so it seemed to Uncle Ward, who was quiteignored until Doris recalled that she had failed to introduce him.
"I feel as though I know you already," he told Kitty with his genialsmile. "Doris has talked about you almost continually."
He placed her suitcase in the back of the coupe, and the girls squeezedin beside him on the front seat. As they drove toward home, Doris toldher chum more about Locked Gates and the reason why she had planned thetrip.
Though not as pretty as Doris, Kitty had a charming personality and wasone of the most popular girls at Barry Manor. She was very talkative andalways ready for a good time. If she excelled in basketball and tennisrather than in French and English, it was not because of lack of ability,but rather because she could never find the time to study. At Barry Manorher room had always been the gathering place for friends and the scene ofmany tea parties.
"I'm so excited about this place we're going to," she told Doris. "Whendo we leave?"
"Tomorrow, if that isn't rushing you off too soon. Uncle Ward is goingout of town to raise money for some charity--"
"A little hot air for a fresh air fund," Mr. Force interposed. "A speechat the Rotary Club, one at the church, and one at the Chamber ofCommerce. That's the opening day's program and it will be about the samefor the next month."
"Unless we leave for Locked Gates tomorrow, we'll be left here byourselves," Doris explained.
"Let's go, by all means."
"I thought you would want to start right away. Dave said he would take usdown in his roadster."
"We'll have a wonderful time, too!" Kitty declared enthusiastically.
Doris nodded in agreement. In spite of what Dave and Jake had saidconcerning Locked Gates, she little dreamed of the adventure that laybefore her.
"I just hope we have a real interesting session at this place," continuedKitty gleefully, "something to tell the sorority about when we return toschool in the fall. Just fancy the crowd gathered around us while we tellin a solemn voice the mysteries of Locked Gates. I really hope somethingexciting does happen to us, Dory," she exulted, as the roadster swungaround the corner, throwing her little hat a bit more rakishly over oneeye. "I'll be disappointed if it doesn't."
"Kitty, you are very brave just at present. Be sure to keep up yourpresent demeanor as we go forth on our big adventure," admonished DorisForce thoughtfully.