CHAPTER XXVIII
A SUDDEN PROPOSAL
After the excitement of the chase was at an end, Nick Smithers had achance to think matters over, and he concluded to get out of Springfieldwithout delay.
He was much upset because of Nat's unexpected appearance, and the factthat his satchel and belongings were still at the hotel did not tend toadd to his good humor.
"I can't go for those things, or send for them," he reasoned. "Confoundthat boy! Who would ever have dreamed that he would make such troublefor me? I took him for a regular country greeny. But he's as sharp as arazor!"
For a long time matters had been going illy with Nicholas Smithers,alias Hamilton Dart, alias half a dozen other names. He had tried towork one of his swindling schemes in Springfield, but nobody had takenhis bait, and his ready funds were consequently running low. When he hadmoney he lived extravagantly, so that his ill-gotten gains never lastedhim any great length of time.
"Something must be done, and that pretty soon," he reasoned. "Wonderwhere I had best go next?"
Before going to Springfield he had had in mind to try Albany, and now heresolved to go to the latter-named city by the first train. This trainwas the very one upon which Nat was riding, but the swindler did notimmediately discover this.
Some miles out of Springfield the train stopped at a small station. Theonly person in waiting was a young lady handsomely dressed, who did notappear to have any baggage. She got in, and as chance would have it,took a seat close to the swindler.
Nick Smithers had always interested himself in those around him, and helooked the young lady over carefully. She was certainly beautiful, andshe appeared to be rich.
"Traveling all alone, eh?" mused the swindler. "And no doubt she hasmoney. Wonder if I could get anything out of her?"
He watched his chance, and when she happened to drop her handkerchief,he promptly picked it up.
"Charming day," said he, with a smile.
"It is indeed beautiful," said the young lady, turning her dark,brilliant eyes full upon the rascal.
"Do you enjoy riding in the cars?" he went on, with another smile.
"I? Well--I--I--What will you say to me when I tell you that now, forthe first time, I find myself in the cars?"
"For the first time?" repeated Nick Smithers, in astonishment.
"It is even so," said the young lady. "I do not wonder that you aresurprised. I--I presume there are few cases like mine." And she heaved along sigh.
"Here is certainly a mystery!" thought the confidence man. "Can she havelived all her life in the backwoods, or what? I must investigate this."
"You are surprised?" she said, softly.
"I must confess that I am, madam. Perhaps you have a dislike to cars?"
"No, not in the least."
"Then----" And Nick Smithers paused questioningly.
"I--I--perhaps I had better tell my story," faltered the young lady. "Ineed a confidant, and I need advice. Can I trust you, sir?"
"You assuredly can," said the swindler, instantly. "If I can be of anyservice whatever to you, command me."
The young lady glanced around shyly, to see that no other passengerswere near.
"I presume I shall have to tell my whole story," went on the young lady."It is rather long."
"Never mind--we have plenty of time," answered Nick Smithers.
"My father died when I, his only child, was very young. My mother wasalready dead. My father left a large fortune, estimated at that time, atabout a hundred thousand dollars."
"That's some money," thought the swindler. "I hope she has some of itwith her."
"Of course, it was necessary to leave me in charge of someone. For thistrust my father's brother was selected. He was poor, never having metwith the worldly success that crowned my father's efforts. The allowancehe received for caring for me and my inheritance was liberal. Shortlyafter my father died my uncle moved to the town where I boarded thetrain, living in a house which was a part of my father's estate."
"I understand," said the swindler, nodding. "Go on."
"According to the terms of my father's will my uncle was to have solecharge of my property until I was twenty-five, unless I should beforethat time get--get married." The young lady blushed. "It was a stupidprovision, in one way, for it made my uncle take me to thatout-of-the-way place, and practically keep me buried alive, for fear Iwould get married before I was twenty-five."
"He wanted to hang on to a good thing," said Nick Smithers, with alaugh. "But please proceed."
"At first I did not understand my uncle's motive, but as I grew older myeyes were opened, and at last I resolved to--to--well, to get out of hispower."
"And so you ran away, is that it?"
"Yes. This morning I succeeded in eluding my uncle's vigil, and here Iam. I came away in such a hurry that I brought with me no extra baggage.No doubt you were surprised to see me enter without so much as an extrawrap."
"I thought you might be going only a short distance."
"I scarcely know where I am going."
"Then you have formed no plans?"
"None whatever. I have not had time, and I know so little of the world.All I care for now is, not to fall into the hands of my uncleuntil--until----"
"You are twenty-five or married," finished the swindler.
"Exactly."
"May I presume to ask you your present age?"
"Yesterday I was twenty-one."
"Then, legally, you ought to be your own mistress."
"So I thought. That is one thing which gave me the courage to run away."
There was a short spell of silence, during which Nick Smithers did somerapid thinking. He felt that here was a chance to make a round sum ofmoney. If this young lady was rich, it would be a stroke of luck to gether in his power.
So far the swindler had never married. He had once proposed to a finegirl, but she had read him thoroughly, and rejected him. It might not bea bad scheme to propose to the girl before him. He could see that shewas very romantic, and he was willing to do almost anything for money.
"I feel honored that you have taken me into your confidence," said he."Permit me to introduce myself, Lancelot Powers, from Boston. I amtraveling for my health."
"I am pleased to know you, Mr. Powers. My name is Clara Rosemead, and myfather was Colonel Rosemead, of the International Cable Company."
"I shall consider it my duty to do all I can for you," went on NickSmithers. "You--you--well, to tell the strict truth, you interest memightily. In fact, Miss Rosemead, I can't help but love you."
"Oh!"
"I trust that you are not offended?" said the swindler, hastily.
"Oh, no, Mr. Powers. But--I didn't quite expect this. But I--I well, Ilike you, too." And again the girl bent her dark brilliant eyes on him.
"If you'd marry me you'd make me the happiest man in America!" went onNick Smithers. "It would be so romantic!" he whispered. "Think of how wemet on the cars, and fell in love at sight!"
"It would be romantic!" she clasped her hands together. "I'll do it!"
"Good! It will be a fine thing to outwit this uncle of yours."
"Yes! yes! We must outwit him by all means. If he should learn of what Iam doing----"
"He can learn the truth--after we are married, Clara." And then NickSmithers gave the girl's hand a tight squeeze. Had they been in a moresecluded place he would have kissed her.
"I--I--am happy!" she said, softly.
"What do you say to getting married when we reach Albany?" went on theswindler. "Then we can return to your home and demand that your unclemake a settlement."
"I shall do as you think best, Lancelot. I know I can trust you," sheanswered.
"This is the safest snap yet!" thought Nick Smithers. "Once I get holdof her money I can hold her right under my thumb. She has been kept insuch seclusion that she knows absolutely nothing of the world at large.And such a beauty, too! Nick, for once you have certainly struck itrich!"
From Farm to Fortune; or, Nat Nason's Strange Experience Page 29