“Here comes Songbird, he’ll look after that, I know he will,” said Sam.
The would-be poet came up all smiles and shook hands. He said he would do anything they wished and at once took charge of the things. Several others came up, including Spud and Stanley, and there was a general handshaking and a rapid-fire of conversation. Then Sam and Tom got in the automobile and away went the car in the direction of Hope Seminary.
“Want me to drive?” asked Tom.
“Tom, you’d better sit in the back with me,” put in Sam, quickly. “This is Dick’s outing, let him run the car.” He was afraid that if Tom got his hands on the wheel he might do something to put the crowd in danger.
“All right, I’m satisfied,” was the ready answer and Tom sank back on the cushions.
The touring car was a powerful one and Dick knew how to handle it to perfection. Along the smooth road they rolled swiftly, only slowing down at the turns and where the highway was not in a good state of repair. Dora turned around to talk to the others, asking about the college, and then spoke about those left at Cedarville and at Valley Brook.
“Mamma is real well again,” she said. “Better, in fact, than she has been in a long while. I know she feels relieved to think that Dick can now take charge of all of her affairs, and of my affairs, too.”
“Dick is getting to be a business man fast,” remarked Sam. “With your affairs and Dad’s affairs he must be having his hands full.”
“Oh, the more the merrier,” answered the oldest brother. “I like it better than going to college.” But as he spoke his face became very thoughtful. Clearly Dick had something on his mind. He was not nearly as talkative as usual, Sam soon noticed that and so did Tom.
Presently the touring car came in sight of Hope Seminary, nestling in a pretty grove of trees. Two girls were down by the stone gateway, and both waved their hands.
“Grace and Nellie!”
“Here they come!”
“I told you they’d bring Sam and Tom.”
“Doesn’t Dora look sweet in that brown suit!”
“And how handsome Dick is getting!”
“Say, Tom looks awfully pale.” These words came from Nellie, and as she spoke she turned a bit pale herself.
“To be sure—he’s been real sick,” answered Grace. “But he’ll soon get over it, don’t worry,” she added, trying to comfort her sister.
By this time the touring car had come to a halt, and Dora and Dick and the two college boys were getting out. Then followed more handshaking and not a few kisses. Dora hugged her cousins and was hugged in return. All felt very happy and their faces showed it.
Of course Dick and Dora had to tell all about the trip, how they had gotten on the wrong road, and how a drove of cows had once blocked their way, and how they had stopped at one hotel where they had heard a concert given for charity.
“And the weather has been almost ideal,” said Dick. “Only one little shower that was just enough to lay the dust on the roads that weren’t oiled.”
To give Tom and Sam a chance to “visit” with Nellie and Grace, Dick continued to run the car, with Dora at his side, and all of the others in the back. With Nellie near him, Tom seemed to brighten up considerably and told a number of jokes that made everybody laugh. But with it all, he was by no means as lively as was natural with him.
“I’ve got it all arranged to go to Spotswood,” said Dick. “I telephoned to the big hotel there to have a table ready for us. And we’ll come back in the moonlight.”
“Oh glorious moonlight!” returned Sam, and gave Grace a look that caused her to blush deeply.
“Say, let us sing one of the old time songs!” cried Tom, and started one that had been their favorite ever since going to Putnam Hall Military Academy.
“That’s like old times!” exclaimed Dick. “But please don’t sing so loud or you may scare the car,” and this sally caused a general laugh.
“Don’t you miss the seminary, Dora?” asked Nellie.
“Of course I do, but—but—”
“She’d rather be with Dick,” finished Sam, with a wink.
“To be sure I would, Mr. Smarty,” came promptly from the bride.
“Wish I could leave college, as Dick did,” put in Tom, with a glance at Nellie. “I hate books anyway.”
“Oh, that’s because you are not strong yet, Tom,” said Dora, sympathetically.
“I’ve told him he ought to take more of a rest,” said Sam.
“Oh, let’s talk about something else,” cried Tom. “I’m tired of being held up as an object of sympathy. Look at the little calf!” he continued, pointing to a field beside the roadway. “A fellow could pick it up in his arms. Say, wouldn’t it be great to introduce that calf in Professor Blackie’s bedroom some night.”
“No more such tricks, Tom!” answered Dick, almost sternly. “You’ve got to settle down.”
“Oh, must I, Papa?” returned Tom, in a trembling childish treble. “Yes, Papa, I’ll be your own little good boy.” And then another general laugh went up.
“We hardly have any fun any more at Hope,” said Nellie. “It’s just lessons and lectures from morning to night, and the instructors are that sharp! Yesterday I missed a question in ancient history and I was nearly scared to death.”
“Humph! ancient history is enough to scare anybody to death. What’s the use of studying ancient history when there is so much history still to come of which we know absolutely nothing?” and Tom looked around with the air of a profound professor.
“Here is where we once came over in the Dartaway,” said Dick, a little later. “I guess you’ll remember that ride,” he added, to his bride.
“Shall I ever forget it!” murmured Dora. “Oh, how glad I was to get away from that horrid Josiah Crabtree and those Sobbers!” went on the girl, with a shudder. She referred to a happening which has been related in detail in “The Rover Boys in the Air.”
“Well, the Sobbers are going to get what is coming to them,” put in Tom.
“And old Crabtree, too,” said Dick. “They told me up at the hospital that the double break in his leg will make him more or less of a cripple for life.”
“Well, if ever a man deserved to be punished it was Josiah Crabtree,” said Sam. “He was a bad egg from the first time we met him at Putnam Hall. But I say, let us forget all that unpleasant past and enjoy ourselves,” and he started up another song, and the others joined in.
By six o’clock they reached Spotswood and Dick ran the touring car around to the big hotel located there. Then they went inside and washed up a little. In the dining room a special table had been set for them in an alcove. There was a big bouquet in the center and a small bouquet at each plate.
“Say, Dick, this is immense!” said Sam, admiringly.
“Just too lovely for anything!” burst out the Laning girls simultaneously.
“How did you come to think of the flowers?” asked Tom, putting his bouquet in his buttonhole and letting Nellie pin it fast.
“That was Dora’s idea,” answered the big brother.
“I thought it would brighten things up,” said Dora. “It’s our first dinner together since—since—you know,” and she blushed prettily.
“Since the wedding feast,” said Sam. “Well, it’s just A, Number One! Couldn’t be better!”
“That’s what!” cried Tom.
Dick and Dora had ordered the dinner with care, so there was a well-selected course, starting with tomato bisque soup and ending with ice-cream and crackers, cheese and coffee. They had some dainty fish and an extra tenderloin steak, and it is perhaps needless to state that the boys did full justice to all that was set before them, and the girls also ate heartily, for all were still in their growing years. Tom created some fun by sticking some stalks of celery in the big center bouquet on the sly and then asking Dora what
sort of flowers she had ordered mixed in. And Nellie told Dick he ought to make a speech and he said he’d leave that to Tom, whereupon the irrepressible Tom said he would deliver a lecture on ‘How to Cook for Two Alone’ if Dick and Dora wanted to listen. Then the fun became general and lasted long after the meal was over.
It was moonlight outside and presently all went to the broad veranda of the hotel. Tom naturally paired off with Nellie and Sam with Grace, and Dick and Dora wisely kept out of the way.
“We had our day, now let them have theirs,” said Dick, to his bride.
“By all means, Dick,” returned Dora, with a smile that made him pinch her arm. “But listen, dear,” she added, in a whisper. “Did you—did you notice Tom?”
“Yes.”
“He tries to keep up, but he isn’t himself at all.”
“I know it, and so does Sam, and, I might as well admit it, Dora, both of us are a good deal worried,” replied the young husband, gravely.
CHAPTER VII
COLLEGE DAYS
Sam and Grace sat in a corner of the piazza for the best part of half an hour, and during that time the girl told of her various doings at Hope and about the news from home, and Sam related what had occurred at Brill, omitting, however, to tell how Tom had sent Spud and Stanley into the old well hole. There was a good deal of nonsense added to the conversation, and it must be admitted that Sam held Grace’s hand as much as she would permit. They also spoke about the wedding of Dick and Dora, and of the good times they had enjoyed on that occasion.
Tom and Nellie took a stroll through a little park opposite the hotel. What they talked about none of the others knew at the time, but Nellie came back looking very sober and thoughtful, so that her sister wondered if Tom had really and truly proposed to her. Tom was whistling softly to himself, as if to keep up his courage.
“Well, I guess it is time to start on the return, if you young ladies have got to be in by ten,” said Dick, at last. “Even as it is I haven’t allowed any time for punctures or breakdowns.”
“Perish the thoughts of such happenings!” cried Grace.
“We’ve had our blow-out where I like it best—at the hotel,” added Sam, and this joke caused a smile.
As before, Dick drove the car, with Dora beside him, and the others in the tonneau. He had all his lights lit, making the roadway almost as bright as day. Once out of town, the oldest Rover put on speed until they were flying along grandly.
“Oh, Dick, be careful!” pleaded Dora. “You might hit something in the dark.”
“Not much to hit on this road,” he answered. “But I’ll look out, don’t fear.”
“Oh, let her go!” shouted Tom, recklessly. “Why, you can get ten miles more of speed, Dick, if you try. Let her out for all you are worth!”
“Oh, Tom!” pleaded Nellie, and as he arose and waved his hand she pulled him down on the seat. “If you don’t look out you’ll fall out.”
“‘Look out, fall out!’” repeated Tom. “A good joke! Ha! ha! Let her out, Dick!” And he tried to stand up again. “Want me to help?” And he leaned over his brother’s shoulder and took hold of the steering wheel.
“Drop it, Tom!” exclaimed Dick, warningly. “Do you want to steer us into a ditch? Drop it, I say!” And he pushed Tom with his elbow.
“Sit down, Tom,” called Sam, and caught hold of his brother. “Don’t monkey like that in the dark,—it’s dangerous.”
“Oh, I was only fooling,” returned the fun-loving one. “Can’t you stand for a little sport?” and then he sank in a corner and had nothing more to say for some time. Nellie heaved a deep sigh and for a moment buried her face in her hands.
All too soon Hope Seminary was reached and Sam and Tom escorted the Laning girls to the doorway of that institution. There was a fond good night, cut somewhat short on Nellie’s part, and then the Rover boys returned to the touring car.
“What a grand time,” murmured Grace, as she and her sister went upstairs to the room they occupied.
“Was it?” asked Nellie, absently. “I am glad you enjoyed it.”
“Why, Nellie, didn’t you?”
“No.”
“Oh!” And Grace clutched her sister by the arm. “What do you mean?”
“I—I can’t tell you!” burst out the other, and then she fairly ran for their room, and, once inside, threw herself on her bed and burst into tears. Grace came after her, locked the door, and sat down and held her hand. She thought she understood and determined to ask no more questions.
“You are going to stay in Ashton over night, are you not?” questioned Sam, of his brother, as the auto neared Brill.
“Yes.”
“I want to see you—to talk about Dad’s affairs,—and about Tom,” went on the youngest Rover, in a whisper.
“All right, Sam. I’ll get up early and run over here before breakfast. I’ll be at the gate at seven o’clock—if it is clear. I’ll see you first and then talk to Tom;” and so it was arranged.
“Here, what’s the secret?” demanded Tom, abruptly.
“Nothing much,” answered Sam. “Dick will be over to see us in the morning, before he and Dora go back.”
“Oh, all right.” Tom gave a sudden chuckle. “Wish I had brought that calf along. I could have a barrel of fun with him tonight!”
“You’re going right to bed, and so am I,” answered Sam. “We’ve had fun enough for the present.” And then he and his brother said good-bye to Dora, for they did not expect to see her again for some time to come.
Sam was afraid that Tom might not want to go to bed so soon, but his fears were groundless. Tom undressed at once and inside of five minutes was in profound slumber. He occasionally moved uneasily in his sleep and sighed heavily, but that was all.
“Maybe he ought to have a doctor, but what a doctor can do for him I don’t know,” thought Sam, and retired himself, sighing deeply. With Tom not himself the whole world seemed wrong.
Dick was on hand at the appointed time and Sam was glad to get up to meet him and know that Tom was still sleeping.
“Well, first of all, I’ll have to tell you about Dad,” said Dick, as he ran the auto up the road a bit, out of sight of Brill. “He is not nearly as well as I would like to see and the doctor says he must not dream of doing a stroke of work. So that leaves all that New York business, and that Western business, in my hands.”
“Can you manage it, Dick?”
“I’ve got to manage it, Sam. And in the meantime I’ve got Mrs. Stanhope’s affairs to look after, and also Dora’s money matters. It is keeping me hustling, I can tell you. I never dreamed I would become such an out-and-out business fellow.”
“It’s fine of you to be able to do it, Dick. I am only sorry I can’t help you. But some day Tom and I will finish up here and then we’ll take hold.”
“Sure, I know that. But now let us drop business. Tell me all about Tom. Just how has he been acting? I know you didn’t want to let out in front of the girls.”
“Well, Tom is a problem, Dick. Sometimes he acts as bright as ever and then he seems to be clean off.” And then, in as few words as possible, Sam related the particulars of his brother’s doings since he had returned to Brill. As he proceeded Dick’s face grew very thoughtful.
“I don’t like this at all,” he said flatly. “Maybe after all it would be much better to send Tom home and place him under the care of a specialist. If he remains here there is no telling what he will do next. Supposing Spud or Stanley had been drowned in that well hole?” and Dick gave a shiver.
“Yes, but how are you going to get him home if he won’t go?”
“Do you think he’ll object?”
“Yes, Dick. But you can try him, if you wish,” concluded Sam. And then the pair returned to the college grounds.
By this time Tom had come below and was looking for them.
“Say, Tom, why not return to Cedarville with me and Dora?” asked Dick, kindly. “I am sure the trip would do you good, and when you got there you could take a good, long rest.”
“Humph! all at me to rest, eh? Well, I’m not going to rest; I’m going to study and get through here just as soon as possible.” Tom straightened up. “Now, don’t you two think I can’t do it, for I can. I feel stronger every day. That crack I got on the head was a fierce one, I admit, but it isn’t going to knock me out, not by a long shot! In a few weeks I’ll be as strong as ever.”
Dick and Sam looked at each other in dismay. Clearly it was out of the question to try to argue with Tom, who had always been more or less headstrong.
“All right then, stay,” said Dick. “But take it easy, Tom, and do what Sam tells you to.” A little later Dick drew Sam to one side and asked him to keep a close watch on his brother.
“I’ll do my best.”
“And notify me at once if anything goes wrong,” added Dick. Then he took the next quarter of an hour to visit with Songbird and some of his other old chums. Spud hailed him with delight and even Stanley smiled warmly as he shook hands.
“Stanley, I want to ask you to bear with poor Tom,” said Dick, as he continued to hold the other’s hand. “He isn’t himself at all, and you ought to be able to see it. Sam and I want him to go home and consult a specialist, but he won’t do it. I don’t know what to make of him. What he did was terrible, and I am sure he wouldn’t have done it if he was in his right mind.”
“Maybe,” returned Stanley, hesitatingly. “I’ve been talking it over with Spud and maybe I was a little harsh. But to be tumbled in that well hole, in the mud and water, made me mad clean through.”
“It would make anybody mad, and I wouldn’t stand for it either, if Tom was in his right mind. But you can see how it is. Sam and I feel terrible over it. I want you to forgive him, and I want you and Spud and Songbird to help Sam watch him.”
“Why, do you think he’ll do something desperate?” asked Stanley, curiously.
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