Dave Porter at Star Ranch | Page 6

his sister. "Where is father?"
"Gone out of town on business. He'll be back this evening."
"And Uncle Dunston?"
"Uncle went with him."
"Oh, that's too bad!" And Dave's face showed more concern than ever.
"What was the trouble about?" asked Jessie, who was quick to see that Dave was ill at ease.
"Oh, Mr. Poole thought I shot at him--but I didn't," replied Dave, and then told the story.
"Oh, Dave, do you really think he'll have you locked up!" burst out his sister, while Jessie's face showed her deep concern.
"I don't know what he'll do," was the slow answer.
"Oh, maybe he won't do anything--after he calms down," said the shipowner's son. "He'll realize that Dave wouldn't do anything like that on purpose."
"You don't know Mr. Poole," said Jessie. "Father says he is one of the most hard-hearted men around here."
"Well, let us hope for the best," said the senator's son. He wanted to cheer up Laura and Jessie quite as much as Dave.
The boys put the pistols away and then went out in a summerhouse to talk the affair over.
"If he has me arrested, I suppose that will stop my going out to Star Ranch," said Dave, gloomily. "Too bad! And just when I was counting on having the time of my life!"
"Oh, don't take it so to heart, Dave!" cried Phil. "Maybe you'll never hear of it again."
"He'll hear of it if Mr. Poole tells Nat," said the senator's son. "Nat will want his father to make all the trouble possible for Dave."
"Where is Nat now? At home?"
"Yes," answered Dave. "I saw him yesterday, down at the post-office."
"Then he'll surely hear about it."
At first Dave thought to tell Caspar Potts about the affair, but then he realized that the professor was too old to aid him. Besides, the aged man was not well, and the boy hated to disturb him.
The middle of the afternoon came and went, and nothing was heard from Aaron Poole. Mrs. Wadsworth went out carriage-riding, taking the girls with her.
"Let us take a walk," proposed Phil. "No use in hanging around the house for nothing."
"I don't want Mr. Poole to think I ran away," answered Dave.
Nevertheless, he agreed to go with his chums, and they started off, leaving word that they would be back in time for dinner, which was served at the Wadsworth mansion at half-past six.
"I'd like to see that place where you used to live with Professor Potts," said the senator's son to Dave. "Is it far from here?"
"Quite a distance, but we can easily walk it," was the reply.
They passed out on the country road and were soon tramping along in the direction of the old Potts place. As they went on they talked over the proposed trip to the West.
"We ought surely to have the time of our lives," said the shipowner's son. "Just think of riding like the wind on some of those broncos!"
"Or getting flung heels over head from a bronco's back," added Roger. "I rather think we'll have to be careful at first."
"One thing I don't like about this trip," said Dave.
"The fact that Link Merwell's father owns the next ranch to the Star?"
"Exactly."
"Oh, ranch homes out there are sometimes miles apart," said Roger. "You may not see the Merwells at all."
"That will just suit me,--and I know it will suit Laura, too. She is awfully sorry that she once corresponded with Link."
"Well, she didn't know what he was," answered the senator's son. Ever since he had met Laura he had been much interested in Dave's sister.
The three chums had covered about half the distance to the old Potts place when they saw a horse and buggy approaching. As it came closer they saw that it contained two men.
"It's Mr. Poole!" cried Dave, and then, as he caught sight of the other man's face, he turned a trifle pale. "Step behind here!" he called to Phil and Roger, and pulled them back of some handy bushes.
The horse and buggy soon came up to them and passed on, the three boys keeping out of sight until the turnout was gone. Dave gave a deep sigh.
"I guess Mr. Poole means business," he said.
"What do you mean?" questioned the senator's son.
"I mean he is going to have me locked up."
"Why?" asked Phil.
"That man in the buggy with him was Mr. Mardell, the police justice."
CHAPTER III
AN INTERVIEW OF INTEREST
"Well, I shouldn't go back home until your father and your uncle return," said the senator's son. "Then, if you are arrested, they'll know exactly what to do."
"It's too bad it happened!" murmured Dave. "I wish I had gotten off to the West without seeing Aaron Poole. But I suppose there is no use in crying over spilt milk. I'll have to face the music, and take what comes."
The three lads went on, and presently came in sight