If you just wait I'll
peek in at the door and see. Won't you step inside?"
"Oh, no, indeed," Tom replied in an undertone. "I had no idea of
disturbing any one. I thought just to look around the house and see if all
was well. I am on my way home from the telegraph office. Aunt Margaret
thought of an important message which she insisted had to go out
to-night."
Dorothy turned toward the library. Scarcely had she rounded the alcove
when Tom noticed some one at the top of the stairs.
It was Tavia.
She stood for a moment looking at Tom, then she nodded her head in a
friendly way and disappeared as quietly as she had come.
"Awkward," thought Tom, "but any one would know I am here to hear about
Ned."
Dorothy was coming back now, and she was smiling.
"Sound asleep," she whispered.
"Good," breathed Tom. "Now I won't keep you another second. Awfully good
of you to let me in."
"Not at all," stammered Dorothy. "I was just a little frightened first. I
will know better than to light up at midnight again."
"The midnight alarm!" quoted Tom, making his way out. "Don't stand in the
draft. It's cold enough. Good-night!"
Then he was gone.
Dorothy flew back to her room, agitated, but comforted that Ned was
resting. This knowledge seemed to assure her that he was not seriously
injured, and now she took up the Tavia question.
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