The Blue Grass Seminary Girls' Vacation Adventures Part 55

As Jones, greatly surprised, would have stepped back, Mr. Willing raised one arm, and deliberately slapped the man across the face.

"Perhaps that will teach you, sir," he exclaimed, "to let me and mine alone in the future."

Jones was no coward. He wiped a few drops of blood from his lips, and stepping suddenly forward, aimed a heavy blow at Mr. Willing.

But the latter, in spite of his age, was still agile and strong. He sprang to one side, and avoided the blow, but then, stepping in close, sent his fist into the other's face with all his power.

Jones struck the sidewalk like a log. His companion took to his heels.

A crowd, attracted by the scuffle, began to gather.

Presently Jones pulled himself together and scrambled to his feet. Mr.

Willing still stood with clenched fists and set lips.

"Have you had enough?" he asked. "Or shall I give you another dose?"

For one moment it seemed that Jones would renew the fight; but after a look at the rapidly gathering crowd, he turned and walked away.

"Three cheers for the old boy," shouted a youngster in the crowd.

The cheers were given with a will.

At that moment a hand was laid on Mr. Willing's shoulder. The latter turned to face a policeman.

"You are under arrest," said the officer. "Come with me."

In vain Mr. Willing protested. The officer was firm. Finally Mr. Willing consented to go without trouble.

"If you'll step into my car, I'll drive you to the station," he said.

The policeman accepted this offer.

Shirley, perceiving her father in the hands of the law, was frightened.

Mr. Willing rea.s.sured her, however, when he stepped into the car, and ordered the chauffeur to drive to police headquarters.

As they continued down the street, the crowd gave three more ringing cheers. Mr. Willing was forced to smile.

At the police station Mr. Willing had little difficulty explaining matters satisfactorily to the sergeant, and he was allowed to go.

"You did perfectly right," declared the old sergeant.

He shook hands with Mr. Willing and his daughter, and wished them good luck. The latter then returned to their hotel.

"I guess that was enough punishment for Jones," said Mr. Willing cheerfully in relating the occurrence to Mr. Ashton a short time later.

"Indeed it was," was the reply, "and it also saved you a lot of court trouble and notoriety."

"Right you are," agreed Mr. Willing.

Two days longer the party stayed in Louisville, and then set out for home. Jimmy's injuries were getting along nicely and no serious results were antic.i.p.ated. The mark on Shirley's face, caused by the blow of the whip, was also rapidly disappearing.

An hour before it was time for their train to leave, d.i.c.k was announced.

Shirley welcomed him warmly, as did Mr. Willing.

"My daughter has told me of you," said the latter, "and I should be glad to have you go home with us. I can offer you work on my farm."

"Thank you, sir," replied d.i.c.k, "but, for the present, I prefer to remain here."

"But," protested Mr. Willing, "surely you have not such a remunerative place here that makes you so anxious to stay?"

"No, sir. I am only an office boy in a big newspaper office, but some of these days, sir, I hope to climb. Within the year I expect to be on the reportorial staff of the _Star_."

"Well, you know your own mind best. However, I should be pleased to have you go with us."

"And I should be pleased to go, sir."

"Perhaps he will come and spend Christmas with us," suggested Shirley.

"I certainly shall, if it is possible," replied the lad. "But you know, Miss Willing, a newspaper man works holidays as well as others. However, it may be that I can get off."

"You must get away," declared Shirley. "We shall expect you."

"I will do my best," the lad promised.

"Well," said Mr. Willing, "we shall have to be getting down toward the station. It is getting late."

d.i.c.k shook hands all around and bowed himself out

"A very manly and likeable boy," said Mr. Willing, as he disappeared through the door.

"Indeed he is," replied Shirley.

An hour later the party was speeding along in the direction of Lexington.

Gabriel already had been shipped home, and they knew that they would find him there, safe and sound, when they returned. Shirley had not seen the horse since just after the race, and was anxious to call upon him in his own home.

So, the first thing after their arrival at the farm, she, Mabel, Leonard and Jimmy made straight for Gabriel's stall. The racehorse received them with whinnies of joy.

"Good old Gabriel," said Shirley, dashing into the stall and throwing her arms around the animal's neck. "I knew you would win for us. And think what you have accomplished. You have saved the farm for Dad and me."

The others now approached, and Gabriel put aside his customary unfriendliness toward strangers, and allowed all to pat him to their hearts' content.

"Well," said Leonard, "I have had the time of my life here, and I am sorry to say that I shall have to leave you to-morrow."

"Leave us?" exclaimed Shirley in surprise.

"Yes. I start home to-morrow night."

Both girls heard this piece of news with regret, for both had become greatly attached to young Wolfe.