A THICKENED PLOT
"This is becoming a habit," said Dorothy to Tavia, as they climbed the
steps of the Fifth Avenue 'bus, homeward bound after a few morning hours
spent in the shopping district, the day after the skating party.
"Everybody seems to have the habit too," commented Tavia. "We can shop
steadily for two hours, and still not purchase anything. That's what I
find so fascinating!"
"To me the charm of shopping lies in being able to buy anything that
inspires one at the moment, and then calmly return it the next day. In
that way, we can really possess for a few hours almost anything we set
our hearts on," said Dorothy gleefully.
"Like returning the brass horses and finger bowls!" said Tavia.
"Not to mention the rows of books and boxes of handkerchiefs," Dorothy
opened a box of chocolates as she spoke, and the candy occupied their
attention for several minutes.
The 'bus stopped for a man who had hastily crossed the street in front of
it. He climbed the steps and sat directly opposite the girls from the
country. Tavia was busy with her thoughts and did not see him. Dorothy,
however, noticed him, but said nothing to Tavia, because, for one
frightened moment, she remembered him as the stranger who had so closely
watched Tavia on the lake the morning before. To divert attention she
began to talk rapidly.
"I'm so sorry Bob cannot stay after to-morrow morning," she said. At
mention of Bob's name Tavia turned her head toward the sidewalk, and away
from the stranger. "Do you recall the first time we met him, Tavia?"
"I don't recall much about Bob," said Tavia, diffidently, "I think he is
too domineering. He is always preaching to me!"
"He takes a brotherly interest in your welfare," teased Dorothy, for Bob
was the one subject on which Tavia could really be teased. "Ned seems to
have lost his place of big brother to Tavia," she continued, meanwhile
casting sidewise glances at the man opposite. He sat staring deliberately
at Tavia, and Dorothy was just about to suggest that they leave the 'bus
and rid themselves of the man's distasteful glances, when Tavia glanced
across the aisle and recognized the real estate agent!
For some reason that Tavia could not then fathom, she trembled, and
quickly jumped up, saying to Dorothy:
"Let's get off here! I'd rather walk the rest of the way; wouldn't you?"
As Dorothy had been about to suggest that very thing, she looked in
surprise from the man to Tavia and saw him raise his hat.
"This is a very fortunate meeting," said Mr. Akerson to Tavia, "I
couldn't have asked for anything more timely. Mrs. White, your aunt,
expects to be at my office in twenty minutes and she expressed a desire,
over the telephone, to have you girls meet her there. How strangely
things happen! I am so fortunate as to be able to deliver the message,
and you will get there almost as soon as she will." He spoke easily, and
with a slight smile about his lips.
"My aunt?" repeated Tavia, mystified, "I haven't an aunt!"
"Isn't Mrs. White your aunt," he asked.
"Mrs. White is my aunt," interrupted Dorothy. "Who are you please?"
"Mr. Akerson, Mrs. White's real estate manager. Have I the pleasure of
addressing her niece?"
Dorothy assented with a quick nod of her head. "But we were not informed
of her visit to your office," she said quickly.
"Do just as you like," said Mr. Akerson, coolly, "I get off here. I only
thought it lucky to have had the pleasure of carrying out Mrs. White's
wishes. Don't misunderstand me," he added, "I did not start out to hunt
through the New York shops for you, it was merely a happy coincidence
that we met. Mrs. White 'phoned me after you left and merely mentioned
that as she was coming down town she wished she could meet you. Well,
I've an engagement on this block for five minutes, and then I return to
meet Mrs. White in my office."
He left the 'bus and the girls just stared!
"How did that man know us?" cried Dorothy, too astounded to think of any
answer to her own question.
"I know how he knew me," said Tavia, grimly. "But how did he know I knew?
Oh, dear me, it's all knows and knews; what am I trying to say?"
"Can people in New York sense relationship as folk pass by on top of
'buses?" questioned Dorothy, of the dazzling sunlight.
"Why," queried Tavia, "should Aunt Winnie tell him that she wanted us to
meet her at his office?"
"Or how," demanded Dorothy, "did he happen to be in just this section of
the city and jump on our very 'bus?"
"But Mrs. White may even now be waiting for us, anxiously hoping for our
arrival," exclaimed Tavia; "though of course she couldn't guess he would
meet us. It must be a strange chance, as he says."
"Of course we start down town immediately," declared Dorothy, "I know the
address."
"Well Dorothy," said Tavia, mysteriously, "Mr. Akerson may be a shrewd
business man, and be playing a skillful game, but I am not one whit
afraid to go directly to his office, and see the whole thing through to
the end!"
"It's exactly what I intend to do," said Dorothy, decidedly. "This, I
rather feel, may be our unexpected opportunity to quickly squelch the
well-laid plans of this man. But, Tavia, aren't you just a little bit
dubious about going alone? Hadn't we better return home first?"
"No, we'll take the next car downtown, and we must work together to lay
bare the real facts!" declared Tavia as they ran for a downtown Broadway
car.