Doris Force at Locked Gates; Or, Saving a Mysterious Fortune

g in their excitement that supper had not been finished. Doris and K

gushed, playfully straightening Iris's lace co

in confusion. Ronald Trent winked at Doris and

ughing at everything which might be remotely interpreted as a joke. Doris was completely disgusted at the way the man was acting, and when he tried to cajole her into a mor

atter, girlie

Doris retur

rself by saying something which would offend the Gates sisters. How coul

"They haven't had much attentio

ved when Iris asked Kitty if s

cal," Kitty returned, "but

ng over the music she selected a familiar piece, struck a few chords, and began to sing.

when she had finished. "Yo

"but can't you sing something liveli

amused smile. "Really, if you want popular music, I can't

th America. In many particulars the story did not hang together, and Doris and Kitty were bored. Iris and Aza

hat this boasting, crude stranger could really be her cousin. There must be a mis

undled off to your little beds?" he asked,

zalea murmured. "If you like, I ca

eepy yet," Kitty

t fairly gl

ich warned the girls he expected to be obeyed. "I ha

hrough a long hall and down a number of steps into a wing which branc

g all by ourselves," Kitty said uneasily

dresser. Several rag rugs were scattered over the bare floor. Double windows looked down o

Kitty looked under the bed

e of the bed. "And the way he sent us to bed just as though we

omforted. "He doesn't look or act like

onder what he wants

to hear, that's certain. Sa

ndred miles from here-Clo

y few days to see Azalea and

ies-far too good for that loud creature-but at the same time they

whit about them.

ed into bed and Doris put out the light. Snuggling down into the covers, they shivered a bit as the wind rattle

g," Kitty whispered. "Folks are

Doris whispered in return. "It looks to me as

old house was quiet, and presently the

rious cousin depart

ors close farther down the hall and k

st the windows, and the weird sounds made by the wind, kept them in a state of nervous suspe

e whispere

stop," her ch

o whimper until the girls were afraid

He's out there all alone in a stra

any longer, she slipped out

going to do?"

ring him up her

bout kill you, if

so quietly no o

e alone while you're gone

come a

It's t

now, without making a light, she

whisper. "If Wags lets out a yelp while y

of the wind and the rattling of doors and windows. Hesitating a moment, she noiselessly stole down th

the glimmer of an oil lamp. To her further amazement she saw two men sittin

others were about, she was tempted to remain. Instinctively, she had sensed that all was not as it should be. She distinctly remembered hearing Ronald

so as not to miss a wo

ank?" she heard Ro

ered so low that Doris scarcely caught the words. "Tak

id. "First thing we know that smart-looking Force kid will throw a

't the o

es," growled

tfit much longer," mum

d Trent, a bit maliciously. "The town officials

nd-just too many," muttered Henry disgustedly, taking out his watch, and winding the stem thou

was no need. They were enti

hat bunch of flowers smell good to me! I love the ladies, especially the pretty girlies, Henry. I'm not

es Gates, it was plain to be seen, as he ac

Trent took out a wallet an

dark hallway, unable

Ronald went on. "I had to play up to 'em

letter off to the red-head. T

. She had heard enough to convince her that Henry and Ronald were con

rd to catch more o