Sioux County pioneer. (Fort Yates, Sioux County, N.D.) 1914-1929, 1919-08-21
A Runaway
3, VERA BLANCHE DoRR
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He had not spoken and Dora Morton
had broken her spell of bondage end
her chance of happiness by acting
rashly but definitely. He was. Russell
Blake and Dora loved him. Had Blake
dreamed of the truth for single mo-
ment he would have lost no time IN
telling her of his undying devotion.
Because he feared to be presumptuous
and because he hoped to win her re-
gard by giving her time to make up
her mind consistently, he had been
friendly but respectful, attentive but
reticent us to the real stute of his
feelings.
Russell Blake did not know that,
while on the surface Abel Wilde, the
guardian of Dora, was suave. smiling
and did not particularly resent his
frequent calls upon his charming young
ward. the hypocrite was prosecuting
her in a way that aroused all the
spirit that was within her. Dora had
a little fortune coming to her and
Abel Wilde was trustee for the same.
He also had son, BARLEY. whom
he was determined to marry to Dora.
She was as resolute In contrary d.
rection. When she had fully discerned
the purpose Of her guardian she stren-
uously objected to accept BARLEY
Wilde as sutton. Then there was
war. Abel Wilde, cruelty persistent.
faced her with his absolute control
Of her means and her actions until
she was Fl. He threatened to send
her to private seminary where she
would be under tyrant rule, away
from friends and away from Blake.
"Heard the news?" a friend asked
Of Blake one morning.
"what about7" queried the young
lawyer.
"Dora Morton has run away from
home. Old Wilde kept It quiet for
half a week, but the fact has leaked
out. There was a terrific family row,
a household servant says. That old
barbarian threatened to isolate Dora
like a nun and his gawky son insisted
she should marry him forthwith. Then
the housekeeper locked Dora In her
room, but during the night she made
her escape from m upper window.
They have been trying to trace her
ever since, but she has left no trail
behind her"
OF course Blake was disturbed more
than that. anxious and upset. He knew
Of the plot Of the Wildes to force the
young heiress to comply with their
wishes. The impulse was strong with
Blake to accuse the old schemer to. his
face Of his plotful turpitude, but It
was not the part Of policy to do so.
Blake controlled his latent rage and
indignation. met Abel Wilde in cas-
ual way and sought to gain some hint
Of the possible whereabouts Of his
vanished love. In this he was unsuc-
csssful, but he was certain that Dora
had fled Of her own volition.
Blake made diligent inquiry among
Dora's girl friends, but gained no in
dication Of any distant refuge to which
she might have fled. He was seated in
his Office one afternoon, unable to con-
centrate his thoughts upon any SUBJ
ject save the fact Of Dora's vanish
ment, when the telephone bell rang.
He took up the receiver to he in
formed that 1t was long distance call.
There was a brief lapse and then a
voice that. thrilled him came over the
wire.
"Dora!" he breathed, his soul in an
instant aflame.
rs this Mr.. Blake?" spoke the dis
tant voice. II am Dora Morton. You
have been my good friend and I wished
you to know, and to tell other friends
that shall not return to Ferndale. I
think you know the reason why"
"But where are you?" impetuously
inquired Blake.
mo. mol must not tell you. I have
an opportunity to go as nurse to a
lady who Is to live in California.
! Good by. and thank YOU" cover the
top, hurrah! I'm a Yankl Rahl rah !
rahl" tangled in an amazing Interrupt
ton. Blake realized that the accents
were those Of a parrot. Wire COM
municati0n was cut on, and he stood
in maze, his senses vibrating with
sentient emotions Of longing, disap-
pointment and uncertainty, commin.
gled. Then, he aroused himself to act
with necessary celebrity. He phoned
central, asked the source Of the call
and learned that 1t had come from
Stanton. Had Blake been Tess stirred
mp and5anxiops he might have endeav-
,pfed to secure the number Of the phone
sending the message. but the fact that
be had located the city where Dora
was seemed sufficient as a hopeful
starting point.
Blake reached staunton that after.
noon. Two facts were within his clear
understanding: Dora was in hiding
somewhere in that place, the house
+ from which she had phoned. had a
parrot. His only anxiety now was that
Dora might start on her proposed trip
sas. a nurse before he had time "a IN.