CHAPTER XXXIII.

SQUIRE PAGET'S MOVE.

Let us leave Ralph for a short time and go back to Westville and see what
was occurring at that place during his absence. Of course, when the boy did
not return in the evening from his trip up Big Silver Lake, Mrs. Nelson was
much worried over his absence. She took supper alone, after waiting until
eight o'clock for him to make his appearance, and then took a walk down to
the bridge where her son was in the habit of tying up.

"Have you seen anything of Ralph?" she asked of Dan Pickley, who sat in the
office, counting his tolls for the day.

"No," he returned, shortly, and went on with his counting.

Not wishing to disturb him, the widow said no more. She strained her eyes
to see through the gathering darkness, but not a boat that could be the
right one appeared in sight.

After waiting nearly an hour she returned to the cottage. She sat up until
twelve o'clock, watching and waiting, and went to bed.

"If something had happened they would let me know," she said to herself.
"He must have taken out some party and been detained. He will surely come
back by to-morrow noon."

But the morrow came, and the morning passed slowly by without any one
coming near the distressed woman.

After dinner she could bear the suspense no longer. Dressing up and putting
on her bonnet, she started out to walk to Glen Arbor.

On the way she met one of the neighbors who was driving and offered her a
seat in his wagon. She accepted the offer gladly, for she was not
accustomed to walking a long distance.

"It ain't often you go to Glen Arbor, I reckon," said the neighbor, a
farmer named Wilkins.

"No," she replied, "I am going to see what has become of Ralph."

"Ralph! What's the matter with him? Run away?"

"I hope not, Mr. Wilkins. But he did not return last night from a trip on
the lake, and I am worried."

"Maybe he couldn't get back because he went too far and the wind died out."

"There was a good breeze all night."

"That's so, widow. Well, I hope you find Ralph all right."

"So do I," returned Mrs. Nelson.

She knew very well where Bill Franchard's boat-house was, and after leaving
Mr. Wilkins, walked hither quickly. Luckily, she found Franchard on shore,
mending one of his boats.

"Where is Ralph, Mr. Franchard?" she asked, hurriedly.

"That's just what I'd like to know, Mrs. Nelson," replied the boatman. "He
ain't showed up since he went off yesterday morning."