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Page 52
The boat on the shore and the disappearance of the two girls who had
visited him that morning told the whole story. Why had the two young
women concealed themselves unless they meant to guard the fugitive
Mollie?
When Madge started back through the woods the man followed her at a
safe distance. He did not wish her to know that he was following her,
for fear she would lead him off the trail, but he kept near enough to
know exactly where she was going.
She arrived, as she believed undiscovered, at their hiding place in the
woods.
Phyllis and Mollie heard her light footfalls and gave a united sigh of
relief. Their friend had escaped discovery. So far all was well!
Madge leaned over the opening of the cave, to reassure her friends
before she crawled into it again.
"It's all right!" she cried softly. "I saw no one, heard nothing. We
can get away, without any trouble, in another hour."
She crouched down to slip into the place of concealment. At the same
instant the three girls heard a noise. It was unmistakably the hurried
tramp of heavy feet! Mike Muldoon burst through the thicket of trees,
his face blazing with heat and anger.
CHAPTER XVIII
ON A STRANGE SHORE
Madge had just time enough to leap to her feet. She would not allow
their determined enemy to catch her while in the act of hiding.
"Keep still," she whispered quickly to Phyllis and Mollie. Then she
turned, with flashing eyes, to the approaching figure of Captain Mike
Muldoon.
"What do you want?" she demanded imperiously, stamping her foot. "Why
have you followed me through the woods?"
For a moment the man was speechless. It had not dawned on him that
Madge would turn upon him. He had expected her to burst into tears and
exhibit signs of fear.
"I want my daughter, and I want her quick, young woman," he answered
gruffly. "When I find her I will settle with you." He pushed past
Madge and dragged the unfortunate Mollie from her place of shelter.
Phil sprang out after her. Her black eyes were flashing with anger and
disappointment. She fastened a firm grip on Mollie's arm. If Mike
Muldoon jerked or shook his daughter, he would jerk and shake Phyllis
Alden, too, for nothing would induce her to let go her hold on Mollie.
"Let me go," whispered Mollie gently, looking affectionately into the
faces of her new friends. "I don't want you to be in trouble for my
sake. I ran away. It was no fault of yours." Mollie appeared to be
quite rational. She seemed to appreciate the girls' loyalty to her.
"Give up my daughter and get back to where you came from, and I will
let you off this time," roared Mike savagely. He did not think it wise
to deal roughly with the girls. Their friends would surely come to
look for them and hold him responsible for their disappearance.
"We won't go a step unless you will let Mollie go with us," returned
Phil wrathfully. "You shan't make her marry that horrible Bill. It is
unlawful for you to force her to marry against her will."
Mike moved stolidly ahead, gripping his daughter and pulling her along
with him. Phyllis, who was still clutching Mollie's arm, followed
after, while Madge walked valiantly by Phil's side.
"Leave go!" Mike shouted, raising his fist threateningly at Phyllis.
Mollie cried out at the thought of possible hurt to her friend, but
Phyllis did not falter. She gazed up at the burly sailor with a look
of such intense scorn, mingled with defiance, that he dropped his hand
to his side and said sneeringly: "Come back to my shanty boat, then. I
will settle with you when we get there."
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