Chapter 8 The Message in the Hollow Oak by Carolyn Keene
An Ancient Feud
Gradually Nancy sensed that by bringing Mrs. Donnelly to the home of Mrs. Ranny she unwittingly had committed a grave error. Undoubtedly an old feud existed between the two women. Where they had met, or what had caused the trouble she had no idea; yet there was no question but that at the present moment the two were bitter enemies.
Nancy would have made an effort to effect a reconciliation had it seemed at all possible to do so, but the way the two glared at each other so angrily she felt it would be useless for her to attempt it.
“Take me away from here!” Mrs. Donnelly commanded.
Nancy ordered the driver to go back to the Hamilton Hotel. For some time the little party rode on in silence, the girls waiting for Mrs. Donnelly to offer some excuse for her strange behavior. For several minutes she stared straight ahead of her and said nothing, but finally spoke up.
“I never expected to see her again in my life,” she presently murmured.
The chums waited expectantly. Then she went on, a slightly bitter note in her voice:
“Her father and mine were rivals years ago at Wellington Lake. They had trouble over a tract of timber.”
“And is that the reason why you harbor this ill feeling toward Mrs. Ranny?” Nancy probed gently.
“Mrs. Ranny? Is that her name now? I knew her when she was a girl—neither of us was married at the time. I guess it was natural that we should dislike each other when our fathers were at such swords’ points. Probably the fight would never have been so bitter had it not been for money. But when gold is involved, people lose all sense of balance.”
“Gold?” Nancy inquired alertly.
“Yes. The timber tract I mentioned is very near your land. But please don’t ask me to go into detail about it now. Meeting that woman after all these years has upset me dreadfully. I don’t like to talk about it.”
“I’m very sorry I took you there,” Nancy apologized. “I had no idea you were acquainted with Mrs. Ranny.”
Mrs. Donnelly patted the girl’s hand.
“There, there, don’t look so distressed, child. Of course it wasn’t your fault. It was just an unfortunate occurrence.”
Nancy longed to ask questions about the old feud between the two families, and wanted to learn more about the competition for the timber land, but she carefully restrained herself. She could tell that Mrs. Donnelly had been greatly unnerved by the incident, and feared that the woman might break down before they could take her to the hotel.
“You must go to bed as soon as I can engage a room for you,” Nancy told her. “This long ride from the hospital has been too much of a strain on you.”
“I do feel exhausted. If I could just get some sleep——”
“You shall. Now, don’t give Mrs. Ranny another thought,” the girl added, as they reached their destination.
Nancy did not leave her until the woman had calmed down sufficiently to go to sleep. Then she returned to her chums, and the three discussed the situation together.
“I cannot figure out how we’ll ever manage to go on to Wellington Lake,” Bess said gloomily. “After this set-back Mrs. Donnelly may be unable to travel for a week.”
“The meeting with Mrs. Ranny was unfortunate, to say the least,” Nancy acknowledged. “Still, Mrs. Donnelly looked much better when I left her. I believe after another day she’ll be quite like herself again.”
“There’s still Miss Chapelle to think of,” George reminded her friend. “What are you going to do about her?”
Nancy had not forgotten her new friend. Unbeknown to Bess and George, she had left word at the hospital that should the authoress experience the slightest turn for the worse, they were to notify the Drew girl at once.
“I couldn’t leave here until I was sure Miss Chapelle was out of danger,” Nancy told her chums soberly. “I took such a great liking to her. Besides, she’s absolutely alone.”
Bess and George nodded in agreement.
“I guess we’re all fretting because of the delay,” Nancy went on in a more animated tone. “It seems I can’t wait until we reach Canada! If there should be gold on the land——”
“That phrase has been your theme song ever since we left River Heights,” George laughed.
“Gold can bring about a great many complications,” Bess commented. “You have just seen how it has caused a bitter feud between Mrs. Donnelly and Mrs. Ranny.”
“It seems a pity that they are estranged,” Nancy murmured. “Of course, we may not know all the story, but often serious quarrels develop from mere trifles.”
It was almost time for the mail to be distributed. After discussing the situation a while longer, the girls descended to the lobby. They did not really expect any letters, so were pleasantly surprised when the clerk handed each of them a fat envelope.
“Word from home!” Nancy cried joyfully, dropping down in the nearest chair to read the lengthy communication which her father had sent.
“I’m almost afraid to open mine,” Bess said uneasily. “If Mother insists that I return home instead of going on to Lake Wellington, I’ll be mighty disappointed.”
The girls had no real reason for worrying. Although their parents had been greatly disturbed by the news of the accident, they evidently had discussed the matter together. They had concluded that since the girls were so near the Canadian border it would be much better for them to remain where they were until Mrs. Donnelly should fully recover, when they might continue according to their original plan.
“Everything is fine now,” Nancy declared in relief. “Father sent me some more money. If our expenses should mount up faster than we expect, we’ll still have plenty of funds.”
Carson Drew had added a brief note of warning to his somewhat lengthy communication.
“Be sure,” he wrote, “to keep a sharp lookout for Tom Stripe and Raymond Niles. I have reason to believe that they have left River Heights.”
Nancy re-read the paragraph, recalling that Bess had maintained she had seen Niles at the time of the wreck. Had the men planned to follow her to Canada? The thought troubled her.
“Why are you scowling?” George demanded with a laugh. “Bad news from home?”
Nancy’s face relaxed.
“No, I was just thinking about something—nothing important, I guess.”
The girls were starting toward the elevator, when the clerk motioned for them to return to the desk.
“A telephone call for you, Miss Drew,” he said.
Nancy went into a nearby booth. As she took down the receiver she found herself connected with the Good Hope Hospital.
“Miss Drew, you asked us to notify you if Miss Chapelle’s condition had changed. We should like to have you come to the hospital without a moment’s delay.”
“Has she taken a turn for the worse?” Nancy inquired anxiously.
“Yes. The doctors have decided to operate. It’s the only hope they have of saving her life.”
“I’ll be there in a few minutes,” Nancy promised.
She returned to her chums, and quickly explained to them the situation.
“I must leave at once. I don’t know when I can get back, so perhaps you two should stay with Mrs. Donnelly in case she needs some one.”
“We’ll look after her,” George promised. “Oh, I do hope Miss Chapelle rallies from her operation.”
Fifteen minutes later Nancy reached the county hospital, and was sent directly to the upper floor, where she was met by Miss Chapelle’s day nurse.
“How is the patient?” Nancy questioned.
“As well as can be expected under the circumstances. She is rational now, and wants to talk to you before she undergoes the operation. That’s why you were called here.”
“Take me to her,” Nancy said.
The nurse led the way down the silent corridor. Opening the door to Miss Chapelle’s room, she motioned for Nancy to enter.