Part Three
of Story One

by Melissa M. (Honey Bee), July 29, 2002

      “Laurie,” Amy said, stepping back from Dan and smiling.  “We were just having a talk.”
      “Yes?” Laurie said curiously.  “Well, I have a guest here, and we were going to sit in the parlor, if it’s all right.”
      Dan rubbed his neck.  “Uh, I’m leavin’, Mr. Laurance.  Uh—talk to you later.”
      “Yes.  Goodbye,” Laurie said, nodding at Dan, who was heading out the door.
      “Who was that?” Mr. Gerard asked.
      “Just a friend of the family,” Laurie said.  “A good friend.  Dan Madison.”
      Clunk-thump!  They all turned around to see Dan sprawled on the floor in the hall.  He pushed himself up, grinning sheepishly, his face red.  “Uh—I tripped.”
      Mr. Gerard raised an eyebrow.
      Laurie offered a small laugh.  “Um, well, shall we get to business?”

      Dan rolled his eyes at his clumsiness.  He thought he heard giggling.  Was that Amy?  He looked around, but couldn’t see anyone.  Shaking his head, he carefully made his way to the front door.

      “Did you see that?” Nan whispered.  She covered her mouth to smother her laughter.  “He was so nervous he tripped!  There wasn’t even anything in his way!”
      Bess giggled.  They were hiding at the top of the stairs in the shadows.  “I’m going to be Mrs. Elizabeth Madison!” she whispered, gripping Nan’s shoulders in excitement.  “And he’s going to propose to me soon!  Just as soon as he asks Father for permission.”
      Bess hugged Nan tightly, twirling around on the landing.
      “Watch out, Bess!  We’re gonna fall down the stairs if you’re not careful!”
      They giggled together, and Bess hugged Nan one more time.

      Thomas Gerard left the house an hour later feeling quite uneasy.  Mr. Laurance and he had made a good deal.  It was something else that bothered him.  That young man—Dan Madison.  There was something familiar about him.  And the way he had acted—so nervous, and after hugging Mrs. Laurance.  Thomas thought of the brown hair falling over the boy’s forehead, the solid face, the tilted smile.  Suddenly it popped into his head.  It was on the streets of Boston when he had visited there.  Yes, it was the same boy!  Six years ago, but he was still recognizable.  A frown etched itself into Thomas’s forehead.  “He robbed me.  The little scamp was never caught!”

Part 4

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