Interference

Chapter 5

"I can't think of where she might go," Harv replied.

Laura took a moment to think about what should be done. "Harv, can you go out to Eliza Jane's place to see if she went back there?"

"Sure."

"If she isn't there, then go over to the new place and find Almanzo. I'm sure he'll want to know. In the meantime, I'll talk to some of the people in town to see if they spotted her."

"Okay. I'll let ya know if I find her."

"Thanks Harv."

Laura walked back to the schoolyard. She called two of the oldest girls over and asked them to assemble the class if she were late. Then Laura made her way over to the Mercantile. When she entered, Mr. Oleson's kind face greeted her.

"Hullo Laura."

"Hi Mr. Oleson."

"What can I do for you?" he asked.

"Did you see Miss Wilder this morning?"

"Yes I did. I was outside sweeping the porch when Almanzo came by in his rig. Funny thing though, he dropped her off by the bridge instead of in front of the schoolhouse."

Seeing Laura's look of concern, Mr. Oleson continued. "Is something wrong?"

"I'm not sure yet. Miss Wilder never came to school today. I thought she might be sick, but Harv, and now you, said she was in town this morning. It's not like her to miss school or not tell anyone where she is."

"Is there anything I can do?"

"Could you keep an eye out for her? Oh, and if you could ask anyone that comes in if they've seen her, that would be a big help too."

"I'll do that. I hope everything's okay Laura."

"Thanks Mr. Oleson."

Laura walked out and headed across the street. At the restaurant, the Daltons told Laura they hadn't seen Miss Wilder because they were waiting on customers. The man at the mill confirmed what Mr. Oleson had said. She wished her pa weren't out making a delivery.

She walked back to school. When she entered the little schoolhouse, she found the students whispering amongst themselves. She walked to the front of the room.

"Quiet down and take your seats please."

Laura waited for everyone to settle down before continuing. "Class, I have to ask you an important question, but please don't be alarmed. I'm sure everything is okay."

The students looked at one another and the whispering began again. Laura picked up the wooden ruler and rapped it on the desk.

"Class please. Did any of you see Miss Wilder in town this morning?"

A hand went up.

"Yes, Christie?"

"I didn't see her in town, but she passed by me in Mr. Wilder's wagon this morning on the road leading in."

"Thank you Christie. Anyone else?"

They shook their heads no.

"Now class, I don't…" Laura stopped when she saw Willie reluctantly raise his hand over the heads of the other students.

"What is it Willie?" Laura said with a tinge of annoyance.

"I…uh…I saw Miss Wilder this morning. After her brother dropped her off, she walked out of town."

"Do you know where she was going?"

"No, but she was carrying a bag."

"Are you sure Willie?"

"Sure, I'm sure. I was hiding out by the corner of the house eating a stick of licorice so Pa wouldn't see I was in the candy jar again."

The students laughed.

"Why didn't you say something right away?"

"I didn't want you to tell Pa about the licorice."

The students laughed again.

"Settle down class."

Laura thought a moment. "Class, I'm going to dismiss you early today."

A loud cheer filled the room. Laura motioned for them to quiet down.

"I want you to copy your homework off the board and then you are free to go."

After the students left, Laura hurried to tidy up and started out towards Almanzo's place. She ran into her pa along the way and told him what happened. Charles helped Laura onto the wagon seat and they drove out to find Almanzo and Harv.

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Laura and Charles raced towards Almanzo's farm hoping to catch the men there. Laura knew something must be terribly wrong if Eliza Jane disappeared the way she did. She started to bite her fingernails, a nervous habit from her childhood.

Charles glanced over at her. "Since when did you start biting your nails again?" he asked.

Laura sighed. "Since my future sister-in-law disappeared and I think it might be my fault."

"How could it be your fault?"

Laura glanced at her hands that were now folded in her lap to keep from biting her nails. "If I tell you, will you promise not to say a word to anyone?"

"I promise Half-pint."

"Well, remember when Almanzo and I took Miss Wilder and Harv on a picnic a few weeks back…"

Charles nodded.

"She confided in me that she was interested in Harv and she asked me for help."

"What kind of help?"

"On how to get Harv to notice her. I felt kind of strange talking to her about it, but I suggested she tell Harv how she feels."

"I still don't see how Miss Wilder's disappearance is your fault."

"Well…what if she told Harv how she feels…but he doesn't feel the same way?"

"Oh," Charles said in recognition of Laura's plight. "So you're afraid she ran off because Harv told her he didn't care for her that way."

"Yes," a nervous Laura replied, looking again at her folded hands.

"You've learned an important lesson Half-pint; one-sided advice isn't always the best advice."

"Yes sir."

"I'm sure she'll be fine once she thinks it through."

"But Pa…Miss Wilder's never had a beau. She thinks there's something wrong with her that keeps men away. What if Harv's rejection was too much for her to handle?"

----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----

Harv caught up with Manzo at his new farm. Almanzo filled his canteen and was just about to hop in his wagon, when he saw Laura and Charles headed towards them. Charles tugged on the reins and stopped the horses.

"Afternoon Almanzo, Harv."

"Mr. Ingalls," they replied in unison.

"Any word on your sister yet?" Charles asked, looking at Almanzo.

"No sir. Harv didn't find her at our place. We were just goin to split up to try and find her."

"Willie told me he saw her heading out of town this morning with a bag," said Laura.

"But where would she go?"

"Almanzo, didn't you tell me your parents lived in Spring Valley?" asked Charles.

"Yes." Almanzo thought for a moment. "She could pick up the stage along the road and head to the train station in Sleepy Eye."

They agreed this was their best bet. The men decided to drop off Almanzo and Harv's rigs at the Wilder farm and then travel together to Sleepy Eye. Laura begged to go along.

"I think it's best if you stay here Half-pint. Miss Wilder could change her mind and come back."

"You're right Pa. Do you think I could stay at their place in case she shows up?"

"I don't like the idea of you being all alone out there."

"I could keep an eye on the place if you want," Harv replied.

Charles and Almanzo looked at one another and shrugged.

"It's not that I don't want to help find her…it's just that somethin happened last night. And I get the feelin she don't want to see me right now."

Almanzo's eyes took on a look of suspicion. "What happened?"

"Not sure really. One minute we were enjoyin each other's company and the next she got angry and wanted to go home."

"What were you talking about?" asked Laura.

"I told her I was glad that Manzo said I should ask her to supper. She got mad…I thought at Manzo. But then she asked me to take her home. We were supposed ta have supper tonight too, but she said she had papers to grade."

Laura and Charles shared a knowing glance.

"She never knew Almanzo had suggested it?" asked Laura

"Not til last night. Never seemed important. We were havin such a fine time together."

"We really need to get going Half-pint," Charles interrupted.

"Why don't I take your wagon Manly; that way you don't have to stop at home first."

"Good idea. Let's head towards town Mr. Ingalls. We can find out if anyone has seen her."

"Sure thing Almanzo."

"I'll stop by home and let Ma know. Then I'll go back to Miss Wilder's place."

"Thanks Half-pint," replied Charles.

"Good luck," Laura said. She waved as they drove off towards town.