THE MYSTERIOUS RIDE
The fact that Cecilia Thayer could be old or young, as had been
remarked by one of her companions, was not a mere saying. The Thayers
were strangers in Chelton, and Cecilia was now only home from school on
a vacation. It was generally understood that the girl was not exactly
a daughter of the small household, but perhaps a niece, or some
relative, who made her home with the people. She never invited her
friends to her home, but this was not considered strange, as her means
plainly were not equal to the circumstances of those with whom she
associated.
Not that Cecilia sought this class, because she was constantly sought
by them--she was a brilliant, happy young girl, and, as such, was a
most desirable adjunct to the Chelton younger set.
It was, of course, Cora Kimball who "took her up," and that fact was
sufficient to vouch for all.
The girl and Jack were well on the road to Woodbine the morning of the
little meeting by the garage, when, with a very different expression of
countenance to that shown to the party by the roadside, Cecilia grasped
at the arm of the young man beside her.
"It's awfully good of you, Jack," she said, "and I suppose I am taking
desperate chances."
"Good! The idea! It's a privilege," he answered warmly.
"You suspect, of course."
"I have suspected," he said with a light laugh.
"And if the girls find out?"
"What of it? Is it a disgrace to--"
"Hush! I haven't qualified yet, and when I do I'm going to spring it
on them." She tossed her head back defiantly. "Won't some of them
howl!"
Jack laughed outright. "You're a brick, Clip," he exclaimed. "You can
count on Cora, too. Does she know?"
"I haven't told her, but I imagine she has guessed. You are a great
family at guessing."
"Which way?" he inquired, nodding toward a fork in the road.
"To the left. Isn't it too mean that our old lumber wagon gave way? I
never had more need of it. It's just splendid of you to help me out
this way."
"And good of you to let me," he replied with a keen glance at the
girl's bright face.
"Of course I had no idea of going on the girls' trip. I only went in
for the arrangements for the fun of the thing. I seem to need an awful
lot of fun," she finished with a sigh that ended like a groan.
"Oh, we all do, more or less," spoke Jack. "Only some of us are more
upright than others in the way we acknowledge it."
They were turning up to the Salvey cottage. Cecilia pointed it out.
"You must expect to sign the promise book," she said. "That is a
condition of admittance."
"So Cora told me. Well, I'll sign. Can't tell which name may win the
prize."
"Of course I'll see Wren first. But before we go she will insist upon
seeing you. And--don't mind her extravagances about me. You know, she
sees so few people that she thinks I am just wonderful."
"I agree with her. But you can count upon my discretion, if that is
what you want, Clip."
"You're 'immense,' Jack!" exclaimed the girl, her smile apologizing for
the vulgarity of the expression. "If I had a brother like you--"
"Hush! Your brother! Why, Clip!"
"Here we are," she interrupted; and she prepared to get out as Jack
stopped the car. "Suppose you stay outside until I call you?"
"Oh, if I must. But be sure to call. I've had Cora play that trick,
and forget the cue."
"Oh, she'll have to see you," and with that Cecilia jumped out of the
car, and presently touched the brass knocker of the little cottage.
Jack was left to his own thoughts. Wasn't she a girl, though? So like
Cora in her impulses. Well, a girl has to be impulsive to get
ahead--she is so ridiculously hampered by conventionalities.
It seemed a long time before Clip reappeared at the door, and beckoned
him to come in. Then the room he entered smelled strongly of
antiseptics, and the crippled child sat in a chair made sweet and fresh
with snowy pillows. Wren had her promise book in her hands. Briefly
Cecilia introduced Jack, while the child eyed him keenly, as do those
deprived of the usual means of making sure of their friends.
"You know about my promise," she said shyly. "Grandpa's will is lost
in an old table, and will you promise to help find it?"
"Indeed I will," said Jack warmly, taking the pen offered. "I have a
weakness for hunting old furniture, and I hope it will be my good
fortune to find the table."
"How much you are like your sister," said Wren, referring to Cora, "but
not a bit like your cousin."
This caused both Jack and Cecilia to laugh--she Jack's cousin!
Mrs. Salvey patted the child's head. "She is so much better lately,"
she said, "since she has been friends with Miss Thayer."
"Her friendship is wonderful," said Jack, handing back the book. "It
does me all sorts of good."
Cecilia was pulling on her gloves. She picked up the small black
satchel (her hand bag, she called it), and started for the door.
"That hand bag smells like--"
"Fresh eggs," she interrupted Jack. "Understand, young man, I had to
come out here to get one dozen of strictly fresh eggs."
For a moment she looked intently at Jack, as if determined to put him
on his honor without further explanation. He took her hand and
assisted her into the car. As he did so she felt the assurance that
Jack Kimball was her friend.
Then they started back to Chelton.