NOLLA'S PLANS DEVELOP
The days passed joyously at Pebbly Pit, until John and Tom declared they
must return to their work beyond Denver. They had been postponing their
departure, because John had confided to his chum, that Anne was waiting
to hear definitely about the school in New York City, and upon her going
there depended many other important things.
Tom smiled knowingly to himself, as he was sure one of the "many things"
to John was his proposal to Anne. Every one felt more or less interested
in the expectant letter, and when it finally arrived, Anne had a circle
of anxious friends waiting to hear the verdict.
"Well, I've been accepted and I am to report at the address in New York
on September twenty-fifth," said Anne, hastily scanning the short note.
"Hurrah! That means we go with you!" shouted Eleanor, catching hold of
Anne and dancing her about.
Polly looked very glum. "Anne, how does your going effect my school
plans?"
"You can talk about school some other time, Poll, but Tom and I have to
start back to camp to-morrow, and _I_ want to know from Anne just how
her going effects _me_?" demanded John, looking her in the eyes.
Anne smiled bravely back at him and said: "Just what I told you. I must
help Paul complete his college course, then I will be free to sign other
agreements."
"Meanwhile, I am to go on plodding through classes and camp without
knowing whether or not I am ever going to be rewarded!" grumbled John,
so discouraged that every one felt sorry for him.
"One doesn't plod through studies or work, for mere reward. Polly says
she wants to study for the love of it, and Eleanor wants to go into
business for the love of _that_! It is the only way one can succeed,"
ventured Mrs. Brewster, more to fill up an embarrassing gap in the
conversation than for anything else.
John turned sullenly and stamped away. He continued down the trail to
the Cliffs and was soon lost to sight. The girls then coaxed Anne to
come away with them as they had a plan to ask her about.
Mrs. Brewster waited until every one was gone his or her way, then she
ran after her son. No one knows what was said or done, then or during
the day but that night, as they all sat at supper, John stood up and
smiled.
Jeb was just passing with a basket of newly laid eggs, and Sary was
leaning over Mr. Brewster's back with a deep dish of milk-toast that she
expected to place before him. John coughed significantly, and Sary
stopped to listen.
"I'm going to announce good news to you-all, to-night. I finally
persuaded Anne to promise to be my wife, someday. So she goes to New
York City as my fiancee, and I will study hard and do everything
possible to be worthy of her, for she is a brave girl!"
Sam Brewster half arose to congratulate the two young people, but Sary's
dish was in the way. He bumped his head and the dish slid from her
hands.
Sary threw up both hands in dismay--there was the milk-toast spattered
all over the ground! But a laugh from her mistress caused her to look in
the direction the family-group were gazing. She saw Jeb standing as if
rooted to the grass, his lower jaw sagging as he frowned at a basket of
broken eggs upon the ground.
Sary threw her inspiration into the double breach caused by maid and
man. "Thar goes th' supper an' them eggs, but tush! Trifles don't count
none when a man hez sech fine news ez John an' Jeb hes. Come right over
here, Jeb, an' spring _yur_ secret now that John hes split his'n to the
fam'ly!"
Jeb scuffled his feet and sheepishly hung his head. One foot
unconsciously stirred the yolks of the broken eggs. But Sary was not a
woman to stand for such shyness when it cast reflections on her ardent
manner in which she described how Jeb rose to the bait temptingly hung
before his very nose.
She forgot milk-toast and all else in this final bout with her unwilling
lover. She hurried over and nudged him sharply in the ribs, then
whispered in a stage tone:
"G'wan now, Jeb! Spruce up an' tell 'em like-ez-how this air goin' to be
a double trick! John an' Miss Anne, me an' you--see!"
Polly and Eleanor laughed appreciatively, and Mrs. Brewster smiled for
she had had suspicions. But Sam Brewster was so amazed, that he leaned
back in his chair and puffed for breath. To think that Jeb could ever
have summoned enough courage to propose to a woman--but let that woman
be an Amazon like Sary, was past his comprehension!
He could not get over it, and later, his wife confided: "I actually
believe that Sary made this match for herself. Jeb could never have
stood the strain of making love, had not Sary met him _more_ than
half-way."
That evening when John and Anne were talking confidentially about the
future, John said: "Mother, I haven't a ring for Anne and I want her to
have it before she goes to New York, so I propose going to Denver and
buy it for her before I go back to work."
"And I thought, Mrs. Brewster, that it would be a good plan to see an
agent about renting our house for a year or two. If mother and I live in
New York, there is no sense in closing the place when we can rent it for
enough to pay taxes and upkeep."
"I think you are perfectly right there, Anne, and the sooner you place
it in good hands, the better. When did you think of running up to town?"
said Mrs. Brewster.
"Well, you see, mother, Tom and I should have joined our men long ago,
but one thing or another kept us on here. Now that all is settled for
two years at least, I want to get away and plunge into work so I will
be ready for Anne when she comes back," said John.
Mrs. Brewster smiled. "Will you go to Denver to-day?"
"To-night! Why, it is eight o'clock! But I could take the noon train
when it goes back from Oak Creek, and Anne might go with me."
"That's what I thought you could do, but your evident impatience made me
wonder if you had an air-route you could travel by."
John laughed, and Anne placed her arm about her future mother-in-law.
Then the talk veered to Polly and her future education. John and his
fiancee had a hard task in convincing Mrs. Brewster that it was best for
Polly to accompany the Stewarts to New York, to school; but finally,
when all three returned to the house, a resigned look was upon Mrs.
Brewster's face. But not a word was said at that time.
The next morning, every member of the family accompanied John and Anne
to Oak Creek, and gave them a merry send-off to Denver.
"It's only for a few days, you big sillies!" laughed Anne, as she leaned
from the little car-window to answer many questions from her friends on
the platform.
"True, but think of all that can happen in a few days! Jeb may jilt
Sary and elope with Barbara--I've seen her casting jealous eyes at Sary,
lately! Then Tom Latimer may suddenly find he is in love with----" but
Barbara choked further words from Eleanor at this point, by shaking her
viciously from the rear.
The others had to laugh at Eleanor's teasing, but her sister was
furious. "I simply will not stand this treatment, so now! You can act
like fools and farmers, but I am a _lady_!"
So saying, Barbara wheeled and marched defiantly over to the box-car
station. She entered and remained there until the train had disappeared
around the bend. Then she came forth with a victorious look upon her
face. No one asked her what caused the change of expression, and soon
the incident was forgotten for the day.
Tom Latimer was unusually quiet on the homeward drive, and when he had
assisted Eleanor to alight from the great wagon, he whispered for her
ears alone: "Who were you going to have me propose to, Nolla?"
She sent him a mischievous look and whispered back "Polly."
He laughed softly and pinched her arm, but she noted that the rich red
color flushed his face suddenly, and she wondered, precociously,
whether she had accidentally touched upon a secret spot hidden in his
heart? The very fact of such a discovery made her defy, silently, the
possibility of any one ever daring to confess love to _her_ Polly. "No
indeed! Polly and she were cut out for business only."
But the disquieting thought that a fine chap like Tom Latimer might be
in love with simple wonderful little Polly, made Eleanor zealous in her
plans for carrying her friend off to a New York school. No one knew that
she had already started the machinery going for her own benefit, but
they were soon to find out that this fun-loving girl was as persistent
and persevering as one could find anywhere, when she had a pet problem
to work out.
The evening after John and Anne had gone to Mrs. Stewarts, in Denver,
Barbara asked a favor of her host. The very manner in which she asked
it, surprised every one at table. "Mr. Brewster, I have an important
errand to do at Oak Creek, to-morrow, and I want you to allow Jeb to
drive me in."
"To-morrow! Why, we just got back from there."
"Yes, I know, but it could not have been done to-day, so I have to go in
to-morrow."
"Jeb has to superintend the mowing of our first crops to-morrow, if it
is clear. Maybe Tom will drive you in if it is so urgent."
Barbara turned imploring eyes on Tom Latimer. Then Eleanor spoke up: "I,
too, must go in as I expect a telegram from Chicago."
Her sister scowled at her, but she seemed surprised as well. She
stammered: "What have _you_ to wire for?"
"Ah! Is that what you did? Let's see--you managed it this noon, while we
were watching the train depart, didn't you? You were in that station
just long enough!" exulted Eleanor, grinning at Barbara daringly.
But her sister would not be drawn into an argument this time, and
Eleanor decided that it must be something important, indeed, when Bob
would not snap back at her. There _had_ been times at home when Barbara
had secrets that she feared others to share, then she would keep her
peace with Eleanor.
"Unless it is a personal matter that needs your presence in Oak Creek,
Alec Hewitt will look after it. He goes to and from the post office
every day, and often brings our mail or messages for us," said Mrs.
Brewster, hoping to spare the horses another hard day's work.
"I have to be there myself, as I may have to decide on a very important
personal matter," returned Barbara, slightly embarrassed.
So it was settled that Tom Latimer would ride with the three girls to
Oak Creek on the following morning. This would spare the wagon team the
trip and at the same time take the place of any other pleasure ride that
might have been planned.
Polly was at a loss to understand why such secrecy should exist between
these two sisters--Bob refusing to confide in Eleanor, and Nolla
smilingly keeping her own counsel, about the important errands.
As Eleanor had suspected, Barbara went directly to the box-car where the
telegrams were received. But to the latter's disappointment, there was
one only--and that one was for Eleanor Maynard!
"Are you sure you did not get the name wrong--I am to hear surely,
to-day, about something very urgent!" complained Barbara.
"This is mine, all right, Bob, for I expected it. If you like, you can
read it now that I know what it says," and Eleanor tendered the yellow
sheet to her sister.
Barbara snatched it and read in angry surprise:
"Your wire received. Expect me Saturday. Will visit there for a
week.
Love to you both,
FATHER"
"How dare you ask father to come here? How do you know the Brewsters
want him? And besides, there is no place for him to use as a
sleeping-room!" she managed to say in her fury.
Polly and Tom had been sitting outside on a truck but they could not
help hearing Barbara's words. Polly smiled up at her companion. Then
Eleanor was heard saying:
"No need to rear up like a mad rattler, Bob. I have a nice little plan
under way, but it now needs Daddy's persuasive powers to perfect it. I
wired him twice this past week, but no one knew of it. If you wired for
money or something else, he likely will bring it with him on Saturday."
The very coolness of Eleanor's reply caused Barbara to lose her
self-control and she retorted: "Pooh! I wouldn't think of asking father
for anything. You can't patronize me this time, Eleanor Maynard. _I_ am
waiting for word from mother! There!"
"From mother! why she is in Newport for the Season."
"You mean she _was_ there. _Now_ she is one of a very select party of
the best New York society that is camping at Mrs. Van Alstynes'
wonderful bungalow in the Muskoka Woods. And I trust _I_, too, will soon
be a member of that circle!"
"Oh, ho! So that is your little game, eh! Well, Bob, I heartily wish you
luck. You haven't any idea how quiet and enjoyable Pebbly Pit will be
with you away from it!" retorted Eleanor.
With this parting shaft, the younger sister walked out, and found Tom
with Polly over by the watering trough where the seven wardrobe trunks
had offered such a fine table surface for the gamblers on the day the
Chicago girls came to Oak Creek. As she felt sure these two friends had
not over-heard the conversation between Barbara and herself, there was
no need in explaining, as yet.
Barbara failed to appear, however, and finally Eleanor went to the door
to call her. Her impatient words were arrested by hearing the operator
at the telegraph instrument, read a message aloud.
"Wire with news received. Have arranged for you. Plenty of
marriageable men in party. Do not oppose anything father wants.
Win his consent and money for visit. Nolla will be all right
there with Anne. Father now back at bank. Write him
immediately. Do not waive your rights on mine. We will fight if
necessary. It means a fortune for you. Wire me minute you have
news. Big affair on next week. MOTHER."
Eleanor managed to slip away without Barbara's seeing her. And so elated
was the elder sister over her mother's message, that she failed to find
any omission in the telegram. But Eleanor realized that her mother did
not mention her love for her daughter--it was all about society, money,
and graft!
But her mother's message could not throw cold water over Eleanor;
because of the fact that her father would be with her the end of that
very week! This was good news enough for any one, so she ran over to
Polly, waving her message.
"Just think! Daddy is coming to visit us at Pebbly Pit. Won't it be fun
for him to sleep in the barn with John and Tom?"
"Oh, he never could, Nolla!" gasped Polly.
"Why not? He is no better than the boys, here!"
"But--well, I'm sure father won't like him to. We must plan somewhere
else for him," replied Polly.
"I'll tell you-all a secret, if you won't tell any one. I got Daddy to
hurry here on purpose to _meet_ John and Tom. I believe he will do
something about the mine and the Cliffs if he hears the plans from the
boys. You know, his bank makes big investments at times. But don't let
Bob know this, for anything in the world!"
Tom looked pleasantly surprised at the suggestion. He had forgotten all
about Mr. Maynard's connection with a flourishing bank.
"Won't it be nice to have your father meet my father," remarked Polly,
thinking not so much of finances as of hospitality.
"Yes, and I hope he won't interfere with Bob's plans to join mother in
the North Woods. If only we could get _rid_ of her right off, what a
fine time we could have with Dad here!" Eleanor sighed.
Polly never could understand the lack of love and family pride between
these two sisters, but then she had never seen how many families there
are, where husband and wife have opposite tendencies and ideals; it
inevitably followed that the children showed these antagonistic
qualities in their behavior to each other.
Having replied to their telegrams, both sisters were ready to ride back
to the ranch. But Tom suggested that they visit the Movies where a great
society drama was being shown. This pleased the girls, and soon they
were following the hair-breadth escapes of an unscrupulous society
impostor, and the wreck he had made of a young damsel's faith.
As they filed from the low-ceiled, ill-smelling theater, Eleanor laughed
and said: "That's the kind of life Bob wants! If she ever had a fortune
of her own, she would have to fend off just such rascals. Watch me
wasting my life trying to catch a husband--Pouf!"
Tom laughed merrily for he liked the bluntness of this girl, but he was
surprised at the flush Barbara manifested as she wondered if this astute
sister of hers could have heard that message read: "Mother mentioned 'a
fortune' and 'marriageable men.'" But Eleanor's expression was as
innocent as a babe's just then.
That evening after supper, Eleanor drew Polly out to the terrace, which
was isolated at that time, and shared her plans with her.
"I was afraid to let you, or any one, know what I was doing, so I just
went ahead and did it!"
Polly manifested no surprise at these words, as she expected to hear
much more, so she patiently waited. Eleanor seemed at a loss, for once
in her lifetime, to know how to tell her story without having it
condemned by this upright conscientious friend.
"I wrote mother just after we discovered the mine, and told her how
unhappy Barbara was in this forgotten corner of the earth. You see, I
wanted mother to send for her at once, and I was anxious to help Bob
relieve us of her company. But I never dreamed that Bob was as anxious
to get away, as we were to have her go!"
"Oh, Nolla! we are not anxious to have her go--don't say that!"
remonstrated Polly.
"Well, you know what I mean--everything will be so nice with no one to
be forever finding fault and nagging at one!"
"Maybe she wouldn't nag so much if you did not tease her so! Nolla, you
_know_ you are so clever that you have no patience with Bob's slowness
in getting things," replied Polly, unconscious of the fact that she had
found the very root of the trouble between the sisters.
"Anyway, Bob is on the high road to a society camp in the East, and we
will be able to go our own sweet way without her. But I brought you out
here to confess what I did! I wired father all about the mine, and the
Cliffs, and the Latimers and all--and also told him that the doctor
thinks a winter in New York will harden me splendidly. I wired the
doctor to tell him that this was true, and he _must_ tell father so.
"Well, I heard from Daddy; he balked at first--said it was rank
foolishness for any doctor to recommend the beastly climate of New York
City in preference to the West with its dryness. I had to calm him on
that point, and then I told him that Anne and her mother were going to
New York and I wanted to go with them. He knows how I hate the teas, and
bridge, and parties mother is always giving Bob, so I told him how
wretched I always was in winter, without friends or any one to talk
to--as mother and Bob were always too busy with social duties.
"Father hates these duties as much as I do, and he says mother has no
right to give all her time to Bob and never see me from one week's end
to another. So he was vulnerable in that spot. When I told him how he
could visit me in New York once a month, and spend several days going
around with me, he just caved in. And, Polly, I am sure he will agree to
my going with Anne.
"To-day, after I got his wire, I waited till Bob was out of the way,
then I sent a message to Anne, to tell her to be on the lookout for Dad
who was coming here on Saturday. I said it would be so nice for him to
ride down from Denver with John and her. And maybe John could explain
the financing of the two companies to him.
"I sent the second wire to Dad telling him to be sure and meet Anne at
the Denver Terminal at noon, on Saturday, as she would be expecting him.
So now I have all my irons in the fire and they're getting red-hot,
too!"
As Eleanor concluded, Polly laughed at her funny expression but
remarked, "It would be terrible if your irons got so hot that they
melted before you could use any one of them, wouldn't it?"