ALORA WINS HER WAY
Mary Louise decided that Alora Jones improved on acquaintance. There
were many admirable traits in her character that had lain dormant until
developed by association with two girls of her own age who were
themselves gentle and considerate. It is true that Alora at times was
still headstrong and willful and unable to bridle her tongue when
irritated, but neither Mary Louise nor Irene ever reproved her by word
or look, so that she grew ashamed of her outbursts and when at home her
father aroused her to anger she fled to her girl friends and sought in
their companionship the antidote to her vexation. The two friends had
decided it was unwise to comment on Alora's unhappy family relations
and soon she discovered this and refrained from burdening them with her
home quarrels.
No one could witness Irene's patient resignation to misfortune without
admiring her character and being touched by her bravery and gentleness,
and association with this crippled girl was softening Alora's hard and
defiant nature wonderfully. Had the association continued it might have
redeemed the prospective heiress from many of the faults she had
acquired through years of neglect and rebellion against fate, but the
close triumvirate of girl friends was suddenly dissolved, early in
July, by no less a person than Will Morrison--a wealthy and kindly
natured gentleman who was a friend of both the Conants and Colonel
Hathaway.
Will Morrison had purchased a yacht; it was anchored in the breakwater
near the Chicago Yacht Club, and its owner intended making a summer
trip through the Great Lakes and cordially invited the Conants and
Irene, and Mary Louise and Colonel Hathaway to accompany his party.
Unfortunately, Mrs. Conant at that time was ill. She had contracted a
lingering but mild form of spring fever that would keep her in bed for
weeks, and Irene, who was devoted to her aunt, would not leave her to
the mercies of a nurse. Mary Louise wanted to go, though, for the
Morrisons were delightful people and any yacht they purchased would be
sure to be safe and comfortable.
Since the Conants could not go, Mary Louise suggested to her
grandfather that they ask Will Morrison to invite Alora Jones, and the
Colonel approved the idea because he thought it would do Alora much
good to mingle with refined people such as were sure to form the yacht
party. So, when he answered Mr. Morrison's letter, he told him
something of Alora and asked permission to fetch her along.
"I'm not at all sure," he said to Mary Louise, "that Mr. Jones will
permit Alora to go with us."
"Nor am I," the girl replied; "but perhaps Alora can coax him to
consent. It might be a good idea for you to ask him, too, Gran'pa Jim."
"My dear!" he remonstrated, "do you think I ought to hazard that man's
sneers and insults, even to favor your friend Alora?"
"No; I do not, Gran'pa Jim," she laughingly rejoined. "That was a
foolish suggestion, and I withdraw it. If Alora fails, I'll speak to
him myself. I'm not afraid of Jason Jones, and he doesn't growl at me
as he does at poor Lory."
They did not mention the proposal to Alora until the Colonel had
received a telegram from Will Morrison saying: "By all means invite
Miss Jones to join us. Knew her mother, once, and will be glad to have
her with us."
Alora was delighted at the prospect of a yachting trip and decided at
once that she would go, especially as Colonel Hathaway said she would
be Mary Louise's guest on the trip to Chicago and no money would be
needed for expenses. So she attacked her father in a somewhat original
manner.
Mr. Jones had conceived a passion for flying and had just purchased an
aeroplane. He was to begin his lessons at once and was so thoroughly
immersed in his strange fancy that he paid little heed to anything
else. His books were neglected. His former quiet life--amounting almost
to physical inertion--had given place to a nervous and all-consuming
desire to master the rather strenuous art of aviation. Alora was quite
unaware of this transformation, for as usual Jason Jones kept his own
counsel and followed his inclinations without conference with anyone.
The girl knew that her father haunted the aviation field, but anything
that kept him amused away from home was gratefully approved by her.
Usually the two breakfasted together in silence. Lately Mr. Jones had
hurried through with the meal so as to get away, and he did not return
for lunch. So on this important morning Alora said casually:
"I'm going away for three or four weeks."
"Where to?" he asked sharply, suddenly rousing from his abstraction.
"I'm going on a yachting trip with Mary Louise and Colonel Hathaway.
We're to be the guests of a Mr. Morrison and his wife, who own the
yacht."
"Morrison? Morrison?" he repeated suspiciously. Then, as if relieved:
"I don't know any Morrisons."
"Nor do I. They are old friends of the Hathaways and the Conants,
however."
"Well, you can't go. It's nonsense."
"Why?"
"Yachts are dangerous. I don't want you drowned."
"I'd be as safe on a yacht as I would be in this house," she declared.
"Do you think I intend to take any chances with my life? Please
remember that when I'm eighteen I shall have a fortune and be able to
lead an independent life--a pleasant life--a life in sharp contrast to
this one. Therefore, I'm going to live to enjoy my money."
He gave her a shrewd look of approval. The argument seemed to appeal to
him. It quieted, to an extent, his fears for her safety.
"Anyhow," said Alora bluntly, "I'm going, and I dare you to stop me."
He was silent a while, considering the proposition. Just now he would
be busy at the aviation field and in Colonel Hathaway's charge the girl
was likely to be quite safe. He was inclined to relax his vigilance
over his precious daughter, on this occasion.
"How long do the Hathaways expect to be away?" he inquired.
"Mary Louise says we will surely be home three weeks from the day we
leave."
"Surely?"
"Without fail."
"H-m-m. It's a risk. Something might delay you. Do you know what would
happen if you left me for sixty days or more?"
"Of course I do. That will of my mother's states that if at any time my
devoted father develops any neglect of me, or lack of interest in his
darling daughter, such as allowing me to become separated from him for
longer than sixty days at one time, the court has the privilege, at its
option, of deposing him as administrator of my estate and appointing
another guardian. The other guardian, however, is to be paid a salary
and the income, in that case, is to accrue to the benefit of my
estate."
"How did you learn all that?" he demanded.
"You left a copy of the will lying around, and I read it and made a
copy of it for myself. I now know my mother's will by heart. She
suggests that if we must live together, 'in loving companionship,' you
will probably have me educated by tutors, at home, and her objection to
girls' schools--I wonder why?--was the principal reason she inserted
the clause that we must never be separated. It would prevent you from
sending me away to school. But as for the tutors, I haven't yet made
their acquaintance."
"Tutors cost money," he said in a surly tone.
"I realize that; and while there is an abundance of money, the will
states that it is to be entirely in your control. But we've quarreled
on that subject too many times already, without your loosening your
grip on the dollars. To get back to our subject, I assure you I shall
not be gone longer than twenty-one days, and the trip won't cost you a
single penny."
"When did you propose going?"
"We take the noon train on Monday for Chicago."
He got his hat and left the house without another word, leaving Alora
exultant. She hurried over to tell Mary Louise the good news.
"Did he really consent?" asked Mary Louise.
"Well, he didn't forbid it," said the girl, "and that's the same
thing."