A DISAPPOINTING EVENING
Eleanor and Dorothy did not join their friends at once, after leaving the
wireless room. Eleanor explained wisely: "We must promenade along the
deck and let them see us reading and talking over the message, you know,
to make them believe we just got it from the boy."
So this little act was carried out, and when the two girls felt sure that
Polly and her companions had noticed them reading the wireless message,
Eleanor whispered: "Now we can stroll over and join them. Leave it to
me."
Just before she joined her friends, Eleanor thrust the paper into her
sweater pocket, and seemed not to remember it. But Nancy spoke of it,
immediately.
"I see you received a _billet-doux_, too. Is there any reason why I
should not say to you exactly what you said to Polly, when she got hers?"
laughed the young lady.
"Oh, not at all! I am not so bashful about my affair," retorted Eleanor,
taking the paper from her pocket and handing it to Nancy. "You may read
it aloud, if you choose."
So Nancy read, and the fact that the words conveyed the same information
as Polly's had done, but the sender had signed himself "Paul," made Polly
feel relieved. Then she said:
"It is evident that someone secured a yacht to carry our friends out to
see us this evening. My message said about the same thing, so now, you
see, it was ridiculous in Eleanor to tease about it being a love-note.
Had she been sensible I would have read it aloud to all, but because of
her silliness, I made up my mind to keep her guessing."
Nancy and Ruth laughed, but Eleanor and Dorothy exchanged glances with
each other. Then Nancy said anxiously: "We ought to start and dress most
fetchingly for tonight, if everyone you know is coming out."
Before anyone could reply to this suggestion, Mr. Fabian was seen
hurrying across the deck to join them. "Girls, our old friend Dalken has
a yacht, I hear, and he has invited everyone we know to come out here
this evening to welcome us home. We are to be ready to return with him,
as he has secured the necessary bill-of-health for us. Now get down to
your rooms quickly and pack."
"Oh--aren't we going to remain to the dance?" asked Eleanor, with
disappointment in her tones.
"You can do as you please about that, but we will go back on the yacht
when she returns to the city."
In the bustle of packing the stateroom trunks, and then dressing for the
evening, the girls forgot about the wireless messages. Then during the
dinner that was like a party affair because of the passengers' exuberant
spirits at being so near home again, Mr. Fabian smiled approvingly at the
five young girls in his charge. They looked so charming in their Paris
gowns, and their youthful forms and faces expressed such joy and pleasure
in living, that he felt gratified to think the old friends would see them
as _he_ did that evening.
Shortly after leaving the dining-salon, the attention of the Fabian party
was drawn to a graceful white yacht that sailed swiftly down the Bay and
soon came alongside the steamer. The spotless looking sailors instantly
lowered the boat and a party of young people got in. The Fabian group
leaned over the rail of the steamer and watched breathlessly as the boat
was rowed across the intervening space and, finally, was made fast to the
steamer.
"Poll, did you recognize your future Fate?" giggled Eleanor, nudging her
companion, knowingly.
"I saw _yours_!" retorted Polly. "And now I comprehend why you can speak
of nothing else than beaus and Fate! You are so obsessed by your own
dreams that you think everyone you know must be dreaming the same stuff!"
Polly turned quickly and hurried to the spot where the visitors were
being greeted by Mr. Fabian, and the other girls, laughing at the
repartee, followed. In the first group to arrive were Tom Latimer and his
younger brother Jim; Kenneth Evans, Jim's chum; Paul Stewart; and John
Brewster with Anne, his bride.
Happy welcomes were exchanged between everyone, but Polly purposely
avoided any extra favor being shown Tom Latimer, although he looked as if
he deserved it more than Jim and his friend Kenneth. Eleanor quite openly
showed her preference for Paul, when they separated from the others for
the evening.
"Where is Mr. Dalken and the others?" asked Polly, gazing around at the
small group that had arrived on board.
"The boat is going back for the second installment," explained Anne,
keeping an arm about Polly's waist. "We-all were too impatient to see you
to accept the suggestion of waiting for the second trip, so the older
ones sent us off first."
To Polly's surprise and joy, the second boat-load brought her father and
mother, Mrs. Stewart, the Latimers, the Evans, and Mr. Dalken, the owner
of the yacht. When the family circle was complete, on board the steamer,
they proved to be a happy party, and many of the passengers wished they
were included in that merry group.
The steamer rolled gently with the swells from the ocean, while the full
moon shone mistily through a fog that veiled its brightness enough to add
romance to the meeting of the various young people on deck. Eleanor and
Paul had been genuinely delighted to see each other again, and neither
cared _who_ knew just how much they liked each other.
Polly watched them for a time, then smiled as they walked away to
discover a cozy retreat behind one of the giant smoke-stacks, where they
could enjoy a tete-a-tete without interruption. When she turned to
hear what her brother John was saying, she found Tom Latimer just at her
elbow.
"Suppose we find a nice sheltered spot where you can tell me all about
your trip abroad?" suggested Tom, his eyes speaking too plainly how
anxious he was to get Polly away from the others.
"Oh, I'd far rather be with the crowd and hear all that is being said,"
said Polly, nervously.
"Very well, then," said Tom, moodily. "I only thought you'd like to hear
all about Grizzly Slide and how it's been cutting up this summer. The
gold mine has had several adventurers trying to jump the claim, too; and
Rainbow Cliffs has had an injunction served on it so that we are tied up
by law, this year."
"So mother wrote to me. But I don't want to hear about troubles and
business tonight. I just want to enjoy myself after coming home to all
the dear folks," said Polly.
Tom was too unsophisticated with girls, although he was so popular with
men, to make allowance for the contrary spirit that often sways a girl
when she wishes to make a good impression; so he sulked and followed at
Polly's heels when she hurried after her friends.
Mr. Dalken turned just now, and saw the girl running as if to get away
from Tom, and he understood, fairly well, just how matters were. So he
endeavored to calm Polly's perturbed spirit and encourage Tom's "faint
heart" at the same time.
"Well, Polly dear," said he, placing an arm about her shoulders, "now
that you have seen many of the wonder-spots of Europe, and know more
about antiques and art than any of us, I suppose you are quite decided
that business is not your forte, eh? The next thing I'll hear from you,
you'll have dropped your ambitions and be sailing down a love-stream to a
snug harbor."
"Indeed not! You ought to know me better than that, Mr. Dalken," declared
Polly, vehemently, causing her companions to laugh. "I am more determined
than ever, since seeing such wonderful things in Europe, to devote my
life to my chosen profession. Why, the marvellous objects I saw in
Europe, used in interior decorating in centuries past, enthuse me anew. I
wonder that anyone can keep from studying this fascinating art where
there is such a broad field of work and interest."
Polly's mother and father listened to their daughter, with adoration
plainly expressed on their faces, and Tom had to grit his teeth to keep
from swearing, because of what he considered their influence over Polly
in this, her foolish infatuation for a business when she ought to be in
love with him.
When Mr. Dalken saw that he had launched a dangerous subject for Polly
and Tom, he had a bright idea. So he acted upon it instantly. He excused
himself from his friends' circle, and sought the Captain. In a short time
thereafter, the passengers heard the band playing dance music, and
immediately, most of the younger set hurried to the Grand Salon.
It was second nature with Polly to dance, and she did so with as much
grace as she rode her father's thoroughbred horses on the ranch; or hiked
the Rockies, over boulders and down-timber like a fawn. Kenneth Evans,
the youngest man in the party from the city, was by far the handsomest
one in the group; and when he guided Polly through the maze of dancers,
they both attracted much attention.
Tom stood and sulked while he watched Polly dance, but he refused to
dance himself, although he was considered a most desirable partner by any
one who had ever danced with him. Eleanor was having such a thoroughly
good time while dancing with Paul, that she forgot about the romances and
lovers' quarrels of others.
The moment Kenneth escorted Polly to a chair and stood fanning her, Tom
pushed a way over to them and said, quite assuredly: "The next dance is
mine, Polly."
"Why, I never told you so, at all!" exclaimed Polly, annoyed at Tom's
tone and manner. "How do you know there will be another one?"
Tom flushed and sent Kenneth an angry glance, although poor Ken was
innocent of any guile in this case.
"If you do not care to dance with me, Polly, say so, and I'll go to the
smoking-room and enjoy the companionship of men who appreciate me,"
retorted Tom, impatiently.
The imp of resistance took instant possession of Polly, and she said:
"Tom, there's where you belong--with men who want to talk about work and
money. You are too old to enjoy youthful follies as I do."
Tom had been dreaming of this meeting with Polly again, for so long, that
now everything seemed shattered for him. He felt so injured at her
mention of his age in comparison with her own, that he said nothing more,
but turned on his heel and marched away without a backward glance. His
very foot-falls spoke of his feelings.
Polly turned to Kenneth and resumed her laughing banter, and he thought
she was glad to rid herself of Tom's company. He felt puzzled, too,
because Tom Latimer, in _his_ estimation, was everything noble and manly.
But Kenneth was inexperienced with girls' subtleties. Had Eleanor been
present she would have understood perfectly how matters were.
After this incident, Polly danced every dance with a gayety of manner
that she did not truly feel. Some of the joy of that party was lacking,
but she would not question the cause of it.
Tom went directly to the smoking-room where he sat down to brood over his
misery. He never filled his pipe, but sat lost in thought until a
friendly voice at his elbow said: "Well, old pard! Anne says you are to
come with me. She has a word to say. She is a wizard, too, so you'd best
obey without question."
Tom looked up and saw John. "Can Anne help me in the planning of the
legal defence of those lava-cliffs at Pebbly Pit?" Tom demanded of his
friend.
John smiled knowingly. "I'll admit you're not smoking, even though you
rushed to a sanctum protected from girls' invasion; and you are not
thinking of lava or injunctions, just now. You're pitying yourself for
what you consider shabby treatment, while all the time Anne can see that
your evening's disappointment is your own fault."
Tom weakened. "For goodness' sake, tell Anne to advise me what to do, if
she knows every cure."
"Come on and have a talk with her. She is just outside, waiting for us,"
coaxed John, placing his arm in that of his friend's, and gently forcing
him out of the room.
When Tom met Anne's sympathetic eyes, he confessed. "Anne, what's the
matter with Polly? She doesn't seem to know I am on earth. Did you watch
her enjoy that dance with a kid like Ken, and then snub _me_ outright
when I asked her to dance the next one with me?"
"I don't know what she did, Tom, but let me give you a bit of sensible
advice about Polly. John thinks I am right in this, too, don't you,
dear?" Wise Anne Brewster turned anxiously to John for his opinion.
"Yes, Tom, Anne is a wonder in such things. You listen to her, old man,"
agreed John.
Tom sighed heavily and signified his willingness to listen to anything
that would end his heartache. Both his companions smiled as if they
deemed this case an everyday matter.
"Tom, you are morbid from over-work at the mines," began Anne. "Remember
this, Polly has been on the go in Europe all summer, seeing first one
interesting thing after another, and not giving a single thought to you,
or anyone, on this side the water. She sneered at anyone who tried to
flatter her, or pretended to make love to her, while in Europe, and only
cared for art during that tour which meant so much to her.
"You ought to be thankful that she took this attitude, and returned home
heart-whole. What would you have done, had she fallen in love with an
attractive young man with a title? But she was too sensible for that. She
returns home with her mind still filled with the wonderful things she saw
abroad, and eager to tell everyone she knows all about her trip.
Naturally, she never gives a thought to a lover, or a future husband. She
is too young for that sort of thing, anyway, and her family would
discourage anyone who suggested such ideas to her. We want her to
continue her studies and find joy and satisfaction in her work, until she
is twenty-one, at least, and then she can consider matrimony.
"You know, Tom, that we all favor you immensely, as a future husband for
Polly, but we certainly would discountenance any advances you might make
right now, to turn Polly's thoughts from sensible work and endeavor, to a
state of discontent caused by the dreams of young love. If you are not
willing to be a good friend to the girl, now, and wait until she is
older, before you show your intentions, then I will certainly do my
utmost to keep Polly out of your way. But if, on the other hand, you
promise to guard your expression and behavior, and only treat Polly as a
good brother might, then we will do everything in our power to protect
Polly from any other admirers and to further your interests as best we
can. Do you understand, now?"
Tom had listened thoughtfully, and when Anne concluded, he said: "If I
thought I had a chance in the end, I would gladly wait a thousand years
for Polly!"
"Well, you won't have to do that," laughed Anne. "In a few years, at the
most, Polly will want to get out of business, and settle down like other
girls--to a slave of a husband and a lovely home of her own that she can
decorate and enjoy to her heart's content."
Tom brightened up visibly at such alluring pictures, and promised to do
exactly as Anne advised him to.
"If Polly pays no attention to you now, remember it is because she is
different from most girls you have known. She was brought up at Pebbly
Pit ranch without any young companions, until _we_ went there that
summer. She had a yearning for the beautiful in art and other things, but
never had the slightest opportunity in the Rocky Mountains, to further
her ideals. The only education she had had in the great and beautiful,
was when she was riding the peaks and could study Nature in her grandest
works.
"Can you blame her, then, because she revels in her studies and has no
other desire, at present, than that of reaching a plane where she can
indulge her talent and ideals? Can't you see that a youthful marriage to
Polly, now seems like a sacrifice of all she considers worth while in
life?"
Tom nodded understandingly as he listened to Anne. And John added: "I
told you Anne had the right idea of this affair! Polly's absolutely safe,
for a few years, from all love-tangles. And when she begins to weary of
hard work and disappointments in business, then is your chance to show
her a different life."
"But, Tom," quickly added Anne, "do not give Polly the opportunity,
again, to suspect you of lover-like intentions. Be a first-class brother
to her, and let _her_ wonder if she has any further interest in you.
Never show your trump card to a girl."
Both men laughed at this sage advice, and John nodded smilingly: "Anne
ought to know, Tom. That was the way she got me."
Anne was about to answer teasingly, when Mr. Dalken came up and said:
"I've been hunting you three everywhere. Hurry and get your wraps, as the
yacht is waiting to return to the City."
The trio then learned that passes had been granted the members in Mr.
Fabian's party, to leave the steamer that night and go back with their
friends, on the yacht. So the cabin baggage had been brought up to the
gang-way, and when Mr. Dalken summoned John and his companions to come
and help the girls get away, the boats were already on their way to the
yacht with the luggage.
Many of their fellow-passengers crowded about the party when they were
ready to go. Good-bys were exchanged and the happy bevy of young folks
left. Then the boat returned for the older members in the party, and soon
the yacht was ready to fly back to her dock, up the River, near 72nd
street. But the thick haze that had made the moon look so romantic,
developed into an impenetrable fog. And anyone who has ever experienced
such a fog hanging over New York Harbor, knows what it is to try to go
through it.
So the vessel had not traveled past the Statue of Liberty, before the
heavy pall of fog suddenly dropped silently over the Bay, and anything
farther than a few feet away from the radius of the electric lights on
the boat, was completely hidden.
The Captain bawled forth orders to the crew and instantly the uniformed
men were running back and forth to carry out the instructions. Before all
impetus to the yacht was closed down, however, the engines had driven her
into the route generally used by the pilots of the boats running to
Staten Island.
Captain Johnson anxiously studied his chart but could not gauge his
position exactly, because of the dense fog and the lack of signals. In a
few minutes more, every fog-horn in the Bay and all the great reflectors
from guiding lights from bell-buoys would be in full operation. But at
the time, there was nothing to tell him that he was in a dangerous zone.