* * * * *
By a curious coincidence Edith Stevens' "morning constitutional" took
her in the direction of the "Hamilton," and by another coincidence,
equally curious, she met Thatcher, Cosden, and her brother as they
emerged from the hotel after their conference with Duncan. Cosden was
still in an elated mental condition as a result of the fact that he had
again placed himself within the control of his master passion. Even
though Thatcher spoke of the enterprise as "small," it was an opening
wedge, and Cosden knew how to make the most of an opening.
The visit to Bermuda had already taught him that he was engaging in a
game of which he did not know even the first rudiments. It had seemed
easy enough to him when he first undertook it, but the experience of
these few days had undeceived him. When in the past he had wanted
anything, he simply played the game until he won out; now he saw that in
spite of his claim that marriage firmly rested upon basic business
principles, there was a certain hiatus which could not be filled in by
the education derived from every-day business routine in a
counting-room. He had met no discouragements as yet, but he was making
no beginning, and that of course was retrogression.
As he saw Miss Stevens approaching Cosden was seized with one of those
inspirations which had made his business career so signal a success. It
was stupid of him not to have thought of it before! Whenever he wanted
advice upon factory management he employed the best expert he could
secure; now that he required specialized service in the matter of
approaching Miss Thatcher upon the delicate subject he had in mind, why
should he not employ the same method? Every woman was by nature a
specialist in affairs of this kind, and from what he had already seen of
Miss Stevens he believed he could scarcely have selected one better
fitted to act in the capacity suggested.
It was easy enough to manoeuver matters so that he should walk back
with her to the "Princess," especially as she seemed unconsciously to
fall in with his plans by addressing her greeting particularly to him.
Cosden's response was so cordial and his pleasure in seeing her so
sincere that Edith was thoroughly mystified. Previously he had seemed
preoccupied, and appeared to endure her companionship rather than seek
it; now he threw aside his indifference and met her as a comrade. An
instant understanding flashed across her mind: Huntington had hinted
that his friend had suddenly developed interesting tendencies, and had
said plainly that the objective was either Merry Thatcher or herself.
Could it be that--well, perhaps it would not be necessary to use force
after all! Then, as a result of that curious feminine paradox, her next
thought was contradictory: "If he is really interested in me then I
shall lose interest in him." Still, the game was worth playing out.
They turned in at the little shaded lane which offers a short cut to the
hotel, but instead of entering the hallway Cosden stopped and indicated
the steps leading down to the tennis-courts.
"Would you mind having a very personal conversation with me down there?"
he asked with so much significance in his voice that Edith became almost
agitated.
"I'd love to sit down for a moment," she assented. "I've been walking so
long that I could take that bench in my arms and hug it."
"I'm in a quandary," Cosden began without preliminaries as soon as Edith
had adjusted herself where she would appear to best advantage. "I have
an idea that you can help me out."
"First aid to the wounded is right in my line," Edith assured him
helpfully.
Even with the inspiration which expectancy on the part of an audience is
always supposed to give a speaker, Cosden's fluency became somewhat
modified when he actually touched upon his main topic.
"I'm a peculiar sort of man, I've no doubt--"
"I wouldn't give a snap of my finger for a man who didn't possess
individuality," she interrupted emphatically.
"Well, perhaps it is more than individuality. Men seem to understand me
all right, but I've never had a sister, and I've been too tied down by
my business to cultivate women. I'm a man's man--I suppose that about
expresses it."
"That's a good recommendation; look at my brother,--he's a lady's man.
Would you change individualities with Ricky?"
"Perhaps not," Cosden said guardedly; "still in this matter your brother
could probably give me a pointer or two.--Hang it all! when I talk to a
man I don't have any difficulty in making myself understood, but here I
am, floundering round with you like a school-boy!"
"Just imagine for the moment that I am a man and that you are talking to
me about some one else--"
"That's it exactly; I knew you would understand. I thought Monty would
help me out, but he absolutely refuses to take me seriously. The truth
of the matter is that I've decided to get married."
Even with the preparation given her by Huntington's remarks Cosden's
statement came with an abruptness which surprised Edith into a becoming
flutter. Her eyes fell for the moment and she could feel a flush come
into her face. Knowing how some men admire the combination of blue eyes
and rosy cheeks she hastened to look up, but was disappointed to find
her companion's gaze resting upon the distant horizon.
"You have decided?" she asked archly; "where does the girl come in?"
"Oh, she'll come in all right at the finish, I've no doubt," Cosden
replied. "I'm taking you at your word, and I'm talking to you just as I
would to a man. I want you to tell me what I ought to do to make sure
that nothing goes wrong. I've always got what I've gone after, and it
would break me all up to come a cropper just because I hadn't handled
the matter right."
"Have you given the prospective bride any suggestion of your
intentions?" Edith inquired, her eyes again drooping.
"Not a word. That's not my way. I always plan things out to the finish,
and then it's plain sailing to the end."
"Have you reason to think she cares for you?"
"She has no more idea that I think of marrying anybody than you had
before I began to tell you; but I don't see why she should have any
special objection to me. The whole point is, I'm somewhat older than
she, and I'm not sure that I speak the same language."
Edith's mind executed some lightning mathematical calculations, and she
wondered if he were older than he looked.
"There is not too much difference, I am sure."
"Just eighteen years," Cosden announced with finality.
The color left Edith's face, and then it returned with greater strength.
Her surprise showed only in her snapping eyes, for she held herself well
in hand; but her mind was working fast. She was thankful enough that he
had been so wrapped up in himself that he was oblivious to her mistake.
"It would serve him right if I did marry him, to pay him back for this,"
was what her eyes said, but the words she spoke fitted well enough into
Cosden's understanding.
"Well, of course, eighteen years is a good deal--"
"Just the proper handicap." Cosden repeated the phrase he had used in
his discussion with Huntington. "Women grow old faster than men."
Edith bit her lip to hold back the caustic reply which was almost
spoken. He certainly was intent upon his purpose, but that did not
excuse his lack of gallantry. His friend could give him points on that!
The responsibility she had told Huntington she would assume became a
real one!
"Perhaps," she seemed to assent; "but of course it makes a difference
who the girl is. If I knew her--"
"You know her all right; it's Merry Thatcher."
"Oh!" she exclaimed, as if the identity was a complete surprise. "Yes,
you would have to plan your campaign pretty carefully with Merry. She is
a girl with definite ideas of her own, and she might not be influenced
by the fact that you always get what you go after."
Cosden looked at her suspiciously.
"Yes; I think I could help you," she added quickly.
"I'd be mighty grateful if you would," Cosden said with obvious relief.
"Now, let me see--" Edith proceeded carefully, but the way was clearing
before her. "I think you will need to take quite a course of training,"
she laughed. "Are you prepared to do that?"
"When I place myself in my doctor's hands I usually take his medicines."
"All right; then we'll start in at once. I must ask you a lot of
questions. Are you fond of athletics?"
"Next to my business, it's my longest suit."
"There is the first point of common interest. You are making a good
start.--Are you fond of reading?
"I like a good detective story."
"How about Stevenson and Ibsen and Lafcadio Hearn?"
"Not in mine, except 'Treasure Island' and 'Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.'"
Edith pursed her lips. "Not so good on the second test, Mr. Cosden. How
about opera?"
"My favorites are 'Lohengrin' and the 'Merry Widow.'"
"Horrors! That you must keep sacredly hidden from the dear girl. I've
known her to go to the opera eight times in one week, and sigh for more.
Of course you adore orchestral music?"
"You'll have to score zeros against me on music, but perhaps I can come
back strong in some other branches."
She held up a finger chidingly. "You from Boston, and don't rave over
your Symphony Orchestra! That is a real blow! I supposed every one in
Boston went to the Symphony concerts just for the prestige, even though
he couldn't tell whether the orchestra was playing or only tuning up."
"You see I'm not trying to sail under false colors."
"Well, now I come to the supreme test of all: do you dance?"
Cosden threw up his hands in real despair. "You are making me look
ridiculous," he said. "I knew the old dances, but I've never put myself
up against the new ones. I suppose I could learn."
"Well, well, well!" ejaculated the fair inquisitor. "All I can say is
that you showed real business judgment in coming to me first. Merry
would have made short work of you; she's crazy about dancing. Oh, don't
look so serious; the case may not be so hopeless as it seems."
"I don't see how it could be much worse." Cosden was genuinely
chagrined.
"It isn't every one who finds a fairy godmother waiting for him when he
comes out of his chrysalis, Mr. Cosden," Edith explained. "She will help
young Lochinvar to throw aside his antiquity and come down to date. In
two weeks' time you'll feel so spritely that Mr. Huntington and his
friends of equal age will bore you,--all provided that you follow your
instructor's precepts."
Cosden caught the contagion of her optimism. "It's mighty good of you,
Miss Stevens. I have no right to ask so much of a comparative stranger."
"Don't worry a bit," Edith reassured him. "You are to start right in and
practise on me. I'll teach you the new steps, and coach you in all
that's needful. You may lose your breath and a few friends, but I'll
guarantee to show you how to win a wife. Now you may begin your
education by leading me in to luncheon."
* * * * *