"The finding of those stones bearing Elizabethan and Indian writing was
perfectly timed! It's all a publicity stunt for the coming show!"
"How could it be?" Penny questioned, scarcely able to accept her father's
theory. "I found one of the rocks myself. I know I wasn't hired by any
Indian show!"
"It was pure luck that you stumbled into the stone, Penny. If you hadn't,
someone hired by the Indian show would have brought it to light."
"But where does Jay Franklin figure in, Dad? You don't think he's
connected with the publicity scheme as you call it!"
"Franklin wouldn't have sufficient imagination to pull off a stunt like
that," Mr. Parker declared. "No, he may actually believe in the
authenticity of the stones. At any rate, he saw an opportunity to make a
little money for himself and seized it."
"Why should an Indian show go to the trouble of having stones carved and
planted in various fields? It doesn't make sense."
"The resulting publicity should draw state-wide attention to the show,
Penny. It's just the sort of idea which would appeal to a clever
publicity agent. Every newspaper in Riverview except the _Star_ has
fallen for it, giving columns of space to the story."
"I still don't see how the show will gain. Its name never has been
mentioned in connection with the finding of the stones."
"Of course not, Penny. That would be too crude. But at the proper time,
the publicity agent will twist all of the stories to his own purpose."
"Dad," said Penny sadly, "in the past you have accused me of having wild
ideas. I think the score is even now."
"I'll have that show traced," Mr. Parker declared, paying no heed to his
daughter. "Since it is coming to Riverview next week it can't be far away
now. I may find it worth while to call on the publicity agent and have a
little chat with him."
Penny was gazing at the billboard again, reading the dates.
"Dad, the show will play here during Pilgrimage Week," she declared.
"What a shame! It's certain to take away customers from a much more
worthwhile event."
"There may not be an Indian show," responded Mr. Parker grimly. "Not when
I get through with the outfit!"
Immediately upon arriving at home, the publisher called the newspaper
office, delegating City Editor DeWitt to obtain complete information
about the Indian Show and to report to him. All evening he talked of his
theory until both Penny and Mrs. Weems confessed that they were a bit
weary of redskins.
"I shall write an editorial for tomorrow's _Star_," Mr. Parker announced.
"Even if I haven't absolute facts, I'll drop a few broad hints about
those fake stones!"
The editorial, cleverly worded but with very definite implications, was
composed that night, and telephoned to the newspaper office. Penny had
the pleasure of reading it at breakfast the next morning.
"You certainly did yourself proud, Dad," she praised. "However, I imagine
the museum people aren't going to be too pleased. Nor certain other folks
in this town."
"Let me take a look at it," Mr. Parker requested, reaching for the paper.
As Penny offered it to him, the doorbell rang. Mrs. Weems was busy in the
kitchen so the girl arose and went to answer it. Jay Franklin stood on
the porch.
"Good morning," he said in a hard voice. "Is your father here?"
"Yes, he is eating breakfast," Penny responded. "Won't you come in,
please?"
Mr. Franklin walked ahead of her into the living room.
"Good morning, Jay," called the editor, who was able to see the caller
from his chair at the breakfast table. "Will you have a cup of coffee
with us?"
Ignoring the invitation, Mr. Franklin entered the dinette, blocking the
doorway. From his pocket he took a copy of the morning _Star_.
"Parker," he said curtly, "I've just read your editorial and I demand an
explanation! Do you realize what you've done?"
"Written a pretty fair stickful--or so my daughter tells me," Mr. Parker
smiled undisturbed.
"You've deliberately tried to smear me," the real estate man accused.
"I don't recall that your name was mentioned in the editorial."
"No, but you know I expect to sell those two stones to the museum. This
editorial of yours may queer the sale!"
"Then it will have fulfilled its purpose. The stones are fakes. If you
aren't aware of it, I suggest that you acquaint yourself with the true
facts."
"Those stones bear genuine Elizabethan writing. There's no connection
with any cheap Indian show, and I defy you to prove it!"
"Consider your challenge accepted," replied Mr. Parker evenly. "I expect
to publish the true facts very shortly in the _Star_."
"If you prevent me from making a sale to the museum, I'll sue you!" Jay
Franklin threatened. "That's all I have to say. Good morning!"
In his anger he turned so quickly that he ran into Penny who stood
directly behind him. Without bothering to apologize, he brushed past her,
out the front door.
"What a dreadful man!" remarked Mrs. Weems who had heard the conversation
from the kitchen.
"I rather expected him to call, although not so early in the morning,"
the publisher remarked, reaching for a slice of toast. "His attitude
doesn't bother me in the least."
"He may actually sue you if you don't make good on producing facts,"
Penny commented. "How are you going to do it?"
"DeWitt informs me that the Indian Show is playing at Bryan this week.
I'll drive over there today and see what I can learn."
Bryan was a small city located sixty-nine miles from Riverview. Although
Penny ordinarily would have spent the day in school, she immediately
decided that her father would need her assistance. Accordingly, she
begged so hard to accompany him that he finally gave his consent.
Early afternoon saw Mr. Parker and his daughter at the outskirts of Bryan
where two large blue and red show tents had been set up. A band played,
and townspeople were pouring past the ticket-taker, an Indian who wore
the headdress of a chieftain.
"It looks rather interesting," Penny remarked wistfully.
Mr. Parker stripped a bill from his wallet and gave it to her.
"Go buy yourself a ticket," he said, smiling. "I'll meet you here by the
entrance in an hour."
"Don't you want to see the show, Dad?"
"I've outgrown such foolishness," he rejoined. "I'll find the publicity
agent and have my little talk with him."
The enticing sound of tom-toms and Indian war whoops caused Penny to
forget her desire to meet the show's publicity man. Saying goodbye to her
father, she bought a ticket and hastened into the big top. For an hour
she sat through a very mediocre performance, consisting in the main part
of cowboy and Indian horseback riding. The concluding event, a tableau,
depicted an attack by redskins upon an early English colony settlement.
It was all very boring, and Penny left in the middle of the performance.
Mr. Parker was not waiting at the entrance way. Loitering about for a
time, she inquired of a workman and learned that her father was in one of
the small tents close by. The flap had been rolled back, permitting her
to see a sharp-faced man of thirty who sat at a desk piled with papers.
"Is that the show's publicity agent?" she asked the workman.
"Yep, Bill McJavins," he answered. "He's sure put new life into this
outfit. We've been packin' them in ever since he took over."
Within a few minutes Mr. Parker joined Penny and from the expression of
his face, she immediately guessed that his interview had not been very
successful.
"I take it that Bill McJavins didn't break down and confess all?" she
inquired lightly.
"He denied any connection with those stones found in Riverview," Mr.
Parker replied. "But in the next breath he admitted he knew all about
them and intends to capitalize on the story."
"Just how will it help the show?"
"From what McJavins told me, I gather the program includes an historical
pageant."
"That would be a flattering name for it."
"In the pageant, Indians attack a white settlement. A beautiful maiden
escapes, and chisels on a stone tablet an account of the massacre--then
she, too, succumbs to the tomahawk."
"You seem to know more about the show than I," Penny laughed. "Anyway,
I'm glad to learn how it came out!"
"It's my guess that McJavins hopes to profit by a tie-up between the
stone writing of the pageant and the finding of similar rocks near
Riverview. It's a cheap trick, and the hoax would have been exposed a
long time ago if museum authorities were awake!"
Neither discouraged nor too much elated by the results of the trip, Mr.
Parker and Penny returned to Riverview. It was exactly noon when they
reached the newspaper office.
"I trust you plan to attend school this afternoon," the editor reminded
his daughter. "By lunching downtown you'll have plenty of time to get
there."
Loitering about the newsroom as long as she dared, Penny crossed the
street to have a sandwich at a quick-lunch cafe. As she reached the
restaurant she observed a familiar figure coming toward her.
"Rhoda Wiegand!" she exclaimed. "Aren't you going in the wrong
direction?"
"I'm cutting classes for the afternoon," the trailer camp girl replied,
pausing. "Mr. Coaten expects me to meet him at the Fischer Building. Can
you tell me where it is?"
"Three blocks straight down the street," Penny directed. She hesitated
and then said: "Rhoda, it's none of my affair, but I do hope you're not
agreeing to Mr. Coaten's proposal."
"The adoption? Yes, I am, Penny. I've tried to hold out against them all,
but I can't do it. Ted signed the papers two days ago. Since then I've
had no peace. Ted keeps after me, the Breens want me to do it, and Mr.
Coaten says I am selfish."
"We both know Mr. Coaten intends to profit in some way at your expense."
"I do feel that way about it. If only I dared stand firm--"
"You must," Penny said earnestly. Deliberately taking Rhoda's arm she
turned her about. "You're to break that appointment and have luncheon
with me. I'll assume all the responsibility."
CHAPTER
20
_RHODA'S PROBLEM_
Rhoda allowed herself to be dissuaded, but not without misgiving. As she
lunched with Penny at the Dolman Cafe, she painted a gloomy picture of
what lay before her.
"You don't understand how it is," she said, slowly stirring a cup of hot
chocolate. "I really haven't a good reason for refusing to consent to the
adoption. If I had one scrap of evidence against Mr. Coaten it would be
different."
"Can't you write to Texas and inquire about him and his friend?"
"I did," Rhoda admitted. "The answer came back that Mr. Coaten was
unknown at the address he gave the Breens."
"I should think that would be sufficient reason for distrusting him."
"Oh, Mr. Coaten explained it by saying that his family just moved to a
new house, and that he inadvertently had given me the wrong address."
"Did you ask for the second one, Rhoda?"
"Yes, he gave it to me. So far I've not had time for a reply."
"My advice is to stall for time," Penny said. "If we have even a few days
more we may dig up some information. However, I'll confess I haven't an
idea at the moment."
"Mr. Coaten will be furious because I didn't keep the appointment," Rhoda
sighed. "He's certain to come to the trailer camp tonight and demand an
explanation."
"Just tell him you changed your mind and refuse to say anything more. I
wish I could talk to him."
"So do I," declared Rhoda with emphasis. "Why not take dinner with us
tonight--if you can stand our brand of hospitality."
"Well, I don't know," Penny hesitated. "Louise and I plan to go to Mrs.
Marborough's place directly after school--"
"Oh, I wish I could go with you!" Rhoda declared impulsively. "I never
have had an opportunity to finish my sketch. Mrs. Marborough is such an
interesting character, too."
"You don't know the half of it," laughed Penny. "You're welcome to come
along. I think Mrs. Marborough will be willing to share our secret with
you."
"Secret?"
"No questions now, please," Penny requested, capturing both luncheon
checks. "We must hurry or we'll be late for school."
Having assured Mrs. Marborough that she would disclose nothing about the
lost pearl necklace, she could not honorably share the adventure with her
friend. However, it was her hope and belief that the widow would be
willing to allow Rhoda to aid in the exciting search of the premises.
Penny's surmise proved entirely correct. Later that afternoon when the
three girls called at Rose Acres, Mrs. Marborough scarcely noticed that
Rhoda was an uninvited member of the party. At once she began talking of
the missing pearls, which to the satisfaction of Louise and Penny,
necessitated a complete explanation.
"Imagine finding a tunnel leading from the old wishing well to the
house!" Rhoda cried in delight. "Take me through it! Show me everything!"
"Perhaps you can find the pearls," Penny laughed. "So far Louise and I
have failed."
"They're supposed to be hidden somewhere near the old wishing well,"
Louise contributed. "That's the only real clue we have."
"I suppose you looked under the flagstones?"
"I did that many days ago," answered Mrs. Marborough. "In fact, I don't
think there's a single place I haven't searched."
"The roof of the well?" Rhoda suggested.
"We never once thought of that place!" Louise exclaimed. "But how could
the necklace be secreted there?" She frowned as she stared at the
steep-pitched, shingled covering which formed a protection over the well.
"It's worth looking at anyhow!" Penny declared. "I'll get a ladder if I
can find one."
"In the woodshed," directed Mrs. Marborough.
Penny soon returned carrying a dust-laden step-ladder which had not seen
service in many years. Bracing it against the well, she mounted and began
to inspect the roof.
"Find anything?" inquired Rhoda impatiently.
"Two birds' nests. There seems to be a hole under the edge of the
roofing--"
Penny broke off as she ran her hand into the narrow opening.
"Yes, there is something here!" she exclaimed a moment later. "It feels
like a tiny box!"
Mrs. Marborough and the two girls waited tensely, hardly daring to hope.
Penny withdrew her hand from the hole, triumphantly holding up a small
leather case.
"This isn't it?" she asked.
"Oh, yes, yes!" Mrs. Marborough cried. "It is the old jewel case. The
pearls must be inside!"
In her haste to climb down from the ladder, Penny missed one of the
steps. Rhoda seized her arm saving her from a hard fall. Recovering her
breath, Penny politely offered the jewel case to Mrs. Marborough.
With the three girls clustered about her, the mistress of Rose Acres
ceremoniously opened the lid. In a nest of yellowed silk lay a string of
matched pearls, so beautiful and lustrous that no one could find words to
admire it.
"The famous Marborough pearls," the widow murmured at last. "This
necklace brought only unhappiness to our family. Now, however, they shall
serve a useful purpose!"
The girls gazed at Mrs. Marborough expectantly, waiting for her to
continue:
"I shall sell the pearls," she said quietly. "They represent a small
fortune, and by disposing of them I'll be well-provided for in my old
age. It won't be necessary for me to pinch and skrimp. I'll be able to
hold my head up in society--live like a human being again instead of a
recluse."
Realizing that she was revealing a great deal, Mrs. Marborough snapped
shut the jewel case and smiled at the girls.
"I never should have found the pearls by myself. To tell you that I am
grateful scarcely expresses my feelings. You've saved me from poverty."
"Rhoda did it," Penny declared, giving full credit to the trailer-camp
girl. "Louise and I never would have thought of searching the roof of the
well."
"Do come inside," Mrs. Marborough invited gaily. "We'll have tea in my
kitchen. It's not much to offer, but I did bake a little sponge cake this
morning."
No longer ashamed of the barren condition of the old mansion, the widow
led the girls through the great empty rooms. By daylight, notwithstanding
the stained condition of the walls, the house seemed more elegant than
ever. There was a large fan-shaped window of stained glass which Penny
had not noticed before, and dozens of candle holders attached to the
walls.
"How gorgeous this place would look if all the candles could be lighted
at one time," she remarked admiringly.
"And if the house had a little furniture in it," added Mrs. Marborough.
"You know, a few days ago I did a very foolish thing."
Louise glanced quickly at Penny but said nothing.
"I was a bit hard pressed for money," the widow resumed. "On an impulse I
sold all my furniture to Mr. Butterworth. Do you suppose he will sell it
back to me?"
"He should," declared Penny.
"I like Riverview for I was born here," Mrs. Marborough went on, talking
as if to herself. "By selling the pearls I can refurnish the house, have
the grounds restored to their original beauty, and live as I formerly
did!"
"Oh, I do hope you decide to stay here," Penny said eagerly.
Mrs. Marborough started a fire in the kitchen stove and put a kettle of
water on to boil. Soon the tea was ready, and was served with generous
slices of yellow sponge cake.
"I suppose everyone in Riverview considers me a crotchety old woman,"
Mrs. Marborough remarked presently. "I haven't been very friendly because
I didn't want folks to know I had sold my furniture. Some days ago a
group of women came to see me about opening the house for some sort of
Festival--"
"Pilgrimage Week," Penny supplied.
"I turned them down, not because I wasn't eager to help, but because I
couldn't let folks know all my furniture was gone. I wonder if they would
still care to include Rose Acres in the tour of houses?"
"Oh, Mrs. Marborough, it would practically save the Festival!" Penny
cried. "A cheap Indian show is coming to town the same week. I know for a
fact that the Festival tickets aren't selling very well."
"Everyone wants to see Rose Acres," Louise added enthusiastically.
"If I can re-purchase my furniture, I'll be glad to open the house to the
public," Mrs. Marborough said, her eyes twinkling as she gazed directly
at Penny. "That was the wish you made at the well, I believe?"
"Oh, it was! And you'll make it come true!"
"It's little enough to do in return for the favor you have bestowed upon
me."
"Nothing will please me more than to see this old house in all its
glory!" Penny declared enthusiastically. "May we light all the candles at
one time?"
"If you like."
"And wouldn't it be fun to hold a grand ball here with everyone dressed
in colonial costume!" Penny went on. "Can't you just see the place with
beaux and their ladies dancing a quadrille?"
"I'll talk to the members of the Festival Committee tomorrow," Mrs.
Marborough promised. "My first call, however, will be upon Mr.
Butterworth."
Long shadows were falling, and the girls soon arose to depart. During the
walk into Riverview, Rhoda became rather sober and Penny shrewdly guessed
that she had forgotten about the Marborough pearls and was thinking of
the dreaded interview with Mr. Coaten.
"You're really afraid to meet that man aren't you?" she asked curiously.
"Not exactly afraid," Rhoda responded. "He'll be waiting though, I'm
sure. I just don't know what to tell him."
"Will it be easier for you if I go with you to the camp?"
"Oh, I wish you would, Penny!" Rhoda said gratefully.
Louise soon parted with her friends, and the two girls went on to the
trailer camp. Mrs. Breen immediately informed them that Mr. Coaten had
called earlier in the afternoon and expected to return again.
"I hope you didn't make trouble about signing the papers," she said
severely. "He acted quite upset."
"I broke our appointment," Rhoda responded briefly. "So far I've not made
up my mind what to do."
There followed a lengthy argument in which Mrs. Breen assured the girl
that she was making a serious mistake by antagonizing such a kind,
generous man as Mr. Coaten. Penny took no part in the conversation,
although she readily could see how difficult had become Rhoda's position.
"You'll have to stay to dinner now," Rhoda whispered to her. "Mr. Coaten
is certain to come, and I can't stand against them all."
Penny had no desire to remain for a meal, but feeling that she should
support her friend, accepted the invitation. Ted soon came home from
working at Judge Harlan's office, and he too expressed displeasure
because his sister had broken the appointment with Mr. Coaten.
During dinner the subject was studiously avoided. Somewhat to Penny's
disapproval, Rhoda began to tell the Breens about everything that had
occurred at Rose Acres. At mention of the pearl necklace, Ted's fork
clattered against his plate and he forgot to eat.
"You actually found a string of pearls?" he asked incredulously. "Real
ones?"
"They must be worth many thousand dollars," Rhoda assured him. "Mrs.
Marborough intends to sell them and use the money to remodel her place."
Ted was about to ask another question, then seemed to reconsider.
"More stew?" Mrs. Breen asked as an awkward silence fell.
"No thanks, Mom," he answered. "If you'll excuse me, I'll skip out. I
have a date uptown with a fellow."
Mrs. Breen made no reply and the boy left the trailer. Penny thought that
she too should be leaving, but before she could speak, there came a light
tap on the door. Mr. Breen thrust his head out the open window.
"It's Mr. Coaten," he announced in a hoarse whisper. "What are you going
to tell him Rhoda?"
"I don't know," she answered, gazing helplessly at Penny.
CHAPTER
21
_MRS. MARBOROUGH'S LOSS_
Mrs. Breen hastily removed her apron and opened the door to admit the
caller.
"Good evening," said Mr. Coaten. His gaze roved from one person to
another in the crowded little room, coming to rest upon Rhoda.
"I'm sorry I couldn't keep our appointment this afternoon," she said
stiffly. "The truth is, I've changed my mind about signing that paper."
"I've tried to talk sense into her," Mrs. Breen broke in. "I don't know
what's come over the girl lately."
Mr. Coaten seated himself on the day bed, smiling at Rhoda in a friendly
way.
"I understand how you feel," he said. "You are afraid you don't know me
well enough to agree to the adoption."
"I never heard of you until you came to Riverview."
"Rhoda, that's no way to talk!" Mrs. Breen reprimanded. "What would we
have done without Mr. Coaten? He's given us money, bought groceries, and
made everything much easier."
"I appreciate everything. It's just that--well, I don't care to be
adopted. I like things as they are."
Mrs. Breen's kindly face tightened into hard lines.
"Rhoda," she said firmly, "this is an opportunity for you, and you ought
to be smart enough to realize it. Mr. Coaten will give you good clothes
and schooling. Pop and I can't do it."
"You've given me too much now," Rhoda murmured, her gaze on the linoleum
rug.
"I've been patient with you, but now I'm going to have my say. We can't
keep you any more."
"You're telling me to go?" Rhoda gasped, scarcely believing that she had
heard correctly.
"I'm asking you to sign whatever it is that Mr. Coaten wants you to."
Rhoda gazed at Penny, her lips trembling. There seemed but one course
open to her, for she had no money and no relatives. Fully aware of her
predicament, Mr. Coaten smiled triumphantly. From his pocket he whipped
out a fountain pen and a folded, neatly-typed paper.
"Rhoda, don't sign unless you really wish to," Penny said quietly.
"But I'll have no home--"
"You may stay with me. I'll find a place for you."
Directing her gaze upon Mr. Coaten, Penny resumed:
"May I ask why you are so eager to obtain a guardianship over Ted and
Rhoda? What do you expect to gain by it?"
"My dear young lady--" Mr. Coaten's voice was soft but his eyes glinted
angrily. "I expect to gain nothing."
"I gathered a different impression when I heard you and your friend
talking a night or so ago at the Marborough place."
At first Mr. Coaten did not appear to understand, then as Penny's meaning
dawned upon him, he arose from the couch.
"I have no wish to discuss this matter with you--a stranger," he said
coldly. "For some reason you are prejudiced against me, and have
deliberately influenced Rhoda to go against Mrs. Breen's desires."
"It's a question for our own family to settle," Mrs. Breen added.
"I'll go at once," said Penny. She gazed questioningly at Rhoda.
"Do you really think you could take me in at your place?" the girl asked.
"Of course. My offer holds."