VICTOR VON DALIN
For several days the weather was showery, not very pleasant for
walking, and Polly stayed away from the June Holiday Home.
"What will Miss Nita think!" she mourned. "Miss Sniffen has
probably forgotten by this time that she sent me home. Wouldn't it
do for me to go over for just a little while this fore-noon, while
the officers are all busy?"
"I think you had better wait until Saturday," her mother decided.
So Polly sighed and ran off to write a little note to her beloved
friend. It was warm in her own room, and she carried paper and
pencil out to her favorite seat on the veranda.
She was there when a man came up the front steps, a white-haired
man. He walked with a firm, quick step, and when he saw her he
came over to where she sat. He took off his hat with a courteous
bow.
"May I ask," he said in a low, pleasant voice, "if you know a lady
in the June Holiday Home named Adlerfeld, Mrs. Elise Adlerfeld?"
"Oh, yes, sir! I know her very well; that is, I know Mrs.
Adlerfeld. I am not sure that her name is Elise."
"Her husband's name was Hans Adlerfeld."
"I don't know anything about him," Polly replied; "but there's only
one Mrs. Adlerfeld there. She is a dear! I love her!"
The man's face flushed with pleasure. "Then you may, perhaps, help
me. I have sought her these two years, and only now have I found
her! I went to the door, and the lady told me I could not see her
till next Wednesday! I cannot stay. I must go back to New York,
and I must see her before I go. I begged the door-keeper to allow
me to speak with my friend for only a short moment; but she would
not. She said it was not visitor's day. Then I thought perhaps a
neighbor might help me. So I come to you. I ask you, is there any
way I can get inside to her, or she can get out to me? I beg of
you, my dear young lady, will you help me? I must see her to-day!
I cannot stay even till to-morrow!"
"That is just like Miss Sniffen" declared Polly. "She is the
superintendent. She will never let anybody in except on Wednesday
afternoon. It is a shame' I don't know--" She hesitated.
"Perhaps mother will let me go over and tell her. Please take this
chair, sir. Mother will see you about it; she will know better
than I what to do."
"Tell her, if you please, that it is Victor von Dalin, an old
friend of Mrs. Adlerfeld's, in Sweden, who desires to see her."
"Oh! are you really from Sweden?" beamed Polly. "How delighted she
will be!"
"I have not been in Sweden these two years; but I knew her well
when we lived there, a long time ago."
Polly ran off, full of excitement. How pleased the dear little
woman would be! To think Miss Sniffen should refuse him entrance!
She explained the matter to her mother.
"I will go right down," said Mrs. Dudley. "We must find some way
to bring them together without arousing suspicion."
It was finally decided that Polly should go over to the Home and up
to Miss Sterling's room, as usual, leaving Miss Sterling to see
Mrs. Adlerfeld and to give her Mrs. Dudley's invitation to spend
the rest of the day at her house.
Happily, Miss Sniffen was not in sight as Polly made her quick way
to the third floor.
"You dear child! Then you're not sick! I was afraid you were."
Miss Sterling held her at arm's length, to make sure of her health.
"Sick? Not a bit!" laughed Polly. "Mother thought I'd better not
come until Miss Sniffen had had a chance to forget she sent me
home--that's all! I wasn't coming till to-morrow, but something
happened--the loveliest thing!"
"What?"
"Come, sit down, and I'll tell you!"
"I can't imagine what it is!"
"No, you can't! You couldn't guess if you had a year to do it in!
The nicest man has come from New York to see Mrs. Adlerfeld, and
they wouldn't let him in here! Wasn't that mean! So he came over
to our house, to ask if we knew her and could help him out. He
used to know Mrs. Adlerfeld in Sweden, and he's bound to see her!
Oh, he's so lovable! His hair is as white! But he doesn't look
old. Can't you come over pretty soon and see him? Though I don't
know as you'd better. That might give it away--to have two come!
Mother wants you to tell Mrs. Adlerfeld that she would like to have
her spend the day with us. Make her come just as quick as she can.
You can tell her that it is Mr. Victor von Dalin that is
there--isn't that a sweet name? Oh, I do hope she will come!
He'll have a fit if she doesn't! Wasn't Miss Sniffen horrible the
other day? When we were having such a good time! I must go--no, I
guess I'll wait till you've been up and found out. Then I can tell
him."
Polly waited and waited, wondering, after five minutes, why Miss
Sterling did not come back.
"Dear me!" she thought anxiously, "I hope Mrs. Adlerfeld hasn't
fainted or anything!"
The time dragged slowly away. Ten o'clock went by. Polly wandered
restlessly around the room. She took up a book, but could not
read. Once she started to go down the hall to find out; then she
concluded she had better not. She looked out of the window, but
could think of nothing but the worrying fact of Miss Nita's
prolonged absence.
At last she heard her light step in the corridor. She sprang to
the door.
"What in the world--"
Miss Sterling motioned for silence, and they hurried to the further
side of the room.
"I knew you'd be frantic," she began; "but I couldn't help it.
Just before I reached Mrs. Adlerfeld's room I heard Mrs. Nobbs's
voice in there, so I stopped at Mrs. Albright's. I knew it would
be all right to tell her, they are so intimate. She is pleased as
we are. But it did seem as if Mrs. Nobbs never would go! Oh, the
dear woman is so excited that I don't know whether she will get
dressed straight or not! Mrs. Albright is helping her. His coming
has upset her completely. But it is a happy up-setting! You can
see that! I am so glad!"
"Will she come right over?"
"If they'll let her. I presume they will."
"If they don't, I'll make a fuss!" threatened Polly. "I'll go
after Mr. Randolph."
Miss Sterling laughed. "You won't have to do that."
"You haven't ever found out what he wanted to talk with you about
over the wire, have you?" Polly asked.
"No, and I never shall." Miss Sterling's lips took a sorrowful
droop.
"You will, too! I'll ask him myself some day!"
"No, no, you mustn't!"
"You'll see!" Polly laughed and said a soft "Good-bye!"
Miss Sterling motioned her back.
"Be sure to come over to-morrow morning and tell me all about it!"
she whispered.
Polly returned earlier. She appeared at four o'clock.
"I couldn't wait another minute!" she said. "The two dears are
sitting out on the veranda, up in the corner where the vines hide
them from the street, and their heads are close together and they
are talking earnestly in that queer lingo that nobody else
understands! Oh, they are having the loveliest time! They were at
our house to luncheon, both of them, and they're going to stay to
dinner! He will take the 7.30 train for New York. We've all
enjoyed it so much! Father and he just took to each other. You
ought to have heard them talk! I believe he knows every book that
ever was written! We had such fun! Father and mother never saw
Mrs. Adlerfeld very much, and they think she is just charming.
They used to go to school together in Sweden. His wife died three
years ago, and he has a son and daughter, both married. The
daughter lives in Stockholm and the son in Newark. Mr. Von Dalin
is librarian in one of the big libraries--oh, I wish you could see
him! Dear me, I must run back, for they may want something!"
Without doubt Polly was extraordinarily excited.