A MIDNIGHT SENSATION
But two weeks remained of the spring term. School would close on May
twenty-eighth. Already Washington had become insufferably warm, and even
Columbia Heights School situated upon its hill, was very trying. The
girls were almost too inert to work and spent every possible moment out
of doors.
The moment school ended Peggy, Polly and Nelly would go back to
Annapolis and Rosalie was to go with, them as Peggy's guest for a month.
Mrs. Harold had invited Marjorie, Natalie, and Juno to be Polly's guests
for June week under the joint chaperonage of herself and Mrs. Howland,
after which plans were being laid for the entire party to go to
Provincetown with "all the Howland outfit," as Captain Stewart and Mr.
Harold phrased it, there to live in a bungalow as long as the Atlantic
fleet made that jumping-off place its rendezvous. It bid fair to be a
tremendous house party, though the lads whom the girls had grown to
know best would not be there. The practice squadron was going to Europe
this summer. However, "the old guard" as Happy, Wheedles and Shortie, as
well as dozens of others from earlier classes were called, would be
there and things were sure to be lively. But all this lies in the
future.
Helen and Lily Pearl had been invited to Annapolis for June week, by
Mrs. Ring, and were to go to the June ball with dear Paul and Charles
Purdy. They had not been asked to dance the German since they had made
no special friends among the first classmen. Peggy and Polly were to
dance it, one with Dick Allyn, the other with his room-mate, Calhoun
Byrd, who, in Bancroft's vernacular "spooned on Ralph" and had always
considered Polly "a clipper." Juno was to go with Guy Bennett, Nelly,
Rosalie, Marjorie and Natalie had, alack! to look on from the gallery,
escorted by second-classmen.
But now of immediate happenings at Columbia Heights School.
It had been arranged that Shelby should take Shashai, Star and Tzaritza
back to Severndale on the twenty-second, as it was now far too warm to
ride in Washington. Moreover, Shelby's engagement with Mrs. Vincent
expired May fifteenth and he was anxious to get back to Severndale. Then
at the last moment, Mrs. Vincent decided to send all the saddle horses
to Severndale for the summer months and keep only the carriage horses
and the white groom at the school. So Shelby wrote Jim Bolivar that
"he'd better come along down and get on the job too." Consequently,
about a week after the girl's visit to Annapolis and Rosalie's escapade,
Jim Bolivar arrived at the school and took up his quarters in the pretty
little cottage provided for Shelby. He expected to spend about two days
helping to get matters closed up for the summer, then start on with
Junius Augustus in charge of Columbine, Lady Belle, the Senator, and
Jack-o'-Lantern, Shelby following a day later with Shashai, Star, Madame
Goldie and Old Duke. So far so good out in the stables. Within the
school Nelly was learning the difference between being the daughter of
patrician blood come upon misfortune, and cheerfully making the best of
things, and some extremely plebeian blood slopped unexpectedly into
fortune, and trying to forget its origin. Had not Nelly possessed such
loyal old friends as Peggy and Polly, and made such stanch new ones as
Rosalie, Natalie, Stella and Marjorie, her position might have been a
very trying one. And now only eight days remained before vacation would
begin. Already the girls were in a flutter for June week at Annapolis.
Would it be fair? Would it be scorching hot? Would there be moon-light
nights?
"There'll be moon-light if the old lady has half a chance to show
herself," said Polly's assured voice and nod.
"We had a new moon on the eighteenth," said Peggy. "That means brim-full
in June week, and, oh, girls, won't it be fairy land! How I wish,
though, you were all to dance the German. I can't help feeling selfish
to leave you out of that fun."
"You aren't leaving us out. We understand that even the Little Mother
can't ask her boys to take a girl to the German! But we aren't likely to
pine away with all the other fun afoot," cried Natalie gaily, doing a
pirouette across the room just by way of relieving pent-up anticipation.
"Helen said she might be invited to dance the German after all. Dear
Paul's Mamma has a grease with a first classman," laughed Rosalie.
"When I see her on the floor I'll believe it," said Juno.
"Where is Helen tonight?" asked Marjorie.
"Up in her room. Lily has a sick headache and she went up with her.
Guess that cousin of Helen's who came down from Baltimore, Foxy
Grandpa's daughter, or niece, or something, I believe, and spent this
afternoon with her, gave those girls too many chocolates. Wasn't she
the limit? And big? Well, I'll wager that woman was six feet tall, and
she was made up perfectly outrageously. Her skin was fair enough, and
her color lovely and I never saw such teeth, if they weren't store ones,
but there was something about the lower part of her face that looked
queer. Did you notice it, girls?" asked Polly.
"I did. There was such a funny dull tinge, like a man who had just been
shaved," commented Rosalie, with a puzzled frown.
"Her voice struck me funniest. Do you remember Fräulein Shultz who was
here the first year school opened, Marjorie?" asked Natalie.
"Yes, we used to call her Herr Shultz. Such a voice you never heard,
girls!"
"Well, this cousin's was exactly like Herr Shultz."
"Her clothes were the climax with me. I believe she must have been on
the stage sometime. Oh, yes, they were up-to-date enough, but, so sort
of--of--tawdry," criticised Juno.
"Do you know, she reminded me of somebody I know but who it is I just
can't think," and Peggy puckered her forehead into wrinkles.
"Oh!" cried Nelly, then stopped short.
"What's the matter? Sat on a pin?" asked Rosalie, laughing.
"Something made me jump," answered Nelly, pulling her skirt as though in
search of the pin Rosalie had suggested. Then in a moment she said:
"Reckon I'll go in, girls, I've got to send a note home by father and he
starts pretty soon."
"Why do they start at night?" asked Juno.
"Cooler traveling for the horses. They leave here about eight, travel
about nine miles an hour, for two hours, stop at ---- for the night,
start again at seven in the morning, and will reach Severndale by ten
o'clock at latest. It seems like a long trip, but that makes it an easy
one. Shelby will start tomorrow or next day. And won't all those horses
have the time of their lives! I am so glad that they're to be there,"
explained Peggy.
"So is mother, Peggy Stewart," cried Natalie.
Meanwhile Nelly had gone to her room. It was next Helen's and Lily's. On
beyond was Stella's sitting-room. Nelly roomed with a girl who had been
called home by illness in her family. Consequently Nelly now had the
room to herself. She wrote her note and then went to find Mrs. Vincent
to ask permission to run out to the stables to give it to her father.
As she passed Helen's and Lily's door she heard them whispering together
and also heard a deeper voice. Whose could it be? It was so unusual
that she paused a moment in the dimly lighted hall. She did not mean to
be an eavesdropper, but she thought all the girls from the west wing
were down on the terrace where she had left them that perfect May night.
They had gone out there immediately dinner ended, for study hour had
lately been held from five to seven on account of the warm evenings,
Mrs. Vincent objecting to the lights which made the house almost
suffocating.
Presently the deep-voiced whisper was heard again. Nelly started as
though from an electric shock. Had Helen's cousin returned, but when?
And that whisper was a revelation. Then she went on her way. Consent was
promptly given and Nelly ran across the shadow-laden lawn to the
stables. She found her father, Shelby and the men just preparing to set
forth. Her father was to ride the Senator to set the pace. Junius rode
Jack-o'-Lantern. Columbine and Lady Belle were to be led.
As Nelly drew near, Columbine neighed a welcome.
"What's brought you down here, honey?" asked Bolivar. "I was going to
stop at the house to say good-bye."
"I wanted to see you alone a minute, daddy."
"Go 'long for a little private confab with her, Bolivar. All right,
Nelly, no hurry," said Shelby genially.
The thin sickle of the new moon cast very little light as Nelly and her
father walked a short distance down the path, Nelly, talking earnestly
in a low voice. When she ceased Bolivar said:
"Oh, you must be mistaken, Nelly, why, I never heard of such a fool
stunt; yet that kid's capable of most any, I understand. Of course, I'll
take the hint and watch out, but just like you say, it's better to keep
it dark. It'd only stir up a terrible talk and make Mrs. Vincent's
school,--well; she don't want that sort of thing happening. Run 'long
back and keep your eyes open. Shall I say anything to Shelby?"
"Not a word, daddy! Not one word! Just get him out of the way if you
can."
"That's easy. He's going to ride into the city when I start and none of
the boys sleep in the stable. I kind of suspicion your plan but I won't
ask no more questions."
At eight-thirty the first "batch o' beasties" "shoved off." The girls
ran down the driveway to bid them good-bye and the horses seemed to
understand it all perfectly. Then Bolivar and his charges, accompanied
by Shelby, set forth upon their ways. It was a wonderful, star-sprinkled
night, though the moon had sunk below the horizon. When they had gone a
little way Shelby bade them good-bye and good-luck and turned into the
broad boulevard leading into Washington. Bolivar followed the quieter
road on the outskirts of the city. Presently he said to Junius:
"Land o' love, I'd as soon ride an elephant as this horse. His back's as
broad. Hold on a minute, I'm going to shift my saddle to Columbine. I
know her and she knows me, don't you, old girl?"
"She's de quality, sure," agreed Junius.
"This is something like," sighed Bolivar, falling easily into
Columbine's smooth fox-trot. They had gone perhaps a mile when Bolivar
suddenly clapped his hand to his breast-pocket and pulled up short.
"What done happen, Mr. Bol'var?" asked Junius.
"I'm seven kinds of a fool. Left my wallet in that old coat Shelby let
me wear round the stable! Now that's the limit, ain't it? I got to go
back. Ain't got a cent with me. You ride on slow and stop at the Pine
Cliff Inn up the road a-piece, and wait there till I come. Columbine's
fresh as a daisy and the three miles or so will be just a warm-up for
her this night. Now wait there. Don't budge a step till I come."
"I'll do like you say."
Jim Bolivar started back slowly, but once beyond Junius' sight gave
Columbine the rein and was soon within a quarter of a mile of Columbia
Heights School.
Meanwhile, in that usually well-ordered establishment some startling
events were taking place.
When Nelly left her father she stopped on the terrace to talk a few
minutes with the girls. It was then after nine o'clock but during these
long, sultry evenings Mrs. Vincent allowed the girls to remain upon the
terrace until ten.
Examinations were over, there was no further academic work to be done
and most of the preparations for commencement were completed. Indeed,
most of the little girls had already left, and several of the older ones
also. A general exodus takes place from Washington early in May and the
schools close early.
"Whow, I'm sleepy tonight," laughed Nelly, suppressing a yawn. "Reckon
I'll go upstairs. Good-night, everybody."
"You'll smother and roast if you go to bed so early, Nell. Stay here
with us," cried Polly, catching Nelly's skirt and trying to pull her
down beside her.
"Can't. I'd drop asleep right on the terrace," and turning Nelly ran
in-doors. Once in her room she speedily shifted into her linen riding
suit, then slipping down the back stairs, sped across the dark lawn to
the stables. They were dark and silent. Not a soul was in Shelby's
cottage where the stable key was kept and a moment later Nelly had taken
it from its hook and was at the stable door. A bubble of nickers, or the
soft munching of feeding horses, fell upon her ears. Star knew her voice
as well as Polly's and Peggy's. Nelly went straight to Star's stall. In
less time than it takes to tell it she had him saddled, bridled and led
softly out upon the lawn. Keeping within the shadows of the trees she
led him to a thick pine grove and taking his velvety muzzle in her hands
planted a kiss upon it as she whispered:
"Now stand stock still and don't make a sound. I may need you and I may
not. If I do it will be in a hurry and you will have to make time." Then
she slipped back into the house.
But we must go back to the invalid, Lily Pearl, and her devoted
attendant in the west wing. Also the cousin. Ten minutes after Nelly had
left her room to carry her note to her father, Helen went to Mrs.
Vincent's study.
"Oh, Mrs. Vincent, cousin Pauline came back to see if she had left her
engagement ring in my room. She did not miss it until she got back to
her friends' house and then she was frightened nearly to death and came
all the way back here."
"Couldn't she have telephoned?
"I suppose so, but she never takes it off except to wash her hands. She
left it on my dresser. She is going back now. May I walk to the gate
with her?"
"Yes, but come directly back, Helen. How is Lily?"
"She's just fallen asleep. Thank you, Mrs. Vincent."
A few moments later Helen and her cousin left the house but not by the
door giving upon the terrace. The side door answered far better. Then
slipping around the house they paused beneath Stella's balcony and the
cousin gave a low whistle. Instantly, Lily Pearl's head was bobbed up
over the railing and she whispered:
"Oh, take it quick! I hear Peggy's voice down in the hall!" and a
suitcase was lowered from the balcony, the cousin's strong right arm
grasped it, as the cousin's deep voice said:
"You're a dead game sport, Lil. You bet we'll remember this."
But Lil did not wait to hear more. She fled to her room pell mell, not
aware that in her flight she had overturned a tiny fairy night-lamp
which Stella always kept burning in her room at night. Quickly
undressing, Lily dove into bed and drawing the covers over her head was
instantly sound asleep. The voice which had alarmed her soon died away
as Peggy rejoined her friends upon the terrace.
Helen and the cousin had meanwhile reached the gate and also a cab which
waited there, and were soon bowling along toward Washington.
And what of Nelly? As she was returning to the house she caught sight of
the two figures hurrying toward the main gate. Back she sped to Star,
and mounting him, rode along the soft turf as silently as a shadow,
until she saw the two figures enter the cab.
For a moment she was baffled. What could she do alone? She knew it would
be worse than senseless to attempt to stop the runaways unaided. She
must have help. Yet if she lost sight of them what might not take place?
She had long since recognized Paul Ring in spite of his make-up. She had
seen him too many times in the Masquerader's Shows at Annapolis. For a
short time she flitted behind the cab like an avenging shadow. It would
never do to let Helen make such an idiot of herself, and bring notoriety
upon the school where Peggy and Polly were pupils, or so humiliate Mrs.
Vincent and Natalie. Nelly did some quick thinking. There was but one
road for the elopers to follow. Her father, to whom she had confided
her suspicions and begged him to aid her, must be on his way back by
this time. Wheeling Star she shot back as she had come, and making a
wide detour around Columbia Heights School, put Star to his best paces.
Half a mile beyond the school she met her father coming at a fairly good
clip.
Ten words were enough.
"Thank the Lord we're riding Empress stock!" ejaculated Bolivar as he
and Peggy gave the two beautiful creatures their heads and they settled
into the long, low stride which seems never to tire, muscles working
swiftly and smoothly as the machinery of a battleship, heads thrust
forward, nostrils wide and breathing deep breaths to the rhythmic
heart-throbs. But the runaways had a good start.
Presently Bolivar said:
"If Shelby has ridden easy he's somewheres ahead on that selfsame road."
"Oh, dad, if he only is!"
"Well, by the god Billiken he is! Look yonder."
A more dumbfounded man than Shelby it would have been hard to overtake.
"Had he seen the cab?"
"Certain. It was hiking along ahead. Passed him just a little time
before, the horse a-lather. Wondered who the fools were."
"Well, you know now. How far ahead do you reckon they are?"
"Quarter mile beyond that turn if the horse ain't fell dead. Let me
break away, overhaul them and then you two come in at the death," he
laughed.
Shelby was riding Shashai, and at his word a black streak passed out of
sight around the bend of the boulevard. Star and Columbine chafed to
follow, but their riders held them back for a time.
True enough, as Shelby had said, the cab was still pounding along toward
Washington, though the poor horse was nearly done up.
Shelby came abreast the poor panting beast, leaned quietly over, caught
the bridle and cried, "Whoa!" The horse was only too delighted to oblige
him. Not so "Cabby."
With wrath and ire he rose to mete out justice to this highwayman. Had
the butt of his whip hit Shelby he would have seen more stars than
twinkled overhead. But it didn't. It was caught in one hand, given a
dexterous twist and sent flying into the road as Shelby said in his
quiet drawl:
"Don't get excited. At least, don't let _me_ excite you. I ain't got
nothing against you, but you can't take those 'slopers no further this
night."
"'Lopers nothin'! Me fares is two ladies on their ways to the Willard.
'Tis a niece and aunt they are."
"Say, you're easy. I thought you fellows wise to most any game. Niece
and aunt! Shucks! Come 'long out aunt, or Cousin Pauline, or whatever
you are, and you, Miss Doolittle, just don't do nothin' but live up to
that name you've got. Lord, whoever named you knew his or her business
all right, all right! Here come Bolivar and his daughter to bear a hand.
Now don't set out to screech and carry on, 'cause if you do you'll make
more trouble and it looks like you'd made a-plenty a-ready. And you shut
up!" cried Shelby, now thoroughly roused, as Paul Ring, his disguise
removed and stowed in his suitcase blustered from the cab. "Quit! or
I'll crack you're addle-pated head for you, you young fool. Do you know
what it will mean if I report you at Annapolis? Well, unless you make
tracks for Bancroft P. D. Q.--that means pretty decidedly quick,
Nelly,--you're going to get all that is comin' to you with compound
interest. Beat it while your shoes are good. We'll escort your girl back
to home and friends. Nelly, get into that cab. Cabby, these are two
school girls and this man is this one's father. Now go about and head
for the home port. No rowing. Yes, you'll get paid all right, all right.
I'll stand for the damage and so will Bolivar here. But are _you_ going
to dust?" the last words were addressed to Paul Ring to whom Helen was
clinging and imploring him not to leave her. But, alas! It was four to
one, for cabby's wrath was now centered upon "that hully show of a
bloomin' auntie."
Amidst violent protests upon Helen's part, Nelly entered the cab. She
would "not go back!" And she would "go with dear Paul!" Her heart was
breaking. Nelly Bolivar was "a good-for-nothing, common tattle-tale and
the whole school probably knew all about her elopement already," etc.,
etc.
Nelly tried to assure her that no one suspected a thing. Mr. Bolivar
corroborated that statement, but Helen continued to sob and berate Nelly
till finally Shelby's deep voice cried:
"Halt, cabby!" Then dismounting he opened the cab door, took Helen by
the arm and shook her soundly, then thundered:
"If you was a boy I'd yank you out o' that cab and whale you well, for
that's what you rate. Since you're a fool-girl I can't. Now stop that
hullabaloo instanter. We'll get you back to the school and nobody'll
know a thing if you keep your senses. Nelly here ain't anxious to have
that school and her friends figurin' in the newspapers. Now you mind
what I'm tellin' you. I've stood for all the nonsense I'm going to, and
I promise to get you home without you're being missed, but if you let
out another peep I'll march you straight to the Admiral's office, and
don't you doubt my word for a single minute." Then Shelby remounted
Shashai, and leading Star, the odd procession started back, Shelby
cudgeling his brain to devise a way of getting the romantic maiden in as
secretly as he had promised. He need not have worried about that. The
inmates of Columbia Heights were meantime having lively experiences of
their own.