A DIZZY ROUND OF PLEASURE
THE train stopped at Englewood for a moment and then pulled out again
for the Union Station. The girls already knew that they were in Chicago,
and were feverishly gathering up their wraps. Bab was drawing on her
overshoes when two warm hands were suddenly pressed over her eyes.
"Guess who it is?" cried Grace, after she and Mollie had uttered little
smothered exclamations of delight.
"It's my Ruth! Oh, Ruth, Ruth!" cried Barbara, springing up and flinging
both arms about the neck of Ruth, fairly smothering her friend with
kisses. Ruth and her father had gotten on at Englewood to welcome their
young friends.
"You dear, dear 'Automobile Girls,'" cried Ruth, now clasping the three
girls one after another in a tight embrace.
"Am I to be left out of this entirely?" questioned Ruth's father in an
aggrieved tone.
The girls disengaged themselves from Ruth's arms and fairly pounced upon
Mr. Robert Stuart.
"Oh, how is dear Aunt Sallie and Mr. A. Bubble?" laughed Barbara, her
eyes shining with joy.
"Aunt Sallie is waiting to greet you at our home. Mr. A. Bubble is
outside growling over your delay in getting to Chicago," smiled Mr.
Stuart.
"We received your telegram," said Mr. Stuart, as they left the Union
Station. "For a time we were considerably upset. Later we saw an account
of the wreck in the morning paper. We did not learn that anyone was
injured."
"What caused it? Wasn't it awful?" questioned Ruth, gazing at her
friends admiringly. "And to think I wasn't there to share the honor of
being mixed up with a railroad wreck. Too bad," she pouted.
"It wasn't a wreck, it was a shake-up," answered Grace.
"I am glad you were not with us. Who knows what might have occurred,"
answered Bab soberly. "Oh, there is Mr. Bubble," she cried, her serious
expression changing to a happy smile as she ran forward to the puffing
red automobile and patted it affectionately. A thin curl of blue smoke
was rising from the exhaust of the motor car.
"Hear him purr his delight," cried Mollie. "He's just like a contented
kitten for all the world," she laughed. "He isn't grumbling at all."
"He was grumbling loudly enough when we left him," answered Mr. Stuart.
"That's because he was cold. But we will warm Mr. A. Bubble up on our
way home," declared Ruth. This she did, keeping a wary eye out for
traffic policemen who might claim that she was exceeding the speed
limit. But Ruth knew fairly well where to look out for a traffic man and
where not to look for him. Up Dearborn Street to Madison Street the car
whirled, the sharp air putting color in the faces of the girls and
making their eyes sparkle.
Bab kept stealing perplexed glances at Mr. Stuart. Something was on the
young woman's mind, but she did not give expression to the thought. In
the meantime the girls were chattering at a rapid rate. Through Madison
Street they traveled and into Michigan Avenue, where a gust of biting
wind fresh from Lake Michigan smote them in the face.
"Oh, look at the river!" cried Mollie.
"That's Lake Michigan, you goose," answered Ruth, laughing merrily. "How
insulting to call our lake a river. But here we are."
The car swung into a driveway, coming to a halt before an imposing
residence, four stories high, overlooking the lake.
"What is this great building?" questioned Mollie.
"This is where we live, dear," answered Ruth. "This is my home."
"Oh, dear me, I thought it was the Chicago public library," retorted
Mollie.
"Molliekins, what _are_ we going to do with you?" chided Ruth, laughing.
The other girls were already running up the broad stone steps. The doors
swung open and the next second Barbara, Mollie and Grace threw
themselves into the arms of Miss Sallie Stuart. There was a volley of
little screams of delight and any number of resounding smacks. Mr.
Stuart had followed them in. He stood with his back to the door, smiling
contentedly on the joyous scene. He had come to love the three girls
with a love that was not far behind his affection for his own daughter
Ruth.
The girls having released Miss Sallie from their embrace, Ruth dragged
her friends upstairs. They were first shown to their own rooms, and
wonderful rooms they were. None of the three girls from Kingsbridge ever
had seen anything to compare with the beauty of these handsome
apartments. A few minutes later they were in Ruth's private sitting
room, the walls of which were done in pale blue silk. The furniture was
of old mahogany and on a dainty writing desk the girls found paper and
envelopes bearing the monogram "A. G." Ruth had had these prepared for
the girls' use.
"Now, girls," she said, "are you too fatigued after your exciting
experiences to go out this evening?"
"No, indeed," cried the three girls in chorus.
"Then listen! Father has taken a box at the opera for this evening. We
are to hear Romeo and Juliet----"
"Oh, how perfectly lovely," bubbled Mollie.
"That reminds me, Molliekins, that I received a note from your 'lovely
lady,' Mrs. Cartwright, yesterday. She asked me to tell you to look for
a diamond butterfly at the opera to-night. She thought that might help
you to locate an old friend."
Mollie smiled happily. At this juncture there came a light tap at the
door and a well-known gentle voice asked, "may I come in?"
Miss Sallie was assisted into the room somewhat faster than she
considered dignified, but there was no resisting her "Automobile Girls."
After getting her breath she sank into an easy chair, the girls
surrounding her.
"I want to consult with you about our plans," she said. "We wish to make
this reunion one that you will remember all the rest of your lives. Our
cousins, the Presbys, wish you to spend some time with them. Olive
Presby, their daughter, is especially desirous of having you there. You
will find her a charming girl and I am sure you will all fall in love
with her at sight. What do you say?"
"About the falling in love?" questioned Mollie innocently.
"No, no, Molliekins," rebuked Ruth. "About the invitation, of course."
"I am sure we shall be well pleased with whatever arrangements have been
made for us," said Grace.
"Yes, indeed," added Barbara.
"I am between fire and water," declared Ruth laughingly, as she dropped
into a chair before the fireplace. "I want you to stay and I want you to
go to the Presbys. I have decided, with your approval, that we shall
divide your time between our home and the Presbys' place. First, we will
do Chicago, after which we will go to Cousin Jane and Cousin Richard
Presby. They have a grand old home and hundreds of acres of grounds
surrounding it."
"Are they so very rich?" questioned Mollie.
"On the contrary, they are extremely poor," answered Aunt Sallie,
whereat Mollie puckered her brow in perplexity. "Their property is
heavily mortgaged. They are in a fair way to lose it unless----"
"Unless what, Aunt Sallie?" asked Bab gently.
"Unless perhaps they may in the meantime find the buried treasure."
The effect of this announcement on Mollie, Barbara and Grace made Miss
Sallie smile.
"Buried treasure? Buried treasure! Oh, oh, oh!" they cried in chorus.
"Don't get excited, dears. There is no chance for the 'Automobile
Girls,'" interjected Ruth. "I've stirred myself up so many times over
that old treasure that I have lost ever and ever so many nights' sleep.
Take my advice and forget all about it," she admonished.
"Oh, please tell us about it," urged Mollie.
"A buried treasure? How perfectly delightful!" sparkled Barbara.
"I haven't time to tell you now. It is a long story. This treasure was
buried many years ago by one of the Presbys' ancestors. They will tell
you all about it when you go out there, and I am sure Cousin Richard can
make the story much more interesting than I could."
This had to suffice for the present, though the girls were burning to
hear the story. Anything that savored of adventure appealed to these
healthy, outdoor girls, and what could be more adventurous than hunting
for a treasure that had been buried for years and years?
The girls' trunks had been brought up, and while they were dressing for
the evening, Bab took advantage of the occasion to consult with Ruth
about her gown.
Ruth ran forward, flinging her arms about Barbara's neck the instant Bab
came into her room.
"Dear, dear old Bab," she breathed, running tender fingers over the
shining brown hair of her companion. "You can't know how I have wanted
you. It seems years since last I saw you. Answer me truly, dear. How do
you think father is looking?"
Barbara's face sobered instantly. Ruth noted the quick change of
expression.
"You needn't tell me. I see by your expression what you think," added
Ruth quickly, brushing a stray wisp of hair from her face.
"That was what I wished to ask you about, dear," said Barbara. "He looks
so worn. What is the trouble? Has your father been ill?"
"No. Not in the sense you mean. Nevertheless, we are greatly worried
about him. He has been speculating. We think he has lost a lot of money.
He does not speak of his business affairs as he used to do, and that
makes us all the more certain that things are not going as they should
with him. However, I mustn't speak of these matters now, as I wish you
to have the happiest time of your life while you are with us. Why,
Barbara Thurston, what a lovely frock!" exclaimed Ruth impulsively.
Barbara flushed with pleasure at the compliment. Her gown was of dark
red crepe-de-chine, trimmed in soft folds of liberty velvet. Bab had
tucked a single red rose in her hair. Ruth never had seen Bab look more
charming.
"It is mother's Christmas present to me," explained Bab, referring to
the frock. "I think it very pretty."
"I wish I could look half so well in anything," answered Ruth, but
without a trace of envy in her tone. "But I must hurry. If I run on like
this we'll never get to the opera."
"I was just about to ask if you mind my running down to chat with your
father a few moments before we go?"
"Do, dear. It will do him good. You always act like a tonic on father,"
smiled Ruth. "He's in the library."
Bab tripped away, holding up her skirts, followed by the admiring eyes
of her friend.
"She's such a dear," mused Ruth, beginning the finishing touches of her
dressing.
Bab was especially anxious to see Mr. Stuart alone. She wanted to see if
she could fathom the cause of his distress. He looked even more tired
and careworn than when she had first seen him. She entered the library
rather diffidently pausing before Mr. Stuart, who stood near the
fireplace.
"Am I intruding?" asked Bab.
"Intruding, my dear? You could not do that. But how beautiful you are
to-night."
"Don't. Please don't," protested Bab with well-feigned displeasure. "You
will make me a vain little creature. Ruth has just said the same thing
to me. At this rate I fear I shall begin to believe something of the
sort myself very soon."
"No," answered Mr. Stuart, gazing at her approvingly. "You are far too
sensible a young woman to have your head turned so easily as that. Tell
me about your good mother. How is she?"
"Quite well, thank you," replied Bab simply.
"I am sorry that she could not come with you. We had hoped to have her
with us."
"Yes, we wanted mother to come. She asked me to thank you very kindly
for your invitation, but said it would not be possible for her to go so
far away from home just now. Perhaps later she may visit you."
"Bab, a good mother like yours is a most priceless treasure. Never
forget to value your treasure at its real worth," said Mr. Stuart
impressively.
"I do and I trust I always shall, sir," answered Barbara, and Robert
Stuart smiled, for he knew that she meant what she said.
Ruth and the other two girls came in at this juncture and the
conversation turned on their gowns and the pleasures that were before
them that evening. Barbara had not mentioned that she thought Mr. Stuart
was looking ill. She would not have ventured to do so, although she was
more convinced than before that something very, very serious had come
into the life of her friend's father. She wondered if she might not be
able to do something to relieve the distress under which he was so
plainly laboring.
"There, now, what did I tell you, Bab?" demanded Ruth, entering the
library. "Didn't I say you were always a tonic to father?"
Barbara blushed.
"She is indeed, daughter. So are you all. But we must be going. Is your
Aunt Sallie ready?"
"She is waiting for us in the reception room," answered Ruth.
"Then we will be off. Be sure that you girls are well wrapped up. You
are not used to going out in this climate with such thin gowns. Ruth,
where is your cloak?"
"Below, father. I will pick it up on my way down."
Then they started downstairs, Mr. Stuart leading the way. They were
joined by Miss Sallie in the hallway and a few minutes later were being
borne away by Mr. A. Bubble, who, for this evening at least, was on his
best behavior. Reaching the opera house, they were conducted to the box
reserved for them. Ruth insisted on her guests occupying the front
chairs. How the heads of the three little Kingsbridge girls did swim!
Beautiful gowns, beautiful women and dazzling jewels were to be seen
wherever the eye rested. It was a brilliant and animated scene, such as
none of the three girls ever before had gazed upon, for this was their
first visit to the opera.
"Isn't it all wonderful?" said Bab to Ruth.
"Yes, indeed," responded Ruth warmly. "There is nothing quite like an
opera night, and I have been particularly interested in grand opera
since we discovered Zerlina."
"Oh, to be sure," exclaimed Bab. "Where is Zerlina now?"
"She is in Paris, studying under the best teachers that can be procured
for her," replied Ruth. "She writes me regularly. Her teachers give her
great encouragement, and she expects to be ready to sing important roles
within the next two years. She adores Jose, and he is delighted with
having so talented a sister."
"She is one of the most beautiful girls I have ever seen," said Barbara.
"What a wonderful 'Carmen' she will make."
"Yes; won't she, though," responded Ruth eagerly, "and that is the part
that she particularly looks forward to singing."
The subject of Ruth's and Barbara's conversation was a beautiful gypsy
girl that they had met during their trip along the Hudson. She had
become a protege of Ruth, who had cherished high hopes of sending
Zerlina to a conservatory, but had been forestalled by the appearance on
the scene of Zerlina's handsome half-brother, Jose Martinez. On account
of family differences, Jose and Zerlina had been separated for many
years, but in the end Zerlina was persuaded by him to place herself
under his protection. All of this has been fully narrated in "THE
AUTOMOBILE GIRLS ALONG THE HUDSON."
"What do you think of it, Molliekins?" whispered Ruth over Mollie's
shoulder.
"Think of it?" breathed the golden-haired Mollie. "I'm so happy that I
could scream right out so everybody in the theatre would hear me,"
answered Mollie. "I don't know what I shall do when the music begins."
A wave of laughter rippled over the box at Mollie's quaint way of
expressing her delight.