MacBirney followed his household to the country after two weeks. The De
Castros were then back and Dolly enlisted Alice and Fritzie to make
ready for the dance at Black Rock barn which regularly signalized at
Second Lake what Nelson termed the "opening of navigation."
Alice, with Fritzie to help, was charged with the decorations for the
event, and two days before it, the available men about the place, under
their direction, were emptying the green-houses and laying the woods
under tribute.
The lighting scheme Alice pronounced ineffective. For years no one had
given the subject any attention. At the last moment electricians were
brought out from town to work early and late and lights were installed
from which operators in elevated cages could throw sheets of color on
the dancers.
When Imogene and Charles got home--and they were late, arriving only the
evening before the party--Dolly, who met them at the train, drove them
directly to Black Rock, where Alice with her husband, Fritzie, and
Arthur De Castro was conducting a rehearsal of the electrical effects.
The kisses and embraces of the committee and the arrivals took place
under the rays of the new spot lights.
"Now if Robert were here," cried Fritzie impatiently, "everything would
be complete. No one knows where he is. Suppose he doesn't come?"
"He is in town and will be out to-morrow." Imogene as she made the
announcement put her arm around Alice. "Sweetheart, you must be dead."
Alice was sustained by the excitement. "Nothing of the sort. I haven't
done anything but suggest," she said gayly. "Fritzie has done all the
work. In the morning we will bring in the apple blossoms and we are
through."
But when she had received all the enthusiasm and compliments she went
home tired. MacBirney came to her room to talk, but he had no word for
the successful decorations and Alice pleading fatigue went directly to
bed.
She woke with the sun streaming through the east windows. It was late
and though still tired she rose at once. The morning was superb, and,
while dressing, Alice surprised Annie by singing to herself.
Fritzie drove over with her to Black Rock. Alice running in to speak to
Dolly found her in bed. Dolly kissed her. "You look so fresh, dear."
Alice drew herself up with a laugh. "It's the morning, Dolly."
"By-the-way, Robert is here. He came late and he and Arthur talked so
long he stayed all night. He is just across the hall in the blue room."
"Then every one is accounted for. I must be off, Dolly."
"Where are you going?"
"To the woods with Fritzie to get the blossoms."
An old coaching brake had been sent up from the stables and Arthur De
Castro was waiting for the two women. "I am going to drive you down the
field before I take my ride," he explained.
"You do need exercise. You look sleepy, Arthur," remarked Fritzie,
critically.
"Robert kept me up all night." Arthur turned to Alice. "You knew he
was back?"
"Dolly told me."
"The lazy fellow isn't up yet," said Fritzie.
Arthur corrected her. "He is up and gone home. But he will be over
again this morning."
The horses were fresh and took Arthur's attention across the field and
the big wagon lurched as the team danced along. In the woods they found
Grace De Castro with the men who were to work. Arthur's saddle-horse was
in waiting. The men began loading the brake with elder blossoms, brier
roses, and branches from the forest trees. Arthur had meant to take his
groom with him, but found there would be nobody to drive the brake back
to the barn.
"No matter, Mr. De Castro," said Alice. "Take him. I will drive back."
Arthur demurred, but Alice insisted. "I would rather drive the team
than not. I drive our horses all the time."
Arthur and the groom rode away. Fritzie and Grace looked at Alice in
astonishment when the wagon had been loaded and Alice took the driver's
high seat, pulled her glove gauntlets back taut and a gardener handed
her the reins.
"Aren't you afraid?" cried Grace.
"Not in the least," Alice answered, slipping her hands into the driving
loops and putting her foot on the wheel-brake.
"Really," declared Grace, "you have quite an air."
Fritzie was apprehensive. "For Heaven's sake, don't let them run away,
Allie."
The men at the bridles stood aside, Alice spoke and the team leaped
swiftly ahead. She gave them leeway for a few moments, but kept them
under control and her manner was so confident that Fritzie's fears were
allayed before the brake had crossed the first hill. As Alice made the
turn in the road and looked laughingly back the two girls waved approval
at her. They saw the brim of her broad hat rising and falling like a
bird's wings as she nodded to them; then she threw on the wheel-brake
and started down the hill.
For a moment the difficulty of holding the pair in check increased and
by the time the barn was in sight the struggle had stirred her blood.
It colored two little circles in her cheeks and had lighted fires of
animation in her gray eyes. She saw the rising entrance to the barn and
only took heed that the doors were wide open. Then she gave all her
strength to guiding the rushing horses up the long incline. Just as
their heads shot under the doorway the off horse shied. The front
wheels of the brake bounced over the threshold and Alice saw, standing
within, Robert Kimberly.
She gave an exclamation of surprise as she threw on the wheel-brake,
pulled with all her strength on the reins and brought her horses to a
halt. Kimberly with one hand on the casement stood perfectly still
until she looked around. Then he came forward laughing. "You certainly
are a capital whip."
"You frightened me nearly to death!" exclaimed Alice with a long breath.
"Where, pray, did you come from?" she demanded, looking down from her
eminence.
"From almost everywhere. And you?"
"From the woods."
He laid a hand on the foot-board. "Really, I wonder whether there is
anything you can't do."
"I am afraid there is one thing now. I don't see how I am going to get
down. Aren't there any men around to take the horses?"
"The horses will stand. Just hook your lines and jump from the wheel."
Alice looked at the distance in dismay. "That is easy to say."
"Not hard to do," returned Kimberly. "I'll break your flight."
"I'm a wretched jumper."
"Nonsense. You can't tell me you're a wretched anything after that
drive."
"Step away then and I'll jump. Only, I don't see just how I am going to
stop after I start."
"What do you want to stop for? Come ahead."
She put her foot cautiously on the wheel; it was a very pretty foot.
Then she steadied herself and with her hand swept little ringlets of
hair from her eyes.
She knew he was waiting to receive her and, meaning to elude him, turned
at the last instant and jumped away from where he stood. Kimberly, in
spite of her precaution, caught her as her feet struck the floor, and
leaned an instant over her. "Beautifully done!" he exclaimed, and
drawing her suddenly into his arms he kissed her.
She pushed him back with all her strength. He met her consternation with
good humor. "I couldn't help it."
Alice, burning with angry blushes, retreated. He hoped it would end
there and ignored the outraged spirit in her eyes as she took her
handkerchief from her waist.
He tried to laugh again. "Don't be angry." But Alice put both hands to
her face and walked quickly away.