A WEEK-END IN NEW YORK
True to her promise Grace wrote to Arline Thayer that very evening
concerning the sum of money which Evelyn wished to borrow, and three
days later she opened a fat letter from the president of Semper Fidelis
from which fell the magic slip of paper which, for Evelyn, meant the way
out of her difficulties. Grace pounced with delight upon the letter and
was soon deep in its contents.
"We saw Anne as 'Ophelia' last Friday night," Arline wrote. "After the
play father gave a little supper for her at our house and invited the
Southards, Mabel and Mr. Ashe, Elfreda, Miriam Nesbit and her brother.
Miriam came to New York to visit and shop, and it is not hard to guess
why her brother came with her. We were all so surprised to see her, and
so delighted. She is staying with the Southards, and, Grace, I do
believe Everett Southard is in love with her. It is hard to say whether
she returns his love, for she doesn't manifest the slightest sign of it.
Wouldn't it be splendid if they did decide to go through life together?
He is so clever, and a great actor too. Mabel's lawyer has won the most
difficult case he ever fought for. He has persuaded Mabel to wear his
ring. Their engagement is to be announced next week. I suppose you will
hear from Mabel before many days. How I wish you were here. We all miss
you so. Can't you come to New York for a week end before Easter? Do try
to arrange it. I have so many things to tell you. It would take an age
to write them. Think it over and decide to come. With my dearest love,
Arline"
Grace finished the letter with a happy sigh. She would try to manage to
run down to New York for a week end. She wondered how long Miriam
intended to stay in the city and she smiled faintly over Arline's
comment regarding Miriam and Everett Southard. It was not news to her.
Consulting the calendar that hung above the desk, she decided to go the
first week in February, and began to plan her work accordingly.
In spite of her secret fears that everything was too perfect to last,
not only was her varied household serene, but prospering as well. From
the time the Harlowe House girls became a self-governing body the
question of putting money in the treasury had been continually agitated.
One way and another had been suggested, but it was not until the
Christmas holidays that the inspiration had come in the shape of a most
toothsome batch of caramels which Louise Sampson had descended into the
kitchen and made, one snowy, blustery evening when the club had
assembled in the living-room for a social session. The caramels were a
signal success, and when Cecil Ferris eyed one of the delicious brown
squares lovingly before popping it into her mouth, then asked
reflectively, "Why couldn't we make caramels and sell them to the
Overton girls?" the idea was hailed with cries of "Great," "A good
idea." "We could easily sell pounds of them."
With one accord they had besieged Louise Sampson with curious questions
as to how she had made the caramels and the cost of the ingredients.
Louise had laughingly refused to tell her recipe.
After talking things over Louise had sworn Cecil, Mary Reynolds and one
other girl to secrecy, imparted the precious recipe to them, and on the
next Saturday afternoon they had made their first candy. A gay little
poster, drawn by one of the girls, advertised their wares. It was tacked
to one side of the college bulletin board, and by nine o'clock on
Saturday night the last caramel had gone its destined way, while the
success-crowned merchants counted their money and lamented because they
had not made half enough caramels. From then on, caramel-making occupied
the spare moments of Louise and her faithful band and the "Harlowe House
Caramels" rapidly gained favor. With her usual kindly interest in the
success of others Grace, on her return from the Christmas holidays,
entered into the candy making with spirit and energy, doing much to help
fill the rush of orders. Try as they might the caramel supply was always
running out, for the students found the delicious home-made caramels
quite to their taste and they grew daily more popular.
The Harlowe House girls were extremely proud of the growing fund in the
treasury. One and all, with the exception of Evelyn Ward, they begged so
earnestly to be initiated into the mysteries of caramel making that they
were sworn to secrecy at a special meeting of the club and divided into
caramel-making squads. It was also decided to make candy only twice a
week, on Wednesday and Friday evenings, and set Thursday and Saturday as
the days for selling the caramels, which were put up in neat half-pound
and pound boxes.
But while this little enterprise was being carried on with a will Evelyn
was merely an indifferent onlooker. True she belonged to one squad of
the candy makers, but she usually managed to be absent when they worked.
Apparently she was not interested in the financial affairs of the
Harlowe House Club. For a week or more after the check from Semper
Fidelis had been handed to her she had maintained toward Grace an
attitude of sweet gratitude, too flattering to be wholly sincere. It had
gradually disappeared, however, and the old Evelyn had come to the
surface again. Although she was now careful not to offend openly, Grace
felt that underneath the thin veneer of reluctant gratitude lay the old
dislike which she was sure Evelyn felt for her. In spite of her efforts
to judge this strange selfish girl dispassionately Grace knew in her
heart that she still disapproved of Evelyn.
The first week in February found Grace looking forward to her week end
in New York City. She had arranged to leave Overton on Friday at noon,
and on Friday morning she opened her eyes with that feeling of
exultation over something delightful just around the corner from her.
Then she remembered. In a few hours she would again be with her beloved
friends. She went about her work that morning humming under her breath.
As she was to take the eleven-thirty train she had said a regretful
good-bye to Emma before the latter went to her classes. "How I wish you
were going with me, Emma," she had sighed. Emma's eyes had grown wistful
for an instant, then she had launched forth into a multitude of pompous
and wholly ridiculous reasons why her presence was needed at Harlowe
House that made Grace laugh, and, for the time, banished the shadow from
her face.
Later as she climbed into the taxicab that was to take her to the
station, Emma's face, with its funny little twisted smile, rose before
her, and she experienced fresh regret at leaving her behind. It was
hardly fair that she should have so much and Emma so little. How bravely
Emma had stepped into the breach made by her father's sudden reverse of
fortune. So deep was Grace in her own thoughts that she did not realize
that they had reached the station until the car came to a sudden stop
and the driver stood holding open the door. Handing him her suit case
and traveling bag Grace stepped out of the car, and tendering the man
her fare, gathered up her luggage and headed for the station. Seating
herself on one of the wooden benches inside the station, she placed her
traveling effects on the floor beside her and compared her watch with
the station clock. Then she rose and going to the ticket window, which
had just opened, purchased her ticket and inquired as to whether the
train were on time.
"Fifteen minutes late," was the brief reply.
Grace went back to her bench, and, seating herself, opened a magazine
she had brought with her. She was turning the leaves interestedly when a
sudden banging of the station door caused her to glance up. Her eyes
were riveted in surprise upon Evelyn Ward, who, suit case in hand,
hurried over to her with, "Oh, Miss Harlowe, I wonder if you would mind
my going to New York with you. I am invited to Althea Parker's for the
week end, but she had to go down last night. I tried to see you at
Harlowe House, but you had already gone. I would have spoken to you last
night about going, but I wasn't quite sure whether I could make it or
not." Evelyn's tones were far from concerned.
"You are quite welcome to ride with me," returned Grace briefly. She
hardly liked the situation, yet she made it a rule not to interfere with
the amusements of the Harlowe House girls. When she had lived at Wayne
Hall Mrs. Elwood had never questioned the comings and goings of her
girls. Still Grace was not pleased with Evelyn's careless manner of
passing over her evident intention to go without even informing Grace of
her departure.
Once on the train the two kept up a desultory conversation. But little
sympathy existed between them, and the situation grew momentarily more
strained. Grace caught Evelyn taking sly peeps at the magazine which she
still held. With her usual good nature, Grace hailed the boy who passed
through the train with magazines and candy and bought another magazine.
"There is an article in this number which Miss Dean says is worth
reading," she explained. "Keep my magazine if you like, and I'll read
this."
For the next two hours not a word was exchanged. The two girls read on
and on. As the afternoon began to wane Evelyn finished her magazine,
took off her hat, and, leaning her head against the high green velvet
back of the seat, closed her eyes. At last Grace laid aside her reading,
and idly watched, with half dreaming eyes, the fleeting landscape.
Occasionally her gaze wandered, in unwilling admiration, to Evelyn's
lovely, tranquil face. Why was such great beauty coupled with such
tantalizing perversity of spirit? was the thought that sprang unbidden
to her mind.
It was long after dark when the two young women passed through the iron
gates of the station to where their friends awaited them. Anne, David,
Miriam and Arline stood eagerly watching for Grace. At almost the same
moment Evelyn spied Althea. On seeing Evelyn's companions, Althea
hurried forward in time to receive the much-coveted introduction to
Arline Thayer, Anne and the Nesbits. After a brief exchange of
courtesies Grace's friends bowed themselves off, gleefully escorting
Grace to David's car.
Althea stared moodily after them. "I think they are awfully snobbish,"
she remarked resentfully. "How did you manage to get away, Evelyn?"
"Don't ask me," Evelyn made a gesture of deprecation. "All I hope is
that I'm not found out. I'm glad I overheard Miss Harlowe talking last
night about going to-day. If worse comes to worst, I'll say I came down
here with her."
"But what if she denies it?"
Evelyn shrugged her shoulders. "Ten chances to one I shall not be
missed, but if there is any trouble I'll appeal to her generosity of
spirit to help me. She pretends to be so helpful, let her demonstrate
her helpfulness by standing between me and Miss Sheldon."