THE Sanford performance of "The Rebellious Princess" took place on
Friday evening. Late the following afternoon the illustrious cast were
conveyed by train or motor to Riverview, the scene of Saturday evening's
operations. Marjorie, Constance, Mr. and Mrs. Dean drove there in the
Deans' motor. Accompanied by Mrs. Macy, Jerry, Susan, Muriel and Irma
motored to Riverview together. Hal and Laurie sought temporary freedom
from the fair sex in the latter's roadster. Mr. La Salle had promised,
at Mignon's earnest request, to drive to Riverview with her in her
runabout. She had adopted this means of thus temporarily eliminating
Rowena. Not daring to thrust herself upon Mignon when bolstered by her
father's protection, Rowena had declared buoyantly that she would be
there anyway.
Unfortunately for Mignon, a sudden business emergency sent Mr. La Salle
speeding to Buffalo on the Saturday morning train. Before going,
however, he instructed his chauffeur to drive Mignon to the train for
Riverview and see her safely on it. With others of the cast on the same
train, she would be in good company. But the best laid plans often go
astray. Ever on the alert for treachery, Rowena saw Mr. La Salle depart
and hurrying to the La Salle's home soon bullied the true state of
affairs from his petulant offspring.
"Don't bother about taking the train," Rowena counseled arrogantly.
"James will drive us over to Riverview in our limousine. He can stay
there until the show is over and bring us home."
"I can't do that," parried Mignon. "My father gave orders to William to
drive me to the train the cast is to take and put me on it. If I were to
go with you, William would tell him."
"Oh, no, he wouldn't," retorted Rowena. "Just let me talk to William."
Without waiting for further excuses from Mignon, the self-willed
sophomore dashed out of the house in the direction of the La Salle
garage. Mignon followed her, divided between vexation and approbation.
She was far from anxious to make the journey to Riverview by train. For
once Rowena stood for the lesser of two evils.
"Come here, William," called Rowena, pausing outside the open garage
door and imperiously beckoning the chauffeur who was engaged in putting
a fresh tire on Mignon's runabout.
"What is it, Miss?" asked the man, as he frowningly approached Rowena.
"You needn't take Miss La Salle to the train this afternoon. She's going
with me. She has so much luggage she can't manage it on the train, so
she had to make different arrangements." Rowena presented a formidably
smiling front as she gave her command.
"But Mr. La Salle----" protested William.
"Don't be impertinent," was the freezing interruption. "We know our own
business. Miss La Salle's father will know all about it when he returns.
Won't he?" She turned to Mignon for confirmation.
"It is all right, William," the latter assured him, purposely neglecting
to answer Rowena's question. "My father will be told when he returns. He
forgot about my luggage."
"All right, Miss Mignon." William was far too discreet to court the
double attack, which he knew would be forthcoming, should he continue to
protest. Miss Mignon always did as she pleased, regardless of her
father. He made mental note, however, to clear himself the instant his
employer returned.
"That was simple enough," exulted Rowena, as they turned away. "You
ought to be glad I fixed everything so nicely for you. I expect some of
those snippy girls will be anything but pleased to have me behind the
scenes to-night."
"You'd better keep to my dressing room," warned Mignon. "On account of
it being a different theatre, there is sure to be some confusion. Laurie
Armitage won't like it if you go strolling around among the cast the way
you've done at rehearsals."
"You just attend to your own affairs," blustered Rowena, "and I'll
attend to mine. Who cares what that high and mighty Lawrence Armitage
thinks? He's so wrapped up in that milk-and-water baby of a Constance
Stevens he doesn't know you are alive. Too bad, isn't it?"
Mignon turned red as a poppy. She began to wish she had not allowed
Rowena to alter the arrangements her father had prudently made. Frowning
her displeasure at the brutal taunt, she cast a half-longing glance
toward the garage. There was still time to inform William that she had
changed her mind.
Instantly Rowena marked the glance and divined its import. It did not
accord with her plans. If she drove Mignon to reconsider her decision,
it meant one of two things. To quarrel openly with her would place
beyond reach the possibility of accompanying her to Riverview. If Rowena
went there alone she could not hope to be allowed to go behind the
scenes. On the other hand she dared not jeopardize her control over
Mignon by permitting her to gain even one point.
"Don't be foolish," she advised in a more conciliatory tone. "I was only
teasing you about that Stevens girl. One of these days this Armitage boy
will find out what a silly little thing she is. If you are nice to me, I
daresay I can help him to find it out."
Mignon brightened visibly. From all she had learned of Rowena's
practical methods, she believed her capable of accomplishing wonders in
the mischief-making line. "I suppose you mean well," she said a trifle
sullenly. "Still, I don't think you ought to say such cutting things to
me, Rowena."
Thus once more a temporary truce was declared between these two wayward
children of impulse. Though neither trusted the other, sheer love of
self admonished them that they could accomplish more by hanging
together. Mignon, however, was destined to learn that an unstable prop
is no more to be relied upon than no prop at all.