EXCITEMENT AT THE ANCHORAGE
A deep gloom settled suddenly over the scouts after Whyn left. The
enthusiasm and excitement of the last few days had departed, leaving
them much depressed. They had little to work for now, as all hope of
winning the prize was gone. Their logs had been sold, and the money
placed in the bank where it would remain until needed for the sick
girl. The boys never for a moment regretted the step they had fallen.
There was something lacking, however, and they found it difficult to
take up their regular scout work where they had left it off. They met
at Headquarters as usual, and spent much time with the captain out on
the water, but whenever they came ashore and looked up at the window
where Whyn had so often greeted them, their hearts became heavy. They
wrote long letters to her and upon the arrival of the mail each day
they expected letters from her. But none came. Only to the captain
did Mrs. Sinclair write, telling him of their safe arrival in New York.
Mrs. Britt received a letter about the same time, which caused her to
set to work house-cleaning in a most energetic manner. Every room was
turned upside down, swept, and dusted, while the captain beat carpets
and mats until his back and arms ached. Miss Arabella was taken into
the secret, and she came to the Anchorage every day to give a helping
hand.
It was Whyn's room which received special attention. A carpet was
ordered from the city to take the place of the old hooked-mat, and new
curtains were put up to the window.
"My, that looks fine," Miss Arabella exclaimed, when the last finishing
touches had been given to the room. "It will certainly be a surprise."
The captain chuckled when he was brought in to give his opinion. In
fact, he had been chuckling ever since Mrs. Britt had received the
letter which started her upon the special cleaning of her already neat
house. The scouts felt that something out of the ordinary was pleasing
the captain by his jolly manner. They often discussed it among
themselves, but the more they talked, the more puzzled they became.
They all knew about the house-cleaning, the new carpet, and curtains
for Whyn's room, and that Miss Arabella was at the Anchorage most of
the time.
"I guess I know what it's all about," Tommy Bunker confided one
afternoon, when the scouts were discussing the matter.
"What do you know?" Rod asked.
"Jimmy's going to get married."
"Married!" was the surprised shout from all.
"Yes. He's going to marry Miss Arabella. Pa said last night that
she's been looking for a man ever since he knew her, and if it wasn't
to be her wedding, he was mighty sure she wouldn't be so mighty chummy
with the captain and his wife."
"But they wouldn't live at the Anchorage," Phil replied. "Miss
Arabella's got a home of her own, hasn't she?"
"Pa says that Jimmy and Tom Simpkins don't agree, and so they couldn't
live in the same house," Tommy explained.
The scouts no longer scoffed at this idea. It did seem to them that
something like a wedding was about to take place. The captain was so
mysterious and full of fun, while Miss Arabella beamed upon the boys
whenever she met them. It must surely be her wedding, they agreed.
At the close of the second week of all this excitement, the scouts
received orders from the captain to meet him at the wharf in full
uniform upon the arrival of the evening boat. They were all there half
an hour ahead of time, wondering what was going to happen. Maybe Jimmy
and Miss Arabella had gone to the city that day, had been married, and
were coming up on the steamer. What else could it be?
When at last the steamer did arrive, and the gang-planks had been run
out, the scouts strained their eyes in an effort to find out who were
coming ashore. Several landed, and then to their astonishment, who
should step out but Anna Royanna!
When Rod first saw her he could hardly believe his eyes. Instantly the
meaning of all the excitement of the past few days flashed upon his
mind. It was for her that the Britts had been getting ready. He
seemed almost dazed as he stood there watching the wonderful woman
coming forward. He joined the others in the cheer of welcome which the
captain ordered to be given; he felt her hand grasping his, and saw the
smile of pleasure upon her face. But it all appeared like a marvellous
dream, too good to be true. He walked by her side with the rest of the
scouts, and listened to her conversation with the captain. But he said
nothing, unless directly spoken to. He was too happy for speech, and
he preferred to remain silent that he might think over the joy which
had so suddenly come into his life. The singer held his hand that
evening as he was about to leave the Anchorage. He promised that he
would come to see her every day, and then sped home to impart the great
news to Parson Dan and Mrs. Royal.
There was considerable excitement throughout Hillcrest when it was
learned that the famous Anna Royanna had come to the Anchorage to stay
for several weeks. It caused the greatest stir among the people from
the city, especially the ones of the fashionable set. They could not
understand why such a woman should wish to take up her abode at the
Anchorage, of all places. To them, the Britts were very inferior
people. They knew the captain by sight and reputation, but his wife
they had never met.
After a week's hesitation and consideration, several women called upon
Miss Royanna one fine afternoon. But she was not in. She spent most
of her time with the scouts, so Mrs. Britt informed them. She lived
out of doors during the day, and in the evening was generally at the
rectory.
The Royals were charmed with the singer. She was so quiet and gentle,
and made herself perfectly at home. How her presence brightened up the
house. At times she played on the little piano, and sang several of
her sweetest songs.
One evening when she was about to return to the Anchorage, a furious
thunder-storm burst upon the land, accompanied by a torrent of rain.
It continued so long that the Royals were able to induce their visitor
to remain all night.
"I am afraid that I shall give you too much trouble," Miss Royanna told
them.
"Oh, no," Mrs. Royal hastened to assure her. "It will be a great
pleasure to have you. There is one room which is always ready, and,"
here her voice became low, "no one has slept in it for over thirteen
years. It was my son's room," she explained, seeing the look of
surprise in her guest's eyes.
As Mrs. Royal uttered these words, she turned and lighted a lamp, and,
therefore, did not notice the strange expression which overspread Miss
Royanna's face. Together the two went upstairs and entered the sacred
chamber.
"It was Alec's room," Mrs. Royal remarked, as she placed the lamp upon
the dressing-table. "He was fond of all those things," and she
motioned to the walls lined with books, fishing-rods, rifle, banners,
snow-shoes, and pictures. "I have aired the bed, and made it up every
week since he went away. I know it will seem childish and foolish to
you. But, oh----" she suddenly paused and sat down upon a chair by the
side of the bed. "You little realise how much he meant to us. He was
our only child, and his memory is very dear."
"I know it," Miss Royanna replied, dropping upon her knees, and
throwing her arms around Mrs. Royal's neck. "I think I understand how
much you have suffered during all of these years. But is it right for
a stranger to occupy this room? Could I not sleep on the sofa
downstairs? I would be quite comfortable there."
"No, no. You must stay here. I could never before bear the thought of
any one sleeping in this room. But with you it is so different. You
seem to me like my own daughter, and that you have a right here which
no one else ever had. I cannot understand the feeling."
"May I be your daughter, then?" the younger woman eagerly asked, as she
caught Mrs. Royal's hands in her own hot ones. "It will make my heart
so happy to be able to call you mother, and to feel that this is my
home."
In reply, Mrs. Royal kissed the fair face so close to hers, and gave a
loving pressure to the firm white hands. For some time they remained
in this position, unheeding the storm which was still raging outside.
Tears were in their eyes, but a new-found joy had entered their hearts,
which made that chamber of sacred memories a more hallowed spot than
ever.
When at last alone, and with the door closed, the singer stood as if
spellbound. Could it be possible, she asked herself, that this was his
room, just as he had left it years before? The memory of the past rose
suddenly and vividly to her mind. She saw again his straight manly
figure, with the light of love in his eyes, as he kissed her and bade
her good-bye on the morning of that fateful day years ago. She
recalled his words of cheer and comfort as he told her how he would win
in the battle of life, and make a home for her and their little one.
Then came the terrible news, followed by the fearful days and weeks of
struggle in her effort to earn a living as she carried her boy from
place to place. The memory was more than she could endure. Sinking
upon a chair, she buried her face in her hands and wept as she had not
wept in years. Outside the storm rolled away, and the moon rose big
and bright. The house was very still, but within her room Anna Royanna
sat alone through the long watches of the night. How could she sleep
in such a place, with so many conflicting emotions agitating her heart
and mind?
Mr. and Mrs. Royal both noticed that their guest was very pale when she
came down to breakfast.
"I am afraid you did not sleep well last night, dear," Mrs. Royal
remarked, as she gave her an affectionate kiss. "It must have been the
storm which disturbed you."
"I did not mind it," was the reply. "I have restless nights sometimes,
and last night was one of them. But I shall be all right presently."
Parson Dan said nothing to any one about the idea which had come to him
concerning the noted singer. But the more he thought about it, the
more convinced he became that his suspicion was well grounded. He
watched her very carefully, and noted her special interest in Rod.
Another thing which confirmed his belief was the stopping of all
letters from Rod's mother as soon as Miss Royanna arrived at Hillcrest.
In her last one she had stated that she expected to be away for a
number of weeks, and would be unable to write until her return. The
parson's mind was greatly puzzled over the whole matter. If the famous
singer was really the boy's mother, why did she not say so? Was there
something which she wished to keep hidden?
He also watched the two when they were together, and as he studied
their faces, he was sure that he could see a remarkable resemblance.
No one else noticed it, so he believed, and not likely he would have
done so but for the idea which had come to him that day he was driving
along the road. Several times he was tempted to discuss the whole
affair with his wife in order to find out if she had suspected
anything. He always delayed, however, hoping that something of a more
definite nature would turn up to set his doubts at rest.