During the busy days which followed the dinner with Miss Susanna, the
firm of Page and Dean proved themselves worthy of the name promoters.
Their first meeting with Peter Graham was the beginning of earnest daily
consultations with him. Not a day passed that did not find them on the
ground where their work was going steadily forward. They were a wise
pair of promoters who left the management to Mr. Graham and never
annoyed him by interfering with his arrangements. Part of the workmen
were from the town of Hamilton, the other part from a colony of
dark-faced foreigners who lived in the eastern section of the town.
Robin declared enthusiastically after her first morning spent at the
site that just to see the men at work was inspiring. The minds of the
two young women had been trained to grasp the principle of a problem or
operation. It was not long before they had become familiar with the work
in hand and understood much of it in detail.
Peter Graham was quietly happy over the rapid progress which was being
made in the demolishment of the row of old houses. For years he had
waited and longed for “a big chance.” Now it had come. He was devoted
hardly less loyally to the building of the dormitory than were Robin and
Marjorie.
Leila and Vera spent the days thinking up pleasant amusements for Page
and Dean’s leisure hours. They were usually on hand with the roadster to
take the pair of promoters to and from the site and for long drives
afterward. They simulated a respect for Page and Dean which was
flattering, but not genuine. They gave each other much loud advice about
breaking in on a rising firm during business hours. Neither followed
either her own or the other’s caution.
Since their kindly but unsuccessful attempt to welcome Doris Monroe to
Wayland Hall and Hamilton College, none of the Travelers had ventured
further friendly overtures. The four girls at the Hall breakfasted
early. Miss Monroe invariably breakfasted as late as she could before
the close of the breakfast hour. Once or twice they had met her
sauntering into the dining room as they were leaving it.
A half smiling, indifferent nod, intended to include the four was
indicative of her lack of interest in her recent callers. Occasionally
one or another of the chums would chance to encounter her about the Hall
or on the campus. She met them with the same slighting manner; only a
remove from discourtesy.
“Miss Monroe of London and Paris has the manners of neither,” Leila
delivered this unflattering opinion of the aloof student one Sunday
afternoon. The chums had just encountered Miss Monroe on their way
toward the east gate and the garage. “She is as rude as Leslie Cairns
used to be. What a fine time the two could have together. One has no
more politeness than the other.”
“She is so lovely, even though she isn’t a tiny bit cordial,” Marjorie
said charitably. “It seems too bad that we can’t find a way to charm our
fairy-tale princess.”
“Let her strictly alone,” was Leila’s succinct advice. “She would not be
grateful to us for our trouble.”
“I can’t help agreeing with you, Leila,” Kathie said frankly. “Later she
may thaw and decide she would like to know us. If that should happen,
we’re not small-souled enough to resent past snubs.”
“Neither do we belong to the Royal Order of the Doormat,” Leila
retorted. “She will have to turn most gracious if my wounded Irish pride
is to be soothed.” Leila’s accompanying grin indicated precisely how
greatly her sensitive Irish pride had been hurt.
“Do let us talk of something more interesting than that enigma,” Vera
said with a patient sigh. “Why she should treat four learned P. G.’s and
a member of the faculty as though they were presuming freshies and she a
senior is something I shall not attempt to puzzle out. Where to this
afternoon, children? How about straight north on Hamilton Highway with
an evening stop for dinner at Orchard Inn?”
A chorus of “Fine”; “Bully”; “Ducky” and “Right-o,” rose in answer to
her solicitous inquiries.
“Oh, dear; I wish I didn’t have to go home Wednesday,” came rather
disconsolately from Marjorie. “I’m anxious to see Captain and General;
as anxious as can be. But the work here is so fascinating!”
“I don’t admire your choice of subject, either,” Vera declared
critically.
“All right. Miss Midget Mason. I’ll try not to mention it again,”
Marjorie obligingly promised. “You seem to be another sensitive soul;
something like Celtic Leila.”
“Oh, I am,” Vera assured, then out rippled her merry little laugh.
“Vera’s Own Variety,” Marjorie had playfully named it.
“I’m overdue at home now. Can’t help it if the subject is painful to
you, Midget. I have to say that much.”
“Marjorie has a date with her superior officers. Robin’s overdue in
Virginia. Two plus two make four. And the moral of that little sum, my
dears, is: What’s the use in teasing ’em to stay?” propounded Kathie.
“What, indeed? Since Robin must go and Kathie must stay what is to
become of Midget and me?” Leila’s attempt at looking forlorn was
short-lived. She could not keep a sober face.
“Now what do you know that I don’t?” Marjorie demanded. Leila’s smiles
were directed to her.
“Listen to the witch woman, Leila.” The Irish girl reached for one of
Marjorie’s hands and peered at the pink outspread palm. “You are going
on a journey——”
“Of course I am. I know that. Tell me something I don’t——”
“Treat the seeress with more respect. You are going on a long journey in
a car. Might it not be a roadster? You——”
“Oh, see here. I can tell my own fortune as well as that,” objected
Marjorie.
“Not yet. Now be more civil. I am no ordinary person,” Leila rebuked.
“On this journey you will be in the company of a small, fair woman. She
is considered a good driver. Ha! I see also a tall, dark woman. She is
Irish, and sits beside you in the tonneau. The journey is long, but——”
“You said that before,” Kathie put in mischievously.
“Now did I?” Leila beamed more broadly.
“Never mind the rest of that fortune. I need my hand.” Marjorie caught
Leila around the waist and hugged her with vigor.
They had reached the garage now and were standing near the doorway
waiting for Vera and the roadster.
“You and Vera are going to Sanford with me, you darling!” was the
delighted lieutenant’s cry. “It will be the greatest lark imaginable—to
go home in the roadster. How I wish Robin and Kathie could go, too.”
“Sorry,” Kathie’s one word of regret spoke volumes.
“So am I,” echoed Robin. “I’m going home with Marjorie at Christmas if I
can. I know you girls will have a gorgeous time.”
As the five took places in the car they talked of the trip Leila had
planned to Sanford and of the engagements they had made previous to
Wednesday. On Monday evening Miss Remson and the five post graduates
were to be entertained at dinner by President and Mrs. Matthews. Tuesday
afternoon and evening were to be spent at Hamilton Arms. What with
luncheon at Baretti’s on Monday at one o’clock and luncheon the next day
at the Lotus their time was well filled.
While the roadster was traveling the stretch of highway which formed a
complete southern boundary of the college campus the chums again
happened upon Miss Monroe. To see her was to admire her beauty afresh
without inquiring into her failings. The sleeveless frock she wore, a
delicate French creation of pale green silk and filmy white net, served
to enhance the astonishing whiteness of her throat, shoulders and arms.
Under the pale green lining of a white parasol which she held between
herself and the too-ardent sun, her eyes shone forth, deeply
mysteriously green. There was artistry in the rather simple waving and
coiffing of her spun gold hair. White silk stockings and white suede
slippers completed a costume which made her appear so charmingly lovely
the chums found themselves regretting her lack of sociability.
“It is too bad not to ask her to go with us,” Marjorie said in a low
tone to Leila. “I imagine she is out for a walk today because she is
lonely.”
“Let us see. I will be the first to disregard my own advice.” Leila rose
to the occasion wholly to please Marjorie.
“Oh, Leila, I’d rather you——”
Leila leaned forward and said: “Stop the wagon, Midget.” She flashed
Marjorie a smile of utter good humor. “Don’t worry, Beauty. I shall not
groan with broken bones.”
Miss Monroe was strolling along the time-worn stone walk of the college
which lay between the highway and the campus wall. On the other side of
the highway was only a footpath. Her attention fixed on the opposite
side of the highway she had not noted the stopping of the roadster. She
turned her eyes ahead only when she had come up within a few feet of it.
Her face darkened with annoyance. She half turned as though about to
bolt in an opposite direction. Then she tossed her blonde head and
advanced along the walk.
“Good afternoon, Miss Monroe,” Leila leaned out of the car. “We’re off
for a ride and dinner at Orchard Inn. Won’t you come with us?” Leila
conscientiously endeavored to put persuasive friendliness into the
invitation.
“No.” Miss Monroe stopped short and shook a decisive head. “I don’t care
in the least for that sort of treat. Thank you.” A chilly smile
flickered only to die on her lips.
“We’re going to have luncheon at Baretti’s on Monday——” Marjorie spoke
the rest of the invitation into the air. Miss Monroe had gone on,
apparently without having heard it.
“I have no patience with that girl!” Vera broke out indignantly as the
discourteous student continued to put distance between herself and the
carload of girls. In her vexation Vera allowed the car to stand for an
instant.
“Uh-h-h!” Leila was cautiously going over her arms, shoulders and hands
for broken bones. “Keep your temper, Midget. Your Irish friend is still
alive. So is Beauty; who thinks she is talking to someone, and finds she
has been talking to the wind.”
“Better luck another day. I decline to abandon the field of honor,”
Marjorie said with cheerful undauntedness. “I believe the fairy-tale
princess has been enchanted by a wicked wizard and is under a magic
spell. Some day I’m going to break the spell.”