CHAPTER XXII
AS YOU LIKE IT
The big dressing rooms on each side of the stage at Assembly Hall wereablaze with light. There was a hum of girlish voices and gay laughter,and all the pleasant excitement attending an amateur productionprevailed. The dressing had been going on for the last hour, and now agoodly company of courtiers and dames stood about waiting while MissTebbs and Miss Kane rapidly "made up their faces" with rouge and powder.This being done to prevent them from looking too pale when in the whiteglare of the footlights.
Miriam Nesbit as the "Duke" looked particularly fine, and the girlsgathered around her with many exclamations of admiration. Nora's roguishface looked out from her fool's cap in saucy fashion as she flittedabout jingling her bells. Grace made a handsome Orlando, while Jessicalooked an ideal shepherdess.
"Where's Anne?" said Grace as Nora paused in front of her. "I haven'tsee her to-night. I suppose she's over in the other dressing room.Miss Tebbs said that some of the costumes were moved over there afterwe left last night. What time is it? I didn't wear my watch to-nightbecause I didn't want to risk losing it."
"It's almost half past seven," said Jessica. "I asked Miss Tebbs for thetime just a few minutes ago."
"Let's go and find Anne at once, then," said Nora. "It's getting late,and she surely is dressed by this time. Then we'll look through the holein the curtain at the house. People are beginning to arrive."
"Wait a minute," said Jessica. "There's Mabel. Doesn't she look great asJaques? Come here, dear," called Jessica.
Mabel Allison joined the three girls, who hurried across the stage tothe other dressing room in search of Anne Pierson.
"Why, I don't see her here," cried Grace, making a quick survey of theroom. "She must be somewhere about, for----"
"There she goes now," exclaimed Nora, who stood in the door, looking outon the stage, "and she has her hat and coat on. How strange. I wonder ifshe knows how late it is?"
Sure enough, Anne was hurrying toward the opposite dressing room.
The three girls made a rush for her.
"Why, Anne," said Grace. "What is the matter? We thought you had dressedover here and were looking for you."
"Girls," replied Anne, "I've been on a wild-goose chase. I can't stop totell you about it now, but you shall hear as soon as I have a chance.Will you help me with my costume and make-up? I'm awfully late, andhaven't a minute to spare."
"Why of course we will," said Grace. "Give me your hat and coat, dear.Where did you put your costumes? It won't take you long to dress, formost of the girls are dressed and over on the other side, so you havethe place to yourself."
"Over in that corner," replied Anne, taking off her collar andunfastening her white shirt waist. "Don't you remember, I labeled themand you laughed at me for doing so?"
"Of course we do," said Nora, making a dive for the corner where Annehad piled her costumes the previous night. "They're not here," sheannounced after a brief but thorough search. "Miss Tebbs must have hadthem moved to the other room. She opened it last night after we left.Grace, you help Anne, and Jessica and Mabel and I will run across andlook for them." With these words, Nora was off, the other two girls ather heels.
"Tell me what kept you, Anne," said Grace, as the latter began arrangingher hair for the first act.
"Grace," said Anne rather tremulously, "I won't wait until the otherscome back to tell you why I came so late. Just after I had finished mysupper and was putting on my wraps a boy came to the door with thisnote." Anne went over to where her coat hung and took out an envelope.Drawing a note from it, she silently handed it to Grace, who read:
"MY DEAR ANNE:
"Will you come up to my house before going to the hall? I wish to give you something to wear in the play.
"Yours affectionately, "ROSE R. GRAY."
"Why, how unlike Mrs. Gray to send for you at the eleventh hour," saidGrace in a puzzled tone. "No wonder you were late. What did she giveyou?"
"Nothing," replied Anne. "It was a trick. She never wrote the note,although the writing looks like hers, and so does the paper. She wasvery indignant over it and sent me back in the carriage, telling thecoachman to return for her, for of course she will be here to-night.I would have arrived much later if I had been obliged to walk. I ranalmost all the way up there. You know Chapel Hill is quite a distancefrom my house."
"I should say so," replied Grace. "Who could have been so mean? Anne,why do you suppose----" Grace stopped suddenly and stared at Anne. "Annedo you think that Eleanor could have written it?" she said slowly, asthough reluctant to give voice to her suspicion.
"I am afraid so," replied Anne. "She is the only one who could profit bymy being late. Yet if she did write the note, she should have realizedthat going to Mrs. Gray's would scarcely keep me away long enough tomiss my first entrance. You know I don't come on until the secondscene."
"There is something more behind this," said Grace, "and I'm going tofind out, too." She darted to the door and opened it upon Nora andJessica, who were on the threshold.
"We can't find them," they cried in alarm, "but we told Miss Tebbs andshe'll be here in a minute."
"We didn't say a word to any one else," said Nora, "because they must besomewhere about, and there is no use in stirring up a lot of unnecessaryexcitement."
"Wise little Nora," said Grace, patting her on the shoulder. "Here comesMiss Tebbs now." She stepped courteously aside to allow the teacher toenter the dressing room, then, following her, closed the door.
"What is this I hear about losing your costumes, Anne?" asked Miss Tebbsrather impatiently. "I cautioned the girls last night about taking careof their things."
Anne flushed at the teacher's curt tones.
"I put them all in that corner, plainly marked, before I left here lastnight," she answered. "When I came here to-night they were gone."
"That is strange," said the elder woman. "Have you made a thoroughsearch for them in the other room?"
"We've gone over every inch of the ground," exclaimed Jessica, "and wecan't find a trace of them. We didn't ask any of the girls about them,because if we couldn't find them we feel sure the others couldn't. So wejust kept quiet."
"I don't know what is to be done, I'm sure," said Miss Tebbs in ananxious tone. "It is eight o'clock now and the curtain is supposed torun up at 8.15. I can hold it until 8.30, but no longer. The house isalready well filled. You might get through the first act in a borrowedgown, Anne, but what can you do in the second? You know how that costumehad to be altered to fit you. If it can be found before the second act,all will be well, but suppose you go on in the first act, and it can'tbe found, what then? You will spoil the whole production by appearingin an incorrect or misfit costume, besides bitterly disappointing thetwo girls who will have to give up their costumes to you. It is doublyprovoking, because Mr. Southard is here to-night, and is particularlyanxious to see your work."
"Miss Tebbs," exclaimed Grace, "Eleanor Savell has a complete 'Rosalind'outfit. She had it made purposely. One of the girls told me so. You knowshe understudies Anne. Couldn't Anne use that?"
"Impossible, Grace," said Miss Tebbs. "Eleanor is taller than Anne.Anne's lack of height is her one drawback. If she had not shown suchexceptional talent, 'Rosalind' would have certainly fallen to MissSavell or yourself. I am very sorry, but it looks as though Miss Savellwill have to play Rosalind after all, and she must be notified at once."
The three chums turned to Anne, who was biting her lip and trying hardto keep back her tears. Nora and Jessica looked their silent sympathy,but Grace stood apparently wrapped in thought.
Miss Tebbs moved toward the door, but as she placed her hand on the knobGrace sprang eagerly forward.
"Miss Tebbs," she cried, "don't ask Miss Savell. I believe I can findthose costumes yet. Wait here and in five minutes I'll tell you whetherI have succeeded. Please don't ask me what I am going to do. Just
trustme and wait. You will let me try, won't you?" she pleaded.
"Certainly, my child," said Miss Tebbs, "but remember time is precious.I'll give you five minutes, but if----"
"I'll be back in that time," cried Grace, and was gone, leaving MissTebbs and the three chums mystified but faintly hopeful.
Across the stage she flew and into the other dressing room. The objectof her search was not there. Out she rushed and collided with a girl whowas about to enter.
"Pardon me," said Grace, glancing up, then seized the girl by the arm."Eleanor Savell," she exclaimed sternly. "You know where Anne's costumesare. Don't attempt to deny it."
Eleanor looked contemptuously at Grace and tried to shake herself free,but Grace's grasp tightened.
"Answer me," she said. "Where are they?"
"Where Are Anne's Costumes?" Cried Grace.]
"Let me go," said Eleanor angrily. "You are hurting my arm. What doI care about Miss Pierson's costumes?"
"You will care," replied Grace. "For if you don't instantly tell mewhere they are, I shall call the whole cast and expose you."
"If you do, you will merely make yourself ridiculous," hissedEleanor, her eyes blazing. "What grounds have you for such anaccusation?"
"I can't prove that you are responsible for their disappearance, butI do know that you shall not play 'Rosalind,' if the costumes are neverfound."
"How can you prevent me!" asked Eleanor in insolent tones. "You are notrunning this production."
"I have no time to waste in arguing the matter," returned Grace withadmirable self-control. "What I want is the truth about the costumes andyou must answer me."
"'Must,'" repeated Eleanor, raising her eyebrows. "That is putting itrather strongly. No one ever says 'must' to me."
"I say it to you now, Eleanor, and I mean it," said Grace. "I am fullyconvinced that you have hidden Anne's costumes and I am equally certainthat you are going to produce them at once."
"Then you are laboring under a delusion," replied Eleanor, with adisagreeable laugh, "and I should advise you to devote that tirelessenergy of yours, to minding your own business."
"This is my business," replied Grace evenly, "and if you wish to avoidany unpleasantness you will make it yours."
"Your threats do not alarm me," sneered Eleanor. "I am not easilyfrightened."
"Very well," replied Grace, looking steadily at her enemy. "I see thatI shall be obliged to call Miss Thompson back here and tell her whodestroyed her essay. Knowing that, do you suppose you can make herbelieve that you did not hide Anne's costumes?"
Eleanor's insolent expression turned to one of fear. "No," she gasped,"don't call Miss Thompson. You know she hates me, and will disgrace mein the eyes of the girls."
"And you richly deserve it, Eleanor," replied Grace, "but if you produceAnne's costumes at once, I'll agree to say nothing. Hurry, for everysecond is precious."
"I can't get them," wailed Eleanor. "What shall I do?"
"Where are they?" asked Grace, with compressed lips.
"At--'Heartsease,'" said Eleanor, and burst into tears.
"Oh, what a mess," groaned Grace. "It will take an hour to go there andback. Oh, I must act quickly. Let me think. Mrs. Gray's coachman woulddrive me out, but those horses are so slow. Eleanor," she exclaimed,turning to the weeping girl, "is your runabout outside?"
"Yes," sobbed Eleanor.
"Then that settles it," cried Grace. "I will go after the things. Tellme where to find them. Have you a latch key? I can't bother to ringafter I get there."
"I'll go and get my key," said Eleanor, wiping her eyes. "They're in thewardrobe in my bedroom."
"All right, wait for me at the door and don't say a word. Here come someof the girls."
Though the time had seemed hours to Grace, her interview with Eleanorhad lasted barely five minutes. She hurried back to where Miss Tebbs andthe three chums awaited her, followed by the curious eyes of a number ofthe cast, who wondered vaguely why Grace Harlowe was rushing around atsuch a rate.
"Borrow a gown for Anne, Miss Tebbs, for the first act," she cried."I'll have the missing costumes here in time for the second. OnlyI can't play Orlando. Miriam will have to play it; she's my understudy,you know. Ethel Dumont can play Miriam's part. They've rehearsed bothparts, and will be all right. Please don't refuse me, Miss Tebbs, butlet me go. It's for Anne's sake. Nora, please bring me my streetclothes."
As she spoke, Grace began rapidly divesting herself of her costume.
"Very well, Grace, have your own way," replied the teacher reluctantly."I'll go at once and get a gown for Anne. But don't dare to fail me."
"Thank you, Miss Tebbs. I'll not fail." Slipping into her long coat andseizing her fur hat, Grace made for the street, stopping for an instantto take the key from Eleanor, who stood waiting at the door.
"Can you manage the machine?" faltered Eleanor.
"Yes," said Grace curtly. "Go in at once. If you are seen, the girls areapt to ask questions that you may find hard to answer truthfully."
"Thank goodness, David and Tom taught me something about automobileslast summer," thought Grace as she prepared to start, "or I should havebeen powerless to help Anne to-night. I am going to exceed the speedlimit, that's certain." A moment later she was well into the street andon her way to "Heartsease." It was a memorable ride to Grace. It seemedas though the runabout fairly flew over the ground.
"I've only been ten minutes on the way," she breathed as she neared herdestination. Leaving the runabout outside the grounds, she ran up thedrive, and, inserting her key in the door, opened it softly and enteredthe wide, old-fashioned hall. Up the steps she hurried, meeting no one,for Miss Nevin was at Assembly Hall and the servants' quarters were atthe back of the house. Knowing the house as she did, Grace went straightto Eleanor's room and to the wardrobe. Sure enough, Anne's missingcostumes were lying in a neat heap on the floor. Assuring herself thateverything was there, Grace piled them up in her arms and sped softlydown the stairs, opened the door, and in a twinkling was down the driveand into the runabout.
She drove back even faster than she had come. As she passed the cityhall clock she drew a breath of relief. It was ten minutes of nine. Thefirst act was hardly half over. Leaping from the machine with the lostcostumes she ran triumphantly into the dressing room.
"Here she is," shrieked Nora in delight. "I knew she'd make good."
"Are they all there, Grace," anxiously inquired Miss Tebbs. "You dear,good child. Where did you find them?"
"That is a mystery which even Sherlock Holmes can never solve," repliedGrace, laughing. "Where's Anne?"
"She's on just now with Celia," replied Miss Tebbs, "and is playing upto her usual form, but she is very nervous and almost broke down afteryou left. She feels that you made too great a sacrifice for her ingiving up your part."
"Nonsense," said Grace. "Why should I have sacrificed the star to my ownpersonal vanity? Miriam Nesbit can play Orlando as well as I, and makesa more striking appearance at that."
"I don't agree with you, Grace, for you were an ideal 'Orlando,'"replied Miss Tebbs. "However it's too late for regret, and the bestI can do now is to make you assistant stage manager. Some of those girlsneed looking after. Miss Savell had a bad case of stage fright andalmost had to be dragged on. She forgot her lines and had to beprompted. She's all right now, but I am devoutly thankful she didn'tplay 'Rosalind,' for she certainly would not have done justice to it."
Grace smiled grimly as she listened to Miss Tebbs. She could not feelsorry at Eleanor's recent agitation. Now that the excitement was over,Grace felt her anger rising. Eleanor's thirst for glory and revenge hadbeen the means of losing Grace the part that she had so eagerly lookedforward to playing, not to mention the narrow escape Anne had run.Still, on the whole, Grace felt glad that so far no one knew the truth.
"I think I'll go into the wings. It's almost time for the curtain," shesaid to Miss Tebbs. But before she could reach there, the curtain hadrung down and the audience were calling for Cel
ia and Rosalind, whotook the call hand in hand. Then Rosalind took two calls and bowedherself into the wings and straight into Grace's arms.
"O Grace, how could you do it?" said Anne, with a half sob. "You gaveup your part for me. It's too much. I shan't----"
"You shall," replied Grace, hugging her. "Run along and put on maleattire. I found your stuff and some time I'll tell you where, but notnow."
The play progressed with remarkable smoothness, and the various actorsreceived unstinted applause from the audience, but from first to lastAnne was the star. Her portrayal of Rosalind left little to be desired.Time after time Mr. Southard led the applause, and was ably seconded byHippy, Reddy, David and Tom, who fairly wriggled with enthusiasm.
Next to Anne, Nora, perhaps, came second. Her delivery of Touchstone'slines was delightful and she kept the audience in a gale of mirthwhenever she appeared.
It was over at last. The closing line of the Epilogue had been spoken byRosalind, and she had taken five curtain calls and retired with her armsfull of flowers. The principal actors in the play had been wellremembered by friends, and the dressing rooms looked like a florist'sshop.
"I'm so sorry. I'd like to begin all over again," said Nora, as sherubbed her face with cold cream to take off her make-up.
"There's an end to all things," said Jessica practically, "and reallyI'm glad to get back into everyday clothes."
"Hurry up, slowpokes," said Grace Harlowe, popping her head in the door."Tom Gray is here. He and David are waiting outside with their cars. Weare all going up to Nesbit's for a jollification given in honor ofRosalind, who is at present dressed in everyday clothes and shakinghands with the great Southard. He and Miss Tebbs are going, too, and sois Mrs. Gray."
"Come in, Grace, and tell us where you found Anne's costumes," saidNora, giving her cheeks a final rub. "We're devoured with curiosity."
"'Thereby hangs a tale,'" replied Grace, "but I refuse to be interviewedto-night. I'll see you outside. If you're not there in three minutes,I'll put Hippy on your trail."
Closing the door, Grace walked slowly toward the entrance. The majorityof the girls had gone. Anne still stood talking with Mr. Southard andMiss Tebbs.
"Grace, come here and speak to Mr. Southard," called Miss Tebbs. "HasNora gone? Mr. Southard wishes to congratulate her and you, too."
"She'll be out in a couple of minutes," said Grace, as she advanced togreet the great actor. "But I am not in line for congratulations, asI was not in the play."
"I am very sorry that you could not play Orlando to-night. I rememberyour work at the try-out," said Mr. Southard in his deep, musical voice."Miss Tebbs has told me of the sacrifice you made. You deserve doublecongratulations for the part you played behind the scenes."
"It was nothing," murmured Grace, her color rising. "If you are ready,suppose we go. Mrs. Gray wishes you and Mr. Southard to go in hercarriage, Miss Tebbs. The rest of us will go in the two automobiles."
As they moved toward the door, Grace left them. Going back to thedressing room, she rapped sharply on the door. "Last call! Look out forHippy!" she cried, then hurried to catch up with the others. But beforeshe reached them she was confronted by Eleanor.
"I've been waiting to see you ever since the play was over," saidEleanor sullenly.
Grace looked at her in silence. "Well?" she said coldly.
"What are you going to do about to-night--and everything?" askedEleanor. "Are you going to tell Miss Thompson?"
"So far I have told nothing, Eleanor," said Grace sternly. "You deserveno clemency at my hands, however, for you have repeatedly accused myselfand my friends of carrying tales. Something we are above doing. You haverefused our friendship and have been the means of estranging MissThompson and myself.
"When first you came to High School, I promised Mrs. Gray that I wouldhelp you to like High School life. For that reason I have overlookedlots of things, but to-night caps the climax, and I tell you franklythat I thoroughly despise your conduct, and if ever again you doanything to injure myself or my friends, I shall not hesitate to bringyou to book for it."
Eleanor stood clenching her hands in impotent rage. Grace's plainspeaking had roused a tempest in her.
"I hate you, Grace Harlowe, fifty times more than ever before," shesaid, her voice shaking with anger. "I intended to leave this miserableschool at the end of the year, but now I shall stay and show you thatyou cannot trample upon me with impunity."
Without answering, Grace walked away, leaving Eleanor to stare moodilyafter her.
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