XVI
THE MARABOU MUFF
The next two weeks passed uneventfully. The thieves did not manifestthemselves, and the Government authorities did nothing to suggest thatthey had been informed of the Parmenter treasure.
Macloud had developed an increasing fondness for Miss Carrington'ssociety, which she, on her part, seemed to accept with placidequanimity. They rode, they drove, they walked, they sailed when theweather warranted--and the weather had recovered from its fit of theblues, and was lazy and warm and languid. In short, they did everythingwhich is commonly supposed to denote a growing fondness for eachother.
Croyden had been paid promptly for the Virginia Development Companybonds, and was once more on "comfortable street," as he expressed it.But he spoke no word of returning to Northumberland. On the contrary,he settled down to enjoy the life of the village, social and otherwise.He was nice to all the girls, but showed a marked preference for MissCarrington; which, however, did not trouble his friend, in the least.
Macloud was quite willing to run the risk with Croyden. He wasconfident that the call of the old life, the memory of the girl thatwas, and that was still, would be enough to hold Geoffrey from morethan firm friendship. He was not quite sure of himself, however--thathe wanted to marry. And he was entirely sure she had not decidedwhether she wanted him--that was what gave him his lease of life; ifshe decided _for_ him, he knew that he would decide for her--andquickly.
Then, one day, came a letter--forwarded by the Club, where he had lefthis address with instructions that it be divulged to no one. It wasdated Northumberland, and read:
"My dear Colin--
"It is useless, between us, to dissemble, and I'm not going to try it. I want to know whether Geoffrey Croyden is coming back to Northumberland? You are with him, and should know. You can tell his inclination. You can ask him, if necessary. If he is not coming and there is no one else--won't you tell me where you are? (I don't ask you to reveal his address, you see.) I shall come down--if only for an hour, between trains--and give him his chance. It is radically improper, according to accepted notions--but notions don't bother me, when they stand (as I am sure they do, in this case), in the way of happiness.
"Sincerely,
"Elaine Cavendish."
At dinner, Macloud casually remarked:
"I ought to go out to Northumberland, this week, for a short time,won't you go along?"
Croyden shook his head.
"I'm not going back to Northumberland," he said.
"I don't mean to stay!" Macloud interposed. "I'll promise to come backwith you in two days at the most."
"Yes, I suppose you will!" Croyden smiled. "You can easily find yourway back. For me, it's easier to stay away from Northumberland, than togo away from it, _again_."
And Macloud, being wise, dropped the conversation, saying only:
"Well, I may not have to go."
A little later, as he sat in the drawing-room at Carringtons', hebroached a matter which had been on his mind for some time--workingaround to it gradually, with Croyden the burden of their talk. When hisopportunity came--as it was bound to do--he took it withouthesitation.
"You are right," he replied. "Croyden had two reasons for leavingNorthumberland: one of them has been eliminated; the other is strongerthan ever."
She looked at him, shrewdly.
"And that other is a woman?" she said.
He nodded. "A woman who has plenty of money--more than she can everspend, indeed."
"And in looks?"
"The only one who can approach yourself."
"Altogether, most desirable!" she laughed. "What was thetrouble--wouldn't she have him?"
"He didn't ask her."
"Useless?"
"Anything but useless."
"You mean she was willing?"
"I think so."
"And Croyden?"
"More than willing, I take it."
"Then, what was the difficulty?"
"Her money--she has so much!--So much, that, in comparison, he is amere pauper:--twenty millions against two hundred thousand."
"If she be willing, I can't see why he is shy?"
"He says it is all right for a poor girl to marry a rich man, but notfor a poor man to marry a rich girl. His idea is, that the husbandshould be able to maintain his wife according to her condition. Tomarry else, he says, is giving hostages to fortune, and is derogatoryto that mutual respect which should exist between them."
"We all give hostages to fortune when we marry!" Miss Carringtonexclaimed.
"Not all!" replied Macloud, meaningly.
She flushed slightly.
"What is it you want me to do?" she asked hastily--"or can I doanything?"
"You can," he answered. "You can ask Miss Cavendish to visit you for afew days."
"Can you, by any possibility, mean Elaine Cavendish?"
"That's exactly who I do mean--do you know her?"
"After a fashion--we went to Dobbs Ferry together."
"Bully!" exclaimed Macloud. "Why didn't you tell me?"
"You never mentioned her before."
"True!" he laughed. "This is fortunate, very fortunate! Will you askher down?"
"She will think it a trifle peculiar."
"On the contrary, she'll think it more than kind--a positive favor. Yousee, she knows I'm with Croyden, but she doesn't know where; so shewrote to me at my Club and they forwarded it. Croyden leftNorthumberland without a word--and no one is aware of his residence butme. She asks that I tell her where _I_ am. Then she intends to comedown and give Croyden a last chance. I want to help her--and yourinvitation will be right to the point--she'll jump at it."
"You're a good friend!" she reflected.
"Will you do it?" he asked.
She thought a moment before she answered.
"I'll do it!" she said at length. "Come, we'll work out the lettertogether."
"Would I not be permitted to kiss you as Miss Cavendish's deputy?" heexclaimed.
"Miss Cavendish can be her own deputy," she answered.--"Moreover, itwould be premature."
The second morning after, when Elaine Cavendish's maid brought herbreakfast, Miss Carrington's letter was on the tray among tradesmen'scirculars, invitations, and friendly correspondence.
She did not recognize the handwriting, and the postmark was unfamiliar,wherefore, coupled with the fact that it was addressed in aparticularly stylish hand, she opened it first. It was very brief, verysuccinct, very informing, and very satisfactory.
"Ashburton,
"Hampton, Md.
"My dear Elaine:--
"Mr. Macloud tells me you are contemplating coming down to the Eastern Shore to look for a country-place. Let me advise Hampton--there are some delightful old residences in this vicinity which positively are crying for a purchaser. Geoffrey Croyden, whom you know, I believe, is resident here, and is thinking of making it his home permanently. If you can be persuaded to come, you are to stay with me--the hotels are simply impossible, and I shall be more than delighted to have you. We can talk over old times at Dobbs, and have a nice little visit together. Don't trouble to write--just wire the time of your arrival--and come before the good weather departs. Don't disappoint me.
"With lots of love,
"Davila Carrington."
Elaine Cavendish read the letter slowly--and smiled.
"Clever! very clever!" she mused. "Colin is rather a diplomat--hemanaged it with exceeding adroitness--and the letter is admirablyworded. It tells me everything I wanted to know. I'd forgotten aboutDavila Carrington, and I reckon she had forgotten me, till he somehowfound it out and jogged her memory. Surely! I shall accept."
To-morrow would be Thursday. She went to her desk and wrote this wire,in answer:
"Miss
Davila Carrington,
"Hampton, Md.
"I shall be with you Friday, on morning train. You're very, very kind.
"Elaine Cavendish."
Miss Carrington showed the wire to Macloud.
"Now, I've done all that I can; the rest is in your hands," she said."I'll cooperate, but you are the general."
"Until Elaine comes--she will manage it then," Macloud answered.
And on Friday morning, a little before noon, Miss Cavendish arrived.Miss Carrington, alone, met her at the station.
"You're just the same Davila I'd forgotten for years," said she,laughingly, as they walked across the platform to the waiting carriage.
"And you're the same I had forgotten," Davila replied.
"But it's delightful to be remembered!" said Elaine, meaningly.
"And it's just as delightful to be able to remember," was the reply.
Just after they left the business section, on the drive out, MissCarrington saw Croyden and Macloud coming down the street. EvidentlyMacloud had not been able to detain him at home until she got hercharge safely into Ashburton. She glanced at Miss Cavendish--she hadseen them, also, and, settling back into the corner of the phaeton, shehid her face with her Marabou muff.
"Don't stop!" she said.
Miss Carrington smiled her understanding.
"I won't!" she answered. "Good morning!" as both men raised theirhats--and drove straight on.
"Who was the girl with Miss Carrington?" Croyden asked. "I didn't seeher face."
"I couldn't see it!" said Macloud. "I noticed a bag in the trap,however, so I reckon she's a guest."
"Unfortunate for you!" Croyden sympathized. "Your opportunity, for thesolitariness of two, will be limited."
"I'll look to you for help!" Macloud answered.
"Humph! You may look in vain. It depends on what she is--I'm notsacrificing myself on the altar of general unattractiveness." Then helaughed. "Rest easy, I'll fuss her to the limit. You shan't have her toplead for an excuse."
"An excuse for what?"
"For not winning the Symphony in Blue."
"You're overly solicitous. I'm not worried about the guest," Macloudremarked.
"There was a certain style about as much of her as I could see whichpromised very well," Croyden remarked. "I think this would be a goodday to drop in for tea."
"And if you find her something over sixty, you'll gallantly shove heroff on me, and preempt Miss Carrington. Oh! you're very kind."
"She's not over sixty--and you know it. You're by no means as blind asyou would have me believe. In fact, now that I think of it, there wassomething about her that seems familiar."
"You're an adept in many things," laughed Macloud, "but, I reckon,you're not up to recognizing a brown coat and a brown hat. I think I'veseen the combination once or twice before on a woman."
"Well, what about tea-time--shall we go over?" demanded Croyden.
"I haven't the slightest objection----"
"Really!"
"----to your going along with me--I'm expected!"
"Oh! you're expected, are you! pretty soon it will be: 'Come over andsee us, won't you?'"
"I trust so," said Macloud, placidly.--"But, as you're never comingback to Northumberland, it's a bit impossible."
"Oh! damn Northumberland!" said Croyden.
"I've a faint recollection of having heard that remark before."
"I dare say, it's popular there on smoky days."
"Which is the same as saying it's popular there any time."
"No, I don't mean that; Northumberland isn't half so bad as it'spainted. We may make fun of it--but we like it, just the same."
"Yes, I suppose we do," said Macloud. "Though we get mighty sick ofseeing every scatterbrain who sets fire to the Great White Way brandedby the newspapers as a Northumberland millionaire. We've got our shareof fools, but we haven't a monopoly of them, by any means."
"We had a marvelously large crop, however, running loose at one time,recently!" laughed Croyden.
"True!--and there's the reason for it, as well as the fallacy. Becausehalf a hundred light-weights were made millionaires over night, and,top heavy, straightway went the devil's pace, doesn't imply that theentire town is mad."
"Not at all!" said Croyden. "It's no worse than any other big town--andthe fellows with unsavory reputations aren't representative. They justcame all in a bunch. The misfortune is, that the whole country saw thefireworks, and it hasn't forgot the lurid display."
"And isn't likely to very soon," Macloud responded, "with the wholeMunicipal Government rotten to the core, councilmen falling over oneanother in their eagerness to plead _nolle contendere_ and escape thepenitentiary, bankers in jail for bribery, or fighting extradition; andgraft! graft! graft! permeating every department of the civic life--andpublished by the newspapers' broadcast, through the land, for all theworld to read, while the people, as a body, sit supine, and meeklysuffer the robbers to remain. The trouble with the Northumberlander is,that so long as he is not the immediate victim of a hold up, he isquiescent. Let him be touched direct--by burglary, by theft, byembezzlement--and the yell he lets out wakes the entire bailiwick."
"It's the same everywhere," said Croyden.
"No, it's not,--other communities have waked up--Northumberland hasn't.There is too much of the moneyed interest to be looked after; and thecouncilmen know it, and are out for the stuff, as brazen as thestreet-walker, and vastly more insistent.--I'm going in here, for somecigarettes--when I come out, we'll change the talk to something lessirritating. I like Northumberland, but I despise about ninety-nine onehundredths of its inhabitants."
When he returned, Croyden was gazing after an automobile which wasdisappearing in a cloud of dust.
"Ever see a motor before?" he asked.
Croyden did not hear him. "The fellow driving, unless I am mightilyfooled, is the same who stopped me on the street, in front ofClarendon," he said.
"That's interesting--any one with him?"
"A woman."
"A woman! You're safe!" said Macloud. "He isn't travelling around witha petticoat--at least, if he's thinking of tackling you."
"It isn't likely, I admit--but suppose he is?"
The car was rapidly vanishing in the distance. Macloud nodded towardit.
"He is leaving here as fast as the wheels will turn."
"I've got a very accurate memory for faces," said Croyden. "I couldn'twell be mistaken."
"Wait and see. If it was he, and he has some new scheme, it will bedeclared in due time. Nothing yet from the Government?"
"No!"
"It's a bluff! So long as they think you have the jewels, they will tryfor them. There's Captain Carrington standing at his office door.Suppose we go over."
"Sitting up to grandfather-in-law!" laughed Croyden. "Distinctlyproper, sir, distinctly proper! Go and chat with him; I'll stop foryou, presently."
* * * * *
Meanwhile, the two women had continued on to Ashburton.
"Did he recognize me?" Elaine asked, dropping her muff from before herface, when they were past the two men.
"I think not," answered Davila.
"Did he give any indication of it?"
"None, whatever."
"It would make a difference in my--attitude toward him when we met!"she smiled.
"Naturally! a very great difference." Elaine was nervous, she saw. Thefact that Croyden did not come out and stop them, that he let them goon, was sufficient proof that he had not recognized her.
"You see, I am assuming that you know why I wanted to come to Hampton,"Elaine said, when, her greeting made to Mrs. Carrington, she hadcarried Davila along to her room.
"Yes, dear," Davila responded.
"And you made it very easy for me to come."
"I did as I thought you would want--and as I know you would do with mewere I in a similar position."
"I'm sadly
afraid I should not have thought of you, were you----"
"Oh, yes, you would! If you had been in a small town, and Mr. Croydenhad told you of my difficulty----"
"As _Mr. Macloud_ told you of mine--I see, dear."
"Not exactly that," said Davila, blushing. "Mr. Macloud has been veryattentive and very nice and all that, you know, but you mustn't forgetthere are not many girls here, and I'm convenient, and--I don't takehim seriously."
"How does he take you?" Elaine asked.
"I don't know--sometimes I think he does, and sometimes I think hedoesn't!" she laughed. "He is an accomplished flirt and difficult togauge."
"Well, let me tell you one fact, for your information: there isn't amore indifferent man in Northumberland. He goes everywhere, is in greatdemand, is enormously popular, yet, I've never known him to have evenan affair. He is armor-plated--but he is a dear, a perfect dear,Davila!"
"I know it!" she said, with heightening color--and Elaine said no more,then.
"Shall you prefer to meet Mr. Croyden alone, for the first time, or incompany?" Davila asked.
"I confess I don't know, but I think, however, it would be better tohave a few words with Colin, first--if it can be arranged."
Miss Carrington nodded. "Mr. Macloud is to come in a moment beforeluncheon, if he can find an excuse that will not include Mr. Croyden."
"Is an excuse difficult to find--or is any, even, needed?"
Elaine smiled.
"He doesn't usually come before four--that's the tea hour in Hampton."
"Tea!" exclaimed Elaine. "If you've got him into the tea habit, you cando what you want with him--he will eat out of your hand."
"I never tried him with tea," said Davila. "He chose a high ball thefirst time--so it's been a high ball ever since."
"With gratifying regularity?"
"I admit it!" laughed Davila.
Elaine sat down on the couch and put her arm about Davila.
"These awful men!" she said. "But we shall be good friends, betterfriends than ever, Davila, when you come to Northumberland to live."
"That is just the question, Elaine," was the quick answer; "whether Ishall be given the opportunity, and whether I shall take it, if I am. Ihaven't let it go so far, because I don't feel sure of him. Until I do,I intend to keep tight hold on myself."
"Do it--if you can. You'll find it much the happier way."
Just before luncheon, Macloud arrived.
"Bully for you!" was his greeting to Miss Cavendish. "I'm glad to seeyou here."
"Yes, I'm here, thanks to you," said Elaine--and Davila not beingpresent, she kissed him.
"I'm more than repaid!" he said.
"But you wish it were--another?"
"No--but I wish the other--would, too!" he laughed.
"Give her the chance, Colin."
"You think I may dare?" eagerly.
"You're not wont to be so timid," she returned.
"I wish I had some of your bravery," he said.
"Is it bravery?" she demanded. "Isn't it impetuous womanliness."
"Not a bit! There isn't a doubt as to his feelings."
"But there is a doubt as to his letting them control--I see."
"Yes! And you alone can help him solve it--if any one can. And I havegreat hopes, Elaine, great hopes!" regarding her with approving eyes."How any chap could resist you is inconceivable--I could not."
"You could not at one time, you mean."
"You gave me no encouragement,--so I must, perforce, fare elsewhere."
"And now?" she asked.
"How many love affairs have you come down here to settle?" he laughed."By the way, Croyden is impatient to come over this afternoon. Theguest in the trap with Miss Carrington has aroused his curiosity. Hecould see only a long brown coat and a brown hat, but the muff beforeyour face, and his imagination, did the rest."
"Does he suspect?" she inquired, anxiously.
"That it's you? No! no! It's simply the country town beginning to tellon him. He is curious about new guests, and Miss Carrington hadn'tmentioned your coming! He suggested, in a vague sort of way, that therewas something familiar about you, but he didn't attempt toparticularize. It was only a momentary idea."
She looked her relief.
"Shall you meet him alone?"
"I think not--we shall all be present."
"And _how_ shall you meet him?"
"It depends on how he meets me."
"I reckon you don't know much about it--haven't any plans?"
"No, I haven't. Everything depends on the moment. He will know why I'mhere, and whether he is glad or sorry or displeased at my coming, Ishall know instantly. I shall then have my cue. It's absurd, thisnotion of his, and why let it rule him and me! I've always got what Iwanted, and I'm going to get Geoffrey. A Queen of a Nation must proposeto a suitor, so why not a Queen of Money to a man less rich thanshe--especially when she is convinced that that alone keeps them apart.I shall give him a chance to propose to me first; several chances,indeed!" she laughed. "Then, if he doesn't respond--I shall do itmyself."
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