CHAPTER VI--MR. DALKEN'S PATERNAL TRAINING
Conversing pleasantly, and smoking one cigar after another, Mr. Dalkenoffered no cause for one to think he was boiling within, or that he wascontemplating a severe correction for his daughter Elizabeth. But Mr.Ashby knew him so well that he would have felt more at ease had hisfriend expressed a little impatience and annoyance at the unexpectedtrick played by the girl.
The men in the party sat with the owner who drove the great launchthrough the calm waters, but ever and anon he swerved suddenly to avoid,as he said, reefs of coral hidden by the wavelets. He skirted the coastbecause they needed to keep a watchful lookout for the yacht which mighthave anchored at one of the many tiny inlets along the shore, wherebootleggers thrived during the great social season in the South.
The yacht's crew sat in the stern of the boat, but the ladies werecomfortably at rest in the small saloon. There was but one absorbingthought and subject for them: what would be Elizabeth's punishment whenher father could judge her heedless act?
After stopping at several small ports, where it seemed likely they wouldfind the White Crest at anchor with other crafts from the winterresorts, the owner of the launch remarked to Captain Blake:
"If they went to Satan's Kitchen, they must'a had some wise birds along.Only the old hands dare go there and get their drinks. And the stuff isrank pizen, at that! Nuthin' but liquid fire. Two or three young foolsgot knocked out by taking this bootlegger's vile whiskey, and one fellercashed in his checks."
The Captain made no reply, but it was not necessary.
"Satan's Kitchen is a coupla miles in an inlet what dips in from theshore line at Delray. We won't be able to see the yacht from outside,but that's whar we're bound to find the runaways, I'm thinking."
"All right--drive in and we'll soon know," ordered Mr. Dalken, takingcommand for the first time since leaving Palm Beach.
Shortly after this the launch made a graceful curve and chuggedcarefully through shallow waters until it came to the narrow inletmentioned by the captain of the boat. Having gone a very short distanceinside this inlet, those on deck soon saw the White Crest anchored neara strip of glistening sandy beach. A rough pier of old planks ran out tothe deep water in order to accommodate those who wished to land. Herethe launch stopped.
"No, take us to the yacht. I wish to see my guests safely on board myown boat, and the crew in their places. Then if the other party is stillon shore you may carry me back to this pier," commanded Mr. Dalken.
Without any confusion or other sound than the subdued chug of the engineof the launch, the transfer of the party was made. Only the few sailorswho had been left on the yacht that evening were found on board, so Mr.Dalken got back into the launch and was about to start for the pier whenMrs. Courtney urged Mr. Ashby to go with him.
"You see, no one can tell what may happen in such a place as thisSatan's Kitchen. Dalky is cool now, but what may he be should he findcause for chastising the men who dared to plan this runaway?"
Therefore, without asking his friend's consent, Mr. Ashby jumped backinto the launch and the boat started away. Those left on board the yachtlearned that the Captain had orders to start out at once, and wait abouthalf a mile off the shore. The launch would pick up the yacht there andtransfer the owner and his friend.
To the anxious group of friends on the yacht it seemed that a long timehad elapsed before they could hear the chugging of the returning launch,but in reality it was hardly half an hour from the time that Mr. Dalkenand his friend Ashby had left the White Crest before they returned.Elizabeth Dalken was with them, but not a sign of any one of hercompanions on the recent excursion was to be seen.
Elizabeth, in moody silence, ran up the steps and went directly to herroom. Mr. Dalken paid the owner of the launch and said in a tone thatcarried its own pointed meaning: "You comprehend that I am paying youfor the hire of this craft until noon to-morrow?"
ELIZABETH, IN MOODY SILENCE, RAN UP THE STEPS.]
"I get you, Boss," returned the man, bowing seriously. "Anyway, even ifyou were not so generous in your pay, I have no likings for suchpassengers who know better but act like sots."
"All right. Start back for Palm Beach. I'll follow in your wake." Sosaying Mr. Dalken stepped aboard his own craft and waved the owner ofthe launch to proceed northward on his return trip.
Mr. Ashby said not a word of explanation to the curious friends waitingon deck, but Mr. Dalken spoke freely as if they were entitled to thestory.
"We found just about the sort of scene as I expected to see at that den.Those men in the party, easily ten years my senior, only used thehare-brained divorcee and the younger girls as a means to obtain theirend--that of running my yacht to the place where they knew they could getall the vile liquor they craved. Once there, they never gave a thoughtas to how their companions might fare. Hence I took my girl and leftthem to work it out as they saw best. There is no trolley or othertransportation method of leaving the place, other than by boat orautomobile, and of the latter there was none to be hired. I may havebeen a bit severe on the other young women in the party, but they shouldhave taken all favorable conditions into consideration before theyconsented to run away with another man's valuable property, in order tosatisfy an abnormal curiosity about a notorious locality. I am thankfulto say that I have saved _my_ property from the scandal which would besure to follow on the heels of a scrape such as those men I saw atSatan's Kitchen are certain to rouse at one of their orgies. Now,however, it will be necessary for me to return to Palm Beach and provethat my yacht and my friends were anchored at the wharf till morning,and that Elizabeth and I were at the hotel at the dance."
Mr. Dalken excused himself after concluding his explanation, and went tohis daughter's room to escort her to the hotel.
The interested colored man who had given Mr. Dalken the valuableinformation regarding the men who had taken possession of the WhiteCrest without the owner's consent or knowledge, now watched curiously asMr. Dalken and his daughter left the craft and walked in the directionof the hotel.
The crowds were already thinning out on the ball-room floor, but enoughrepresentatives of society still remained to dance to the last note ofthe orchestra. As fortune had it, one of Mr. Dalken's well-known friendsand his family was present and saw the financier as soon as he steppedupon the floor to dance with Elizabeth.
"There's Dalken and his daughter--remember we had him to dinner inWashington when I first took my Seat?" whispered the gentleman to hiswife.
A reporter for a New York paper stood near and overheard the remark.Instantly he made a note of it and drew nearer to his source ofinformation. He heard the Representative speak of the White Crest andthe cruise, and he decided to look up the yacht and its owner in themorning.
Not a word was spoken between Mr. Dalken and his daughter after theyleft the hotel and boarded the yacht. No one was in sight on deck andthe owner accompanied Elizabeth to her room and went in behind her. Thenhe closed the door and turned to have a word with her.
He spoke tenderly at first, but she ignored him completely and refusedto answer his questions. Finally he said sternly: "Elizabeth, I wish youto answer my questions in regard to this escapade."
"Well, I don't care if you do! I do not have to speak to you unless Iwish to!" snapped she.
"I am your father, and I represent your guardian in the law. I amresponsible, to a certain extent, for all your wrong-doings, hence Idemand that you tell me how you came to go to that vile den where Ifound you with those despicable men."
Elizabeth stared defiantly at her father, then she remarked: "You maydemand, but I do not need to reply."
Mr. Dalken then tried to show her what a risk she had taken in going toa place where a murder or other crime was apt to happen at any moment ifone of the habitues became too drunk to control himself.
Elizabeth narrowed her eyelids and looked at her father in a manner thatreminded him unpleasantly of her mother whenever she had been corneredin a scandalous situation. Then
the girl spoke drawlingly.
"You are such a fossil when it comes to social matters! Why, there isn'ta girl I know who would not give her head to have been in my shoesto-night. But how can you know that two of those men are the finestcatches of the season. Henri Aspinwall is a multi-millionaire from SouthAmerica, and James Stickney is one from New York. I had both of them atmy feet this evening, and then you came to ruin my prospects of aproposal!" Elizabeth actually wept tears of mortification at herfather's untimely appearance in Satan's Kitchen.
Mr. Dalken gasped in sheer unbelief. "Do you mean to say you _knew_those two men? Did you know they were divorced by their wives for theirdisreputable living?"
"How silly you are! Reputations are nothing in these liberal times,because divorce is so convenient. Those two men have money and the mostcharming personalities. That is why their wives can't live withthem--they are generally so shabby looking and are fiercely jealous ofthe attentions paid their husbands by appreciative women. Naturally, menlike Henri or James are too popular for their fogy wives, hence thedivorces, you know!"
"Why, Elizabeth, you are positively shocking! I cannot believe you arenot yet twenty and my own child! Where have you acquired all thisnightmare of experience in such things?" Mr. Dalken's voice trembledwith emotion over the girl's short-comings.
"Really, father, one might think _you_ were a saint, from the way youare trying to preach to me!" sneered Elizabeth.
"Far be it from me to pose as a saint, but at least I know I am aclean-minded man, and I demand that my daughter act as a young ladyshould, while she is in my charge," was Mr. Dalken's stern reply.
"I suppose you would invite me to model my behavior after such countryclods as Miss Brewster, or take for my example such flippant nobodies asEleanor Maynard from Chicago?" scorned Elizabeth, tossing her head."Why, I knew them both at school in New York, and I must say that not agirl in society would deign to cast a glance at either of them now. Theyare absolutely too impossible to stand on any rung of the social ladder,and not even the commonest plane of society in New York would considerthem."
"I am ashamed to hear you say so. It goes to prove how low the socialstandard has fallen. In fact, I may add, that the standard of a oncedecent period must have been dragged through the mire, of late times, topresent such views as you entertain as its highest aspirations." Mr.Dalken's words were cutting and Elizabeth resented them.
"Well, I am sorry to remind you, sir, that men who can shamelessly turntheir backs upon the obligations of a wife and daughter and go aftersuch women as you prefer to call your friends, are the very ones whosmirch society's fair standard and then stand up and denounce it ashaving fallen."
Sheer astonishment and shocked soul of Mr. Dalken kept him silent afterElizabeth concluded her statement. Finding he failed to reply, she addedsarcastically:
"If my dear mother but knew the type of woman she might have to call hersuccessor to such marital felicity as you deprived _her_ of when shecalled herself Mrs. Dalken, she would not concern herself to save youfrom such a degradation!"
Finally Mr. Dalken found his powers of speech. "What under the sun areyou driving at, you little vixen!"
Elizabeth tossed her head and laughed a harsh, cold laugh. "How innocentwe are, eh, Dad? To hear you _now_, and to see you with Mrs. Courtneywhen others are about one would say you two were not enjoying thetete-a-tetes she so wisely plans for you. But how can one expectanything otherwise? You left mother in order to live your life ofselfish pleasure, and this woman turned her back on her husband and herown country, because she could no longer appear in decent society inLondon, and now it seems quite natural for you two to find mutualconsolation in the companionship of each other. Poor Mamma!"
As Elizabeth spoke, Mr. Dalken got upon his feet and stood with headheld high. The moment she had concluded, she glanced spitefully up athim, but his expression cowed her for a moment. When he found his voicehe said coldly, but with dire meaning for the girl:
"You will see to it that your luggage is ready to leave this yacht inthe morning. You may return to New York to your 'poor mamma' as soon aspossible, and tell her that no further allowances are to be expectedfrom me, and henceforth no machinations from her will be allowed to betried on me. I shall call upon the law to defend me from future attacks,both personally and in every other way. I will bid you good-morning,Elizabeth, and I will look for you directly after breakfast." With thatMr. Dalken left the girl alone.
"Well, thank heavens, he is gone!" grumbled Elizabeth to herself, as thedoor closed upon her father's heels. Then she calmly removed her lovelygown and threw it upon the floor and suddenly stamped upon it. Such asquall of temper in one who, a moment before had seemed calm, wassurprising.
"The nasty wasp! How I hate her sweet smile and honeyed words. As if shecould fool me with her acting! Why, not a woman I know pretends to be sogracious and altogether wonderful as that horrid Courtney!" ButElizabeth failed to take into consideration that, when one lived inearnest, no acting could seem as real as the genuine thing.
"Well, I shall be well rid of this Sunday-school group!" continued thegirl, as she sat down and pulled off her satin slippers and beautiful,embroidered, silk stockings. "Once I get my things off the yacht and amlocated in one of the nice suites at the Hotel, I shall lay my plans forthe conquest of James Stickney. Oh, won't mother squeal with joy whenshe hears of my conquest! To be Mrs. Stickney and spend his money willbe worth all the dreadful days I have had to waste on board this boat!"
Thus, as she disrobed and prepared for bed, Elizabeth smiled even whileshe planned her social campaign at Palm Beach during the time whichwould elapse until she heard from her mother.
But Elizabeth never dreamed of the actual plan she would be compelled toaccept on the morrow. She had no idea that her father meant exactly whathe had said when he threatened never to contribute more to herease-loving support and the monthly bills which seemed beyond all reasonto him. Hitherto he had paid all accounts without a protest.
Had she dreamed that she was to be packed off for New York under thechaperonage of Anne Brewster and her husband, with no opportunity tosend word to her friends at Palm Beach, and without a dollar in herpocket with which to wire her mother of her ignominious treatment--suchit was in her estimation--she might have tried to escape that very night.
Not long after nine o'clock in the morning, therefore, Mr. Dalken wasasked to see the reporter and tell him such items of personal news aswould interest the readers of the New York daily. Contrary to precedent,Mr. Dalken invited the man to breakfast with him while he told him along story. How he was taking this cruise with his intimate friends fora rest and his health. How he had persuaded his daughter to accompanythem as far as Palm Beach, and how he danced with her even to the lastwaltz at the hotel. Then he spoke regretfully of how she would have toreturn to New York that day, as social interests could not spare her fora continued cruise. "Oh, yes! Of course she will be accompanied on thejourney. Our very dear friends, Mr. and Mrs. Brewster, part owners inChoko Gold Mines, you know, are also going North with their friend, Mr.Latimer. I had all I could do to get these three friends to come as faras Palm Beach with us. Now they and my daughter cannot give us anotherday."
"The rumor got started in some strange way that a party of undesirableguests at the hotel captured your yacht and daughter and sailed away toSatan's Kitchen last night," ventured the reporter. "Did you know of theescapade, or were they back before you found it out?"
"My dear fellow! Of what _are_ you speaking? I can prove conclusivelythat we arrived at the hotel in time for dinner and that we remaineduntil the very last dance. Why, I met an old friend in the ball-roomjust as I was about to leave. Members of my party left at differenttimes during the evening, but they are free to go and come as theychoose while we are on this cruise, you know."
Mr. Dalken was all guileless confidence with the reporter and thatworthy felt sure the report had been started as a bit of scandal in highlife. Then his host suddenly seemed to remember a
n item which mightexplain such a sorry story.
"Perhaps that twisted version of the matter started because we hadplanned to sail away after midnight, leaving the four in my party to goback to New York to-day. But they all remained dancing to such an hourthat it seemed absurd for any one to pack their bags and leave the yachtat that hour, so I advised all to sleep late and the yacht would waittill at dawn as had been planned.
"You see, my friends heartily enjoyed the hospitality of yourmagnificent hotels to such an extent that they are all fast asleep intheir rooms. I am the only early bird on deck this morning, but then Ionly danced a _few_ dances with my daughter just before the orchestrasaid good-night."
The reporters smiled politely and secured a few treasured items ofsocial interest regarding the dances Mr. Dalken preferred, and the hourhe left the ball-room with his friends, and anything else he might careto tell them for publication.
He shook his head. "Nothing happens when one sails on a friendly littlevoyage with choice companions--that is, anything of interest to society;because no one in my party belongs to society and we never bother aboutits concerns. But, my dear young men, I am now deeply concerned ingetting off on our cruise, and you must really excuse me from continuedconversation, unless you care to be carried to Havana with us."
The reporters, having secured all the information they were after,obediently bid their host good-morning and left the yacht. Once theywere safely out of the way, Mr. Dalken had the chef serve breakfast ondeck for those who would get up and eat.
John and Anne Brewster, Tom Latimer and Polly, and Mrs. Courtney werethe only ones to respond to the call. The former three guests weredressed for travel, and Polly was up in order to say a last goodby toher family members and to Tom. Mrs. Courtney was an early riser nomatter what time she went to sleep and she now seemed as bright andfresh as if she had had the usual quota of sleep instead of but fourhours at the dawning of the day.
Immediately after breakfast Mr. Dalken gave Anne a sealed letter andsaid impressively: "Now remember, my dear Mrs. Brewster, to follow allmy instructions to the letter, whether Elizabeth wishes it or not. Sheis still in my charge, even though I appoint you a deputy to guard hertill she is placed safely in her mother's care once more. I do notanticipate any rebellion before she reaches New York, but she may decideto bolt once she finds herself on familiar ground again. However, I madeit quite plain to her last night, that she is the arbiter of her ownfuture if she disobeys me in one least thing after being placed in yourcare."
Thus Polly learned to her amazement that Elizabeth was destined to leavethe yacht and return in disgrace to her mother. But the news did notcause any regret, rather did it make her rejoice that dear Dalky wouldbe freed from such a thorn in his side for the rest of the trip.
Mrs. Courtney maintained an inscrutable expression that defied Polly'sreading of her thoughts. Whether she had known of this plan to sendElizabeth back to New York when Anne Brewster went, or whether the newssurprised her even as it had Polly, could not be said. But Polly metTom's eyes and saw a gleam of relief there.
The breakfast ended and a member of the crew who had been despatched onshore to ascertain exactly when the Washington Express would leave, nowcame on deck and saluted. He handed his employer a paper, and Mr. Dalkenturned to John and Tom.
"The car is waiting at the end of the pier. I'll get my daughter andplace her in your charge, then escort you all to the automobile."
Turning to the sailor, he added: "Jim, did the trunk get off all right?"
"Yes'sa, an' I expressed it, myself, straight through to Noo York, sa."
"Very good. Now wait at the foot of the steps till we come."
Mr. Dalken went away and Polly turned to Mrs. Courtney.
"Don't you think it will be more agreeable for Dalky if we are not herewhen he comes back with Elizabeth?"
"Yes, Polly, I agree with you. We will say our goodbys now, friends, andhurry away from here," replied Mrs. Courtney.
The farewells were not prolonged, therefore, and Tom found he wasshort-circuited in his plans to have a lover's tete-a-tete with the girlhe adored so devotedly. John and Anne had their good hugs and kissesfrom Polly, and then she turned quickly to Tom and extended her hand.
"Goodby, Tom, old friend. Take good care of Anne and see that shedoesn't worry herself to a frazzle over Elizabeth Dalken and her socialtricks." With a hasty shake of his hand, Tom found Polly was runningaway to the rear end of the yacht where she could enter without comingface to face with any one coming from the main door.
Mrs. Courtney had said her farewells and was following Polly when Mr.Dalken came from the door which opened to the saloon. Elizabeth wasclosely veiled and dressed in a plain tailormade suit. Without a spokenword to any one she went directly to the stairs that led down to thewharf. The other four adults followed her and soon all were seated inthe waiting limousine.
Polly could not help peeping out from her retreat at the back entranceto the companionway, and when she saw the automobile drive away shesighed with relief. "There go the two troubles of my life--one whom Idespise, and one whom I am not sure about adoring or hating!"
From this honest confession of Polly's it can be readily surmised thatshe was not head over heels in love with Tom.
In less than half an hour's time Mr. Dalken came on board his yachtagain and immediately gave orders to sail. Even as the Captain obeyedand placed the distance of a rod or so between the craft and the pier, asprinting reporter reached the wharf to take a snap-shot of the WhiteCrest.
Mr. Dalken watched him with grim satisfaction. He then murmured tohimself: "Well, that's all _you_ got out of your run!"
Later he remarked casually to Polly and Mrs. Courtney, when theyhappened to be alone after luncheon: "Our friends just caught theExpress as it was about to pull out. The conductor saw us making for itand he very obligingly held up the train a moment. Naturally, no one waspresent to interview us about this hasty departure for the North, andonly one solitary reporter saw me returning in the car. He failed toreach me in time!"
But their host did not add that he had used every influence possible toinsure the success of his plan: to reach the train at the very minute ofdeparture, and then see his daughter off before she could get in touchwith any friends at Palm Beach. The conductor exchanged a friendly butknowing look with the financier as the four travelers boarded the train,and Mr. Dalken stood watching it pull out.
"Well, children, now we're off on the second lap of our adventures,"laughingly called Mr. Dalken, as he waited in vain for a remark to hislast statement. His happy tone then brought forth glad and eagerquestionings as to Cuba, Hayti, and the other Isles of the West Indies.
Polly's Southern Cruise Page 6