CHAPTER IV
A QUESTION OF POLITICS
"Lay her over on her back!"
Jane obeyed Miss Elting's command promptly. The guardian, using herwet handkerchief, cleared Harriet's mouth by keeping the tongue downto admit the air.
"Work her arms back and forth. We must set up artificial respiration,"she directed.
Jane, without any apparent excitement, began a steady movement of thepatient's arms, bringing them together above the head, then down tothe sides. She continued this as steadily as if she were not face toface with a great tragedy. She did not yet know whether or not it werea tragedy; but, if appearances went for anything, it was. In themeantime the guardian had glanced over her shoulder at the pond. Shesaw the trunk slowly drifting in.
"Get it and open it, Hazel," she commanded.
"I haven't a key."
"Break it open with a stone. Never mind a key."
Hazel ran out into the water until she was up to her neck, then sheswam out. Reaching the floating trunk, she got behind it and beganpushing it shoreward. Margery and Tommy stood watching theproceedings in speechless horror. Hazel got the trunk ashore, when,following the guardian's directions, she broke the lock open with astone.
"It's open," she cried.
"Are the things inside very wet?"
"No; they are just as dry as they can be."
"Good. Are Harriet's clothes there?"
"I think so. Shall I take them out?"
"Not just yet. I will tell you if they are needed."
Hazel understood what was in the mind of the guardian. Were HarrietBurrell not to recover, the dry clothing would not be needed.Nevertheless, Hazel piled the contents of the trunk on the ground,then replaced it, leaving Harriet's belongings at the top of the pile,so that they would be ready at hand in case of need. In the meantimeCrazy Jane and Miss Elting persisted in their efforts to resuscitatethe unconscious girl. Though no sign of returning life rewarded theirlabor, they continued without a second's halting. Half an hour hadpassed. That was lengthened to an hour, then suddenly Jane stopped,leaned over and peered into the pale face of Harriet.
"I see a little color returning!" she cried in a shrill voice."Hurrah! Harriet's alive!"
"You don't thay?" exclaimed Tommy.
"Keep her arms going! Don't stop for a single second," commanded MissElting. "Hazel, take off Harriet's shoes. Beat the bottoms of herfeet. Oh, if we had something warm to put her in. Margery, you get outHarriet's clothing from the trunk."
"I--I can't," answered Buster in a weak voice.
"Buthter ith too nervouth. I'll get them," offered Tommy. She did,too. Now that she had something to do, she went about it as calmly asthough she had had no previous fear. "Are thethe what you want, MithElting?" she asked.
"Yes; bring them here. She is breathing. Faster, Jane, faster!"
"Don't pull her armth out by the roootth," warned Tommy. The guardianmade no reply. It was a critical moment and Harriet Burrell's lifehung on a very slender thread. Return to consciousness was so slow asto seem like no recovery at all. The spot of red that had appeared ineither cheek faded and disappeared. Miss Elting's heart sank when shenoted the change in the face of the unconscious girl. Jane saw it,too, but made no comment.
Tommy, having taken the clothes from the trunk, now very methodicallypiled them up near at hand, so that the guardian might reach themwithout shifting her position materially. Then the little girl stoodwith hands clasped before her, her eyes squinting, her face twistedinto what Jane afterward said was a really hard knot.
Two tiny spots of red once more appeared in each cheek of Harriet'swhite face.
"Shall I move her arms faster?" asked Jane.
Miss Elting shook her head. "Keep on as you are. I don't quiteunderstand, but she is alive. Of that I am positive."
For fully fifteen minutes after that the two young women worked insilence. They noted joyfully that the tiny spots of color in Harriet'scheeks were growing. The spots were now as large as a twenty-five-centpiece. Miss Elting motioned for Jane to cease the arm movements, thenshe laid an ear over Harriet's heart.
"Keep it up," she cried, straightening suddenly. "We are going to saveher." Margery, who had drawn slowly near, turned abruptly, walked awayand sat down heavily. Jane's under lip trembled ever so little, butshe showed no other sign of emotion, and methodically continued at herwork.
"Now, as soon as we can get the breath of life into her body, we muststrip off those wet clothes and bundle her into something dry. Weshall be taking a great chance in undressing her in the open air, butthe fact that Harriet is in such splendid condition should go a longway toward pulling her through. I wish we had a blanket to wrap herin. However, we shall have to do with what we have."
Jane kept steadily at her work, her eyes fixed on the face of thepatient. She made no reply to Miss Elting's words. Tommy, however,tilted her head to one side reflectively. Then she turned it ever solittle, regarding the broken trunk as if trying to make up her mindwhether or not she should hold it responsible for the disaster. Aftera few moments of staring at the trunk she sidled over to it, and,stooping down, began rummaging through its contents. From the trunkshe finally drew forth a long flannel nightgown. This she carried overand gravely spread out on the pile of clothing that she had previouslyplaced near Miss Elting. The guardian's eyes lighted appreciatively.
"Thank you, dear. That is splendid," she said, flashing a smile atTommy. "You are very resourceful. I am proud of you."
"You're welcome," answered Grace with a grimace. "Ith there anythingelthe that I can do?"
Miss Elting shook her head. The smile had left her face; all herfaculties were again centered on the work in hand. Shortly after thatthe two workers were gratified to note a quiver of the eyelids of thepatient. This was followed by a slight rising and falling of thechest, and a few moments later Harriet Burrell opened her eyes, closedthem wearily and turned over on her face. Crazy Jane promptly turnedher on her back, and none too gently at that.
"Plea--se let me alone. I'm all right," murmured Harriet.
"Help me carry her out yonder under the trees," ordered the guardian."There will be less breeze there."
"I'll carry her, Miss Elting." Jane picked Harriet up, and, throwingthe girl over her shoulder, staggered off into the bushes with herburden. Harriet was heavy, but Jane McCarthy's fine strength was equalto her task. Miss Elting had gathered up the clothing and followed.Tommy started to accompany her, but the guardian motioned her back.
"Jane and I will attend to her," she said. Tommy pouted and strolledover to Margery.
"Is--is Harriet going to die?" wailed Margery.
"No, Buthter, she ithn't."
Margery turned anxiously away. By the time the guardian reached thespot where Jane had put Harriet down, the latter had fully recoveredconsciousness; but she was shivering, her lips were blue and her facegray and haggard except for the two faint spots of color that hadfirst indicated her return to consciousness.
"Hold her up while I strip off her waist," commanded Miss Elting.Harriet protested that she was able to stand alone, but just the sameJane supported her. It was the work of but a few moments to strip offthe cold, wet garments and put on dry ones, including the flannelnightgown.
"Let me lie down a little while," begged Harriet weakly.
"No; you must walk. Jane, will you keep her going?"
"That I will. Come to me, darlin'."
Harriet got to her feet with the assistance of her companion. Janethen began walking her slowly about. The color gradually returned tothe face of the Meadow-Brook Girl, the gray pallor giving place to amore healthy glow. She wanted to talk, but Miss Elting said she wasnot to do so for the present. Now, Tommy and Margery followed herabout, though without speaking. This walking was continued for thebetter part of an hour. In the meantime Miss Elting was consideringwhat might best be done. She decided to go in search of some one whowould take them to their destination. After a talk with Harriet, andleaving directions as t
o what was to be done during her absence, theguardian set out, walking fast. She realized the necessity of warmdrinks and something to assist in stirring Harriet's circulation. TheMeadow-Brook Girl's escape from drowning had been a narrow one, but noone realized the necessity for further treatment more than Miss Eltingdid.
After a time Harriet insisted on walking without the support of Jane'sarm, but it was a difficult undertaking. Harriet had to bring all theresolution she possessed to the task of supporting her weakened limbs;but she managed it, with now and then a rest, leaning against a treeor a rock. Tommy had found her tongue again, to keep up a running fireof inconsequential chatter that served its purpose well, assistingHarriet in keeping her mind from her own troubles.
The guardian returned, after having been absent half an hour. She camerunning down the byway, shouting before she appeared in sight of theparty to know if all were well.
"Oh, Harriet, I'm so glad to see you looking better! I have a boy anda democrat wagon to take us to the real cove. This isn't the place atall. Lonesome Cove is nearly five miles from here. But look! I'vesomething that will please you!" exclaimed the guardian.
"What ith it?" demanded Tommy, edging near.
"Coffee!" exclaimed Miss Elting triumphantly.
"But how are we going to cook it?" cried Jane.
"Get the coffee pot. It is in one of the packs that we saved. We haveneither milk nor sugar, but we shan't care about that. I met a boy, asI have told you. He had been to mill with a grist, and was also takingsome groceries home with him. I secured the coffee by paying doubleprice for it, but consider it cheap at that. Hazel, you and Margerywill gather some dry wood and make a fire." Jane already had gone tolook for the coffee pot. She found it, after opening one of the wetpacks.
"The fire is laid," announced Hazel, "but we haven't any matches. Whatshall we do?"
"Mith Elting hath thome matcheth," answered Tommy.
"How do you know, my dear?" The guardian laughed merrily.
"I thee a box in your pocket."
"You see too much," declared Margery.
"Yes, I bought matches, too." Miss Elting herself applied a match tothe sticks that had been laid for the cook fire. "Harriet, come righthere by the fire and warm yourself."
"Where is the boy?" asked Harriet.
"He will be along in a few minutes. I ran all the way back. He willdrive in and wait until we are ready. I promised him two dollars if hewould take us to our destination."
"Does he know where it is?" questioned Jane.
"He says he does, but--" The guardian flushed and checked herselfabruptly. "I nearly gave my surprise away."
Jane had the water boiling in a few minutes, then quickly made thecoffee. A cup was handed to Harriet. She drank it steaming hot.
"Oh, that tastes good!" she breathed.
"You can feel it all the way down, can't you?" questioned Tommysolemnly.
"Yes, I can."
"Drink another one, dear," urged the guardian; "it won't keep youawake. Perhaps, now that you feel better, you will tell us how youcame so near drowning?"
"I did nearly drown, didn't I?"
"You did, as thoroughly as one could and yet live to tell of it,"replied Miss Elting, her voice husky.
"I had unfastened all the straps save the third one," began Harriet."By that time the trunk was standing on end. It was very buoyant. Theidea never occurred to me that there was any danger from the trunk. Iwas too much concerned wondering if I shouldn't have to open my mouth,for my lungs were nearly bursting. Well, I gave the last strap a jerkand I think the buckle must have pulled off, for the end of the trunkflew up and hit me on the head."
"But how did you get wedged under the car springs?" interrupted theguardian. "I found you there."
"I don't know. I don't remember anything that occurred after I was hitby the trunk until I began to realize that some one was working overme, and that I wished to be let alone. I was so comfortable that I didnot wish to be disturbed."
"Thave me!" exclaimed Tommy.
"How long did you work over me?"
"More than an hour," replied Miss Elting.
"Then I really was just about drowned, was I not?" questioned Harriet,her eyes growing large.
"You were."
Harriet Burrell pondered a moment, then lifted a pair of serious browneyes to her companions.
"I am glad I had the experience," she said, "but I am sorry I made somuch trouble. I feel all right now, and strong enough for almostanything. When do we start for the Cove?"
"At once. I hear the boy coming. Do you think you are really ready?"
"I know I am. But I believe I will have another cup of coffee beforewe start. Did we rescue all of our equipment?"
"Some of it has been lost, but that doesn't matter so long as we haveyou safe and sound, yes, there is the boy. Hoo-e-e-e!" called theguardian.
"Ye-o-o-w!" answered the boy promptly. They saw him turn into thebyway. The horse he was driving was so thin that every rib stood outplainly. The democrat wagon was all squeaks and groans, its wheelsbeing so crooked that the girls thought they were going to come off.
"You must help us to get our things aboard," said Miss Elting. "Willyour wagon hold them all?"
"If it doesn't break down," was the reply.
"Well, some of us can walk."
The boy backed his rickety wagon down near where the belongings of theMeadow-Brook Girls lay in a tumbled heap. Jane assisted him in loadingthe equipment, amazing the country boy by her strength and quickness.
"You going to camp, eh?" he questioned.
"We don't know what we are going to do," replied Jane. "We're likelyto do almost anything that happens to enter our minds as well as somethings that don't enter our minds. Stow that package under the seatforward; yes, that way. There. Do you think of anything else, MissElting!"
"Nothing except the automobile. I hardly think we shall be able totake that with us."
"Indeed, no," answered Jane with a broad grin. "We'll let Dad do that.Who is going to ride?"
"Let's see. Harriet, of course--"
"I can walk," protested Harriet.
"No; you will ride. Margery and Tommy also may ride. Hazel, Jane and Iwill walk. It will do us good, for we need exercise this morning,though I must say that a little breakfast would not come amiss."
"You thay that ith a Democrat wagon?" questioned Tommy.
"Yes, dear. Why do you ask?" answered Miss Elting smilingly.
"I jutht wanted to know. I'll walk, thank you, Mith Elting. You thayit ith a Democrat wagon?"
"Yes, yes. What of it?"
"I wouldn't ride in a Democrat wagon. My father would dithown me if Idid! If it wath a Republican wagon, now, it would be all right--but aDemocrat wagon--thave me!"
The Meadow-Brook Girls by the Sea; Or, The Loss of The Lonesome Bar Page 4