CHAPTER XVIALORA WINS HER WAY
Mary Louise decided that Alora Jones improved on acquaintance. Therewere many admirable traits in her character that had lain dormant untildeveloped by association with two girls of her own age who werethemselves gentle and considerate. It is true that Alora at times wasstill headstrong and willful and unable to bridle her tongue whenirritated, but neither Mary Louise nor Irene ever reproved her by wordor look, so that she grew ashamed of her outbursts and when at home herfather aroused her to anger she fled to her girl friends and sought intheir companionship the antidote to her vexation. The two friends haddecided it was unwise to comment on Alora's unhappy family relationsand soon she discovered this and refrained from burdening them with herhome quarrels.
No one could witness Irene's patient resignation to misfortune withoutadmiring her character and being touched by her bravery and gentleness,and association with this crippled girl was softening Alora's hard anddefiant nature wonderfully. Had the association continued it might haveredeemed the prospective heiress from many of the faults she hadacquired through years of neglect and rebellion against fate, but theclose triumvirate of girl friends was suddenly dissolved, early inJuly, by no less a person than Will Morrison--a wealthy and kindlynatured gentleman who was a friend of both the Conants and ColonelHathaway.
Will Morrison had purchased a yacht; it was anchored in the breakwaternear the Chicago Yacht Club, and its owner intended making a summertrip through the Great Lakes and cordially invited the Conants andIrene, and Mary Louise and Colonel Hathaway to accompany his party.
Unfortunately, Mrs. Conant at that time was ill. She had contracted alingering but mild form of spring fever that would keep her in bed forweeks, and Irene, who was devoted to her aunt, would not leave her tothe mercies of a nurse. Mary Louise wanted to go, though, for theMorrisons were delightful people and any yacht they purchased would besure to be safe and comfortable.
Since the Conants could not go, Mary Louise suggested to hergrandfather that they ask Will Morrison to invite Alora Jones, and theColonel approved the idea because he thought it would do Alora muchgood to mingle with refined people such as were sure to form the yachtparty. So, when he answered Mr. Morrison's letter, he told himsomething of Alora and asked permission to fetch her along.
"I'm not at all sure," he said to Mary Louise, "that Mr. Jones willpermit Alora to go with us."
"Nor am I," the girl replied; "but perhaps Alora can coax him toconsent. It might be a good idea for you to ask him, too, Gran'pa Jim."
"My dear!" he remonstrated, "do you think I ought to hazard that man'ssneers and insults, even to favor your friend Alora?"
"No; I do not, Gran'pa Jim," she laughingly rejoined. "That was afoolish suggestion, and I withdraw it. If Alora fails, I'll speak tohim myself. I'm not afraid of Jason Jones, and he doesn't growl at meas he does at poor Lory."
They did not mention the proposal to Alora until the Colonel hadreceived a telegram from Will Morrison saying: "By all means inviteMiss Jones to join us. Knew her mother, once, and will be glad to haveher with us."
Alora was delighted at the prospect of a yachting trip and decided atonce that she would go, especially as Colonel Hathaway said she wouldbe Mary Louise's guest on the trip to Chicago and no money would beneeded for expenses. So she attacked her father in a somewhat originalmanner.
Mr. Jones had conceived a passion for flying and had just purchased anaeroplane. He was to begin his lessons at once and was so thoroughlyimmersed in his strange fancy that he paid little heed to anythingelse. His books were neglected. His former quiet life--amounting almostto physical inertion--had given place to a nervous and all-consumingdesire to master the rather strenuous art of aviation. Alora was quiteunaware of this transformation, for as usual Jason Jones kept his owncounsel and followed his inclinations without conference with anyone.The girl knew that her father haunted the aviation field, but anythingthat kept him amused away from home was gratefully approved by her.
Usually the two breakfasted together in silence. Lately Mr. Jones hadhurried through with the meal so as to get away, and he did not returnfor lunch. So on this important morning Alora said casually:
"I'm going away for three or four weeks."
"Where to?" he asked sharply, suddenly rousing from his abstraction.
"I'm going on a yachting trip with Mary Louise and Colonel Hathaway.We're to be the guests of a Mr. Morrison and his wife, who own theyacht."
"Morrison? Morrison?" he repeated suspiciously. Then, as if relieved:"I don't know any Morrisons."
"Nor do I. They are old friends of the Hathaways and the Conants,however."
"Well, you can't go. It's nonsense."
"Why?"
"Yachts are dangerous. I don't want you drowned."
"I'd be as safe on a yacht as I would be in this house," she declared."Do you think I intend to take any chances with my life? Pleaseremember that when I'm eighteen I shall have a fortune and be able tolead an independent life--a pleasant life--a life in sharp contrast tothis one. Therefore, I'm going to live to enjoy my money."
He gave her a shrewd look of approval. The argument seemed to appeal tohim. It quieted, to an extent, his fears for her safety.
"Anyhow," said Alora bluntly, "I'm going, and I dare you to stop me."
He was silent a while, considering the proposition. Just now he wouldbe busy at the aviation field and in Colonel Hathaway's charge the girlwas likely to be quite safe. He was inclined to relax his vigilanceover his precious daughter, on this occasion.
"How long do the Hathaways expect to be away?" he inquired.
"Mary Louise says we will surely be home three weeks from the day weleave."
"Surely?"
"Without fail."
"H-m-m. It's a risk. Something might delay you. Do you know what wouldhappen if you left me for sixty days or more?"
"Of course I do. That will of my mother's states that if at any time mydevoted father develops any neglect of me, or lack of interest in hisdarling daughter, such as allowing me to become separated from him forlonger than sixty days at one time, the court has the privilege, at itsoption, of deposing him as administrator of my estate and appointinganother guardian. The other guardian, however, is to be paid a salaryand the income, in that case, is to accrue to the benefit of myestate."
"How did you learn all that?" he demanded.
"You left a copy of the will lying around, and I read it and made acopy of it for myself. I now know my mother's will by heart. Shesuggests that if we must live together, 'in loving companionship,' youwill probably have me educated by tutors, at home, and her objection togirls' schools--I wonder why?--was the principal reason she insertedthe clause that we must never be separated. It would prevent you fromsending me away to school. But as for the tutors, I haven't yet madetheir acquaintance."
"Tutors cost money," he said in a surly tone.
"I realize that; and while there is an abundance of money, the willstates that it is to be entirely in your control. But we've quarreledon that subject too many times already, without your loosening yourgrip on the dollars. To get back to our subject, I assure you I shallnot be gone longer than twenty-one days, and the trip won't cost you asingle penny."
"When did you propose going?"
"We take the noon train on Monday for Chicago."
He got his hat and left the house without another word, leaving Aloraexultant. She hurried over to tell Mary Louise the good news.
"Did he really consent?" asked Mary Louise.
"Well, he didn't forbid it," said the girl, "and that's the samething."
Mary Louise Solves a Mystery Page 16