He looked at her so tenderly that the tears almost came into her eyes, but she blinked them back hard and managed to smile.
Then his hands went out to her shoulders and lay gently there for an instant while he looked deep into her soul before he spoke.
“You dear!” he said softly, as if the words were too precious to be heard aloud. “You’ve been just wonderful!”
Then suddenly he put his face down closer to hers.
“I love you!” he said most tenderly. “I love you with all my soul! I know I ought not to tell you yet, because you’ve had so little time to know me, you wouldn’t be sure if you could ever love me or not. But it has seemed to me all day that I had to tell you now, even if you won’t ever marry me. I had to let you know how deeply I love you! I had to tell you on Christmas Day! Even if I have to go lonely all my days, I had to have the joy of telling you how much I love you and want you for my own. Astra, will you marry me?”
Astra looked up with a great wonder and joy growing in her face.
“Oh my dear!” she breathed softly.
And then his strong arms went around her and drew her close, and he stooped and laid his lips on hers in a kiss that seemed to unite their souls!
He had her in his arms, drawing her face close to his breast, and she rested her head against his shoulder, closing her eyes to let the beauty of his love roll over her.
“Oh my love! My precious little love!” he whispered.
And just that moment the telephone rang out sharply. They both started and drew apart, as if an alien presence had entered the room, and then they laughed. But Astra came to her senses at once and, pushing open the door of the guest room, snatched her hat and coat from the bed where they had lain and began to put them on rapidly.
“It’s likely to be that woman who came this morning, and she mustn’t find me here, you know,” she said, with a twinkle in her eyes.
“I shall not answer the telephone if you think it is she! Don’t go yet. She couldn’t get here right away.”
“Oh, but I must. She might be only downstairs in the office. What will she think of me, staying here with you alone?”
“I shall not answer that telephone!” he said with dignity.
“Oh, but you’ll have to. It might be your sister, you know, calling to say they were detained or something. Good-bye!” She lifted her lips for a quick kiss and drew away from his detaining arms, her happy face full of joyous light.
He sprang to the door and shouted along the hall, “Call me up the minute you get there and let me know you are all right!” But his answer was the clang of the elevator door as it slipped its way down to the first floor, and when he pressed his tense hands on his eyeballs, he had the vision of a twinkling merry face framed in golden hair, laughing back at him. When he got back into the room again, the telephone was still ringing more madly than ever.
But the room seemed desolate and empty, for Astra was gone. And the worst of it was he was tied down here and couldn’t even get away to take her home. He had to stay here and take whatever came. That dratted telephone! Why didn’t it stop ringing?
He stepped out into the hall and walked up and down. Finally it seemed to have stopped. But when he went back into the room, he caught a vision of his young nephew in blue-and-white pajamas stumbling sleepily back into his bedroom.
“Harold, is that you?” he asked in a low tone so the other children would not be awakened.
“Yeh, Unc’ Charlie!”
“What were you up for, boy?”
“I was answerin’ the phone.”
“Who was it?”
“That bad lady.”
“What did she want?”
“She wanted to know was you here, an’ I said no. You wasn’t, you know, you was out in the hall, but I didn’t hefta tell that. I didn’t want her comin’ back.”
“What else did she say?”
“She said, was we here alone, an’ I said no, the cook was here. Uncle Charlie, I want a drink of water.”
“Okay, boy, run and get it. No, lie still, I’ll get it for you.”
When he brought the water the child drank eagerly, and then, as he handed back the glass, he opened one eye at his uncle and said, “Unc’ Charlie, she said she’d probably call up later. I tol’ her okay, only we might not answer, for we’d probably all be asleep.”
“Good work, Sergeant, I’ll be promoting you soon.”
“Okay, Colonel!”
Cameron stood there quietly until he heard the steady breathing of the child. Then he stooped down and kissed the young forehead.
Chapter 18
Astra, as she hurried down in the elevator and took her seat in the hastily summoned taxi, felt as if she were running away from a lovely dream, and yet she could not have stayed and run the risk of having that girl come and find her still there after Cameron had arrived. She had taken her for a servant; let it go at that.
All during the drive she would not let herself think, yet her lips were thrilling still at the memory of his kiss; her very soul was filled with ecstasy at the memory of his arms about her. But it was too sweet, too precious to be formed into actual thoughts, out in the open among common things. She knew she had done right to come away, and she felt that Cameron would agree with her about it when he stopped to think, but how she had hated to leave!
Then she walked into the Association office to find that there was a letter, two packages, and a telegram for her.
She was fairly annoyed that all these things of the outside world should interrupt her thoughts now, for she had wanted to call Cameron as soon as she arrived, and he would be expecting her voice. In a moment more she would hear him speak again, and her heart was thrilling with the anticipation.
She tore open the telegram because that was what telegrams did to you. They forced themselves upon you in spite of anything else, with the sudden terror of what they might contain. But when she saw it was from Duke, she slid it quickly into her purse. Here was another person whom she did not wish to have mingle with her pleasant thoughts. She would read his telegram later. It did not belong in this dear moment of this precious day.
The packages, of course, could wait. She did not even look to see the names of the senders. She must call up Cameron.
But before she could go to the booth, the boy at the desk called to her.
“Someone on the phone for you, Miss Everson!” and there was Charles Cameron! He had grown impatient waiting.
“Yes? Yes, Charles, this is Astra! Yes, I just came in and was on my way to the telephone. Yes, I am safely back and glad to hear your voice again so soon. Nobody knows how I hated to leave, but you know it was the right thing. Has your sister come? Oh of course, I knew it wasn’t time yet. Let us hope that they had as good a time as I did. Thank you, I’m glad you were pleased with the way I amused the children. I loved them all. They are adorable, and I hope I’ll have another chance to play with them sometime. Now, I must get off this wire. There are some people outside the booth waiting to use it. Yes, there really are! Good night!”
With glowing cheeks over his last tender words, Astra came out of the booth and hurried to her room, carrying her packages with her. As soon as she had removed her wraps, she sat down to open her mail. And first came Duke’s telegram.
DEEPLY GRIEVED AT YOUR ATTITUDE. WAS ABOUT TO SUGGEST TO YOU A NEW INVESTMENT WHICH WILL NET YOU BIG PROFITS AND WAS ONLY WAITING TILL MY RETURN TO TELL YOU ABOUT IT. PLEASE DON’T DO ANYTHING ABOUT INVESTMENTS UNTIL YOU HEAR FROM ME. KINDLY SEND ADDRESS WHERE I CAN REACH YOU PERSONALLY. DISLIKE TO CONTACT YOU THROUGH LAWYERS OR THE MAN YOU CALL YOUR GUARDIAN. AM FLYING EAST IN A FEW DAYS. WIRE ADDRESS IMMEDIATELY.
DUKE
The letter was from Mrs. Albans, saying that the doctor had been talking with them again. He felt that Mr. Albans ought to have another two or three weeks at home before he attempted the long journey. Would Astra like to come at once and make herself at home while they were slowly getting ready? It would help them ver
y much if she could see her way clear to doing that.
The packages were from Miriam and Clytie—charming little sophisticated gifts, expensive and unique in their way, but not at all in Astra’s line. Miriam had sent a bracelet, noisy with ugly little charms that rattled, though she knew Astra was not fond of bangles. And Clytie had sent a compact with special emphasis on lipstick, although she well knew that Astra didn’t use it.
Astra laughed a little bitterly when she had laid them away, and thought how very little she had in common with her cousins after nearly two years of daily contact.
But now Christmas was over, and the crowning joy of it an utter surprise, something to remember always! It wearied her beyond expression to have to turn her mind back to the trivialities which made up her cousins’ world. Oh, how many things there were to decide, and how she did not want to think about any of them tonight! And yet some of them had to be thought about. Mrs. Albans had asked an immediate reply. And there would have to be some decision about Cousin Duke or he would arrive and create all sorts of a scene. What should she do? Get out and hide, and escape Duke? No, Mr. Lauderdale would be at home tomorrow, at the latest. She would wire Duke to meet her at his office. That would settle that difficulty.
Then, about Mrs. Albans. Perhaps it would be a good idea to go there for the present. It would be convenient for the work she was trying to do.
So she laid her perplexities aside and knelt to thank God for the joy He was sending into her life. Though now, at the distance of only about two hours, it seemed so unreal, just as if she dreamed it. Did Cameron really love her, a little stranger, when there was that handsome lady in the mink coat? Why, she hadn’t remembered to ask if she had telephoned again! And another thing, she had forgotten to ask how Cameron’s morning expedition came out with the man who was so important that she had to take his place with the children! How it thrilled her again as she remembered that she had been able to help him with his own business affairs!
So, hovering on the border of her own great joy, she at last fell asleep.
She was awakened in the morning by a knock at her door. Someone wanted her on the telephone!
She dressed hastily and hurried down to the telephone booth, and then was thrilled anew by hearing Cameron’s voice.
“Sorry I had to awaken you,” he apologized, “but I had a call from my man of yesterday. He has stopped over in Washington and wants to double his offer of yesterday if I can assure him of certain conditions. He wants me to run down to Washington early this morning and meet him and another man. It will take the principal part of the day, but it’s worth it. Do you mind?”
“Why no, of course not. I’m glad for you!”
“Well, I mind a lot. I wanted to come and see you the first thing this morning and be with you as much as possible all day, but I guess this is something I ought to do.”
“Of course,” said Astra. “And I mind, too. But I’m glad for you. And by the way, I may be moving today. I’m going to my own house. I think I told you about it.”
She gave him the address and the telephone number.
“So, if you don’t find me at the Association, you’ll find me there! And I’ll be listening for your voice.”
“You dear! Well, that may be a solution for the time being. Does the cousin know the address?”
“I don’t think he does. I don’t intend to tell him. He has sent another telegram. Is coming on by airplane in a day or two. Says he wants to advise me about investments!”
“I thought so! What did you answer him?”
“Nothing yet. I’ll give him Mr. Lauderdale’s address.”
“Well, I’ll hope to be back and have a good talk about all these things before he gets here. Now I must go to my train. I love you, Astra!”
The last words were added under his breath, but she heard them like a chime of lovely bells.
Then she hurried happily to her room and made ready for the day in a more leisurely way. The aspect of the whole world seemed to be changed with those last words of his ringing in her heart.
She went to Mr. Lauderdale’s office and found he had just arrived and would see her. She told him the latest developments and showed him Duke’s telegram.
“Does Mr. Lester know the date of your majority definitely or just that the time is near at hand?” he asked.
“I’m not sure. Of course his wife knows the date of my birth, that is, if she hasn’t forgotten it. However, if it interests him for any reason he will lose no time in finding out.”
“I think we can conclude that this man has definitely made plans to get some portion of your inheritance into his hands and he wishes to get the transfer made before it comes to the notice of your lawyers,” said Mr. Lauderdale.
“Yes, I was afraid of that,” said Astra. “Once father said something about not trusting him too far. And so in case I have to talk to him alone sometime, just what should I say to him? He will undoubtedly make a way to see me alone somehow. He is not easily foiled.”
“Yes of course,” said the lawyer thoughtfully. “By the way, does he know just how much your inheritance amounts to?”
“I don’t know. I do not see how he could find out. I have never told him. I do not think his wife knows either. Except perhaps by jumping to conclusions, remembering how we used to live when she was living with us as a little girl. She has never said anything to me about it. I do not think she is interested, unless she had been ordered to find out. She couldn’t have found out from me, because I only know in a general way that I am supposed to get an increase when I come of age. My father never told me definitely how much it all would be. He did write down for me a list of investments that he had made for me, but they meant nothing definite to me. My father wrote out things he wanted me to know and asked me to read them over occasionally, but I’m afraid I never paid much attention to them. Here is the book.”
Mr. Lauderdale took the little black book and went hurriedly through its pages. Midway in his examination he looked up.
“Did your cousin have access to this book?”
Astra looked surprised.
“Why, not that I know of. He never asked me about financial matters after the first few days when I went to live with them. Just a few questions, and I told him Father had written out for me what I needed to know about my affairs.”
“Where did you keep this book? Was it in your bank?”
“No, it was in my desk in my room.”
“And your cousin could have found it sometime when you were out of the house and looked it over or copied it?”
“Yes, I suppose he could. But it never occurred to me that he would.”
“Perhaps not. But I’m afraid he knows something or he wouldn’t take all this trouble to pursue you. I would suggest, if he talks any further to you about your possible investments, that you simply tell him your father arranged all those things for you and you do not wish to make any changes. Let it go at that and don’t allow yourself to discuss it. You can avoid a great deal by just smiling innocently and saying nothing. It won’t be many days before you will be mistress of your own affairs. Now, how about your old friends here? Have you got in touch with any yet?”
“Well no, not with many. I didn’t want to barge in till Christmas was over, you know.”
“Of course. I see. But who are your closest friends? I can’t just name them, except of course the Sargent crowd.”
“Why, there are the Washburns, and Jennings, the Baldwin girls, their brothers, the McLarrons, and all that young crowd I used to know in school and college.”
“But aren’t most of them married?”
Astra smiled.
“I guess they are. I haven’t kept in touch with them all. But there will be Rose Ashton and Tom Eldridge.”
She paused and looked at the lawyer with sudden hesitation.
“And there is Charles Cameron? Do you know him, Mr. Lauderdale? I haven’t known him so long as the rest. He moved to the city only a couple of years ago, a
bout the time I went away. But Charles is a good friend of mine.”
“Cameron? Cameron! Why, you don’t mean the young man who is owner of that remarkable new patent that there is such a stir about? The government is talking of taking it up in defense work. Is that the one? He has an office in the Faber Building. Why, is he one of your friends? I didn’t know that. Yes, surely I know him. That is, I’ve met him and admire him very much for a certain stand he took in a legal matter I had to do with not long ago. If he is a pretty good friend of yours, I should say you are well fixed in the way of friends.”
Astra was listening with downcast eyes, rosy cheeks, and a pleased demure smile on her lips. She had only thought to bring Cameron’s name into the conversation in that first hesitating mention of it, just to keep her friends from asking by and by how long she had known Charles and just where and when she met him. She had no desire to announce to the world that he was somebody she had picked up on a train. Their intimacy had advanced so far that it now seemed to her as if she had known Cameron for years. But it had occurred to her that perhaps her other friends didn’t know him yet and might question annoyingly and become indignantly insistent to know all there was to know about her friendship with him. Therefore it was a relief to hear Mr. Lauderdale’s favorable comment upon him. After all, according to the formal rules of social life, the rules in which she had been brought up, she had not been introduced to Charles Cameron in the regular way. Yet her heart and her common sense both told her what he was, so it was welcome to her ears to hear Mr. Lauderdale’s unqualified praise of the man she loved.
When she left the lawyer’s office she went straight to Mrs. Albans and made the necessary arrangements for going there at once. She found to her delight that already the old people had planned to put most of their goods in storage, ready to be shipped wherever they decided to go after getting to California. They had already talked with the storage people, and their living room could be cleared of their belongings that day.