CHAPTER XXIII
SUSPENSE AND THE REWARD
All night long diligent search was made for Harriet Hamlin, but no wordwas heard of her. The "Automobile Girls" telephoned her dearest friends.Mr. Hamlin and Mr. Stuart tramped from one hotel to the other. None ofthe Hamlin household closed their eyes that night.
"It has been my fault, Robert," Mr. Hamlin admitted, as he and hisbrother-in-law returned home in the gray dawn of the morning, hopingvainly to hear that Harriet had returned. "My child has gotten into debtand she has been afraid to confess her mistake to me. Her little friend,Mollie, told me the story. Mollie believes that Mrs. Wilson and PeterDillon tempted Harriet by offering to lend her money. And so she agreedto aid them in what she thought was their 'joke.' I have seen, lately,that Harriet has been so worried she hardly knew what she was doing. Yet,when my poor child tried to confess her fault to me, I would not let hergo on. My harshness and lack of sympathy have driven her to--I know notwhat. Oh, Robert, what shall I do? She is the one joy of my life!"
Mr. Stuart did not try to deny Mr. Hamlin's judgment of himself. He knewMr. Hamlin had been too severe with his daughter. If only Harriet couldbe found she and her father would be closer friends after thisexperience. Mr. Stuart realized fully what danger Harriet was in withher unusual beauty, with no mother and with a father who did notunderstand her.
"Harriet has done very wrong," Mr. Hamlin added slowly. It was hard,indeed, for a man of his nature to forgive. "But I shall not reproach herwhen she comes back to me," he said quickly. The fear that Harriet mightnever return to him at all struck a sudden chill to his soul.
"The child has done wrong, William, I admit it," returned good-naturedMr. Stuart. "She has been headstrong and foolish. But we have done worsethings in our day, remember."
"I will remember," Mr. Hamlin answered drearily, as he shut himself upin his room.
Mr. Hamlin would not come down to breakfast. There was still no news ofHarriet. While dear, comfortable Aunt Sallie and the "Automobile Girls"were seated around the table, making a pretense of eating, there came aring at the front door bell.
Ruth jumped up and ran out into the hall. Then followed several momentsof awful suspense. Ruth came back slowly, not with Harriet, but with anote in her hand. She opened it with shaking fingers, for she recognizedHarriet's handwriting in the address.
The note read: "Dearest Ruth, I shall never come home again. I havedisgraced my father and myself. I would not listen to you and Bab, andnow I know the worst. Mrs. Wilson and Peter Dillon were villains and Iwas only a foolish dupe. I spent the night in a boarding house with anold friend of my mother's." Ruth stopped reading. Her voice sank so lowit was almost impossible to hear her. She had not noticed that her unclewas standing just outside the door, listening, with white lips.
"I don't know what else to do," Harriet's note continued, when Ruth hadstrength to go on. "So early this morning I telegraphed to CharlieMeyers. When you receive this note, I shall be married to him. Ask myfather to forgive me, for I shall never see him again. Your heart-brokencousin, Harriet."
"Absurd child!" Miss Sallie ejaculated, trying to hide her tears. But Mr.Stuart stepped to Mr. Hamlin's side as he entered the room, lookingconscience-stricken and miserable.
Poor Harriet was paying for her folly with a life-time of wretchedness.She was to marry a man she did not love; and her friends were powerlessto save her.
Mollie slipped quietly away from the table. No one tried to stop her.Every one thought Mollie was overcome, because she had been especiallydevoted to Harriet.
"Won't you try to find Mr. Meyers, Uncle?" Ruth pleaded. "It may not betoo late to prevent Harriet's marriage. Oh, do try to find her. She doesnot care for Charlie Meyers in the least. She is only marrying himbecause she is so wretched she does not know what to do."
Mr. Stuart was already getting into his coat and hat. Mr. Hamlin was notfar behind him. The two men were just going out the front door, when acry from Mollie interrupted them. The three girls rushed into the hall,not knowing what Mollie's cry meant. But when they saw the little goldenhaired girl, who sympathized the most deeply with Harriet in her trouble,because of her own recent acquaintance with debt, the "Automobile Girls"knew at once that all was well!
"Oh, Mr. Hamlin! Oh, Mr. Stuart! Do wait until I get my breath," Molliebegged. "Dear, darling Harriet is all right. She will come home if herfather will come for her. I telephoned to Mr. Meyers and he declaresHarriet is safe with his aunt. He says, of course, he is not such a cadas to marry Harriet when she is so miserable and frightened. He went tothe boarding house for her, then took her to his aunt's home. Mr. Meyerswas on his way here to see Mr. Hamlin."
Two hours later, Harriet was at home again and in bed, suffering fromnervous shock. But her father's forgiveness, his sympathy, hisreassuring words, and above all, the thought that by the ruse of Bab, shehad been mercifully saved from the deep disgrace that had shadowed herlife, soon restored her to her normal spirits. There was a speedyinvestigation by the State Department--the result of which was that Mrs.Wilson disappeared from Washington society. Her son Elmer reported thathis mother had grown tired of Washington and was living in New England.As for Peter Dillon, his connection with the Russian Embassy was severedat once. No one knew where he went.
* * * * *
"The President would like to see the 'Automobile Girls' at the WhiteHouse to-day at half past twelve o'clock," Mr. William Hamlin announced afew mornings later, looking up from his paper to smile first at hisdaughter and then at the group of happy faces about his breakfast table,which included Miss Sallie Stuart and Mr. Robert Stuart.
Harriet was looking very pale. She had been ill for two days after herunhappy experience.
"What on earth do you mean, Mr. Hamlin?" inquired Grace Carter anxiously,turning to their host.
The other girls smiled, thinking Mr. Hamlin was joking, he had been insuch different spirits since Harriet's return home.
"I mean what I say," Mr. Hamlin returned gravely. "The President wishesto see the 'Automobile Girls' in order to thank them for their service totheir country." Mr. Hamlin allowed an earnest note to creep into hisvoice. "The story has not been made public. But I myself told thePresident of my narrow escape from disgrace, and he desires personally tothank the young girls who saved us. I told him that he might rely on yourrespecting his invitation."
"Oh, but we can't go, Mr. Hamlin," Mollie expostulated. "Grace and I hadnothing to do with saving the papers. It was only Ruth and Bab!"
"It is most unusual to decline an invitation from the President, Mollie,"Mr. Hamlin continued. "Only a death in the family is regarded as areasonable excuse. Now the President most distinctly stated that hedesired a visit from the 'Automobile Girls'!"
"United we stand, divided we fall!" Ruth announced. "Bab and I will notstir a single step without Grace and Mollie."
"There is one other person who ought to be included in this visit to thePresident," Harriet added, shyly.
"Whom do you mean, my child?" Mr. Hamlin queried.
Harriet hung her proud little head. "I mean Marjorie Moore, Father. Ithink she did as much as any one by keeping the story out of the paperswhen it would have meant so much for her to have published it."
"Good for Harriet!" Ruth murmured under her breath.
"I did not neglect to tell the President of Miss Moore's part in theaffair, Daughter," Mr. Hamlin rejoined. "But I am glad you spoke of it. Ishall certainly see that she is included in the invitation."
Promptly at twelve o'clock the "Automobile Girls" set out for the WhiteHouse in the care of their old and faithful friend, Mr. A. Bubble. Onthe way there they picked up Marjorie Moore, who had now become theirstaunch friend.
The girls were greatly excited over their second visit to the WhiteHouse. It was, of course, very unlike their first, since to-day they wereto be the special guests of the President. On the evening of thePresidential reception they had been merely included among severalhundred ca
llers.
Ruth sent in Mr. Hamlin's card with theirs, in order to explain whosevisitors they were. The five girls were immediately shown into a smallroom, which the President used for seeing his friends when he desired agreater privacy than was possible in the large state reception rooms.
The girls sat waiting the appearance of the President, each one a littlemore nervous than the other.
"What shall we say, Bab?" Mollie whispered to her sister.
"Goodness knows, child!" Bab just had time to answer, when a servantbowed ceremoniously. A man entered the room quickly and walked from onegirl to the other, shaking hands with each one in turn.
"I am very glad to meet you," he declared affably. "Mr. Hamlin tells meyou were able to do him a service, and through him to your country, whichit is also my privilege to serve. I thank you." The President bowedceremoniously. "It was a pretty trick you played on our enemies. Strategyis sometimes better than war, and a woman's wits than a man's fists."Then the President turned cordially to Marjorie Moore.
"Miss Moore, it gives me pleasure to say a word of appreciation to you.Your act in withholding this information from the public rather than tosell it and make a personal gain by it, was a thoroughly patriotic act,and I wish you to know that I value your service."
"Thank you, Mr. President," replied Miss Moore, blushing deeply.
The President's wife now entered the sitting-room with several otherguests and members of her family. When luncheon was announced, thePresident of the United States offered his arm to Barbara Thurston.
The "Automobile Girls" are not likely to forget their luncheon with thePresident, his family and a few intimate friends. The girls werefrightened at first; but, being simple and natural, they soon ceased tothink of themselves. They were too much interested in what they saw andheard around them.
The President talked to Ruth, who sat on his left, about automobiles. Hewas interested to hear of the travels of Mr. A. Bubble, and seemed toknow a great deal about motor cars. But, after a while, as the girlsheard him converse with three distinguished men who sat at his table, onean engineer, the other a judge, and the third an artist, the "AutomobileGirls" decided wisely that the President knew almost everything that wasworth knowing.
* * * * *
"Children," said Mr. Stuart that night, when the girls could tell nomore of their day's experience, "it seems to me that it is about timefor you to be going home." Mr. Stuart and Aunt Sallie were in the Hamlindrawing-room with the "Automobile Girls." Mr. Hamlin and Harriet hadgone for a short walk. It was now their custom to walk together eachevening after dinner, since it gave them a little opportunity for aconfidential talk.
"You girls have had to-day the very happiest opportunity that falls tothe lot of any visitor in Washington," Mr. Stuart continued. "You havehad a private interview with the President and have been entertained byhim at the Executive Mansion. I have no doubt you have also seen all thesights of Washington in the last few weeks. So homeward-bound must be ournext forward move!"
"Oh, Father," cried Ruth regretfully, her face clouding as she lookedat her beloved automobile friends. How long before she should seethem again?
The same thought clouded the bright faces of Mollie, Grace and Bab.
"We have hardly seen you at all, Miss Sallie," Grace lamented, takingMiss Sarah Stuart's plump, white hand in her own. "We have been thecentre of so much excitement ever since you arrived in Washington."
"Must we go, Father?" Ruth entreated.
"I am afraid we must, Daughter," Mr. Stuart answered, with a halfanxious and half cheerful twinkle in his eye.
"Then it's Chicago for me!" sighed Ruth.
"And Kingsbridge for the rest of us!" echoed the other three girls.
"Ruth cannot very well travel home alone," Mr. Stuart remonstrated,looking first at Barbara, then at Mollie and Grace, and winking solemnlyat Miss Sallie.
"Don't tease the child, Robert," Miss Sallie remonstrated.
"Aren't you and Aunt Sallie going home with me, Father?" Ruth queried,too much surprised for further questioning.
"No, Ruth," Mr. Stuart declared. "You seem to have concluded to return toChicago. But your Aunt Sallie and I are on our way to Kingsbridge, NewJersey, to pay a visit to Mrs. Mollie Thurston at Laurel Cottage. Mrs.Thurston wrote inviting us to visit her before we returned to the West.But, of course, if you do not wish to go with us, Daughter--."
Mr. Stuart had no chance to speak again. For the four girls surroundedhim, plying him with questions, with exclamations. They were all laughingand talking at once.
"It's too good to be true, Father!" cried Ruth.
CHAPTER XXIV
HOME AT LAUREL COTTAGE
Mrs. Thurston stood on the front porch of her little cottage, looking outin the gathering dusk. Back of her the lights twinkled gayly. A big woodfire crackled in the sitting-room and shone through the soft muslincurtains. A small maid was busily setting the table for supper in thedinning room, and there was a delicious smell of freshly baked rollscoming through the kitchen door. On the table stood a great dish ofgolden honey and a pitcher of rich milk. Mrs. Thurston had not forgotten,in two years, the favorite supper of her friend, Robert Stuart.
It was a cold night, but she could not wait indoors. She had gathered upa warm woolen shawl of a delicate lavender shade, and wrapped it abouther head and shoulders, looking not unlike the gracious spirit of anAutumn twilight as she lingered to welcome the travelers home. She wasthinking of all that had happened since the day that Bab had stoppedRuth's runaway horses. She was recalling how much Mr. Stuart had done forher little girls in the past two years. "He could not have been kinderto Mollie and Barbara, if they had been his own daughters," thoughtpretty Mrs. Thurston, with a blush.
But did she not hear the ever-welcome sound of a friendly voice? Was notMr. Bubble calling to her out of the darkness? Surely enough his twogreat shining eyes now appeared at the well-known turn in the road. A fewmoments later Mrs. Thurston was being tempestuously embraced by the"Automobile Girls."
"Do let me speak to Miss Stuart, children," Mrs. Thurston entreated,trying to extricate herself from four pairs of girlish arms.
"Come in, Miss Stuart," she laughed. "I hope you are not tired from yourjourney. I cannot tell you what pleasure it gives me to see you and Mr.Stuart once more."
Mr. Stuart gave Mrs. Thurston's hand a little longer pressure thanwas absolutely necessary. Mrs. Thurston blushed and finally drew herhand away.
"Look after Mr. Stuart, dear," she said to Bab. "He is to have the guestchamber upstairs. I want to show Miss Stuart to her room. I am sorry,Ruth, our little home is too small to give you a room to yourself. Youwill have to be happy with Mollie and Bab. Grace you are to stay tosupper with us. Your father will come for you after supper. I had to begawfully hard, but he finally consented to let you remain with us. Ourlittle reunion would not be complete without you."
Mrs. Thurston took Miss Sallie into a charming room which she had latelyrenovated for her guest. It was papered in Miss Stuart's favoritelavender paper, had lavender curtains at the windows, and a bright woodfire in the grate.
"I hope you will be comfortable, Miss Stuart," said little Mrs. Thurston,who stood slightly in awe of stately and elegant Miss Sallie.
For answer Miss Sallie smiled and looked searchingly at Mrs. Thurston.
"Is there any question you wish to ask me?" Mrs. Thurston inquired,flushing slightly at Miss Stuart's peculiar expression.
"Oh, no," smiled Miss Sallie. "Oh, no, I have no question to ask you!"
It was seven o 'clock when the party sat down to supper, and after ninewhen they finally rose. They stopped then only because Squire Carterarrived and demanded his daughter, Grace, whom he had to carry off, as heand her mother could bear to be parted from their child no longer.
Miss Sallie asked to be excused, soon after supper, as she was tiredfrom her trip. "I think the 'Automobile Girls' had better go to bed,too," she suggested. Then Miss Sallie flush
ed. For she was so accustomedto telling her girls what they ought to do that she forgot it was nolonger her privilege to advise Bab and Mollie when they were in theirmother's house.
Bab insisted on running out to their little stable to see if her belovedhorse, "Beauty," were safe and sound. And, of course, Ruth and Molliewent with her. But not long afterwards, the three girls retired to theirroom to talk until they fell asleep, too worn out for furtherconversation.
"I am not tired, Mrs. Thurston, are you?" Mr. Stuart asked. "If you don'tmind, won't you sit and talk to me for a little while before this cozyopen fire? We never have a chance to say much to each other before ourtalkative daughters. How charming the little cottage looks to-night! Itis like a second home."
Mrs. Thurston smiled happily. "It makes me very happy to have you andRuth feel so. I hope you will always feel at home here. I wish I coulddo something in return for all the kindness you have shown to my twolittle girls."
Mr. Stuart did not reply at once. He seemed to be thinking so deeply thatMrs. Thurston did not like to go on talking.
"Mrs. Thurston," Mr. Stuart spoke slowly, "why would you not come to myhouse in Chicago to make us a visit when I asked you, nearly a year ago?"
Mrs. Thurston hesitated. "I told you my reasons then, Mr. Stuart. It wasquite impossible. But it has been so long I have almost forgotten why Ihad to refuse."
"It was after our trip in the private car with our friends, the fallbefore, you remember, Mrs. Thurston. But I know why you would not come tomy home," Mr. Stuart answered, smiling. "You were willing to accept myhospitality for your daughters, but you would not accept it for yourself.Am I not right?"
"Yes," Mrs. Thurston faltered. "I thought it would not be best."
"I am sorry," Mr. Stuart said sadly. "Because I want to do a great dealmore than ask you to come to visit me in Chicago. I wish you to come tolive there as my wife."
Mrs. Thurston's reply was so low it could hardly be heard. But Mr. Stuartevidently understood it and found it satisfactory.
A few moments later Mrs. Thurston murmured, "I don't believe that Ruthand your sister Sallie will be pleased."
"Ruth will be the happiest girl in the world!" Mr. Stuart retorted. "Poorchild, she has longed for sisters all her life. Now she is going to havethe two she loves best in the world. As for Sallie--." Here Mr. Stuarthesitated. He thought Miss Sallie did not dream of his affection for thelittle widow, and he was not at all sure how she would receive the news."As for Sallie," he continued stoutly, "I am sure Sallie wishes myhappiness more than anything else and she will be glad when she hearsthat I can find it only through you."
Mrs. Thurston shook her head. "I can only consent to our marriage," shereturned, "if my girls and yours are really happy in our choice and ifyour sister is willing to give us her blessing."
* * * * *
"Oh, Aunt Sallie, dear, please are you awake?" Ruth cried at half-pastseven the next morning, tapping gently on Miss Stuart's door.
Ruth had been awakened by her father at a little after six that morningand carried off to his bedroom in her dressing-gown, to sit curled up onher father's bed, while he made his confession to her.
Ruth had listened silently at first with her head turned away. Once herfather thought she was crying. But when she turned toward him her eyeswere shining with happy tears. Ruth never thought of being jealous, orthat her adored father would love her any less. She only thought, first,of his happiness and next of her own.
Mr. Stuart would not let Ruth go until, with her arms about his neck andher cheek pressed to his, she begged him to let her be the messenger toBarbara, Mollie and Aunt Sallie.
"You will be careful when you break the news to your aunt," Mr. Stuartentreated. "I should have given her some warning in regard to my feelingsfor Mrs. Thurston. I fear the news will be an entire surprise to her."
Ruth wondered what she should say first.
"Come in, dear," Miss Sallie answered placidly in reply to Ruth's knock.Miss Stuart was sitting up in bed with a pale lavender silk dressingsacque over her lace and muslin gown.
"I suppose," Miss Sallie continued calmly, "that you have come to tell methat your father is going to marry Mrs. Thurston."
"Aunt Sallie," gasped Ruth, "are you a wizard?"
"No," said Miss Stuart, "I am a woman. Why, child, I have seen this thingcoming ever since we first left Robert Stuart here in Kingsbridge when Itook you girls off to Newport. Are you pleased, child?" Miss Sallieinquired, a little wistfully.
"Gladder than anything, if you are, Aunt Sallie," Ruth replied. "ButFather told me to come to ask you how you felt. He says Mrs. Thurstonwon't marry him unless we all consent."
"Nonsense!" returned Miss Stuart in her accustomed fashion. "Of course Iam glad to have Robert happy. Mrs. Thurston is a dear little woman.Only," dignified Miss Sallie choked with a tiny sob in her voice, "Ican't give you up, Ruth, dear." And Miss Stuart and her beloved nieceshed a few comfortable tears in each other's arms.
"I never, never will care for any one as I do for you, Aunt Sallie," Ruthprotested. "And aren't you Chaperon Extraordinary and Ministering AngelPlentipotentiary to the 'Automobile Girls'? The other girls care for youalmost as much as I do. I wonder if Mrs. Thurston has told Bab andMollie. Do you think they will be glad to have me for a sister?"
"Fix my hair, Ruth, and don't be absurd," Miss Sallie rejoined, returningto her former severe manner, which no longer alarmed any one of the"Automobile Girls." "It is wonderful to me how I have learned to dowithout a maid while I have been traveling about the world with youchildren."
The winter sunshine poured into the breakfast room of Laurel Cottage.The canary sang rapturously in his golden cage. He rejoiced at the soundof voices and the cheerful sounds in the house.
Bab and Mollie were helping to set the breakfast table, when Ruth joinedthem. Neither girl said anything except to ask Ruth why she had slippedout of their room so early.
Ruth's heart sank. After all, then, Barbara and Mollie were notpleased. They did not care for her enough to be happy in this closerbond between them.
Mrs. Thurston kissed Ruth shyly, but she made no mention of anythingunusual. And when Mr. Stuart came in to breakfast he looked asembarrassed and uncomfortable as a boy. There was a constraint over thelittle party at breakfast that had not been there the night before.
Unexpectedly the door opened. Into the room came Grace Carter with a bigbunch of white roses in her hand. "I just had to come early," shedeclared simply. "I wanted to find out." Grace thrust the flowers uponMrs. Thurston.
"Come here to me, Grace," Miss Sallie commanded. "You are a girl after myown heart. Robert, Mrs. Thurston, I congratulate you and I wish you joywith my whole heart."
Barbara and Mollie gazed at each other in stupefied silence. What didit all mean?
Mrs. Thurston blushed like a girl over her roses. "Miss Stuart, Inever dreamed you could have heard so soon. I have not yet toldBarbara and Mollie."
"Told us what?" Bab demanded in her emphatic fashion. Then Ruth's heartwas light again.
But Bab did not wait to be answered. She suddenly guessed the truth. Nowshe knew why Ruth's manner had changed so quickly a short time before.She ran round the table, upsetting her chair in her rush. And before shesaid a word either to her mother or to Mr. Stuart, she flung her armsabout Ruth and whispered: "Our wish has come true, Ruth, darling! We aresisters as well as best friends."
Then Bab congratulated her mother and Mr. Stuart in a much moredignified fashion.
"When is it to be, Father?" Ruth queried.
Mr. Stuart looked at Mrs. Thurston. "In the spring," she faltered.
"Then we will all go away together and have a happy summer, somewhere,"Mr. Stuart asserted, smiling on the faces of his dear ones.
"We shall do no such thing, Robert Stuart," Miss Sallie interposedfirmly. "You shall have your honeymoon alone. I intend to take my'Automobile Girls' some place where we have never been before. Will yougo with me, children?"
"Yes," chorused the four girls. "Aunt Sallie and the 'AutomobileGirls' forever."
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