“Well, in the first place, let’s see whether the generator has come yet. If it hasn’t, we might hitch your car to mine and run it down to the city. But of course we’d have to consider that I’m pretty much of a stranger to you, and you might not feel you cared to take a long ride like that with me just coming nightfall!” He gave her a little grin.
“Nonsense!” said Laurel. “I certainly know enough about you to feel perfectly safe with you no matter how dark it is. But I am not going to allow you to take a long journey like that for me. Let’s go and see about that train. Don’t I hear it now?”
“Yes,” said Pilgrim. “We’ll drive over to the station and see for ourselves. You can’t tell whether Mark may forget to go over. No, there he is heading toward the station on a dead run. Yes, there! They’ve flung him a package. That ought to be it. We’ll drive over and see.”
Mark was undoing the package as they came into the garage, and he turned and grinned at them.
“They’ve sent the generator, all rightie!” he said. “And Ted and I are working overtime tonight. We’ll have her done as quick as she can be done. Maybe tonight if we don’t have too many interruptions.”
“Great work, Mark!” said Pilgrim. “You can count on me to bring you a pot of coffee and cinnamon buns if it keeps you late.”
“Great idea, Phil Pilgrim. I see you ain’t lost any of your big heart by gettin’ eddicated. I’ll vote for you every time.”
But Laurel had been doing some thinking while the two were talking, and now she stepped up to the mechanic.
“Did I understand you to say there was a possibility that my car might be finished tonight?”
The man eyed her sharply.
“Yes, ma’am, I said that. I think if we can get this generator in before dark, we might have her ready to travel by seven o’clock. Mind you, I ain’t promising, not till I see what shape she’s in when I get the generator in, but I think it might happen, if you don’t mind paying my helper for overtime.”
“Of course not,” said Laurel. “It’s important for me to get the car as soon as possible.”
“Okay,” said the mechanic, returning to his work. “Stick around, lady, I’ll do my best. Angels can’t do no more.”
She turned a quick glance toward Pilgrim but saw he had just vanished inside the room where the telephone was. She wondered whether he had heard what Mark had said. But when he was through with the telephone, she would try a couple of old friends and see if either of them would take her in, provided her car was not done in time to use that night.
Phil Pilgrim came out of the office smiling.
“Say,” he said with a happy grin, “want to do a little more scouting around for a stopping place? I had a hunch that I’d better find out for sure whether my man is coming on the midnight or later, and I find he came in on the five ten. Started from Chicago sooner than he expected, and he’s home now. I can see him if I drive to his house at once. I thought perhaps you’d like to go alone and stop off somewhere on the way back to find a place for overnight.
And anyway, it would pass the time till you know for sure what to expect about your car.”
“Why, that will be fine,” she said, smiling. “But you didn’t hear what the mechanic said, did you? He told me if everything went all right, he might get the car ready to move by seven—in which case I’m going back to the city tonight. I simply must if I can, for I have so much to do before I get back here for Monday. But of course I ought to find a place before dark where I can stay if the car isn’t ready tonight.”
The young man looked at her, startled for a minute.
“Well, yes, I suppose he could get it done if he is willing to work overtime,” he said. “Well, come on. I’m sure we can find you a place anyway, and it may help you out when you get back.”
So they got into his old car again and went speeding down the road, through Carrollton, and out to a country place on the highway.
“Why, this is where Mr. Banfield used to live,” said Laurel, as they turned into the driveway and drove up before the steps of a big old-fashioned brick house.
“Yes, that’s the name, Banfield. Do you know him?”
“No,” said Laurel, “but I remember he had something to do with a foundry down the road. I remember hearing his name. He was a manufacturer of some kind of machines, wasn’t he?”
“That’s right,” said Pilgrim. “Now, do you want to go in, or would you rather sit here and wait? I won’t be long.”
“Oh, I’d much rather sit here. Don’t hurry. I’m very comfortable.”
She smiled at him, and he got out and went up the steps with a spring and pulled the old-fashioned doorbell.
The door was presently opened by a girl who nodded as if Pilgrim was expected, and he went in.
Laurel sat there thinking the afternoon over with its strange happenings, amused at the situation, and still more amused at her own contentment with things. Why was it that she felt so much as if she had fallen in with one who seemed a part of her old life when Father and Mother were at hand and home was a beloved and beautiful place where there was protection and comfort and plenty of luxury? And why was it that she felt so much more at home in this man’s company than she did when she was with any of the young men in the city who had paid her attention?
Ah, well did she know that if her cousins with whom she was staying temporarily should find out what she had been doing today, and how she had sent her regrets to Adrian Faber, and instead was staying in the company of a young man whose only contact with her in the past had been as a boy in a filling station where her father’s car used to be serviced, they would lift up their hands in horror and reproach her most mercilessly.
“Laurel Sheridan! What have you done? You crazy girl!” she could imagine her friends and relative saying. “To go off on a wild goose chase after a job to teach school in a little dinky town and ruin your chances to get the absolutely best catch of the city! Don’t you know that Adrian Faber is simply rolling in wealth and able to give you anything you want? And don’t you know that he is just crazy about you?” Laurel could almost hear the tones of her cousin’s voice as she would say these things if she ever found out about the matter.
But they never should know. Laurel had no intention of telling them, ever! If she got home tonight sometime, she would simply explain that she had car trouble, and by the time she got back home it was too late to go to that party. Besides, she was tired and didn’t feel equal to staying up practically all night as it would likely prove to be. She would pass it off that way. And when and if she took that job in Carrollton, she would just pass out of their picture as quietly and painlessly as possible, and let them say what they would after she was gone. They need never know about the young man who had saved her life and been so kind and interesting afterward. That was her own secret, and too pleasant and sort of sacred to be slung into public gaze and rollicked around among kindly gossiping tongues till all the beauty and friendship were taken out of it.
Well, and then tonight, or at latest tomorrow morning, this nice young soldier boy out of her childhood’s past, would say good-bye and pass on to his camp or his war or whatever, and would not be around anymore for anybody to jeer about. Then they would exert all the influence they had to make her snare and marry one of those wholly desirable young men whom they had so obviously flung at her from time to time.
Into these pleasant reflections came footsteps—Phil Pilgrim coming out the door and down the steps of the brick house, followed by older footsteps. A tall elderly man stood on the porch.
“Then you’ll let me know, Pilgrim, not later than ten tomorrow morning?”
“Yes sir. I’ll let you know if I can get my leave extended a few hours at least.”
“Well, find out tonight if you can possibly get into contact with your captain. I should like to get these papers signed tomorrow for sure. I want to get the manager here to meet you tomorrow evening at the latest, sooner if possible. This thing must be pu
t through at once.”
“All right, sir. I’ll do my best. Good night, sir!” And Pilgrim swung into his car and started it, sweeping smoothly down the drive to the road and out toward the town again.
“Well,” he said in a voice half glad, half serious, “I’ve as good as sold my property. The government is going to build a big munitions factory for defense up there, and they are willing to pay a good price. It’s a good thing, I guess.”
“That’s grand!” said Laurel. “I congratulate you. But the government! Do you mean the government is going to build up there on Crimson Mountain? Why, that’s wonderful! Only why do they locate a plant where men are to work so far from town and from a railroad? Does he know what he is talking about?”
“So he says. I don’t know whether he knows or not, but he certainly thinks he does. It seems incredible that the government should want my little old parcel of land that I have always considered of very little account, but he says it does, and I shall soon find out. Probably tomorrow. The weird thing about it is my land seems to be the kingpin in this plan to build up on old Crimson. You see, my land has the water power, and of course they can’t get along without water power. If I refuse to sell, they will have to choose another site.”
“But I don’t understand,” said Laurel. “I didn’t see any water on the place you pointed out as we passed.”
“No, you couldn’t see it from the road, but it’s there, up higher behind those thick trees beyond the house. A beautiful waterfall. It’s not far from that picnic ground you spoke about. It’s quite a fall, and then afterward the water winds about and down the mountain on the other side, where it finally flows into the river below Carrollton. But the water power is the reason for their selecting that site of course. I hadn’t thought of that when I felt the land wasn’t worth anything. But the government has offered me a nice price for the land.”
“Well, I congratulate you! How nice to have that happen just now before you leave!”
“Yes, it’s fine. But it means that I’ve got to call up my captain and get permission to stay over until this business is finished. If I can’t get that, it’s all off, for they won’t wait. They are in a hurry to get started.”
“Oh, will you have trouble getting permission?”
“Well, I don’t know. I haven’t asked any favors before. As this is a government offer, it may make a difference. Of course Mr. Banfield is trying to arrange it from his end or I couldn’t get anywhere with the captain. But even so, there’s a lot of red tape in the army that can’t be cut, you know.”
“Well now, drive to a telephone station right away and find out. Don’t bother about me. I can find a boarding place later if I need it.”
Pilgrim shook his head.
“No,” he said, “it wouldn’t be any use to telephone yet. He is away from camp this afternoon—won’t be back till six o’clock. I’ve got time enough to find out several boarding places first.”
“Oh!” said Laurel with worry in her eyes. “Are you sure? I would so hate to think you missed this chance of selling at a good price just on my account!”
“Oh, you don’t need to worry about that. I guess there’ll be a chance to sell all right. I’ll call up at six, and then I’ve got to jog over to the city and see a man tonight. Too bad I’ll have to desert you this evening. I’d much rather stay. But is there anything I could do for you in the city in case your car isn’t fit for travel tonight? Of course I’d ask you to go along with me, but this old car isn’t very comfortable. And besides, I suspect it wouldn’t be considered by your friends as quite the thing for you to take a long ride in a car like this, and in the evening with a comparative stranger.”
“Say now, that isn’t fair. Have I been treating you that way today?”
“No, you haven’t,” said Pilgrim, smiling. “I’ll say you’ve been a good sport. But then this would be a different proposition, to go to the city in this old ramshackle car. You know, I never can be sure it will last for a long journey. I might have to spend half the night repairing it. I’m not sure, but I may have a flat tire to deal with before long. But as long as the going is good, I guess I can make it. Now, how about stopping at this house? They tell me Mrs. Price still takes a few boarders. It looks quiet and respectable.”
“Oh, why yes, that looks nice. But, really, if you are going to the city on your own account, I think I’ll accept your invitation and go with you, provided you’ll let me pay for the gas. However, it will do me no harm to run in here and see what the prospect is, in case neither of us has a seaworthy car.”
Laurel was not long inside.
“Yes, it’s a nice place,” she said. “I told her I’d come Monday or perhaps tonight in case my car didn’t get finished. Now, Phil Pilgrim, won’t you please go and telephone your captain?”
“Yes, presently,” said Pilgrim, smiling. “We’ll see how the car is getting on first.”
So they went back to the garage.
“How you getting on, Mark?” asked Pilgrim as they pulled up beside where he was working.
“Okay, Phil,” said Mark with a grin. “Everything’s fine and dandy. The lady can have her car in about fifteen minutes now. Anything more you want done, son? Say, it looks ta me as if you needed a little tinkering yourself. You just all but got a flat tire, and your engine’s steaming. Wait till I get after her.”
“Oh,” said Laurel. “Isn’t this wonderful! My car will be done in time for me to get home tonight!”
“Sure thing, lady. You hit the nail on the head,” said the mechanic. “You take Pilgrim with you, and ya can leave his car here till we doctor it up a bit. I can see at least half a dozen things needs doing to it.”
“Thanks, Mark, but the lady and I each have our own business. If you don’t mind, I’ll just take off my coat and get down and put on my own spare tire and trust to luck for the rest.”
“Not on your tintype, old man, you won’t,” said Mark. “I’ve owed you a thank-you for a long time for a lotta good deeds you done fer me, and now I wantta get it off my conscience. Besides, I’m too patriotic to let you get down on them there new soldier trousers knees with them fine creases in ’em. This one is on me, and I mean it, man!”
“Sorry, Mark, but I’ve simply got to get to the city. Excuse me a minute. I’ll have to telephone. And when I get back, I’ll wager I can get my car in shape as soon as you finish that one.”
So Pilgrim went in to the telephone for a few minutes, and Laurel watched his face and gathered that he had finally reached his officer and that the answer was satisfactory. It was pleasant to watch the glow of light in his eyes and the pleased smile as he talked, as if he and his captain were on friendly terms. Then he came out.
“It’s okay,” he said in a tone of satisfaction. “I’m off for two days longer to get this matter settled up. And now, how is your car? Why—but—what has become of mine? Mark, you sinner! What have you done with it?”
Then, as he rounded the corner into the back of the garage, “What have you taken off those wheels for? I didn’t tell you to repair my car!”
“Those wheels were out of alignment. Hadn’t you noticed it, pal? Anyhow, I’m fixing it. The lady says she wants you to go in her car. She claims she’s afraid to ride to the city alone at night on that there lonely road.” Mark winked affably at Laurel as he turned back to put a final twist to a nut he was tightening in her car before turning it over to her.
Laurel gave him an understanding grin and turned toward Pilgrim.
“I can’t credit that,” said Pilgrim. “That girl’s not afraid of anything.”
“Listen,” said Laurel, stepping to Pilgrim’s side and speaking in a low tone, “this is probably my only chance to do a little repaying for the way you saved my life, and I want you please to be good and let me do it. Please! And besides, it is a very lonely ride some of the way to the city, and I really want your company.”
Pilgrim looked into her wide blue eyes, and something flashed from them to his own
and deep into his soul. His own glance softened.
“All right,” he said, “if you really mean it. Only, remember I’m an utter stranger, you know.”
“No,” said Laurel, “you’re not a stranger. Not since you saved my life!” And the smile she gave him sent a warm glow around his heart. Then her eyes went down in sudden embarrassment. “You know, I’m really quite unnerved with what I’ve been through this afternoon!” she explained quickly, in what she tried to make a matter-of-fact tone. “I really would feel quite uneasy alone. And besides, we have things to talk over.”
He looked at her in a kind of grave amusement. “Have we?” he asked. “What things?”
“Why, certainly,” said Laurel crisply, avoiding his direct glance. “We—haven’t—made—any plans yet.”
“Plans?” said Pilgrim with a lifting of his brows.
“Why, yes, plans for meeting again, and all that. You haven’t even given me your address.”
“Address?” he said, almost stupidly. “Why would you want that?”
She gave him a quick, almost reproachful look, and the color stole softly into her lovely cheeks.
“You certainly were not planning that we should go back and be strangers again, were you?” she asked almost haughtily.
He caught his breath but held his lips steady. “Wasn’t that what you were expecting would happen?” he asked. “Isn’t that what you want? I certainly wouldn’t presume on some slight service I was able to render.”
Laurel went suddenly white and drew a quick breath, her lips trembling a little, though she was doing her best to hold them still. “It certainly is not!” she flashed. “Why—why—I thought we were friends!” And now her little soft chin was trembling in spite of her best efforts.
Then the hard expression that had come into Pilgrim’s face while he was speaking suddenly softened again, and he looked deep into her eyes as if he were searching her very soul.
“Are you sure?” he asked, and his voice was tense.