CHAPTER XXIX
BARRY
Nancy presented such a picture of bewilderment and unbelief that theothers all laughed--except Peter; his face was very grave.
"You see I thought the only way I could get you--to forgive me--was bybringing them all back with me."
But Nancy had no intention of forgiving--at least, at once--the trickthat had been played upon her. She lifted her chin with meaningdisdain and turned to the others.
"Let's go up to the house. My aunts will be so glad to see you all,"and slipping one hand through her father's arm and another into Anne'sshe turned up the path, leaving Claire and her brother to follow.
Miss Sabrina had seen the car stop at the gate and had come to thedoor. She knew at once that this was Nancy's father. A color swepther cheeks and faded. She tried to say some word of welcome but hertrembling lips could not frame a single syllable. But almost instantlyher fears were set at rest, for Eugene Leavitt took her two hands inhis clasp and lightly kissed her cheek in a cheery way that put asideforever the trouble that had separated them.
In the hub-bub and chatter that followed, Nancy did not realize thatPeter Hyde had slipped away; not until Aunt Sabrina had carried herfather off to Aunt Milly's room and B'lindy, radiant, had gone back tothe kitchen to prepare a supper "fit for folks," leaving the threechums together. Claire gave her friend an affectionate shake.
"Now, Nancy Leavitt, don't be silly and stay cross at Barry. It's myfault. I knew he was here and that you were here, and that he knew youand you knew him, and neither of you----"
"Please, please Claire," begged Nancy, trying to stop her friend. Herface turned scarlet. Of course she could not be offended at hisdeception, had she not, herself, been masquerading? But burning in hermind was the recollection of that afternoon when she had opened herheart to Peter and had told him how she despised Barry Wallace and hiskind. And he had let her talk--she could not forgive that, ever.
"After you'd been here a few weeks," Claire went on, "Barry wrote tome. I suppose he'd gotten to the point where he simply had to confidein someone. You can imagine, I nearly dropped when I saw the postmarkand knew what he was doing, but picture how I felt when he wrote thathe'd met the 'best girl ever--no frills and fropperies like mother'scrowd, but a regular girl.' Of course I knew he meant you. I let himwrite a few more letters--I don't think Barry ever wrote so often to mebefore--and then, I told him everything."
"You did?" exclaimed Nancy. "Then----" she stopped short. Now sheunderstood why he had refused to accept her answer as final--that lastevening they had been together.
"And I made him promise on his honor not to tell you that I had told.So don't be cross at him," Claire pleaded, a little worried at Nancy'sexpression. "He has gone back to Judson's and he said--he asked me toask you if you would go out to Bird's-Nest--after supper--and----"
Claire, failing in words, threw her arms around Nancy's neck and kissedher. Anne, who had been impatiently waiting for an opportunity, tookup her part of the story.
"Goodness, Nancy, you can be thankful you've been up here and not atthe apartment--it's unbearably stuffy and hot. Although it ought tohave seemed like paradise after my quarters in London," snapping herlips together. Poor Anne, her dream of service was now only a bitterrecollection. "I was sitting there as forlorn as could be when inblew--no other word could describe it--Claire's brother. You wouldn'thave dreamed from the way he acted that he'd never laid eyes on mebefore. He told me about the confession you'd written him and he saidhe knew you were unhappy up here because of your false position andthat I ought to come back up here with him and get you out of it. Hedidn't want me to lose a moment. Then, while we were talking, yourletter came with its astonishing news. Isn't it all like somenightmare--all the aunts and things mixed up the way they were? We hadto read your letter over and over to understand it. Then when wefinally got it through our heads, we decided we'd get Claire and startthe next day for North Hero."
"But Dad?" asked Nancy.
"We were all ready to go when a taxi drove up to the door and outjumped your father. Of course he had to hear the whole story way backto the letter Noah brought to our room. Barry didn't give him a chanceto even wash his face, he bundled him straight into the automobile asthough it were a matter of life and death. And here we are. And thisplace looks like Heaven," Anne finished.
It was a merry party that gathered around Miss Sabrina's table.B'lindy wanting to express all that was in her heart, had spread asupper fit for the gods. Nancy's father had carried Miss Millydownstairs and sat between her and Nancy. Every now and then Nancyslipped her hand into his, under the tablecloth. Miss Sabrina, at thehead of the table, beamed down upon them all in a pathetic ecstasy ofhappiness. From the kitchen came the insistent "goo's" of the smallestHopworth, to the accompaniment of a silver spoon beating against asilver mug.
Through all the light chatter in the room there was an undertone ofdeep happiness and contentment. Only occasionally Claire's eyesflashed a worried, pleading message to Nancy that Nancy wilfullyignored. But when, after supper, the others all went to the Hollyhockporch and Nancy slipped away, the watchful Claire drew a sigh of reliefand proceeded to feel riotously happy.
As Nancy walked slowly down the path to the orchard she felt her heartgrow inexplainably, foolishly light. She was so glad that Peter Hydehad come back.
The gladness shone in her eyes as she let him clasp her two hands. Hedid not even ask her if she would forgive him; they both laughedjoyously, like two children.
"Wasn't it funny? Both of us up here pretending to be someone else."
"But it wasn't fair. You knew--and I didn't."
Peter hastened to defend himself. "I didn't--at first. And thenClaire made me promise not to let on that I knew. Anyway, I'd grown sodownright sick of that Barry Wallace that I wanted to just see if Icould make someone like plain Peter Hyde. Did I?" he asked.
Nancy ignored the direct question and avoided the pleading in Peter'seyes.
"Why did you come here, Pet--Barry?"
"I wonder if you will understand, Nancy?" Peter's voice was serious."Mother thought I was crazy and Claire would have, too--at the time.But when I heard you tell--that afternoon--what you thought of Claire'sbrother, I decided I'd done just about the right thing. You see, whenI came back from the other side, just because father and mother arequite prominent, I found that a lot of stuff had been printed about allthe things I'd done----"
"But you did do them," cried Nancy, warmly.
"Oh, yes, I did them, and I have got three or four medals--but then sowere a lot of other fellows doing the same things and a lot of 'em werekilled, doing them. You see, I just looked at it that everyone of uswent over to do our duty and most all of us did--and that's all therewas to it. So when I came back it was a sort of a shock to fall intothe mess I found waiting for me. I couldn't turn around that I wasn'tasked to appear at a tea or a reception or a banquet or a church circleor something or other to speak. Every other minute I was dodging aphotographer. And you see the worst of it all was that they were allmy mother's friends, and my mother was always around looking as thoughshe was at last reaping the reward for her sacrifice. I suppose anymother would have been the same. But you can see the hole it put mein. I hated it, but I couldn't bear to offend her. I wanted to go towork at something; I tried a week in my father's office, but I couldn'tstand the confinement indoors. So I ran away--it was my only escape.I headed for the mountains--somewhere where no one would know me. AtBurlington I saw Judson's ad. and this idea came to me. I'd hire outto him for awhile and get a chance to work out some theories that werepets of mine--before the war. I shipped my car back to Merrycliffe andwrote to mother of my plan, begging her to tell no one. I picked thename Peter Hyde at random--out of the hotel telephone book."
"I shall never, never think of you as anything but Peter Hyde," brokein Nancy.
"I don't ever want you to," assured Barry.
Nancy's
eyes rested for a moment on the outline of the Judson barns."Are you going to help Judson with his harvesting?" she asked, suddenly.
"Sure thing I am--I wouldn't think of leaving him, just now. Nancy,will you listen to a plan I've been making? I've got some money--itwas my grandmother's--and I want to buy up some farms in differentparts of the state, the kind of farms that are sort of run down at theheels, and experiment with them and see what can be done with them, asa sort of outright demonstration for other farmers. Do you think thatworth while?" he asked so anxiously and with such humility that Nancycolored.
"Oh, Peter--why ask me? It sounds pleasant and--and like you." Shesuddenly seemed to see him going on with this new work--without her.The thought brought a wistful look into her face. Barry Wallace readit there.
"Nancy, I'm afraid I sort of made a mess of things--the other night.When you told me you were going away--I lost my head. Tell me--yousaid you'd always care more for your work than for anything or anyoneelse--couldn't you share your work? Like I'd like to share mine?"
Nancy lifted a protesting hand that Barry promptly imprisoned in bothof his own.
"Oh, Peter, don't repeat all that--silly stuff--I said."
"Didn't you mean it, Nancy?" Barry cried.
"I meant it--then. But that was--young." Barry could not know thatshe was using the master's words. "I know--I think--that--that----"
"What, Nancy?"
Nancy looked wildly around. She wanted to run away, but Barry Wallacewas holding her hand very tight.
"That--I'll work better if--that--oh, I'm just glad you came back," andNancy could not have said anything more, for her face was smotheredagainst Barry's shoulder.
After a little, Barry had to hear all about the rejected manuscript,the master's letter and the redemption of the Hopworth's. There in thesun-lit orchard a golden world seemed to stretch around them.
"How foolish we used to be," laughed Nancy, with a rapturous sigh. "Inever doubted but that my first play was going to make my fortune."
"And I, after facing death in every one of its worst forms, ran awayfrom a pack of fussy women," added Barry.
"Never mind, let's bury those two children out here under the appletrees and begin real work----"
"Together."
"Finding the little things to do in our very own corner," added Nancy,dreamily.
Across the twilight stillness came the familiar whistle that had beenthe special signal among the three chums at college.
"It's the girls," cried Nancy. "Let's go back. I can't bear to havethem come here--just now. It's--it's----" she blushed, but met hiseyes squarely. "I want this to be--just ours--for awhile."
As they walked slowly back to the house, Nancy stopped suddenly in thepath.
"Doesn't Happy House look beautiful?" she whispered. And in fact thefading glow of the sun was touching the old walls with a shadowy beauty.
"It seems to speak to one," added Nancy. She was thinking of thatother Anne Leavitt who had come there bravely intent upon building ahappy home in the heart of the wilderness. Though she said not a word,in her heart she was making a solemn pledge--that she and Barry, wouldadd, through useful lives, their bit to the traditions of Happy Houseand the little Island, traditions rich with bravery, sacrifice andloyalty.
Again came the girls' whistle--insistent. Nancy slipped her hand intoBarry's.
"Let's hurry."
Hand in hand they went along the path to the house--and to their futuretogether. As they reached, the edge of Jonathan's raspberry patchNancy turned with shining eyes and whispered: "Pals."
And Barry, teasingly recalling Nonie's pet plan, answered tenderly:"Dearest."
_There is the high, happy spirit of youth in these famous_
BOOKS FOR GIRLS
by JANE D. ABBOTT
BARBERRY GATE
A boy flyer opened the Barberry Gate, closed since the daygreat-grandfather Colfax locked it, and Winsome learned the romanticstory behind it all.
LAUGHING LAST
Sidney finds adventure in Provincetown--she takes part in the captureof modern pirates, and much to her surprise plays an unexpected part inher sister's romance.
APRILLY
The charming story of a young girl, child of the circus, and theadventures which led to her goal of happiness.
HIGHACRES
A school story of Jerry Travis and her chum Gyp Westley. A thread ofromance and mystery in Jerry's life runs through the tale.
KEINETH
How Keineth Randolph kept a secret--a war secret--for a whole yearmakes one of the best stories ever written for girls.
RED ROBIN
In attempting to bring happiness into the lives of mill workers, RobinForsythe, heir to a fortune, has many strange adventures.
HEYDAY
Twenty-three! The heyday of life. Jay, a small town girl, findshappiness in New York.
LARKSPUR
Especially interesting to any Girl Scout because it is the story of aGirl Scout who is poor and has to help her mother.
HAPPY HOUSE
How an old family quarrel is healed through a misunderstanding and anold homestead becomes a "happy house" in reality.
GROSSET & DUNLAP _Publishers_ NEW YORK
THE NANCY DREW MYSTERY STORIES
By CAROLYN KEENE
Illustrated. Every Volume Complete in Itself.
Here is a thrilling series of mystery stories for girls. Nancy Drew,ingenious, alert, is the daughter of a famous criminal lawyer and sheherself is deeply interested in his mystery cases. Her interestinvolves her often in some very dangerous and exciting situations.
THE SECRET OF THE OLD CLOCK
Nancy, unaided, seeks to locate a missing will and finds herself in themidst of adventure.
THE HIDDEN STAIRCASE
Mysterious happenings in an old stone mansion lead to an investigationby Nancy.
THE BUNGALOW MYSTERY
Nancy has some perilous experiences around a deserted bungalow.
THE MYSTERY AT LILAC INN
Quick thinking and quick action were needed for Nancy to extricateherself from a dangerous situation.
THE SECRET AT SHADOW RANCH
On a vacation in Arizona Nancy uncovers an old mystery and solves it.
THE SECRET OF RED GATE FARM
Nancy exposes the doings of a secret society on an isolated farm.
THE CLUE IN THE DIARY
A fascinating and exciting story of a search for a clue to a surprisingmystery.
NANCY'S MYSTERIOUS LETTER
Nancy receives a letter informing her that she is heir to a fortune.This story tells of her search for another Nancy Drew.
THE SIGN OF THE TWISTED CANDLES
Nancy, as mediator in a generation-old feud, divulges an unknownbirthright.
THE PASSWORD TO LARKSPUR LANE
A carrier pigeon furnishes Nancy with a clue to a mysterious retreat.
THE CLUE OF THE BROKEN LOCKET
Nancy's sympathy for adopted twins leads her into a surprising mystery.
THE MESSAGE IN THE HOLLOW OAK
In Canada, Nancy protects her new property from a crooked promoter.
THE MYSTERY OF THE IVORY CHARM
Nancy solves an Indian mystery by means of a lucky elephant charm.
GROSSET & DUNLAP _Publishers_ NEW YORK
The Judy Bolton Mystery Stories
_By MARGARET SUTTON_
Judy's adventures, every one of them, have been based on something thatactually happened. The flood, the house with the round attic windows,the hiding place of the invisible chimes, the school fire, the camp inthe Thousand Islands, the queer old house in Parkville and the panic inthe theatre--all of them are real!
_You will not want to miss one of these thrilling stories._
THE VANISHING SHADOW--Judy is constantly pursued by a mysteriousshadow. Her brother, a timid but lovable boy, turns out to be a realhero in this dramatic, fast moving story.
THE
HAUNTED ATTIC--The Boltons move into a large rambling house reputedto be haunted. Even brave Judy is frightened at the strange rappingsand the eerie "crying ghost".
THE INVISIBLE CHIMES--A strange girl is sheltered by the Boltons andJudy tracks down many clues before she uncovers her real identity.
SEVEN STRANGE CLUES--Judy works out seven baffling clues to solve themystery of a school fire and a prize poster contest.
THE GHOST PARADE--Weird happenings at Thousand Island Camp providemystery, humor and adventure in this thrilling story.
THE YELLOW PHANTOM--With her quick thinking and courage, Judy rescues alost friend and solves the mystery of "Golden Girl."
THE MYSTIC BALL--Irene, "the engaged girl," is frightened by a crystalgazer but Judy exposes the trickery and saves her friend's romance.
THE VOICE IN THE SUITCASE--A weird cry leads Judy into excitement anddanger in a lonely old house.
THE MYSTERIOUS HALF CAT--Judy and her friends become suspicious of amysterious old beggar and follow him.
GROSSET & DUNLAP _Publishers_ NEW YORK
The MARY and JERRY MYSTERY STORIES
By FRANCIS HUNT
THE MESSENGER DOG'S SECRET
The big police dog Flanders carried a strange message in his collar.By following its directions, Mary and Jerry Denton were able to bring alost fortune to someone in need.
THE MYSTERY OF THE TOY BANK
Jerry Denton was saving for a bicycle, but when his little bankstrangely disappeared he had a big mystery to solve. With the aid ofMary, several chums and a queer old sailor, this eager lad broughtabout a happy solution.
THE STORY THE PARROT TOLD
A fire in a pet shop started a long chain of adventures for Mary andJerry Denton. The tale the talking parrot told caused plenty ofexcitement and mystery before the bird was restored to its rightfulowner.
THE SECRET OF THE MISSING CLOWN
Mary and Jerry have many happy adventures at the circus while searchingfor the missing clown and his beautiful pony, Silverfeet.
GROSSET & DUNLAP _Publishers_ NEW YORK
Melody Lane Mystery Stories
_By LILIAN GARIS_
Thrills, secrets, ghosts--adventures that will fascinate you seem tosurround pretty Carol Duncan. A vivid, plucky girl, her cleverness atsolving mysteries will captivate and thrill every mystery fan.
The author has written many popular mystery stories for girls and inthis new series Mrs. Garis is at her best.
THE GHOST OF MELODY LANE
Mystery surrounds the great organ in the home of the "CameoLady"--beloved friend of Carol and sponsor of the girls' Coral Club.Three people see the "ghost" that wanders in the grove carrying a waxywhite rose. And Carol finds the rose! In the end she finds the ghosttoo!
THE FORBIDDEN TRAIL
There was a tradition at "Splatter Castle" on Melody Lane, and MarahSplartier, eccentric aunt of Veronica Flint determined to protect Verafrom following the long line of family tragedies that had had theirbeginning on the "forbidden trail." Carol has several bad frightsbefore she clears up the mystery that keeps the little family atSplatter Castle unhappy and afraid.
THE TOWER SECRET
The winking lights flashing from the old tower on the grounds of theBonds' new home defy explanation. There is no one in the tower--and noelectric power or connections! Had the engaging circus family thatCarol befriended anything to do with the mystery? And what interesthad Parsnips, the queer old farmer, in the "ghost" tower?
THE WILD WARNING
What power did the strange, wild warning in the woods have over PollyFlinders? And why was she so desperately anxious to earn money? Carolbrings happiness to three families when she solves this excitingmystery.
THE TERROR OF MOANING CLIFF
No tenant would stay in the great, bleak house on "moaning cliff" thatbelonged to Carol's aunt. But Carol, courageous and determined,finally tracks the uncanny "haunts" to their source.
THE DRAGON OF THE HILLS
When Carol runs a tea shop for a friend, a baffling mystery comes toher with her first customer. Who has the limping man's lostpackage--the gypsies, the oriental or the neighbor's boy who ran away?
GROSSET & DUNLAP _Publishers_ NEW YORK
The Carolyn Wells
Books for Girls
Fresh, spirited stories that the modern small girl will take to herheart, these well known books by a famous author have won an importantplace in the field of juvenile fiction.
Patty, with her beauty and frank good nature, and Marjorie full ofvitality and good spirits, are two lovable characters well worthknowing, and their adventures will stir the eager imaginations of youngreaders.
THE FAMOUS "PATTY" BOOKS
Patty Fairfield Patty's Motor Car Patty at Home Patty's Butterfly Days Patty in the City Patty's Social Season Patty's Summer Days Patty's Suitors Patty in Paris Patty's Romance Patty's Friend Patty's Fortune Party's Pleasure Trip Patty Blossom Patty's Success Patty--Bride Patty and Azalea
THE MARJORIE BOOKS
Marjorie's Vacation Marjorie in Command Marjorie's Busy Days Marjorie's Maytime Marjorie's New Friend Marjorie at Seacote
GROSSET & DUNLAP _Publishers_ NEW YORK
DANA GIRLS MYSTERY STORIES
BY CAROLYN KEENE
_Author of the_
NANCY DREW MYSTERY STORIES
Impetuous, delightful Jean Dana and her charming serious minded sisterLouise find themselves in the midst of several mysteries, when theyattempt to aid people who are in trouble. Thrilling moments come tothe girls as they follow up clue after clue in an endeavor to untanglethe knotty problems in which they become enmeshed.
BY THE LIGHT OF THE STUDY LAMP
A stolen study lamp, a fortune teller, and a distressed schoolmateprovide plenty of excitement for the Dana girls before they locate thepersons responsible for many mysterious happenings.
THE SECRET AT LONE TREE COTTAGE
While the girls are at Starhurst School, they learn that their belovedEnglish teacher has vanished in a strange manner. In tracing her, Jeanand Louise are able to aid the frantic relatives of a dear littlecurly-haired tot, but not before they themselves are in danger ofdisappearing.
IN THE SHADOW OF THE TOWER
The mingling of unusual characters, who have life interests verydifferent from one another, lends excitement and intrigue to aChristmas vacation of the Dana girls. Their ability to fit togetherthe pieces of a strange puzzle brings happiness to several persons.
A THREE-CORNERED MYSTERY
There were three strange corners which the Dana girls successfullyrounded in their search for clues to clear up a mystery, involvingproperty and an international spy of many aliases.
THE SECRET AT THE HERMITAGE
When Louise is mistaken for a runaway prisoner, strange things begin tohappen, which lead the Danas to uncover the secret of a talented girland her crippled charge.
GROSSET & DUNLAP _Publishers_ NEW YORK
Thank you for reading books on BookFrom.Net Share this book with friends