CHAPTER X--CHRISTMAS AND WHAT IT BROUGHT
Anne never suspected that Polly and Eleanor had had a "hold-up" at anytime, but she wondered why Mr. Dalken should be so kind as to loan hiscar to the girls on school-nights. Polly explained simply. "Why, henever forgot what we did for Elizabeth, and when he learned we weretrudging back and forth alone, he just wouldn't have it."
"He said he couldn't bear the thought of our even having to travel inthe subway, alone, late at night," added Eleanor.
So Anne, although she read about the two ruffians who had tried to rob awealthy broker, one night, never dreamed that _her_ two girls werevictimized before Mr. Dalken appeared to rescue them.
Madam Wellington's school prospered splendidly from the publicity givenit in the papers directly after the fire. And later, when it was learnedthat Mr. Ashby, Mr. Dalken, and two other wealthy men had purchased thecorner which had always been disfigured by the old four-story amusementhall, and proposed erecting a twelve-story high-class apartment house onthe land, the mention of the fire and the bravery of the WellingtonSchool girls again appeared in the papers.
Letters between Pebbly Pit and New York passed twice a week, and thelast news from home was: "How we should love to have you spend Christmaswith us, Polly dearest. It will not seem like a real Christmas with bothmy children away from home."
The letter made Polly feel home-sick and she wrote to her motherimmediately, saying: "I feel that I shall have to come home even if ittakes a month out of school and delays me in my art studies, unless youcan plan some other way that we might see each other this Christmas."
Polly had a very clever plan that suddenly came to her, as she read hermother's words, and her reply was the first step in working out her plansuccessfully.
The second step was to go downtown and call upon Mr. Latimer at hisoffice. She was welcomed there and asked what good wind blew herdowntown.
Polly laughed. "It's a blizzard from the Rockies--that is why I'm here."Then she told him about her mother's home-sick words. "And this is whatwe must do, Mr. Latimer, or I'll have to leave school and go back home."
"Dear me, I will do anything rather than lose you from New York, Polly,"Mr. Latimer laughingly replied.
"You must find some excuse on the mining or jewel business, that needsDaddy's personal presence here in New York. Make it necessary for him tobe here just before, or after Christmas. Then I will write and let themknow that you told me about it, and insist upon having mother come Eastwith father, for her Christmas. Why, even John and Paul might join ushere without much expense or trouble."
Mr. Latimer smiled. "There is no harm in trying the plan, even if yourfather _won't_ leave his ranch while it is under six feet of snow."
Polly laughed at that. "Exactly! Dad doesn't have to stick there inwinter-time, any more than I do. Especially with Jeb on hand to takecare of everything."
Then remembering a warning, she said: "But you've got to find a realworthy reason for his coming East, because I know my Dad!"
"I'll have you approve the reason before I send it West--how will thatdo?"
"I think you will do well. Because I may be able to make asuggestion--knowing my father as I do."
Mr. Latimer laughed and patted Polly on the head. "Well, now that thatis settled, let us talk about Jim and Ken. You know, do you not, that weexpect them home in a few days?"
"I didn't know, but I took for granted that they would soon be home forthe Holidays. Although it seems like yesterday that they were home forThanksgiving Week."
"Not to Jim's mother and me. We miss him very much, as he always wassuch a lively boy at home."
"I'm afraid we won't see much of him this time. He never even called uson the 'phone when he came from New Haven to see Ruth Ashby, two weeksago Sunday," said Polly, never dreaming that his father was ignorant ofthe visit.
"He didn't! Then Ken should have called on you. He did not come to see agirl, too, did he?"
"Oh, Ken never knew Jim was coming--so Ruth told us. Jim telephoned herearly Sunday morning and found she would be home, so he ran in Town onthe noon train and stayed until the nine o'clock."
"I'll see that Jim does not go back on his first loves quite sosuddenly," laughed Mr. Latimer, thinking of the teasing he would giveJim.
"But we are not 'loves' at all--Nolla and I are only good pals for theboys," corrected Polly, anxiously.
"Whatever you call it, Jim ought to be well advised on such matters, aslong as legal advice costs him nothing."
Polly failed to follow Mr. Latimer, and he immediately changed thesubject. "Now that you are here and it is lunch-hour, why not come withme. I promised to take you to the Cafe Savarin or the Lawyer's Club,some day, and this is the day."
"Oh, it would be lovely, but I just couldn't leave Nolla out of thetreat, you know!" exclaimed Polly, eagerly.
"If Nolla is at home, we will have her down in twenty minutes. We'llwait for her, and meanwhile I'll dictate a letter to your father for youto O.K."
Eleanor was moping around the house, wondering where Polly could be,when the telephone rang and she was invited to join her friends atluncheon. So in less than half-an-hour the trio were having a merry timein the sumptuous private restaurant on lower Broadway.
The letter that Polly approved, reached Sam Brewster, and he showed itto his wife. "Ah have been thinking, dear, that we-all might surprisePolly by dropping in on her just about Christmas time, eh?"
"Rather than let her come West and lose all that time from classes, Ishould say 'yes,' Sam."
"We really have nothing to tie us down at the ranch for a few weeks,unless the snow buries us for the winter."
"Sary would be in her glory could she keep house alone with Jeb for atime. Ever since they returned from their honeymoon in Denver, she hasbeen sighing to run the house," said Mrs. Brewster, "feeding the fire"carefully.
"Let's go! By the Great Horned Spoon, I feel like taking a vacation tosome other part of the world--so New York will do!"
Then it was quickly decided that they would start on Monday, and thisbeing Friday, there was no time to lose.
Sary and Jeb accepted the amazing news with smiles and exchange ofknowing looks. But they were relieved when Mrs. Brewster herselfsuggested to Sary: "Have all the good times you want, Sary, while we aregone. Invite your friends, and neighbors, if they can get through thedrifts, and have apple-parties, corn-poppers, Virginia Reels, andanything on earth you like!"
"Would you-all keer if we-all ast as much as twenty to a time?" askedSary, fearfully.
"Ask forty, if you like--and if you can find them," laughed Mrs.Brewster, recklessly.
"Only see to it that they leave the roof, Sary," ha-hawed Sam Brewster."And that the sky-larkin' is all over when we return."
Sary nodded understandingly. She had instantly planned how to createenvy in the souls of her old friends at Yellow Jacket Pass, by askingthem all to her parties.
The Brewsters sent John a wire to say that they would spend a few hoursin Chicago, and would like him to keep that time open. But when theyreached Chicago, John was standing on the platform holding a suit-casein his hand. Tom Latimer and Paul Stewart stood beside him.
John explained: "Paul and Tom are going, too. Some good fairy sent usround-trip tickets, but we don't know who it was. Not a line came withthe tickets. So here we are--ready to help in the surprise."
John then introduced Paul, and Mrs. Brewster took his hand as she lookedinto his face. "You are the image of our Anne, Paul; I would have knownyou anywhere."
"That he is," added Sam Brewster, shaking Paul's hand heartily. So theparty of five continued on the journey, smiling as they pictured theglad surprise to be given the family at the Studio. Little did theydream that the Studio family were busy preparing for a gladsomeChristmas for them all. For Mr. Latimer had told them about the telegramfrom Pebbly Pit, and that he had heard from Tom that he and John andPaul were going to join the party coming East. But he did not say thathe, incognito, had mailed the tickets
.
The Twentieth Century had a long line of Pullmans to take to New Yorkthat trip, and it was small wonder that passengers having berths in thelast coach, should fail to meet anyone traveling in the first one. So itwas with speechless amazement, that the Brewsters met the Maynards atGrand Central Station when both parties were waiting to get taxi-cabs.
"Well, well, Ah believe it's Mr. Maynard!" exclaimed Sam Brewster, inhis deep western thunder.
"Brewster? so it is! Indeed I am glad to see you here. Come to cheer upthe little girl, eh?" and Eleanor's father grasped the ranchman's bighands.
Mrs. Brewster and her two young male companions (Tom had gone totelephone) were now introduced to Barbara and Mrs. Maynard. The latterhad never met the Brewster family, and Barbara, thinking it wiser toassume indifference, smiled coldly.
"We're stopping at the Park Hotel, Brewster--what about you folks? Mightas well go where we do," suggested Mr. Maynard.
"I wired there for accommodations; Polly mentioned it in several of herletters as being quite near the Studio."
"Fine! Then we will go right along. Here Taxi! eight of us and baggage."
"You mean seven, Mr. Maynard?" ventured John, politely.
"No--didn't you know Pete was here with us? He came on another coachwith some chums who were coming East."
"I haven't seen much of Pete, this term. I've been cramming everymoment, so as to finish and be ready to help in the mine, you see,"explained John, hesitatingly.
Mr. Maynard saw the expression and said nothing, but he determined tofind out why Pete had not seen much of Paul and John and Tom, that term.Three young men who could be of great advantage to a wild young studentshould be cultivated, he thought.
When Sam Brewster did anything, he never did it by halves; consequentlywhen he wired the Park Hotel for rooms, the day he left Denver, heengaged a whole suite. No better accommodations than he had, were to befound in the building, and the Maynards had to accept second-best.
When Mr. Maynard found the ranchman had the very finest the hotelafforded, he chuckled delightedly to himself, for he had silentlywatched the manner in which Barbara received the greetings of the peoplewho were so kind to her that Summer.
Mrs. Maynard was furious with her husband. "My dear! what possessed youto come to this horrid place. Don't you know that Bob's position must becatered to? Even the best hotels here are rather too ordinary. Sheshould be stopping at the newest and most exclusive one uptown."
"When she marries that little numb-skull you've tagged to her skirts,she can stop where she likes. But her Dad is running this show. I'm hereto visit Nolla, and I stop where I can call and see her, or she can runin to see us, without wasting time traveling on the streets."
"You always did spoil Nolla--while poor Bob has to take third place inyour affections," complained Mrs. Maynard.
"Bob's mother makes up for any lack in me. That's why I have to givedouble love to Nolla and Pete--Bob has _all_ of yours."
The usual ending to similar scenes might have resulted, had not Mr.Maynard gone out to hurry over to the Studio. But his wife and Barbarasulkily unpacked their trunks and made very fine toilets before theythought of calling at the Studio.
Mr. Maynard rang at the front door of the Studio, but he had to wait afew moments before the door opened. From within, merry laughter andjoyous shouting could be heard. Then in another moment, Eleanor was inher father's arms and was dragging him into the happy circle.
The Brewsters, and Paul and Pete were already there, so that thenewcomer's appearance added another reason for Polly and Eleanor'shappiness.
"I haven't enough china to go around for such a family!" Mrs. Stewartsaid plaintively; as she came into the room with her arms dusted withflour.
"And only half of us here, too!" laughed Mr. Maynard.
"What--more on the way?" exclaimed Anne.
"Nolla's mother and Bob will be, shortly."
"Mother--and Bob!" cried Eleanor, eagerly, happy that her mother andsister cared enough for her to come and visit her.
"Now that adds to all my troubles," Mrs. Stewart declared as she droppedinto a nearby chair.
"But why--the more the merrier," laughed Mrs. Brewster.
"Why--because there are only seven straight chairs in this stable. Allthe others are great cushiony things that won't do in a smalldining-room such as ours."
"Motherkins!" said Paul, laughingly picking his mother up and seatingher upon his strong knees, "Did her think we-all would permit her tocook a great supper for such a mob?"
"Of course--I like it, dear, but I am staggered at thelimitations--china and chairs."
"Mrs. Stewart, we are not going to eat a crumb in this house during theHolidays, unless it be a theatre supper or afternoon tea! That is allsettled beforehand. Run upstairs and put on your evening dress. Wepropose making a party of it this first night," called Mr. Maynard,trying to make himself heard above the general din.
"Is it your party, Dad?" asked Eleanor, gayly.
"Yes, and to please Bob it is to be at the Ritz. To-morrow it will beBrewster's turn, and that's up to him to say where we go."
"Oh, Daddy--I know a place!" exclaimed Polly, eagerly. "Eleanor and Ihave never been, but we've heard lots about it and this is the chance.We'll all go down to Chinatown, to-morrow!"
A wild chorus of laughter greeted this proposal, and Polly lookedsurprised. To make matters worse, she added explanatorily: "Why, thegirls say chop-suey is great! And at Christmas time the Chinks' storesare beautiful! The lovely things one can buy then are the best that areimported from the Orient."
"We'll do Chinatown, thoroughly, Poll, but it may not be to-morrownight," promised John, who had hitherto been completely engaged withAnne's whispers and looks.
Thereafter followed delight upon delight, each day filled with new plansand exciting fulfillments. Ken and his parents, the four Latimers, theAshbys, Mr. Fabian, and even Mr. Dalken, were included in the gay whirlof these pleasure-seekers. Mrs. Maynard and Barbara actually enjoyed thewholesome fun and almost forgot to be affected or snobbish. To associateintimately with Mr. Dalken, whose social standing was well-known inChicago, as well as in other large cities, was excuse enough to acceptall the other friends. But added to that pleasure, the friendship andevident intimacy the Ashbys and Latimers entertained for Polly andEleanor, made Mrs. Maynard feel there might be hope for Nolla in thefuture.
Christmas fell on the Thursday after the Westerners had arrived in NewYork; and considering all the fun and gadding that had been indulged in,on the days preceding the twenty-fifth, that day passed quietly for all.Each family enjoyed its own gathering and gifts, and all assembled atthe Ashbys in the evening, to enjoy music and dancing, and everyonedeclared it had been a fine day!
Friday started anew the excitement of planning and enjoying whatevercame in the way of the party. But Saturday night had been set aside forMr. Dalken's Christmas party. Elizabeth was invited to bring herfriends, and everyone in Polly's and Eleanor's friendship ring wereincluded.
Mr. Dalken lived in modest but very large rooms of a bachelor apartmenthouse, downtown, and here he had an enormous tree fixed in the center ofthe living-room. No one was allowed to see that room until all hadassembled, but when the doors were opened, there were "ahs" and "ohs"from everyone.
The tree was so beautifully trimmed that it seemed a pity that it shouldever be dismantled. But soon, the attractive white packages tied withred ribbons, filled the guests with curiosity; and once Eleanor hadpeeped at the name written on one box, there was no peace but her hostmust distribute the gifts.
Mr. Dalken never spared time or money when he did anything for hisfriends, and his Christmas Party was to be one all would remember. Thegifts were carefully selected for each individual and those for the fourgirls--Elizabeth, Ruth Ashby, Polly and Eleanor, were exquisite andcostly. Elizabeth had craved a ring. She had it. Ruth, Polly, andEleanor each had a long barpin of platinum daintily jewelled.
With her usual impetuosity, Eleanor suddenl
y sprang up and hugged Mr.Dalken gratefully for her gift. Polly smiled and shyly shook hands,while Ruth said he must have read her thoughts, for she had asked Dadfor a pin and had been refused. Now she had it, anyway, and from hersecond-best Dad. Elizabeth was pleased, too, but merely murmured"Thanks, Papa."
"How do you like the jewels in the pins, girls?" asked Mr. Latimer,quizzically, as no one had mentioned the gems.
Suddenly Polly looked up at him. She caught the twinkle in his eyes, andinstantly wheeled to look at the other men. Each one was smiling as ifthere was a fine secret here.
"I just know these are Rainbow Cliff jewels!" exclaimed Polly, joyously.
"No--are they?" demanded Eleanor, holding the pin aloft to let the lightflash over and through them.
"Now I am deeply offended! I want the girls to see that I got the verybest and finest stones in New York, and someone dares suggest that theymay be lava!" grumbled Mr. Dalken, trying to be peevish.
"I can find out by taking mine to Tiffany's, to-morrow," said Ruth,wisely.
"No, you won't--Tiffany says his store is to be closed all dayto-morrow," laughed Mr. Ashby.
"Why--some one in his family dead?" asked Elizabeth.
"No--but it is Sunday, and he is a church member."
Every one laughed, as it had been forgotten the Sabbath was so near athand. Then Eleanor had an idea.
"Why wait for Tiffany? Maybe the box will give us a clue." So she foundher box and examined it. Inside the silk-padded lid were the words ingold ink: "Rainbow Cliffs' Jewel Company."
"Oh, oh! It is our lava! Polly, now you can carry a little of Pebbly Pitabout with you!" cried Eleanor, dancing about.
"Yes, it is a bit of Polly's own dear heath. These are the very firstjewels the company perfected. And as I am one of the corporation, Iwheedled the cutter into giving me his first output. So, girls, you notonly have pretty pins, but also you have what may be considered acuriosity," explained Mr. Dalken.
"Are you one of our company?" Polly asked, eagerly.
"Yes, Mr. Ashby and I took stock soon after the fire, because we saidthis was going to be a big thing, some day."
"I'm so _glad_, Mr. Dalken," said Polly simply, and in a voice that onlyhe could hear. "I like you _so_ much, and I'm happy to know that you andI are members, together, in something."
"Polly, dear, that is the very best Christmas gift I have had in years,"murmured Mr. Dalken, feelingly.