CHAPTER V--TOUCHING AT PALM BEACH
Before the White Crest reached her first port, which was Jacksonville,Mr. Dalken must have regretted his invitation to his daughter Elizabethto become one of his party for the cruise. She had not only taken everyoccasion to contradict her father when he made any statement, but shesneered at all he said. Naturally this superior air from a young girldeeply annoyed Polly and Eleanor who were Mr. Dalken's sworn allies; andthe friends who knew and admired their host without limitation, alsofelt diffident at such times as Mr. Dalken was so rudely criticised.
Said Eleanor to Polly one night before retiring: "If I were Dalky I'dtake Elizabeth to the express train going to New York and I'd ship herhome to her butterfly mother!"
"It's one thing to say such a thing, but quite another matter toaccomplish it," returned Polly.
"Well, anyway, we may find some way in which to leave her behind when wetouch at Jacksonville or Palm Beach."
"Oh! Are we going to stop at Palm Beach?" exclaimed Polly.
"Why, yes! Didn't you know? It was Elizabeth's coaxing that caused Dalkyto agree to stop over there to have dinner at the Ponce de Leon. Perhapswe shall spend the evening there and return to the ship to sleep."
"That's great! If Elizabeth should meet any of her New York friends atthe hotel she may prefer to remain," ventured Polly.
"I'm hoping the same thing. If only we could hypnotize people we mightbring some one she likes right into her pathway," laughed Eleanor as shejumped into bed.
The following morning the yacht reached Jacksonville where Tom Latimerwas supposed to leave his friends and start back North. But John andAnne Brewster were persuaded to remain on board with their friends tillthey reached Palm Beach, hence Tom decided to remain too, and thenceaccompany his bosom friend John back to New York.
"If Tom insists upon dogging my every step as he has been doing on theyacht, I don't see that I am going to have a good time," pouted Polly,as she heard Eleanor's news that Tom would go on to Palm Beach.
Eleanor laughed teasingly. "That's what a young girl gets for having abeau who is daffy over her!"
"But, Nolla," complained Polly, "it isn't my fault that Tom won't take abroad hint to mind his own business!"
"Perhaps he thinks this _is_ his business--the business of getting thegirl he has made up his mind to marry," declared Eleanor.
"Well, then! You can just tell him from me, Nolla, that he is goingabout it in exactly the wrong way to interest me in himself. A girlhates to be tagged, just as a man loses interest in a girl who isforever putting herself in his way to be noticed."
"I'll tell him!" agreed Eleanor, laughingly.
But it was not necessary that Eleanor warn Tom of his over-zealousattentions to Polly, because a general surprise awaited the marinerswhen the vessel docked. Not only did Eleanor find a telegram from herfather, in which he said that unexpected trouble at his bank kept him inChicago, and prevented his joining the happy friends on the White Crest,but Mr. Dalken also found his ward, John Baxter, and his friend RaymondAmes waiting to come aboard. Every one believed Jack to be in New York.
"Well, well, boys, where did you hail from?" was Mr. Dalken's firstwords as the two young men leaped upon the deck and ran to presentthemselves.
"Why, immediately after you sailed I met my friend Ray who was bound fora position in Panama. Being so lonesome with all you friends away, ittook but little coaxing from him to persuade me to accompany him,"explained Jack.
Even while the new-comers were being overwhelmed with questions from themariners, Mr. Dalken called a hasty council of war and discussed theadvisability of going ashore to see the town, or to continue on to PalmBeach. It was unanimously decided that Jacksonville contained nothing ofinterest to the sailors, the three guests just arrived, having seen allthey wanted to see at the city. Hence orders were given to pull upanchor and sail away to the famous winter resort where all and sundrykinds of sport might be found.
With the coming of Jack and Ray on board the yacht, the girls showedmore life and interest in planning to pass the time. Tom felt so muchthe senior of the two young men who now vied with him for Polly'ssmiles, that he joined his chum John Brewster, and held aloof from theyounger members in the party. Not till Anne reminded him that he wasacting the same mistaken part he had played on board the ocean liner atthe time it docked at Quarantine in New York City, did he rouse himselfto look pleasant and agreeable when Polly danced and laughed with thefriends of her own age.
The small damage done the yacht in the hurricane, which she had bravedand came out of the victor, was soon attended to by one of the mates whohad been a ship's carpenter before Mr. Dalken's alluring salary hadtempted him to join up on Captain Blake's crew. Long before the WhiteCrest arrived at Palm Beach the repairs had all been done and the craftwas looking as pert and fresh as any millionaire's vessel within aradius of twenty miles of the Beach.
Of all the merry-makers in that party of mariners not one cared verymuch what food was served for dinner at the Ponce de Leon, but every onedid take a personal interest in the groups of young people, the life ofsociety at that gay season in Palm Beach, and the fun they expected toget out of the visit to the fashionable hotel and the evening hoursspent on shore.
Eleanor had hinted to Polly that it might be possible that ElizabethDalken would find a number of society friends from New York at thehotel, and so she did.
Naturally they came buzzing about her, and, to impress her yachtingassociates with her social prestige, she smiled sweetly upon the trio,and accepted their invitation to go with them. Elizabeth did not deem itnecessary to ask her father's consent to leave his party and attachherself to that of her newly-found friends from New York; neither didshe hesitate to go with them minus a proper chaperone, although she hadseemed very particular about criticising other girls who may haveoverlooked Mrs. Grundy at times.
As Mr. Dalken was not present in the group when Elizabeth took Frenchleave, and Mrs. Courtney was not asked about a chaperone for thatevening, the girl hurried away to enjoy herself as she saw best. Mr.Dalken, returning soon after her departure, seemed amazed that she hadgone, but he said nothing at the time and immediately turned his fullattention to the entertainment of his guests.
Polly and Eleanor had insisted that the younger members in the partydress in their very best. This called for Mrs. Courtney and her elderlyfriends to dress up to the standard set by the girls. And this,naturally, compelled the men to give more attention to their eveningclothes and general appearances than they might have done without thisspur from the ladies. Hence it happened that not a single unit of gaypersons at dinner that night in the magnificent hotel could surpass theappearances of Mr. Dalken's party. As he remarked later:
"It was to be expected of such an extraordinary bouquet of beautifulfemales as I conducted from my yacht. Others might have shown costlierjewels and handsomer gowns but not one could compete with my flowerswhere beauty was the test."
As it mattered little at what hour the passengers went back to theyacht, they made the most of this gay evening on shore. John and AnneBrewster were to leave the party the next day and start back to New Yorkfor a week before returning to Pebbly Pit Ranch. And Tom Latimer, nowthat Polly expected to be away from New York for many months, feltinclined to accompany his friends back to his work at Choko Mines.Perhaps it was his salvation that Polly decided to take this cruise,otherwise he may never have found courage or inclination enough to goback to his mining interests.
Having danced herself breathless, Polly finally consented to hear Anne'swhispered suggestion that she leave a few moments to Tom before he gotmad and walked back home. With a little laugh Polly sent Jack Baxter asorry look and told him to go find Elizabeth for a dancing partner.
"But I'd rather dance with you, Polly. What is Mrs. Brewster saying toyou that makes you look so remorseful?" replied he.
"I'm telling Polly of a very urgent duty, Jack, and you know, as well asI, that you must not monopolize _all_ her time this evening,
" retortedAnne.
"Well, seeing that I am going to be one of the passengers on Dalky'syacht for a long time, I believe I _will_ release Polly to Tom for ashort time," remarked Jack in a casual tone.
"Oh! You are not really going on the yacht, are you?" exclaimed Polly.
"Why? Do you object to my company?" demanded Jack.
"Oh, no! It will be lots livelier with Ray and you on board. But no onehas mentioned it before, so I naturally thought you and Ray were herefor a short visit at the Beach, then planned to go back to New York tocontinue your studies," explained Polly.
"Well, I'll tell you," said Jack in a thoughtful manner, "I've convincedDalky that the great mining interests of the Argentine need my personalinvestigation. You must not forget that a great deal of my fortune isinvested in mining shares in South America; and these mining companieshave their central offices at Buenos Aires. Dalky can tell you that avisit to these brokers, now and then, makes them sit up and take noticeof you. Otherwise they might ignore your dividends, you see."
Anne jeered at such an explanation for Jack's hurried decision to visitSouth America. "I can safely vouch for your remaining in the UnitedStates, were it not for the fact that you find a bevy of pretty girls onyour guardian's yacht too alluring for you to renounce. You plan to getthe most fun out of this cruise and then go your way, leaving a stringof broken hearts behind you. That is the reputation you have, I find."Anne laughed as she shook a finger at Jack.
"My reputation for drawing and then breaking hearts can never reach thechampionship winner and breaker that Polly is. Who can ever ignore thatEuropean tour when the subject of hearts is being discussed?" Jack shookhis head in pretended sorrow for those rejected suitors on the "OtherSide."
Polly made an impatient sound with the tip of her tongue against herwhite little teeth, and Jack laughed.
"Just for that I am going without a single word of regret for the dancesI promised you and now withhold," said Polly, turning and running awayto join the group sitting under a great palm on the balcony.
Here she found Tom moodily talking with John. But the moment Pollytouched him on the shoulder and said: "Are we going for a little walk onthe beach?" he brightened up wonderfully.
Polly felt that she owed Tom this short time before he would have toreturn west on his mining work. Also she felt that she had treated himtoo sternly in punishment of his short-comings. Of course, Tom had noidea that Polly considered his slavish attentions as short-comings.
As the two sauntered away from the hotel and turned in the direction ofthe marvellous beach, Polly began the conversation by remarking, in acool, mature manner: "Now don't go and talk of bosh, Tom, just because Iinvited you for a stroll."
"What do you mean by bosh?" demanded Tom, ready with a chip on hisshoulder.
"Oh, pooh! You know what I mean--your soft talk of love. I just won'tlisten to it morning, and night, and at every moment of the day. You arethe dandiest pal with Nolla and Ruth and Nancy--why not with me?"
Tom wisely held his peace. He could have answered in his own way, but heknew that would call forth a new tirade against his ideas of possession.Not having a reply from her escort with which to continue the argument,Polly found herself shut up on the subject. And wisely she, too,launched out upon an entirely opposite topic.
"Some one told Dalky not to stop at Hayti because the natives were sotreacherous to white folks," remarked Polly. "I did so want to see theIsland we hear so much about. I've read of the voodoo religion, and theway the sacred snake charmers strike terror into the souls of theircongregations, and I'd love to see them."
"I think Dalken is absolutely right in not taking chances with you girlsin landing at Hayti. Morally the Haytians are not to be trusted. All theold superstitions of barbaric Africa prevail to such an extent that noright-minded person wishes to visit there. I am surprised, Polly, thatyou can entertain the least desire to see what every one knows to be adeplorable condition of affairs." Tom spoke in a fatherly way thatcaused Polly to smile, but he did not see her face. Perhaps he would nothave continued in the same strain had he thought she was amused insteadof being advised.
"Yes, Hayti is an unsafe place for civilized women to go to; not only dothe authorities ignore the rights of a people under their government,but they seem to have no regard for human lives. I recently read anarticle in a magazine in which it stated that one unfortunatecircumstance about Kingston, the capital of Jamaica, was its convenienceto Hayti--all the escaping criminals and refugees from justice jumpedaboard a sailing craft and in a few hours were landed upon the shores ofthat beautiful isle whence they could not be taken except throughextradition papers."
"How intensely thrilling to me is all this political information. I'msure I shall never wish to see a voodoo service after hearing you speakof government and politics," laughed Polly.
Tom now turned and stared at the girl. Was she in earnest about sayingshe cared nothing for Hayti now, or was she ridiculing his advices? Tokeep her companion in doubt as to her motive, Polly changed the subjectagain.
"I shall delight in visiting Jamaica, and Porto Rico, perhaps theBarbados, before we go through the Panama Canal. Dalky says that, shouldit be impossible for a stop at the Barbados on our way down to SouthAmerica, he will see that the Captain surely stops there on our return.Have you any warnings to give concerning the natives of the CaribbeanIsles?"
"I don't know a thing about them! I never visited Hayti, you know, but Imerely told you what learned and wise men say of it." Tom's tone was notvery sweet, and Polly realized that her last words had offended hissensitive heart.
"Let's talk of Pebbly Pit and Choko's Mine," said she with forced joyousanticipation in her voice. She felt sure she knew all that Tom would sayin order to prove to her that she ought to marry him and live out on theranch with her family. This time Tom disappointed her, however.
"I have nothing new to tell you about Pebbly Pit, because you know aswell as I do that I have been in New York too long to be able to speakof what may be taking place out on the ranch. But one thing I can speakof, and even that is not yours or my business, I suppose, and that isthe queer triangle on board the White Crest--do you get me?"
"A triangle! No, I do not get you, Tom. What is it?"
"Well, then, I know just as well as if you had told me, that Nolla andyou are match-making between Dalky and Mrs. Courtney. And I might add,that I can advise you to watch your step, but of course, you will throwback your head and give me a glance of disdain, hence I will not warnyou. This much I can say, nevertheless, and that is: Look out forElizabeth Dalken, if you think Nolla and you can pull little Cupid's bowand arrows to suit yourselves. You've got the third angle of theproposition when you have Elizabeth with whom to reckon. She is worldlywise and she won't hesitate to use every bit of knowledge she possessesto thwart such a scheme for her father."
Polly looked serious. "Did you really guess that much? How did you doit, when Nolla and I have been models of discretion? Not even Dalky orMrs. Courtney, or the Fabians dream of the match."
"Maybe it is because I am so miserably in love myself, that Iintuitively feel for any one else who may be in the same boat."
Tom's tone and hopeless manner caused Polly intense amusement though shemanaged to hide the fact from him. However, she was in earnest now,regarding this matter about the matchmaking, and she wanted to get Tom'svaluable suggestions on the matter.
"Well," returned Tom to her anxious questioning, "one always gets intohot water when matchmaking between two persons, especially if those twohave had a taste of matrimonial troubles. But I know Nolla and you wellenough to see that you will not give up a pet plan until you are drivento desperation over its failure. With Elizabeth Dalken to frustrateevery tete-a-tete, or other plans to throw these two mature hoped-forlovers together, what will you do? Either come out boldly and show yourcards, or call that girl's bluff, or in some way be the means ofshipping her back home."
"Well, how can we call her bluff when she won't admit us to he
rconfidence?" asked Polly, eagerly.
"Watch opportunities! But it will be easier to ship her back home, ifyou can get her deeply interested in an objective in going north andallowing you-all to continue your voyage."
"Show me the objective and I'll do it! She's getting on everybody'snerves, as it is. And I verily believe that Dalky is heartily sorry hehad her come," declared Polly.
"One objective would be to induce her to remain at Palm Beach, now thatshe is here with friends, and get her father to give her a sufficientinducement in cash to tear herself away from the yacht and theprospective voyage. Another objective might be Jack Baxter. She knows heis enormously wealthy, and it is her sole aim and ambition to marry afortune and a good family name. She would get both in Baxter, but Idoubt if Jack would fall for her. However, if he could be induced topose as a cavalier, and cut short his trip to South America, I'm surethe girl would follow--providing she had a satisfactory chaperone to givethe entire proceeding Mother Grundy's approval."
Polly frowned down both of the propositions. "She won't remain at PalmBeach because she has been here too often to have it afford her anynovelty now. On the other hand we can't expect Jack Baxter to place hishead upon the block for execution, just to please us in riddingourselves of the girl. Why, Elizabeth might claim Jack as a suitor, andthen drive poor Jack to desperate steps in order to show he is agentleman!"
While they were discussing such weighty matters the two had turned andwere walking back again in the direction of the hotel. Neither one hadseen the moonlight on the sea, nor had they realized that they hadstrolled across the hard beach and back again--so full of plans were theyover the little plot for happiness for their two good friends. Now theycame to the Palm Walk again.
"Where _have_ you two been?" demanded Eleanor, impatiently.
"We've spent half an hour looking for you. Dalky wants us to findElizabeth and start back for the yacht," added Nancy Fabian.
"We will have no trouble in starting for the yacht, but to findElizabeth is quite a different matter," laughed Tom.
John Brewster now came over to Tom and spoke. "Anne and I are going topack our bags and come back on shore to-night, as Dalken says theCaptain wishes to resume the voyage early in the morning. I thought youwould want to get your bag, too, and come back with us. If you preferremaining here, Anne says she can pack the suitcase and spare you thetrip."
"No, thank you! I'll go with you and see as much of Polly as I can,before leaving her to sail away with no certain future for me in it!"exclaimed Tom, positively. John smiled.
The bell-boys having sought about quickly in every direction of thehotel and gardens returned, one by one, with the reply that MissElizabeth Dalken failed to respond to their calls. Mr. Dalken tippedeach page as he reported to him, and then turned to his friends."There's nothing for it, but that I hunt her up myself, and permit youto go on to the yacht alone. I'll come as soon as I locate my daughter."
Polly caught a sympathetic glance from Mrs. Courtney's eye in thedirection of the troubled host, then the guests accepted the inevitableand left the man to seek Elizabeth in every niche and corner of the vastresort.
As the group of guests from the White Crest got near to the wharf wherethey had left the yacht, they were astonished to see the craft gone.They looked at each other and then all around to reassure themselvesthat they were not dreaming. A young colored night watchman on the docksaw the wondering expressions on their faces and spoke up.
"You-all a-lookin' foh dat white yacht from Noo Yoork?"
"Yes, my boy; what can you tell us about it?" asked Mr. Ashby.
"Why, not much; onny, 'bout a nour ago, 'long comes a fine pert missywid a lot of swells, an' dey gits on bo'hd. Den de skippeh what was lefto watch the boat, comes off a'fumin' mad, an' says he's goin' to see'bout dat! I heah's him say somefin not werry nice to free er four dudeslef' on deck, but dey laffs and waves a han', so off he goes threatenin'to get the boss on de job to onct! Fust ting I knows, the yacht up andsails away. I watches, 'cuz I got a stay on dis dock till mawnin' andkeep an eye on decency, an' sure 'nuff, dat boat goes dancing off downcoast. Lots of likker at a certain port dere, yuh see, and swells heahtakes a trip down ebery onct in a while."
"And you haven't seen a sign of the yacht since then?" demanded Mr.Ashby, red hectic spots suddenly coming to his cheeks as symbols of hisire at such high-handed treatment of his friend.
"Beggin' yur pawdon, suh, but I knows two of dem dudes, an' I doubts ifdey kin sail that yacht back straight to-night, if dey gets what deysets out foh gittin. F'om all I heah said, dey went foh jus' such atime."
At this disturbing information, Mr. Ashby joined the negro for a momentand at his advice, turned and said: "Fabian, I'm going back for Dalken,but what had you-all better do meantime?" Mr. Ashby seemed anxious tomeet his friend before he should come to the dock and learn the newsfrom others.
"We will wait here for orders. The yacht may come in while you are gone,and in that case we will try to straighten out matters, and see thatElizabeth's friends get quickly out of the way of her father's righteousindignation."
The moment Mr. Ashby left, Mrs. Courtney went over to the mulatto youthand spoke in a low voice. He replied in a tone too low to be heard byany one but the lady with him. Then she slipped him some money andreturned to her own party.
"I learned that no older woman was in the party with Elizabeth, but ayoung divorcee and the several men who seemed past forty. I had judgedfrom Elizabeth's uncompromising attitude to us in our disregard tolittle matters concerning dinner dress and social nothings, that shewould have been most strict and careful in such a delicate situation asthis which she has brought about."
Mr. Ashby had secured the names of the ports where those with enoughmoney might secure liquor in spite of the dry laws, and it was his planto hire the fastest car to be had and drive Dalken along the shore untilthey found the yacht and the runaways.
In telling the story to his friend, Mr. Ashby purposely shieldedElizabeth by making it appear that she was misled by her friends. ButMr. Dalken was not to be hoodwinked. He was an experienced man of theworld, and he understood present-day flapperdom perfectly.
"Why take an automobile when we might get a launch and go on theirtrack? I'm sure the launch would prove best, and it may be possible tofind a large enough power launch to accommodate our party. Then we neednot return to this hateful place. We can ship back the society cads inthe launch and go on our way as planned." Mr. Dalken seemed to considerthe case with more coolness and sense than his friend had done.
"What about John and Anne and Tom? They expected to go ashore here,after getting their bags. And how about the crew?"
"John and Anne and Tom can leave us at Miami as well as at Palm Beach.As for the crew; the Captain's orders were for every man to be on handat the yacht at twelve. It is now past the time, and doubtless they willbe waiting on the dock," explained Mr. Dalken, having looked at hiswatch and then slipped it back into his pocket.
As predicted, the crew were all at the dock, standing in small groups;the Captain stood with Mr. Fabian, wondering what would be the outcomeof this escapade. Mr. Dalken seemed perfectly cool and self-possessed ashe called to the Captain.
"Get a craft at once--large enough to take us all. You understand,Captain Blake, that price is nothing now!"
The same negro youth, who had been the informer in the first place, nowspoke up. "I knows whar you-all kin hire a fine big gaserline launch--myboss rents it out ebery day. I kin sen' yuh dere."
Giving Captain Blake minute directions to find the boat which was notfar off, the negro gladly pocketed another windfall of money from theowner of the White Crest.
In less than twenty minutes the launch came alongside the wharf and itsowner stepped out. "It's the quickest and safest boat in Florida. Many'sthe trip I takes to Havana during the season."
Thus the weary party gladly got into the launch, and its owner startedon the way to seek for and find the White Crest.