CHAPTER XXI
EUNICE AND MR. WINTHROP LATHAM
"Ruth, may I go with you to get Eunice?" Mollie Thurston asked next day.
"Certainly, Mollie. Are not the four of us going? We want to bring littleEunice back to the hotel in style. We have had a hard enough time gettinghold of her. Her old Indian grandmother would not have let us have thechild if it had not been for Naki. The Indian woman seems really to beattached to Ceally and Naki."
"I am going to ask you a weeny little favor, Ruth. I won't tell you why Iask you now; but I will tell you as soon as we are in the automobile.Don't ask Bab to come with us for Eunice," Mollie entreated.
"Don't ask Bab? Why, Mollie!" protested Ruth, in surprise. "Bab'sfeelings would be dreadfully hurt if I did not ask her."
"No, they won't, Ruth. I have already talked to Aunt Sallie. She told Babshe wanted her to stay in the house this morning. Aunt Sallie thinksBarbara is tired from her ride yesterday."
"Oh, very well, Mollie, I won't urge Bab to come with us, then; though Ican't understand why you don't want her along. I shall be glad when youexplain the mystery to me," Ruth concluded.
"That is why I wish to drive over with you. Sh! Aunt Sallie is coming.Don't say anything before her."
"Ruth," explained Mollie, as the three girls were hurrying towardPittsfield in their motor car, "I want to tell you why I did not wish Babto come along with us to the hospital for Eunice. I don't know what youand Grace may think of me; but I intend to try an experiment."
"An experiment, Mollie!" Grace exclaimed. "What experiment do you intendto try?"
"Well girls," Mollie continued, "do you recall that Bab went driving, afew days ago, with Reginald Latham, Mr. Winthrop Latham and Aunt Sallie?"
Ruth and Grace both nodded.
"And you remember Bab said she was going to discover, on that drive, whatconnection Eunice had with the Latham family?"
"Yes," Grace assented. "Do hurry on to the point of your story."
"No; you must hear it all over again," Mollie protested. "I want you andRuth to remember just exactly the story Bab told us. Reginald Latham didnot wish the subject of Eunice mentioned before his uncle, because Mr.Winthrop Latham's oldest brother had married an Indian girl. It seems thebrother met the Indian girl while he was studying the history of theIndians in this neighborhood; so he just married her without mentioningthe fact to his family. Of course the Lathams, who were very rich andvery distinguished, were heart-broken over the marriage. And I guessedthey were not any too good to the poor little Indian woman, when Mr.William Latham brought her back to his home to live. As soon as herhusband died, she ran away to her own people. When Mr. Winthrop Lathamtried to find her some time afterwards, to give her her husband'sproperty, it seems that the Indian wife was dead. At any rate Reginalddeclares this to be the case. From that day to this, the Latham familynever speak of anything that even relates to Indians." Mollie ended herspeech in a slightly scornful tone.
"Why, Mollie, don't you think that is a good enough explanation ofReginald Latham's attitude toward Eunice?" Ruth asked.
"I most certainly do not!" Miss Mollie replied. "And how do you explainthe Indian squaw's feeling against the name of Latham?"
"Oh, Bab told us, Reginald explained all that to her, too. It seems thatthe Indians in this vicinity believed poor little Mrs. Latham had beenpersecuted by her husband's family. So, if this old squaw ever heard thestory, Latham would be an evil name to her," Grace put in.
Mistress Mollie shrugged her shoulders. "I think that story is veryunlikely. But, maybe, you believe it, just as Bab did. All I ask of youis--just be on the look-out to-day! I have been doing a little detectivework myself. I do not agree with Bab's explanation. I told you I wasgoing to try an experiment, and I want you to help me. Then maybe, I canconvince you, Bab, and Aunt Sallie of something that I believe! I am sureour little Indian Eunice has a closer connection with the Latham familythan any of you dream!"
"Dear me, but you are interesting, Mollie!" interrupted Ruth. "I have asuspicion of what you mean. But go ahead, little Miss Sherlock Holmes! Weare with you to the end. We shall be delighted to render any humbleassistance necessary to your detective work."
"I only want you to watch developments this afternoon, girls!" Mollieasserted mysteriously. "Later on, there may be some real work for us todo. So far, I have planned everything myself."
"Well, Mollie, you are a nice one!" laughed Grace. "Kindly 'put us on,'as the saying goes. What have you planned?"
"Nothing but a meeting between Eunice and Mr. Winthrop Latham," Mollieresponded. "We are to take Eunice to the hotel to spend the day with us.She will be looking her best in the lovely clothes Ruth sent to her. Andshe has grown almost fair from her weeks in the hospital. Mr. WinthropLatham is to have tea with us this afternoon. I asked Aunt Sallie toinvite nobody but him. I shall bring Eunice quietly in, introduce her toMr. Latham: then we shall see what happens! I did not wish to tell Bab myplan," Mollie continued, "because she might make me give it up. But Ibelieve Aunt Sallie agrees with me, though she did give me a scolding forhaving a suspicious nature! She declared, this morning, that it would bevery well to have Mr. Winthrop Latham see Eunice. So just let's wait, andwatch with all our eyes this afternoon."
"Bully for your experiment, Mollie!" nodded Grace. Ruth bowed her head toshow how fully she agreed with both of the girls.
A pretty hospital nurse brought Eunice out to Ruth's motor car. The childhad on a soft ecru dress, cut low at the throat and simply made. She worea brown coat, lined with scarlet, and a big brown felt hat with a scarfknotted loosely around it.
And Eunice looked very lovely! Her hair was braided in two plaits, tiedwith soft scarlet ribbons. Her eyes were big and black with theexcitement of entering a strange world. Her complexion was now only alittle darker than olive. Her cheeks were like two scarlet flames.
Eunice hugged Mollie close, once she was seated in the automobile. Whenthe big car started, she laughed gleefully, clapping her hands as shecried. "It is truly a red bird, that carries us on its wings!" Sheremembered what Ruth had told her.
"Always Eunice has longed for wings like the birds!" Eunice whisperedsoftly to Mollie. "Now, behold! We are almost flying!"
"Look overhead, Mollie, Eunice, Ruth!" called Grace suddenly.
The four girls looked up.
A great white object sailed above them.
Eunice clutched Mollie. "Is it the great white spirit, my grandmother hastold me about?" she inquired.
"Oh, that is Reginald Latham in his airship," Mollie explained to Grace."He said the rudder of Mr. Latham's balloon had been mended. He meant totry some short flights to see if it was all right."
"But I do not understand!" Eunice protested. "Is a man riding on thatgreat, great big bird?"
"Yes, Eunice," Mollie assented. "But that object above our heads is anairship, not a bird."
"Then I wish to ride in an airship," Eunice murmured. "It flies up in theair like a real bird. This car runs only along the earth." The child wasno longer impressed with the automobile. Reginald Latham's airship wasthe most marvelous thing she had ever beheld.
After arriving at their hotel "The Automobile Girls" showed Euniceeverything they could find to amuse her. They rode up and down with herin the elevator. They gave her a peep into the hotel's splendid receptionrooms. Poor little Eunice was in a daze! She wandered about like a childin a dream. Every now and then she would ask Mollie some question inregard to Reginald Latham's airship. She had not forgotten it.
Miss Stuart wisely had luncheon served in the private sitting-room. Shedid not think it best for Eunice to be seen by so many people; besides,she did not know how Eunice would behave at the table.
To Miss Sallie's unspeakable relief the child had learned at the hospitalto eat with a knife and fork. Her manners were those of a frightenedchild. She was neither noisy nor vulgar.
"The child is certainly an enigma!" Miss Stuart said to herself, half adozen times during the morning. "Wha
t the doctor says is true! The childis almost refined. It is marvelous! In spite of her ignorance, she doesnothing to offend one!"
After luncheon, Miss Stuart noticed that Eunice looked white andexhausted. The scarlet color had faded from her cheeks and lips. Thelittle girl was not strong enough for so much excitement after her recentillness.
"Mollie," Miss Sallie suggested, about half-past two o'clock, "takeEunice to your room. Give her a dressing gown, and see that she rests foran hour or so. You may stay with the child, Mollie, for fear she may befrightened, but you other girls keep away. The child is worn out. Mollie,you may bring her back to us at tea-time."
Mollie agreed. She guessed that Miss Sallie was furthering her idea aboutthe experiment.
"Remember, Bab, you have promised me to be here at tea-time," Molliereminded her sister.
"Certainly, I shall be here, Mollie. Did you think I was going away?"
Mollie then took Eunice away to lie down.
The child was so tired she soon fell asleep on Mollie's bed.
Mollie sat thinking quietly by the darkened window. She had taken a deepfancy to little Eunice, who had seemed to cling to her since their firststrange meeting.
Barbara and Mollie Thurston were both unusually thoughtful girls. Theirmother's devoted companions for years, their poverty had made themunderstand more of life. Mollie realized it would not do for Eunice togrow up ignorant and wild, with only her old grandmother for a companion.The little Indian was already thirsting for a different life. And, someday, the grandmother would die. What would then become of Eunice?
A little before four o'clock Eunice awakened, having slept nearly twohours. She was refreshed and happy again.
Mollie made Eunice bathe her face. She herself fixed the child's hair,now smooth and glossy from the care that the nurses at the hospital hadgiven to it.
"We will go back to see our friends now, Eunice," explained Mollie.
Eunice nodded. "It is wonderful here where you live!" she declared."Sometimes I think I have dreamed of people like you and your friends. Ithink I have seen things like what you have here in this house. But howcould I dream of what I knew nothing?"
Mollie shook her head thoughtfully. "Eunice, dear, you will have to ask awiser person than I am about your dreams. Who knows what may be storedaway in that little head of yours? Come, dear, let us put your gold chainon the outside of your dress. There can be no harm in that. I think MissSallie, the lady with the white hair, would like to look at it."
Eunice, who had a girl's fancy for pretty ornaments, was glad to haveMollie pull the chain out from under her dress. The curious, beautifulornament shone glittering and lovely against the light background formedby the child's dress.
"Wait for me here, Eunice," requested Mollie. "I want to go into theother room for a minute."
Mollie peeped inside the sitting-room door.
Mr. Winthrop Latham was cosily drinking his tea in the best of humor. Hehad a decided liking for Miss Stuart and her "Automobile Girls."
Bab was joking with Mr. Latham as she plied him with sandwiches andcakes.
For half a minute Mollie's heart misgave her. She was afraid to try herexperiment.
The Cup in Mr. Latham's Hand Trembled.]
"Good gracious!" she thought, finally, "what possible harm can it do Mr.Winthrop Latham to look at poor, pretty little Eunice? If the child meansnothing to him, he will not even notice her. If she turns out to be thechild I believe she is, why, then--then--it is only right that her uncle,Mr. Winthrop Latham, should know of her existence."
"Come, now, Eunice!" cried Mollie. "Come into the sitting-room with me.The girls have some pretty cakes and sweet things they are saving foryou."
Mollie took Eunice's hand. The two girls were nearly of the same size andage. They quietly walked into the sitting-room.
"Where is 'Automobile Girl' number four?" Mollie heard Mr. Latham ask,just as the two girls entered the room.
"Here I am!" Mollie replied.
Mr. Latham glanced up. His ruddy face turned white as chalk.
Mollie never took her eyes from Mr. Latham's face. Miss Stuart, Bab,Grace and Ruth stared at him.
But Mr. Latham did not notice any one of them. His jaw dropped. The cupin his hand trembled. Still he did not speak.
Barbara broke the silence. "Mr. Latham, are you ill?" she asked. "May Itake your teacup from you?"
Mr. Latham shook his head. He continued to gaze steadily at Eunice.
Little Eunice was frightened by the strange man's stare. She trembled.Her rosebud lips quivered. Tears rolled down her cheeks.
"Come to me, Eunice," Ruth called comfortingly. "See the candies I havebeen saving for you! Mr. Latham, this is the little Indian girl who washurt. You remember that we have spoken of her before?"
"Will some one take the child away?" Mr. Latham asked, brokenly.
Mollie led Eunice back to her bedroom. Then she hurried in again torejoin the others.
"Miss Stuart, I owe you and your girls an explanation for my strangeconduct," Mr. Latham declared. "I feel, this afternoon, that I have seena ghost! I do not understand this Indian child's likeness to my deadsister-in-law. I must seek an explanation somewhere. This little Euniceis the living image of my brother's Indian wife--the poor girl whom ourcruelty drove from our home back to the tents of her own people to die. Iwas told that her little child died with her. There is a mystery herethat must be solved. If this little girl is the daughter of my brotherand his Indian wife, one-half of my fortune belongs to her."
"Mr. Latham," Miss Stuart quietly interrupted him, "this Indian child hasan old grandmother who will be able to tell you whether this child hasany connection with you. I have always thought there must be someexplanation. The squaw has kept the child hidden for a purpose."
"You are right, Miss Stuart," Mr. Latham interrupted. "You tell me thischild's name is Eunice? Eunice was the name of my brother's wife. It isalso the Christian name for the female Indians of a certain tribe, butthere is little doubt, in my mind, of this girl's identity. The goldchain about her throat was my brother's gift to his wife. That chain hasthe story of my brother's love and courtship engraved on it in Indiancharacters. But I am too much upset to discuss the matter any furtherto-day. When can I see the Indian grandmother?"
"To-morrow," Miss Stuart replied quietly. "I would not advise you todelay."
"Will you go with me to see her at ten o'clock to-morrow morning, MissStuart?" queried Mr. Latham.
"Certainly," Miss Sallie agreed.
"I beg of you then not to mention what has taken place in this room thisafternoon," Mr. Latham urged. "When we know the truth in regard to thischild it will be time to tell the strange story. Good-bye until to-morrowmorning."
"Mollie," Bab cried as soon as the door closed on Mr. Latham, "Isurrender. And I humbly beg your pardon. You are a better detective thanI am. What is the discovery of the Boy Raffles compared with yourbringing to light the family history of poor little Eunice! Just think,instead of being a poor, despised Indian girl, Eunice is heiress to alarge fortune."
"Then you believe in me now, Bab!" Mollie rejoined. "I have alwaysthought Eunice was in some way connected with the Latham family."
"Girls," Miss Stuart cautioned quietly, "when you take Eunice to hergrandmother, at Naki's house, say nothing. Remember, you are to speak tono one of what happened this afternoon."