CHAPTER XV Expiation
A few days later the Camp Fire guardian drove over to the hotel nearby,accompanied only by Mr. Jefferson Simpson.
Bettina had offered to go with her, but she had announced that shepreferred going alone.
This was curious because the one thing Mrs. Burton had made a point of,ever since the arrival of her Camp Fire party in Arizona, was that she beallowed to remain as inconspicuous as possible. And, if she wished nobodyto find out who she was, she had certainly to remain in obscurity.
To appear at a fashionable hotel filled with Eastern tourists was toproclaim her identity, since the greater number of them would assuredlybe familiar with her appearance, knowing her by reputation if not havingactually seen her act.
But Mrs. Burton was too worried to consider small, personal annoyances.Then she had a fashion of acting suddenly, having no very great patiencewith the things that displeased her.
For the last few days the atmosphere of the Sunrise camp had not been anagreeable one. However, the trouble was not with the Camp Fire girls,they being only incidental; the difficulty was a family one, which is ofall varieties the most trying. And Mrs. Burton had been away from her ownfamily so much of the time that she had almost forgotten how wrought upone can become over comparatively small matters, when they affect one'sown people.
In the first place, for several days Peggy Webster had been entirelyunlike herself, without giving the least reason for her sudden changefrom her natural buoyancy to a condition of gravity and depression.
More annoying, she insisted that she was not depressed. When Mrs. Burtonand Bettina frankly told her that they did not believe her assertion;nevertheless she would take neither one of them into her confidence.
Afterwards when Mrs. Burton insisted that Peggy was not well and musthave suffered from her fall and so should see a doctor, Peggy flatlydeclined to see one. However, Peggy's refusal did not affect her aunt.
One of the errands which brought her to the hotel was to call upon thehotel physician and make an appointment with him to come over to theircamp.
Personally, Mrs. Burton was hurt by Peggy's behavior. She cared for Peggymore than for anybody in the world, except her husband and sister andperhaps her beloved girlhood friend, Betty Graham.
If anything troubled Peggy, either mentally or physically, her aunt didnot understand why she would not confide in her. Ordinarily theyunderstood each other perfectly, so that even when they disagreed and hadsmall fallings out, their estrangements never lasted more than an hour orso.
But the expression in her niece's face had recently troubled PollyBurton. She could not endure the thought of Peggy being ill or unhappy.If there was anything in the world that Peggy desired, which she couldpossibly obtain for her, she would have traveled to the end of the worldto secure it. And this Peggy knew. Nevertheless she had been going aboutcamp for the last few days doing her ordinary tasks, walking and drivingwith the other girls, but always with an expression that was not Peggy's.
Instead of her usual, frank, clear look of happiness and goodcomradeship, she had a hurt, almost an abashed expression, as if life hadsomehow suddenly made her feel less sure of its justice and sincerity.
Yet, there was no trouble between Peggy and any one of the Camp Firegirls. Besides being more generally popular than any other member of thegroup, Bettina had made every effort to discover if a difficulty hadarisen and could find no trace of one.
Over the other family matter which was disturbing both her mother andaunt, Peggy could not be worrying, because she had scolded and laughed atboth of them, insisting that they were making too much of nothing.
Billy's affairs were always involved in more or less mystery, and Billyadored mystery. The fact that he was disappearing every day and refusingto tell any one where he went, or what he was doing, did not make anyparticular impression upon his sister. Peggy really believed that Billyon most occasions behaved in this fashion in order to create anexcitement of which he could be the center.
However, this time at least, his mother and aunt were under a differentimpression. Mrs. Webster was nearly sick with annoyance and anxiety overBilly's obstinacy and what she considered his reckless behavior.
After being an invalid for several months and refusing to exert himselfin order to regain his strength, he had suddenly announced that he wasentirely well and able to do whatever he wished. At present thisconsisted on going away from Sunrise camp early each morning and oftennot returning until bedtime. When he did come in he was usuallyexhausted, but he must have recovered during the night, since he was ableto start out again next day.
Nevertheless, Billy looked very frail and young, and whatever his mothermay have felt, Mrs. Burton had wished a number of times lately that hewas small enough to lock up in a dark bedroom, like a wilful small boy.
She did not happen to possess a dark bedroom at camp, but then factsnever interfered with the sweep of Mrs. Burton's imagination.
She had talked to Billy a number of times, begging and commanding him notto continue to worry his mother and at least to tell her where he wasspending his time. But, although Billy was very sweet and apologetic,begging them both not to be uncomfortable over him, and saying that hewould certainly tell what he was doing if he could, he did not takeanybody into his confidence, nor did he cease to make dailydisappearances.
Even Vera Lageloff was not told of his plans, and if she had anysuspicion, she must have been pledged to silence, since she nevermentioned it.
Today, as Mr. Simpson stopped her carriage in front of the great hotel,Mrs. Burton had about reached the conclusion that she was not so unhappyover having no children of her own, as she had always believed herself tobe. However, if she was going to take her nephews and niece so seriously,after all what was she being spared?
So far as Peggy was concerned she was unhappy over her, but not angry. Noone could be seriously angry for long with Peggy. But, with Billy, Mrs.Burton's point of view was a totally different one. He was too young tobe a law unto himself, if there was ever an age when one had the right tobe. Personally she had no idea of enduring his obstinate attitude, orbeing responsible for what he might be doing.
There was one person whose authority Billy would be obliged to respect,and that was his father's. Mrs. Burton had not mentioned her intention toher sister, but she was now on her way to telegraph him. Would he come tothem, or was Billy to be sent home?
In spite of her absorption in family affairs she was annoyed, as sheapproached the hotel, to find the front veranda crowded with tourists.
If only she could make way through them without being observed!
Certainly Polly Burton appreciated the fact that she was neither a verybeautiful or impressive person to behold, and that, except for herreputation as a celebrated actress, she would never be annoyed with undueobservation. But one had to take into consideration the fact that one'sface had appeared on billboards in nearly every large city in the countryand that people were not blind and also possessed memories. Moreover,although Mrs. Burton was not herself aware of it, the power of herpersonality and great gift were evident in her appearance. If one lookedat her closely she would hold your interest and attention as nostatuesquely beautiful person ever could.
Mrs. Burton was dressed quietly in a brown cloth suit, such as anytraveler would have worn. Nevertheless she saw people staring and heardthem whispering to one another as she walked up on the porch.
The next instant a young man came toward her. It was Ralph Marshall.
"Is there anything I can do for you, Mrs. Burton?" he inquired.
Polly nodded emphatically.
"Yes; do get me out of this crowd and into a quiet place where I canattend to some things I have come here for, before anybody speaks to me,"she urged. "I have so much on my mind at present that if I am asked tobehave like a distinguished character should, even for an instant, I amsure to disgrace myself and my profession."
The
next moment she and Ralph had found a small, deserted parlor towardthe back of the hotel.
"Is there anything more I can do to be of service?" he inquired.
Mrs. Burton looked relieved.
"Why, yes, Ralph, there are several things, if you are not too busy togive me some of your time," she returned.
Ralph shook his head. "No; I am not busy," he answered, with aninflection the older woman did not notice.
"Then will you find the hotel physician for me. Peggy isn't well and Iwish him to come over to see her at the camp."
For a moment Ralph Marshall hesitated and seemed about to say something,but instead turned and walked slowly out of the room. At the door,however, he paused.
"I'll find out and be back in a few moments," he returned.
He remained away longer, but Mrs. Burton was hardly aware of it. She wasthinking too deeply. Now, that she had arrived at the door of herdecision and was ready to open it, she had half an idea of turning back.
To telegraph her brother-in-law that Billy was being difficult to handlemeant the end of Billy's stay in the West. And, like a good many otherpersons with tempers, Mrs. Burton was ridiculously tender hearted.
Billy greatly needed the change of climate and the life outdoors he hadbeen leading. He was too frail and was lately growing into a tall,delicate reed of a boy, as unlike the ordinary boy as it was possible forone of them to be.
But, with all his obstinacies and peculiarities Polly Burton knew thatshe was more interested in him than she was in Dan, who was moresatisfactory in every way and never troublesome.
Then suddenly, sitting alone here in the small hotel parlor, she recalleda circumstance of her own life. For an entire year she had made a secretof her own acts, indeed of her own whereabouts, hiding the knowledge fromher friends and from her family, excepting only her mother, in order thatshe might accomplish her desire without criticism.
She had wanted to learn to act and had felt that she could go through thediscipline she needed with a better courage if she had neither assistancenor advice. And she had been right.
Now could it be possible that at the present time Billy was beingobstinate and secretive for some reason which he felt was justifiable? Inall probability he was mistaken; but, even so, had one not better allowhim a little more liberty? Billy had done a number of extraordinarythings in his life and also a number of wrong ones; but to explain themhe always had some queer theory of his own which he had seriously workedout. He did not act impulsively and he was as clean and as spirituallygallant as a seraph.
Nevertheless, Mrs. Burton had not reached a decision when Ralph Marshallre-entered the room. For there was always her Sister Mollie's peace ofmind to be considered, and the danger that Billy with his absurd ideasmight get himself into real trouble.
"The doctor will be here to speak to you in about five minutes, Mrs.Burton, if you can wait so long," Ralph reported, taking a chair nearher.
He looked so unlike his usual self that, for the first time since theirmeeting, his companion's attention was arrested.
Ordinarily Ralph Marshall had a debonair air of self-satisfaction andhappiness, as if he were pleased with himself and with the world'spleasure in him--at least his own world, for few of us ever think farbeyond it. He was not disagreeable or half so inane as this ideasuggests. For the facts were that Ralph Marshall was handsome, charming,and extremely rich. He had always had everything he wished without makingthe least effort to obtain it. People had always seemed to like him, andgirls and women had undeniably spoiled him. So it was not extraordinarythat he had a fairly amiable opinion of himself.
However, today Ralph's face wore another expression; instead of appearingpleased he looked extremely out of sorts with himself, and witheverything and everybody.
"Is Peggy very ill?" he asked, endeavoring to speak with carelesspoliteness, but finding himself coloring as he put the conventionalquestion.
Mrs. Burton shook her head.
"No; Peggy says there is nothing the matter, and perhaps she is right. Itis only that I am absurdly uneasy when there is the least change in her.Recently she has not looked very well and has not been so agreeable asshe ordinarily is. There does not seem anything else I think of as anexplanation, except that she is ill."
Ralph did not flush a second time, but instead had an unexpected sense ofwell being. At least he had been right in his estimate of Peggy Webster.Whatever he might be himself she was the real thing. Evidently not a wordof betrayal of him and his treatment of her had passed her lips. Peggyknew that he valued Mrs. Burton's and her mother's friendship, and thathe would have been placed in an uncomfortable position with his ownfamily, if they had ceased their friendly attitude toward him.
"What is the matter with you, Ralph?" Mrs. Burton inquired unexpectedly.
This was his opportunity, nevertheless Ralph evaded it.
"Oh, I have had a disagreeable letter from the governor," he answered."Every once and a while father gets down on me and writes that he willcast me off with the proverbial penny, if I don't find out what kind ofwork I want to do and start at it. Sometimes it isn't an easy job to bethe only son of a self-made man. When a man thinks he has made himself heis apt to think he can make everybody else do his way."
"Do you hate the thought of work so much, Ralph?" Mrs. Burton queried.
She did not speak in a disagreeable fashion, merely in a questioning one.
And Ralph Marshall found himself fascinated, watching the color andwarmth in her face.
"Do you know I am awfully sorry for people who feel in that way. I don'tsuppose you can realize this while you are young, but, as one growsolder, doing one's work is half the joy of living. Still, I don't mean topreach. I believe the girls say, the fact that I don't is my chief valueas a Camp Fire guardian."
"I wish you would preach to me," Ralph answered, "or at least let me talkto you. Because a fellow does not say anything, you need not think hedoes not realize what a wonderful person you are! It must be great to befamous and to know you have done it all yourself. As for me, it isn'tthat I hate work. I don't know anything about it. The difficulty isgetting down to finding out what I want to do."
Polly Burton nodded, just as Polly O'Neill would have done, with a quicklook of understanding.
"Sometimes it is hard luck being born rich, Ralph. But I wouldn't let itbe too much for me, if I were you. Start at anything that comes your wayand afterwards you'll find the right thing. Do you mind my quotingsomething to you? You see it is my business to repeat what other peoplewrite."
Ralph did not seem to think acquiescence on his part necessary.
This was the first conversation he had ever held alone with Mrs. Burtonand he was entirely under the spell of her personal charm. And yet itseemed extraordinary to him that so great a personage could be so simpleand unaffected.
Mrs. Burton also took his agreement for granted, for she went on:
"I learned the verse for Billy's and Dan's delectation, but I am tryingit first on you. I don't suppose you have read an extraordinary butuncomfortable book called 'The Spoon River Anthology?'"
Mrs. Burton naturally made no effort at recitation, which, under thecircumstances, would have been ridiculous. She merely repeated the verseas any one else would have done, except that it was impossible for her tochange the beautiful quality of her voice.
"My boy, wherever you are, Work for your soul's sake, That all the clay of you, all the dross of you, May yield to the fire of you, Till the fire is nothing but light! Nothing but light!"
To his amazement Ralph Marshall felt tears in his eyes.
"Mrs. Burton, I want to tell you something," he announced as unexpectedlyto himself as to her.
Then, without attempting in any way to exonerate himself, Ralph Marshalltold the story of his wager and the effort he had made to win Peggy'sliking, in order to gratify his own vanity.
"It is a nice sensation to find you are a cad, Mrs. Burton, and that thegirl you have more respect and more liking for
than any other you haveever known thinks so too. Besides, I have recently been informed of thefact by Howard Brent and, as I happened to agree with his judgment of me,I couldn't very well argue the question with him to my own satisfaction."
"No," Mrs. Burton replied, "you couldn't well argue a fact."
She was extremely angry with Ralph herself as he told his story.
She would have been scornful in any case, but that he should have chosenPeggy as his game was a little more than her spirit could endure.
But a few moments later she was really sorry for her companion.
Ralph attempted no apology, or excused himself by extenuatingcircumstances.
"Oh well, Ralph, you need not look as if you had committed all the crimesin the calendar. All of us fall from grace now and then; only, if I wereyou, I wouldn't chose this kind again."
Mrs. Burton had risen from her chair.
"I can't wait for that tiresome doctor any longer. I think I want to senda telegram, although I am actually not yet sure."
Her lips twitched with a slightly whimsical grimace at herself. But RalphMarshall had scarcely noticed her words or her expression.
"Do you think there is anything I can do to make up in any way, Mrs.Burton?" he asked. "Of course, I don't expect Peggy to have faith in meor care for my friendship again. But I would like to be of some serviceto one of you, principally for my own self-respect," he added. "But, ofcourse, there is nothing I can do. I am not much good because Peggyactually saved me from falling the other day, when it should have beenthe other way round."
Mn. Burton was thinking quickly, as she usually did.
"There is a favor you can do for me, Ralph; I have just thought of it,"she answered. "I know I can trust you to keep what you find out a secret,and Peggy will appreciate it as well. Don't allow yourself to think that,because you were capable of doing one ugly thing, you are capable ofcontinuing to do them. That impression has ruined many a human being.
"My extremely trying nephew, Billy Webster, has lately turned himselfinto a mystery. I think his mother and I have the right to know where hegoes each day and what he is doing. He refuses to tell us. If you willfind out and not speak of it, except to me, I don't think it will beplaying unfair with Billy, and it may save us all a good deal. But I'lltry to have a talk with the young man tonight, to persuade him to confidein me. In any case will you come over to camp early in the morning,Ralph? I won't telegraph--at least I won't telegraph today. I'll leave amessage at the desk for the doctor."
But, at this instant, the hotel physician entered the room.