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IN THE ONYX LOBBY
BY CAROLYN WELLS
_Author of "The Man Who Fell Through the Earth," "The Room With theTassels," "Faulkner's Folly," etc._
NEW YORK GEORGE H. DORAN COMPANY
COPYRIGHT, 1920, BY GEORGE H. DORAN COMPANY
PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
CONTENTS
I SUCH A FEUD!
II A TRICKY GAME
III THE SCRAWLED MESSAGE
IV THE BUSY POLICE
V WHO WERE THE WOMEN?
VI THE LITTLE DINNER
VII ENLIGHTENING INTERVIEWS
VIII JULIA BAXTER
IX THE LIBRARY SET
X SEEK THE WOMEN
XI THE OLD FEUD
XII ONE WOMAN AND ANOTHER
XIII MOTIVES
XIV PENNY WISE
XV AND ZIZI
XVI TESTIMONY
XVII A WOMAN SCORNED
XVIII FITTED TO A T
IN THE ONYX LOBBY
CHAPTER I
Such a Feud!
"Well, by the Great Catamaran! I think it's the most footle business Iever heard of! A regulation, clinker-built, angle-iron, sunk-hingefamily feud, carried on by two women! Women! conducting a feud! Theymight as well conduct a bakery!"
"I daresay they could do even that! Women have been known to bake--witha fair degree of success!"
"Of course, of course,--but baking and conducting a bakery are notidentical propositions. Women are all right, in their place,--which, bythe way, is not necessarily in the home,--but a family feud, of allthings, calls for masculine management and skill."
Sir Herbert Binney stood by the massive mantelpiece in the ornateliving-room of the Prall apartment. The Campanile Apartment House cameinto being with the century, and though its type was now superseded bythe plain, flat stucco of the newer buildings, yet it haughtily flauntedits elaborate facade and its deeply embrasured windows with the pride ofan elder day. Its onyx lobby, lined with massive pillars, had once beenthe talk of the neighborhood, and the black and white tessellated floorof the wide entrance hall was as black and as white as ever.
The location, between the Circle and the Square,--which is to say,between Columbus Circle and Times Square, in the City of New York,--hadceased to be regarded as the pick of the householders, though stillcalled the heart of the city. People who lived there were continuallyexplaining the reason for their stay, or moving across town.
But lots of worthwhile people yet tarried, and among them were none moreso than certain dwellers in The Campanile.
Miss Letitia Prall, lessee of the mantelpiece already referred to, was aspinster, who, on dress parade, possessed dignity and poise quitecommensurate with the quality of her home.
But in the shelter of her own fireside, she allowed herself latitude ofspeech and even loss of temper when she felt the occasion justified it.And any reference to or participation in the famous feud was suchjustification.
Her opponent in the deadly strife was one Mrs Everett, also an occupantof The Campanile, and equally earnest in prolonging the life and energyof the quarrel.
Sir Herbert Binney, an Englishman, knighted since the war, had come toAmerica in the interests of its own business, no less an enterprise thanthe establishment of an American branch of the great and well-known"Binney's Buns."
Celebrated in England, he hoped and expected to make the admirable bunsequally popular over here, and trusted to his engaging personality aswell as his mercantile acumen to accomplish this purpose.
Not exactly related to Miss Prall, Sir Herbert was connected by themarriage of a relative. That is, his stepbrother's son, one RichardBates, was also the son of Miss Prall's sister. This young gentleman,who, by the way, lived with his Aunt Letitia, was another reason for SirHerbert's presence in New York. He had thought that if this nephewshowed the right sort of efficiency he could be set to manage theAmerican branch, or, at least, have a hand in the management.
And so, Binney of "Binney's Buns" had established himself in one of thesmaller suites of The Campanile, had had his living-room repapered tohis taste, had made arrangements for his proper service, and wascomfortably domiciled.
The fly in his ointment was that young Bates didn't take at all kindlyto the Bun proposition. For the chap was of an inventive turn, and hadalready secured patents for some minor accessories and improvementsconnected with aeroplanes. Without parents or fortune of his own,Richard Bates was dependent, so far, on the generosity of his AuntPrall, which, though judicious, was sufficient for his bodily welfare.But Bates was ambitious, and desired large sums with which to carry onhis inventions, certain that they, in turn, would repay a thousandfold.
As the only legal heir of both aunt and uncle, and with utmost faith inhis own powers of success, Richard requested, almost, indeed, demandedadvance on his inheritance, sufficient at least to put over his presentgreat piece of work, which was expected to prove of decided value inaeronautic plans.
But such advances were positively refused; by Miss Prall, becauseRichard declined to accede to an accompanying condition, and by UncleBinney, because he wanted his nephew for his Buns.
The recipe for the famous buns was of an age and tradition that made ita historical document in England, and, as yet unattained in thiscountry, it was sought for by bakers and bunners of repute. But it wasnot for sale. Sir Herbert Binney would establish Binney's Buns inAmerica, and all good Americans could eat thereof, but sell the recipeto some rival bakeshop he would not. This state of things had madenecessary much parley and many important meetings of Baking Powers.Among these were the great Crippen's Cake Company, the Vail BreadConcern, the Popular Popovers and others of sufficient importance to geta hearing.
Genial and good-natured, Sir Herbert met them all, discussed theiroffers and reserved decision. He did not say, even to himself, that hewas waiting on the will of one young man,--but, practically, that wasthe truth. If Bates would give up his fool inventing, and take hold ofthe Buns in earnest, Sir Herbert would put him through with bells on,would make him heir of the Buns and all the great English propertiesthat the Buns possessed, and would do all in his power to make the lifeof young Bates a bed of choicest roses.
But Richard Bates had all the obstinacy and stubbornness of the borninventor. He knew he couldn't devote to Bun business a brain teemingwith new notions for the furtherance of scientific attainment. And hewas too honest and honorable to accept the Bun proposition and then turnto aeronautics on the side. Nor was a side issue of sufficientimportance to satisfy his hunger for his own chosen work. He knew hecould put up the goods that he had in mind, if he could only get thepresently needed money for his experiments and models. If he could butmake either uncle or aunt agree to his views, he could, later, selecthis own roses for his bed of life.
But Sir Herbert was as obstinate as his nephew and Miss Letitia Prallmore so than either of them.
Her unflinching and persistent adherence to her decisions was clearlyshown in the matter of the long continued feud. Not every woman couldmeet an opponent frequently and casually for twenty years or so, andpursue an even tenor of enmity.
In the same social circles, Miss Prall and Mrs Everett attended the sameteas, luncheons and bridge parties, yet never deviated one jot or onetittle from their original inimical attitude.
Never, or at least, very rarely, were there sharp words in the presenceof others, but there were scathing silences, slighting inattentions andeven venomous looks that could not pass unseen.
r /> In fact, they carried on their feud after what would doubtless beconceded by connoisseurs the most approved methods.
And, indeed, after twenty years' experience it would be strange if thetwo ladies had not attained proficiency in the pursuit of quarreling asa fine art. Not always had they lived under the same roof. The Feud hadbegun when they were denizens of a small country town, and, fostered inthat nourishing atmosphere, had attained its proportions gradually butsteadily.
When circumstances took them to the city to live, and, as if afraid theunsociability of town life might interfere with their hobby, theFeudists acquired homes in two of the most desirable apartments of TheCampanile.
Miss Prall, tall, spare and with the unmistakable earmarks ofspinsterhood, directed her menage with the efficiency and capability ofa general. She was nicknamed among her friends, the Grenadier, and herstrong character and aggressive manner made the description an apt one.
Her one weakness was her adored nephew. As an orphaned infant, left toMiss Letitia a bequest from the dying mother, he had been immediatelyadopted into the child-hungry heart of the old maid and had held andstrengthened his position throughout the years until, at twenty-five, hewas the apple of one of her eyes, even as her precious feud was theapple of the other.
But hers was no doting, misguided affection. Miss Prall had brought upher nephew, as she did everything else, with wisdom and sound judgment.
To her training the young Richard owed many of his most admirable traitsand much of his force of character. No man could have more successfullyinstilled into a boy's heart the fundamental requisites for truemanliness, and only on rare occasions had his aunt's doting hearttriumphed over her wise head in the matter of reproof or punishment.
And now, this upstart uncle, as Miss Prall considered him, had come overhere from England, with all sorts of plans to take her boy from hischosen and desirable life work and set him to making buns!
Buns,--Binney's Buns! for her gifted inventive genius!
This impending disaster together with a new and regrettable developmentaffecting the Feud had thrown Miss Prall into a state of nervousagitation quite foreign to her usual condition of calm superiority.
"Masculine management and skill!" she repeated, with a fine scorn;"because not every woman is fitted by nature and circumstances toconduct affairs of importance it does not follow that there are not somefeminine spirits with all the force and power of the other sex!"
"By gad, madam, that is true," and Sir Herbert watched the Grenadier asshe sat upright in her arm-chair, her fine head erect and her straightshoulders well back. "I apologize for my seeming slight to yourquarrelsome abilities, and I concede your will and strength to fightyour own battles. In fact, my sympathies are for your antagonist."
"Huh!" and Miss Prall looked at him sharply; for he had been known toexpress satirical sentiments under guise of suavity. "Don't waste yoursolicitude on her! She, too, is able to look out for herself."
"It would seem so, since she has taken part for twenty years in what isstill a drawn battle."
"Let up, Oldsters," laughed young Bates, coming breezily into the room."You know the main facts of the historic Feud, Uncle Herbert, and, takeit from me, sir, no amount of argument or advice on your part will help,or in any way affect it. Aunt Letty will eat up your talk, and thenfloor you with----"
"Floor me! I think not! Binney, of Binney's Buns, is not of thefloorable variety."
"You say that because you haven't yet really met Auntie Let in thearena. Binney's Buns would cut no better figure than,--let us say,Crippen's Cakes."
"Crippen's Cakes! Do you know Crippen?"
"Does she!" and Richard Bates grinned; "why, the Cake Crippen is one ofAunt Letitia's old beaux,--might have been my uncle, if----"
"Hush, Richard!" said the aunt.
"If he hadn't also shined up to Mrs Everett, the rival faction." Richardwent on, with open relish of his aunt's discomfiture.
"Hush, Richard!" she said, again, and this time some veiled hintapparently was efficacious, for he changed the subject.
"I say, Uncle Herb, what about the Follies to-night? I've got a coupleof seats,--and I know your tastes----"
"Front row?"
"No; couldn't corral those,--but good ones, in the fourth."
"Nay, nay, Pauline. I don't see well enough to sit so far back. Usethose yourself, Richard,--take your aunt, here! But I'll find a seat inthe front row,--in some front row, if I have to buy their bloomin'theater to get it!"
"Good for you, Sir Herbert!" exclaimed Miss Prall, who admireddetermination wherever she met it. "I'll go with _you_. I like the frontrow, too."
"Sorry, madam, but I'm not taking guests." He winked at Richard.
"Naturally not," Miss Letitia sniffed. "I know why you want to goalone,--I know why you want the front row! You're going to attract achorus girl, and invite her to supper with you."
"Marvelous, Holmes, marvelous!" Sir Herbert exclaimed, with mockamazement. "I am surprised at your clairvoyance, ma'am, but deeplypained that you should know of and be so familiar with such goings on.Do you learn of that sort of thing from your nephew? Really, Richard,I'm amazed at you!"
"Nonsense, Uncle Bin, I passed through that stage long ago. I used togirl around in my callow days, but I got fed up with it, and now lifeholds more worthwhile temptations. It's an old story to auntie, too. Whyshe used to chaperon my giddiest parties,--bless her!"
Sir Herbert's sharp eyes looked from one of his companions to the other.
"You're a pair," he opined, "both tarred with the same brush."
"And the brush?" asked Miss Prall, belligerently.
"Modern sophistication and the present-day fad of belittling everythingthat is interesting or pleasurable."
"That mental phase is the inevitable result of worldly experience," saidthe lady, with a cynical smile. "How is it that you preserve suchyouthful interest?"
"Well--" and the Englishman looked a little quizzical, "you see, thegirls are still young."
"Very young," assented Bates, gravely. "There's a new bunch of Squabs atthe Gaynight Revue that'll do you up! Better buy that place out, Unkie!"
"Perhaps; but now, young Richard, let's discuss some more imminent, ifnot more important, questions. Say, Buns, for instance."
"Nothing doing. I've said my last word on the Bun subject, andif you persist in recurring to it, you'll only get that lastword over again,--repeated, reiterated, recapitulated and,--ifnecessary,--reenforced!"
"With some good, strong epithets, I suppose," remarked his uncle,calmly. "I don't blame you, Rick, for being bored by my persistency, butyou see I haven't yet given up all hope of making you see reason. Why Ido----"
"Well, when you do--what?"
"Time enough to answer that question when it's time to ask it. Instead,let me recount the advantages I can offer you----"
"Oh, Lord!--pardon my interrupting,--but that recounting is an oldstory, you know. Those advantages are as familiar to my wearied mind asmy own name,--or at least as yours,--and your precious Buns----"
"Stop, sir! Don't you speak slightingly of Binney's Buns! They wereeaten before you were born and will be eaten after you are dead andforgotten."
"Not forgotten if I put my invention over!"
"You'll never do it. Your success is problematical. The Buns are anassured fact. They were eaten before the war,--they will be eaten againnow that the war is over. They are eaten in England,--they will be eatenin America. If not with the help of your interest and energy, then withthat of some one else. Think well, my boy, before you throw away fameand fortune----"
"To acquire fame and fortune!"
"To strive for it and fail--for that is what you will do! You're ridingfor a fall, and you're going to get it!"
"Not if I can prevent it," Miss Prall interposed, in her low yetincisive tones. "I'm ready to back Ricky's prospects to the uttermost,if only--"
"If only what? What is this condition you impose on the lad? And whykeep it so secret? T
ell me, nephew, I'll let you in on the Buns in spiteof any blot on your scutcheon. What is it that troubles your aunt?"
"What always troubles her? What has spoiled and embittered her wholelife? Hardened her heart? Corroded her soul? What, but her oldridiculous, absurd, contemptible, damnable Feud!"
"There, there, my boy, remember your aunt is a lady, and suchexpressions are not permissible before her----"
"Pish! Tush!" snorted Miss Prall, who would not have herself objected tothat descriptive verb, since it gives the very impression she wanted toconvey, "If I did not permit such expressions Richard would not usethem, rest assured of that."
Bates smiled and lighted a fresh cigarette. These tilts between hiselders greatly amused him, they seemed so futile and inane, yet of suchdesperate interest to the participants.
"Then that's all right," Sir Herbert conceded. "Now, Richard, for thelast time, I offer you the chance to fall in with my wishes, to consentto my fondest desire, and attach yourself to my great, my reallystupendous enterprise. I want, with my whole soul, to keep Binney's Bunsin the family,--I want a worthy partner and successor, and one of my ownblood kin,--but, I can't force you into this agreement,--I can only urgeyou, with all the powers of my persuasion, to see it rightly, and torealize that your refusal will harm you more than any one else."
"I'll take a chance on that, Uncle Bin." Bates gave him a cheery smilethat irritated by its very carelessness.
"You'll lose, sir! You'll see the day that you'll wish you had taken upwith my offers. You'll regret, when it's too late----"
"Why, what's your alternative plan?"
"Aha! Interested, are you? Well, young sir, my alternative plan is tofind somebody with more common sense and good judgment than yourrattle-pated, pig-headed self! That's my alternative plan."
"Got anybody in view?"
"And if I have?"
"Go to it! Take my blessing, and stand not on the order of your going toit,--but skittle! You can't go too fast to suit me!"
"You're an impudent and disrespectful young rascal! Your bringing-up issadly at fault if it allows you to speak thus to your elders!"
"Oh, come off, Uncle Binney! You may be older than I in actual years,but you've got to hand it to me on the score of temperamentalsenescence! Why, you're a very kid in your enthusiasm for the halls ofdazzling light and all that in them is! So, and, by the way, old top, Imean no real disrespect, but I consider it a compliment to your youthand beauty to recognize it in a feeling of camaraderie andgood-fellowship. Are we on?"
"Yes, that's all right, son, but can't your good-fellowship extenditself to the Buns?"
"Nixy. Nevaire! Cut out all Bun talk, and I'm your friend and pardner.Bun, and you Bun alone!"
A long, steady gaze between the eyes of the young man and the old seemedto convince each of the immutability of this decision, and, with a deepsigh, the Bun promoter changed the subject.
"This Gayheart Review, now, Richard,----" he began.
"Don't consider the question settled, Sir Herbert," said Miss LetitiaPrall, with a note of anxiety in her voice, quite unusual to it. "Giveme a chance to talk to Ricky alone, and I feel almost certain I caninfluence his views."
"A little late in the day, ma'am," Binney returned, shortly. "I have analternative plan, but if I wait much longer to make use of it, theopportunity may be lost. Unless Richard changes his mind to-day, heneedn't change it at all,--so far as I am concerned."
"Going to organize a Bakery of ex-chorus girls?" asked Bates,flippantly. "Going to persuade them to throw in their fortunes withyours?"
A merry, even affectionate smile robbed this speech of all unpleasanteffect, and Sir Herbert smiled back.
"Not that," he returned; "I'd be ill fitted to attend to a bakerybusiness with a horde of enchanting damsels cavorting around the shop!No, chorus girls are all right in their place,--which is not in thehome, nor yet in a business office."
"That's true, and I take off my hat to you, Uncle, as a real livebusiness man, with his undivided attention on his work,--in businesshours,--and outside of those, his doings are nobody's business."
"With your leanings toward the fair sex, it's a wonder you nevermarried," observed Miss Prall, inquisitively.
"My leanings toward them in no way implies their leanings toward me,"returned the bachelor, his eyes twinkling. "And, moreover, a regard forone of the fair sex that would imply a thought of marriage with her,would be another matter entirely from a liking for the little stars ofthe chorus. To me they are not even individuals, they are merelynecessary parts of an entertaining picture. I care no more for them,personally, than for the orchestra that makes music for their dancingfeet, or for the stage manager who produces the setting for theirengaging gracefulness."
"That's so, Uncle," Bates agreed; "you're a stage Johnny, all right, butyou're no Lothario."
"Thank you, Son, such discriminating praise from Sir Hubert Stanley,makes me more than ever regret not having his association in my businessaffairs."
"Don't be too sure that you won't have him," Miss Prall temporized;"when does his time for decision expire?"
"To-night," said Sir Herbert, briefly, and at that, with a gesture ofbored impatience, Bates got up and went out.