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| author | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-15 04:34:34 -0700 |
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| committer | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-15 04:34:34 -0700 |
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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/10468-0.txt b/10468-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..4a5713e --- /dev/null +++ b/10468-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,5482 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 10468 *** + +AUNT JANE'S NIECES IN SOCIETY + +BY + +EDITH VAN DYNE + +1910 + + + + + + +LIST OF CHAPTERS + + +CHAPTER + + I UNCLE JOHN'S DUTY + II A QUESTION OF "PULL" + III DIANA + IV THE THREE NIECES + V PREPARING FOR THE PLUNGE + VI THE FLY IN THE BROTH + VII THE HERO ENTERS AND TROUBLE BEGINS + VIII OPENING THE CAMPAIGN + IX THE VON TAER PEARLS + X MISLED + XI LIMOUSINE + XII FOGERTY + XIII DIANA REVOLTS + XIV A COOL ENCOUNTER + XV A BEWILDERING EXPERIENCE + XVI MADAME CERISE, CUSTODIAN + XVII THE MYSTERY DEEPENS +XVIII A RIFT IN THE CLOUDS + XIX POLITIC REPENTANCE + XX A TELEPHONE CALL + XXI THE UNEXPECTED HAPPENS + XXII GONE +XXIII THE CRISIS + XXIV A MATTER OF COURSE + + + + +CHAPTER I + + +UNCLE JOHN'S DUTY + +"You're not doing your duty by those girls, John Merrick!" + +The gentleman at whom this assertion was flung in a rather angry tone +did not answer his sister-in-law. He sat gazing reflectively at the +pattern in the rug and seemed neither startled nor annoyed. Mrs. +Merrick, a pink-cheeked middle-aged lady attired in an elaborate morning +gown, knitted her brows severely as she regarded the chubby little man +opposite; then, suddenly remembering that the wrinkles might leave their +dreadful mark on her carefully rolled and massaged features, she +banished them with a pass of her ringed hand and sighed dismally. + +"It would not have mattered especially had the poor children been left +in their original condition of friendless poverty," she said. "They were +then like a million other girls, content to struggle for a respectable +livelihood and a doubtful position in the lower stratas of social +communion. But you interfered. You came into their lives abruptly, +appearing from those horrid Western wilds with an amazing accumulation +of money and a demand that your three nieces become your special +_protégées_. And what is the result?" + +The little man looked up with a charming smile of good humored raillery. +His keen gray eyes sparkled as mischievously as a schoolboy's. Softly he +rubbed the palms of his hands together, as if enjoying the situation. + +"What is it, Martha, my dear? What is the result?" he asked. + +"You've raised them from their lowly condition to a sphere in which they +reign as queens, the envy of all who know them. You've lavished your +millions upon them unsparingly; they are not only presumptive heiresses +but already possessed of independent fortunes. Ah, you think you've been +generous to these girls; don't you, John Merrick?" "Go on, Martha; go +on." + +"You've taken them abroad--you took my own daughter, John Merrick, and +left _me_ at home!--you've lugged your three nieces to the mountains and +carried them to the seashore. You even encouraged them to enlist in an +unseemly campaign to elect that young imbecile, Kenneth Forbes, and--" + +"Oh, Martha, Martha! Get to the point, if you can. I'm going, +presently." + +"Not until you've heard me out. You've given your nieces every advantage +in your power save one, and the neglect of that one thing renders futile +all else you have accomplished." + +Now, indeed, her listener seemed perplexed. He passed a hand over his +shiny bald head as if to stimulate thought and exorcise bewilderment. + +"What is it, then? What have I neglected?" was his mild enquiry. + +"To give those girls their proper standing in society." + +He started; smiled; then looked grave. + +"You're talking foolishly," he said. "Why, confound it, Martha, they're +as good girls as ever lived! They're highly respected, and--" "Sir, I +refer to Fashionable Society." The capitals indicate the impressive +manner in which Mrs. Merrick pronounced those words. + +"I guess money makes folks fashionable; don't it, Martha?" + +"No, indeed. How ignorant you are, John. Can you not understand that +there is a cultured, aristocratic and exclusive Society in New York that +millions will not enable one to gain _entrée_ to?" + +"Oh, is there? Then I'm helpless." + +"You are not, sir." + +"Eh? I thought you said--" + +"Listen, John; and for heaven's sake try for once to be receptive. I am +speaking not only for the welfare of my daughter Louise but for Beth +and Patricia. Your nieces are charming girls, all three. With the +advantages you have given them they may well become social celebrities." + +"H-m-m. Would they be happier so?" + +"Of course. Every true woman longs for social distinction, especially if +it seems difficult to acquire. Nothing is dearer to a girl's heart than +to win acceptance by the right social set. And New York society is the +most exclusive in America." + +"I'm afraid it will continue to exclude our girls, Martha." + +"Not if you do your duty, John." + +"That reminds me. What is your idea of my duty, Martha? You've been +talking in riddles, so far," he protested, shifting uneasily in his +chair. + +"Let me explain more concisely, then. Your millions, John Merrick, have +made you really famous, even in this wealthy metropolis. In the city and +at your club you must meet with men who have the _entrée_ to the most +desirable social circles: men who might be induced to introduce your +nieces to their families, whose endorsement would effect their proper +presentation." + +"Nonsense." + +"It isn't nonsense at all." + +"Then blamed if I know what you're driving at." + +"You're very obtuse." + +"I won't agree to that till I know what 'obtuse' means. See here, +Martha; you say this social position, that the girls are so crazy +for--but they've never said anything to _me_ about it--can't be bought. +In the next breath you urge me to buy it. Phoo! You're a thoughtless, +silly woman, Martha, and let your wild ambitions run away with your +common sense." + +Mrs. Merrick sighed, but stubbornly maintained her position. + +"I don't suggest 'buying' such people; not at all, John. It's what is +called--ah--ah--'influence'; or, or--" + +"Or 'pull.' 'Pull' is a better word, Martha. Do you imagine there's any +value in social position that can be acquired by 'pull'?" + +"Of course. It has to be acquired some way--if one is not born to it. As +a matter of fact, Louise is entitled, through her connection with _my_ +family--" + +"Pshaw, I knew _your_ family, Martha," he interrupted. "An arrant lot of +humbugs." + +"John Merrick!" + +"Don't get riled. It's the truth. I _knew_ 'em. On her father's side +Louise has just as much to brag about--an' no more. We Merricks never +amounted to much, an' didn't hanker to trip the light fantastic in +swell society. Once, though, when I was a boy, I had a cousin who +spelled down the whole crowd at a spellin'-bee. We were quite proud of +him then; but he went wrong after his triumph, poor fellow! and became a +book agent. Now, Martha, I imagine this talk of yours is all hot air, +and worked off on me not because the girls want society, but because you +want it for 'em. It's all _your_ ambition, I'll bet a peanut." + +"You misjudge me, as usual, John. I am urging a matter of simple +justice. Your nieces are lovely girls, fitted to shine in any sphere of +life," she continued, knowing his weak point and diplomatically +fostering it. "Our girls have youth, accomplishments, money--everything +to fit them for social triumphs. The winter season is now approaching; +the people are flocking back to town from their country homes; +fashionable gaieties and notable events will soon hold full sway. The +dear girls are surely entitled to enjoy these things, don't you think? +Aren't they _worthy_ the best that life has to offer? And why shouldn't +they enter society, if you do your full duty? Once get them properly +introduced and they will be able to hold their own with perfect ease. +Give me the credit for knowing these things, John, and try to help your +nieces to attain their ambition." + +"But _is_ it their ambition?" he asked, doubtfully. + +"They have not said so in words; but I can assure you it _is_ their +ambition, because all three are sensible, spirited, young women, who +live in this age and not the one you yourself knew a half century or so +ago." + +Mr. Merrick sighed and rubbed his head again. Then he slowly rose. + +"Mornin', Martha," he said, with a somewhat abstracted nod at his +sister-in-law. "This is a new idea to me. I'll think it over." + + + + +CHAPTER II + + +A QUESTION OF "PULL" + +John Merrick's face was not so cheery as usual as he made his way into +the city. This suggestion of Martha Merrick's regarding his inattention +to duty to his beloved nieces was no easy nut to crack. + +He knew his sister-in-law to be a wordly-minded, frivolous woman, with +many trivial ambitions; but in this instance he had misgivings that she +might be right. What did he, John Merrick, know of select society? A +poor man, of humble origin, he had wandered into the infantile, embryo +West years ago and there amassed a fortune. When he retired and returned +to "civilization" he found his greatest reward In the discovery of three +charming nieces, all "as poor as Job's turkey" but struggling along +bravely, each in her individual characteristic way, and well worthy +their doting uncle's affectionate admiration. Mrs. Merrick had recited +some of the advantages they had derived from the advent of this rich +relative; but even she could not guess how devoted the man was to the +welfare of these three fortunate girls, nor how his kindly, simple heart +resented the insinuation that he was neglecting anything that might +contribute to their happiness. + +Possession of money had never altered John Merrick's native simplicity. +He had no extravagant tastes, dressed quietly and lived the life of the +people. On this eventful morning the man of millions took a cross-town +car to the elevated station and climbed the stairs to his train. Once +seated and headed cityward he took out his memorandum book to see what +engagements he had for the day. There were three for the afternoon. At +twelve o'clock he had promised to meet Von Taer. + +"H-m-m. Von Taer." + +Gazing reflectively from the window he remembered a conversation with a +prominent banker some month or so before. "Von Taer," the banker had +said, "is an aristocrat with an independent fortune, who clings to the +brokerage business because he inherited it from his father and +grandfather. I hold that such a man has no moral right to continue in +business. He should retire and give the other fellow a chance." + +"Why do you call him an aristocrat?" Mr. Merrick had enquired. + +"Because his family is so ancient that it shames the ark itself. I +imagine his ancestors might have furnished Noah the lumber to build his +ship. In New York the '400' all kowtow to Von Taer." + +"Seems to me he has the right to be a broker if he wants to," asserted +Mr. Merrick. + +"The right; yes. But, between us, Mr. Merrick, this society swell has no +mental capacity to handle such an uncertain business. He's noted for +doing unwarranted things. To me it's a marvel that Von Taer hasn't +shipwrecked the family fortunes long ago. Luck has saved him, not +foresight." + +That speech of a few weeks ago now seemed prophetic to John Merrick. +Within a few days the aristocratic broker had encountered financial +difficulties and been forced to appeal to Mr. Merrick, to whom he +obtained an introduction through a mutual friend. Von Taer was +doubtless solvent, for he controlled large means; but unless a saving +hand was extended at this juncture his losses were sure to be severe, +and might even cripple him seriously. + +All this Mr. Merrick shrewdly considered in the space of a few moments. +As he left the train he looked at his watch and found it was barely +eleven. He decided not to await the hour of appointment. With his usual +brisk stride he walked to Von Taer's offices and was promptly admitted +to the broker's sanctum. + +Hedrik Von Taer was a fine looking man, tall, grave, of dignified +demeanor and courteous manners. He stood until his visitor was seated +and with a gesture of deference invited him to open the conversation. + +"I've decided to make you the loan, Von Taer," began Mr. Merrick, in his +practical, matter-of-fact way. "Three hundred thousand, wasn't it? Call +on Major Doyle at my office this afternoon and he'll arrange it for +you." + +An expression of relief crossed the broker's face. + +"You are very kind, sir," he answered. "I assure you I fully appreciate +the accommodation." + +"Glad to help you," responded the millionaire, briskly. Then he paused +with marked abruptness. It occurred to him he had a difficult +proposition to make to this man. To avoid the cold, enquiring eyes now +fixed upon him he pulled out a cigar and deliberately cut the end. Von +Taer furnished him a match. He smoked a while in silence. + +"This loan, sir," he finally began, "is freely made. There are no +strings tied to it. I don't want you to feel I'm demanding any sort of +return. But the truth is, you have it in your power to grant me a +favor." + +Von Taer bowed. + +"Mr. Merrick has generously placed me under an obligation it will afford +me pleasure to repay," said he. But his eyes held an uneasy look, +nevertheless. + +"It's this way," explained the other: "I've three nieces--fine girls, +Von Taer--who will some day inherit my money. They are already +independent, financially, and they're educated, well-bred and amiable +young women. Take my word for it." + +"I am sure your statements are justified, Mr. Merrick." Yet Hedrik Von +Taer's face, usually unexpressive, denoted blank mystification. What +connection could these girls have with the favor to be demanded? + +"Got any girls yourself, Von Taer?" + +"A daughter, sir. My only child. + +"Grown up?" + +"A young lady now, sir." + +"Then you'll understand. I'm a plain uneducated man myself. Never been +any nearer swell society than a Fifth Avenue stage. My money has given +me commercial position, but no social one worth mentioning. Your '400's' +a bunch I can't break into, nohow." + +A slight smile hovered over the other's lips, but he quickly controlled +it. + +"They tell me, though," continued the speaker, "that _your_ family has +long ago climbed into the top notch of society. You're one o' the big +guns in the battery, an' hold the fort against all comers." + +Von Taer merely bowed. It was scarcely necessary to either admit or +contradict the statement. Uncle John was a little indignant that his +companion showed no disposition to assist him in his explanation, which +a clear head might now easily comprehend. So, with his usual frankness, +he went directly to the point. + +"I'd like my girls to get into the best--the most select--circles," he +announced. "They're good and pretty and well-mannered, so it strikes me +they're entitled to the best there is a-going. I don't want to mix with +your swell crowd myself, because I ain't fit; likewise the outfit ain't +much to my taste, askin' your pardon; but with women it's different. +They need to stand high an' shine bright to make 'em really happy, and +if any special lot is particularly ex-clusive an' high-falutin', that's +the crowd they long to swarm with. It's human nature--female human +nature, anyhow. You catch my idea, Von Taer, don't you?" + +"I think so, Mr. Merrick. Yet I fail to see how I can be of service to +you in gratifying the ambition of your charming nieces." "Then I'll +go, and you may forget what I've said." The visitor arose and took his +hat from the table. "It was only a fool notion, anyway; just a thought, +badly expressed, to help my girls to a toy that money can't buy." + +Hedrik Von Taer gazed steadily into the man's face. There was something +in the simple, honest self-abnegation of this wealthy and important +person that won the respect of all he met. The broker's stern eyes +softened a bit as he gazed and he allowed a fugitive smile, due to his +own change of attitude, to wreathe his thin lips again--just for an +instant. + +"Sit down, please, Mr. Merrick," he requested, and rather reluctantly +Uncle John resumed his seat. "You may not have an especially clear idea +of New York society, and I want to explain my recent remark so that you +will understand it. What is called 'the 400' may or may not exist; but +certainly it is no distinct league or association. It may perhaps be +regarded as a figure of speech, to indicate how few are really admitted +to the most exclusive circles. Moreover, there can be no dominant +'leader of society' here, for the reason that not all grades of society +would recognize the supremacy of any one set, or clique. These cliques +exist for various reasons. They fraternize generally, but keep well +within their own circles. Kindred tastes attract some; ancient lineage +others. There is an ultra-fashionable set, a sporting set, a literary +set, an aristocratic set, a rather 'fast' set, a theatrical set--and so +on. These may all lay claim with certain justice to membership in good +society. Their circles are to an extent exclusive, because some +distinction must mark the eligibility of members. And outside each +luminous sphere hovers a multitude eager to pass the charmed circle and +so acquire recognition. Often it is hard to separate the initiate from +the uninitiate, even by those most expert. Is it difficult to comprehend +such a condition as I have described, Mr. Merrick?" + +"Somewhat, Mr. Von Taer. The wonder to me is why people waste time in +such foolishness." + +"It is the legitimate occupation of many; the folly of unwise ambition +impels others. There is a fascination about social life that appeals to +the majority of natures. Let us compare society to a mountain whose +sides are a steep incline, difficult to mount. To stand upon the +summit, to become the cynosure of all eyes, is a desire inherent, +seemingly, in all humanity; for humanity loves distinction. In the +scramble toward the peak many fall by the wayside; others deceive +themselves by imagining they have attained the apex when they are far +from it. It is a game, Mr. Merrick, just as business is a game, politics +a game, and war a game. You know how few really win." + +"Here," said Uncle John, musingly, "is a philosophy I did not expect +from you, Von Taer. They tell me you're one who stands on top the peak. +And you were born that way, and didn't have to climb. Seems to me you +rather scorn the crowd that's trying to climb to an eminence you never +had to win. That wouldn't be my way. And I suspect that if the crowd +wasn't trying to climb to you, your own position wouldn't be worth a +cotton hat." + +Von Taer had no answer to this criticism. Perhaps he scarcely heard it, +for he appeared lost in a brown study. Finally he said: "Will you +permit my daughter to call upon your nieces, Mr. Merrick?" + +"Of course, sir." + +"Then kindly give me their addresses." + +Uncle John wrote them on a slip of paper. + +"You may now dismiss the subject from your mind, sir, as you lately +advised me to do. Whatever may be accomplished in the direction you have +suggested I will gladly undertake. If I succeed it will be exceedingly +gratifying to us all, I am sure." + +Mr. Merrick left the office in a rather humbled and testy mood. He +disliked to ask favors at any time and now felt that he had confided +himself to the mercy of this callous aristocrat and met with a distinct +rebuff. + +But he had done it for the sake of his beloved nieces--and they would +never know what humiliation this unsatisfactory interview had cost him. + + + + +CHAPTER III + + +DIANA + +Diana Von Taer can not be called a type. She was individual. +Aristocratic to her finger tips, she was unlike all other aristocrats. +An admitted queen of society, her subjects were few and indifferent. She +possessed ancient lineage, was highly accomplished, had been born to the +purple, as the saying is; but none of these things conspired to make her +the curious creature she was. + +As we make her acquaintance she is twenty-three years of age--and looks +eighteen. She is tall and slender and carries her handsome form with +exquisite grace. Diana is never abrupt; her voice is ever modulated to +soft, even tones; she rises from a chair or couch with the lithe, +sinuous motion of a serpent uncoiling. + +Her face, critically regarded, is not so admirable as her form. The +features are a trifle too elongated, and their delicacy is marred by a +nose a bit broad and unshapely and a mouth with thin lips primly set. +Her dark eyes might be magnificent if wide open: but through the narrow +slits of their lids, half hidden by long curling lashes, the eyes peer +at you with a cold, watchful, intent gaze that carries a certain uncanny +and disconcerting fascination. + +Yet the girl is essentially feminine. If you refrain from meeting that +discomfiting gaze--and her familiars have learned to avoid it--Diana +impresses you as being graceful, dainty and possessed of charming +manners. Her taste in dress is perfect. She converses fluently on many +topics. It is her custom to rise at ten o'clock, whatever time she may +have retired the night before; to read until luncheon; to devote the +remainder of her day to the requirements of society. + +Eligible young men of admitted social standing call upon Diana at such +intervals as the proprieties require. They chatter "small talk" and are +careful to address her with deference. With an exception to be referred +to later these young men have no more thought of "flirting" with Miss +Von Taer than they would with the statue of the goddess, her namesake. +Her dinner parties and entertainments are very successful. She is +greatly admired, _per se_, but has no intimate friends. + +When her mother died, some years before, an aunt had come to live with +Diana, and now posed as her chaperon. Mrs. Cameron was a stolid, +corpulent lady, with a countenance perpetually placid and an habitual +aversion to displaying intellect. Her presence in the establishment, +although necessary, was frankly ignored. Fortunately she never obtruded +herself. + +Hedrik Von Taer was passionately devoted to his daughter. He alone, +perhaps, of all the world, thoroughly understood her and appreciated her +talents. She may have frightened him at times, but that only added to +his admiration. In return Diana displayed a calm, but affectionate +regard for her father. + +Often after dinner these two would pass an hour together in a corner of +the drawing-room, where the cold gray eyes of the man met the intent, +half-veiled glance of the girl with perfect understanding. They talked +of many things, including business. Hedrik had no secrets from his +daughter. The desperate condition of his finances, when he had been +caught in a "corner" on wheat and nearly crushed, had not dismayed her +in the least. It was she who had counseled him to appeal to John +Merrick, since the name and fame of the eccentric millionaire were +familiar to her as to him. + +He related to Diana his interview with Mr. Merrick on his return home. +He was saved. The three hundred thousand were now in the bank to his +credit and he could weather the coming storm easily--perhaps with +profit. In a tone half amused, half serious, he told her of the little +millionaire's desire to secure _entrée_ into good society for his three +nieces. + +Diana laughed with her lips; her eyes never laughed. Then she took in +her hand the paper containing the addresses of the three girls and +regarded it thoughtfully. + +"It is a curious request, _mon pere_," she said, in her soft, even +tones; "but one we cannot diplomatically disregard. Provided, however--" + +"Yes, Diana;" as she paused. + +"Provided these prospective _debutantes_ are not wholly impossible." + +"I realize that," returned her father. "John Merrick is a great power in +the city. He has been useful to me, and may be again. I have this chance +to win him. But the man is very common clay, despite his wealth, and his +three nieces are likely to be made of the same material. Should they +prove impossible you cannot well descend to introducing them to our +set." + +"I am not certain of that, sir," said the girl, with a pretty shrug. "My +position is too secure to be jeopardized by any error of this sort. I +believe I may introduce these girls without risk. I shall not vouch for +them too strongly, and after their debut they must stand or fall on +their own merits." + +"It is something a Von Taer has never yet done," remarked the man, +gravely. + +"To commercialize his social position? But, father dear, the age is fast +commercializing everything. I think our especial set is as yet +comparatively free from contamination by the 'lately rich'; but even +among us money has glossed many offenses that a generation ago would +have meant social ostracism." + +He nodded. + +"That is true, Diana." + +"Life with me is a bit dull, as well. Everlasting routine, however +admirable, is tiresome. I scent amusement in this adventure, which I +have decided to undertake. With your permission I will see these girls +and quickly decide their fate. Should they prove not too dreadfully +_outré_ you may look to see them my especial _protégés_." + +"I leave all to your discretion, Diana," returned Von Taer, with a sigh. +"If, in the end, some of the more particular venture to reproach them." + +"It will not matter," interrupted the daughter, lightly, as her dark +eyes narrowed to a hair's breadth. "Any who dares reproach Diana Von +Taer will afford her interesting occupation. And to offset that remote +contingency we shall permanently enslave the powerful John Merrick. I +understand he is hard as nails in financial matters; but to us the man +has disclosed his one weakness--ambition to promote his three nieces. +Since we have discovered this vulnerable point, let us take advantage of +it. I am satisfied the loan of three hundred thousand was but a +lure--and how cleverly the man gauged us!" + +Von Taer scowled. + +"Get your wraps, Diana. The carriage is waiting, and we are due at Mrs. +Doldringham's crush." + + + + +CHAPTER IV + + +THE THREE NIECES + +The Von Taers did not affect motor cars. In some circles the carriage +and pair is still considered the more aristocratic mode of conveyance. +Established customs do not readily give way to fads and freaks. + +Consulting her memoranda as she rode along; in her handsome, tastefully +appointed equipage, Diana found that Louise Merrick, one of the three +girls she had set out to discover, was the nearest on her route. +Presently she rang the bell at the Merrick residence, an eminently +respectable dwelling; in a desirable neighborhood. + +Diana could not resist a sigh of relief as her observant glance noted +this detail. A dignified butler ushered her into a reception room and +departed with her card. + +It was now that the visitor's nose took an upward tendency as she +critically examined her surroundings. The furnishings were abominable, a +mixture of distressingly new articles with those evidently procured +from dealers in "antiquities." Money had been lavished here, but good +taste was absent. To understand this--for Miss Von Taer gauged the +condition truly--it is necessary to know something of Mrs. Martha +Merrick. + +This lady, the relict of John Merrick's only brother, was endowed with a +mediocre mind and a towering ambition. When left a widow with an only +daughter she had schemed and contrived in endless ways to maintain an +appearance of competency on a meager income. Finally she divided her +capital, derived from her husband's life insurance, into three equal +parts, which she determined to squander in three years in an attempt to +hoodwink the world with the belief that she was wealthy. Before the +three years were ended her daughter Louise would be twenty, and by that +time she must have secured a rich _parti_ and been safely married. In +return for this "sacrifice" the girl was to see that her mother was made +comfortable thereafter. + +This worldly and foolish design was confided to Louise when she was only +seventeen, and her unformed mind easily absorbed her mother's silly +ambition. It was a pity, for Louise Merrick possessed a nature sweet +and lovable, as well as instinctively refined--a nature derived from her +dead father and with little true sympathy with Mrs. Merrick's +unscrupulous schemes. But at that age a girl is easily influenced, so it +is little wonder that under such tuition Louise became calculating, sly +and deceitful, to a most deplorable degree. + +Such acquired traits bade fair in the end to defeat Mrs. Merrick's +carefully planned _coup_, for the daughter had a premature love affair +with a youth outside the pale of eligibility. Louise ignored the fact +that he had been disinherited by his father, and in her reckless +infatuation would have sacrificed her mother without thought or remorse. +The dreadful finale had only been averted by the advent of Uncle John +Merrick, who had changed the life plans of the widow and her heedless +daughter and promptly saved the situation. + +John Merrick did not like his sister-in-law, but he was charmed by his +lovely niece and took her at once to his affectionate old heart. He saw +the faults of Louise clearly, but also appreciated her sweeter +qualities. Under his skillful guidance she soon redeemed herself and +regained control of her better nature. The girl was not yet perfect, by +any means; she was to an extent artificial and secretive, and her +thoughtless flirtations were far from wise; but her two cousins and her +uncle had come to know and understand her good points. They not only +bore patiently with her volatile nature but strove to influence her to +demonstrate her inherent good qualities. + +In one way her mother's calculating training had been most effective. +Louise was not only a dainty, lovely maid to the eye, but her manners +were gracious and winning and she had that admirable self-possession +which quickly endears one even to casual acquaintances. She did not +impress more intimate friends as being wholly sincere, yet there was +nothing in her acts, since that one escapade referred to, that merited +severe disapproval. + +Of course the brilliant idea of foisting her precious daughter upon the +"select" society of the metropolis was original with Mrs. Merrick. +Louise was well content with things as they were; but not so the +mother. The rise from poverty to affluence, the removal of all cares and +burdens from her mind, had merely fostered still greater ambitions. +Uncle John's generosity had endowed each of his three nieces with an +ample fortune. "I want 'em to enjoy the good things of life while +they're at an age to enjoy 'em," he said; "for the older one gets the +fewer things are found to be enjoyable. That's my experience, anyhow." +He also told the girls frankly that they were to inherit +jointly--although not equally--his entire fortune. Yet even this glowing +prospect did not satisfy Mrs. Merrick. Since all her plans for Louise, +from the very beginning, had been founded on personal selfishness, she +now proposed to have her daughter gain admission to recognized +fashionable society in order that she might herself bask in the +reflection of the glory so obtained and take her place with the proud +matrons who formed the keystone of such society. After carefully +considering ways and means to gain her object she had finally conceived +the idea of utilizing Mr. Merrick. She well knew Uncle John would not +consider one niece to the exclusion of the others, and had therefore +used his influence to get all three girls properly "introduced." +Therefore her delight and excitement were intense when the butler +brought up Diana's card and she realized that "the perfectly swell Miss +Von Taer" was seated in her reception room. She rushed to Louise, who, +wholly innocent of any knowledge of the intrigue which had led to this +climax, opened her blue eyes in astonishment and said with a gasp: + +"Oh, mother! what shall I do?" + +"Do? Why, go down and make yourself agreeable, of course. It's your +chance, my dear, your great chance in life! Go--go! Don't, for heaven's +sake, keep her waiting." + +Louise went down. In her most affable and gracious way she approached +the visitor and said: + +"It is very nice of you to call upon me. I am _so_ glad to meet Miss Von +Taer." Diana, passing conversational nothings with the young girl, was +pleased by her appearance and self-possession. This aspirant for social +honors was fresh, fair and attractive, with a flow of small talk at her +tongue's end. + +"Really," thought the fastidious visitor, "this one, at least, will do +me no discredit. If she is a fair sample of the others we shall get +along very nicely In this enterprise." + +To Louise she said, before going: + +"I'm to have an evening, the nineteenth. Will you assist me to receive? +Now that we are acquainted I wish to see more of you, my dear, and I +predict we shall get along famously together." + +The girl's head swam. Help Miss Von Taer to receive! Such an honor had +been undreamed of an hour ago. But she held her natural agitation under +good control and only a round red spot Upon each cheek betrayed her +inward excitement as she prettily accepted the invitation. Beneath their +drooping lashes Diana's sagacious eyes read the thoughts of the girl +quite accurately. Miss Von Taer enjoyed disconcerting anyone in any way, +and Louise was so simple and unsophisticated that she promised to afford +considerable amusement in the future. + +By the time Diana had finished her brief call this singular creature had +taken the measure of Louise Merrick in every detail, including her +assumption of lightness and her various frivolities. She understood that +in the girl were capabilities for good or for evil, as she might be led +by a stronger will. And, musingly, Diana wondered who would lead her. + +As for Louise, she was enraptured by her distinguished visitor's +condescension and patronage, and her heart bounded at the thought of +being admitted to the envied social coterie in which Diana Von Taer +shone a bright, particular star. + +The second name in the list of John Merrick's nieces was that of +Elizabeth De Graf. She lived at a good private hotel located in an +exclusive residence district. + +It was true that Elizabeth--or "Beth," as she was more familiarly +called--was not a permanent guest at this hotel. When in New York she +was accustomed to live with one or the other of her cousins, who +welcomed her eagerly. But just now her mother had journeyed from the old +Ohio home to visit Beth, and the girl had no intention of inflicting +her parent upon the other girls. Therefore she had taken rooms at the +hotel temporarily, and the plan suited her mother excellently. For one +thing, Mrs. De Graf could go home and tell her Cloverton gossips that +she had stopped at the most "fashionable" hotel in New York; a second +point was that she loved to feast with epicurean avidity upon the +products of a clever _chef_, being one of those women who live to eat, +rather than eat to live. + +Mrs. De Graf was John Merrick's only surviving sister, but she differed +as widely from the simple, kindly man in disposition as did her +ingenious daughter from her in mental attainments. The father, Professor +De Graf, was supposed to be a "musical genius." Before Beth came into +her money, through Uncle John, the Professor taught the piano and +singing; now, however, the daughter allowed her parents a liberal +income, and the self-engrossed musician devoted himself to composing +oratorios and concertas which no one but himself would ever play. To +be quite frank, the girl cared little for her gross and selfish parents, +and they in turn cared little for her beyond the value she afforded them +in the way of dollars and cents. So she had not lived at home, where +constant quarrels and bickerings nearly drove her frantic, since Uncle +John had adopted her. In catering to this present whim of her mother, +who longed to spend a few luxurious weeks in New York, Beth sacrificed +more than might be imagined by one unacquainted with her sad family +history. + +Whimsical Major Doyle often called Uncle John's nieces "the Three +Graces"; but Beth was by odds the beauty of them all. Splendid brown +eyes, added to an exquisite complexion, almost faultless features and a +superb carriage, rendered this fair young girl distinguished in any +throng. Fortunately she was as yet quite unspoiled, being saved from +vanity by a morbid consciousness of her inborn failings and a sincere +loathing for the moral weakness that prevented her from correcting those +faults. Judging Beth by the common standard of girls of her age, both +failings and faults were more imaginary than real; yet it was her +characteristic to suspect and despise in herself such weaknesses as +others would condone, or at least regard leniently. For here was a girl +true and staunch, incapable of intrigue or deceit, frank and outspoken, +all these qualities having been proven more than once. Everyone loved +Beth De Graf save herself, and at this stage of her development the +influence of her cousins and of Uncle John had conspired to make the +supersensitive girl more tolerant of herself and less morbid than +formerly. + +I think Beth knew of Diana Von Taer, for the latter's portrait +frequently graced the society columns of the New York press and at times +the three nieces, in confidential mood, would canvass Diana and her +social exploits as they did the acts of other famous semi-public +personages. But the girl had never dreamed of meeting such a celebrity, +and Miss Von Taer's card filled her with curious wonder as to the errand +that had brought her. + +The De Grafs lived _en suite_ at the hotel, for Beth had determined to +surround her Sybaritic mother with all attainable luxury, since the +child frequently reproached herself with feeling a distinct repulsion +for the poor woman. So to-day Diana was ushered into a pretty parlor +where Beth stood calmly awaiting her. + +The two regarded one another in silence a moment, Miss De Graf's frank +eyes covering the other with a comprehensive sweep while Miss Von Taer's +narrowed gaze, profoundly observant, studied the beautiful girl before +her with that impenetrable, half-hidden gleam that precluded any +solution. + +"Miss Von Taer, I believe," said Beth, quietly glancing at the card she +held. "Will you be seated?" + +Diana sank gracefully into a chair. The sinuous motion attracted Beth's +attention and gave her a slight shiver. + +"I am so glad to meet you, my dear," began the visitor, in soft, purring +accents. "I have long promised myself the pleasure of a call, and in +spite of many procrastinations at last have accomplished my ambition." + +Beth resented the affectation of this prelude, and slightly frowned. +Diana was watching; she always watched. "Why should you wish to call +upon me?" was the frank demand. "Do not think me rude, please; but I am +scarcely in a position to become a desirable acquaintance of Miss Von +Taer." The tone was a trifle bitter, and Diana noted it. A subtile +antagonism seemed springing up between them and the more experienced +girl scented in this danger to her plans. She must handle this young +lady more cautiously than she had Louise Merrick. + +"Your position is unimpeachable, my dear," was the sweet-toned response. +"You are John Merrick's niece." + +Beth was really angry now. She scowled, and it spoiled her beauty. Diana +took warning and began to think quickly. + +"I referred to my social position, Miss Von Taer. Our family is honest +enough, thank God; but it has never been accepted in what is termed +select society." + +Diana laughed; a quiet, rippling laugh as icy as a brook in November, +but as near gaiety as she could at the moment accomplish. When she +laughed this way her eyes nearly closed and became inscrutable. Beth +had a feeling of repulsion for her caller, but strove to shake it off. +Miss Von Taer was nothing to her; could be nothing to her. + +"Your uncle is a very wealthy man," said Diana, with easy composure. "He +has made you an heiress, placing you in a class much sought after in +these mercenary days. But aside from that, my dear, your personal +accomplishments have not escaped notice, and gossip declares you to be a +very fascinating young woman, as well as beautiful and good. I do not +imagine society claims to be of divine origin, but were it so no one is +more qualified to grace it." + +The blandishments of this speech had less effect upon Beth than the +evident desire to please. She began to feel she had been ungracious, and +straightway adopted a more cordial tone. + +"I am sure you mean well, Miss Von Taer," she hastened to say, "and I +assure you I am not ungrateful. But it occurred to me we could have +nothing in common." "Oh, my dear! You wrong us both." + +"Do you know my uncle?" enquired Beth. + +"He is the friend of my father, Mr. Hedrik Von Taer. Our family owes Mr. +John Merrick much consideration. Therefore I decided to seek pleasure in +the acquaintance of his nieces." + +The words and tone seemed alike candid. Beth began to relent. She sat +down for the first time, taking a chair opposite Diana. + +"You see," she said, artlessly, "I have no personal inclination for +society, which is doubtless so large a part of your own amusement. It +seems to me artificial and insipid." + +"Those who view from a distance the husk of a cocoanut, have little idea +of the milk within," declared Diana, softly. + +"True," answered Beth. "But I've cracked cocoanuts, and sometimes found +the milk sour and tainted." + +"The difference you observe in cocoanuts is to be found in the various +grades of society. These are not all insipid and artificial, I assure +you." + +"They may be worse," remarked Beth. "I've heard strange tales of your +orgies." Diana was really amused. This girl was proving more +interesting than the first niece she had interviewed. Unaccustomed to +seeking acquaintances outside her own exclusive circle, and under such +circumstances, these meetings were to her in the nature of an adventure. +A creature of powerful likes and dislikes, she already hated Beth most +heartily; but for that very reason she insisted on cultivating her +further acquaintance. + +"You must not judge society by the mad pranks of a few of its members," +she responded, in her most agreeable manner. "If we are not to set an +example in decorum to the rest of the world we are surely unfitted to +occupy the high place accorded us. But you must see and decide for +yourself." + +"I? No, indeed!" + +"Ah, do not decide hastily, my dear. Let me become your sponsor for a +short time, until you really discover what society is like. Then you may +act upon more mature judgment." + +"I do not understand you, Miss Von Taer." + +"Then I will be more explicit. I am to receive a few friends at my home +on the evening of the nineteenth; will you be my guest?" Beth was +puzzled how to answer. The thought crossed her mind that perhaps Uncle +John would like her to be courteous to his friend's daughter, and that +argument decided her. She accepted the invitation. + +"I want you to receive with me," continued Diana, rising. "In that way I +shall be able to introduce you to my friends." + +Beth wondered at this condescension, but consented to receive. She was +annoyed to think how completely she had surrendered to the will of Miss +Von Taer, for whom she had conceived the same aversion she had for a +snake. She estimated Diana, society belle though she was, to be sly, +calculating and deceitful. Worse than all, she was decidedly clever, and +therefore dangerous. Nothing good could come of an acquaintance with +her, Beth was sure; yet she had pledged herself to meet her and her +friends the nineteenth, lit a formal society function. How much Beth De +Graf misjudged Diana Von Taer the future will determine. The interview +had tired Diana. As she reentered her carriage she was undecided whether +to go home or hunt up the third niece. But Willing Square was not five +minutes' drive from here, so she ordered the coachman to proceed there. + +"I am positively out of my element in this affair," she told herself, +"for it is more difficult to cultivate these inexperienced girls than I +had thought. They are not exactly impossible, as I at first feared, but +they are so wholly unconventional as to be somewhat embarrassing as +_protégées_. Analyzing the two I have met--the majority--one strikes me +as being transparently affected and the other a stubborn, attractive +fool. They are equally untrained in diplomacy and unable to cover their +real feelings. Here am I, practically dragging them into the limelight, +when it would be far better for themselves--perhaps for me--that they +remained in oblivion. Ah, well: I called it an adventure: let me hope +some tangible plot will develop to compensate me for my trouble. Life +seems deadly dull; I need excitement. Is it to be furnished by John +Merrick's nieces, I wonder?" Willing Square is a new district, crowded +with fashionable apartment houses. That is, they are called fashionable +by their builders and owners and accepted as such by their would-be +fashionable occupants. Diana knew at least two good families resident in +Willing Square, and though she smiled grimly at the rows of +"oppressively new and vulgar" buildings, she still was not ashamed to +have her equipage seen waiting there. + +Number 3708 Willing Square is a very substantial and cozy appearing +apartment building owned in fee by Miss Patricia Doyle. Diana was +unaware of this fact, but rang the Doyle bell and ascended to the second +floor. + +A maid received her with the announcement that Miss Doyle had "just +stepped out," but was somewhere in the building. Would the visitor care +to wait a few minutes? + +Yes; Diana decided she would wait. She took a seat in the snug front +parlor and from her position noted the series of rooms that opened one +into another throughout the suite, all richly but tastefully furnished +in homely, unassuming manner. "This is better," she mused. "There is +no attempt at foolish display in this establishment, at any rate. I hope +to find Miss Doyle a sensible, refined person. The name is Irish." + +A door slammed somewhere down the line of rooms and a high-pitched voice +cried in excited tones: + +"I've found a baby! Hi, there, Nunkie, dear--I've found a baby!" + +Thereupon came the sound of a chair being pushed back as a man's voice +answered in equal glee: + +"Why, Patsy, Patsy! it's the little rogue from upstairs. Here, Bobby; +come to your own old Uncle!" + +"He won't. He belongs to me; don't you, Bobby darlin'?" + +A babyish voice babbled merrily, but the sounds were all "goos" and +"ahs" without any resemblance to words. Bobby may have imagined he was +talking, but he was not very intelligible. + +"See here, Patsy Doyle; you gimme that baby." cried the man, pleadingly. + "I found him myself, and he's mine. I've dragged him here all the way +from his home upstairs, an' don't you dare lay a finger on him. Uncle +John!" + +"Fair play, Patsy! Bobby's my chum, and--" + +"Well, I'll let you have half of him, Nunkie. Down on your hands and +knees, sir, and be a horse. That's it--Now, Bobby, straddle Uncle John +and drive him by his necktie--here it is. S-t-e-a-d-y, Uncle; and +neigh--neigh like a horse!" + +"How does a horse neigh, Patsy?" asked a muffled voice, choking and +chuckling at the same time. + +"'Nee, hee-hee--hee; hee!'" + +Uncle John tried to neigh, and made a sorry mess of it, although Bobby +shrieked with delight. + +Then came a sudden hush. Diana caught the maid's voice, perhaps +announcing the presence of a visitor, for Patsy cried in subdued +accents: + +"Goodness me, Mary! why didn't you say so? Listen, Uncle John--" + +"Leggo that ear, Bobby--leggo!" + +"--You watch the baby, Uncle John, and don't let anything happen to +him. I've got a caller." + +Diana smiled, a bit scornfully, and then composed her features as a +young girl bustled into the room and came toward her with frank +cordiality indicated in the wide smile and out-stretched hand. + +"Pardon my keeping you waiting," said Patsy, dropping into a chair +opposite her visitor, "Uncle John and I were romping with the baby from +upstarts--Bobby's such a dear! I didn't quite catch the name Mary gave +me and forgot to look at your card." + +"I am Miss Von Taer." + +"Not Diana Von Taer, the swell society girl?" cried Patsy eagerly. + +Diana couldn't remember when she had been so completely nonplused +before. After an involuntary gasp she answered quietly: + +"I am Diana Von Taer." + +"Well, I'm glad to meet you, just the same," said Patsy, cheerfully. "We +outsiders are liable to look on society folk as we would on a cage of +monkeys--because we're so very ignorant, you know, and the bars are +really between us." This frank disdain verged on rudeness, although +the girl had no intention of being rude. Diana was annoyed in spite of +her desire to be tolerant. + +"Perhaps the bars are imaginary," she rejoined, carelessly, "and it may +be you've been looking at the side-show and not at the entertainment in +the main tent. Will you admit that possibility, Miss Doyle?" + +Patsy laughed gleefully. + +"I think you have me there, Miss Von Taer. And what do _I_ know about +society? Just nothing at all. It's out of my line entirely." + +"Perhaps it is," was the slow response. "Society appeals to only those +whose tastes seem to require it." + +"And aren't we drawing distinctions?" enquired Miss Doyle. "Society at +large is the main evidence of civilization, and all decent folk are +members of it." + +"Isn't that communism?" asked Diana. + +"Perhaps so. It's society at large. But certain classes have leagued +together and excluded themselves from their fellows, admitting only +those of their own ilk. The people didn't put them on their +pedestals--they put themselves there. Yet the people bow down and +worship these social gods and seem glad to have them. The newspapers +print their pictures and the color of their gowns and how they do their +hair and what they eat and what they do, and the poor washwomen and +shop-girls and their like read these accounts more religiously than they +do their bibles. My maid Mary's a good girl, but she grabs the society +sheet of the Sunday paper and reads it from top to bottom. I never look +at it myself." + +Diana's cheeks were burning. She naturally resented such ridicule, +having been born to regard social distinction with awe and reverence. +Inwardly resolving to make Miss Patricia Doyle regret the speech she hid +all annoyance under her admirable self-control and answered with smooth +complacency: + +"Your estimate of society, my dear Miss Doyle, is superficial." + +"Don't I know it, then?" exclaimed Patsy. "Culture and breeding, +similarity of taste and intellectual pursuits will always attract +certain people and band them together in those cliques which are called +'social sets,' They are not secret societies; they have no rules of +exclusion; congenial minds are ever welcome to their ranks. This is a +natural coalition, in no way artificial. Can you not appreciate that, +Miss Doyle?" + +"Yes, indeed," admitted Patsy, promptly. "You're quite right, and I'm +just one of those stupid creatures who criticise the sun because there's +a cloud before it. Probably there are all grades of society, because +there are all grades of people." + +"I thought you would agree with me when you understood," murmured Diana, +and her expression was so smug and satisfied that Patsy was seized with +an irresistible spirit of mischief. + +"And haven't I seen your own pictures in the Sunday papers?" she asked. + +"Perhaps; if you robbed your maid of her pleasure." + +"And very pretty pictures they were, too. They showed culture and +breeding all right, and the latest style in gowns. Of course those +intellectual high-brows in your set didn't need an introduction to you; +you were advertised as an example of ultra-fashionable perfection, to +spur the ambition of those lower down in the social scale. Perhaps it's +a good thing." + +"Are you trying to annoy me?" demanded Diana, her eyes glaring under +their curling lashes. + +"Dear me--dear me!" cried Patsy, distressed, "see how saucy and impudent +I've been--and I didn't mean a bit of it! Won't you forgive me, please, +Miss Von Taer? There! we'll begin all over again, and I'll be on my good +behavior. I'm so very ignorant, you know!" + +Diana smiled at this; it would be folly to show resentment to such a +childish creature. + +"Unfortunately," she said, "I have been unable to escape the vulgar +publicity thrust upon me by the newspapers. The reporters are preying +vultures, rapacious for sensation, and have small respect for anyone. I +am sure we discourage them as much as we can. I used to weep with +mortification when I found myself 'written up'; now, however, I have +learned to bear such trials with fortitude--if not with resignation." +"Forgive me!" said Patsy, contritely. "Somehow I've had a false idea of +these things. If I knew you better, Miss Von Taer, you'd soon convert me +to be an admirer of society." + +"I'd like to do that, Miss Doyle, for you interest me. Will you return +my call?" + +"Indeed I will," promised the girl, readily. "I'm flattered that you +called on me at all, Miss Von Taer, for you might easily have amused +yourself better. You must be very busy, with all the demands society +makes on one. When shall I come? Make it some off time, when we won't be +disturbed." + +Diana smiled at her eagerness. How nescient the poor little thing was! + +"Your cousins, Miss Merrick and Miss De Graf, have consented to receive +with me on the evening of the nineteenth. Will you not join us?" + +"Louise and Beth!" cried Patsy, astounded. + +"Isn't it nice of them? And may I count upon you, also?" + +Patsy smiled dubiously into the other's face. + +"Let me out of it!" she said. "Can't you see I'm no butterfly?" + +Diana saw many things, having taken a shrewd account of the girl long +before this. Miss Patricia Doyle was short and plump, with a round, +merry face covered with freckles, hair indisputably red and a +_retroussé_ nose. Also she possessed a pair of wonderful blue eyes--eyes +that danced and scintillated with joyous good humor--eyes so captivating +that few ever looked beyond them or noted the plain face they +glorified. But the critic admitted that the face was charmingly +expressive, the sweet and sensitive mouth always in sympathy with the +twinkling, candid eyes. Life and energy radiated from her small person, +which Miss Von Taer grudgingly conceded to possess unusual fascination. +Here was a creature quite imperfect in detail, yet destined to allure +and enchant whomsoever she might meet. All this was quite the reverse of +Diana's own frigid personality. Patsy would make an excellent foil for +her. + +"As you please, my dear," she said graciously; "but do you not think it +would amuse you to make your debut in society--unimpeachable +society--and be properly introduced to the occupants of the 'pedestals,' +as your cousins will be?" + +Patsy reflected. If Beth and Louise had determined to undertake this +venture why should she hold back? Moreover, she experienced a girlish +and wholly natural curiosity to witness a fashionable gathering and +"size up" the lions for herself. So she said: + +"I'll come, if you really want me; and I'll try my best to behave +nicely. But I can't imagine why you have chosen to take us three girls +under your wing; unless--" with sudden intuition, "it's for Uncle John's +sake." + +"That was it, at first," replied Diana, rising to go; "but now that I've +seen you I'm delighted to have you on your own account. Come early, +dear; we must be ready to receive our guests by nine." + +"Nine o'clock!" reflected Patsy, when her visitor had gone; "why, I'm +often in bed by that time." + + + + +CHAPTER V + + +PREPARING FOR THE PLUNGE + +John Merrick lived with the Doyles at their Willing Square apartments. +There were but two of the Doyles--Patricia and her father, Major Doyle, +a tall, handsome, soldierly man with white moustache and hair. The Major +was noted as a "character," a keen wit and a most agreeable type of the +"old Irish gentleman." He fairly worshipped his daughter, and no one +blamed him for it. His business, as special agent and manager for his +brother-in-law's millions, kept the Major closely occupied and afforded +John Merrick opportunity to spend his days as be pleased. The rich man +was supposed to be "retired," yet the care of his investments and income +was no light task, as the Major found. + +We are accustomed to regard extreme wealth as the result of hard-headed +shrewdness, not wholly divorced from unscrupulous methods, yet no one +could accuse John Merrick or his representative with being other than +kindly, simple-hearted and honest. Uncle John says that he never +intended to "get rich"; it was all the result of carelessness. He had +been so immersed in business that he failed to notice how fast his +fortune was growing. When he awoke to a realization of his immense +accumulation he promptly retired, appointing Major Doyle to look after +his investments and seeking personal leisure after many years of hard +work. He instructed his agent to keep his income from growing into more +capital by rendering wise assistance to all worthy charities and +individuals, and this, as you may suppose, the Major found a herculean +task. Often he denounced Uncle John for refusing to advise him, claiming +that the millionaire had selfishly thrust the burden of his wealth on +the Major's broad shoulders. While there was an element of truth in this +the burden it was not so heavy as to make the old soldier unhappy, and +the two men loved and respected one another with manly cordiality. + +Patricia was recognized as Uncle John's favorite niece and it was +understood she was to inherit the bulk of his property, although some +millions might be divided between Beth and Louise "if they married +wisely." Neither Uncle John nor the Major ever seemed to consider +Patsy's marrying; she was such a child that wedlock for her seemed a +remote possibility. + +The Sunday afternoon following Diana Von Taer's visit to the three +nieces found the girls all congregated in Patsy's own room, where an +earnest discussion was being conducted. That left Uncle John to take his +after-dinner nap in the big Morris chair in the living room, where Major +Doyle sat smoking-sulkily while he gazed from the window and begrudged +the moments Patsy was being kept from him. + +Finally the door opened and the three girls trooped out. + +"Huh! Is the conspiracy all cut-an'-dried?" growled the Major. + +Uncle John woke up with a final snort, removed the newspaper from his +face and sat up. He smiled benignantly upon his nieces. + +"It's all your fault, sor!" declared Major Doyle, selecting the little +millionaire as the safest recipient of his displeasure. "Your +foolishness has involved us all in this dreadful complication. Why on +earth couldn't you leave well-enough alone?" + +Uncle John received the broadside with tolerant equanimity. + +"What's wrong; my dears?" he enquired, directing his mild glance toward +the bevy of young girls. + +"I am unaware that anything is wrong, Uncle," replied Louise gravely. +"But since we are about to make our debut in society it is natural we +should have many things to discuss that would prove quite uninteresting +to men. Really, Uncle John, this is a great event--perhaps the most +important event of our lives." + +"Shucks an' shoestrings!" grunted the Major. "What's in this +paper-shelled, painted, hollow thing ye call 'society' to interest three +healthy, wide-awake girls? Tell me that!" + +"You don't understand, dear," said Patsy, soothing him with a kiss. + +"I think he does," remarked Beth, with meditative brows. "Modern society +is a man-made--or woman-made--condition, to a large extent artificial, +selfish and unwholesome." + +"Oh, Beth!" protested Louise. "You're talking like a rank socialist. I +can understand common people sneering at society, which is so far out of +their reach; but a girl about to be accepted in the best circles has no +right to rail at her own caste." + +"There can be no caste in America," declared Beth, stubbornly. + +"But there _is_ caste in America, and will be so long as the +exclusiveness of society is recognized by the people at large," +continued Louise. "If it is a 'man-made condition' isn't it the most +respected, most refined, most desirable condition that one may attain +to?" + +"There are plenty of honest and happy people in the world who ignore +society altogether," answered Beth. "It strikes me that your social +stars are mighty few in the broad firmament of humanity." + +"But they're stars, for all that, dear," said Uncle John, smiling at her +with a hint of approval in his glance, yet picking up the argument; "and +they look mighty big and bright to the crowd below. It's quite natural. +You can't keep individuals from gaining distinction, even in America. +There are few generals in an army, for instance; and they're 'man-made'; +but that's no reason the generals ain't entitled to our admiration." + +"Let's admire 'em, then--from a distance," retorted the Major, realizing +the military simile was employed to win his sympathy. + +"Certain things, my dear Major, are naturally dear to a girl's heart," +continued Uncle John, musingly; "and we who are not girls have no right +to condemn their natural longings. Girls love dancing, pink teas and +fudge-parties, and where can they find 'em in all their perfection but +in high society? Girls love admiration and flirtations--you do, my +dears; you can't deny it--and the male society swells have the most time +to devote to such things. Girls love pretty dresses--" + +"Oh, Uncle! you've hit the nail on the head now," exclaimed Patsy, +laughing. "We must all have new gowns for this reception, and as we're +to assist Miss Von Taer the dresses must harmonize, so to speak, +and--and--" "And be quite suited to the occasion," broke in Louise; +"and--" + +"And wear our lives out with innumerable fittings," concluded Beth, +gloomily. + +"But why new dresses?" demanded the Major. "You've plenty of old ones +that are clean and pretty, I'm sure; and our Patsy had one from the +dressmaker only last week that's fit for a queen." + +"Oh, Daddy! you don't understand," laughed Patsy. + +"This time, Major, I fear you don't," agreed Beth. "Your convictions +regarding society may be admirable, but you're weak on the gown +question." + +"If the women would only listen to me," began the Major, dictatorially; +but Uncle John cut him short. + +"They won't, sir; they'll listen to no man when it comes to +dressmaking." + +"Don't they dress to captivate the men, then?" asked the Major, with +fine sarcasm. + +"Not at all," answered Louise, loftily. "Men seldom know what a woman +has on, if she looks nice; but women take in every detail of dress and +criticise it severely if anything happens to be out of date, ill +fitting or in bad taste." + +"Then they're in bad taste themselves!" retorted the Major, hotly. + +"Tut-tut, sir; who are you to criticise woman's ways?" asked Uncle John, +much amused. The Major was silenced, but he glared as if unconvinced. + +"Dressmaking is a nuisance," remarked Beth, placidly; "but it's the +penalty we pay for being women." + +"You're nothing but slips o' girls, not out of your teens," grumbled the +Major. And no one paid any attention to him. + +"We want to do you credit, Uncle John," said Patsy, brightly. "Perhaps +our names will be in the papers." + +"They're there already," announced Mr. Merrick, picking up the Sunday +paper that lay beside him. + +A chorus of exclamations was followed by a dive for the paper, and even +the Major smiled grimly as he observed the three girlish heads close +together and three pair of eager eyes scanning swiftly the society +columns. + +"Here it is!" cried Patsy, dancing up and down like a school-girl; and +Louise read in a dignified voice--which trembled slightly with +excitement and pleasure--the following item: + +"Miss Von Taer will receive next Thursday evening at the family mansion +in honor of Miss Merrick, Miss Doyle and Miss De Graf. These three +charming _debutantes_ are nieces of John Merrick, the famous tin-plate +magnate." + +"Phoo!" growled the Major, during the impressive hush that followed; +"that's it, exactly. Your names are printed because you're John +Merrick's nieces. If it hadn't been for tin-plate, my dears, society +never would 'a' known ye at all, at all!" + + + + +CHAPTER VI + + +THE FLY IN THE BROTH + +Diana was an experienced entertainer and under her skillful supervision +the reception proved eminently successful. Nor had she cause to be +ashamed of the three _protégées_ she presented to society, since capable +_modistes_ had supplemented their girlish charms and freshness with +costumes pertinent to the occasion. Perhaps Patsy's chubby form looked a +little "dumpish" in her party gown, for some of Diana's female guests +regarded her with quiet amusement and bored tolerance, while the same +critical posse was amazed and envious at Beth's superb beauty and +stately bearing. After all, it was Louise who captured the woman +contingency and scored the greatest success; for her appearance was not +only dainty and attractive but she was so perfectly self-possessed and +responsive and bore herself so admirably under the somewhat trying; +circumstances of a debut that she won the cordial goodwill of all whom +she encountered. The hostess was elaborately gowned in white pompadour +satin, trimmed with white chiffon and embroidered in pink roses and +pearls. The Von Taer home was handsomely decorated for the occasion, +since Diana never did anything by halves and for her own credit insisted +on attention to those details of display that society recognizes and +loves. Hundreds of long-stemmed American Beauties and Kentia palms were +combined in beautifying the spacious hall, while orchids in marvelous +variety nodded their blossoms in the great drawing-room, where the +young-ladies received. These rare and precious flowers were arranged in +bronze baskets with sprays of maidenhair. In the music room adjoining, +great clusters of Madam Chantenay roses embellished the charming scene. +Branches of cherry-blossoms, supplied by hot-houses, were banked in the +lofty dining-room, where a Japanese pergola made of bamboo and lighted +with red lanterns was erected at the upper end. The attendants here were +Japanese girls in native costume, and the long table was laid with a +lace cloth over pink satin, with butterfly bows of pink tulle. The table +itself was decorated with cut-glass baskets of Cecil Brunner roses +mingled with lilies of the valley and refreshments were distributed to +the standing guests as they entered. + +The affair was in the nature of a typical "crush," for Diana's list of +eligibles included most of the prominent society folk then in town, and +she was too important a personage to have her invitations disregarded. +Beth and Patsy were fairly bewildered by the numerous introductions, +until names became meaningless in their ears; but Louise, perfectly +composed and in no wise distracted by her surroundings or the music of +the orchestra and the perpetual buzz of conversation in the crowded +rooms, impressed each individual upon her memory clearly, and was not +likely to blunder in regard to names or individuality in the future. +This is a rare talent, indeed, and scores, largely in one's favor; for +no one likes to think himself so unimportant as to be forgotten, under +any circumstances. + +It was during the thick of the reception that one of Miss Von Taer's +intimates, a graceful blond girl, suddenly seized her arm and whispered: +"Oh, Diana! Guess who's here--guess, my dear!" Diana knew. Her eyes, +always narrowed until the lashes shielded their sharp watchfulness, +seldom missed observing anything of importance. She pressed her friend's +hand and turned again to the line of guests, while Louise, who had +overheard the excited whisper, wondered casually what it might mean. + +Soon after she knew. A tall, handsome young fellow was bowing before +Diana, who--wonder of wonders!--for an instant unclosed her great eyes +and shot an electric glance into his smiling face. The glance was brief +as unexpected, yet it must have told the young man something, for he +flushed and bowed again as if to hide his embarrassment. It also told +Louise something, and her heart, which had given a quick bound at sight +of the man's face, began to cry out against Diana Von Taer's artifices. + +"Mr. Arthur Weldon," said the hostess, in her soft voice; and now, as +the young man turned an eager gaze on Louise and half extended his hand, +the girl's face grew pale and she imitated Diana to the extent of +dropping her eyes and bowing with frigid indifference. Standing close +he whispered "Louise!" in a pleading tone that made Diana frown +wickedly. But the girl was unresponsive and another instant forced him +to turn to Beth. + +"Why, Arthur! are you here, then?" said the girl, in a surprised but +cordial tone. + +"That is not astonishing, Miss Beth," he replied. "The puzzling fact is +that _you_ are here--and under such auspices," he added, in a lower +tone. + +Patsy now claimed him, with a frank greeting, and Arthur Weldon could do +little more than press her hand when the line forced him to move on and +give place to others. + +But this especial young fellow occupied the minds of all four girls long +after the crowd had swallowed him up. Diana was uneasy and obviously +disturbed by the discovery that he was known to the three cousins, as +well as by the memory of his tone as he addressed Louise Merrick. +Louise, who had read Diana's quick glance with the accuracy of an +intuitionist, felt a sudden suspicion and dislike for Diana now +dominating her. Behind all this was a mystery, which shall be explained +here because the reader deserves to be more enlightened than the +characters themselves. + +Arthur Weldon's nature was a queer combination of weakness and strength. +He was physically brave but a moral coward. The motherless son of a man +wholly immersed in business, he had been much neglected in his youth and +his unstable character was largely the result of this neglect. On +leaving college he refused a business career planned for him by his +father, who cast him off with scornful indifference, and save for a slim +temporary allowance promised to disinherit him. It was during this +period that Arthur met Louise and fell desperately in love with her. The +girl appeared to return the young fellow's devotion, but shrewd, worldly +Mrs. Merrick, discovering that the boy was practically disinherited and +had no prospects whatever, forbade him the house. Louise, until now but +mildly interested in the young-man, resented her mother's interference +and refused to give him up. She found ways to meet Arthur Weldon outside +her home, so that the situation had become complicated and dangerous +when Uncle John seized his three nieces and whisked them off to Europe. +Young Weldon, under an assumed name, followed and attached himself to +the party; but John Merrick's suspicions were presently aroused and on +discovering the identity of the youth he forbade him or Louise to "make +love" or even speak of such a thing during the remainder of the trip. + +The young fellow, by manly acts on some occasions and grave weaknesses +on others, won Uncle John's kindly interest. The old gentleman knew +human nature, and saw much to admire as well as condemn in Louise's +friend. Beth and Patsy found him a pleasant comrade, and after all +love-making was tabooed they were quite a harmonious party. Finally the +sudden death of Weldon's father left him the possessor of a fortune. He +returned to America to look after his newly-acquired business and became +so immersed in it that Louise felt herself neglected when she came home +expecting him to dance attendance upon her as before. She treated him +coldly and he ceased calling, his volatile and sensitive nature +resenting such treatment. It is curious what little things influence +the trend of human lives. Many estrangements are caused by trifles so +intangible that we can scarcely locate them at all. + +At first the girl was very unhappy at the alienation, but soon schooled +herself to forget her former admirer. Arthur Weldon, for his part, +consoled himself by plunging into social distractions and devoting +himself to Diana Von Taer, whose strange personality for a time +fascinated him. + +The business could not hold young Weldon's vacillant temperament for +long; neither could Diana. As a matter of fact his heart, more staunch +than he himself suspected, had never wavered much from Louise. Yet pride +forbade his attempting to renew their former relations. It was now some +months since he had seen the girl, and his eager exclamation was wrested +from him by surprise and a sudden awakening to the fact that his love +for her had merely slumbered. + +Diana, worldly, cold and calculating as was her nature, had been +profoundly touched by Arthur's devotion to her. Usually young men were +soon repulsed by her unfortunate personality, which was not easily +understood. Therefore her intense nature responded freely to this +admirer's attentions, and if Diana could really love she loved Arthur +Weldon. He had never proposed to her or even intimated it was his +intention to do so, but she conceived a powerful desire to win him and +had never abandoned this motive when he grew cold and appeared to desert +her. Just now he was recently back from Italy, where he had passed +several months, and Diana's reception was his first reappearance in +society. The girl had planned to bring him to her side this evening and +intended to exert her strongest fascinations to lure him back to his +former allegiance; so her annoyance may be guessed when she found her +three _protégées_ seemingly more familiar with the young man than was +she herself. + +At last the line ended and the introductions were complete. The +_debutantes_ were at once the center of interested groups composed of +those who felt it a duty or pleasure to show them attention. Diana +wandered to the music room and waylaid Arthur Weldon, who was just about +to make his escape from the house, having decided it was impossible to +find an opportunity to converse with Louise that evening. + +"I'm so glad you came, Arthur," she said, a quick glance assuring her +they were not overheard. "You landed from the steamer but yesterday, I +hear." + +"And came straightway to pay my respects to my old friend," he answered +lightly. "Isn't it unusual for you to present _debutantes_, Diana?" + +"You know these girls, don't you, Arthur?" + +"Yes; I met them in Europe." + +"And flirted with Miss Merrick? Be honest, Arthur, I know your secret." + +"Do you? Then you know we were merely good friends," said he, annoyed at +her accusation. + +"Of course. You called her 'Louise,' didn't you?" + +"To be sure. And Patsy called me 'Arthur. You may have heard her." + +"Patsy?" + +"That's Miss Patricia Doyle--our dear little Patsy." + +"Oh. I'm sure you didn't fall in love with _her_, at any rate." + +"I'm not so sure. Everybody loves Patsy. But I had no time for +love-making. I was doing Europe." + +"Wasn't that a year or so ago?" she asked, realizing he was trying to +evade further reference to Louise. + +"Yes." + +"And since then?" + +"I've been away the last six or seven months, as you know, on my second +trip abroad." + +"But before that--when you first returned?" + +"If I remember rightly I was then much in the society of Miss Von Taer. +Is the catechism ended at last?" + +"Yes," she replied, laughing. "Don't think me inquisitive, Arthur; I was +surprised to find you knew these girls, with whom I am myself but +lightly acquainted." + +"Yet you introduce them to your very select set?" + +"To please my father, who wishes to please Mr. Merrick." + +"I understand," said he, nodding. "But they're nice girls, Diana. +You're not running chances, I assure you." + +"That relieves me," she replied rather scornfully. "If Arthur Weldon +will vouch for them--" + +"But I don't. I'll vouch for no one--not even myself," he declared +hastily. She was calmly reading his face, and did not seem to approve +the text. + +"Are you as fickle as ever, then, _mon cher_?" she asked, softly. + +"I'm not fickle, Diana. My fault is that I'm never serious." + +"Never?" + +"I cannot remember ever being serious; at least, where a girl was +concerned." + +Diana bit her lips to restrain a frown, but her eyes, which he was +avoiding, flashed wickedly. + +"That is surely a fault, my Arthur," was her tender reply. "Were you +never serious during our quiet evenings together; our dances, theatre +parties and romps?" + +"That was merely fun. And you, Diana?" + +"Oh, I enjoyed the fun, too. It meant so much to me. I began to live, +then, and found life very sweet. But when you suddenly left me and went +abroad--ah, _that_ was indeed serious." + +Her tone was full of passionate yearning. He laughed, trying to appear +at ease. Some sort of an understanding must be had with Diana sooner or +later, and she might as well realize at this present interview that the +old relations could not be restored. His nature was not brutal and he +disliked to hurt her; moreover, the boy had an uneasy feeling that he +had been a far more ardent admirer of this peculiar girl than any fellow +should be who had had no serious intentions; yet it would be folly to +allow Diana to think she could win him back to his former allegiance. No +compromising word had ever left his lips; he had never spoken of love to +her. Yet the girl's attitude seemed to infer a certain possession of him +which was far from agreeable. + +Having gone so far, he should have said more; but here again his lack of +moral courage proved his stumbling-block, and he weakly evaded a frank +expression of his true feelings. "Life," he began somewhat haltingly, +to break the embarrassing pause, "is only serious when we make it so; +and as soon as we make it serious it makes us unhappy. So I've adopted +one invariable rule: to laugh and be gay." + +"Then I too will be gay, and together we'll enjoy life," responded +Diana, with an effort to speak lightly. "I shall let your moods be my +moods, Arthur, as a good friend should. Are we not affinities?" + +Again he knew not what to say. Her persistence in clinging to her +intangible hold upon him was extremely irritating, and he realized the +girl was far too clever for him to cope with and was liable to cause him +future trouble. Instead of seizing the opportunity to frankly undeceive +her he foolishly evaded the subject. + +"You've been tempting fate to-night," he remarked with assumed +carelessness. "Don't you remember that to stand four girls in a row is a +bad omen?" + +"Only for the one who first winks. Isn't that the way the saying goes? I +seldom wink, myself," she continued, smilingly. "But I have no faith in +ill omens. Their power is entirely due to mental fear." + +"I think not," said Arthur, glad the conversation had taken this turn. +"Once I knew a fellow with thirteen letters in his name. He had no +mental fear. But he proposed to a girl--and was accepted." + +She gave him one of those sudden, swift glances that were so +disconcerting. + +"If you had a middle initial, there would be thirteen letters in your +own name, Arthur Weldon." + +"But I haven't, Diana; I haven't," he protested, eagerly. "And if ever I +propose to a girl I'm sure she'll refuse me. But I've no intention of +doing such a crazy thing, so I'm perfectly safe." + +"You cannot be sure until you try, Arthur," she replied pointedly, and +with a start he became conscious that he was again treading upon +dangerous ground. + +"Come; let us rejoin your guests," said he, offering her his arm. "They +would all hate me if they knew I was keeping the fair Diana from them so +long." "Arthur, I must have a good long; talk with you--one of our +old, delightful confabs," she said, earnestly. "Will you call Sunday +afternoon? Then we shall be quite undisturbed." + +He hesitated. + +"Sunday afternoon?" he answered. + +"Yes." + +"All right; I'll come, Diana." + +She gave him a grateful look and taking his arm allowed him to lead her +back to the drawing-room. The crush was over, many having already +departed. Some of the young people were dancing in the open spaces to +the music of a string orchestra hidden behind a bank of ferns in the +hall. + +Louise and Beth were the centers of attentive circles; Patsy conversed +with merry freedom with a group of ancient dowagers, who delighted in +her freshness and healthy vigor and were flattered by her consideration. +Mrs. Merrick--for she had been invited--sat in a corner gorgeously robed +and stiff as a poker, her eyes devouring the scene. Noting the triumph +of Louise she failed to realize she was herself neglected. A single +glance sufficed to acquaint Diana with all this, and after a gracious +word to her guests here and there she asked Arthur to dance with her. He +could not well refuse, but felt irritated and annoyed when he observed +Louise's eyes fastened upon him in amused disdain. After a few turns he +discovered some departing ones waiting to bid their hostess _adieu_, and +escaped from his unpleasant predicament by halting his partner before +them. Then he slipped away and quietly left the house before Diana had +time to miss him. + + + + +CHAPTER VII + + +THE HERO ENTERS AND TROUBLE BEGINS + +The Von Taer reception fully launched the three nieces in society. +Endorsed by Diana and backed by John Merrick's millions and their own +winsome charms, they were sure to become favorites in that admirable set +to which they had fortunately gained admittance. + +Cards poured in upon them during; the succeeding days and they found +themselves busy returning calls and attending dinners, fetes, bridge +parties and similar diversions. The great Mrs. Sandringham took a +decided fancy to Louise, and when the committee was appointed to arrange +for the social Kermess to be held in December, this dictatorial leader +had the girl's name included in the list. Naturally the favor led to all +three cousins taking active part in the most famous social event of the +season, and as an especial mark of favoritism they were appointed to +conduct the "flower booth," one of the important features of the +Kermess. + +Mrs. Merrick was in the seventh heaven of ecstatic delight; Uncle John +declared his three girls were sure to become shining lights, if not +actual constellations, wherever they might be placed; Major Doyle +growled and protested; but was secretly pleased to have "our Patsy the +captain of the dress parade," where he fondly imagined she outclassed +all others. All former denunciations of society at large were now +ignored, even by unimpressive Beth, and the girls soon became deeply +interested in their novel experiences. + +Arthur Weldon sulked at home, unhappy and undecided, for a day or two +after the reception. Sunday noon he dispatched a messenger to Diana with +a note saying he would be unable to keep his appointment with her that +afternoon. Then he went straight to the Merrick home and sent his card +to Louise. The girl flushed, smiled, frowned, and decided to go down. + +No one had ever interested her so much as Arthur Weldon. There had been +a spice of romance about their former relations that made her still +regard him as exceptional among mankind. She had been asking herself, +since the night of the reception, if she still loved him, but could not +come to a positive conclusion. The boy was no longer "ineligible," as he +had been at first; even Uncle John could now have no serious objection +to him. He was handsome, agreeable, occupied a good social position and +was fairly well off in the way of worldly goods--the last point removing +Mrs. Merrick's former rejection of Arthur as a desirable son-in-law. + +But girls are wayward and peculiar in such an _affaire du coeur_, and +none of these things might have weighed with Louise had she not +discovered that Diana Von Taer was in love with Arthur and intended to +win him. That aroused the girl's fighting instincts, rendered the young +man doubly important, and easily caused Louise to forget her resentment +at his temporary desertion of her. Perhaps, she reflected, it had +partially been her own fault. Now that Arthur showed a disposition to +renew their friendship, and she might promise herself the satisfaction +of defeating Diana's ambitions, it would be diplomatic, at least, to +receive the youth with cordial frankness. + +Therefore she greeted him smilingly and with outstretched hand, saying: + +"This is quite a surprise, Mr. Weldon. I'd a notion you had forgotten +me." "No, indeed, Louise! How could you imagine such a thing?" he +answered, reproachfully. + +"There was some evidence of the fact," she asserted archly. "At one time +you gave me no peace; then you became retiring. At last you disappeared +wholly. What could I think, sir, under such circumstances?" + +He stood looking down at her thoughtfully. How pretty she had grown; and +how mature and womanly. + +"Louise," said he, gently, "don't let us indulge in mutual reproaches. +Some one must have been at fault and I'll willingly take all the blame +if you will forgive me. Once we were--were good friends. We--we intended +to be still more to one another, Louise, but something occurred, I don't +know what, to--to separate us." + +"Why, you went away," said the girl, laughing; "and that of course +separated us." + +"You treated me like a beggar; don't forget that part of it, dear. Of +course I went away." + +"And consoled yourself with a certain Miss Diana Von Taer. It has lately +been rumored you are engaged to her." "Me? What nonsense?" But he +hushed guiltily, and Louise noted everything and determined he should +not escape punishment. + +"Diana, at least, is in earnest," she remarked, with assumed +indifference. "You may not care to deny that you have been very +attentive to her." + +"Not especially so," he declared, stoutly. + +"People gossip, you know. And Diana is charming." + +"She's an iceberg!" + +"Oh, you have discovered that? Was she wholly unresponsive, then?" + +"No," he said, with a touch of anger. "I have never cared for Diana, +except in a friendly way. She amused me for a while when--when I was +wretched. But I never made love to her; not for a moment. Afterward, +why--then----" + +"Well; what then?" as he hesitated, growing red again. + +"I found she had taken my careless attentions in earnest, and the play +was getting dangerous. So I went abroad." + +Louise considered this explanation seriously. She believed he was +speaking the truth, so far as he knew. But at the same time she realized +from her own experience that Arthur might as easily deceive himself as +Diana in his estimate as to the warmth of the devotion he displayed. His +nature was impetuous and ardent. That Diana should have taken his +attentions seriously and become infatuated with the handsome young +fellow was not a matter to cause surprise. + +Gradually Louise felt her resentment disappearing. In Arthur's presence +the charm of his personality influenced her to be lenient with his +shortcomings. And his evident desire for a reconciliation found an echo +in her own heart. + +Mutual explanations are excellent to clear a murky atmosphere, and an +hour's earnest conversation did much to restore these two congenial +spirits to their former affectionate relations. Of course Louise did not +succumb too fully to his pleadings, for her feminine instinct warned her +to keep the boy on "the anxious seat" long enough to enable him to +appreciate her value and the honor of winning her good graces. Moreover, +she made some severe conditions and put him on his good behavior. If he +proved worthy, and was steadfast and true, why then the future might +reward him freely. + +Diana had been making careful plans for her interview with Arthur that +Sunday afternoon. With no futile attempt to deceive herself as to +existent conditions she coldly weighed the chances in her mental scale +and concluded she had sufficient power to win this unstable youth to her +side and induce him to forget that such a person as Louise Merrick ever +existed. + +Diana was little experienced in such affairs, it is true. Arthur Weldon +had been her first and only declared admirer, and no one living had +studied his peculiar nature more critically than this observant girl. +Also she knew well her own physical failings. She realized that her +personality was to many repulsive, rather than attractive, and this in +spite of her exquisite form, her perfect breeding and many undeniable +accomplishments. Men, as a rule, seldom remained at her side save +through politeness, and even seemed to fear her; but never until now had +she cared for any man sufficiently to wish to retain or interest him. +There were unsuspected fascinations lying dormant in her nature, and +Miss Von Taer calmly reflected that the exercise of these qualities, +backed by her native wit and capacity for intrigue, could easily +accomplish the object she desired. + +Thus she had planned her campaign and carefully dressed herself in +anticipation of Arthur's call when his note came canceling the +engagement. After rereading his lame excuse she sat down in a quiet +corner and began to think. The first gun had been fired, the battle was +on, and like a wise general she carefully marshaled her forces for +combat. + +An hour or two later she turned to her telephone book and called up the +Merrick establishment. A voice, that of a maid, evidently, answered her. + +"I wish to speak with Miss Merrick," said Diana. + +Louise, annoyed at being disturbed, left Arthur's side to respond to the +call. + +"Who is it, please?" she asked. + +"Is Mr. Weldon still there, or has he gone?" enquired Diana, disguising +her voice and speaking imperatively.. "Why, he's still here," answered +bewildered Louise; "but who is talking, please?" + +No answer. + +"Do you wish to speak with Mr. Weldon?" continued the girl, mystified at +such an odd procedure. + +Diana hung up her receiver, severing the connection. The click of the +instrument assured Louise there was no use in waiting longer, so she +returned to Arthur. She could not even guess who had called her. Arthur +could, though, when he had heard her story, and Diana's impudent +meddling made him distinctly uneasy. He took care not to enlighten +Louise, and the incident was soon forgotten by her. + +"It proved just as I expected," mused Diana, huddled in her reclining' +chair. "The fool has thrown me over to go to her. But this is not +important. With the situation so clearly defined I shall know exactly +what I must do to protect my own interests." + +Mr. Von Taer was away from home that Sunday afternoon, and would not +return until a late hour. Diana went to the telephone again and after +several unsuccessful attempts located her cousin, Mr. Charles Connoldy +Mershone, at a club. + +"It's Diana," she said, when at last communication was established. "I +want you to come over and see me; at once." + +"You'll have to excuse me, Di," was the answer. "I was unceremoniously +kicked out the last time, you know." + +"Father's away. It's all right, Charlie. Come along." + +"Can't see it, my fair cousin. You've all treated me like a bull-pup, +and I'm not anxious to mix up with that sort of a relationship. Anything +more? I'm going to play pool to win my dinner." + +"Funds running low, Charlie?" + +"Worse than that; they're invisible." + +"Then pay attention. Call a taxi at once, and get here as soon as you +can. I'll foot the bill--and any others that happen to be bothering +you." + +A low, surprised whistle came over the wire. + +"What's up, Di?" he asked, with new interest. + +"Come and find out." + +"Can I be useful?" + +"Assuredly; to yourself." + +"All right; I'm on the way." + +He hung up, and Diana gave a sigh of content as she slowly returned to +her den and the easy chair, where Mr. Mershone found her "coiled" some +half hour later. + +"This is a queer go," said the young man, taking a seat and glancing +around with knitted brows. "It isn't so long since dear Uncle Hedrik +tumbled me out of here neck and crop; and now Cousin Diana invites me to +return." + +At first glance young Mershone seemed an attractive young fellow, tall, +finely formed and well groomed. But his eyes were too close together and +his handsome features bore unmistakable marks of dissipation. + +"You disgraced us a year or so ago, Charlie," said Diana, in her soft, +quiet accents, "and under such circumstances we could not tolerate you. +You can scarcely blame us for cutting your acquaintance. But now--" + +"Well, now?" he enquired coolly, trying to read her impassive face. + +"I need the services of just such an unscrupulous and clever individual +as you have proven yourself to be. I'm willing to pay liberally for +those services, and you doubtless need the money. Are we allies, then?" + +Mershone laughed, with little genuine mirth. + +"Of course, my dear cousin," he responded; "provided you propose any +legal villainy. I'm not partial to the police; but I really need the +money, as you suggest." + +"And you will be faithful?" she asked, regarding him doubtfully. + +"To the cause, you may be sure. But understand me: I balk at murder and +burglary. Somehow, the police seem to know me. I'll not do anything that +might lead to a jail sentence, because there are easier ways to get +money. However, I don't imagine your proposed plan is very desperate, +Diana; it's more liable to be dirty work. Never mind; you may command +me, my dear cousin--if the pay is ample." + +"The pay will be ample if you succeed," she began. + +"I don't like that. I may not succeed." + +"Listen to me, Charlie. Do you know Arthur Weldon?" + +"Slightly; not very well." + +"I intend to marry him. He has paid me marked attentions in the past; +but now--he--" + +"Wants to slip the leash. Quite natural, my dear." + +"He has become infatuated with another girl; a light-headed, +inexperienced little thing who is likely to marry the first man who asks +her. She is very rich--in her own right, too--and her husband will be a +fortunate man." + +Mershone stared at her. Then he whistled, took a few turns up and down +the room, and reseated himself. + +"Evidently!" he ejaculated, lighting a cigarette without permission and +then leaning back thoughtfully in his chair. + +"Charlie," continued Diana, "you may as well marry Louise Merrick and +settle down to a life of respectability. You've a dashing, masterful way +which no girl of her sort can long resist. I propose that you make +desperate love to Louise Merrick and so cut Arthur Weldon out of the +deal entirely. My part of the comedy will be to attract him to my side +again. Now you have the entire proposition in a nutshell." + +He smoked for a time in reflective silence. + +"What's the girl like?" he enquired, presently. "Is she attractive?" + +"Sufficiently so to fascinate Arthur Weldon. Moreover, she has just been +introduced in our set, and knows nothing of your shady past history. +Even if rumors came to her ears, young creatures of her sort often find +a subtle charm in a man accused of being 'naughty.'" + +"Humph!" + +"If you win her, you get a wife easily managed and a splendid fortune to +squander as you please." + +"Sounds interesting, Di, doesn't it? But--" + +"In regard to preliminary expenses," she interrupted, calmly, "I have +said that your reward will be ample when you have won the game. But +meantime I am willing to invest the necessary funds in the enterprise. I +will allow you a thousand a month." "Bah! that's nothing at all!" said +he, contemptuously, as he flicked the ashes from his cigarette. + +"What do you demand, then?" + +"Five hundred a week, in advance. It's an expensive job, Di." + +"Very well; I will give you five hundred a week; but only as long as you +work earnestly to carry out the plot. I shall watch you, Charlie. And +you must not lose sight of the ultimate reward." + +"I won't, my sweet cousin. It's a bargain," he said, readily enough. +"When do I begin, and what's the program?" + +"Draw your chair nearer," said Diana, restraining her triumphant joy. +"I'll explain everything to you in detail. It will be my part to plan, +and yours to execute." + +"Good!" he exclaimed, with a cheerful grin. "I feel like an executioner +already!" + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + + +OPENING THE CAMPAIGN + +Louise's little romance, which now began to thrive vigorously, was +regarded with calmness by her cousins and her mother, who knew of the +former episode between her and Arthur and attached little importance to +the renewed flirtation in which they indulged. That they were deceived +in their estimate was due to the girl's reputation for frivolity where +young men were concerned. She had been dubbed a "flirt" ever since she +first began to wear long dresses, and her nature was not considered deep +enough for her heart to be ever seriously affected. Therefore the young +girl was gravely misjudged. + +Louise was not one to bare her heart, even to her most intimate friends, +and no one now suspected that at last her deepest, truest womanly +affections were seriously involved. The love for Arthur that had lain +dormant in her heart was aroused at a time when she was more mature and +capable of recognizing truly her feelings, so that it was not long +before she surrendered her reserve and admitted to him that life would +mean little for her unless they might pass the years together. For his +part, young Weldon sincerely loved Louise, and had never wavered from +his firm devotion during all the past months of misunderstanding. + +The general impression that they were "merely flirting" afforded the +lovers ample opportunity to have their walks and drives together +undisturbed, and during these soulful communions they arrived at such a +perfect understanding that both were confident nothing could ever +disturb their trust and confidence. + +It was at a theatre party that the three _debutantes_ first met Charlie +Mershone, but they saw little of him that first evening and scarcely +noticed his presence. Louise, indeed, noted that his eyes were fixed +upon her more than once with thinly veiled admiration, and without a +thought of disloyalty to Arthur, but acting upon the impulse of her +coquettish nature, she responded with a demure smile of encouragement. +Charlie Mershone was an adept at playing parts. He at first regarded +Louise much as a hunter does the game he is stalking. Patsy Doyle was +more jolly and Beth De Graf more beautiful than Miss Merrick; but the +young man would in any event have preferred the latter's dainty +personality. When he found her responsive to his admiring glances he was +astounded to note his heart beating rapidly--a thing quite foreign to +his usual temperament. Yes, this girl would do very nicely, both as a +wife and as a banker. Assuredly the game was well worth playing, as +Diana had asserted. He must make it his business to discover what +difficulties must be overcome in winning her. Of course Arthur Weldon +was the main stumbling-block; but Weldon was a ninny; he must be thrust +aside; Diana had promised to attend to that. + +Never in his life had Charles Connoldy Mershone been in earnest before. +After his first interview with Louise Merrick he became in deadly +earnest. His second meeting with her was at Marie Delmar's bridge whist +party, where they had opportunity for an extended conversation. Arthur +was present this evening, but by some chance Mershone drew Louise for +his partner at cards, and being a skillful player he carried her in +progression from table to table, leaving poor Arthur far behind and +indulging in merry repartee and mild flirtation until they felt they +were quite well acquainted. + +Louise found the young man a charming conversationalist. He had a +dashing, confidential way of addressing the girl which impressed her as +flattering and agreeable, while his spirits were so exuberant and +sparkling with humor that she was thoroughly amused every moment while +in his society. Indeed, Mr. Mershone was really talented, and had he +possessed any manly attributes, or even the ordinary honorable instincts +of mankind, there is little doubt he would have been a popular favorite. +But he had made his mark, and it was a rather grimy one. From earliest +youth he had been guilty of discreditable acts that had won for him the +contempt of all right-minded people. That he was still accepted with lax +tolerance by some of the more thoughtless matrons of the fashionable set +was due to his family name. They could not forget that in spite of his +numerous lapses from respectability he was still a Mershone. Not one of +the careless mothers who admitted him to her house would have allowed +her daughter to wed him, and the degree of tolerance extended to him was +fully appreciated by Mershone himself. He knew he was practically barred +from the most desirable circles and seldom imposed himself upon his +former acquaintances; but now, with a distinct object in view, he +callously disregarded the doubtful looks he encountered and showed +himself in every drawing-room where he could secure an invitation or +impudently intrude himself. He made frank avowals that he had "reformed" +and abandoned his evil ways forever. Some there were who accepted this +statement seriously, and Diana furthered his cause by treating him +graciously whenever they met, whereas she had formerly refused to +recognize her cousin. + +Louise knew nothing at all of Charlie Mershone's history and permitted +him to call when he eagerly requested the favor; but on the way home +from the Delmars Arthur, who had glowered at the usurper all the +evening, took pains to hint to Louise that Mershone was an undesirable +acquaintance and had a bad record. Of course she laughed at him and +teased him, thinking he was jealous and rejoicing that in Mershone she +had a tool to "keep Arthur toeing the mark." As a matter of truth she +had really missed her lover's companionship that evening, but forbore to +apprise him of the fact. + +And now the great Kermess began to occupy the minds of the three +cousins, who were to share the important "Flower Booth" between them. +The Kermess was to be the holiday sensation of the season and bade fair +to eclipse the horse show in popularity. It was primarily a charitable +entertainment, as the net receipts were to be divided among several +deserving hospitals; nevertheless it was classed as a high society +function and only the elect were to take active part in the affair. + +The ball room at the Waldorf had been secured and many splendid booths +were to be erected for the sale of novelties, notions and refreshments. +There were to be lotteries and auctions, national dances given by groups +of society belles, and other novel entertainments calculated to empty +the pockets of the unwary. + +Beth was somewhat indignant to find that she and her cousins, having +been assigned to the flower booth, were expected to erect a pavilion and +decorate it at their own expense, as well as to provide the stock of +flowers to be sold. "There is no fund for preliminary expenses, you +know," remarked Mrs. Sandringham, "and of course all the receipts are to +go to charity; so there is nothing to do but stand these little bills +ourselves. We all do it willingly. The papers make a good deal of the +Kermess, and the advertisement we get is worth all it costs us." + +Beth did not see the force of this argument. She thought it was dreadful +for society--really good society--to wish to advertise itself; but +gradually she was learning that this was merely a part of the game. To +be talked about, to have her goings and comings heralded in the society +columns and her gowns described on every possible occasion, seemed the +desire of every society woman, and she who could show the biggest +scrap-book of clippings was considered of highest importance.. Uncle +John laughed joyously when told that the expenses of the flower booth +would fall on the shoulders of his girls and there was no later +recompense. + +"Why not?" he cried. "Mustn't we pay the fiddler if we dance?" + +"It's a hold-up game," declared Beth, angrily. "I'll have nothing to do +with it." + +"Yes, you will, my dear," replied her uncle; "and to avoid separating +you chicks from your pin-money I'm going to stand every cent of the +expense myself. Why, it's for charity, isn't it? Charity covers a +multitude of sins, and I'm just a miserable sinner that needs a +bath-robe to snuggle in. How can the poor be better served than by +robbing the rich? Go ahead, girls, and rig up the swellest booth that +money will build. I'll furnish as many flowers as you can sell, and +Charity ought to get a neat little nest-egg out of the deal." + +"That's nice of you," said Patsy, kissing him; "but it's an imposition, +all the same." + +"It's a blessing, my dear. It will help a bit to ease off that dreadful +income that threatens to crush me," he rejoined, smiling at them. And +the nieces made no further protest, well knowing the kindly old +gentleman would derive untold pleasure in carrying out his generous +plans. + +The flower booth, designed by a famous architect, proved a splendid and +most imposing structure. It was capped by a monster bouquet of +artificial orchids in _papier-maché,_ which reached twenty feet into the +air. The three cousins had their gowns especially designed for the +occasion. Beth represented a lily, Louise a Gold-of-Ophir rose, and +Patricia a pansy. + +The big ball room had been turned over to the society people several +days in advance, that the elaborate preparations might be completed in +time, and during this period groups of busy, energetic young folks +gathered by day and in the evenings, decorating, flirting, rehearsing +the fancy dances, and amusing themselves generally. + +Arthur Weldon was there to assist Uncle John's nieces; but his pleasure +was somewhat marred by the persistent presence of Charlie Mershone, who, +having called once or twice upon Louise, felt at liberty to attach +himself to her party. The ferocious looks of his rival were ignored by +this designing young man and he had no hesitation in interrupting a +_tête-à -tête_ to monopolize the girl for himself. + +Louise was amused, thinking it fun to worry Arthur by flirting mildly +with Mr. Mershone, for whom she cared not a jot. Both Patsy and Beth +took occasion to remonstrate with her for this folly, for having known +Weldon for a long time and journeyed with him through a part of Europe, +they naturally espoused his cause, liking him as much as they +intuitively disliked Mershone. + +One evening Arthur, his patience well-nigh exhausted, talked seriously +with Louise. + +"This fellow Mershone," said he, "is a bad egg, a despicable son of a +decadent family. His mother was Hedrik Von Taer's sister, but the poor +thing has been dead many years. Not long ago Charlie was tabooed by even +the rather fast set he belonged to, and the Von Taers, especially, +refused to recognize their relative. Now he seems to go everywhere +again. I don't know what has caused the change, I'm sure." "Why, he +has reformed," declared Louise; "Diana told me so. She said he had been +a bit wild, as all young men are; but now his behavior is +irreproachable." + +"I don't believe a word of it," insisted Arthur. "Mershone is a natural +cad; he's been guilty of all sorts of dirty tricks, and is capable of +many more. If you'll watch out, Louise, you'll see that all the girls +are shy of being found in his society, and all the chaperons cluck to +their fledglings the moment the hawk appears. You're a novice in society +just yet, my dear, and it won't do you any good to encourage Charlie +Mershone, whom everyone else avoids." + +"He's very nice," returned Louise, lightly. + +"Yes; he must be nicer than I am," admitted the young man, glumly, and +thereupon he became silent and morose and Louise found her evening +spoiled. + +The warning did not fall on barren ground, however. In the seclusion of +her own room the girl thought it all over and decided she had teased her +true lover enough. Arthur had not scolded or reproached her, despite his +annoyance, and she had a feeling that his judgment of Charlie Mershone +was quite right. Although the latter was evidently madly in love with +her the girl had the discretion to see how selfish and unrestrained was +his nature, and once or twice he had already frightened her by his +impetuosity. She decided to retreat cautiously but positively from +further association with him, and at once began to show the young man +coolness. + +Mershone must have been chagrined, but he did not allow Louise to see +there was any change in their relations as far as he was concerned. He +merely redoubled his attentions, sending her flowers and bonbons daily, +accompanied by ardently worded but respectful notes. Really, Louise was +in a quandary, and she frankly admitted to Arthur that she had brought +this embarrassment upon herself. Yet Arthur could do or say little to +comfort her. He longed secretly to "punch Mershone's head," but could +find no occasion for such decided action. + +Diana, during this time, treated both Arthur and Louise with marked +cordiality. Believing her time would come to take part in the comedy she +refrained from interfering prematurely with the progress of events. She +managed to meet her accomplice at frequent intervals and was pleased +that there was no necessity to urge Charlie to do his utmost in +separating the lovers. + +"I'm bound to win, Di," he said grimly, "for I love the girl even better +than I do her fortune. And of one thing you may rest assured; Weldon +shall never marry her." + +"What will you do?" asked Diana, curiously. + +"Anything! Everything that is necessary to accomplish my purpose." + +"Be careful," said she warningly. "Keep a cool head, Charlie, and don't +do anything foolish. Still--" + +"Well?" + +"If it is necessary to take a few chances, do it. Arthur Weldon must not +marry Louise Merrick!" + + + + +CHAPTER IX + + +THE VON TAER PEARLS + +Uncle John really had more fun out of the famous Kermess than anyone +else. The preparations gave him something to do, and he enjoyed +doing--openly, as well as in secret ways. Having declared that he would +stock the flower booth at his own expense, he confided to no one his +plans. The girls may have thought he would merely leave orders with a +florist; but that was not the Merrick way of doing things. Instead, he +visited the most famous greenhouses within a radius of many miles, +contracting for all the floral blooms that art and skill could produce. +The Kermess was to be a three days' affair, and each day the floral +treasures of the cast were delivered in reckless profusion at the flower +booth, which thus became the center of attraction and the marvel of the +public. The girls were delighted to be able to dispense such blooms, and +their success as saleswomen was assured at once. Of course the fair +vendors were ignorant of the value of their wares, for Uncle John +refused to tell them how extravagant he had been; so they were obliged +to guess at the sums to be demanded and in consequence sold priceless +orchids and rare hothouse flora at such ridiculous rates that Mr. +Merrick chuckled with amusement until he nearly choked. + +The public being "cordially invited" Uncle John was present on that +first important evening, and--wonder of wonders--was arrayed in an +immaculate full-dress suit that fitted his chubby form like the skin of +a banana. Mayor Doyle, likewise disguised, locked arms with his +brother-in-law and stalked gravely among the throng; but neither ever +got to a point in the big room where the flower booth was not in plain +sight. The Major's pride in "our Patsy" was something superb; Uncle John +was proud of all three of his nieces. As the sale of wares was for the +benefit of charity these old fellows purchased liberally--mostly flowers +and had enough parcels sent home to fill a delivery wagon. + +One disagreeable incident, only, marred this otherwise successful +evening--successful especially for the three cousins, whose beauty and +grace won the hearts of all. + +Diana Von Taer was stationed in the "Hindoo Booth," and the oriental +costume she wore exactly fitted her sensuous style of beauty. To enhance +its effect she had worn around her neck the famous string of Von Taer +pearls, a collection said to be unmatched in beauty and unequaled in +value in all New York. + +The "Hindoo Booth" was near enough to the "Flower Booth" for Diana to +watch the cousins, and the triumph of her late _protégées_ was very +bitter for her to endure. Especially annoying was it to find Arthur +Weldon devoting himself assiduously to Louise, who looked charming in +her rose gown and favored Arthur in a marked way, although Charlie +Mershone, refusing to be ignored, also leaned over the counter of the +booth and chatted continually, striving to draw Miss Merrick's attention +to himself. + +Forced to observe all this, Diana soon lost her accustomed coolness. The +sight of the happy faces of Arthur and Louise aroused all the rancor +and subtile wit that she possessed, and she resolved upon an act that +she would not before have believed herself capable of. Leaning down, she +released the catch of the famous pearls and unobserved concealed them in +a handkerchief. Then, leaving her booth, she sauntered slowly over to +the floral display, which was surrounded for the moment by a crowd of +eager customers. Many of the vases and pottery jars which had contained +flowers now stood empty, and just before the station of Louise Merrick +the stock was sadly depleted. This was, of course, offset by the store +of money in the little drawer beside the fair sales-lady, and Louise, +having greeted Diana with a smile and nod, turned to renew her +conversation with the young men besieging her. + +Diana leaned gracefully over the counter, resting the hand containing +the handkerchief over the mouth of an empty Doulton vase--empty save for +the water which had nourished the flowers. At the same time she caught +Louise's eye and with a gesture brought the girl to her side. "Those +young men are wealthy," she said, carelessly, her head close to that of +Louise. "Make them pay well for their purchases, my dear." + +"I can't rob them, Diana," was the laughing rejoinder. + +"But it is your duty to rob, at a Kermess, and in the interests of +charity," persisted Diana, maintaining her voice at a whisper. + +Louise was annoyed. + +"Thank you," she said, and went back to the group awaiting her. + +The floral booth was triangular, Beth officiated at one of the three +sides, Patsy at another, and Louise at the third. Diana now passed +softly around the booth, interchanging a word with the other two girls, +after which she returned to her own station. + +Presently, while chatting with a group of acquaintances, she suddenly +clasped her throat and assuming an expression of horror exclaimed: + +"My pearls!" + +"What, the Von Taer pearls?" cried one. + +"The Von Taer pearls," said Diana, as if dazed by her misfortune. + +"And you've lost them, dear?" + +"They're lost!" she echoed. + +Well, there was excitement then, you may be sure. One man hurried to +notify the door-keeper and the private detective employed oh all such +occasions, while others hastily searched the booth--of course in vain. +Diana seemed distracted and the news spread quickly through the +assemblage. + +"Have you left this booth at all?" asked a quiet voice, that of the +official whose business it was to investigate. + +"I--I merely walked over to the floral booth opposite, and exchanged a +word with Miss Merrick, and the others there," she explained. + +The search was resumed, and Charlie Mershone sauntered over. + +"What's this, Di? Lost the big pearls, I hear," he said. + +She took him aside and whispered something to him. He nodded and +returned at once to the flower booth, around which a crowd of searchers +now gathered, much to the annoyance of Louise and her cousins. + +"It's all foolishness, you know," said Uncle John, to the Major, +confidentially. "If the girl really dropped her pearls some one has +picked them up, long ago." + +Young Mershone seemed searching the floral booth as earnestly as the +others, and awkwardly knocked the Doulton vase from the shelf with his +elbow. It smashed to fragments and in the pool of water on the floor +appeared the missing pearls. + +There was an awkward silence for a moment, while all eyes turned +curiously upon Louise, who served this side of the triangle. The girl +appeared turned to stone as she gazed down at the gems. Mershone laughed +disagreeably and picked up the recovered treasure, which Diana ran +forward and seized. + +"H-m-m!" said the detective, with a shrug; "this is a strange +occurrence--a very strange occurrence, indeed. Miss Von Taer, do you +wish--" + +"No!" exclaimed Diana, haughtily. "I accuse no one. It is enough that an +accident has restored to me the heirloom." + +Stiffly she marched back to her own booth, and the crowd quietly +dispersed, leaving only Arthur, Uncle John and the Major standing to +support Louise and her astonished cousins. + +"Why, confound it!" cried the little millionaire, with a red face, "does +the jade mean to insinuate--" + +"Not at all, sor," interrupted the Major, sternly; "her early education +has been neglected, that's all." + +"Come dear," pleaded Arthur to Louise; "let us go home." + +"By no means!" announced Beth, positively; "let us stay where we belong. +Why, we're not half sold out yet!" + + + + +CHAPTER X + + +MISLED + +Arthur Weldon met Mershone at a club next afternoon. "You low +scoundrel!" he exclaimed. "It was _your_ trick to accuse Miss Merrick of +a theft last night." + +"Was she accused?" enquired the other, blandly. "I hadn't heard, +really." + +"You did it yourself!" + +"Dear me!" said Mershone, deliberately lighting a cigarette. + +"You or your precious cousin--you're both alike," declared Arthur, +bitterly. "But you have given us wisdom, Mershone. We'll see you don't +trick us again." + +The young man stared at him, between puffs of smoke. + +"It occurs to me, Weldon, that you're becoming insolent. It won't do, my +boy. Unless you guard your tongue--" + +"Bah! Resent it, if you dare; you coward." + +"Coward?" + +"Yes. A man who attacks an innocent girl is a coward. And you've been a +coward all your life, Mershone, for one reason or another. No one +believes in your pretended reform. But I want to warn you to keep away +from Miss Merrick, hereafter, or I'll take a hand in your punishment +myself." + +For a moment the two eyed one another savagely. They were equally +matched in physique; but Arthur was right, there was no fight in +Mershone; that is, of the knock-down order. He would fight in his own +way, doubtless, and this made him more dangerous than his antagonist +supposed. + +"What right have you, sir, to speak for Miss Merrick?" he demanded. + +"The best right in the world," replied Arthur. "She is my promised +wife." + +"Indeed! Since when?" + +"That is none of your affair, Mershone. As a matter of fact, however, +that little excitement you created last night resulted in a perfect +understanding between us." "_I_ created!" + +"You, of course. Miss Merrick does not care to meet you again. You will +do well to avoid her in the future." + +"I don't believe you, Weldon. You're bluffing." + +"Am I? Then dare to annoy Miss Merrick again and I'll soon convince you +of my sincerity." + +With this parting shot he walked away, leaving Mershone really at a loss +to know whether he was in earnest or not. To solve the question he +called a taxicab and in a few minutes gave his card to the Merrick +butler with a request to see Miss Louise. + +The man returned with a message that Miss Merrick was engaged. + +"Please tell her it is important," insisted Mershone. + +Again the butler departed, and soon returned. + +"Any message for Miss Merrick must be conveyed in writing, sir," he +said, "She declines to see you." + +Mershone went away white with anger. We may credit him with loving +Louise as intensely as a man of his caliber can love anyone. His sudden +dismissal astounded him and made him frantic with disappointment. +Louise's treatment of the past few days might have warned him, but he +had no intuition of the immediate catastrophe that had overtaken him. It +wasn't his self-pride that was injured; that had become so battered +there was little of it left; but he had set his whole heart on winning +this girl and felt that he could not give her up. + +Anger toward Weldon was prominent amongst his emotion. He declared +between his set teeth that if Louise was lost to him she should never +marry Weldon. Not on Diana's account, but for his own vengeful +satisfaction was this resolve made. + +He rode straight to his cousin and told her the news. The statement that +Arthur was engaged to marry Louise Merrick drove her to a wild anger no +less powerful because she restrained any appearance of it. Surveying her +cousin steadily through her veiled lashes she asked: + +"Is there no way we can prevent this thing?" + +Mershone stalked up and down before her like a caged beast. His eyes +were red and wicked; his lips were pressed tightly together. "Diana," +said he, "I've never wanted anything in this world as I want that girl. +I can't let that mollycoddle marry her!" + +She flushed, and then frowned. It was not pleasant to hear the man of +her choice spoken of with such contempt, but after all their +disappointment and desires were alike mutual and she could not break +with Charlie at this juncture. + +Suddenly he paused and asked: + +"Do you still own that country home near East Orange?" + +"Yes; but we never occupy it now. Father does not care for the place." + +"Is it deserted?" + +"Practically so. Madame Cerise is there in charge." + +"Old Cerise? I was going to ask you what had become of that clever +female." + +"She was too clever, Charlie. She knew too much of our affairs, and was +always prying into things that did not concern her. So father took an +antipathy to the poor creature, and because she has served our family +for so long sent her to care for the house at East Orange." + +"Pensioned her, eh? Well, this is good news, Di; perhaps the best news +in the world. I believe it will help clear up the situation. Old Cerise +and I always understood each other." + +"Will you explain?" asked Diana, coldly. + +"I think not, my fair cousin. I prefer to keep my own counsel. You made +a bad mess of that little deal last night, and are responsible for the +climax that faces us. Besides, a woman is never a good conspirator. I +know what you want; and I know what I want. So I'll work this plan +alone, if you please. And I'll win, Di; I'll win as sure as fate--if +you'll help me." + +"You ask me to help you and remain in the dark?" + +"Yes; it's better so. Write me a note to Cerise and tell her to place +the house and herself unreservedly at my disposal." + +She stared at him fixedly, and he returned the look with an evil smile. +So they sat in silence a moment. Then slowly she arose and moved to her +escritoire, drawing a sheet of paper toward her and beginning to write. + "Is there a telephone at the place?" enquired Mershone abruptly. + +"Yes." + +"Then telephone Cerise after I'm gone. That will make it doubly sure. +And give me the number, too, so I can jot it down. I may need it." + +Diana quietly tore up the note. + +"The telephone is better," she said. "Being in the dark, sir, I prefer +not to commit myself in writing." + +"You're quite right, Di," he exclaimed, admiringly. "But for heaven's +sake don't forget to telephone Madame Cerise." + +"I won't Charlie. And, see here, keep your precious plans to yourself, +now and always. I intend to know nothing of what you do." + +"I'm merely the cats-paw, eh? Well, never mind. Is old Cerise to be +depended upon, do you think?" + +"Why not?" replied the girl. "Cerise belongs to the Von Taers--body and +soul!" + + + + +CHAPTER XI + + +THE BROWN LIMOUSINE + +The second evening of the society Kermess passed without unusual event +and proved very successful in attracting throngs of fashionable people +to participate in its pleasures. + +Louise and her cousins were at their stations early, and the second +installment of Uncle John's flowers was even more splendid and profuse +than the first. It was not at all difficult to make sales, and the +little money drawer began to bulge with its generous receipts. + +Many a gracious smile or nod or word was bestowed upon Miss Merrick by +the society folk; for these people had had time to consider the +accusation against her implied by Diana Von Taer's manner when the +pearls were discovered in the empty flower vase. Being rather impartial +judges--for Diana was not a popular favorite with her set--they decided +it was absurd to suppose a niece of wealthy old John Merrick would +descend to stealing any one's jewelry. Miss Merrick might have anything +her heart desired with-out pausing to count the cost, and moreover she +was credited with sufficient common sense to realize that the Von Taer +heirlooms might easily be recognized anywhere. So a little gossip +concerning the queer incident had turned the tide of opinion in Louise's +favor, and as she was a recent _debutante_ with a charming personality +all vied to assure her she was held blameless. + +A vast coterie of the select hovered about the flower booth all the +evening, and the cousins joyously realized they had scored one of the +distinct successes of the Kermess. Arthur could not get very close to +Louise this evening; but he enjoyed her popularity and from his modest +retirement was able to exchange glances with her at intervals, and these +glances assured him he was seldom absent from her thoughts. + +Aside from this, he had the pleasure of glowering ferociously upon +Charlie Mershone, who, failing to obtain recognition from Miss Merrick, +devoted himself to his cousin Diana, or at least lounged nonchalantly in +the neighborhood of the Hindoo Booth. Mershone was very quiet. There +was a speculative look upon his features that denoted an undercurrent +of thought. + +Diana's face was as expressionless as ever. She well knew her action of +the previous evening had severed the cordial relations formerly existing +between her and Mr. Merrick's nieces, and determined to avoid the +possibility of a snub by keeping aloof from them. She greeted whoever +approached her station in her usual gracious and cultured manner, and +refrained from even glancing toward Louise. + +Hedrik Von Taer appeared for an hour this evening. He quietly expressed +his satisfaction at the complete arrangements of the Kermess, chatted a +moment with his daughter, and then innocently marched over to the flower +booth and made a liberal purchase from each of the three girls. +Evidently the old gentleman had no inkling of the incident of the +previous evening, or that Diana was not still on good terms with the +young ladies she had personally introduced to society. His action amused +many who noted it, and Louise blushing but thoroughly self-possessed, +exchanged her greetings with Diana's father and thanked him heartily +for his purchase. Mr. Von Taer stared stonily at Charlie Mershone, but +did not speak to him. + +Going out he met John Merrick, and the two men engaged in conversation +most cordially. + +"You did the trick all right, Von Taer," said the little millionaire, +"and I'm much obliged, as you may suppose. You're not ashamed of my +three nieces, I take it?" + +"Your nieces, Mr. Merrick, are very charming young women," was the +dignified reply. "They will grace any station in life to which they may +be called." + +When the evening's entertainment came to an end Arthur Weldon took +Louise home in his new brown limousine, leaving Patsy and her father, +Uncle John and Beth to comfortably fill the Doyle motor car. Now that +the engagement of the young people had been announced and accepted by +their friends, it seemed very natural for them to prefer their own +society. + +"What do you think of it, Uncle John, anyhow?" asked Patsy, as they +rode home. "It's all right, dear," he announced, with a sigh. "I hate +to see my girls take the matrimonial dive, but I guess they've got to +come to it, sooner or later." + +"Later, for me," laughed Patsy. + +"As for young Weldon," continued Mr. Merrick, reflectively, "he has some +mighty good points, as I found out long ago. Also he has some points +that need filing down. But I guess he'll average up with most young men, +and Louise seems to like him. So let's try to encourage 'em to be happy; +eh, my dears?" + +"Louise," said Beth, slowly, "is no more perfect than Arthur. They both +have faults which time may eradicate, and as at present they are not +disposed to be hypercritical they ought to get along nicely together." + +"If 't was me," said the Major, oracularly, "I'd never marry Weldon." + +"He won't propose to you, Daddy dear," returned Patsy, mischievously; +"he prefers Louise." + +"I decided long ago," said Uncle John, "that I'd never be allowed to +pick out the husbands for my three girls. Husbands are a matter of +taste, I guess, and a girl ought to know what sort she wants. If she +don't, and makes a mistake, that's _her_ look-out. So you can all choose +for yourselves, when the time comes, and I'll stand by you, my dears, +through thick and thin. If the husband won't play fair, you can always +bet your Uncle John will." "Oh, we know, that," said Patsy, simply; +and Beth added: "Of course, Uncle, dear." + +Thursday evening, the third and last of the series, was after all the +banner night of the great Kermess. All the world of society was present +and such wares as remained unsold in the booths were quickly auctioned +off by several fashionable gentlemen with a talent for such brigandage. +Then, the national dances and songs having been given and received +enthusiastically, a grand ball wound up the occasion in the merriest +possible way. + +Charlie Mershone was much in evidence this evening, as he had been +before; but he took no active part in the proceedings and refrained from +dancing, his pet amusement. Diana observed that he made frequent trips +downstairs, perhaps to the hotel offices. No one paid any attention to +his movements, except his cousin, and Miss Von Taer, watching him +intently, decided that underneath his calm exterior lurked a great deal +of suppressed excitement. + +At last the crowd began to disperse. Uncle John and the Major took Beth +and Patsy away early, as soon as their booth was closed; but Louise +stayed for a final waltz or two with Arthur. She soon found, however, +that the evening's work and excitement had tired her, and asked to be +taken home. + +"I'll go and get the limousine around," said Arthur. "That new chauffeur +is a stupid fellow. By the time you've managed in this jam to get your +wraps I shall be ready. Come down in the elevator and I'll meet you at +the Thirty-second street entrance." + +As he reached the street a man--an ordinary servant, to judge from his +appearance--ran into him full tilt, and when they recoiled from the +impact the fellow with a muttered curse raised his fist and struck young +Weldon a powerful blow. Reeling backward, a natural anger seized Arthur, +who was inclined to be hot-headed, and he also struck out with his +fists, never pausing to consider that the more dignified act would be to +call the police. + +The little spurt of fistcuffs was brief, but it gave Mershone, who stood +in the shadow of the door-way near by, time to whisper to a police +officer, who promptly seized the disputants and held them both in a +firm grip. + +"What's all this?" he demanded, sternly. + +"That drunken loafer assaulted me without cause" gasped Arthur, panting. + +"It's a lie!" retorted the man, calmly; "he struck me first." + +"Well, I arrest you both," said the officer. + +"Arrest!" cried Arthur, indignantly; "why, confound it, man, I'm--" + +"No talk!" was the stern command. "Come along and keep quiet." + +As if the whole affair had been premeditated and prearranged a patrol +wagon at that instant backed to the curb and in spite of Arthur Weldon's +loud protests he was thrust inside with his assailant and at once driven +away at a rapid gait. + +At the same moment a brown limousine drew up quietly before the +entrance. + +Louise, appearing in the doorway in her opera cloak, stood hesitating on +the steps, peering into the street for Arthur. A man in livery +approached her. + +"This way, please, Miss Merrick," he said. "Mr. Weldon begs you to be +seated in the limousine. He will join you in a moment." + +With this he led the way to the car and held the door open, while the +girl, having no suspicion, entered and sank back wearily upon the seat. +Then the door abruptly slammed, and the man in livery leaped to the seat +beside the chauffeur and with a jerk the car darted away. + +So sudden and astounding was this _denouement_ that Louise did not even +scream. Indeed, for the moment her wits were dazed. + +And now Charlie Mershone stepped from his hiding place and with a +satirical smile entered the vestibule and looked at his watch. He found +he had time to show himself again at the Kermess, for a few moments, +before driving to the ferry to catch the train for East Orange. + +Some one touched him on the arm. + +"Very pretty, sir, and quite cleverly done," remarked a quiet voice. + +Mershone started and glared at the speaker, a slender, unassuming man in +dark clothes. + +"What do you mean, fellow?" + +"I've been watching the comedy, sir, and I saw you were the star actor, +although you took care to keep hidden in the wings. That bruiser who +raised the row took his arrest very easily; I suppose you've arranged to +pay his fine, and he isn't worried. But the gentleman surely was in hard +luck pounded one minute and pinched the next. You arranged it very +cleverly, indeed." + +Charlie was relieved that no mention was made of the abduction of +Louise. Had that incident escaped notice? He gave the man another sharp +look and turned away; but the gentle touch again restrained him. + +"Not yet, please, Mr. Mershone." + +"Who are you?" asked the other, scowling. + +"The house detective. It's my business to watch things. So I noticed you +talking to the police officer; I also noticed the patrol wagon standing +on the opposite side of the street for nearly an hour--my report on that +will amuse them at headquarters, won't it? And I noticed you nod to the +bruiser, just as your victim came out." + +"Let go of my arm, sir!" + +"Do you prefer handcuffs? I arrest you. We'll run over to the station +and explain things." + +"Do you know who I am?" + +"Perfectly, Mr. Mershone. I believe I ran you in for less than this, +some two years ago. You gave the name of Ryder, then. Better take +another, to-night." + +"If you're the house detective, why do you mix up in this affair?" +enquired Mershone, his anxiety showing in his tone. + +"Your victim was a guest of the house." + +"Not at all. He was merely attending the Kermess." + +"That makes him our guest, sir. Are you ready?" + +Mershone glanced around and then lowered his voice. + +"It's all a little joke, my dear fellow," said he, "and you are liable +to spoil everything with your bungling. Here," drawing; a roll of bills +from his pocket, "don't let us waste any more time. I'm busy." + +The man chuckled and waved aside the bribe. + +"You certainly are, sir; you're _very_ busy, just now! But I think the +sergeant over at the station will give you some leisure. And listen, Mr. +Mershone: I've got it in for that policeman you fixed; he's a cheeky +individual and a new man. I'm inclined to think this night's work will +cost him his position. And the patrol, which I never can get when I want +it, seems under your direct management. These things have got to be +explained, and I need your help. Ready, sir?" + +Mershone looked grave, but he was not wholly checkmated. Thank heaven +the bungling detective had missed the departure of Louise altogether. +Charlie's arrest at this critical juncture was most unfortunate, but +need not prove disastrous to his cleverly-laid plot. He decided it would +be best to go quietly with the "plain-clothes man." + +Weldon had become nearly frantic in his demands to be released when +Mershone was ushered into the station. He started at seeing his enemy +and began to fear a thousand terrible, indefinite things, knowing how +unscrupulous Mershone was. But the Waldorf detective, who seemed +friendly with the police sergeant, made a clear, brief statement of the +facts he had observed. Mershone denied the accusation; the bruiser +denied it; the policeman and the driver of the patrol wagon likewise +stolidly denied it. Indeed, they had quite another story to tell. + +But the sergeant acted on his own judgment. He locked up Mershone, +refusing bail. He suspended the policeman and the driver, pending +investigation. Then he released Arthur Weldon on his own recognisance, +the young man promising to call and testify when required. + +The house detective and Arthur started back to the Waldorf together. + +"Did you notice a young lady come to the entrance, soon after I was +driven away?" he asked, anxiously. + +"A lady in a rose-colored opera cloak, sir?" + +"Yes! yes!" + +"Why, she got into a brown limousine and rode away." Arthur gave a +sigh of relief. + +"Thank goodness that chauffeur had a grain of sense," said he. "I +wouldn't have given him credit for it. Anyway, I'm glad Miss Merrick is +safe." + +"Huh!" grunted the detective, stopping short. "I begin to see this thing +in its true light. How stupid we've been!" + +"In what way?" enquired Arthur, uneasily. + +"Why did Mershone get you arrested, just at that moment?" + +"Because he hated me, I suppose." + +"Tell me, could he have any object in spiriting away that young lady--in +abducting her?" asked the detective. + +"Could he?" cried Arthur, terrified and trembling. "He had every object +known to villainy. Come to the hotel! Let's hurry, man--let's fly!" + + + + +CHAPTER XII + + +FOGERTY + +At the Waldorf Arthur's own limousine was standing by the curb. The +street was nearly deserted. The last of the Kermess people had gone +home. + +Weldon ran to his chauffeur. + +"Did you take Miss Merrick home?" he eagerly enquired. + +"Miss Merrick? Why, I haven't seen her, sir, I thought you'd all +forgotten me." + +The young man's heart sank. Despair seized him. The detective was +carefully examining the car. + +"They're pretty nearly mates, Mr. Weldon. as far as the brown color and +general appearances go," he said. "But I'm almost positive the car that +carried the young lady away was of another make." + +"What make was it?" + +The man shook his head. + +"Can't say, sir. I was mighty stupid, and that's a fact. But my mind was +so full of that assault and battery case, and the trickery of that +fellow Mershone, that I wasn't looking for anything else." + +"Can you get away?" asked Arthur. "Can you help me on this case?" + +"No, sir; I must remain on duty at the hotel. But perhaps the young lady +is now safe at home, and we've been borrowing trouble. In case she's +been stolen, however, you'd better see Fogerty." + +"Who's Fogerty?" + +"Here's his card, sir. He's a private detective, and may be busy just +now, for all I know. But if you can get Fogerty you've got the best man +in all New York." + +Arthur sprang into the seat beside his driver and hurried post-haste to +the Merrick residence. In a few minutes Mrs. Merrick was in violent +hysterics at the disappearance of her daughter. Arthur stopped long +enough to telephone for a doctor and then drove to the Doyles. He routed +up Uncle John and the Major, who appeared in pajamas and bath-robes, and +told them the startling news. + +A council of war was straightway held. Uncle John trembled with +nervousness; Arthur was mentally stupefied; the Major alone was calm. + +"In the first place," said he, "what object could the man have in +carrying off Louise?" Arthur hesitated. + +"To prevent our marriage, I suppose," he answered. "Mershone has an idea +he loves Louise. He made wild love to her until she cut his +acquaintance." + +"But it won't help him any to separate her from her friends, or her +promised husband," declared the Major. "Don't worry. We're sure to find +her, sooner or later." + +"How? How shall we find her?" cried Uncle John. "Will he murder her, or +what?" + +"Why, as for that, John, he's safe locked up in jail for the present, +and unable to murder anyone," retorted the Major. "It's probable he +meant to follow Louise, and induce her by fair means or foul to marry +him. But he's harmless enough for the time being." + +"It's not for long, though," said Arthur, fearfully. "They're liable to +let him out in the morning, for he has powerful friends, scoundrel +though he is. And when he is free--" + +"Then he must be shadowed, of course," returned the Major, nodding +wisely. "If it's true the fellow loves Louise, then he's no intention +of hurting her. So make your minds easy. Wherever the poor lass has been +taken to, she's probably safe enough." + +"But think of her terror--her suffering!" cried Uncle John, wringing his +chubby hands. "Poor child! It may be his idea to compromise her, and +break her heart!" + +"We'll stop all that, John, never fear," promised the Major. "The first +thing to do is to find a good detective." + +"Fogerty!" exclaimed Arthur, searching for the card. + +"Who's Fogerty?" + +"I don't know." + +"Get the best man possible!" commanded Mr. Merrick. "Spare no expense; +hire a regiment of detectives, if necessary; I'll--" + +"Of course you will," interrupted the Major, smiling. "But we won't need +a regiment. I'm pretty sure the game is in our hands, from the very +start." + +"Fogerty is highly recommended," explained Arthur, and related what the +house detective of the Waldorf had said. + +"Better go at once and hunt him up," suggested Uncle John. "What time is +it?" + +"After two o'clock. But I'll go at once." "Do; and let us hear from you +whenever you've anything to tell us," said the Major. + +"Where's Patsy?" asked Arthur. + +"Sound asleep. Mind ye, not a word of this to Patsy till she _has_ to be +told. Remember that, John." + +"Well, I'll go," said the young man, and hurried away. + +Q. Fogerty lived on Eleventh street, according to his card. Arthur drove +down town, making good time. The chauffeur asked surlily if this was to +be "an all-night job," and Arthur savagely replied that it might take a +week. "Can't you see, Jones, that I'm in great trouble?" he added. "But +you shall be well paid for your extra time." + +"All right, sir. That's no more than just," said the man. "It's none of +my affair, you know, if a young lady gets stolen." + +Arthur was wise enough to restrain his temper and the temptation to kick +Jones out of the limousine. Five minutes later they paused before a +block of ancient brick dwellings and found Fogerty's number. A card over +the bell bore his name, and Arthur lit a match and read it. Then he rang +impatiently. + +Only silence. + +Arthur rang a second time; waited, and rang again. A panic of fear took +possession of him. At this hour of night it would be well-nigh +impossible to hunt up another detective if Fogerty failed him. He +determined to persist as long as there was hope. Again he rang. + +"Look above, sir," called Jones from his station in the car. + +Arthur stepped back on the stone landing and looked up. A round spark, +as from a cigarette, was visible at the open window. While he gazed the +spark glowered brighter and illumined a pale, haggard boy's face, +surmounted by tousled locks of brick colored hair. + +"Hi, there!" said Arthur. "Does Mr. Fogerty live here?" + +"He pays the rent," answered a boyish voice, with a tinge of irony. +"What's wanted?" "Mr. Fogerty is wanted. Is he at home?" + +"He is," responded the boy. + +"I must see him at once--on important business. Wake him up, my lad; +will you?" + +"Wait a minute," said the youth, and left the window. Presently he +opened the front door, slipped gently out and closed the door behind +him. + +"Let's sit in your car," he said, in soft, quiet tones. "We can talk +more freely there." + +"But I must see Fogerty at once!" protested Arthur. + +"I'm Fogerty." + +"Q. Fogerty?" + +"Quintus Fogerty--the first and last and only individual of that name." + +Arthur hesitated; he was terribly disappointed. + +"Are you a detective?" he enquired. + +"By profession." + +"But you can't be very old." + +The boy laughed. + +"I'm no antiquity, sir," said he, "but I've shed the knickerbockers +long ago. Who sent you to me?" + +"Why do you ask?" + +"I'm tired. I've been busy twenty-three weeks. Just finished my case +yesterday and need a rest--a good long rest. But if you want a man I'll +refer you to a friend." + +"Gorman, of the Waldorf, sent me to you--and said you'd help me." + +"Oh; that's different. Case urgent, sir?" + +"Very. The young lady I'm engaged to marry was abducted less than three +hours ago." + +Fogerty lighted another cigarette and the match showed Arthur that the +young face was deeply lined, while two cold gray eyes stared blankly +into his own. + +"Let's sit in your limousine, sir," he repeated. + +When they had taken their places behind the closed doors the boy asked +Arthur to tell him "all about it, and don't forget any details, please." +So Weldon hastily told the events of the evening and gave a history of +Mershone and his relations with Miss Merrick. The story was not half +told when Fogerty said: + +"Tell your man to drive to the police station." + +On the way Arthur resumed his rapid recital and strove to post the +young detective as well as he was able. Fogerty made no remarks, nor did +he ask a single question until Weldon had told him everything he could +think of. Then he made a few pointed enquiries and presently they had +arrived at the station. + +The desk sergeant bowed with great respect to the youthful detective. By +the dim light Arthur was now able to examine Fogerty for the first time. + +He was small, slim and lean. His face attested to but eighteen or +nineteen years, in spite of its deep lines and serious expression. +Although his hair was tangled and unkempt Fogerty's clothing and linen +were neat and of good quality. He wore a Scotch cap and a horseshoe pin +in his cravat. + +One might have imagined him to be an errand boy, a clerk, a chauffeur, a +salesman or a house man. You might have placed him in almost any +middle-class walk in life. Perhaps, thought Arthur, he might even be a +good detective! yet his personality scarcely indicated it. + +"Mershone in, Billy?" the detective asked the desk sergeant. + +"Room 24. Want him?" + +"Not now. When is he likely to go?" + +"When Parker relieves me. There's been a reg'lar mob here to get +Mershone off. I couldn't prevent his using the telephone; but I'm a +stubborn duck; eh, Quintus? And now the gentleman has gone to bed, +vowing vengeance." + +"You're all right, Billy. We both know Mershone. Gentleman scoundrel." + +"Exactly. Swell society blackleg." + +"What name's he docked under?" + +"Smith." + +"Will Parker let him off with a fine?" + +"Yes, or without it. Parker comes on at six." + +"Good. I'll take a nap on that bench. Got to keep the fellow in sight, +Billy." + +"Go into my room. There's a cot there." + +"Thanks, old man; I will. I'm dead tired." + +Then Fogerty took Arthur aside. "Go home and try to sleep," he +advised. "Don't worry. The young lady's safe enough till Mershone goes +to her hiding place. When he does, I'll be there, too, and I'll try to +have you with me." + +"Do you think you can arrange it alone, Mr. Fogerty?" asked Arthur, +doubtfully. The boy seemed so very young. + +"Better than if I had a hundred to assist me. Why, this is an easy job, +Mr. Weldon. It 'll give me a fine chance to rest up." + +"And you won't lose Mershone?" + +"Never. He's mine." + +"This is very important to me, sir," continued Arthur, nervously. + +"Yes; and to others. Most of all it's important to Fogerty. Don't worry, +sir." + +The young man was forced to go away with this assurance. He returned +home, but not to sleep. He wondered vaguely if he had been wise to lean +upon so frail a reed as Fogerty seemed to be; and above all he wondered +where poor Louise was, and if terror and alarm were breaking her heart. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + + +DIANA REVOLTS + +Charlie Mershone had no difficulty in securing his release when Parker +came on duty at six o'clock. He called up a cab and went at once to his +rooms at the Bruxtelle; and Fogerty followed him. + +While he discarded his dress-coat, took a bath and donned his walking +suit Mershone was in a brown study. Hours ago Louise had been safely +landed at the East Orange house and placed in the care of old Madame +Cerise, who would guard her like an ogre. There was no immediate need of +his hastening after her, and his arrest and the discovery of half his +plot had seriously disturbed him. This young man was no novice in +intrigue, nor even in crime. Arguing from his own stand-point he +realized that the friends of Louise were by this time using every +endeavor to locate her. They would not succeed in this, he was positive. +His plot had been so audacious and all clews so cleverly destroyed or +covered up that the most skillful detective, knowing he had abducted the +girl; would be completely baffled in an attempt to find her. + +The thought of detectives, in this connection, led him to decide that he +was likely to be shadowed. That was the most natural thing for his +opponents to do. They could not prove Mershone's complicity in the +disappearance of Louise Merrick, but they might easily suspect him, +after that little affair of Weldon's arrest. Therefore if he went to the +girl now he was likely to lead others to her. Better be cautious and +wait until he had thrown the sleuths off his track. + +Having considered this matter thoroughly, Mershone decided to remain +quiet. By eight o'clock he was breakfasting in the grill room, and +Fogerty occupied a table just behind him. + +During the meal it occurred to Charlie to telephone to Madame Cerise for +assurance that Louise had arrived safely and without a scene to attract +the attention of strangers. Having finished breakfast he walked into the +telephone booth and was about to call his number when a thought struck +him. He glanced out of the glass door. In the hotel lobby were many +loungers. He saw a dozen pairs of eyes fixed upon him idly or curiously; +one pair might belong to the suspected detective. If he used the +telephone there would be a way of discovering the number he had asked +for. That would not do--not at all! He concluded not to telephone, at +present, and left the booth. His next act was to purchase a morning +paper, and seating himself carelessly in a chair he controlled the +impulse to search for a "scare head" on the abduction of Miss Merrick. +If he came across the item, very well; he would satisfy no critical eye +that might be scanning him by hunting for it with a show of eagerness. +The game was in his hands, he believed, and he intended to keep it +there. + +Fogerty was annoyed by the man's evident caution. It would not be easy +to surprise Mershone in any self-incriminating action. But, after all, +reflected the boy, resting comfortably in the soft-padded cushions of a +big leather chair, all this really made the case the more interesting. +He was rather glad Mershone was in no hurry to precipitate a climax. A +long stern chase was never a bad chase. + +By and bye another idea occurred to Charlie. He would call upon his +cousin Diana, and get her to telephone Madame Cerise for information +about Louise. It would do no harm to enlighten Diana as to what he had +done. She must suspect it already; and was she not a co-conspirator? +But he could not wisely make this call until the afternoon. So meantime +he took a stroll into Broadway and walked leisurely up and down that +thoroughfare, pausing occasionally to make a trifling purchase and +turning abruptly again and again in the attempt to discover who might be +following him. No one liable to be a detective of any sort could he +discern; yet he was too shrewd to be lulled into a false belief that his +each and every act was unobserved. + +Mershone returned to his hotel, went to his room, and slept until after +one o'clock, as he had secured but little rest the night before in his +primitive quarters at the police station. It was nearly two when he +reappeared in the hotel restaurant for luncheon, and he took his seat +and ate with excellent appetite. + +During this meal Mr. Fogerty also took occasion to refresh himself, +eating modestly at a retired table in a corner. Mershone's sharp eyes +noted him. He remembered seeing this youth at breakfast, and +thoughtfully reflected that the boy's appearance was not such as might +be expected from the guest of a fashionable and high-priced hotel. +Silently he marked this individual as the possible detective. He had two +or three others in his mind, by this time; the boy was merely added to +the list of possibilities. + +Mershone was a capital actor. After luncheon he sauntered about the +hotel, stared from the window for a time, looked at his watch once or +twice with an undecided air, and finally stepped to the porter and asked +him to call a cab. He started for Central Park; then changed his mind +and ordered the man to drive him to the Von Taer residence, where on +arrival Diana at once ordered him shown into her private parlor. + +The young man found his cousin stalking up and down in an extremely +nervous manner. She wrung her delicate fingers with a swift, spasmodic +motion. Her eyes, nearly closed, shot red rays through their slits. + +"What's wrong, Di?" demanded Mershone, considerably surprised by this +intense display of emotion on the part of his usually self-suppressed +and collected cousin. + +"Wrong!" she echoed; "everything is wrong. You've ruined yourself, +Charlie; and you're going to draw me into this dreadful crime, also, in +spite of all I can do!" + +"Bah! don't be a fool," he observed, calmly taking a chair. + +"Am _I_ the fool?" she exclaimed, turning upon him fiercely. "Did _I_ +calmly perpetrate a deed that was sure to result in disgrace and +defeat?" + +"What on earth has happened to upset you?" he asked, wonderingly. "It +strikes me everything is progressing beautifully." + +"Does it, indeed?" was her sarcastic rejoinder. "Then your information +is better than mine. They called me up at three o'clock this morning to +enquire after Louise Merrick--as if _I_ should know her whereabouts. Why +did they come to _me_ for such information? Why?" she stamped her foot +for emphasis. + +"I suppose," said Charlie Mershone, "they called up everyone who knows +the girl. It would be natural in case of her disappearance." + +"Come here!" cried Diana, seizing his arm and dragging him to a window. +"Be careful; try to look out without showing yourself. Do you see that +man on the corner?" + +"Well?" + +"He has been patrolling this house since day-break. He's a detective!" + +Charlie whistled. + +"What makes you think so, Di? Why on earth should they suspect you?" + +"Why? Because my disreputable cousin planned the abduction, without +consulting me, and--" + +"Oh, come, Di; that's a little too--" + +"Because the girl has been carried to the Von Taer house--_my_ house--in +East Orange; because my own servant is at this moment her jailor, and--" + +"How should they know all this?" interrupted Mershone, impatiently. "And +how do you happen to know it yourself, Diana?" + +"Madame Cerise called me up at five o'clock, just after Louise's uncle +had been here for the second time, with a crew of officers. Cerise is in +an ugly mood. She said a young girl had been brought to her a prisoner, +and Mr. Mershone's orders were to keep her safely until he came. She is +greatly provoked at our using her in this way, but promised to follow +instructions if I accepted all responsibility." + +"What did you tell her?" + +"That I knew nothing of the affair, but had put the house and her +services at your disposal. I said I would accept no responsibility +whatever for anything you might do." + +Mershone looked grave, and scowled. + +"The old hag won't betray us, will she?" he asked, uneasily. + +"She cannot betray me, for I have done nothing. Charlie," she said, +suddenly facing him, "I won't be mixed in this horrid affair. You must +carry out your infamous plan in your own way. I know nothing, sir, of +what you have done; I know nothing of what you intend to do. Do you +understand me?" + +He smiled rather grimly. + +"I hardly expected, my fair cousin, that you would be frightened into +retreat at this stage of the game, when the cards are all in our hands. +Do you suppose I decided to carry away Louise without fully considering +what I was doing, and the immediate consequences of my act? And wherein +have I failed? All has gone beautifully up to this minute. Diana, your +fears are absolutely foolish, and against your personal interests. All +that I am doing for myself benefits you doubly. Just consider, if you +will, what has been accomplished for our mutual benefit: The girl has +disappeared under suspicious circumstances; before she again rejoins her +family and friends she will either be my wife or Arthur Weldon will +prefer not to marry her. That leaves him open to appreciate the charms +of Diana Von Taer, does it not? Already, my dear cousin, your wishes are +accomplished. My own task, I admit, is a harder one, because it is more +delicate." + +The cold-blooded brutality of this argument caused even Diana to +shudder. She looked at the young man half fearfully as she asked: + +"What is your task?" + +"Why, first to quiet Louise's fears; then to turn her by specious +arguments--lies, if you will--against Weldon; next to induce her to +give me her hand in honest wedlock. I shall tell her of my love, which +is sincere; I shall argue--threaten, if necessary; use every reasonable +means to gain her consent." + +"You'll never succeed!" cried Diana, with conviction. + +"Then I'll try other tactics," said he blandly. + +"If you do, you monster, I'll expose you," warned the girl. + +"Having dissolved partnership, you won't be taken into my confidence, my +fair cousin. You have promised to know nothing of my acts, and I'll see +you don't." Then he sprang from his chair and came to her with a hard, +determined look upon his face. "Look here, Di; I've gone too far in this +game to back out now, I'm going to carry it through if it costs me my +life and liberty--and yours into the bargain! I love Louise Merrick! I +love her so well that without her the world and its mockeries can go to +the devil! There's nothing worth living for but Louise--Louise. She's +going to be my wife, Diana--by fair means or foul I swear to make her my +wife." + +He had worked himself up to a pitch of excitement surpassing that of +Diana. Now he passed his hand over his forehead, collected himself with +a slight shudder, and resumed his seat. + +Diana was astonished. His fierce mood served to subdue her own. +Regarding him curiously for a time she finally asked: + +"You speak as if you were to be allowed to have your own way--as if all +society was not arrayed against you. Have you counted the cost of your +action? Have you considered the consequences of this crime?" + +"I have committed no crime," he said stubbornly. "All's fair in love and +war." + +"The courts will refuse to consider that argument, I imagine," she +retorted. "Moreover, the friends of this kidnaped girl are powerful and +active. They will show you no mercy if you are discovered." + +"If I fail," answered Mershone, slowly, "I do not care a continental +what they do to me, for my life will be a blank without Louise. But I +really see no reason to despair, despite your womanish croakings. All +seems to be going nicely and just as I had anticipated." + +"I am glad that you are satisfied," Diana returned, with scornful +emphasis. "But understand me, sir; this is none of my affair in any +way--except that I shall surely expose you if a hair of the girl's head +is injured. You must not come here again. I shall refuse to see you. You +ought not to have come to-day." + +"Is there anything suspicious in my calling upon my cousin--as usual?" + +"Under such circumstances, yes. You have not been received at this house +of late years, and my father still despises you. There is another danger +you have brought upon me. My father seemed suspicious this morning, and +asked me quite pointedly what I knew of this strange affair." + +"But of course you lied to him. All right, Diana; perhaps there is +nothing to be gained from your alliance, and I'll let you out of the +deal from this moment. The battle's mine, after all, and I'll fight it +alone. But--I need more money. You ought to be willing to pay, for so far +the developments are all in your favor." + +She brought a handful of notes from her desk. + +"This ends our partnership, Charlie," she said. + +"Very well. A woman makes a poor conspirator, but is invaluable as a +banker." + +"There will be no more money. This ends everything between us." + +"I thought you were game, Di. But you're as weak as the ordinary +feminine creation." + +She did not answer, but stood motionless, a defiant expression upon her +face. He laughed a little, bowed mockingly, and went away. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + + +A COOL ENCOUNTER + +On leaving the house Mershone buttoned his overcoat tightly up to his +chin, for the weather was cold and raw, and then shot a quick glance +around him. Diana's suspect was still lounging on the corner. Charlie +had little doubt he was watching the house and the movements of its +in-mates--a bad sign, he reflected, with a frown. Otherwise the street +seemed deserted. + +He had dismissed the cab on his arrival, so now he stepped out and +walked briskly around the corner, swinging his cane jauntily and looking +very unlike a fugitive. In the next block he passed a youth who stood +earnestly examining the conventional display in a druggist's window. + +Mershone, observing this individual, gave a start, but did not alter his +pace. It was the same pale, red-haired boy he had noticed twice before +at the hotel. In his alert, calculating mind there was no coincidence in +this meeting. Before he had taken six more steps Mershone realized the +exact situation. + +At the next crossing he stopped and waited patiently for a car. Up the +street he still saw the youth profoundly interested in drugs--a class of +merchandise that seldom calls for such close inspection. The car arrived +and carried Mershone away. It also left the red-haired youth at his post +before the window. Yet on arriving at the Bruxtelle some twenty minutes +later Charlie found this same queer personage occupying a hotel chair in +the lobby and apparently reading a newspaper with serious attention. + +He hesitated a moment, then quietly walked over to a vacant chair beside +the red-haired one and sat down. The youth turned the paper, glanced +casually at his neighbor, and continued reading. + +"A detective, I believe," said Mershone, in a low, matter of fact tone. + +"Who? me?" asked Fogerty, lowering the paper. + +"Yes. Your age deceived me for a time. I imagined you were a newsboy or +a sporting kid from the country; but now I observe you are older than +you appear. All sorts of people seem to drift into the detective +business. I suppose your present occupation is shadowing me." + +Fogerty smiled. The smile was genuine. + +"I might even be a lawyer, sir," he replied, "and in that case I should +undertake to cross-examine you, and ask your reasons for so queer a +charge." + +"Or you might be a transient guest at this hotel," the other returned, +in the same bantering tone, "for I saw you at breakfast and luncheon. +Pretty fair _chef_ here, isn't he? But you didn't stick to that part, +you know. You followed me up-town, where I made a call on a relative, +and you studied the colored globes in a druggist's window when I went +away. I wonder why people employ inexperienced boys in such important +matters. In your case, my lad, it was easy enough to detect the +detective. You even took the foolish chance of heading me off, and +returned to this hotel before I did. Now, then, is my charge unfounded?" + +"Why should you be under the surveillance of a detective?" asked +Fogerty, slowly. + +"Really, my boy, I cannot say. There was an unpleasant little affair +last night at the Waldorf, in which I was not personally concerned, but +suffered, nevertheless. An officious deputy caused my arrest and I +spent an unpleasant night in jail. There being nothing in the way of +evidence against me I was released this morning, and now I find a +detective shadowing me. What can it all mean, I wonder? These stupid +blunders are very annoying to the plain citizen, who, however innocent, +feels himself the victim of a conspiracy." + +"I understand you, sir," said Fogerty, drily. + +For some moments Mershone now remained silent. Then he asked; "What are +your instructions concerning me?" + +To his surprise the boy made a simple, frank admission. + +"I'm to see you don't get into more mischief, sir." + +"And how long is this nonsense to continue?" demanded Mershone, showing +a touch of anger for the first time. + +"Depends on yourself, Mr. Mershone; I'm no judge, myself. I'm so +young--and inexperienced." + +"Who is your employer?" + +"Oh, I'm just sent out by an agency." + +"Is it a big paying proposition?" asked Charlie, eyeing the diffident +youth beside him critically, as if to judge his true caliber. + +"Not very big. You see, if I'd been a better detective you'd never have +spotted me so quickly." + +"I suppose money counts with you, though, as it does with everyone else +in the world?" + +"Of course, sir. Every business is undertaken to make money." + +Mershone drew his chair a little nearer. + +"I need a clever detective myself," he announced, confidentially. "I'm +anxious to discover what enemy is persecuting me in this way. Would +it--er--be impossible for me to employ _you_ to--er--look after my +interests?" + +Fogerty was very serious. + +"You see, sir," he responded, "if I quit this job they may not give me +another. In order to be a successful detective one must keep in the good +graces of the agencies." + +"That's easy enough," asserted Mershone. "You may pretend to keep this +job, but go home and take life easy. I'll send you a daily statement of +what I've been doing, and you can fix up a report to your superior from +that. In addition to this you can put in a few hours each day trying to +find out who is annoying me in this rascally manner, and for this +service I'll pay you five times the agency price. How does that +proposition strike you, Mr.--" + +"Riordan. Me name's Riordan," said Fogerty, with a smile. "No, Mr. +Mershone," shaking his head gravely, "I can't see my way to favor you. +It's an easy job now, and I'm afraid to take chances with a harder one." + +Something in the tone nettled Mershone. + +"But the pay," he suggested. + +"Oh, the pay. If I'm a detective fifty years, I'll make an easy two +thousand a year. That's a round hundred thousand. Can you pay me that +much to risk my future career as a detective?" + +Mershone bit his lip. This fellow was not so simple, after all, boyish +as he seemed. And, worse than all, he had a suspicion the youngster was +baiting him, and secretly laughing at his offers of bribery. + +"They will take you off the job, now that I have discovered your +identity," he asserted, with malicious satisfaction. + +"Oh, no," answered Fogerty; "they won't do that. This little interview +merely simplifies matters. You see, sir, I'm an expert at disguises. +That's my one great talent, as many will testify. But you will notice +that in undertaking this job I resorted to no disguise at all. You see +me as nature made me--and 't was a poor job, I'm thinking." + +"Why were you so careless?" + +"It wasn't carelessness; it was premeditated. There's not the slightest +objection to your knowing me. My only business is to keep you in sight, +and I can do that exactly as well as Riordan as I could by disguising +myself." + +Mershone had it on his tongue's end to ask what they expected to +discover by shadowing him, but decided it was as well not to open an +avenue for the discussion of Miss Merrick's disappearance. So, finding +he could not bribe the youthful detective or use him in any way to his +advantage, he closed the interview by rising. + +"I'm going to my room to write some letters," said he, with a yawn. +"Would you like to read them before they are mailed?" + +Again Fogerty laughed in his cheerful, boyish way. + +"You'd make a fine detective yourself, Mr. Mershone," he declared, "and +I advise you to consider the occupation. I've a notion it's safer, and +better pay, than your present line." + +Charlie scowled at the insinuation, but walked away without reply. +Fogerty eyed his retreating figure a moment, gave a slight shrug and +resumed his newspaper. + +Day followed day without further event, and gradually Mershone came to +feel himself trapped. Wherever he might go he found Fogerty on duty, +unobtrusive, silent and watchful. It was very evident that he was +waiting for the young man to lead him to the secret hiding place of +Louise Merrick. + +In one way this constant surveillance was a distinct comfort to Charlie +Mershone, for it assured him that the retreat of Louise was still +undiscovered. But he must find some way to get rid of his "shadow," in +order that he might proceed to carry out his plans concerning the girl. +During his enforced leisure he invented a dozen apparently clever +schemes, only to abandon them again as unpractical. + +One afternoon, while on a stroll, he chanced to meet the bruiser who had +attacked Arthur Weldon at the Waldorf, and been liberally paid by +Mershone for his excellent work. He stopped the man, and glancing +hastily around found that Fogerty was a block in the rear. + +"Listen," he said; "I want your assistance, and if you're quick and sure +there is a pot of money, waiting for you." + +"I need it, Mr. Mershone," replied the man, grinning. + +"There's a detective following me; he's down the street there--a mere +boy--just in front of that tobacco store. See him?" + +"Sure I see him. It's Fogerty." + +"His name is Riordan." + +"No; it's Fogerty. He's no boy, sir, but the slickest 'tec' in the city, +an' that's goin' some, I can tell you." + +"Well, you must get him, whoever he is. Drag him away and hold him for +three hours--two--one. Give me a chance to slip him; that's all. Can +you do it? I'll pay you a hundred for the job." + +"It's worth two hundred, Mr. Mershone. It isn't safe to fool with +Fogerty." + +"I'll make it two hundred." + +"Then rest easy," said the man. "I know the guy, and how to handle him. +You just watch him like he's watching you, Mr. Mershone, and if anything +happens you skip as lively as a flea. I can use that two hundred in my +business." + +Then the fellow passed on, and Fogerty was still so far distant up the +street that neither of them could see the amused smile upon his thin +face. + + + + +CHAPTER XV + + +A BEWILDERING EXPERIENCE + +When Louise Merrick entered the brown limousine, which she naturally +supposed to belong to Arthur Weldon, she had not the faintest suspicion +of any evil in her mind. Indeed, the girl was very happy this especial +evening, although tired with her duties at the Kermess. A climax in her +young life had arrived, and she greeted it joyously, believing she loved +Arthur well enough to become his wife. + +Now that the engagement had been announced to their immediate circle of +friends she felt as proud and elated as any young girl has a right to be +under the circumstances. + +Added to this pleasant event was the social triumph she and her cousins +had enjoyed at the Kermess, where Louise especially had met with rare +favor. The fashionable world had united in being most kind and +considerate to the dainty, attractive young _debutante_, and only Diana +had seemed to slight her. This was not surprising in view of the fact +that Diana evidently wanted Arthur for herself, and there was some +satisfaction in winning a lover who was elsewhere in prime demand. In +addition to all this the little dance that concluded the evening's +entertainment had been quite delightful, and all things conspired to put +Louise in a very contented frame of mind. Still fluttering with the +innocent excitements of the hour the girl went to join Arthur without a +fear of impending misfortune. She did not think of Charlie Mershone at +all. He had been annoying and impertinent, and she had rebuked him and +sent him away, cutting him out of her life altogether. Perhaps she ought +to have remembered that she had mildly flirted with Diana's cousin and +given him opportunity for the impassioned speeches she resented; but +Louise had a girlish idea that there was no harm in flirting, +considering it a feminine license. She saw young Mershone at the Kermess +that evening paying indifferent attentions to other women and ignoring +her, and was sincerely glad to have done with him for good and all. + +She obeyed readily the man who asked her to be seated in the limousine. +Arthur would be with her in a minute, he said. When the door closed and +the car started she had an impulse to cry out but next moment controlled +it and imagined they were to pick up Mr. Weldon on some corner. + +On and on they rolled, and still no evidence of the owner of the +limousine. What could it mean, Louise began to wonder. Had something +happened to Arthur, so that he had been forced to send her home alone? +As the disquieting thought came she tried to speak with the chauffeur, +but could not find the tube. The car was whirling along rapidly; the +night seemed very dark, only a few lights twinkled here and there +outside. + +Suddenly the speed slackened. There was a momentary pause, and then the +machine slowly rolled upon a wooden platform. A bell clanged, there was +a whistle and the sound of revolving water-wheels. Louise decided they +must be upon a ferry-boat, and became alarmed for the first time. + +The man in livery now opened the door, as if to reassure her. + +"Where are we? Where is Mr. Weldon?" enquired the girl, almost +hysterically. + +"He is on the boat, miss, and will be with you shortly now," replied the +man, very respectfully. "Mr. Weldon is very sorry to have annoyed you, +Miss Merrick, but says he will soon explain everything, so that you will +understand why he left you." + +With this he quietly closed the door again, although Louise was eager to +ask a dozen more questions. Prominent was the query why they should be +on a ferry-boat instead of going directly home. She knew the hour must +be late. + +But while these questions were revolving in her mind she still suspected +no plot against her liberty. She must perforce wait for Arthur to +explain his queer conduct; so she sat quietly enough in her place +awaiting his coming, while the ferry puffed steadily across the river to +the Jersey shore. + +The stopping of the boat aroused Louise from her reflections. Arthur not +here yet? Voices were calling outside; vehicles were noisily leaving +their positions on the boat to clatter across the platforms. But there +was no sign of Arthur. + +Again Louise tried to find the speaking tube. Then she made an endeavor +to open the door, although just then the car started with a jerk that +flung her back against the cushions. + +The knowledge that she had been grossly deceived by her conductor at +last had the effect of arousing the girl to a sense of her danger. +Something must be wrong. Something _was_ decidedly wrong, and fear crept +into her heart. She pounded on the glass windows with all her strength, +and shouted as loudly as she could, but all to no avail. + +Swiftly the limousine whirled over the dusky road and either her voice +could not be heard through the glass cage in which she was confined or +there was no one near who was willing to hear or to rescue her. + +She now realized how wrong she had been to sit idly during the trip +across the ferry, where a score of passengers would gladly have assisted +her. How cunning her captors had been to lull her fears during that +critical period! Now, alas, it was too late to cry out, and she had no +idea where she was being taken or the reason of her going. + +Presently it occurred to her that this was not Arthur's limousine at +all. There was no speaking tube for one thing. She leaned forward and +felt for the leathern pocket in which she kept a veil and her street +gloves. No pocket of any sort was to be found. + +An unreasoning terror now possessed her. She knew not what to fear, yet +feared everything. She made another attempt to cry aloud for help and +then fell back unconscious on the cushions. + +How long she lay in the faint she did not know. When she recovered the +limousine was still rattling forward at a brisk gait but bumping over +ruts in a manner that indicated a country road. + +Through the curtains she could see little but the black night, although +there was a glow ahead cast by the searchlights of the car. Louise was +weak and unnerved. She had no energy to find a way to combat her fate, +if such a way were possible. A dim thought of smashing a window and +hurling herself through it gave her only a shudder of repulsion. She +lacked strength for such a desperate attempt. + +On, on, on. Would the dreary journey never end? How long must she sit +and suffer before she could know her fate, or at least find some +explanation of the dreadful mystery of this wild midnight ride? + +At last, when she had settled down to dull despair, the car came to a +paved road and began to move more slowly. It even stopped once or twice, +as if the driver was not sure of his way. But they kept moving, +nevertheless, and before long entered a driveway. There was another stop +now, and a long wait. + +Louise lay dismally back upon the cushions, sobbing hysterically into +her dripping handkerchief. The door of her prison at last opened and a +light shone in upon her. + +"Here we are, miss," said the man in uniform, still in quiet, respectful +tones. "Shall I assist you to alight?" + +She started up eagerly, her courage returning with a bound. Stepping +unassisted to the ground she looked around her in bewilderment. + +The car stood before the entrance to a modest country house. There was a +light in the hall and another upon the broad porch. Around the house a +mass of trees and shrubbery loomed dark and forbidding. + +"Where am I?" demanded Louise, drawing back haughtily as the man +extended a hand toward her. + +"At your destination, miss," was the answer. "Will you please enter?" + +"No! Not until I have an explanation of this--this--singular, +high-handed proceeding," she replied, firmly. + +Then she glanced at the house. The hall door had opened and a woman +stood peering anxiously at the scene outside. + +With sudden resolve Louise sprang up the steps and approached her. Any +woman, she felt, in this emergency, was a welcome refuge. + +"Who are you?" she asked eagerly, "and why have I been brought here?" + +"_Mademoiselle_ will come inside, please," said the woman, with a +foreign accent. "It is cold in the night air, _N'est-ce-pas_?" + +She turned to lead the way inside. While Louise hesitated to follow the +limousine started with a roar from its cylinders and disappeared down +the driveway, the two men going with it. The absence of the lamps +rendered the darkness around the solitary house rather uncanny. An +intense stillness prevailed except for the diminishing rattle of the +receding motor car. In the hall was a light and a woman. + +Louise went in. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + + +MADAME CERISE, CUSTODIAN + +The woman closed the hall door and locked it. Then she led the way to a +long, dim drawing-room in which a grate fire was smouldering. A stand +lamp of antique pattern but dimly illuminated the place, which seemed +well furnished in an old fashioned way. + +"Will not you remove your wraps, Mees--Mees--I do not know ma'm'selle's +name." + +"What is your own name?" asked Louise, coming closer to gaze earnestly +into the other's face. + +"I am called Madame Cerise, if it please you." + +Her voice, while softened to an extent by the French accent, was +nevertheless harsh and emotionless. She spoke as an automaton, slowly, +and pausing to choose her words. The woman was of medium size, slim and +straight in spite of many years. Her skin resembled brown parchment; her +eyes were small, black and beady; her nose somewhat fleshy and her lips +red and full as those of a young girl. The age of Madame Cerise might be +anywhere between fifty and seventy; assuredly she had long been a +stranger to youth, although her dark hair was but slightly streaked with +gray. She wore a somber-hued gown and a maid's jaunty apron and cap. + +Louise inspected her closely, longing to find a friend and protector in +this curious and strange woman. Her eyes were moist and pleading--an +appeal hard to resist. But Madame Cerise returned her scrutiny with a +wholly impassive expression. + +"You are a French maid?" asked Louise, softly. + +"A housekeeper, ma'm'selle. For a time, a caretaker." + +"Ah, I understand. Are your employers asleep?" + +"I cannot say, ma'm'seile. They are not here." + +"You are alone in this house?" + +"Alone with you, ma'm'seile." + +Louise had a sudden access of alarm. + +"And why am I here?" she cried, wringing her hands pitifully. + +"Ah, who can tell that?" returned the woman, composedly. "Not Cerise, +indeed. Cerise is told nothing--except what is required of her. I but +obey my orders." + +Louise turned quickly, at this. + +"What are your orders, then?" she asked. + +"To attend ma'm'selle with my best skill, to give her every comfort and +care, to--" + +"Yes--yes!" + +"To keep her safely until she is called for. That is all." + +The girl drew a long breath. + +"Who will call for me, then?" + +"I am not inform, ma'm'selle." + +"And I am a prisoner in this house?" + +"Ma'm'selle may call it so, if it please her. But reflect; there is no +place else to go. It is bleak weather, the winter soon comes. And here I +can make you the comforts you need." + +Louise pondered this speech, which did not deceive her. While still +perplexed as to her abduction, with no comprehension why she should have +been seized in such a summary manner and spirited to this lonely, +out-of-the-way place, she realized she was in no immediate danger. Her +weariness returned tenfold, and she staggered and caught the back of a +chair for support. + +The old woman observed this. + +"Ma'm'selle is tired," said she. "See; it is past four by the clock, and +you must be much fatigue by the ride and the nervous strain." + +"I--I'm completely exhausted," murmured Louise, drooping her head +wearily. The next moment she ran and placed her hands on Madame Cerise's +shoulders, peering into the round, beady eyes with tender pleading as +she continued: "I don't know why I have been stolen away from my home +and friends; I don't know why this dreadful thing has happened to me; I +only know that I am worn out and need rest. Will you take care of me, +Madame Cerise? Will you watch over me while I sleep and guard me from +all harm? I--I haven't any mother to lean on now, you know; I haven't +any friend at all--but _you!_" + +The grim features never relaxed a muscle; but a softer look came into +the dark eyes and the woman's voice took on a faint tinge of compassion +as she answered: + +"Nothing can harm ma'm'selle. Have no fear, _ma chere_. I will take care +of you; I will watch. _Allons_! it is my duty; it is also my pleasure." + +"Are there no--no men in the house--none at all?" enquired the girl, +peering into the surrounding gloom nervously. "There is no person at +all in the house, but you and I." + +"And you will admit no one?" + +The woman hesitated. + +"Not to your apartment," she said firmly. "I promise it." + +Louise gave a long, fluttering sigh. Somehow, she felt that she could +rely upon this promise. + +"Then, if you please, Madame Cerise, I'd like to go to bed," she said. + +The woman took the lamp and led the way upstairs, entering a large, airy +chamber in which a fire burned brightly in the grate. The furniture here +was dainty and feminine. In an alcove stood a snowy bed, the covers +invitingly turned down. + +Madame Cerise set the lamp upon a table and without a word turned to +assist Louise. The beautiful Kermess costume, elaborately embroidered +with roses, which the girl still wore, evidently won the Frenchwoman's +approval. She unhooked and removed it carefully and hung it in a closet. +Very dextrous were her motions as she took down the girl's pretty hair +and braided it for the night. A dainty _robe de nuit_ was provided. + +"It is my own," she said simply. "Ma'm'selle is not prepared." "But +there must be young ladies in your family," remarked Louise, +thoughtfully, for in spite of the stupor she felt from want of sleep the +novelty of her position kept her alert in a way. It is true she was too +tired and bewildered to think clearly, but slight details were +impressing themselves upon her dimly. "This room, for instance--" + +"Of course, _ma chere_, a young lady has lived here. She has left some +odd pieces of wardrobe behind her, at times, in going away. When you +waken we will try to find a house-dress to replace your evening-gown. +Will ma'm'selle indulge in the bath before retiring?" + +"Not to-night, Madame Cerise. I'm too tired for anything but--sleep!" + +Indeed, she had no sooner crawled into the enticing bed than she sank +into unconscious forgetfulness. This was to an extent fortunate. Louise +possessed one of those dispositions cheery and equable under ordinary +circumstances, but easily crushed into apathy by any sudden adversity. +She would not suffer so much as a more excitable and nervous girl might +do under similar circumstances. + +Her sleep, following the severe strain of the night's adventure, did +little to refresh her. She awoke in broad daylight to hear a cold wind +whistling shrilly outside and raindrops beating against the panes. + +Madame Cerise had not slept much during the night. For an hour after +Louise retired she sat in her room in deep thought. Then she went to the +telephone and notwithstanding the late hour called up Diana, who had a +branch telephone on a table at her bedside. + +Miss Von Taer was not asleep. She had had an exciting night herself. She +answered the old caretaker readily and it did not surprise her to learn +that the missing girl had been taken to the East Orange house by the +orders of Charlie Mershone. She enquired how Louise had accepted the +situation forced upon her, and was shocked and rendered uncomfortable by +the too plainly worded protest of the old Frenchwoman. Madame Cerise did +not hesitate to denounce the abduction as a heartless crime, and in her +communication with Diana swore she would protect the innocent girl from +harm at the hands of Mershone or anyone else. + +"I have ever to your family been loyal and true, Ma'm'selle Diana," said +she, "but I will not become the instrument of an abominable crime at +your command or that of your wicked cousin. I will keep the girl here in +safety, if it is your wish; but she will be safe, indeed, as long as +Cerise guards her." + +"That's right, Madame," stammered Diana, hardly knowing at the moment +what to say. "Be discreet and silent until you hear from me again; guard +the girl carefully and see that she is not too unhappy; but for heaven's +sake keep Charlie's secret until he sees fit to restore Miss Merrick to +her friends. No crime is contemplated; I would not allow such a thing, +as you know. Yet it is none of my affair whatever. My cousin has +compromised me by taking the girl to my house, and no knowledge of the +abduction must get abroad if we can help it. Do you understand me?" + +"No," was the reply. "The safest way for us all is to send Miss Merrick +away." + +"That will be done as soon as possible." + +With this the old Frenchwoman was forced to be content, and she did not +suspect that her report had made Miss Von Taer nearly frantic with +fear--not for Louise but for her own precious reputation. Accustomed to +obey the family she had served for so many years, Madame Cerise +hesitated to follow her natural impulse to set the poor young lady free +and assist her to return to her friends. So she compromised with her +conscience--a thing she was not credited with possessing--by resolving +to make the imprisonment of the "_pauvre fille_" as happy as possible. + +Scarcely had Louise opened her eyes the following morning when the old +woman entered her chamber, unlocking the door from the outside to secure +admission. + +She first rebuilt the fire, and when it was crackling cheerfully she +prepared a bath and brought an armful of clothing which she laid out for +inspection over the back of a sofa. She produced lingerie, too, and +Louise lay cuddled up in the bedclothes and watched her keeper +thoughtfully until the atmosphere of the room was sufficiently warmed. + +"I'll get up, now," she said, quietly. + +Madame Cerise was assuredly a skilled lady's maid. She bathed the girl, +wrapped her in an ample kimono and then seated her before the dresser +and arranged her _coiffure_ with dextrous skill. + +During this time Louise talked. She had decided her only chance of +escape lay in conciliating this stern-faced woman, and she began by +relating her entire history, including her love affair with Arthur +Weldon, Diana Von Taer's attempt to rob her of her lover, and the part +that Charlie Mershone had taken in the affair. + +Madame Cerise listened, but said nothing. + +"And now," continued the girl, "tell me who you think could be so wicked +and cruel as to carry me away from my home and friends? I cannot decide +myself. You have more experience and more shrewdness, can't you tell me, +Madame Cerise?" + +The woman muttered inaudibly. + +"Mr. Mershone might be an enemy, because I laughed at his love-making," +continued Louise, musingly. "Would a man who loved a girl try to injure +her? But perhaps his love has turned to hate. Anyhow, I can think of no +one else who would do such a thing, or of any reason why Charlie +Mershone should do it." + +Madame Cerise merely grunted. She was brushing the soft hair with gentle +care. + +"What could a man gain by stealing a girl? If it was Mr. Mershone, does +he imagine I could ever forget Arthur? Or cease to love him? Or that +Arthur would forget me while I am away? Perhaps it's Diana, and she +wants to get rid of me so she can coax Arthur back to her side. But +that's nonsense; isn't it, Madame Cerise? No girl--not even Diana Von +Taer--would dare to act in such a high-handed manner toward her rival. +Did you ever hear of Miss Von Taer? She's quite a society belle. Have +you ever seen her, Madame Cerise?" + +The woman vouchsafed no reply to this direct enquiry, but busied herself +dressing the girl's hair. Louise casually turned over the silver-mounted +hand mirror she was holding and gave a sudden start. A monogram was +engraved upon the metal: "D.v.T." She gazed at the mark fixedly and then +picked up a brush that the Frenchwoman laid down. Yes, the same monogram +appeared upon the brush. + +The sharp eyes of Cerise had noted these movements. She was a little +dismayed but not startled when Louise said, slowly: "'D.v.T.' stands for +Diana Von Taer. And it isn't likely to stand for anything else. I think +the mystery is explained, now, and my worst fears are realized. Tell me, +Madame, is this Diana Von Taer's house?" + +Her eyes shone with anger and round red patches suddenly appeared upon +her pallid cheeks. Madame Cerise drew a long breath. + +"It used to be," was her quiet answer. "It was left her by her +grandmother; but Mr. Von Taer did not like the place and they have not +been here lately--not for years. Miss Von Taer informed me, some time +ago, that she had transferred the property to another." + +"To her cousin--Mr. Mershone?" asked Louise quickly. + +"That may be the name; I cannot remember," was the evasive reply. + +"But you must know him, as he is Diana's cousin," retorted Louise. "Why +will you try to deceive me? Am I not helpless enough already, and do you +wish to make me still more miserable?" + +"I have seen Mr. Mershone when he was a boy, many times. He was not the +favorite with Ma'm'selle Diana, nor with Monsieur Von Taer. For myself, +I hated him." + +There was decided emphasis to the last sentence. Louise believed her and +felt a little relieved. + +From the _mélange_ of apparel a modest outfit was obtained to clothe the +girl with decency and comfort, if not in the prevailing style. The fit +left much to be desired, yet Louise did not complain, as weightier +matters were now occupying her mind. + +The toilet completed, Madame Cerise disappeared to get a tray +containing a good breakfast. She seemed exceedingly attentive. + +"If you will give me the proper directions I will start for home at +once," announced Louise, with firm resolve, while eating her egg and +toast. + +"I am unable to give you directions, and I cannot let you go, +ma'm'selle," was the equally firm reply. "The day is much too +disagreeable to venture out in, unless one has proper conveyance. Here, +alas, no conveyance may be had." + +Louise tried other tactics. + +"I have no money, but several valuable jewels," she said, meaningly. "I +am quite sure they will obtain for me a conveyance." + +"You are wrong, ma'm'selle; there is no conveyance to be had!" persisted +the old woman, more sternly. + +"Then I shall walk." + +"It is impossible." + +"Where is this place situated? How far is it from New York? How near am +I to a street-car, or to a train?" + +"I cannot tell you." + +"But this is absurd!" cried Louise. "You cannot deceive me for long. I +know this is Diana Von Taer's house, and I shall hold Diana Von Taer +responsible for this enforced imprisonment." + +"That," said Madame Cerise, coldly, "is a matter of indifference to me. +But ma'm'selle must understand one thing, she must not leave this +house." + +"Oh, indeed!" + +"At least, until the weather moderates," added the woman, more mildly. + +She picked up the tray, went to the door and passed out. Louise heard +the key click in the lock. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + + +THE MYSTERY DEEPENS + +Uncle John was both astounded and indignant that so bold and unlawful an +act as the abduction of his own niece could have been perpetrated in the +heart of New York and directly under the eyes of the police. Urged by +the Major, Mr. Merrick was at first inclined to allow Arthur Weldon to +prosecute the affair and undertake the recovery of the girl, being +assured this would easily be accomplished and conceding the fact that no +one had a stronger interest in solving the mystery of Louise's +disappearance than young Weldon. But when midday arrived and no trace of +the young girl had yet been obtained the little millionaire assumed an +important and decisive air and hurried down town to "take a hand in the +game" himself. + +After a long interview with the Chief of Detectives, Mr. Merrick said +impressively: + +"Now, understand, sir; not a hint of this to the newspaper folks. I +won't have any scandal attached to the poor child if I can help it. Set +your whole force to work--at once!--but impress them with the need of +secrecy. My offer is fair and square. I'll give a reward of ten thousand +dollars if Miss Merrick is discovered within twenty-four hours; nine +thousand if she's found during the next twenty-four hours; and so on, +deducting a thousand for each day of delay. That's for the officer who +finds her. For yourself, sir, I intend to express my gratitude as +liberally as the service will allow me to. Is this all clear and +above-board?" + +"It is perfectly clear, Mr. Merrick." + +"The child must be found--and found blamed quick, too! Great Caesar! Can +a simple affair like this baffle your splendid metropolitan force?" + +"Not for long, Mr. Merrick, believe me." + +But this assurance proved optimistic. Day by day crept by without a clew +to the missing girl being discovered; without development of any sort. +The Inspector informed Mr. Merrick that "it began to look like a +mystery." + +Arthur, even after several sleepless nights, still retained his courage. + +"I'm on the right track, sir," he told Uncle John. "The delay is +annoying, but not at all dangerous. So long as Fogerty holds fast to +Mershone Louise is safe, wherever she may be." + +"Mershone may have nothing to do with the case." + +"I'm positive he has." + +"And Louise can't be safe while she's a prisoner, and in the hands of +strangers. I want the girl home! Then I'll know she's safe." + +"I want her home, too, sir. But all your men are unable to find her, it +seems. They can't even discover in what direction she was taken, or how. +The brown limousine seems to be no due at all." + +"Of course not. There are a thousand brown limousines in New York." + +"Do you imagine she's still somewhere in the city, sir?" enquired +Arthur. + +"That's my theory," replied Uncle John. "She must be somewhere in the +city. You see it would be almost impossible to get her out of town +without discovery. But I'll admit this detective force is the finest +aggregation of incompetents I've ever known--and I don't believe your +precious Fogerty is any better, either." + +Of course Beth and Patsy had to be told of their cousin's disappearance +as soon as the first endeavor to trace her proved a failure. Patsy went +at once to Mrs. Merrick and devoted herself to comforting the poor woman +as well as she could. + +Beth frowned at the news and then sat down to carefully think out the +problem. In an hour she had logically concluded that Diana Von Taer was +the proper person to appeal to. If anyone knew where Louise was, it was +Diana. That same afternoon she drove to the Von Taer residence and +demanded an interview. + +Diana was at that moment in a highly nervous state. She had at times +during her career been calculating and unscrupulous, but never before +had she deserved the accusation of being malicious and wicked. She had +come to reproach herself bitterly for having weakly connived at the +desperate act of Charlie Mershone, and her good sense assured her the +result would be disastrous to all concerned in it. Contempt for herself +and contempt for her cousin mingled with well-defined fears for her +cherished reputation, and so it was that Miss Von Taer had almost +decided to telephone Madame Cerise and order her to escort Louise +Merrick to her own home when Beth's card came up with a curt demand for +a personal interview. + +The natures of these two girls had never harmonized in the slightest +degree. Beth's presence nerved Diana to a spirit of antagonism that +quickly destroyed her repentant mood. As she confronted her visitor her +demeanor was cold and suspicious. There was a challenge and an +accusation in Beth's eyes that conveyed a distinct warning, which Miss +Von Taer quickly noted and angrily resented--perhaps because she knew it +was deserved. + +It would have been easy to tell Beth De Graf where her cousin Louise +was, and at the same time to assure her that Diana was blameless in the +affair; but she could not endure to give her antagonist this +satisfaction. + +Beth began the interview by saying: "What have you done with Louise +Merrick?" That was, of course, equal to a declaration of war. + +Diana was sneering and scornful. Thoroughly on guard, she permitted no +compromising word or admission to escape her. Really, she knew nothing +of Louise Merrick, having unfortunately neglected to examine her +antecedents and personal characteristics before undertaking her +acquaintance. One is so likely to blunder through excess of good nature. +She had supposed a niece of Mr. John Merrick would be of the right sort; +but the age is peculiar, and one cannot be too cautious in choosing +associates. If Miss Merrick had run away from her home and friends, Miss +Von Taer was in no way responsible for the escapade. And now, if Miss De +Graf had nothing further to say, more important matters demanded Diana's +time. + +Beth was furious with anger at this baiting. Without abandoning a jot +her suspicions she realized she was powerless to prove her case at this +time. With a few bitter and cutting remarks--made, she afterward said, +in "self-defense"--she retreated as gracefully as possible and drove +home. + +An hour later she suggested to Uncle John that he have a detective +placed where Diana's movements could be watched; but that had already +been attended to by both Mr. Merrick and Mr. Fogerty. Uncle John could +hardly credit Diana's complicity in this affair. The young lady's social +position was so high, her family so eminently respectable, her motive +in harming Louise so inconceivable, that he hesitated to believe her +guilty, even indirectly. As for her cousin, he did not know what to +think, as Arthur accused him unreservedly. It did not seem possible that +any man of birth, breeding and social position could be so contemptible +as to perpetrate an act of this character. Yet some one had done it, and +who had a greater incentive than Charlie Mershone? + +Poor Mrs. Merrick was inconsolable as the days dragged by. She clung to +Patsy with pitiful entreaties not to be left alone; so Miss Doyle +brought her to her own apartments, where the bereft woman was shown +every consideration. Vain and selfish though Mrs. Merrick might be, she +was passionately devoted to her only child, and her fears for the life +and safety of Louise were naturally greatly exaggerated. + +The group of anxious relatives and friends canvassed the subject +morning, noon and night, and the longer the mystery remained unsolved +the more uneasy they all became. + +"This, ma'am," said Uncle John, sternly, as he sat one evening facing +Mrs. Merrick, "is the final result of your foolish ambition to get our +girls into society." + +"I can't see it that way, John," wailed the poor woman. "I've never +heard of such a thing happening in society before, have you?" + +"I don't keep posted," he growled. "But everything was moving smoothly +with us before this confounded social stunt began, as you must admit." + +"I can't understand why the papers are not full of it," sighed Mrs. +Merrick, musingly. "Louise is so prominent now in the best circles." + +"Of course," said the Major, drily; "she's so prominent, ma'am, that no +one can discover her at all! And it's lucky for us the newspapers know +nothing of the calamity. They'd twist the thing into so many shapes that +not one of us would ever again dare to look a friend in the eye." + +"I'm sure my darling has been murdered!" declared Mrs. Merrick, weeping +miserably. She made the statement on an average of once to every five +minutes. "Or, if she hasn't been killed yet, she's sure to be soon. +Can't _something_ be done?" That last appeal was hard to answer. They +had done everything that could be thought of. And here it was Tuesday. +Louise had been missing for five days. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + + +A RIFT IN THE CLOUDS + +The Tuesday morning just referred to dawned cold and wintry. A chill +wind blew and for a time carried isolated snowflakes whirling here and +there. Gradually, as the morning advanced, the flakes became more +numerous, until by nine o'clock an old fashioned snowstorm had set in +that threatened to last for some time. The frozen ground was soon +covered with a thin white mantle and the landscape in city and country +seemed especially forbidding. + +In spite of these adverse conditions Charlie Mershone decided to go out +for a walk. He felt much like a prisoner, and his only recreation was in +getting out of the hotel for a daily stroll. Moreover, he had an object +in going abroad to-day. + +So he buttoned his overcoat up to his chin and fearlessly braved the +storm. He had come to wholly disregard the presence of the detective who +shadowed him, and if the youthful Fogerty by chance addressed him he was +rewarded with a direct snub. This did not seem to disconcert the boy in +the least, and to-day, as usual, when Mershone walked out Fogerty +followed at a respectful distance. He never appeared to be watching his +man closely, yet never for an instant did Mershone feel that he had +shaken the fellow off. + +On this especial morning the detective was nearly a block in the rear, +with the snow driving furiously into his face, when an automobile +suddenly rolled up to the curb beside him and two men leaped out and +pinioned Fogerty in their arms. There was no struggle, because there was +no resistance. The captors quickly tossed the detective into the car, an +open one, which again started and turned into a side street. + +Fogerty, seated securely between the two burly fellows, managed to +straighten up and rearrange his clothing. + +"Will you kindly explain this unlawful act, gentlemen?" he enquired. + +The man on the left laughed aloud. He was the same individual who had +attacked Arthur Weldon, the one who had encountered Mershone in the +street the day before. + +"Cold day, ain't it, Fogerty?" he remarked. "But that makes it all the +better for a little auto ride. We like you, kid, we're fond of +you--awful fond--ain't we, Pete?" + +"We surely are," admitted the other. + +"So we thought we'd invite you out for a whirl--see? We'll give you a +nice ride, so you can enjoy the scenery. It's fine out Harlem way, an' +the cold'll make you feel good. Eh, Pete?" + +"That's the idea," responded Pete, cheerfully. + +"Very kind of you," said the detective, leaning back comfortably against +the cushions and pulling up his coat collar to shield him from the wind. +"But are you aware that I'm on duty, and that this will allow my man to +slip away from me?" + +"Can't help that; but we're awful sorry," was the reply. "We just wanted +company, an' you're a good fellow, Fogerty, considerin' your age an' +size." + +"Thank you," said Fogerty, "You know me, and I know you. You are Bill +Leesome, alias Will Dutton--usually called Big Bill. You did time a +couple of years ago for knocking out a policeman." + +"I'm safe enough now, though," responded Big Bill. "You're not working +on the reg'lar force, Fogerty, you're only a private burr." + +"I am protected, just the same," asserted Fogerty. "When you knabbed me +I was shadowing Mershone, who has made away with a prominent society +young lady." + +"Oh, he has, has he?" chuckled Big Bill, and his companion laughed so +gleefully that he attracted Fogerty's attention to himself. + +"Ah, I suppose you are one of the two men who lugged the girl off," he +remarked; "and I must congratulate you on having made a good job of it. +Isn't it curious, by the way, that the fellow who stole and hid this +girl should be the innocent means of revealing her biding place?" + +The two men stared at him blankly. The car, during this conversation, +had moved steadily on, turning this and that corner in a way that might +have confused anyone not perfectly acquainted with this section of the +city. + +"What d'ye mean by that talk, Fogerty?" demanded Big Bill. + +"Of course it was Mershone who stole the girl," explained the detective, +calmly; "we know that. But Mershone is a clever chap. He knew he was +watched, and so he has never made a movement to go to his prisoner. But +he grew restless in time, and when he met you, yesterday, fixed up a +deal with you to carry me away, so he could escape." + +Big Bill looked uncomfortable. + +"You know a lot, Fogerty," he said, doggedly. + +"Yes; I've found that human nature is much the same the world over," +replied the detective. "Of course I suspected you would undertake to +give Mershone his chance by grabbing me, and that is exactly what you +have done. But, my lads, what do you suppose I have done in the +meantime?" + +They both looked their curiosity but said nothing. + +"I've simply used your clever plot to my own advantage, in order to +bring things to a climax," continued Fogerty. "While we are joy-riding +here, a half dozen of my men are watching every move that Mershone +makes. I believe he will lead them straight to the girl; don't you?" + +Big Bill growled some words that were not very choice and then yelled to +the chauffeur to stop. The other man was pale and evidently frightened. + +"See here, Fogerty; you make tracks!" was the sharp command, as the +automobile came to a halt. "You've worked a pretty trick on us, 'cordin' +to your own showin', and we must find Mr. Mershone before it's too +late--if we can." + +"Good morning," said Fogerty, alighting. "Thank you for a pleasant +ride--and other things." + +They dashed away and left him standing on the curb; and after watching +them disappear the detective walked over to a drug store and entered the +telephone booth. + +"That you, Hyde?--This is Fogerty." + +"Yes, sir. Mr. Mershone has just crossed the ferry to Jersey. Adams is +with him. I'll hear from him again in a minute: hold the wire." + +Fogerty waited. Soon he learned that Mershone had purchased a ticket for +East Orange. The train would leave in fifteen minutes. + +Fogerty decided quickly. After looking at his watch he rushed out and +arrested a passing taxicab. + +"Ready for a quick run--perhaps a long one?" he asked. + +"Ready for anything," declared the man. + +The detective jumped in and gave hurried directions. + +"Never mind the speed limit," he said. "No one will interfere with us. +I'm Fogerty." + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + + +POLITIC REPENTANCE + +Perhaps no one--not even Mrs. Merrick--was so unhappy in consequence of +the lamentable crime that had been committed as Diana Von Taer. +Immediately after her interview with Beth her mood changed, and she +would have given worlds to be free from complicity in the abduction. +Bitterly, indeed, she reproached herself for her enmity toward the +unsuspecting girl, an innocent victim of Diana's own vain desires and +Charles Mershone's heartless wiles. Repenting her folly and reasoning +out the thing when it was too late, Diana saw clearly that she had +gained no possible advantage, but had thoughtlessly conspired to ruin +the reputation of an honest, ingenuous girl. + +Not long ago she had said that her life was dull, a stupid round of +social functions that bored her dreadfully. She had hoped by adopting +John Merrick's nieces as her _protégées_ and introducing them to society +to find a novel and pleasurable excitement that would serve to take her +out of her unfortunate _ennui_--a condition to which she had practically +been born. + +But Diana had never bargained for such excitement as this; she had never +thought to win self abhorrence by acts of petty malice and callous +cruelties. Yet so intrenched was she in the conservatism of her class +that she could not at once bring herself to the point of exposing her +own guilt that she might make amends for what had been done. She told +herself she would rather die than permit Louise to suffer through her +connivance with her reckless, unprincipled cousin. She realized +perfectly that she ought to fly, without a moment's delay, to the poor +girl's assistance. Yet fear of exposure, of ridicule, of loss of caste, +held her a helpless prisoner in her own home, where she paced the floor +and moaned and wrung her hands until she was on the verge of nervous +prostration. If at any time she seemed to acquire sufficient courage to +go to Louise, a glance at the detective watching the house unnerved her +and prevented her from carrying out her good intentions. + +You must not believe that Diana was really bad; her lifelong training +along set lines and practical seclusion from the everyday world were +largely responsible for her evil impulses. Mischief is sure to crop up, +in one form or another, among the idle and ambitionless. More daring +wickedness is said to be accomplished by the wealthy and aimless +creatures of our false society than by the poorer and uneducated +classes, wherein criminals are supposed to thrive. These sins are often +unpublished, although not always undiscovered, but they are no more +venial because they are suppressed by wealth and power. + +Diana Von Taer was a girl who, rightly led, might have been capable of +developing a noble womanhood; yet the conditions of her limited +environment had induced her to countenance a most dastardly and +despicable act. It speaks well for the innate goodness of this girl that +she at last actually rebelled and resolved to undo, insofar as she was +able, the wrong that had been accomplished. + +For four days she suffered tortures of remorse. On the morning of the +fifth day she firmly decided to act. Regardless of who might be +watching, or of any unpleasant consequences to herself, she quietly left +the house, unattended, and started directly for the East Orange mansion. + + + + +CHAPTER XX + + +A TELEPHONE CALL + +Still another laggard awoke to action on this eventful Tuesday morning. + +Madame Cerise had been growing more and more morose and dissatisfied day +by day. Her grievance was very tangible. A young girl had been brought +forcibly to the house and placed in her care to be treated as a +prisoner. From that time the perpetrators of the deed had left the woman +to her own resources, never communicating with her in any way. + +During a long life of servitude Madame Cerise had acquiesced in many +things that her own conscience did not approve of, for she considered +herself a mere instrument to be used at will by the people who employed +and paid her. But her enforced solitude as caretaker of the lonely house +at East Orange had given her ample time to think, and her views had +lately undergone a decided change. + +To become the jailer of a young, pretty and innocent girl was the most +severe trial her faithfulness to her employers had ever compelled her to +undergo, and the woman deeply resented the doubtful position in which +she had been placed. + +However, the chances were that Madame Cerise might have obeyed her +orders to the letter had not so long a period of waiting ensued. During +these days she was constantly thrown in the society of Louise, which had +a tendency to make her still more rebellious. The girl clung to Cerise +in her helplessness and despair, and constantly implored her to set her +free. This, indeed, the Frenchwoman might have done long ago had she not +suspected such an act might cause great embarrassment to Diana Von Taer, +whom she had held on her knee as an infant and sought to protect with +loyal affection. + +It was hard, though, to hear the pitiful appeals of the imprisoned girl, +and to realize how great was the wrong that was being done her. The old +woman was forced to set her jaws firmly and turn deaf ears to the +pleadings in order not to succumb to them straightway. Meantime she did +her duty conscientiously. She never left Louise's room without turning +the key in the lock, and she steadfastly refused the girl permission to +wander in the other rooms of the house. The prison was a real prison, +indeed, but the turnkey sought to alleviate the prisoner's misery by +every means in her power. She was indefatigable in her service, keeping +the room warm and neat, attending to the girl's every want and cooking +her delicious meals. + +While this all tended to Louise's comfort it had little affect in +soothing her misery. Between periods of weeping she sought to cajole the +old woman to release her, and at times she succumbed to blank despair. +Arthur was always in her mind, and she wondered why he did not come to +rescue her. Every night she stole softly from her bed to try the door, +hoping Cerise had forgotten to lock it. She examined her prison by +stealth to discover any possible way of escape. + +There were two small windows and one large one. The latter opened upon +the roof of a small porch, but, there were no way to descend from it +unless one used a frail lattice at one end, which in summer probably +supported a rose or other vine. Louise shrank intuitively from such a +desperate undertaking. Unless some dreadful crisis occurred she would +never dare trust herself to that frail support. Yet it seemed the only +possible way of escape. + +Time finally wore out the patience of Madame Cerise, who was unable +longer to withstand Louise's pleadings. She did not indicate by word or +look that her attitude had changed, but she made a secret resolve to +have done with the affair altogether. + +Often in their conversations the girl had mentioned Arthur Weldon. She +had given Cerise his address and telephone number, and implored her at +least to communicate with him and tell him his sweetheart was safe, +although unhappy. This had given the old woman the clever idea on which +she finally acted. + +By telephoning Mr. Weldon she could give him the information that would +lead to his coming for Louise, without anyone knowing who it was that +had betrayed the secret. This method commended itself strongly to her, +as it would save her from any trouble or reproach. + +Leaving Louise at breakfast on this Tuesday morning Madame Cerise went +down to the telephone and was soon in communication with Arthur. She +told him, in a quiet tone, that Miss Louise Merrick was being secluded +in a suburban house near East Orange, and described the place so he +could easily find it. The young man questioned her eagerly, but aside +from the information that the girl was well and uninjured she +vouchsafed no further comment. + +It was enough, however. Arthur, in wild excitement, rushed to the +rescue. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + + +THE UNEXPECTED HAPPENS + +Madame Cerise, well knowing she had accelerated the march of events to a +two-step, calmly sat herself down in the little housekeeper's room off +the lower hall and, leaving Louise to her moody solitude upstairs, +awaited the inevitable developments. + +Outside the weather was cold and blustering. The wind whirled its burden +of snowflakes in every direction with blinding, bewildering +impartiality. It was a bad day to be out, thought the old Frenchwoman; +but a snowstorm was not likely to deter an anxious lover. She calculated +the time it would take Monsieur Weldon to arrive at the mansion: if he +was prompt and energetic he could cover the distance in an hour and a +half by train or three hours by motor car. But he must prepare for the +journey, and that would consume some time; perhaps she need not expect +him within two hours at the earliest. + +She read, to pass away the time, selecting a book from a shelf of +well-worn French novels. Somehow she did not care to face her tearful +prisoner again until she could restore the unhappy girl to the arms of +her true lover. There was still romance in the soul of Madame Cerise, +however withered her cheeks might be. She was very glad that at last she +had summoned courage to act according to the dictates of her heart. + +Eh? What is this? A rumble of wheels over the frozen snow caused her to +glance at the clock above the mantel. Not by any possibility could +Monsieur Weldon arrive so soon. Who, then, could it be? + +She sat motionless while the doorbell rang, and rang again. Nothing must +interfere with the pretty _denouement_ she had so fondly anticipated +when Louise's faithful knight came to her. + +But the one who had just now alighted was persistent. The vehicle had +been sent away--she heard the sound of receding wheels--and the new +arrival wanted to get in. The bell jerked and jangled unceasingly for a +time and then came a crash against the door, as if a stalwart shoulder +was endeavoring to break it down. + +Madame Cerise laid down her book, placed her _pince-nez_ in the case, +and slowly proceeded down the hall. The door shook with another powerful +impact, a voice cried out demanding admittance. + +"Who is it, then?" she called shrilly. + +"Open the door, confound you!" was the irritated reply. + +The woman reflected. This was surely young Mershone's voice. And she had +no excuse to deny him admittance. Quietly she unbolted the door and +allowed it to open an inch while she peered at the man outside. + +"Oh! it is Monsieur Mershone." + +"Of course it is," he roared, forcing the door open and stalking in. +"Who in thunder did you think it was?" + +"A thousand pardons, m'sieur," said Cerise. "I must be cautious; it is +your own command. That you may be protected I deny admittance to all." + +"That's all right," said Mershone gruffly, while he stamped his feet +upon the rug and shook the snow from his clothing. "Haven't you any fire +in this beastly old refrigerator? I'm nearly frozen. Where's Miss +Merrick?" + +"She is occupying Ma'm'selle Diana's room, in the west wing. Will +monsieur please to come this way?" + +She led him to her own little room, and so engrossed were they that +neither remembered he had failed to rebolt the front door. + +A good fire burned in the grate of Cerise's cosy den and Mershone threw +off his overcoat and warmed his hands as he showered questions upon the +old caretaker. + +"How is the girl behaving? Tears and hysterics?" + +"At times, m'sieur." + +"Takes it hard, eh?" + +"She is very unhappy." + +"Ever mention a man named Weldon?" + +"Often." + +"Humph!" He did not like this report. "Has anyone been here to disturb +you, or to make enquiries?" + +"No one, m'sieur." + +"We're safe enough, I guess. It was a mighty neat job, Cerise, taken +altogether, although the fools have been watching me night and day. +That's the reason I did not come sooner." + +She made no comment. Mershone threw himself into a chair and stared +thoughtfully at the fire. + +"Has Louise--Miss Merrick, you know--mentioned my name at all?" "At +times." + +"In what way?" + +"With loathing and contempt." + +He scowled at her savagely. + +"Do you think she suspects that I carried her away?" + +"She seems to know it absolutely." + +He stared at the fire again. + +"I've got a queer job on my hands, Cerise, and I rely on you to help +me," said he presently, assuming a more conciliating manner. "Perhaps +I'm in a box, or a hole, or whatever else you like to call it, but it's +too late too back down now--I must push ahead and win. You see the case +is this: I love the girl and had her brought here to keep her from +another man. By hook or crook I'm going to make her my wife. She won't +take kindly to that at first, perhaps, but I'll make her happy in the +end. In one way this delay has been a good thing. It must have worn her +out and broken her spirits quite a bit; eh?" + +"She seems very miserable," conceded the woman. + +"Do you find her hard to manage? Does she show much temper? In other +words, do you suppose she'll put up a fight?" + +Madame Cerise regarded him wonderingly. + +"She is a good girl," was her reply. "She loves with much devotion the +man from whom you have stolen her. I am quite positive she will never +consent to become your wife." + +"Oh, you are? Well, I intend she shall marry me, and that settles it. +She's unnerved and miserable now, and I mean to grind her down till she +hasn't strength to resist me. That sounds hard. I know; but it's the +only way to accomplish my purpose. After she's my wife I'll be very kind +to her, poor thing, and teach her to love me. A man can do anything with +a woman if he sets about it the right way. I'm not taking this stand +because I'm cruel, Cerise, but because I'm desperate. All's fair in love +and war, you know, and this is a bit of both." + +He was pacing the floor by this time, his hands thrust deep in his +pockets, an anxious look upon his face that belied his bombastic words. + +The Frenchwoman's expression was impassive. Her scorn for the wretch +before her was tempered with the knowledge that his cowardly plan was +doomed to defeat. It was she who had checkmated him, and she was glad. +Now and again her eyes sought the clock, while she silently calculated +the time to elapse before Arthur Weldon arrived. There would be a pretty +scene then, Cerise would have much enjoyment in witnessing the +encounter. + +"Now, then, take me to Louise," commanded Mershone, suddenly. + +She shrank back in dismay. + +"Oh, not yet, m'sieur!" + +"Why not?" + +"The young lady is asleep. She will not waken for an hour--perhaps two." + +"I can't wait. We'll waken her now, and give her an idea of the change +of program." + +"But no, m'sieur! It is outrageous. The poor thing has but now sobbed +herself to sleep, after many bitter hours. Can you not wait a brief +hour, having waited five days?" + +"No. Take me to her at once." As he came toward her the woman drew +away. + +"I cannot," she said firmly. + +"See here, Cerise, I intend to be obeyed. I won't endure any nonsense at +this stage of the game, believe me," he announced fiercely. "In order to +win, there's just one way to manage this affair, and I insist upon your +following my instructions. Take me to Louise!" + +"I will not!" she returned, the bead-like eyes glittering as they met +his angry gaze. + +"Then I'll go alone. Give me the key." + +She did not move, nor did she answer him. At her waist hung a small +bunch of household keys and this he seized with a sudden movement and +jerked loose from its cord. + +"You miserable hag!" he muttered, inflamed with anger at her opposition. +"If you propose to defend this girl and defy me, you'll find I'm able to +crush you as I will her. While I'm gone I expect you to come to your +senses, and decide to obey me." + +With these words he advanced to the door of the little room and opened +it. Just outside stood Fogerty, smiling genially. + +"Glad to meet you again, Mr. Mershone," he said. "May I come in? Thank +you." + +While Mershone stood bewildered by this unexpected apparition the +detective entered the room, closed the door carefully, and putting his +back to it bowed politely to Madame Cerise. + +"Pardon this seeming intrusion, ma'am," said he. "I'm here on a little +matter of business, having a warrant for the arrest of Mr. Charles +Connoldy Mershone." + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + + +GONE + +The grim face of Madame Cerise relaxed to allow a quaint smile to flit +across it. She returned Fogerty's bow with a deep curtsy. + +Mershone, after one brief exclamation of dismay, wrested from him by +surprise, threw himself into the chair again and stared at the fire. +For a few moments there was intense stillness in the little room. + +"How easy it is," said Fogerty, in soft, musing tones, "to read one's +thoughts--under certain circumstances. You are thinking, Mr. Mershone, +that I'm a boy, and not very strong, while you are an athlete and can +easily overpower me. I have come at a disagreeable time, and all your +plans depend on your ability to get rid of me. But I've four good men +within call, who are just now guarding the approaches to this house. +They'd like to come in, I know, because it's very cold and disagreeable +outside; but suppose we allow them to freeze for a time? Ah, I thought +you'd agree with me, sir--I overheard you say you were about to visit +Miss Merrick, who is confined in a room upstairs, but I'd like you to +postpone that while we indulge in a little confidential chat together. +You see--" + +The door-bell rang violently. Fogerty glanced at Madame Cerise. "Will +you see who it is?" he asked. + +She arose at once and left the room. Mershone turned quickly. + +"What's your price, Fogerty?" he asked, meaningly. + +"For what?" + +"For getting out of here--making tracks and leaving me alone. Every man +has his price, and I'm trapped--I'm willing to pay anything--I'll--" + +"Cut it out, sir. You've tried this once before. I'm not to be bribed." + +"Have you really a warrant for my arrest?" + +"I've carried it since Friday. It's no use, Mershone, the game's up and +you may as well grin and bear it." + +Mershone was about to reply when the door opened and Diana Von Taer came +in with a swift, catlike tread and confronted him with flaming eyes. + +"You coward! You low, miserable scoundrel! How dare you come here to +annoy and browbeat that poor girl?" she cried in clear, cutting accents, +without noticing the presence of Fogerty. + +"Oh, shut up, Di, you're in it as deep as I am," he retorted, turning +away with a flushed face. + +"I'm not, sir! Never have I countenanced this wicked, criminal act," she +declared. "I have come here to-day to save Louise from your wiles and +carry her back to her friends. I dare you, or your confederates," with a +scornful look at the detective, "to interfere with me in any way." Then +she turned to Cerise and continued: "Where is Miss Merrick now?" + +"In your own room, ma'm'seile." + +"Come with me, then." + +With a defiant glance at Mershone she turned haughtily and left the +room. Cerise followed obediently, somewhat astonished at the queer turn +of events. + +Left alone with Mershone, Fogerty chuckled gleefully. + +"Why, it seems I wasn't needed, after all," said he, "and we've both of +us taken a lot of trouble for nothing, Mershone. The chances are Miss +Von Taer would have turned the trick in any event, don't you think so?" + "No, you don't understand her. She wouldn't have interfered if she +hadn't been scared out," growled the other. "She's sacrificed me to save +herself, that's all." + +"You may be right about that," admitted Fogerty; and then he got up to +answer the door-bell, which once more rang violently. + +An automobile stood outside, and from it an excited party trooped into +the hallway, disregarding the cutting wind and blinding snowflakes that +assailed them as they passed in. There was Arthur Weldon and Uncle John, +Patricia and Beth; and all, as they saw the detective, cried with one +voice: + +"Where's Louise?" + +Fogerty had just managed to close the door against the wintry blast when +the answer came from the stairway just above: + +"She is gone!" + +The voice was shrill and despairing, and looking up they saw Diana +standing dramatically posed upon the landing, her hands clasped over her +heart and a look of fear upon her face. Over her shoulder the startled +black eyes of old Cerise peered down upon the group below. + +The newcomers were evidently bewildered by this reception. They had come +to rescue Louise, whom they imagined confined in a lonely deserted villa +with no companion other than the woman who guarded her. Arthur's own +detective opened the door to them and Diana Von Taer, whom they +certainly did not expect to meet here, confronted them with the +thrilling statement that Louise had gone. + +Arthur was the first to recover his wits. + +"Gone!" he repeated; "gone where?" + +"She had escaped--run away!" explained Diana, in real distress. + +"When?" asked Uncle John. + +"Just now. Within an hour, wasn't it, Cerise?" + +"At ten o'clock I left her, now she is gone," said the old woman, who +appeared as greatly agitated as her mistress. + +"Good gracious! you don't mean to say she's left the house in this +storm?" exclaimed Patsy, aghast at the very thought. + +"What shall we do? What _can_ we do?" demanded Beth, eagerly. + +Fogerty started up the stairs. Cerise turned to show him the way, and +the others followed in an awed group. + +The key was in the lock of the door to the missing girl's room, but the +door itself now stood ajar. Fogerty entered, cast a sharp look around +and walked straight to the window. As the others came in, glancing +curiously about them and noting the still smouldering fire and the +evidences of recent occupation, the detective unlatched the French +window and stepped out into the snow that covered the roof of the little +porch below. Arthur sprang out beside him, leaving the rest to shiver in +the cold blast that rushed in upon them from the open window. + +Fogerty, on his knees, scanned the snow carefully, and although Weldon +could discover no sign of a footprint the young detective nodded his +head sagaciously and slowly made his way to the trellis at the end. Here +it was plain that the accumulation of snow had recently been brushed +away from the frail framework. "It was strong enough to hold her, +though," declared Fogerty, looking over the edge of the roof. "I'll +descend the same way, sir. Go back by the stairs and meet me below." + +He grasped the lattice and began cautiously to lower himself to the +ground, and Arthur turned to rejoin his friends in the room. + +"That is the way she escaped, without doubt," he said to them. "Poor +child, she had no idea we were about to rescue her, and her long +confinement had made her desperate." + +"Did she have a cloak, or any warm clothes?" asked Beth. Madame Cerise +hurriedly examined the wardrobe in the closets. + +"Yes, ma'm'selle; she has taken a thick coat and a knit scarf," she +answered. But I am sure she had no gloves, and her shoes were very +thin." + +"How long do you think she has been gone?" Patsy enquired. + +"Not more than an hour. I was talking with Mr. Mershone, and--" + +"Mershone! Is he here?" demanded Arthur. + +"He is in my room downstairs--or was when you came," said the woman. + +"That accounts for her sudden flight," declared the young man, bitterly. +"She doubtless heard his voice and in a sudden panic decided to fly. Did +Mershone see her?" he asked. + +"No, m'sieur," replied Cerise. + +With one accord they descended to the lower hall and the caretaker led +the way to her room. To their surprise they found Mershone still seated +in the chair by the fire, his hands clasped behind his head, a cigarette +between his lips. + +"Here is another crime for you to account for!" cried Arthur, advancing +upon him angrily. "You have driven Louise to her death!" + +Mershone raised one hand in mild protest. + +"Don't waste time cursing me," he said. "Try to find Louise before it is +too late." + +The reproach seemed justified. Arthur paused and turning to Mr. Merrick +said: + +"He is right. I'll go help Fogerty, and you must stay here and look +after the girls until we return." As he went out he passed Diana +without a look. She sat in a corner of the room sobbing miserably. Beth +was thoughtful and quiet, Patsy nervous and indignant. Uncle John was +apparently crushed by the disaster that had overtaken them. Mershone's +suggestion that Louise might perish in the storm was no idle one; the +girl was not only frail and delicate but worn out with her long +imprisonment and its anxieties. They all realized this. + +"I believe," said Mershone, rising abruptly, "I'll go and join the +search. Fogerty has arrested me, but you needn't worry about my trying +to escape. I don't care what becomes of me, now, and I'm going straight +to join the detective." + +They allowed him to go without protest, and he buttoned his coat and set +out in the storm to find the others. Fogerty and Arthur were by this +time in the lane back of the grounds, where the detective was advancing +slowly with his eyes fixed on the ground. + +"The tracks are faint, but easily followed," he was saying, "The high +heels of her shoes leave a distinct mark." + +When Mershone joined them Arthur scowled at the fellow but said nothing. +Fogerty merely smiled. + +From the lane the tracks, already nearly obliterated by the fast falling +snow, wandered along nearly a quarter of a mile to a crossroads, where +they became wholly lost. + +Fogerty looked up and down the roads and shook his head with a puzzled +expression. + +"We've surely traced her so far," said he, "but now we must guess at her +further direction. You'll notice this track of a wagon. It may have +passed fifteen minutes or an hour ago. The hoof tracks of the horses are +covered, so I'm not positive which way they headed; I only know there +are indications of hoof tracks, which proves it a farmer's wagon. The +question is, whether the young lady met it, and caught a ride, or +whether she proceeded along some of the other trails. I can't find any +indication of those high-heeled shoes from this point, in any direction. +Better get your car, Mr. Weldon, and run east a few miles, keeping sharp +watch of the wagon tracks on the way. It was a heavy wagon, for the +wheels cut deep. Mershone and I will go west. When you've driven far +enough to satisfy yourself you're going the wrong direction, you may +easily overtake us on your return. Then, if we've discovered nothing on +this road, we'll try the other." Arthur ran back at once to the house +and in a few minutes had started on his quest. The motor car was +powerful enough to plow through the deep snow with comparative ease. + +Those left together in Madam Cerise's little room were more to be pitied +than the ones engaged in active search, for there was nothing to relieve +their fears and anxieties. Diana, unable to bear the accusing looks of +Patsy and Beth, resolved to make a clean breast of her complicity in the +affair and related to them every detail of her connection with her +cousin's despicable plot. She ended by begging their forgiveness, and +wept so miserably that Uncle John found himself stroking her hair while +Patsy came close and pressed the penitent girl's hand as if to comfort +and reassure her. + +Beth said nothing. She could not find it in her heart as yet to forgive +Diana's selfish conspiracy against her cousin's happiness. If Louise +perished in this dreadful storm the proud Diana Von Taer could not +escape the taint of murder. The end was not yet. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII + + +THE CRISIS + +Mershone and Fogerty plodded through the snow together, side by side. +They were facing the wind, which cut their faces cruelly, yet neither +seemed to mind the bitterness of the weather. "Keep watch along the +roadside," suggested Mershone; "she may have fallen anywhere, you know. +She couldn't endure this thing long. Poor Louise!" + +"You were fond of her, Mr. Mershone?" asked Fogerty, not +unsympathetically. + +"Yes. That was why I made such a struggle to get her." + +"It was a mistake, sir. Provided a woman is won by force or trickery +she's never worth getting. If she doesn't care for you it's better to +give her up." + +"I know--now." + +"You're a bright fellow, Mershone, a clever fellow. It's a pity you +couldn't direct your talents the right way. They'll jug you for this." + +"Never mind. The game of life isn't worth playing. I've done with it, +and the sooner I go to the devil the better. If only I could be sure +Louise was safe I'd toss every care--and every honest thought--to the +winds, from this moment." + +During the silence that followed Fogerty was thoughtful. Indeed, his +mind dwelt more upon the defeated and desperate man beside him than upon +the waif he was searching for. + +"What's been done, Mr. Mershone," he said, after a time, "can't be +helped now. The future of every man is always a bigger proposition than +his past--whoever he may be. With your talents and genius you could yet +make of yourself a successful and prosperous man, respected by the +community--if you could get out of this miserable rut that has helped +to drag you down." + +"But I can't," said the other, despondently. + +"You can if you try. But you'll have to strike for a place a good way +from New York. Go West, forget your past, and carve out an honest future +under a new name and among new associates. You're equal to it." + +Mershone shook his head. + +"You forget," he said. "They'll give me a jail sentence for this folly, +as sure as fate, and that will be the end of me." + +"Not necessarily. See here, Mershone, it won't help any of those people +to prosecute you. If the girl escapes with her life no real harm has +been done, although you've caused a deal of unhappiness, in one way or +another. For my part, I'd like to see you escape, because I'm sure this +affair will be a warning to you that will induce you to give up all +trickery in the future. Money wouldn't bribe me, as you know, but +sympathy and good fellowship will. If you'll promise to skip right now, +and turn over a new leaf, you are free." + +"Where could I go?" + +"There's a town a mile ahead of us; I can see the buildings now and +then. You've money, for you offered it to me. I haven't any assistants +here, I'm all alone on the job. That talk about four men was only a +bluff. Push me over in the snow and make tracks. I'll tell Weldon you've +escaped, and advise him not to bother you. It's very easy." + +Mershone stopped short, seized the detective's hand and wrung it +gratefully. + +"You're a good fellow, Fogerty. I--I thank you. But I can't do it. In +the first place, I can't rest in peace until Louise is found, or I know +her fate. Secondly, I'm game to give an account for all my deeds, now +that I've played the farce out, and lost. I--I really haven't the +ambition, Fogerty, to make a new start in life, and try to reform. +What's the use?" + +Fogerty did not reply. Perhaps he realized the case was entirely +hopeless. But he had done what he could to save the misguided fellow and +give him a chance, and he was sorry he had not succeeded. + +Meantime Arthur Weldon, almost dazed by the calamity that had overtaken +his sweetheart, found an able assistant in his chauffeur, who, when the +case was explained to him, developed an eager and intelligent interest +in the chase. Fortunately they moved with the storm and the snow +presently moderated in volume although the wind was still blowing a +fierce gale. This gave them a better opportunity than the others to +observe the road they followed. + +Jones had good eyes, and although the trail of the heavy wagon was lost +at times he soon picked it up again and they were enabled to make fairly +good speed. + +"I believe," said Arthur, presently, "that the marks are getting +clearer." + +"I know they are, sir," agreed Jones. + +"Then we've come in the right direction, for it is proof that the wagon +was headed this way." + +"Quite right, sir." + +This back section was thinly settled and the occasional farm-houses they +passed were set well back from the road. It was evident from the closed +gates and drifted snowbanks that no teams had either left these places +or arrived during a recent period. Arthur was encouraged, moreover, by +the wagon ruts growing still more clear as they proceeded, and his +excitement was great when Jones abruptly halted and pointed to a place +where the wheels had made a turn and entered a farm yard. + +"Here's the place, sir," announced the chauffeur. + +"Can you get in?" + +"It's pretty deep, sir, but I'll try." + +The snow was crisp and light, owing to the excessive cold, and the +machine plowed through it bravely, drawing up at last to the door of an +humble cottage. + +As Arthur leaped out of the car a man appeared upon the steps, closing +the door softly behind him. + +"Looking for the young lady, sir?" he asked. + +"Is she here?" cried Arthur. + +The man placed his finger on his lips, although the wind prevented any +sound of voices being heard within. + +"Gently, sir, don't make a noise--but come in." + +They entered what seemed to be a kitchen. The farmer, a man of advanced +years, led him to a front room, and again cautioning him to be silent, +motioned him to enter. + +A sheet-iron stove made the place fairly comfortable. By a window sat a +meek-faced woman, bent over some sewing. On a couch opposite lay Louise, +covered by a heavy shawl. She was fast asleep, her hair disheveled and +straying over her crimson cheeks, flushed from exposure to the weather. +Her slumber seemed the result of physical exhaustion, for her lips were +parted and she breathed deeply. + +Arthur, after gazing at her for a moment with a beating-heart, for the +mysterious actions of the old farmer had made him fear the worst, softly +approached the couch and knelt beside the girl he loved, thanking; God +in his inmost heart for her escape. Then he leaned over and pressed a +kiss upon her cheek. + +Louise slowly opened her eyes, smiled divinely, and threw her arms +impulsively around his neck. + +"I knew you would come for me, dear," she whispered. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV + + +A MATTER OF COURSE + +All explanations were barred until the girl had been tenderly taken to +her own home and under the loving care of her mother and cousins had +recovered to an extent from the terrible experiences she had undergone. + Then by degrees she told them her story, and how, hearing the voice of +her persecutor Mershone in the hall below she had become frantic with +fear and resolved to trust herself to the mercies of the storm rather +than submit to an interview with him. Before this she had decided that +she could climb down the trellis, and that part of her flight she +accomplished easily. Then she ran toward the rear of the premises to +avoid being seen and managed to find the lane, and later the +cross-roads. It was very cold, but her excitement and the fear of +pursuit kept her warm until suddenly her strength failed her and she +sank down in the snow without power to move. At this juncture the farmer +and his wife drove by, having been on a trip to the town. The man sprang +out and lifted her in, and the woman tenderly wrapped her in the robes +and blankets and pillowed her head upon her motherly bosom. By the time +they reached the farm-house she was quite warm again, but so exhausted +that with a brief explanation that she was lost, but somebody would be +sure to find her before long, she fell upon the couch and almost +immediately lost consciousness. + +So Arthur found her, and one look into his eyes assured her that all her +troubles were over. + +They did not prosecute Charlie Mershone, after all. Fogerty pleaded for +him earnestly, and Uncle John pointed out that to arrest the young man +would mean to give the whole affair to the newspapers, which until now +had not gleaned the slightest inkling of what had happened. Publicity +was to be avoided if possible, as it would set loose a thousand +malicious tongues and benefit nobody. The only thing to be gained by +prosecuting Mershone was revenge, and all were willing to forego that +doubtful satisfaction. + +However, Uncle John had an interview with the young man in the office of +the prosecuting attorney, at which Mershone was given permission to +leave town quietly and pursue his fortunes in other fields. If ever he +returned, or in any way molested any of the Merricks or his cousin +Diana, he was assured that he would be immediately arrested and +prosecuted to the full extent of the law. + +Mershone accepted the conditions and became an exile, passing at once +out of the lives of those he had so deeply wronged. + +The joyful reunion of the lovers led to an early date being set for the +wedding. They met all protests by pleading their fears of another +heartrending separation, and no one ventured to oppose their desire. + +Mrs. Merrick quickly recovered her accustomed spirits during the +excitement of those anxious weeks preceding the wedding. Cards were +issued to "the very best people in town;" the _trousseau_ involved +anxiety by day and restless dreams by night--all eminently enjoyable; +there were entertainments to be attended and congratulations to be +received from every side. + +Society, suspecting nothing of the tragedy so lately enacted in these +young lives, was especially gracious to the betrothed. Louise was the +recipient of innumerable merry "showers" from her girl associates, and +her cousins, Patsy and Beth, followed in line with "glass showers" and +"china showers" until the prospective bride was stocked with enough +wares to establish a "house-furnishing emporium," as Uncle John proudly +declared. + +Mr. Merrick, by this time quite reconciled and palpably pleased at the +approaching marriage of his eldest niece, was not to be outdone in +"social stunts" that might add to her happiness. He gave theatre parties +and banquets without number, and gave them with the marked success that +invariably attended his efforts. + +The evening before the wedding Uncle John and the Major claimed Arthur +for their own, and after an hour's conference between the three that +left the young fellow more happy and grateful than ever before, he was +entertained at his last "bachelor dinner," where he made a remarkable +speech and was lustily cheered. + +Of course Beth and Patsy were the bridesmaids, and their cousin Kenneth +Forbes came all the way from Elmhurst to be Arthur's best man. No one +ever knew what it cost Uncle John for the wonderful decorations at the +church and home, for the music, the banquet and all the other details +which he himself eagerly arranged on a magnificent scale and claimed was +a part of his "wedding present." + +When it was all over, and the young people had driven away to begin the +journey of life together, the little man put a loving arm around Beth +and Patsy and said, between smiles and tears: + +"Well, my dears, I've lost one niece, and that's a fact; but I've still +two left. How long will they remain with me, I wonder?" + +"Dear me, Uncle John," said practical Patsy; "your necktie's untied and +dangling; like a shoestring! I hope it wasn't that way at the wedding." + +"It was, though," declared the Major, chuckling. "If all three of ye get +married, my dears, poor Uncle John will come to look like a scarecrow +--and all that in the face of swell society!" + +"Aren't we about through with swell society now?" asked Mr. Merrick, +anxiously. "Aren't we about done with it? It caused all our troubles, +you know." + +"Society," announced Beth, complacently, "is an excellent thing in the +abstract. It has its black sheep, of course; but I think no more than +any other established class of humanity." + +"Dear me!" cried Uncle John; "you once denounced society." + +"That," said she, "was before I knew anything at all about it." + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 10468 *** diff --git a/10468-h/10468-h.htm b/10468-h/10468-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..afbc4a3 --- /dev/null +++ b/10468-h/10468-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,7285 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?> + +<!DOCTYPE html + PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd" > + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> + <head> + <title> + The Project Gutenberg eBook of Aunt Jane's Nieces in Society, by Edith Van + Dyne + </title> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + + body { margin:5%; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + div.middle { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + .pagenum {display:inline; font-size: 70%; font-style:normal; + margin: 0; padding: 0; position: absolute; right: 1%; + text-align: right;} + .side { float: right; font-size: 75%; width: 25%; padding-left: 0.8em; + border-left: dashed thin; margin-left: 0.8em; text-align: left; + text-indent: 0; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; + font-weight: bold; color: black; background: #eeeeee; border: solid 1px;} + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + +</style> + </head> + <body> +<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 10468 ***</div> + <h1> + The Project Gutenberg eBook, Aunt Jane's Nieces in Society, by Edith Van + Dyne + </h1> + +<p> + <b>E-text prepared by Afra Ullah, Sjaani,<br /> and Project Gutenberg + Distributed Proofreaders </b> <br /> <br /> + </p> +</pre> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <table width="80%" border="0"> + <tr> + <td> + <h1> + AUNT JANE'S NIECES IN SOCIETY + </h1> + <h2> + BY + </h2> + <h1> + EDITH VAN DYNE + </h1> + <h2> + 1910 + </h2> + </td> + </tr> + </table> + <hr style="width: 35%;" /> + <table border="0" cellpadding="5"> + <tr> + <td colspan="2"> + <h2> + LIST OF CHAPTERS + </h2> + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <strong> CHAPTER </strong> + </td> + <td> + + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <div> + <strong>I<br /> II<br /> III<br /> IV<br /> V<br /> VI<br /> VII<br /> VIII<br /> + IX<br /> X<br /> XI<br /> XII<br /> XIII<br /> XIV<br /> XV<br /> XVI<br /> + XVII<br /> XVIII<br /> XIX<br /> XX<br /> XXI<br /> XXII<br /> XXIII<br /> + XXIV<br /> </strong> + </div> + </td> + <td> + <div> + <a href="#chap1">UNCLE JOHN'S DUTY</a><br /> <a href="#chap2">A + QUESTION OF "PULL"</a><br /> <a href="#chap3">DIANA</a><br /> + <a href="#chap4">THE THREE NIECES</a><br /> <a href="#chap5">PREPARING + FOR THE PLUNGE</a><br /> <a href="#chap6">THE FLY IN THE BROTH</a><br /> + <a href="#chap7">THE HERO ENTERS AND TROUBLE BEGINS</a><br /> <a + href="#chap8">OPENING THE CAMPAIGN</a><br /> <a href="#chap9">THE VON + TAER PEARLS</a><br /> <a href="#chap10">MISLED</a><br /> <a + href="#chap11">LIMOUSINE</a><br /> <a href="#chap12">FOGERTY</a><br /> + <a href="#chap13">DIANA REVOLTS</a><br /> <a href="#chap14">A COOL + ENCOUNTER</a><br /> <a href="#chap15">A BEWILDERING EXPERIENCE</a><br /> + <a href="#chap16">MADAME CERISE, CUSTODIAN</a><br /> <a href="#chap17">THE + MYSTERY DEEPENS</a><br /> <a href="#chap18">A RIFT IN THE CLOUDS</a><br /> + <a href="#chap19">POLITIC REPENTANCE</a><br /> <a href="#chap20">A + TELEPHONE CALL</a><br /> <a href="#chap21">THE UNEXPECTED HAPPENS</a><br /> + <a href="#chap22">GONE</a><br /> <a href="#chap23">THE CRISIS</a><br /> + <a href="#chap24">A MATTER OF COURSE</a><br /> + </div> + </td> + </tr> + </table> + <hr style="width: 65%;" /> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <table width="80%" border="0"> + <tr> + <td> + <a name="chap1" id="chap1"></a> + <h2> + CHAPTER I + </h2> + <br /> + <p> + UNCLE JOHN'S DUTY + </p> + <p> + "You're not doing your duty by those girls, John Merrick!" + </p> + <p> + The gentleman at whom this assertion was flung in a rather angry + tone did not answer his sister-in-law. He sat gazing reflectively at + the pattern in the rug and seemed neither startled nor annoyed. Mrs. + Merrick, a pink-cheeked middle-aged lady attired in an elaborate + morning gown, knitted her brows severely as she regarded the chubby + little man opposite; then, suddenly remembering that the wrinkles + might leave their dreadful mark on her carefully rolled and massaged + features, she banished them with a pass of her ringed hand and + sighed dismally. + </p> + <p> + "It would not have mattered especially had the poor children + been left in their original condition of friendless poverty," + she said. "They were then like a million other girls, content + to struggle for a respectable livelihood and a doubtful position in + the lower stratas of social communion. But you interfered. You came + into their lives abruptly, appearing from those horrid Western wilds + with an amazing accumulation of money and a demand that your three + nieces become your special <i>protégées</i>. And what + is the result?" + </p> + <p> + The little man looked up with a charming smile of good humored + raillery. His keen gray eyes sparkled as mischievously as a + schoolboy's. Softly he rubbed the palms of his hands together, as if + enjoying the situation. + </p> + <p> + "What is it, Martha, my dear? What is the result?" he + asked. + </p> + <p> + "You've raised them from their lowly condition to a sphere in + which they reign as queens, the envy of all who know them. You've + lavished your millions upon them unsparingly; they are not only + presumptive heiresses but already possessed of independent fortunes. + Ah, you think you've been generous to these girls; don't you, John + Merrick?" + </p> + <p> + "Go on, Martha; go on." + </p> + <p> + "You've taken them abroad—you took my own daughter, John + Merrick, and left <i>me</i> at home!—you've lugged your three + nieces to the mountains and carried them to the seashore. You even + encouraged them to enlist in an unseemly campaign to elect that + young imbecile, Kenneth Forbes, and—" + </p> + <p> + "Oh, Martha, Martha! Get to the point, if you can. I'm going, + presently." + </p> + <p> + "Not until you've heard me out. You've given your nieces every + advantage in your power save one, and the neglect of that one thing + renders futile all else you have accomplished." + </p> + <p> + Now, indeed, her listener seemed perplexed. He passed a hand over + his shiny bald head as if to stimulate thought and exorcise + bewilderment. + </p> + <p> + "What is it, then? What have I neglected?" was his mild + enquiry. + </p> + <p> + "To give those girls their proper standing in society." + </p> + <p> + He started; smiled; then looked grave. + </p> + <p> + "You're talking foolishly," he said. "Why, confound + it, Martha, they're as good girls as ever lived! They're highly + respected, and—" + </p> + <p> + "Sir, I refer to Fashionable Society." The capitals + indicate the impressive manner in which Mrs. Merrick pronounced + those words. + </p> + <p> + "I guess money makes folks fashionable; don't it, Martha?" + </p> + <p> + "No, indeed. How ignorant you are, John. Can you not understand + that there is a cultured, aristocratic and exclusive Society in New + York that millions will not enable one to gain <i>entrée</i> + to?" + </p> + <p> + "Oh, is there? Then I'm helpless." + </p> + <p> + "You are not, sir." + </p> + <p> + "Eh? I thought you said—" + </p> + <p> + "Listen, John; and for heaven's sake try for once to be + receptive. I am speaking not only for the welfare of my daughter + Louise but for Beth and Patricia. Your nieces are charming girls, + all three. With the advantages you have given them they may well + become social celebrities." + </p> + <p> + "H-m-m. Would they be happier so?" + </p> + <p> + "Of course. Every true woman longs for social distinction, + especially if it seems difficult to acquire. Nothing is dearer to a + girl's heart than to win acceptance by the right social set. And New + York society is the most exclusive in America." + </p> + <p> + "I'm afraid it will continue to exclude our girls, Martha." + </p> + <p> + "Not if you do your duty, John." + </p> + <p> + "That reminds me. What is your idea of my duty, Martha? You've + been talking in riddles, so far," he protested, shifting + uneasily in his chair. + </p> + <p> + "Let me explain more concisely, then. Your millions, John + Merrick, have made you really famous, even in this wealthy + metropolis. In the city and at your club you must meet with men who + have the <i>entrée</i> to the most desirable social circles: + men who might be induced to introduce your nieces to their families, + whose endorsement would effect their proper presentation." + </p> + <p> + "Nonsense." + </p> + <p> + "It isn't nonsense at all." + </p> + <p> + "Then blamed if I know what you're driving at." + </p> + <p> + "You're very obtuse." + </p> + <p> + "I won't agree to that till I know what 'obtuse' means. See + here, Martha; you say this social position, that the girls are so + crazy for—but they've never said anything to <i>me</i> about + it—can't be bought. In the next breath you urge me to buy it. + Phoo! You're a thoughtless, silly woman, Martha, and let your wild + ambitions run away with your common sense." + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Merrick sighed, but stubbornly maintained her position. + </p> + <p> + "I don't suggest 'buying' such people; not at all, John. It's + what is called—ah—ah—'influence'; or, or—" + </p> + <p> + "Or 'pull.' 'Pull' is a better word, Martha. Do you imagine + there's any value in social position that can be acquired by 'pull'?" + </p> + <p> + "Of course. It has to be acquired some way—if one is not + born to it. As a matter of fact, Louise is entitled, through her + connection with <i>my</i> family—" + </p> + <p> + "Pshaw, I knew <i>your</i> family, Martha," he + interrupted. "An arrant lot of humbugs." + </p> + <p> + "John Merrick!" + </p> + <p> + "Don't get riled. It's the truth. I <i>knew</i> 'em. On her + father's side Louise has just as much to brag about—an' no + more. We Merricks never amounted to much, an' didn't hanker to trip + the light fantastic in swell society. Once, though, when I was a + boy, I had a cousin who spelled down the whole crowd at a + spellin'-bee. We were quite proud of him then; but he went wrong + after his triumph, poor fellow! and became a book agent. Now, + Martha, I imagine this talk of yours is all hot air, and worked off + on me not because the girls want society, but because you want it + for 'em. It's all <i>your</i> ambition, I'll bet a peanut." + </p> + <p> + "You misjudge me, as usual, John. I am urging a matter of + simple justice. Your nieces are lovely girls, fitted to shine in any + sphere of life," she continued, knowing his weak point and + diplomatically fostering it. "Our girls have youth, + accomplishments, money—everything to fit them for social + triumphs. The winter season is now approaching; the people are + flocking back to town from their country homes; fashionable gaieties + and notable events will soon hold full sway. The dear girls are + surely entitled to enjoy these things, don't you think? Aren't they + <i>worthy</i> the best that life has to offer? And why shouldn't + they enter society, if you do your full duty? Once get them properly + introduced and they will be able to hold their own with perfect + ease. Give me the credit for knowing these things, John, and try to + help your nieces to attain their ambition." + </p> + <p> + "But <i>is</i> it their ambition?" he asked, doubtfully. + </p> + <p> + "They have not said so in words; but I can assure you it <i>is</i> + their ambition, because all three are sensible, spirited, young + women, who live in this age and not the one you yourself knew a half + century or so ago." + </p> + <p> + Mr. Merrick sighed and rubbed his head again. Then he slowly rose. + </p> + <p> + "Mornin', Martha," he said, with a somewhat abstracted nod + at his sister-in-law. "This is a new idea to me. I'll think it + over." + </p> + <hr style="width: 35%;" /> + <a name="chap2" id="chap2"></a> + <h2> + CHAPTER II + </h2> + <br /> + <p> + A QUESTION OF "PULL" + </p> + <p> + John Merrick's face was not so cheery as usual as he made his way + into the city. This suggestion of Martha Merrick's regarding his + inattention to duty to his beloved nieces was no easy nut to crack. + </p> + <p> + He knew his sister-in-law to be a wordly-minded, frivolous woman, + with many trivial ambitions; but in this instance he had misgivings + that she might be right. What did he, John Merrick, know of select + society? A poor man, of humble origin, he had wandered into the + infantile, embryo West years ago and there amassed a fortune. When + he retired and returned to "civilization" he found his + greatest reward In the discovery of three charming nieces, all + "as poor as Job's turkey" but struggling along bravely, + each in her individual characteristic way, and well worthy their + doting uncle's affectionate admiration. Mrs. Merrick had recited + some of the advantages they had derived from the advent of this rich + relative; but even she could not guess how devoted the man was to + the welfare of these three fortunate girls, nor how his kindly, + simple heart resented the insinuation that he was neglecting + anything that might contribute to their happiness. + </p> + <p> + Possession of money had never altered John Merrick's native + simplicity. He had no extravagant tastes, dressed quietly and lived + the life of the people. On this eventful morning the man of millions + took a cross-town car to the elevated station and climbed the stairs + to his train. Once seated and headed cityward he took out his + memorandum book to see what engagements he had for the day. There + were three for the afternoon. At twelve o'clock he had promised to + meet Von Taer. + </p> + <p> + "H-m-m. Von Taer." + </p> + <p> + Gazing reflectively from the window he remembered a conversation + with a prominent banker some month or so before. "Von Taer," + the banker had said, "is an aristocrat with an independent + fortune, who clings to the brokerage business because he inherited + it from his father and grandfather. I hold that such a man has no + moral right to continue in business. He should retire and give the + other fellow a chance." + </p> + <p> + "Why do you call him an aristocrat?" Mr. Merrick had + enquired. + </p> + <p> + "Because his family is so ancient that it shames the ark + itself. I imagine his ancestors might have furnished Noah the lumber + to build his ship. In New York the '400' all kowtow to Von Taer." + </p> + <p> + "Seems to me he has the right to be a broker if he wants to," + asserted Mr. Merrick. + </p> + <p> + "The right; yes. But, between us, Mr. Merrick, this society + swell has no mental capacity to handle such an uncertain business. + He's noted for doing unwarranted things. To me it's a marvel that + Von Taer hasn't shipwrecked the family fortunes long ago. Luck has + saved him, not foresight." + </p> + <p> + That speech of a few weeks ago now seemed prophetic to John Merrick. + Within a few days the aristocratic broker had encountered financial + difficulties and been forced to appeal to Mr. Merrick, to whom he + obtained an introduction through a mutual friend. Von Taer was + doubtless solvent, for he controlled large means; but unless a + saving hand was extended at this juncture his losses were sure to be + severe, and might even cripple him seriously. + </p> + <p> + All this Mr. Merrick shrewdly considered in the space of a few + moments. As he left the train he looked at his watch and found it + was barely eleven. He decided not to await the hour of appointment. + With his usual brisk stride he walked to Von Taer's offices and was + promptly admitted to the broker's sanctum. + </p> + <p> + Hedrik Von Taer was a fine looking man, tall, grave, of dignified + demeanor and courteous manners. He stood until his visitor was + seated and with a gesture of deference invited him to open the + conversation. + </p> + <p> + "I've decided to make you the loan, Von Taer," began Mr. + Merrick, in his practical, matter-of-fact way. "Three hundred + thousand, wasn't it? Call on Major Doyle at my office this afternoon + and he'll arrange it for you." + </p> + <p> + An expression of relief crossed the broker's face. + </p> + <p> + "You are very kind, sir," he answered. "I assure you + I fully appreciate the accommodation." + </p> + <p> + "Glad to help you," responded the millionaire, briskly. + Then he paused with marked abruptness. It occurred to him he had a + difficult proposition to make to this man. To avoid the cold, + enquiring eyes now fixed upon him he pulled out a cigar and + deliberately cut the end. Von Taer furnished him a match. He smoked + a while in silence. + </p> + <p> + "This loan, sir," he finally began, "is freely made. + There are no strings tied to it. I don't want you to feel I'm + demanding any sort of return. But the truth is, you have it in your + power to grant me a favor." + </p> + <p> + Von Taer bowed. + </p> + <p> + "Mr. Merrick has generously placed me under an obligation it + will afford me pleasure to repay," said he. But his eyes held + an uneasy look, nevertheless. + </p> + <p> + "It's this way," explained the other: "I've three + nieces—fine girls, Von Taer—who will some day inherit my + money. They are already independent, financially, and they're + educated, well-bred and amiable young women. Take my word for it." + </p> + <p> + "I am sure your statements are justified, Mr. Merrick." + Yet Hedrik Von Taer's face, usually unexpressive, denoted blank + mystification. What connection could these girls have with the favor + to be demanded? + </p> + <p> + "Got any girls yourself, Von Taer?" + </p> + <p> + "A daughter, sir. My only child. + </p> + <p> + "Grown up?" + </p> + <p> + "A young lady now, sir." + </p> + <p> + "Then you'll understand. I'm a plain uneducated man myself. + Never been any nearer swell society than a Fifth Avenue stage. My + money has given me commercial position, but no social one worth + mentioning. Your '400's' a bunch I can't break into, nohow." + </p> + <p> + A slight smile hovered over the other's lips, but he quickly + controlled it. + </p> + <p> + "They tell me, though," continued the speaker, "that + <i>your</i> family has long ago climbed into the top notch of + society. You're one o' the big guns in the battery, an' hold the + fort against all comers." + </p> + <p> + Von Taer merely bowed. It was scarcely necessary to either admit or + contradict the statement. Uncle John was a little indignant that his + companion showed no disposition to assist him in his explanation, + which a clear head might now easily comprehend. So, with his usual + frankness, he went directly to the point. + </p> + <p> + "I'd like my girls to get into the best—the most select—circles," + he announced. "They're good and pretty and well-mannered, so it + strikes me they're entitled to the best there is a-going. I don't + want to mix with your swell crowd myself, because I ain't fit; + likewise the outfit ain't much to my taste, askin' your pardon; but + with women it's different. They need to stand high an' shine bright + to make 'em really happy, and if any special lot is particularly + ex-clusive an' high-falutin', that's the crowd they long to swarm + with. It's human nature—female human nature, anyhow. You catch + my idea, Von Taer, don't you?" + </p> + <p> + "I think so, Mr. Merrick. Yet I fail to see how I can be of + service to you in gratifying the ambition of your charming nieces." + </p> + <p> + "Then I'll go, and you may forget what I've said." The + visitor arose and took his hat from the table. "It was only a + fool notion, anyway; just a thought, badly expressed, to help my + girls to a toy that money can't buy." + </p> + <p> + Hedrik Von Taer gazed steadily into the man's face. There was + something in the simple, honest self-abnegation of this wealthy and + important person that won the respect of all he met. The broker's + stern eyes softened a bit as he gazed and he allowed a fugitive + smile, due to his own change of attitude, to wreathe his thin lips + again—just for an instant. + </p> + <p> + "Sit down, please, Mr. Merrick," he requested, and rather + reluctantly Uncle John resumed his seat. "You may not have an + especially clear idea of New York society, and I want to explain my + recent remark so that you will understand it. What is called 'the + 400' may or may not exist; but certainly it is no distinct league or + association. It may perhaps be regarded as a figure of speech, to + indicate how few are really admitted to the most exclusive circles. + Moreover, there can be no dominant 'leader of society' here, for the + reason that not all grades of society would recognize the supremacy + of any one set, or clique. These cliques exist for various reasons. + They fraternize generally, but keep well within their own circles. + Kindred tastes attract some; ancient lineage others. There is an + ultra-fashionable set, a sporting set, a literary set, an + aristocratic set, a rather 'fast' set, a theatrical set—and so + on. These may all lay claim with certain justice to membership in + good society. Their circles are to an extent exclusive, because some + distinction must mark the eligibility of members. And outside each + luminous sphere hovers a multitude eager to pass the charmed circle + and so acquire recognition. Often it is hard to separate the + initiate from the uninitiate, even by those most expert. Is it + difficult to comprehend such a condition as I have described, Mr. + Merrick?" + </p> + <p> + "Somewhat, Mr. Von Taer. The wonder to me is why people waste + time in such foolishness." + </p> + <p> + "It is the legitimate occupation of many; the folly of unwise + ambition impels others. There is a fascination about social life + that appeals to the majority of natures. Let us compare society to a + mountain whose sides are a steep incline, difficult to mount. To + stand upon the summit, to become the cynosure of all eyes, is a + desire inherent, seemingly, in all humanity; for humanity loves + distinction. In the scramble toward the peak many fall by the + wayside; others deceive themselves by imagining they have attained + the apex when they are far from it. It is a game, Mr. Merrick, just + as business is a game, politics a game, and war a game. You know how + few really win." + </p> + <p> + "Here," said Uncle John, musingly, "is a philosophy I + did not expect from you, Von Taer. They tell me you're one who + stands on top the peak. And you were born that way, and didn't have + to climb. Seems to me you rather scorn the crowd that's trying to + climb to an eminence you never had to win. That wouldn't be my way. + And I suspect that if the crowd wasn't trying to climb to you, your + own position wouldn't be worth a cotton hat." + </p> + <p> + Von Taer had no answer to this criticism. Perhaps he scarcely heard + it, for he appeared lost in a brown study. Finally he said: + </p> + <p> + "Will you permit my daughter to call upon your nieces, Mr. + Merrick?" + </p> + <p> + "Of course, sir." + </p> + <p> + "Then kindly give me their addresses." + </p> + <p> + Uncle John wrote them on a slip of paper. + </p> + <p> + "You may now dismiss the subject from your mind, sir, as you + lately advised me to do. Whatever may be accomplished in the + direction you have suggested I will gladly undertake. If I succeed + it will be exceedingly gratifying to us all, I am sure." + </p> + <p> + Mr. Merrick left the office in a rather humbled and testy mood. He + disliked to ask favors at any time and now felt that he had confided + himself to the mercy of this callous aristocrat and met with a + distinct rebuff. + </p> + <p> + But he had done it for the sake of his beloved nieces—and they + would never know what humiliation this unsatisfactory interview had + cost him. + </p> + <hr style="width: 35%;" /> + <a name="chap3" id="chap3"></a> + <h2> + CHAPTER III + </h2> + <p> + DIANA + </p> + <br /> + <p> + Diana Von Taer can not be called a type. She was individual. + Aristocratic to her finger tips, she was unlike all other + aristocrats. An admitted queen of society, her subjects were few and + indifferent. She possessed ancient lineage, was highly accomplished, + had been born to the purple, as the saying is; but none of these + things conspired to make her the curious creature she was. + </p> + <p> + As we make her acquaintance she is twenty-three years of age—and + looks eighteen. She is tall and slender and carries her handsome + form with exquisite grace. Diana is never abrupt; her voice is ever + modulated to soft, even tones; she rises from a chair or couch with + the lithe, sinuous motion of a serpent uncoiling. + </p> + <p> + Her face, critically regarded, is not so admirable as her form. The + features are a trifle too elongated, and their delicacy is marred by + a nose a bit broad and unshapely and a mouth with thin lips primly + set. Her dark eyes might be magnificent if wide open: but through + the narrow slits of their lids, half hidden by long curling lashes, + the eyes peer at you with a cold, watchful, intent gaze that carries + a certain uncanny and disconcerting fascination. + </p> + <p> + Yet the girl is essentially feminine. If you refrain from meeting + that discomfiting gaze—and her familiars have learned to avoid + it—Diana impresses you as being graceful, dainty and possessed + of charming manners. Her taste in dress is perfect. She converses + fluently on many topics. It is her custom to rise at ten o'clock, + whatever time she may have retired the night before; to read until + luncheon; to devote the remainder of her day to the requirements of + society. + </p> + <p> + Eligible young men of admitted social standing call upon Diana at + such intervals as the proprieties require. They chatter "small + talk" and are careful to address her with deference. With an + exception to be referred to later these young men have no more + thought of "flirting" with Miss Von Taer than they would + with the statue of the goddess, her namesake. Her dinner parties and + entertainments are very successful. She is greatly admired, <i>per + se</i>, but has no intimate friends. + </p> + <p> + When her mother died, some years before, an aunt had come to live + with Diana, and now posed as her chaperon. Mrs. Cameron was a + stolid, corpulent lady, with a countenance perpetually placid and an + habitual aversion to displaying intellect. Her presence in the + establishment, although necessary, was frankly ignored. Fortunately + she never obtruded herself. + </p> + <p> + Hedrik Von Taer was passionately devoted to his daughter. He alone, + perhaps, of all the world, thoroughly understood her and appreciated + her talents. She may have frightened him at times, but that only + added to his admiration. In return Diana displayed a calm, but + affectionate regard for her father. + </p> + <p> + Often after dinner these two would pass an hour together in a corner + of the drawing-room, where the cold gray eyes of the man met the + intent, half-veiled glance of the girl with perfect understanding. + They talked of many things, including business. Hedrik had no + secrets from his daughter. + </p> + <p> + The desperate condition of his finances, when he had been caught in + a "corner" on wheat and nearly crushed, had not dismayed + her in the least. It was she who had counseled him to appeal to John + Merrick, since the name and fame of the eccentric millionaire were + familiar to her as to him. + </p> + <p> + He related to Diana his interview with Mr. Merrick on his return + home. He was saved. The three hundred thousand were now in the bank + to his credit and he could weather the coming storm easily—perhaps + with profit. In a tone half amused, half serious, he told her of the + little millionaire's desire to secure <i>entrée</i> into good + society for his three nieces. + </p> + <p> + Diana laughed with her lips; her eyes never laughed. Then she took + in her hand the paper containing the addresses of the three girls + and regarded it thoughtfully. + </p> + <p> + "It is a curious request, <i>mon pere</i>," she said, In + her soft, even tones; "but one we cannot diplomatically + disregard. Provided, however—" + </p> + <p> + "Yes, Diana;" as she paused. + </p> + <p> + "Provided these prospective <i>debutantes</i> are not wholly + impossible." + </p> + <p> + "I realize that," returned her father. "John Merrick + is a great power in the city. He has been useful to me, and may be + again. I have this chance to win him. But the man is very common + clay, despite his wealth, and his three nieces are likely to be made + of the same material. Should they prove impossible you cannot well + descend to introducing them to our set." + </p> + <p> + "I am not certain of that, sir," said the girl, with a + pretty shrug. "My position is too secure to be jeopardized by + any error of this sort. I believe I may introduce these girls + without risk. I shall not vouch for them too strongly, and after + their debut they must stand or fall on their own merits." + </p> + <p> + "It is something a Von Taer has never yet done," remarked + the man, gravely. + </p> + <p> + "To commercialize his social position? But, father dear, the + age is fast commercializing everything. I think our especial set is + as yet comparatively free from contamination by the 'lately rich'; + but even among us money has glossed many offenses that a generation + ago would have meant social ostracism." + </p> + <p> + He nodded. + </p> + <p> + "That is true, Diana." + </p> + <p> + "Life with me is a bit dull, as well. Everlasting routine, + however admirable, is tiresome. I scent amusement in this adventure, + which I have decided to undertake. With your permission I will see + these girls and quickly decide their fate. Should they prove not too + dreadfully <i>outré</i> you may look to see them my especial + <i>protégés</i>." + </p> + <p> + "I leave all to your discretion, Diana," returned Von + Taer, with a sigh. "If, in the end, some of the more particular + venture to reproach them." + </p> + <p> + "It will not matter," interrupted the daughter, lightly, + as her dark eyes narrowed to a hair's breadth. "Any who dares + reproach Diana Von Taer will afford her interesting occupation. And + to offset that remote contingency we shall permanently enslave the + powerful John Merrick. I understand he is hard as nails in financial + matters; but to us the man has disclosed his one weakness —ambition + to promote his three nieces. Since we have discovered this + vulnerable point, let us take advantage of it. I am satisfied the + loan of three hundred thousand was but a lure—and how cleverly + the man gauged us!" + </p> + <p> + Von Taer scowled. + </p> + <p> + "Get your wraps, Diana. The carriage is waiting, and we are due + at Mrs. Doldringham's crush." + </p> + <hr style="width: 35%;" /> + <a name="chap4" id="chap4"></a> + <h2> + CHAPTER IV + </h2> + <br /> + <p> + THE THREE NIECES + </p> + <p> + The Von Taers did not affect motor cars. In some circles the + carriage and pair is still considered the more aristocratic mode of + conveyance. Established customs do not readily give way to fads and + freaks. + </p> + <p> + Consulting her memoranda as she rode along; in her handsome, + tastefully appointed equipage, Diana found that Louise Merrick, one + of the three girls she had set out to discover, was the nearest on + her route. Presently she rang the bell at the Merrick residence, an + eminently respectable dwelling; in a desirable neighborhood. + </p> + <p> + Diana could not resist a sigh of relief as her observant glance + noted this detail. A dignified butler ushered her into a reception + room and departed with her card. + </p> + <p> + It was now that the visitor's nose took an upward tendency as she + critically examined her surroundings. The furnishings were + abominable, a mixture of distressingly new articles with those + evidently procured from dealers in "antiquities." Money + had been lavished here, but good taste was absent. To understand + this—for Miss Von Taer gauged the condition truly—it is + necessary to know something of Mrs. Martha Merrick. + </p> + <p> + This lady, the relict of John Merrick's only brother, was endowed + with a mediocre mind and a towering ambition. When left a widow with + an only daughter she had schemed and contrived in endless ways to + maintain an appearance of competency on a meager income. Finally she + divided her capital, derived from her husband's life insurance, into + three equal parts, which she determined to squander in three years + in an attempt to hoodwink the world with the belief that she was + wealthy. Before the three years were ended her daughter Louise would + be twenty, and by that time she must have secured a rich <i>parti</i> + and been safely married. In return for this "sacrifice" + the girl was to see that her mother was made comfortable thereafter. + </p> + <p> + This worldly and foolish design was confided to Louise when she was + only seventeen, and her unformed mind easily absorbed her mother's + silly ambition. It was a pity, for Louise Merrick possessed a nature + sweet and lovable, as well as instinctively refined—a nature + derived from her dead father and with little true sympathy with Mrs. + Merrick's unscrupulous schemes. But at that age a girl is easily + influenced, so it is little wonder that under such tuition Louise + became calculating, sly and deceitful, to a most deplorable degree. + </p> + <p> + Such acquired traits bade fair in the end to defeat Mrs. Merrick's + carefully planned <i>coup</i>, for the daughter had a premature love + affair with a youth outside the pale of eligibility. Louise ignored + the fact that he had been disinherited by his father, and in her + reckless infatuation would have sacrificed her mother without + thought or remorse. The dreadful finale had only been averted by the + advent of Uncle John Merrick, who had changed the life plans of the + widow and her heedless daughter and promptly saved the situation. + </p> + <p> + John Merrick did not like his sister-in-law, but he was charmed by + his lovely niece and took her at once to his affectionate old heart. + He saw the faults of Louise clearly, but also appreciated her + sweeter qualities. Under his skillful guidance she soon redeemed + herself and regained control of her better nature. The girl was not + yet perfect, by any means; she was to an extent artificial and + secretive, and her thoughtless flirtations were far from wise; but + her two cousins and her uncle had come to know and understand her + good points. They not only bore patiently with her volatile nature + but strove to influence her to demonstrate her inherent good + qualities. + </p> + <p> + In one way her mother's calculating training had been most + effective. Louise was not only a dainty, lovely maid to the eye, but + her manners were gracious and winning and she had that admirable + self-possession which quickly endears one even to casual + acquaintances. She did not impress more intimate friends as being + wholly sincere, yet there was nothing in her acts, since that one + escapade referred to, that merited severe disapproval. + </p> + <p> + Of course the brilliant idea of foisting her precious daughter upon + the "select" society of the metropolis was original with + Mrs. Merrick. Louise was well content with things as they were; but + not so the mother. The rise from poverty to affluence, the removal + of all cares and burdens from her mind, had merely fostered still + greater ambitions. Uncle John's generosity had endowed each of his + three nieces with an ample fortune. "I want 'em to enjoy the + good things of life while they're at an age to enjoy 'em," he + said; "for the older one gets the fewer things are found to be + enjoyable. That's my experience, anyhow." He also told the + girls frankly that they were to inherit jointly—although not + equally—his entire fortune. Yet even this glowing prospect did + not satisfy Mrs. Merrick. Since all her plans for Louise, from the + very beginning, had been founded on personal selfishness, she now + proposed to have her daughter gain admission to recognized + fashionable society in order that she might herself bask in the + reflection of the glory so obtained and take her place with the + proud matrons who formed the keystone of such society. + </p> + <p> + After carefully considering ways and means to gain her object she + had finally conceived the idea of utilizing Mr. Merrick. She well + knew Uncle John would not consider one niece to the exclusion of the + others, and had therefore used his influence to get all three girls + properly "introduced." Therefore her delight and + excitement were intense when the butler brought up Diana's card and + she realized that "the perfectly swell Miss Von Taer" was + seated in her reception room. She rushed to Louise, who, wholly + innocent of any knowledge of the intrigue which had led to this + climax, opened her blue eyes in astonishment and said with a gasp: + </p> + <p> + "Oh, mother! what shall I do?" + </p> + <p> + "Do? Why, go down and make yourself agreeable, of course. It's + your chance, my dear, your great chance in life! Go—go! Don't, + for heaven's sake, keep her waiting." + </p> + <p> + Louise went down. In her most affable and gracious way she + approached the visitor and said: + </p> + <p> + "It is very nice of you to call upon me. I am <i>so</i> glad to + meet Miss Von Taer." + </p> + <p> + Diana, passing conversational nothings with the young girl, was + pleased by her appearance and self-possession. This aspirant for + social honors was fresh, fair and attractive, with a flow of small + talk at her tongue's end. + </p> + <p> + "Really," thought the fastidious visitor, "this one, + at least, will do me no discredit. If she is a fair sample of the + others we shall get along very nicely In this enterprise." + </p> + <p> + To Louise she said, before going: + </p> + <p> + "I'm to have an evening, the nineteenth. Will you assist me to + receive? Now that we are acquainted I wish to see more of you, my + dear, and I predict we shall get along famously together." + </p> + <p> + The girl's head swam. Help Miss Von Taer to receive! Such an honor + had been undreamed of an hour ago. But she held her natural + agitation under good control and only a round red spot Upon each + cheek betrayed her inward excitement as she prettily accepted the + invitation. Beneath their drooping lashes Diana's sagacious eyes + read the thoughts of the girl quite accurately. Miss Von Taer + enjoyed disconcerting anyone in any way, and Louise was so simple + and unsophisticated that she promised to afford considerable + amusement in the future. + </p> + <p> + By the time Diana had finished her brief call this singular creature + had taken the measure of Louise Merrick in every detail, including + her assumption of lightness and her various frivolities. She + understood that in the girl were capabilities for good or for evil, + as she might be led by a stronger will. And, musingly, Diana + wondered who would lead her. + </p> + <p> + As for Louise, she was enraptured by her distinguished visitor's + condescension and patronage, and her heart bounded at the thought of + being admitted to the envied social coterie in which Diana Von Taer + shone a bright, particular star. + </p> + <p> + The second name in the list of John Merrick's nieces was that of + Elizabeth De Graf. She lived at a good private hotel located in an + exclusive residence district. + </p> + <p> + It was true that Elizabeth—or "Beth," as she was + more familiarly called—was not a permanent guest at this + hotel. When in New York she was accustomed to live with one or the + other of her cousins, who welcomed her eagerly. But just now her + mother had journeyed from the old Ohio home to visit Beth, and the + girl had no intention of inflicting her parent upon the other girls. + Therefore she had taken rooms at the hotel temporarily, and the plan + suited her mother excellently. For one thing, Mrs. De Graf could go + home and tell her Cloverton gossips that she had stopped at the most + "fashionable" hotel in New York; a second point was that + she loved to feast with epicurean avidity upon the products of a + clever <i>chef</i>, being one of those women who live to eat, rather + than eat to live. + </p> + <p> + Mrs. De Graf was John Merrick's only surviving sister, but she + differed as widely from the simple, kindly man in disposition as did + her ingenious daughter from her in mental attainments. The father, + Professor De Graf, was supposed to be a "musical genius." + Before Beth came into her money, through Uncle John, the Professor + taught the piano and singing; now, however, the daughter allowed her + parents a liberal income, and the self-engrossed musician devoted + himself to composing oratorios and concertas which no one but + himself would ever play. + </p> + <p> + To be quite frank, the girl cared little for her gross and selfish + parents, and they in turn cared little for her beyond the value she + afforded them in the way of dollars and cents. So she had not lived + at home, where constant quarrels and bickerings nearly drove her + frantic, since Uncle John had adopted her. In catering to this + present whim of her mother, who longed to spend a few luxurious + weeks in New York, Beth sacrificed more than might be imagined by + one unacquainted with her sad family history. + </p> + <p> + Whimsical Major Doyle often called Uncle John's nieces "the + Three Graces"; but Beth was by odds the beauty of them all. + Splendid brown eyes, added to an exquisite complexion, almost + faultless features and a superb carriage, rendered this fair young + girl distinguished in any throng. Fortunately she was as yet quite + unspoiled, being saved from vanity by a morbid consciousness of her + inborn failings and a sincere loathing for the moral weakness that + prevented her from correcting those faults. Judging Beth by the + common standard of girls of her age, both failings and faults were + more imaginary than real; yet it was her characteristic to suspect + and despise in herself such weaknesses as others would condone, or + at least regard leniently. For here was a girl true and staunch, + incapable of intrigue or deceit, frank and outspoken, all these + qualities having been proven more than once. Everyone loved Beth De + Graf save herself, and at this stage of her development the + influence of her cousins and of Uncle John had conspired to make the + supersensitive girl more tolerant of herself and less morbid than + formerly. + </p> + <p> + I think Beth knew of Diana Von Taer, for the latter's portrait + frequently graced the society columns of the New York press and at + times the three nieces, in confidential mood, would canvass Diana + and her social exploits as they did the acts of other famous + semi-public personages. But the girl had never dreamed of meeting + such a celebrity, and Miss Von Taer's card filled her with curious + wonder as to the errand that had brought her. + </p> + <p> + The De Grafs lived <i>en suite</i> at the hotel, for Beth had + determined to surround her Sybaritic mother with all attainable + luxury, since the child frequently reproached herself with feeling a + distinct repulsion for the poor woman. So to-day Diana was ushered + into a pretty parlor where Beth stood calmly awaiting her. + </p> + <p> + The two regarded one another in silence a moment, Miss De Graf's + frank eyes covering the other with a comprehensive sweep while Miss + Von Taer's narrowed gaze, profoundly observant, studied the + beautiful girl before her with that impenetrable, half-hidden gleam + that precluded any solution. + </p> + <p> + "Miss Von Taer, I believe," said Beth, quietly glancing at + the card she held. "Will you be seated?" + </p> + <p> + Diana sank gracefully into a chair. The sinuous motion attracted + Beth's attention and gave her a slight shiver. + </p> + <p> + "I am so glad to meet you, my dear," began the visitor, in + soft, purring accents. "I have long promised myself the + pleasure of a call, and in spite of many procrastinations at last + have accomplished my ambition." + </p> + <p> + Beth resented the affectation of this prelude, and slightly frowned. + Diana was watching; she always watched. + </p> + <p> + "Why should you wish to call upon me?" was the frank + demand. "Do not think me rude, please; but I am scarcely in a + position to become a desirable acquaintance of Miss Von Taer." + The tone was a trifle bitter, and Diana noted it. A subtile + antagonism seemed springing up between them and the more experienced + girl scented in this danger to her plans. She must handle this young + lady more cautiously than she had Louise Merrick. + </p> + <p> + "Your position is unimpeachable, my dear," was the + sweet-toned response. "You are John Merrick's niece." + </p> + <p> + Beth was really angry now. She scowled, and it spoiled her beauty. + Diana took warning and began to think quickly. + </p> + <p> + "I referred to my social position, Miss Von Taer. Our family is + honest enough, thank God; but it has never been accepted in what is + termed select society." + </p> + <p> + Diana laughed; a quiet, rippling laugh as icy as a brook in + November, but as near gaiety as she could at the moment accomplish. + When she laughed this way her eyes nearly closed and became + inscrutable. Beth had a feeling of repulsion for her caller, but + strove to shake it off. Miss Von Taer was nothing to her; could be + nothing to her. + </p> + <p> + "Your uncle is a very wealthy man," said Diana, with easy + composure. "He has made you an heiress, placing you in a class + much sought after in these mercenary days. But aside from that, my + dear, your personal accomplishments have not escaped notice, and + gossip declares you to be a very fascinating young woman, as well as + beautiful and good. I do not imagine society claims to be of divine + origin, but were it so no one is more qualified to grace it." + </p> + <p> + The blandishments of this speech had less effect upon Beth than the + evident desire to please. She began to feel she had been ungracious, + and straightway adopted a more cordial tone. + </p> + <p> + "I am sure you mean well, Miss Von Taer," she hastened to + say, "and I assure you I am not ungrateful. But it occurred to + me we could have nothing in common." + </p> + <p> + "Oh, my dear! You wrong us both." + </p> + <p> + "Do you know my uncle?" enquired Beth. + </p> + <p> + "He is the friend of my father, Mr. Hedrik Von Taer. Our family + owes Mr. John Merrick much consideration. Therefore I decided to + seek pleasure in the acquaintance of his nieces." + </p> + <p> + The words and tone seemed alike candid. Beth began to relent. She + sat down for the first time, taking a chair opposite Diana. + </p> + <p> + "You see," she said, artlessly, "I have no personal + inclination for society, which is doubtless so large a part of your + own amusement. It seems to me artificial and insipid." + </p> + <p> + "Those who view from a distance the husk of a cocoanut, have + little idea of the milk within," declared Diana, softly. + </p> + <p> + "True," answered Beth. "But I've cracked cocoanuts, + and sometimes found the milk sour and tainted." + </p> + <p> + "The difference you observe in cocoanuts is to be found in the + various grades of society. These are not all insipid and artificial, + I assure you." + </p> + <p> + "They may be worse," remarked Beth. "I've heard + strange tales of your orgies." + </p> + <p> + Diana was really amused. This girl was proving more interesting than + the first niece she had interviewed. Unaccustomed to seeking + acquaintances outside her own exclusive circle, and under such + circumstances, these meetings were to her in the nature of an + adventure. A creature of powerful likes and dislikes, she already + hated Beth most heartily; but for that very reason she insisted on + cultivating her further acquaintance. + </p> + <p> + "You must not judge society by the mad pranks of a few of its + members," she responded, in her most agreeable manner. "If + we are not to set an example in decorum to the rest of the world we + are surely unfitted to occupy the high place accorded us. But you + must see and decide for yourself." + </p> + <p> + "I? No, indeed!" + </p> + <p> + "Ah, do not decide hastily, my dear. Let me become your sponsor + for a short time, until you really discover what society is like. + Then you may act upon more mature judgment." + </p> + <p> + "I do not understand you, Miss Von Taer." + </p> + <p> + "Then I will be more explicit. I am to receive a few friends at + my home on the evening of the nineteenth; will you be my guest?" + </p> + <p> + Beth was puzzled how to answer. The thought crossed her mind that + perhaps Uncle John would like her to be courteous to his friend's + daughter, and that argument decided her. She accepted the + invitation. + </p> + <p> + "I want you to receive with me," continued Diana, rising. + "In that way I shall be able to introduce you to my friends." + </p> + <p> + Beth wondered at this condescension, but consented to receive. She + was annoyed to think how completely she had surrendered to the will + of Miss Von Taer, for whom she had conceived the same aversion she + had for a snake. She estimated Diana, society belle though she was, + to be sly, calculating and deceitful. Worse than all, she was + decidedly clever, and therefore dangerous. Nothing good could come + of an acquaintance with her, Beth was sure; yet she had pledged + herself to meet her and her friends the nineteenth, lit a formal + society function. How much Beth De Graf misjudged Diana Von Taer the + future will determine. + </p> + <p> + The interview had tired Diana. As she reentered her carriage she was + undecided whether to go home or hunt up the third niece. But Willing + Square was not five minutes' drive from here, so she ordered the + coachman to proceed there. + </p> + <p> + "I am positively out of my element in this affair," she + told herself, "for it is more difficult to cultivate these + inexperienced girls than I had thought. They are not exactly + impossible, as I at first feared, but they are so wholly + unconventional as to be somewhat embarrassing as <i>protégées</i>. + Analyzing the two I have met—the majority—one strikes me + as being transparently affected and the other a stubborn, attractive + fool. They are equally untrained in diplomacy and unable to cover + their real feelings. Here am I, practically dragging them into the + limelight, when it would be far better for themselves—perhaps + for me—that they remained in oblivion. Ah, well: I called it + an adventure: let me hope some tangible plot will develop to + compensate me for my trouble. Life seems deadly dull; I need + excitement. Is it to be furnished by John Merrick's nieces, I + wonder?" + </p> + <p> + Willing Square is a new district, crowded with fashionable apartment + houses. That is, they are called fashionable by their builders and + owners and accepted as such by their would-be fashionable occupants. + Diana knew at least two good families resident in Willing Square, + and though she smiled grimly at the rows of "oppressively new + and vulgar" buildings, she still was not ashamed to have her + equipage seen waiting there. + </p> + <p> + Number 3708 Willing Square is a very substantial and cozy appearing + apartment building owned in fee by Miss Patricia Doyle. Diana was + unaware of this fact, but rang the Doyle bell and ascended to the + second floor. + </p> + <p> + A maid received her with the announcement that Miss Doyle had "just + stepped out," but was somewhere in the building. Would the + visitor care to wait a few minutes? + </p> + <p> + Yes; Diana decided she would wait. She took a seat in the snug front + parlor and from her position noted the series of rooms that opened + one into another throughout the suite, all richly but tastefully + furnished in homely, unassuming manner. + </p> + <p> + "This is better," she mused. "There is no attempt at + foolish display in this establishment, at any rate. I hope to find + Miss Doyle a sensible, refined person. The name is Irish." + </p> + <p> + A door slammed somewhere down the line of rooms and a high-pitched + voice cried in excited tones: + </p> + <p> + "I've found a baby! Hi, there, Nunkie, dear—I've found a + baby!" + </p> + <p> + Thereupon came the sound of a chair being pushed back as a man's + voice answered in equal glee: + </p> + <p> + "Why, Patsy, Patsy! it's the little rogue from upstairs. Here, + Bobby; come to your own old Uncle!" + </p> + <p> + "He won't. He belongs to me; don't you, Bobby darlin'?" + </p> + <p> + A babyish voice babbled merrily, but the sounds were all "goos" + and "ahs" without any resemblance to words. Bobby may have + imagined he was talking, but he was not very intelligible. + </p> + <p> + "See here, Patsy Doyle; you gimme that baby." cried the + man, pleadingly. + </p> + <p> + "I found him myself, and he's mine. I've dragged him here all + the way from his home upstairs, an' don't you dare lay a finger on + him. Uncle John!" + </p> + <p> + "Fair play, Patsy! Bobby's my chum, and—" + </p> + <p> + "Well, I'll let you have half of him, Nunkie. Down on your + hands and knees, sir, and be a horse. That's it—Now, Bobby, + straddle Uncle John and drive him by his necktie—here it is. + S-t-e-a-d-y, Uncle; and neigh—neigh like a horse!" + </p> + <p> + "How does a horse neigh, Patsy?" asked a muffled voice, + choking and chuckling at the same time. + </p> + <p> + "'Nee, hee-hee—hee; hee!'" + </p> + <p> + Uncle John tried to neigh, and made a sorry mess of it, although + Bobby shrieked with delight. + </p> + <p> + Then came a sudden hush. Diana caught the maid's voice, perhaps + announcing the presence of a visitor, for Patsy cried in subdued + accents: + </p> + <p> + "Goodness me, Mary! why didn't you say so? Listen, Uncle John—" + </p> + <p> + "Leggo that ear, Bobby—leggo!" + </p> + <p> + "—You watch the baby, Uncle John, and don't let anything + happen to him. I've got a caller." + </p> + <p> + Diana smiled, a bit scornfully, and then composed her features as a + young girl bustled into the room and came toward her with frank + cordiality indicated in the wide smile and out-stretched hand. + </p> + <p> + "Pardon my keeping you waiting," said Patsy, dropping into + a chair opposite her visitor, "Uncle John and I were romping + with the baby from upstarts—Bobby's such a dear! I didn't + quite catch the name Mary gave me and forgot to look at your card." + </p> + <p> + "I am Miss Von Taer." + </p> + <p> + "Not Diana Von Taer, the swell society girl?" cried Patsy + eagerly. + </p> + <p> + Diana couldn't remember when she had been so completely nonplused + before. After an involuntary gasp she answered quietly: + </p> + <p> + "I am Diana Von Taer." + </p> + <p> + "Well, I'm glad to meet you, just the same," said Patsy, + cheerfully. "We outsiders are liable to look on society folk as + we would on a cage of monkeys—because we're so very ignorant, + you know, and the bars are really between us." + </p> + <p> + This frank disdain verged on rudeness, although the girl had no + intention of being rude. Diana was annoyed in spite of her desire to + be tolerant. + </p> + <p> + "Perhaps the bars are imaginary," she rejoined, + carelessly, "and it may be you've been looking at the side-show + and not at the entertainment in the main tent. Will you admit that + possibility, Miss Doyle?" + </p> + <p> + Patsy laughed gleefully. + </p> + <p> + "I think you have me there, Miss Von Taer. And what do <i>I</i> + know about society? Just nothing at all. It's out of my line + entirely." + </p> + <p> + "Perhaps it is," was the slow response. "Society + appeals to only those whose tastes seem to require it." + </p> + <p> + "And aren't we drawing distinctions?" enquired Miss Doyle. + "Society at large is the main evidence of civilization, and all + decent folk are members of it." + </p> + <p> + "Isn't that communism?" asked Diana. + </p> + <p> + "Perhaps so. It's society at large. But certain classes have + leagued together and excluded themselves from their fellows, + admitting only those of their own ilk. The people didn't put them on + their pedestals—they put themselves there. Yet the people bow + down and worship these social gods and seem glad to have them. The + newspapers print their pictures and the color of their gowns and how + they do their hair and what they eat and what they do, and the poor + washwomen and shop-girls and their like read these accounts more + religiously than they do their bibles. My maid Mary's a good girl, + but she grabs the society sheet of the Sunday paper and reads it + from top to bottom. I never look at it myself." + </p> + <p> + Diana's cheeks were burning. She naturally resented such ridicule, + having been born to regard social distinction with awe and + reverence. Inwardly resolving to make Miss Patricia Doyle regret the + speech she hid all annoyance under her admirable self-control and + answered with smooth complacency: + </p> + <p> + "Your estimate of society, my dear Miss Doyle, is superficial." + </p> + <p> + "Don't I know it, then?" exclaimed Patsy. "Culture + and breeding, similarity of taste and intellectual pursuits will + always attract certain people and band them together in those + cliques which are called 'social sets,' They are not secret + societies; they have no rules of exclusion; congenial minds are ever + welcome to their ranks. This is a natural coalition, in no way + artificial. Can you not appreciate that, Miss Doyle?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes, indeed," admitted Patsy, promptly. "You're + quite right, and I'm just one of those stupid creatures who + criticise the sun because there's a cloud before it. Probably there + are all grades of society, because there are all grades of people." + </p> + <p> + "I thought you would agree with me when you understood," + murmured Diana, and her expression was so smug and satisfied that + Patsy was seized with an irresistible spirit of mischief. + </p> + <p> + "And haven't I seen your own pictures in the Sunday papers?" + she asked. + </p> + <p> + "Perhaps; if you robbed your maid of her pleasure." + </p> + <p> + "And very pretty pictures they were, too. They showed culture + and breeding all right, and the latest style in gowns. Of course + those intellectual high-brows in your set didn't need an + introduction to you; you were advertised as an example of + ultra-fashionable perfection, to spur the ambition of those lower + down in the social scale. Perhaps it's a good thing." + </p> + <p> + "Are you trying to annoy me?" demanded Diana, her eyes + glaring under their curling lashes. + </p> + <p> + "Dear me—dear me!" cried Patsy, distressed, "see + how saucy and impudent I've been—and I didn't mean a bit of + it! Won't you forgive me, please, Miss Von Taer? There! we'll begin + all over again, and I'll be on my good behavior. I'm so very + ignorant, you know!" + </p> + <p> + Diana smiled at this; it would be folly to show resentment to such a + childish creature. + </p> + <p> + "Unfortunately," she said, "I have been unable to + escape the vulgar publicity thrust upon me by the newspapers. The + reporters are preying vultures, rapacious for sensation, and have + small respect for anyone. I am sure we discourage them as much as we + can. I used to weep with mortification when I found myself 'written + up'; now, however, I have learned to bear such trials with fortitude—if + not with resignation." + </p> + <p> + "Forgive me!" said Patsy, contritely. "Somehow I've + had a false idea of these things. If I knew you better, Miss Von + Taer, you'd soon convert me to be an admirer of society." + </p> + <p> + "I'd like to do that, Miss Doyle, for you interest me. Will you + return my call?" + </p> + <p> + "Indeed I will," promised the girl, readily. "I'm + flattered that you called on me at all, Miss Von Taer, for you might + easily have amused yourself better. You must be very busy, with all + the demands society makes on one. When shall I come? Make it some + off time, when we won't be disturbed." + </p> + <p> + Diana smiled at her eagerness. How nescient the poor little thing + was! + </p> + <p> + "Your cousins, Miss Merrick and Miss De Graf, have consented to + receive with me on the evening of the nineteenth. Will you not join + us?" + </p> + <p> + "Louise and Beth!" cried Patsy, astounded. + </p> + <p> + "Isn't it nice of them? And may I count upon you, also?" + </p> + <p> + Patsy smiled dubiously into the other's face. + </p> + <p> + "Let me out of it!" she said. "Can't you see I'm no + butterfly?" + </p> + <p> + Diana saw many things, having taken a shrewd account of the girl + long before this. Miss Patricia Doyle was short and plump, with a + round, merry face covered with freckles, hair indisputably red and a + <i>retroussé</i> nose. Also she possessed a pair of wonderful + blue eyes—eyes that danced and scintillated with joyous good + humor—eyes so captivating that few ever looked beyond them or + noted the plain face they glorified. But the critic admitted that + the face was charmingly expressive, the sweet and sensitive mouth + always in sympathy with the twinkling, candid eyes. Life and energy + radiated from her small person, which Miss Von Taer grudgingly + conceded to possess unusual fascination. Here was a creature quite + imperfect in detail, yet destined to allure and enchant whomsoever + she might meet. All this was quite the reverse of Diana's own frigid + personality. Patsy would make an excellent foil for her. + </p> + <p> + "As you please, my dear," she said graciously; "but + do you not think it would amuse you to make your debut in society—unimpeachable + society—and be properly introduced to the occupants of the + 'pedestals,' as your cousins will be?" + </p> + <p> + Patsy reflected. If Beth and Louise had determined to undertake this + venture why should she hold back? Moreover, she experienced a + girlish and wholly natural curiosity to witness a fashionable + gathering and "size up" the lions for herself. So she + said: + </p> + <p> + "I'll come, if you really want me; and I'll try my best to + behave nicely. But I can't imagine why you have chosen to take us + three girls under your wing; unless—" with sudden + intuition, "it's for Uncle John's sake." + </p> + <p> + "That was it, at first," replied Diana, rising to go; + "but now that I've seen you I'm delighted to have you on your + own account. Come early, dear; we must be ready to receive our + guests by nine." + </p> + <p> + "Nine o'clock!" reflected Patsy, when her visitor had + gone; "why, I'm often in bed by that time." + </p> + <hr style="width: 35%;" /> + <a name="chap5" id="chap5"></a> + <h2> + CHAPTER V + </h2> + <br /> + <p> + PREPARING FOR THE PLUNGE + </p> + <br /> + <p> + John Merrick lived with the Doyles at their Willing Square + apartments. There were but two of the Doyles—Patricia and her + father, Major Doyle, a tall, handsome, soldierly man with white + moustache and hair. The Major was noted as a "character," + a keen wit and a most agreeable type of the "old Irish + gentleman." He fairly worshipped his daughter, and no one + blamed him for it. His business, as special agent and manager for + his brother-in-law's millions, kept the Major closely occupied and + afforded John Merrick opportunity to spend his days as be pleased. + The rich man was supposed to be "retired," yet the care of + his investments and income was no light task, as the Major found. + </p> + <p> + We are accustomed to regard extreme wealth as the result of + hard-headed shrewdness, not wholly divorced from unscrupulous + methods, yet no one could accuse John Merrick or his representative + with being other than kindly, simple-hearted and honest. Uncle John + says that he never intended to "get rich"; it was all the + result of carelessness. He had been so immersed in business that he + failed to notice how fast his fortune was growing. When he awoke to + a realization of his immense accumulation he promptly retired, + appointing Major Doyle to look after his investments and seeking + personal leisure after many years of hard work. He instructed his + agent to keep his income from growing into more capital by rendering + wise assistance to all worthy charities and individuals, and this, + as you may suppose, the Major found a herculean task. Often he + denounced Uncle John for refusing to advise him, claiming that the + millionaire had selfishly thrust the burden of his wealth on the + Major's broad shoulders. While there was an element of truth in this + the burden it was not so heavy as to make the old soldier unhappy, + and the two men loved and respected one another with manly + cordiality. + </p> + <p> + Patricia was recognized as Uncle John's favorite niece and it was + understood she was to inherit the bulk of his property, although + some millions might be divided between Beth and Louise "if they + married wisely." Neither Uncle John nor the Major ever seemed + to consider Patsy's marrying; she was such a child that wedlock for + her seemed a remote possibility. + </p> + <p> + The Sunday afternoon following Diana Von Taer's visit to the three + nieces found the girls all congregated in Patsy's own room, where an + earnest discussion was being conducted. That left Uncle John to take + his after-dinner nap in the big Morris chair in the living room, + where Major Doyle sat smoking-sulkily while he gazed from the window + and begrudged the moments Patsy was being kept from him. + </p> + <p> + Finally the door opened and the three girls trooped out. + </p> + <p> + "Huh! Is the conspiracy all cut-an'-dried?" growled the + Major. + </p> + <p> + Uncle John woke up with a final snort, removed the newspaper from + his face and sat up. He smiled benignantly upon his nieces. + </p> + <p> + "It's all your fault, sor!" declared Major Doyle, + selecting the little millionaire as the safest recipient of his + displeasure. "Your foolishness has involved us all in this + dreadful complication. Why on earth couldn't you leave well-enough + alone?" + </p> + <p> + Uncle John received the broadside with tolerant equanimity. + </p> + <p> + "What's wrong; my dears?" he enquired, directing his mild + glance toward the bevy of young girls. + </p> + <p> + "I am unaware that anything is wrong, Uncle," replied + Louise gravely. "But since we are about to make our debut in + society it is natural we should have many things to discuss that + would prove quite uninteresting to men. Really, Uncle John, this is + a great event—perhaps the most important event of our lives." + </p> + <p> + "Shucks an' shoestrings!" grunted the Major. "What's + in this paper-shelled, painted, hollow thing ye call 'society' to + interest three healthy, wide-awake girls? Tell me that!" + </p> + <p> + "You don't understand, dear," said Patsy, soothing him + with a kiss. + </p> + <p> + "I think he does," remarked Beth, with meditative brows. + "Modern society is a man-made—or woman-made—condition, + to a large extent artificial, selfish and unwholesome." + </p> + <p> + "Oh, Beth!" protested Louise. "You're talking like a + rank socialist. I can understand common people sneering at society, + which is so far out of their reach; but a girl about to be accepted + in the best circles has no right to rail at her own caste." + </p> + <p> + "There can be no caste in America," declared Beth, + stubbornly. + </p> + <p> + "But there <i>is</i> caste in America, and will be so long as + the exclusiveness of society is recognized by the people at large," + continued Louise. "If it is a 'man-made condition' isn't it the + most respected, most refined, most desirable condition that one may + attain to?" + </p> + <p> + "There are plenty of honest and happy people in the world who + ignore society altogether," answered Beth. "It strikes me + that your social stars are mighty few in the broad firmament of + humanity." + </p> + <p> + "But they're stars, for all that, dear," said Uncle John, + smiling at her with a hint of approval in his glance, yet picking up + the argument; "and they look mighty big and bright to the crowd + below. It's quite natural. You can't keep individuals from gaining + distinction, even in America. There are few generals in an army, for + instance; and they're 'man-made'; but that's no reason the generals + ain't entitled to our admiration." + </p> + <p> + "Let's admire 'em, then—from a distance," retorted + the Major, realizing the military simile was employed to win his + sympathy. + </p> + <p> + "Certain things, my dear Major, are naturally dear to a girl's + heart," continued Uncle John, musingly; "and we who are + not girls have no right to condemn their natural longings. Girls + love dancing, pink teas and fudge-parties, and where can they find + 'em in all their perfection but in high society? Girls love + admiration and flirtations—you do, my dears; you can't deny + it--and the male society swells have the most time to devote to such + things. Girls love pretty dresses—" + </p> + <p> + "Oh, Uncle! you've hit the nail on the head now," + exclaimed Patsy, laughing. "We must all have new gowns for this + reception, and as we're to assist Miss Von Taer the dresses must + harmonize, so to speak, and—and—" + </p> + <p> + "And be quite suited to the occasion," broke in Louise; + "and—" + </p> + <p> + "And wear our lives out with innumerable fittings," + concluded Beth, gloomily. + </p> + <p> + "But why new dresses?" demanded the Major. "You've + plenty of old ones that are clean and pretty, I'm sure; and our + Patsy had one from the dressmaker only last week that's fit for a + queen." + </p> + <p> + "Oh, Daddy! you don't understand," laughed Patsy. + </p> + <p> + "This time, Major, I fear you don't," agreed Beth. "Your + convictions regarding society may be admirable, but you're weak on + the gown question." + </p> + <p> + "If the women would only listen to me," began the Major, + dictatorially; but Uncle John cut him short. + </p> + <p> + "They won't, sir; they'll listen to no man when it comes to + dressmaking." + </p> + <p> + "Don't they dress to captivate the men, then?" asked the + Major, with fine sarcasm. + </p> + <p> + "Not at all," answered Louise, loftily. "Men seldom + know what a woman has on, if she looks nice; but women take in every + detail of dress and criticise it severely if anything happens to be + out of date, ill fitting or in bad taste." + </p> + <p> + "Then they're in bad taste themselves!" retorted the + Major, hotly. + </p> + <p> + "Tut-tut, sir; who are you to criticise woman's ways?" + asked Uncle John, much amused. The Major was silenced, but he glared + as if unconvinced. + </p> + <p> + "Dressmaking is a nuisance," remarked Beth, placidly; + "but it's the penalty we pay for being women." + </p> + <p> + "You're nothing but slips o' girls, not out of your teens," + grumbled the Major. And no one paid any attention to him. + </p> + <p> + "We want to do you credit, Uncle John," said Patsy, + brightly. "Perhaps our names will be in the papers." + </p> + <p> + "They're there already," announced Mr. Merrick, picking up + the Sunday paper that lay beside him. + </p> + <p> + A chorus of exclamations was followed by a dive for the paper, and + even the Major smiled grimly as he observed the three girlish heads + close together and three pair of eager eyes scanning swiftly the + society columns. + </p> + <p> + "Here it is!" cried Patsy, dancing up and down like a + school-girl; and Louise read in a dignified voice—which + trembled slightly with excitement and pleasure—the following + item: + </p> + <p> + "Miss Von Taer will receive next Thursday evening at the family + mansion in honor of Miss Merrick, Miss Doyle and Miss De Graf. These + three charming <i>debutantes</i> are nieces of John Merrick, the + famous tin-plate magnate." + </p> + <p> + "Phoo!" growled the Major, during the impressive hush that + followed; "that's it, exactly. Your names are printed because + you're John Merrick's nieces. If it hadn't been for tin-plate, my + dears, society never would 'a' known ye at all, at all!" + </p> + <hr style="width: 35%;" /> + <a name="chap6" id="chap6"></a> + <h2> + CHAPTER VI + </h2> + <br /> + <p> + THE FLY IN THE BROTH + </p> + <br /> + <p> + Diana was an experienced entertainer and under her skillful + supervision the reception proved eminently successful. Nor had she + cause to be ashamed of the three <i>protégées</i> she + presented to society, since capable <i>modistes</i> had supplemented + their girlish charms and freshness with costumes pertinent to the + occasion. Perhaps Patsy's chubby form looked a little "dumpish" + in her party gown, for some of Diana's female guests regarded her + with quiet amusement and bored tolerance, while the same critical + posse was amazed and envious at Beth's superb beauty and stately + bearing. After all, it was Louise who captured the woman contingency + and scored the greatest success; for her appearance was not only + dainty and attractive but she was so perfectly self-possessed and + responsive and bore herself so admirably under the somewhat trying; + circumstances of a debut that she won the cordial goodwill of all + whom she encountered. The hostess was elaborately gowned in white + pompadour satin, trimmed with white chiffon and embroidered in pink + roses and pearls. The Von Taer home was handsomely decorated for the + occasion, since Diana never did anything by halves and for her own + credit insisted on attention to those details of display that + society recognizes and loves. Hundreds of long-stemmed American + Beauties and Kentia palms were combined in beautifying the spacious + hall, while orchids in marvelous variety nodded their blossoms in + the great drawing-room, where the young-ladies received. These rare + and precious flowers were arranged in bronze baskets with sprays of + maidenhair. In the music room adjoining, great clusters of Madam + Chantenay roses embellished the charming scene. Branches of + cherry-blossoms, supplied by hot-houses, were banked in the lofty + dining-room, where a Japanese pergola made of bamboo and lighted + with red lanterns was erected at the upper end. The attendants here + were Japanese girls in native costume, and the long table was laid + with a lace cloth over pink satin, with butterfly bows of pink + tulle. The table itself was decorated with cut-glass baskets of + Cecil Brunner roses mingled with lilies of the valley and + refreshments were distributed to the standing guests as they + entered. + </p> + <p> + The affair was in the nature of a typical "crush," for + Diana's list of eligibles included most of the prominent society + folk then in town, and she was too important a personage to have her + invitations disregarded. Beth and Patsy were fairly bewildered by + the numerous introductions, until names became meaningless in their + ears; but Louise, perfectly composed and in no wise distracted by + her surroundings or the music of the orchestra and the perpetual + buzz of conversation in the crowded rooms, impressed each individual + upon her memory clearly, and was not likely to blunder in regard to + names or individuality in the future. This is a rare talent, indeed, + and scores, largely in one's favor; for no one likes to think + himself so unimportant as to be forgotten, under any circumstances. + </p> + <p> + It was during the thick of the reception that one of Miss Von Taer's + intimates, a graceful blond girl, suddenly seized her arm and + whispered: "Oh, Diana! Guess who's here—guess, my dear!" + </p> + <p> + Diana knew. Her eyes, always narrowed until the lashes shielded + their sharp watchfulness, seldom missed observing anything of + importance. She pressed her friend's hand and turned again to the + line of guests, while Louise, who had overheard the excited whisper, + wondered casually what it might mean. + </p> + <p> + Soon after she knew. A tall, handsome young fellow was bowing before + Diana, who—wonder of wonders!—for an instant unclosed + her great eyes and shot an electric glance into his smiling face. + The glance was brief as unexpected, yet it must have told the young + man something, for he flushed and bowed again as if to hide his + embarrassment. It also told Louise something, and her heart, which + had given a quick bound at sight of the man's face, began to cry out + against Diana Von Taer's artifices. + </p> + <p> + "Mr. Arthur Weldon," said the hostess, in her soft voice; + and now, as the young man turned an eager gaze on Louise and half + extended his hand, the girl's face grew pale and she imitated Diana + to the extent of dropping her eyes and bowing with frigid + indifference. + </p> + <p> + Standing close he whispered "Louise!" in a pleading tone + that made Diana frown wickedly. But the girl was unresponsive and + another instant forced him to turn to Beth. + </p> + <p> + "Why, Arthur! are you here, then?" said the girl, in a + surprised but cordial tone. + </p> + <p> + "That is not astonishing, Miss Beth," he replied. "The + puzzling fact is that <i>you</i> are here—and under such + auspices," he added, in a lower tone. + </p> + <p> + Patsy now claimed him, with a frank greeting, and Arthur Weldon + could do little more than press her hand when the line forced him to + move on and give place to others. + </p> + <p> + But this especial young fellow occupied the minds of all four girls + long after the crowd had swallowed him up. Diana was uneasy and + obviously disturbed by the discovery that he was known to the three + cousins, as well as by the memory of his tone as he addressed Louise + Merrick. Louise, who had read Diana's quick glance with the accuracy + of an intuitionist, felt a sudden suspicion and dislike for Diana + now dominating her. Behind all this was a mystery, which shall be + explained here because the reader deserves to be more enlightened + than the characters themselves. + </p> + <p> + Arthur Weldon's nature was a queer combination of weakness and + strength. He was physically brave but a moral coward. The motherless + son of a man wholly immersed in business, he had been much neglected + in his youth and his unstable character was largely the result of + this neglect. On leaving college he refused a business career + planned for him by his father, who cast him off with scornful + indifference, and save for a slim temporary allowance promised to + disinherit him. It was during this period that Arthur met Louise and + fell desperately in love with her. The girl appeared to return the + young fellow's devotion, but shrewd, worldly Mrs. Merrick, + discovering that the boy was practically disinherited and had no + prospects whatever, forbade him the house. Louise, until now but + mildly interested in the young-man, resented her mother's + interference and refused to give him up. She found ways to meet + Arthur Weldon outside her home, so that the situation had become + complicated and dangerous when Uncle John seized his three nieces + and whisked them off to Europe. Young Weldon, under an assumed name, + followed and attached himself to the party; but John Merrick's + suspicions were presently aroused and on discovering the identity of + the youth he forbade him or Louise to "make love" or even + speak of such a thing during the remainder of the trip. + </p> + <p> + The young fellow, by manly acts on some occasions and grave + weaknesses on others, won Uncle John's kindly interest. The old + gentleman knew human nature, and saw much to admire as well as + condemn in Louise's friend. Beth and Patsy found him a pleasant + comrade, and after all love-making was tabooed they were quite a + harmonious party. Finally the sudden death of Weldon's father left + him the possessor of a fortune. He returned to America to look after + his newly-acquired business and became so immersed in it that Louise + felt herself neglected when she came home expecting him to dance + attendance upon her as before. She treated him coldly and he ceased + calling, his volatile and sensitive nature resenting such treatment. + </p> + <p> + It is curious what little things influence the trend of human lives. + Many estrangements are caused by trifles so intangible that we can + scarcely locate them at all. + </p> + <p> + At first the girl was very unhappy at the alienation, but soon + schooled herself to forget her former admirer. Arthur Weldon, for + his part, consoled himself by plunging into social distractions and + devoting himself to Diana Von Taer, whose strange personality for a + time fascinated him. + </p> + <p> + The business could not hold young Weldon's vacillant temperament for + long; neither could Diana. As a matter of fact his heart, more + staunch than he himself suspected, had never wavered much from + Louise. Yet pride forbade his attempting to renew their former + relations. It was now some months since he had seen the girl, and + his eager exclamation was wrested from him by surprise and a sudden + awakening to the fact that his love for her had merely slumbered. + </p> + <p> + Diana, worldly, cold and calculating as was her nature, had been + profoundly touched by Arthur's devotion to her. Usually young men + were soon repulsed by her unfortunate personality, which was not + easily understood. Therefore her intense nature responded freely to + this admirer's attentions, and if Diana could really love she loved + Arthur Weldon. He had never proposed to her or even intimated it was + his intention to do so, but she conceived a powerful desire to win + him and had never abandoned this motive when he grew cold and + appeared to desert her. Just now he was recently back from Italy, + where he had passed several months, and Diana's reception was his + first reappearance in society. The girl had planned to bring him to + her side this evening and intended to exert her strongest + fascinations to lure him back to his former allegiance; so her + annoyance may be guessed when she found her three <i>protégées</i> + seemingly more familiar with the young man than was she herself. + </p> + <p> + At last the line ended and the introductions were complete. The <i>debutantes</i> + were at once the center of interested groups composed of those who + felt it a duty or pleasure to show them attention. Diana wandered to + the music room and waylaid Arthur Weldon, who was just about to make + his escape from the house, having decided it was impossible to find + an opportunity to converse with Louise that evening. + </p> + <p> + "I'm so glad you came, Arthur," she said, a quick glance + assuring her they were not overheard. "You landed from the + steamer but yesterday, I hear." + </p> + <p> + "And came straightway to pay my respects to my old friend," + he answered lightly. "Isn't it unusual for you to present <i>debutantes</i>, + Diana?" + </p> + <p> + "You know these girls, don't you, Arthur?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes; I met them in Europe." + </p> + <p> + "And flirted with Miss Merrick? Be honest, Arthur, I know your + secret." + </p> + <p> + "Do you? Then you know we were merely good friends," said + he, annoyed at her accusation. + </p> + <p> + "Of course. You called her 'Louise,' didn't you?" + </p> + <p> + "To be sure. And Patsy called me 'Arthur. You may have heard + her." + </p> + <p> + "Patsy?" + </p> + <p> + "That's Miss Patricia Doyle—our dear little Patsy." + </p> + <p> + "Oh. I'm sure you didn't fall in love with <i>her</i>, at any + rate." + </p> + <p> + "I'm not so sure. Everybody loves Patsy. But I had no time for + love-making. I was doing Europe." + </p> + <p> + "Wasn't that a year or so ago?" she asked, realizing he + was trying to evade further reference to Louise. + </p> + <p> + "Yes." + </p> + <p> + "And since then?" + </p> + <p> + "I've been away the last six or seven months, as you know, on + my second trip abroad." + </p> + <p> + "But before that—when you first returned?" + </p> + <p> + "If I remember rightly I was then much in the society of Miss + Von Taer. Is the catechism ended at last?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes," she replied, laughing. "Don't think me + inquisitive, Arthur; I was surprised to find you knew these girls, + with whom I am myself but lightly acquainted." + </p> + <p> + "Yet you introduce them to your very select set?" + </p> + <p> + "To please my father, who wishes to please Mr. Merrick." + </p> + <p> + "I understand," said he, nodding. "But they're nice + girls, Diana. You're not running chances, I assure you." + </p> + <p> + "That relieves me," she replied rather scornfully. "If + Arthur Weldon will vouch for them—" + </p> + <p> + "But I don't. I'll vouch for no one—not even myself," + he declared hastily. She was calmly reading his face, and did not + seem to approve the text. + </p> + <p> + "Are you as fickle as ever, then, <i>mon cher</i>?" she + asked, softly. + </p> + <p> + "I'm not fickle, Diana. My fault is that I'm never serious." + </p> + <p> + "Never?" + </p> + <p> + "I cannot remember ever being serious; at least, where a girl + was concerned." + </p> + <p> + Diana bit her lips to restrain a frown, but her eyes, which he was + avoiding, flashed wickedly. + </p> + <p> + "That is surely a fault, my Arthur," was her tender reply. + "Were you never serious during our quiet evenings together; our + dances, theatre parties and romps?" + </p> + <p> + "That was merely fun. And you, Diana?" + </p> + <p> + "Oh, I enjoyed the fun, too. It meant so much to me. I began to + live, then, and found life very sweet. But when you suddenly left me + and went abroad—ah, <i>that</i> was indeed serious." + </p> + <p> + Her tone was full of passionate yearning. He laughed, trying to + appear at ease. Some sort of an understanding must be had with Diana + sooner or later, and she might as well realize at this present + interview that the old relations could not be restored. His nature + was not brutal and he disliked to hurt her; moreover, the boy had an + uneasy feeling that he had been a far more ardent admirer of this + peculiar girl than any fellow should be who had had no serious + intentions; yet it would be folly to allow Diana to think she could + win him back to his former allegiance. No compromising word had ever + left his lips; he had never spoken of love to her. Yet the girl's + attitude seemed to infer a certain possession of him which was far + from agreeable. + </p> + <p> + Having gone so far, he should have said more; but here again his + lack of moral courage proved his stumbling-block, and he weakly + evaded a frank expression of his true feelings. + </p> + <p> + "Life," he began somewhat haltingly, to break the + embarrassing pause, "is only serious when we make it so; and as + soon as we make it serious it makes us unhappy. So I've adopted one + invariable rule: to laugh and be gay." + </p> + <p> + "Then I too will be gay, and together we'll enjoy life," + responded Diana, with an effort to speak lightly. "I shall let + your moods be my moods, Arthur, as a good friend should. Are we not + affinities?" + </p> + <p> + Again he knew not what to say. Her persistence in clinging to her + intangible hold upon him was extremely irritating, and he realized + the girl was far too clever for him to cope with and was liable to + cause him future trouble. Instead of seizing the opportunity to + frankly undeceive her he foolishly evaded the subject. + </p> + <p> + "You've been tempting fate to-night," he remarked with + assumed carelessness. "Don't you remember that to stand four + girls in a row is a bad omen?" + </p> + <p> + "Only for the one who first winks. Isn't that the way the + saying goes? I seldom wink, myself," she continued, smilingly. + "But I have no faith in ill omens. Their power is entirely due + to mental fear." + </p> + <p> + "I think not," said Arthur, glad the conversation had + taken this turn. "Once I knew a fellow with thirteen letters in + his name. He had no mental fear. But he proposed to a girl—and + was accepted." + </p> + <p> + She gave him one of those sudden, swift glances that were so + disconcerting. + </p> + <p> + "If you had a middle initial, there would be thirteen letters + in your own name, Arthur Weldon." + </p> + <br /> + <p> + "But I haven't, Diana; I haven't," he protested, eagerly. + "And if ever I propose to a girl I'm sure she'll refuse me. But + I've no intention of doing such a crazy thing, so I'm perfectly + safe." + </p> + <p> + "You cannot be sure until you try, Arthur," she replied + pointedly, and with a start he became conscious that he was again + treading upon dangerous ground. + </p> + <p> + "Come; let us rejoin your guests," said he, offering her + his arm. "They would all hate me if they knew I was keeping the + fair Diana from them so long." + </p> + <p> + "Arthur, I must have a good long; talk with you—one of + our old, delightful confabs," she said, earnestly. "Will + you call Sunday afternoon? Then we shall be quite undisturbed." + </p> + <p> + He hesitated. + </p> + <p> + "Sunday afternoon?" he answered. + </p> + <p> + "Yes." + </p> + <p> + "All right; I'll come, Diana." + </p> + <p> + She gave him a grateful look and taking his arm allowed him to lead + her back to the drawing-room. The crush was over, many having + already departed. Some of the young people were dancing in the open + spaces to the music of a string orchestra hidden behind a bank of + ferns in the hall. + </p> + <p> + Louise and Beth were the centers of attentive circles; Patsy + conversed with merry freedom with a group of ancient dowagers, who + delighted in her freshness and healthy vigor and were flattered by + her consideration. Mrs. Merrick—for she had been invited—sat + in a corner gorgeously robed and stiff as a poker, her eyes + devouring the scene. Noting the triumph of Louise she failed to + realize she was herself neglected. + </p> + <p> + A single glance sufficed to acquaint Diana with all this, and after + a gracious word to her guests here and there she asked Arthur to + dance with her. He could not well refuse, but felt irritated and + annoyed when he observed Louise's eyes fastened upon him in amused + disdain. After a few turns he discovered some departing ones waiting + to bid their hostess <i>adieu</i>, and escaped from his unpleasant + predicament by halting his partner before them. Then he slipped away + and quietly left the house before Diana had time to miss him. + </p> + <hr style="width: 35%;" /> + <a name="chap7" id="chap7"></a> + <h2> + CHAPTER VII + </h2> + <br /> + <p> + THE HERO ENTERS AND TROUBLE BEGINS + </p> + <br /> + <p> + The Von Taer reception fully launched the three nieces in society. + Endorsed by Diana and backed by John Merrick's millions and their + own winsome charms, they were sure to become favorites in that + admirable set to which they had fortunately gained admittance. + </p> + <p> + Cards poured in upon them during; the succeeding days and they found + themselves busy returning calls and attending dinners, fetes, bridge + parties and similar diversions. The great Mrs. Sandringham took a + decided fancy to Louise, and when the committee was appointed to + arrange for the social Kermess to be held in December, this + dictatorial leader had the girl's name included in the list. + Naturally the favor led to all three cousins taking active part in + the most famous social event of the season, and as an especial mark + of favoritism they were appointed to conduct the "flower booth," + one of the important features of the Kermess. + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Merrick was in the seventh heaven of ecstatic delight; Uncle + John declared his three girls were sure to become shining lights, if + not actual constellations, wherever they might be placed; Major + Doyle growled and protested; but was secretly pleased to have "our + Patsy the captain of the dress parade," where he fondly + imagined she outclassed all others. All former denunciations of + society at large were now ignored, even by unimpressive Beth, and + the girls soon became deeply interested in their novel experiences. + </p> + <p> + Arthur Weldon sulked at home, unhappy and undecided, for a day or + two after the reception. Sunday noon he dispatched a messenger to + Diana with a note saying he would be unable to keep his appointment + with her that afternoon. Then he went straight to the Merrick home + and sent his card to Louise. The girl flushed, smiled, frowned, and + decided to go down. + </p> + <p> + No one had ever interested her so much as Arthur Weldon. There had + been a spice of romance about their former relations that made her + still regard him as exceptional among mankind. She had been asking + herself, since the night of the reception, if she still loved him, + but could not come to a positive conclusion. The boy was no longer + "ineligible," as he had been at first; even Uncle John + could now have no serious objection to him. He was handsome, + agreeable, occupied a good social position and was fairly well off + in the way of worldly goods—the last point removing Mrs. + Merrick's former rejection of Arthur as a desirable son-in-law. + </p> + <p> + But girls are wayward and peculiar in such an <i>affaire du coeur</i>, + and none of these things might have weighed with Louise had she not + discovered that Diana Von Taer was in love with Arthur and intended + to win him. That aroused the girl's fighting instincts, rendered the + young man doubly important, and easily caused Louise to forget her + resentment at his temporary desertion of her. Perhaps, she + reflected, it had partially been her own fault. Now that Arthur + showed a disposition to renew their friendship, and she might + promise herself the satisfaction of defeating Diana's ambitions, it + would be diplomatic, at least, to receive the youth with cordial + frankness. + </p> + <p> + Therefore she greeted him smilingly and with outstretched hand, + saying: + </p> + <p> + "This is quite a surprise, Mr. Weldon. I'd a notion you had + forgotten me." + </p> + <p> + "No, indeed, Louise! How could you imagine such a thing?" + he answered, reproachfully. + </p> + <p> + "There was some evidence of the fact," she asserted + archly. "At one time you gave me no peace; then you became + retiring. At last you disappeared wholly. What could I think, sir, + under such circumstances?" + </p> + <p> + He stood looking down at her thoughtfully. How pretty she had grown; + and how mature and womanly. + </p> + <p> + "Louise," said he, gently, "don't let us indulge in + mutual reproaches. Some one must have been at fault and I'll + willingly take all the blame if you will forgive me. Once we were—were + good friends. We—we intended to be still more to one another, + Louise, but something occurred, I don't know what, to—to + separate us." + </p> + <p> + "Why, you went away," said the girl, laughing; "and + that of course separated us." + </p> + <p> + "You treated me like a beggar; don't forget that part of it, + dear. Of course I went away." + </p> + <p> + "And consoled yourself with a certain Miss Diana Von Taer. It + has lately been rumored you are engaged to her." + </p> + <p> + "Me? What nonsense?" But he hushed guiltily, and Louise + noted everything and determined he should not escape punishment. + </p> + <p> + "Diana, at least, is in earnest," she remarked, with + assumed indifference. "You may not care to deny that you have + been very attentive to her." + </p> + <p> + "Not especially so," he declared, stoutly. + </p> + <p> + "People gossip, you know. And Diana is charming." + </p> + <p> + "She's an iceberg!" + </p> + <p> + "Oh, you have discovered that? Was she wholly unresponsive, + then?" + </p> + <p> + "No," he said, with a touch of anger. "I have never + cared for Diana, except in a friendly way. She amused me for a while + when—when I was wretched. But I never made love to her; not + for a moment. Afterward, why—then----" + </p> + <p> + "Well; what then?" as he hesitated, growing red again. + </p> + <p> + "I found she had taken my careless attentions in earnest, and + the play was getting dangerous. So I went abroad." + </p> + <p> + Louise considered this explanation seriously. She believed he was + speaking the truth, so far as he knew. But at the same time she + realized from her own experience that Arthur might as easily deceive + himself as Diana in his estimate as to the warmth of the devotion he + displayed. His nature was impetuous and ardent. That Diana should + have taken his attentions seriously and become infatuated with the + handsome young fellow was not a matter to cause surprise. + </p> + <p> + Gradually Louise felt her resentment disappearing. In Arthur's + presence the charm of his personality influenced her to be lenient + with his shortcomings. And his evident desire for a reconciliation + found an echo in her own heart. + </p> + <p> + Mutual explanations are excellent to clear a murky atmosphere, and + an hour's earnest conversation did much to restore these two + congenial spirits to their former affectionate relations. Of course + Louise did not succumb too fully to his pleadings, for her feminine + instinct warned her to keep the boy on "the anxious seat" + long enough to enable him to appreciate her value and the honor of + winning her good graces. Moreover, she made some severe conditions + and put him on his good behavior. If he proved worthy, and was + steadfast and true, why then the future might reward him freely. + </p> + <p> + Diana had been making careful plans for her interview with Arthur + that Sunday afternoon. With no futile attempt to deceive herself as + to existent conditions she coldly weighed the chances in her mental + scale and concluded she had sufficient power to win this unstable + youth to her side and induce him to forget that such a person as + Louise Merrick ever existed. + </p> + <p> + Diana was little experienced in such affairs, it is true. Arthur + Weldon had been her first and only declared admirer, and no one + living had studied his peculiar nature more critically than this + observant girl. Also she knew well her own physical failings. She + realized that her personality was to many repulsive, rather than + attractive, and this in spite of her exquisite form, her perfect + breeding and many undeniable accomplishments. Men, as a rule, seldom + remained at her side save through politeness, and even seemed to + fear her; but never until now had she cared for any man sufficiently + to wish to retain or interest him. There were unsuspected + fascinations lying dormant in her nature, and Miss Von Taer calmly + reflected that the exercise of these qualities, backed by her native + wit and capacity for intrigue, could easily accomplish the object + she desired. + </p> + <p> + Thus she had planned her campaign and carefully dressed herself in + anticipation of Arthur's call when his note came canceling the + engagement. After rereading his lame excuse she sat down in a quiet + corner and began to think. The first gun had been fired, the battle + was on, and like a wise general she carefully marshaled her forces + for combat. + </p> + <p> + An hour or two later she turned to her telephone book and called up + the Merrick establishment. A voice, that of a maid, evidently, + answered her. + </p> + <p> + "I wish to speak with Miss Merrick," said Diana. + </p> + <p> + Louise, annoyed at being disturbed, left Arthur's side to respond to + the call. + </p> + <p> + "Who is it, please?" she asked. + </p> + <p> + "Is Mr. Weldon still there, or has he gone?" enquired + Diana, disguising her voice and speaking imperatively.. + </p> + <p> + "Why, he's still here," answered bewildered Louise; "but + who is talking, please?" + </p> + <p> + No answer. + </p> + <p> + "Do you wish to speak with Mr. Weldon?" continued the + girl, mystified at such an odd procedure. + </p> + <p> + Diana hung up her receiver, severing the connection. The click of + the instrument assured Louise there was no use in waiting longer, so + she returned to Arthur. She could not even guess who had called her. + Arthur could, though, when he had heard her story, and Diana's + impudent meddling made him distinctly uneasy. He took care not to + enlighten Louise, and the incident was soon forgotten by her. + </p> + <p> + "It proved just as I expected," mused Diana, huddled in + her reclining' chair. "The fool has thrown me over to go to + her. But this is not important. With the situation so clearly + defined I shall know exactly what I must do to protect my own + interests." + </p> + <p> + Mr. Von Taer was away from home that Sunday afternoon, and would not + return until a late hour. Diana went to the telephone again and + after several unsuccessful attempts located her cousin, Mr. Charles + Connoldy Mershone, at a club. + </p> + <p> + "It's Diana," she said, when at last communication was + established. "I want you to come over and see me; at once." + </p> + <p> + "You'll have to excuse me, Di," was the answer. "I + was unceremoniously kicked out the last time, you know." + </p> + <p> + "Father's away. It's all right, Charlie. Come along." + </p> + <p> + "Can't see it, my fair cousin. You've all treated me like a + bull-pup, and I'm not anxious to mix up with that sort of a + relationship. Anything more? I'm going to play pool to win my + dinner." + </p> + <p> + "Funds running low, Charlie?" + </p> + <p> + "Worse than that; they're invisible." + </p> + <p> + "Then pay attention. Call a taxi at once, and get here as soon + as you can. I'll foot the bill— and any others that happen to + be bothering you." + </p> + <p> + A low, surprised whistle came over the wire. + </p> + <p> + "What's up, Di?" he asked, with new interest. + </p> + <p> + "Come and find out." + </p> + <p> + "Can I be useful?" + </p> + <p> + "Assuredly; to yourself." + </p> + <p> + "All right; I'm on the way." + </p> + <p> + He hung up, and Diana gave a sigh of content as she slowly returned + to her den and the easy chair, where Mr. Mershone found her "coiled" + some half hour later. + </p> + <p> + "This is a queer go," said the young man, taking a seat + and glancing around with knitted brows. "It isn't so long since + dear Uncle Hedrik tumbled me out of here neck and crop; and now + Cousin Diana invites me to return." + </p> + <p> + At first glance young Mershone seemed an attractive young fellow, + tall, finely formed and well groomed. But his eyes were too close + together and his handsome features bore unmistakable marks of + dissipation. + </p> + <p> + "You disgraced us a year or so ago, Charlie," said Diana, + in her soft, quiet accents, "and under such circumstances we + could not tolerate you. You can scarcely blame us for cutting your + acquaintance. But now—" + </p> + <p> + "Well, now?" he enquired coolly, trying to read her + impassive face. + </p> + <p> + "I need the services of just such an unscrupulous and clever + individual as you have proven yourself to be. I'm willing to pay + liberally for those services, and you doubtless need the money. Are + we allies, then?" + </p> + <p> + Mershone laughed, with little genuine mirth. + </p> + <p> + "Of course, my dear cousin," he responded; "provided + you propose any legal villainy. I'm not partial to the police; but I + really need the money, as you suggest." + </p> + <p> + "And you will be faithful?" she asked, regarding him + doubtfully. + </p> + <p> + "To the cause, you may be sure. But understand me: I balk at + murder and burglary. Somehow, the police seem to know me. I'll not + do anything that might lead to a jail sentence, because there are + easier ways to get money. However, I don't imagine your proposed + plan is very desperate, Diana; it's more liable to be dirty work. + Never mind; you may command me, my dear cousin—if the pay is + ample." + </p> + <p> + "The pay will be ample if you succeed," she began. + </p> + <p> + "I don't like that. I may not succeed." + </p> + <p> + "Listen to me, Charlie. Do you know Arthur Weldon?" + </p> + <p> + "Slightly; not very well." + </p> + <p> + "I intend to marry him. He has paid me marked attentions in the + past; but now—he—" + </p> + <p> + "Wants to slip the leash. Quite natural, my dear." + </p> + <p> + "He has become infatuated with another girl; a light-headed, + inexperienced little thing who is likely to marry the first man who + asks her. She is very rich—in her own right, too—and her + husband will be a fortunate man." + </p> + <p> + Mershone stared at her. Then he whistled, took a few turns up and + down the room, and reseated himself. + </p> + <p> + "Evidently!" he ejaculated, lighting a cigarette without + permission and then leaning back thoughtfully in his chair. + </p> + <p> + "Charlie," continued Diana, "you may as well marry + Louise Merrick and settle down to a life of respectability. You've a + dashing, masterful way which no girl of her sort can long resist. I + propose that you make desperate love to Louise Merrick and so cut + Arthur Weldon out of the deal entirely. My part of the comedy will + be to attract him to my side again. Now you have the entire + proposition in a nutshell." + </p> + <p> + He smoked for a time in reflective silence. + </p> + <p> + "What's the girl like?" he enquired, presently. "Is + she attractive?" + </p> + <p> + "Sufficiently so to fascinate Arthur Weldon. Moreover, she has + just been introduced in our set, and knows nothing of your shady + past history. Even if rumors came to her ears, young creatures of + her sort often find a subtle charm in a man accused of being + 'naughty.'" + </p> + <p> + "Humph!" + </p> + <p> + "If you win her, you get a wife easily managed and a splendid + fortune to squander as you please." + </p> + <p> + "Sounds interesting, Di, doesn't it? But—" + </p> + <p> + "In regard to preliminary expenses," she interrupted, + calmly, "I have said that your reward will be ample when you + have won the game. But meantime I am willing to invest the necessary + funds in the enterprise. I will allow you a thousand a month." + </p> + <p> + "Bah! that's nothing at all!" said he, contemptuously, as + he flicked the ashes from his cigarette. + </p> + <p> + "What do you demand, then?" + </p> + <p> + "Five hundred a week, in advance. It's an expensive job, Di." + </p> + <p> + "Very well; I will give you five hundred a week; but only as + long as you work earnestly to carry out the plot. I shall watch you, + Charlie. And you must not lose sight of the ultimate reward." + </p> + <p> + "I won't, my sweet cousin. It's a bargain," he said, + readily enough. "When do I begin, and what's the program?" + </p> + <p> + "Draw your chair nearer," said Diana, restraining her + triumphant joy. "I'll explain everything to you in detail. It + will be my part to plan, and yours to execute." + </p> + <p> + "Good!" he exclaimed, with a cheerful grin. "I feel + like an executioner already!" + </p> + <hr style="width: 35%;" /> + <a name="chap8" id="chap8"></a> + <h2> + CHAPTER VIII + </h2> + <br /> + <p> + OPENING THE CAMPAIGN + </p> + <br /> + <p> + Louise's little romance, which now began to thrive vigorously, was + regarded with calmness by her cousins and her mother, who knew of + the former episode between her and Arthur and attached little + importance to the renewed flirtation in which they indulged. That + they were deceived in their estimate was due to the girl's + reputation for frivolity where young men were concerned. She had + been dubbed a "flirt" ever since she first began to wear + long dresses, and her nature was not considered deep enough for her + heart to be ever seriously affected. Therefore the young girl was + gravely misjudged. + </p> + <p> + Louise was not one to bare her heart, even to her most intimate + friends, and no one now suspected that at last her deepest, truest + womanly affections were seriously involved. The love for Arthur that + had lain dormant in her heart was aroused at a time when she was + more mature and capable of recognizing truly her feelings, so that + it was not long before she surrendered her reserve and admitted to + him that life would mean little for her unless they might pass the + years together. For his part, young Weldon sincerely loved Louise, + and had never wavered from his firm devotion during all the past + months of misunderstanding. + </p> + <p> + The general impression that they were "merely flirting" + afforded the lovers ample opportunity to have their walks and drives + together undisturbed, and during these soulful communions they + arrived at such a perfect understanding that both were confident + nothing could ever disturb their trust and confidence. + </p> + <p> + It was at a theatre party that the three <i>debutantes</i> first met + Charlie Mershone, but they saw little of him that first evening and + scarcely noticed his presence. Louise, indeed, noted that his eyes + were fixed upon her more than once with thinly veiled admiration, + and without a thought of disloyalty to Arthur, but acting upon the + impulse of her coquettish nature, she responded with a demure smile + of encouragement. + </p> + <p> + Charlie Mershone was an adept at playing parts. He at first regarded + Louise much as a hunter does the game he is stalking. Patsy Doyle + was more jolly and Beth De Graf more beautiful than Miss Merrick; + but the young man would in any event have preferred the latter's + dainty personality. When he found her responsive to his admiring + glances he was astounded to note his heart beating rapidly—a + thing quite foreign to his usual temperament. Yes, this girl would + do very nicely, both as a wife and as a banker. Assuredly the game + was well worth playing, as Diana had asserted. He must make it his + business to discover what difficulties must be overcome in winning + her. Of course Arthur Weldon was the main stumbling-block; but + Weldon was a ninny; he must be thrust aside; Diana had promised to + attend to that. + </p> + <p> + Never in his life had Charles Connoldy Mershone been in earnest + before. After his first interview with Louise Merrick he became in + deadly earnest. His second meeting with her was at Marie Delmar's + bridge whist party, where they had opportunity for an extended + conversation. Arthur was present this evening, but by some chance + Mershone drew Louise for his partner at cards, and being a skillful + player he carried her in progression from table to table, leaving + poor Arthur far behind and indulging in merry repartee and mild + flirtation until they felt they were quite well acquainted. + </p> + <p> + Louise found the young man a charming conversationalist. He had a + dashing, confidential way of addressing the girl which impressed her + as flattering and agreeable, while his spirits were so exuberant and + sparkling with humor that she was thoroughly amused every moment + while in his society. Indeed, Mr. Mershone was really talented, and + had he possessed any manly attributes, or even the ordinary + honorable instincts of mankind, there is little doubt he would have + been a popular favorite. But he had made his mark, and it was a + rather grimy one. From earliest youth he had been guilty of + discreditable acts that had won for him the contempt of all + right-minded people. That he was still accepted with lax tolerance + by some of the more thoughtless matrons of the fashionable set was + due to his family name. They could not forget that in spite of his + numerous lapses from respectability he was still a Mershone. Not one + of the careless mothers who admitted him to her house would have + allowed her daughter to wed him, and the degree of tolerance + extended to him was fully appreciated by Mershone himself. He knew + he was practically barred from the most desirable circles and seldom + imposed himself upon his former acquaintances; but now, with a + distinct object in view, he callously disregarded the doubtful looks + he encountered and showed himself in every drawing-room where he + could secure an invitation or impudently intrude himself. He made + frank avowals that he had "reformed" and abandoned his + evil ways forever. Some there were who accepted this statement + seriously, and Diana furthered his cause by treating him graciously + whenever they met, whereas she had formerly refused to recognize her + cousin. + </p> + <p> + Louise knew nothing at all of Charlie Mershone's history and + permitted him to call when he eagerly requested the favor; but on + the way home from the Delmars Arthur, who had glowered at the + usurper all the evening, took pains to hint to Louise that Mershone + was an undesirable acquaintance and had a bad record. Of course she + laughed at him and teased him, thinking he was jealous and rejoicing + that in Mershone she had a tool to "keep Arthur toeing the + mark." As a matter of truth she had really missed her lover's + companionship that evening, but forbore to apprise him of the fact. + </p> + <p> + And now the great Kermess began to occupy the minds of the three + cousins, who were to share the important "Flower Booth" + between them. The Kermess was to be the holiday sensation of the + season and bade fair to eclipse the horse show in popularity. It was + primarily a charitable entertainment, as the net receipts were to be + divided among several deserving hospitals; nevertheless it was + classed as a high society function and only the elect were to take + active part in the affair. + </p> + <p> + The ball room at the Waldorf had been secured and many splendid + booths were to be erected for the sale of novelties, notions and + refreshments. There were to be lotteries and auctions, national + dances given by groups of society belles, and other novel + entertainments calculated to empty the pockets of the unwary. + </p> + <p> + Beth was somewhat indignant to find that she and her cousins, having + been assigned to the flower booth, were expected to erect a pavilion + and decorate it at their own expense, as well as to provide the + stock of flowers to be sold. "There is no fund for preliminary + expenses, you know," remarked Mrs. Sandringham, "and of + course all the receipts are to go to charity; so there is nothing to + do but stand these little bills ourselves. We all do it willingly. + The papers make a good deal of the Kermess, and the advertisement we + get is worth all it costs us." + </p> + <p> + Beth did not see the force of this argument. She thought it was + dreadful for society—really good society—to wish to + advertise itself; but gradually she was learning that this was + merely a part of the game. To be talked about, to have her goings + and comings heralded in the society columns and her gowns described + on every possible occasion, seemed the desire of every society + woman, and she who could show the biggest scrap-book of clippings + was considered of highest importance.. + </p> + <p> + Uncle John laughed joyously when told that the expenses of the + flower booth would fall on the shoulders of his girls and there was + no later recompense. + </p> + <p> + "Why not?" he cried. "Mustn't we pay the fiddler if + we dance?" + </p> + <p> + "It's a hold-up game," declared Beth, angrily. "I'll + have nothing to do with it." + </p> + <p> + "Yes, you will, my dear," replied her uncle; "and to + avoid separating you chicks from your pin-money I'm going to stand + every cent of the expense myself. Why, it's for charity, isn't it? + Charity covers a multitude of sins, and I'm just a miserable sinner + that needs a bath-robe to snuggle in. How can the poor be better + served than by robbing the rich? Go ahead, girls, and rig up the + swellest booth that money will build. I'll furnish as many flowers + as you can sell, and Charity ought to get a neat little nest-egg out + of the deal." + </p> + <p> + "That's nice of you," said Patsy, kissing him; "but + it's an imposition, all the same." + </p> + <p> + "It's a blessing, my dear. It will help a bit to ease off that + dreadful income that threatens to crush me," he rejoined, + smiling at them. And the nieces made no further protest, well + knowing the kindly old gentleman would derive untold pleasure in + carrying out his generous plans. + </p> + <p> + The flower booth, designed by a famous architect, proved a splendid + and most imposing structure. It was capped by a monster bouquet of + artificial orchids in <i>papier-maché,</i> which reached + twenty feet into the air. The three cousins had their gowns + especially designed for the occasion. Beth represented a lily, + Louise a Gold-of-Ophir rose, and Patricia a pansy. + </p> + <p> + The big ball room had been turned over to the society people several + days in advance, that the elaborate preparations might be completed + in time, and during this period groups of busy, energetic young + folks gathered by day and in the evenings, decorating, flirting, + rehearsing the fancy dances, and amusing themselves generally. + </p> + <p> + Arthur Weldon was there to assist Uncle John's nieces; but his + pleasure was somewhat marred by the persistent presence of Charlie + Mershone, who, having called once or twice upon Louise, felt at + liberty to attach himself to her party. The ferocious looks of his + rival were ignored by this designing young man and he had no + hesitation in interrupting a <i>tête-à-tête</i> + to monopolize the girl for himself. + </p> + <p> + Louise was amused, thinking it fun to worry Arthur by flirting + mildly with Mr. Mershone, for whom she cared not a jot. Both Patsy + and Beth took occasion to remonstrate with her for this folly, for + having known Weldon for a long time and journeyed with him through a + part of Europe, they naturally espoused his cause, liking him as + much as they intuitively disliked Mershone. + </p> + <p> + One evening Arthur, his patience well-nigh exhausted, talked + seriously with Louise. + </p> + <p> + "This fellow Mershone," said he, "is a bad egg, a + despicable son of a decadent family. His mother was Hedrik Von + Taer's sister, but the poor thing has been dead many years. Not long + ago Charlie was tabooed by even the rather fast set he belonged to, + and the Von Taers, especially, refused to recognize their relative. + Now he seems to go everywhere again. I don't know what has caused + the change, I'm sure." + </p> + <p> + "Why, he has reformed," declared Louise; "Diana told + me so. She said he had been a bit wild, as all young men are; but + now his behavior is irreproachable." + </p> + <p> + "I don't believe a word of it," insisted Arthur. "Mershone + is a natural cad; he's been guilty of all sorts of dirty tricks, and + is capable of many more. If you'll watch out, Louise, you'll see + that all the girls are shy of being found in his society, and all + the chaperons cluck to their fledglings the moment the hawk appears. + You're a novice in society just yet, my dear, and it won't do you + any good to encourage Charlie Mershone, whom everyone else avoids." + </p> + <p> + "He's very nice," returned Louise, lightly. + </p> + <p> + "Yes; he must be nicer than I am," admitted the young man, + glumly, and thereupon he became silent and morose and Louise found + her evening spoiled. + </p> + <p> + The warning did not fall on barren ground, however. In the seclusion + of her own room the girl thought it all over and decided she had + teased her true lover enough. Arthur had not scolded or reproached + her, despite his annoyance, and she had a feeling that his judgment + of Charlie Mershone was quite right. Although the latter was + evidently madly in love with her the girl had the discretion to see + how selfish and unrestrained was his nature, and once or twice he + had already frightened her by his impetuosity. She decided to + retreat cautiously but positively from further association with him, + and at once began to show the young man coolness. + </p> + <p> + Mershone must have been chagrined, but he did not allow Louise to + see there was any change in their relations as far as he was + concerned. He merely redoubled his attentions, sending her flowers + and bonbons daily, accompanied by ardently worded but respectful + notes. Really, Louise was in a quandary, and she frankly admitted to + Arthur that she had brought this embarrassment upon herself. Yet + Arthur could do or say little to comfort her. He longed secretly to + "punch Mershone's head," but could find no occasion for + such decided action. + </p> + <p> + Diana, during this time, treated both Arthur and Louise with marked + cordiality. Believing her time would come to take part in the comedy + she refrained from interfering prematurely with the progress of + events. She managed to meet her accomplice at frequent intervals and + was pleased that there was no necessity to urge Charlie to do his + utmost in separating the lovers. + </p> + <p> + "I'm bound to win, Di," he said grimly, "for I love + the girl even better than I do her fortune. And of one thing you may + rest assured; Weldon shall never marry her." + </p> + <p> + "What will you do?" asked Diana, curiously. + </p> + <p> + "Anything! Everything that is necessary to accomplish my + purpose." + </p> + <p> + "Be careful," said she warningly. "Keep a cool head, + Charlie, and don't do anything foolish. Still—" + </p> + <p> + "Well?" + </p> + <p> + "If it is necessary to take a few chances, do it. Arthur Weldon + must not marry Louise Merrick!" + </p> + <hr style="width: 35%;" /> + <a name="chap9" id="chap9"></a> + <h2> + CHAPTER IX + </h2> + <br /> + <p> + THE VON TAER PEARLS + </p> + <br /> + <p> + Uncle John really had more fun out of the famous Kermess than anyone + else. The preparations gave him something to do, and he enjoyed + doing—openly, as well as in secret ways. Having declared that + he would stock the flower booth at his own expense, he confided to + no one his plans. The girls may have thought he would merely leave + orders with a florist; but that was not the Merrick way of doing + things. Instead, he visited the most famous greenhouses within a + radius of many miles, contracting for all the floral blooms that art + and skill could produce. The Kermess was to be a three days' affair, + and each day the floral treasures of the cast were delivered in + reckless profusion at the flower booth, which thus became the center + of attraction and the marvel of the public. The girls were delighted + to be able to dispense such blooms, and their success as saleswomen + was assured at once. + </p> + <p> + Of course the fair vendors were ignorant of the value of their + wares, for Uncle John refused to tell them how extravagant he had + been; so they were obliged to guess at the sums to be demanded and + in consequence sold priceless orchids and rare hothouse flora at + such ridiculous rates that Mr. Merrick chuckled with amusement until + he nearly choked. + </p> + <p> + The public being "cordially invited" Uncle John was + present on that first important evening, and —wonder of + wonders—was arrayed in an immaculate full-dress suit that + fitted his chubby form like the skin of a banana. Mayor Doyle, + likewise disguised, locked arms with his brother-in-law and stalked + gravely among the throng; but neither ever got to a point in the big + room where the flower booth was not in plain sight. The Major's + pride in "our Patsy" was something superb; Uncle John was + proud of all three of his nieces. As the sale of wares was for the + benefit of charity these old fellows purchased liberally—mostly + flowers and had enough parcels sent home to fill a delivery wagon. + </p> + <p> + One disagreeable incident, only, marred this otherwise successful + evening—successful especially for the three cousins, whose + beauty and grace won the hearts of all. + </p> + <p> + Diana Von Taer was stationed in the "Hindoo Booth," and + the oriental costume she wore exactly fitted her sensuous style of + beauty. To enhance its effect she had worn around her neck the + famous string of Von Taer pearls, a collection said to be unmatched + in beauty and unequaled in value in all New York. + </p> + <p> + The "Hindoo Booth" was near enough to the "Flower + Booth" for Diana to watch the cousins, and the triumph of her + late <i>protégées</i> was very bitter for her to + endure. Especially annoying was it to find Arthur Weldon devoting + himself assiduously to Louise, who looked charming in her rose gown + and favored Arthur in a marked way, although Charlie Mershone, + refusing to be ignored, also leaned over the counter of the booth + and chatted continually, striving to draw Miss Merrick's attention + to himself. + </p> + <p> + Forced to observe all this, Diana soon lost her accustomed coolness. + The sight of the happy faces of Arthur and Louise aroused all the + rancor and subtile wit that she possessed, and she resolved upon an + act that she would not before have believed herself capable of. + Leaning down, she released the catch of the famous pearls and + unobserved concealed them in a handkerchief. Then, leaving her + booth, she sauntered slowly over to the floral display, which was + surrounded for the moment by a crowd of eager customers. Many of the + vases and pottery jars which had contained flowers now stood empty, + and just before the station of Louise Merrick the stock was sadly + depleted. This was, of course, offset by the store of money in the + little drawer beside the fair sales-lady, and Louise, having greeted + Diana with a smile and nod, turned to renew her conversation with + the young men besieging her. + </p> + <p> + Diana leaned gracefully over the counter, resting the hand + containing the handkerchief over the mouth of an empty Doulton vase—empty + save for the water which had nourished the flowers. At the same time + she caught Louise's eye and with a gesture brought the girl to her + side. + </p> + <p> + "Those young men are wealthy," she said, carelessly, her + head close to that of Louise. "Make them pay well for their + purchases, my dear." + </p> + <p> + "I can't rob them, Diana," was the laughing rejoinder. + </p> + <p> + "But it is your duty to rob, at a Kermess, and in the interests + of charity," persisted Diana, maintaining her voice at a + whisper. + </p> + <p> + Louise was annoyed. + </p> + <p> + "Thank you," she said, and went back to the group awaiting + her. + </p> + <p> + The floral booth was triangular, Beth officiated at one of the three + sides, Patsy at another, and Louise at the third. Diana now passed + softly around the booth, interchanging a word with the other two + girls, after which she returned to her own station. + </p> + <p> + Presently, while chatting with a group of acquaintances, she + suddenly clasped her throat and assuming an expression of horror + exclaimed: + </p> + <p> + "My pearls!" + </p> + <p> + "What, the Von Taer pearls?" cried one. + </p> + <p> + "The Von Taer pearls," said Diana, as if dazed by her + misfortune. + </p> + <p> + "And you've lost them, dear?" + </p> + <p> + "They're lost!" she echoed. + </p> + <p> + Well, there was excitement then, you may be sure. One man hurried to + notify the door-keeper and the private detective employed oh all + such occasions, while others hastily searched the booth —of + course in vain. Diana seemed distracted and the news spread quickly + through the assemblage. + </p> + <p> + "Have you left this booth at all?" asked a quiet voice, + that of the official whose business it was to investigate. + </p> + <p> + "I—I merely walked over to the floral booth opposite, and + exchanged a word with Miss Merrick, and the others there," she + explained. + </p> + <p> + The search was resumed, and Charlie Mershone sauntered over. + </p> + <p> + "What's this, Di? Lost the big pearls, I hear," he said. + </p> + <p> + She took him aside and whispered something to him. He nodded and + returned at once to the flower booth, around which a crowd of + searchers now gathered, much to the annoyance of Louise and her + cousins. + </p> + <p> + "It's all foolishness, you know," said Uncle John, to the + Major, confidentially. "If the girl really dropped her pearls + some one has picked them up, long ago." + </p> + <p> + Young Mershone seemed searching the floral booth as earnestly as the + others, and awkwardly knocked the Doulton vase from the shelf with + his elbow. It smashed to fragments and in the pool of water on the + floor appeared the missing pearls. + </p> + <p> + There was an awkward silence for a moment, while all eyes turned + curiously upon Louise, who served this side of the triangle. The + girl appeared turned to stone as she gazed down at the gems. + Mershone laughed disagreeably and picked up the recovered treasure, + which Diana ran forward and seized. + </p> + <p> + "H-m-m!" said the detective, with a shrug; "this is a + strange occurrence—a very strange occurrence, indeed. Miss Von + Taer, do you wish—" + </p> + <p> + "No!" exclaimed Diana, haughtily. "I accuse no one. + It is enough that an accident has restored to me the heirloom." + </p> + <p> + Stiffly she marched back to her own booth, and the crowd quietly + dispersed, leaving only Arthur, Uncle John and the Major standing to + support Louise and her astonished cousins. + </p> + <p> + "Why, confound it!" cried the little millionaire, with a + red face, "does the jade mean to insinuate—" + </p> + <p> + "Not at all, sor," interrupted the Major, sternly; "her + early education has been neglected, that's all." + </p> + <p> + "Come dear," pleaded Arthur to Louise; "let us go + home." + </p> + <p> + "By no means!" announced Beth, positively; "let us + stay where we belong. Why, we're not half sold out yet!" + </p> + <hr style="width: 35%;" /> + <a name="chap10" id="chap10"></a> + <h2> + CHAPTER X + </h2> + <br /> + <p> + MISLED + </p> + <br /> + <p> + Arthur Weldon met Mershone at a club next afternoon. "You low + scoundrel!" he exclaimed. "It was <i>your</i> trick to + accuse Miss Merrick of a theft last night." + </p> + <p> + "Was she accused?" enquired the other, blandly. "I + hadn't heard, really." + </p> + <p> + "You did it yourself!" + </p> + <p> + "Dear me!" said Mershone, deliberately lighting a + cigarette. + </p> + <p> + "You or your precious cousin—you're both alike," + declared Arthur, bitterly. "But you have given us wisdom, + Mershone. We'll see you don't trick us again." + </p> + <p> + The young man stared at him, between puffs of smoke. + </p> + <p> + "It occurs to me, Weldon, that you're becoming insolent. It + won't do, my boy. Unless you guard your tongue—" + </p> + <p> + "Bah! Resent it, if you dare; you coward." + </p> + <p> + "Coward?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes. A man who attacks an innocent girl is a coward. And + you've been a coward all your life, Mershone, for one reason or + another. No one believes in your pretended reform. But I want to + warn you to keep away from Miss Merrick, hereafter, or I'll take a + hand in your punishment myself." + </p> + <p> + For a moment the two eyed one another savagely. They were equally + matched in physique; but Arthur was right, there was no fight in + Mershone; that is, of the knock-down order. He would fight in his + own way, doubtless, and this made him more dangerous than his + antagonist supposed. + </p> + <p> + "What right have you, sir, to speak for Miss Merrick?" he + demanded. + </p> + <p> + "The best right in the world," replied Arthur. "She + is my promised wife." + </p> + <p> + "Indeed! Since when?" + </p> + <p> + "That is none of your affair, Mershone. As a matter of fact, + however, that little excitement you created last night resulted in a + perfect understanding between us." + </p> + <p> + "<i>I</i> created!" + </p> + <p> + "You, of course. Miss Merrick does not care to meet you again. + You will do well to avoid her in the future." + </p> + <p> + "I don't believe you, Weldon. You're bluffing." + </p> + <p> + "Am I? Then dare to annoy Miss Merrick again and I'll soon + convince you of my sincerity." + </p> + <p> + With this parting shot he walked away, leaving Mershone really at a + loss to know whether he was in earnest or not. To solve the question + he called a taxicab and in a few minutes gave his card to the + Merrick butler with a request to see Miss Louise. + </p> + <p> + The man returned with a message that Miss Merrick was engaged. + </p> + <p> + "Please tell her it is important," insisted Mershone. + </p> + <p> + Again the butler departed, and soon returned. + </p> + <p> + "Any message for Miss Merrick must be conveyed in writing, sir," + he said, "She declines to see you." + </p> + <p> + Mershone went away white with anger. We may credit him with loving + Louise as intensely as a man of his caliber can love anyone. His + sudden dismissal astounded him and made him frantic with + disappointment. Louise's treatment of the past few days might have + warned him, but he had no intuition of the immediate catastrophe + that had overtaken him. It wasn't his self-pride that was injured; + that had become so battered there was little of it left; but he had + set his whole heart on winning this girl and felt that he could not + give her up. + </p> + <p> + Anger toward Weldon was prominent amongst his emotion. He declared + between his set teeth that if Louise was lost to him she should + never marry Weldon. Not on Diana's account, but for his own vengeful + satisfaction was this resolve made. + </p> + <p> + He rode straight to his cousin and told her the news. The statement + that Arthur was engaged to marry Louise Merrick drove her to a wild + anger no less powerful because she restrained any appearance of it. + Surveying her cousin steadily through her veiled lashes she asked: + </p> + <p> + "Is there no way we can prevent this thing?" + </p> + <p> + Mershone stalked up and down before her like a caged beast. His eyes + were red and wicked; his lips were pressed tightly together. + </p> + <p> + "Diana," said he, "I've never wanted anything in this + world as I want that girl. I can't let that mollycoddle marry her!" + </p> + <p> + She flushed, and then frowned. It was not pleasant to hear the man + of her choice spoken of with such contempt, but after all their + disappointment and desires were alike mutual and she could not break + with Charlie at this juncture. + </p> + <p> + Suddenly he paused and asked: + </p> + <p> + "Do you still own that country home near East Orange?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes; but we never occupy it now. Father does not care for the + place." + </p> + <p> + "Is it deserted?" + </p> + <p> + "Practically so. Madame Cerise is there in charge." + </p> + <p> + "Old Cerise? I was going to ask you what had become of that + clever female." + </p> + <p> + "She was too clever, Charlie. She knew too much of our affairs, + and was always prying into things that did not concern her. So + father took an antipathy to the poor creature, and because she has + served our family for so long sent her to care for the house at East + Orange." + </p> + <p> + "Pensioned her, eh? Well, this is good news, Di; perhaps the + best news in the world. I believe it will help clear up the + situation. Old Cerise and I always understood each other." + </p> + <p> + "Will you explain?" asked Diana, coldly. + </p> + <p> + "I think not, my fair cousin. I prefer to keep my own counsel. + You made a bad mess of that little deal last night, and are + responsible for the climax that faces us. Besides, a woman is never + a good conspirator. I know what you want; and I know what I want. So + I'll work this plan alone, if you please. And I'll win, Di; I'll win + as sure as fate—if you'll help me." + </p> + <p> + "You ask me to help you and remain in the dark?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes; it's better so. Write me a note to Cerise and tell her to + place the house and herself unreservedly at my disposal." + </p> + <p> + She stared at him fixedly, and he returned the look with an evil + smile. So they sat in silence a moment. Then slowly she arose and + moved to her escritoire, drawing a sheet of paper toward her and + beginning to write. + </p> + <p> + "Is there a telephone at the place?" enquired Mershone + abruptly. + </p> + <p> + "Yes." + </p> + <p> + "Then telephone Cerise after I'm gone. That will make it doubly + sure. And give me the number, too, so I can jot it down. I may need + it." + </p> + <p> + Diana quietly tore up the note. + </p> + <p> + "The telephone is better," she said. "Being in the + dark, sir, I prefer not to commit myself in writing." + </p> + <p> + "You're quite right, Di," he exclaimed, admiringly. "But + for heaven's sake don't forget to telephone Madame Cerise." + </p> + <p> + "I won't Charlie. And, see here, keep your precious plans to + yourself, now and always. I intend to know nothing of what you do." + </p> + <p> + "I'm merely the cats-paw, eh? Well, never mind. Is old Cerise + to be depended upon, do you think?" + </p> + <p> + "Why not?" replied the girl. "Cerise belongs to the + Von Taers—body and soul!" + </p> + <hr style="width: 35%;" /> + <a name="chap11" id="chap11"></a> + <h2> + CHAPTER XI + </h2> + <br /> + <p> + THE BROWN LIMOUSINE + </p> + <br /> + <p> + The second evening of the society Kermess passed without unusual + event and proved very successful in attracting throngs of + fashionable people to participate in its pleasures. + </p> + <p> + Louise and her cousins were at their stations early, and the second + installment of Uncle John's flowers was even more splendid and + profuse than the first. It was not at all difficult to make sales, + and the little money drawer began to bulge with its generous + receipts. + </p> + <p> + Many a gracious smile or nod or word was bestowed upon Miss Merrick + by the society folk; for these people had had time to consider the + accusation against her implied by Diana Von Taer's manner when the + pearls were discovered in the empty flower vase. Being rather + impartial judges—for Diana was not a popular favorite with her + set—they decided it was absurd to suppose a niece of wealthy + old John Merrick would descend to stealing any one's jewelry. Miss + Merrick might have anything her heart desired with-out pausing to + count the cost, and moreover she was credited with sufficient common + sense to realize that the Von Taer heirlooms might easily be + recognized anywhere. So a little gossip concerning the queer + incident had turned the tide of opinion in Louise's favor, and as + she was a recent <i>debutante</i> with a charming personality all + vied to assure her she was held blameless. + </p> + <p> + A vast coterie of the select hovered about the flower booth all the + evening, and the cousins joyously realized they had scored one of + the distinct successes of the Kermess. Arthur could not get very + close to Louise this evening; but he enjoyed her popularity and from + his modest retirement was able to exchange glances with her at + intervals, and these glances assured him he was seldom absent from + her thoughts. + </p> + <p> + Aside from this, he had the pleasure of glowering ferociously upon + Charlie Mershone, who, failing to obtain recognition from Miss + Merrick, devoted himself to his cousin Diana, or at least lounged + nonchalantly in the neighborhood of the Hindoo Booth. Mershone was + very quiet. There was a speculative look upon his features that + denoted an undercurrent of thought. + </p> + <p> + Diana's face was as expressionless as ever. She well knew her action + of the previous evening had severed the cordial relations formerly + existing between her and Mr. Merrick's nieces, and determined to + avoid the possibility of a snub by keeping aloof from them. She + greeted whoever approached her station in her usual gracious and + cultured manner, and refrained from even glancing toward Louise. + </p> + <p> + Hedrik Von Taer appeared for an hour this evening. He quietly + expressed his satisfaction at the complete arrangements of the + Kermess, chatted a moment with his daughter, and then innocently + marched over to the flower booth and made a liberal purchase from + each of the three girls. Evidently the old gentleman had no inkling + of the incident of the previous evening, or that Diana was not still + on good terms with the young ladies she had personally introduced to + society. His action amused many who noted it, and Louise blushing + but thoroughly self-possessed, exchanged her greetings with Diana's + father and thanked him heartily for his purchase. Mr. Von Taer + stared stonily at Charlie Mershone, but did not speak to him. + </p> + <p> + Going out he met John Merrick, and the two men engaged in + conversation most cordially. + </p> + <p> + "You did the trick all right, Von Taer," said the little + millionaire, "and I'm much obliged, as you may suppose. You're + not ashamed of my three nieces, I take it?" + </p> + <p> + "Your nieces, Mr. Merrick, are very charming young women," + was the dignified reply. "They will grace any station in life + to which they may be called." + </p> + <p> + When the evening's entertainment came to an end Arthur Weldon took + Louise home in his new brown limousine, leaving Patsy and her + father, Uncle John and Beth to comfortably fill the Doyle motor car. + Now that the engagement of the young people had been announced and + accepted by their friends, it seemed very natural for them to prefer + their own society. + </p> + <p> + "What do you think of it, Uncle John, anyhow?" asked + Patsy, as they rode home. + </p> + <p> + "It's all right, dear," he announced, with a sigh. "I + hate to see my girls take the matrimonial dive, but I guess they've + got to come to it, sooner or later." + </p> + <p> + "Later, for me," laughed Patsy. + </p> + <p> + "As for young Weldon," continued Mr. Merrick, + reflectively, "he has some mighty good points, as I found out + long ago. Also he has some points that need filing down. But I guess + he'll average up with most young men, and Louise seems to like him. + So let's try to encourage 'em to be happy; eh, my dears?" + </p> + <p> + "Louise," said Beth, slowly, "is no more perfect than + Arthur. They both have faults which time may eradicate, and as at + present they are not disposed to be hypercritical they ought to get + along nicely together." + </p> + <p> + "If 't was me," said the Major, oracularly, "I'd + never marry Weldon." + </p> + <p> + "He won't propose to you, Daddy dear," returned Patsy, + mischievously; "he prefers Louise." + </p> + <p> + "I decided long ago," said Uncle John, "that" + </p> + <p> + I'd never be allowed to pick out the husbands for my three girls. + Husbands are a matter of taste, I guess, and a girl ought to know + what sort she wants. If she don't, and makes a mistake, that's <i>her</i> + look-out. So you can all choose for yourselves, when the time comes, + and I'll stand by you, my dears, through thick and thin. If the + husband won't play fair, you can always bet your Uncle John will." + </p> + <p> + "Oh, we know, that," said Patsy, simply; and Beth added: + "Of course, Uncle, dear." + </p> + <p> + Thursday evening, the third and last of the series, was after all + the banner night of the great Kermess. All the world of society was + present and such wares as remained unsold in the booths were quickly + auctioned off by several fashionable gentlemen with a talent for + such brigandage. Then, the national dances and songs having been + given and received enthusiastically, a grand ball wound up the + occasion in the merriest possible way. + </p> + <p> + Charlie Mershone was much in evidence this evening, as he had been + before; but he took no active part in the proceedings and refrained + from dancing, his pet amusement. Diana observed that he made + frequent trips downstairs, perhaps to the hotel offices. No one paid + any attention to his movements, except his cousin, and Miss Von + Taer, watching him intently, decided that underneath his calm + exterior lurked a great deal of suppressed excitement. + </p> + <p> + At last the crowd began to disperse. Uncle John and the Major took + Beth and Patsy away early, as soon as their booth was closed; but + Louise stayed for a final waltz or two with Arthur. She soon found, + however, that the evening's work and excitement had tired her, and + asked to be taken home. + </p> + <p> + "I'll go and get the limousine around," said Arthur. + "That new chauffeur is a stupid fellow. By the time you've + managed in this jam to get your wraps I shall be ready. Come down in + the elevator and I'll meet you at the Thirty-second street entrance." + </p> + <p> + As he reached the street a man—an ordinary servant, to judge + from his appearance—ran into him full tilt, and when they + recoiled from the impact the fellow with a muttered curse raised his + fist and struck young Weldon a powerful blow. Reeling backward, a + natural anger seized Arthur, who was inclined to be hot-headed, and + he also struck out with his fists, never pausing to consider that + the more dignified act would be to call the police. + </p> + <p> + The little spurt of fistcuffs was brief, but it gave Mershone, who + stood in the shadow of the door-way near by, time to whisper to a + police officer, who promptly seized the disputants and held them + both in a firm grip. + </p> + <p> + "What's all this?" he demanded, sternly. + </p> + <p> + "That drunken loafer assaulted me without cause" gasped + Arthur, panting. + </p> + <p> + "It's a lie!" retorted the man, calmly; "he struck me + first." + </p> + <p> + "Well, I arrest you both," said the officer. + </p> + <p> + "Arrest!" cried Arthur, indignantly; "why, confound + it, man, I'm—" + </p> + <p> + "No talk!" was the stern command. "Come along and + keep quiet." + </p> + <p> + As if the whole affair had been premeditated and prearranged a + patrol wagon at that instant backed to the curb and in spite of + Arthur Weldon's loud protests he was thrust inside with his + assailant and at once driven away at a rapid gait. + </p> + <p> + At the same moment a brown limousine drew up quietly before the + entrance. + </p> + <p> + Louise, appearing in the doorway in her opera cloak, stood + hesitating on the steps, peering into the street for Arthur. A man + in livery approached her. + </p> + <p> + "This way, please, Miss Merrick," he said. "Mr. + Weldon begs you to be seated in the limousine. He will join you in a + moment." + </p> + <p> + With this he led the way to the car and held the door open, while + the girl, having no suspicion, entered and sank back wearily upon + the seat. Then the door abruptly slammed, and the man in livery + leaped to the seat beside the chauffeur and with a jerk the car + darted away. + </p> + <p> + So sudden and astounding was this <i>denouement</i> that Louise did + not even scream. Indeed, for the moment her wits were dazed. + </p> + <p> + And now Charlie Mershone stepped from his hiding place and with a + satirical smile entered the vestibule and looked at his watch. He + found he had time to show himself again at the Kermess, for a few + moments, before driving to the ferry to catch the train for East + Orange. + </p> + <p> + Some one touched him on the arm. + </p> + <p> + "Very pretty, sir, and quite cleverly done," remarked a + quiet voice. + </p> + <p> + Mershone started and glared at the speaker, a slender, unassuming + man in dark clothes. + </p> + <p> + "What do you mean, fellow?" + </p> + <p> + "I've been watching the comedy, sir, and I saw you were the + star actor, although you took care to keep hidden in the wings. That + bruiser who raised the row took his arrest very easily; I suppose + you've arranged to pay his fine, and he isn't worried. But the + gentleman surely was in hard luck pounded one minute and pinched the + next. You arranged it very cleverly, indeed." + </p> + <p> + Charlie was relieved that no mention was made of the abduction of + Louise. Had that incident escaped notice? He gave the man another + sharp look and turned away; but the gentle touch again restrained + him. + </p> + <p> + "Not yet, please, Mr. Mershone." + </p> + <p> + "Who are you?" asked the other, scowling. + </p> + <p> + "The house detective. It's my business to watch things. So I + noticed you talking to the police officer; I also noticed the patrol + wagon standing on the opposite side of the street for nearly an hour—my + report on that will amuse them at headquarters, won't it? And I + noticed you nod to the bruiser, just as your victim came out." + </p> + <p> + "Let go of my arm, sir!" + </p> + <p> + "Do you prefer handcuffs? I arrest you. We'll run over to the + station and explain things." + </p> + <p> + "Do you know who I am?" + </p> + <p> + "Perfectly, Mr. Mershone. I believe I ran you in for less than + this, some two years ago. You gave the name of Ryder, then. Better + take another, to-night." + </p> + <p> + "If you're the house detective, why do you mix up in this + affair?" enquired Mershone, his anxiety showing in his tone. + </p> + <p> + "Your victim was a guest of the house." + </p> + <p> + "Not at all. He was merely attending the Kermess." + </p> + <p> + "That makes him our guest, sir. Are you ready?" + </p> + <p> + Mershone glanced around and then lowered his voice. + </p> + <p> + "It's all a little joke, my dear fellow," said he, "and + you are liable to spoil everything with your bungling. Here," + drawing; a roll of bills from his pocket, "don't let us waste + any more time. I'm busy." + </p> + <p> + The man chuckled and waved aside the bribe. + </p> + <p> + "You certainly are, sir; you're <i>very</i> busy, just now! But + I think the sergeant over at the station will give you some leisure. + And listen, Mr. Mershone: I've got it in for that policeman you + fixed; he's a cheeky individual and a new man. I'm inclined to think + this night's work will cost him his position. And the patrol, which + I never can get when I want it, seems under your direct management. + These things have got to be explained, and I need your help. Ready, + sir?" + </p> + <p> + Mershone looked grave, but he was not wholly checkmated. Thank + heaven the bungling detective had missed the departure of Louise + altogether. Charlie's arrest at this critical juncture was most + unfortunate, but need not prove disastrous to his cleverly-laid + plot. He decided it would be best to go quietly with the "plain-clothes + man." + </p> + <p> + Weldon had become nearly frantic in his demands to be released when + Mershone was ushered into the station. He started at seeing his + enemy and began to fear a thousand terrible, indefinite things, + knowing how unscrupulous Mershone was. But the Waldorf detective, + who seemed friendly with the police sergeant, made a clear, brief + statement of the facts he had observed. Mershone denied the + accusation; the bruiser denied it; the policeman and the driver of + the patrol wagon likewise stolidly denied it. Indeed, they had quite + another story to tell. + </p> + <p> + But the sergeant acted on his own judgment. He locked up Mershone, + refusing bail. He suspended the policeman and the driver, pending + investigation. Then he released Arthur Weldon on his own + recognisance, the young man promising to call and testify when + required. + </p> + <p> + The house detective and Arthur started back to the Waldorf together. + </p> + <p> + "Did you notice a young lady come to the entrance, soon after I + was driven away?" he asked, anxiously. + </p> + <p> + "A lady in a rose-colored opera cloak, sir?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes! yes!" + </p> + <p> + "Why, she got into a brown limousine and rode away." + </p> + <p> + Arthur gave a sigh of relief. + </p> + <p> + "Thank goodness that chauffeur had a grain of sense," said + he. "I wouldn't have given him credit for it. Anyway, I'm glad + Miss Merrick is safe." + </p> + <p> + "Huh!" grunted the detective, stopping short. "I + begin to see this thing in its true light. How stupid we've been!" + </p> + <p> + "In what way?" enquired Arthur, uneasily. + </p> + <p> + "Why did Mershone get you arrested, just at that moment?" + </p> + <p> + "Because he hated me, I suppose." + </p> + <p> + "Tell me, could he have any object in spiriting away that young + lady—in abducting her?" asked the detective. + </p> + <p> + "Could he?" cried Arthur, terrified and trembling. "He + had every object known to villainy. Come to the hotel! Let's hurry, + man—let's fly!" + </p> + <hr style="width: 35%;" /> + <a name="chap12" id="chap12"></a> + <h2> + CHAPTER XII + </h2> + <br /> + <p> + FOGERTY + </p> + <br /> + <p> + At the Waldorf Arthur's own limousine was standing by the curb. The + street was nearly deserted. The last of the Kermess people had gone + home. + </p> + <p> + Weldon ran to his chauffeur. + </p> + <p> + "Did you take Miss Merrick home?" he eagerly enquired. + </p> + <p> + "Miss Merrick? Why, I haven't seen her, sir, I thought you'd + all forgotten me." + </p> + <p> + The young man's heart sank. Despair seized him. The detective was + carefully examining the car. + </p> + <p> + "They're pretty nearly mates, Mr. Weldon. as far as the brown + color and general appearances go," he said. "But I'm + almost positive the car that carried the young lady away was of + another make." + </p> + <p> + "What make was it?" + </p> + <p> + The man shook his head. + </p> + <p> + "Can't say, sir. I was mighty stupid, and that's a fact. But my + mind was so full of that assault and battery case, and the trickery + of that fellow Mershone, that I wasn't looking for anything else." + </p> + <p> + "Can you get away?" asked Arthur. "Can you help me on + this case?" + </p> + <p> + "No, sir; I must remain on duty at the hotel. But perhaps the + young lady is now safe at home, and we've been borrowing trouble. In + case she's been stolen, however, you'd better see Fogerty." + </p> + <p> + "Who's Fogerty?" + </p> + <p> + "Here's his card, sir. He's a private detective, and may be + busy just now, for all I know. But if you can get Fogerty you've got + the best man in all New York." + </p> + <p> + Arthur sprang into the seat beside his driver and hurried post-haste + to the Merrick residence. In a few minutes Mrs. Merrick was in + violent hysterics at the disappearance of her daughter. Arthur + stopped long enough to telephone for a doctor and then drove to the + Doyles. He routed up Uncle John and the Major, who appeared in + pajamas and bath-robes, and told them the startling news. + </p> + <p> + A council of war was straightway held. Uncle John trembled with + nervousness; Arthur was mentally stupefied; the Major alone was + calm. + </p> + <p> + "In the first place," said he, "what object could the + man have in carrying off Louise?" + </p> + <p> + Arthur hesitated. + </p> + <p> + "To prevent our marriage, I suppose," he answered. "Mershone + has an idea he loves Louise. He made wild love to her until she cut + his acquaintance." + </p> + <p> + "But it won't help him any to separate her from her friends, or + her promised husband," declared the Major. "Don't worry. + We're sure to find her, sooner or later." + </p> + <p> + "How? How shall we find her?" cried Uncle John. "Will + he murder her, or what?" + </p> + <p> + "Why, as for that, John, he's safe locked up in jail for the + present, and unable to murder anyone," retorted the Major. + "It's probable he meant to follow Louise, and induce her by + fair means or foul to marry him. But he's harmless enough for the + time being." + </p> + <p> + "It's not for long, though," said Arthur, fearfully. + "They're liable to let him out in the morning, for he has + powerful friends, scoundrel though he is. And when he is free—" + </p> + <p> + "Then he must be shadowed, of course," returned the Major, + nodding wisely. "If it's true the fellow loves Louise, then + he's no intention of hurting her. So make your minds easy. Wherever + the poor lass has been taken to, she's probably safe enough." + </p> + <p> + "But think of her terror—her suffering!" cried Uncle + John, wringing his chubby hands. "Poor child! It may be his + idea to compromise her, and break her heart!" + </p> + <p> + "We'll stop all that, John, never fear," promised the + Major. "The first thing to do is to find a good detective." + </p> + <p> + "Fogerty!" exclaimed Arthur, searching for the card. + </p> + <p> + "Who's Fogerty?" + </p> + <p> + "I don't know." + </p> + <p> + "Get the best man possible!" commanded Mr. Merrick. "Spare + no expense; hire a regiment of detectives, if necessary; I'll—" + </p> + <p> + "Of course you will," interrupted the Major, smiling. + "But we won't need a regiment. I'm pretty sure the game is in + our hands, from the very start." + </p> + <p> + "Fogerty is highly recommended," explained Arthur, and + related what the house detective of the Waldorf had said. + </p> + <p> + "Better go at once and hunt him up," suggested Uncle John. + "What time is it?" + </p> + <p> + "After two o'clock. But I'll go at once." "Do; and + let us hear from you whenever you've anything to tell us," said + the Major. + </p> + <p> + "Where's Patsy?" asked Arthur. + </p> + <p> + "Sound asleep. Mind ye, not a word of this to Patsy till she <i>has</i> + to be told. Remember that, John." + </p> + <p> + "Well, I'll go," said the young man, and hurried away. + </p> + <p> + Q. Fogerty lived on Eleventh street, according to his card. Arthur + drove down town, making good time. The chauffeur asked surlily if + this was to be "an all-night job," and Arthur savagely + replied that it might take a week. "Can't you see, Jones, that + I'm in great trouble?" he added. "But you shall be well + paid for your extra time." + </p> + <p> + "All right, sir. That's no more than just," said the man. + "It's none of my affair, you know, if a young lady gets stolen." + </p> + <p> + Arthur was wise enough to restrain his temper and the temptation to + kick Jones out of the limousine. Five minutes later they paused + before a block of ancient brick dwellings and found Fogerty's + number. A card over the bell bore his name, and Arthur lit a match + and read it. Then he rang impatiently. + </p> + <p> + Only silence. + </p> + <p> + Arthur rang a second time; waited, and rang again. A panic of fear + took possession of him. At this hour of night it would be well-nigh + impossible to hunt up another detective if Fogerty failed him. He + determined to persist as long as there was hope. Again he rang. + </p> + <p> + "Look above, sir," called Jones from his station in the + car. + </p> + <p> + Arthur stepped back on the stone landing and looked up. A round + spark, as from a cigarette, was visible at the open window. While he + gazed the spark glowered brighter and illumined a pale, haggard + boy's face, surmounted by tousled locks of brick colored hair. + </p> + <p> + "Hi, there!" said Arthur. "Does Mr. Fogerty live + here?" + </p> + <p> + "He pays the rent," answered a boyish voice, with a tinge + of irony. "What's wanted?" + </p> + <p> + "Mr. Fogerty is wanted. Is he at home?" + </p> + <p> + "He is," responded the boy. + </p> + <p> + "I must see him at once—on important business. Wake him + up, my lad; will you?" + </p> + <p> + "Wait a minute," said the youth, and left the window. + Presently he opened the front door, slipped gently out and closed + the door behind him. + </p> + <p> + "Let's sit in your car," he said, in soft, quiet tones. + "We can talk more freely there." + </p> + <p> + "But I must see Fogerty at once!" protested Arthur. + </p> + <p> + "I'm Fogerty." + </p> + <p> + "Q. Fogerty?" + </p> + <p> + "Quintus Fogerty—the first and last and only individual + of that name." + </p> + <p> + Arthur hesitated; he was terribly disappointed. + </p> + <p> + "Are you a detective?" he enquired. + </p> + <p> + "By profession." + </p> + <p> + "But you can't be very old." + </p> + <p> + The boy laughed. + </p> + <p> + "I'm no antiquity, sir," said he, "but I've shed the + knickerbockers long ago. Who sent you to me?" + </p> + <p> + "Why do you ask?" + </p> + <p> + "I'm tired. I've been busy twenty-three weeks. Just finished my + case yesterday and need a rest—a good long rest. But if you + want a man I'll refer you to a friend." + </p> + <p> + "Gorman, of the Waldorf, sent me to you—and said you'd + help me." + </p> + <p> + "Oh; that's different. Case urgent, sir?" + </p> + <p> + "Very. The young lady I'm engaged to marry was abducted less + than three hours ago." + </p> + <p> + Fogerty lighted another cigarette and the match showed Arthur that + the young face was deeply lined, while two cold gray eyes stared + blankly into his own. + </p> + <p> + "Let's sit in your limousine, sir," he repeated. + </p> + <p> + When they had taken their places behind the closed doors the boy + asked Arthur to tell him "all about it, and don't forget any + details, please." So Weldon hastily told the events of the + evening and gave a history of Mershone and his relations with Miss + Merrick. The story was not half told when Fogerty said: + </p> + <p> + "Tell your man to drive to the police station." + </p> + <p> + On the way Arthur resumed his rapid recital and strove to post the + young detective as well as he was able. Fogerty made no remarks, nor + did he ask a single question until Weldon had told him everything he + could think of. Then he made a few pointed enquiries and presently + they had arrived at the station. + </p> + <p> + The desk sergeant bowed with great respect to the youthful + detective. By the dim light Arthur was now able to examine Fogerty + for the first time. + </p> + <p> + He was small, slim and lean. His face attested to but eighteen or + nineteen years, in spite of its deep lines and serious expression. + Although his hair was tangled and unkempt Fogerty's clothing and + linen were neat and of good quality. He wore a Scotch cap and a + horseshoe pin in his cravat. + </p> + <p> + One might have imagined him to be an errand boy, a clerk, a + chauffeur, a salesman or a house man. You might have placed him in + almost any middle-class walk in life. Perhaps, thought Arthur, he + might even be a good detective! yet his personality scarcely + indicated it. + </p> + <p> + "Mershone in, Billy?" the detective asked the desk + sergeant. + </p> + <p> + "Room 24. Want him?" + </p> + <p> + "Not now. When is he likely to go?" + </p> + <p> + "When Parker relieves me. There's been a reg'lar mob here to + get Mershone off. I couldn't prevent his using the telephone; but + I'm a stubborn duck; eh, Quintus? And now the gentleman has gone to + bed, vowing vengeance." + </p> + <p> + "You're all right, Billy. We both know Mershone. Gentleman + scoundrel." + </p> + <p> + "Exactly. Swell society blackleg." + </p> + <p> + "What name's he docked under?" + </p> + <p> + "Smith." + </p> + <p> + "Will Parker let him off with a fine?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes, or without it. Parker comes on at six." + </p> + <p> + "Good. I'll take a nap on that bench. Got to keep the fellow in + sight, Billy." + </p> + <p> + "Go into my room. There's a cot there." + </p> + <p> + "Thanks, old man; I will. I'm dead tired." + </p> + <p> + Then Fogerty took Arthur aside. + </p> + <p> + "Go home and try to sleep," he advised. "Don't worry. + The young lady's safe enough till Mershone goes to her hiding place. + When he does, I'll be there, too, and I'll try to have you with me." + </p> + <p> + "Do you think you can arrange it alone, Mr. Fogerty?" + asked Arthur, doubtfully. The boy seemed so very young. + </p> + <p> + "Better than if I had a hundred to assist me. Why, this is an + easy job, Mr. Weldon. It 'll give me a fine chance to rest up." + </p> + <p> + "And you won't lose Mershone?" + </p> + <p> + "Never. He's mine." + </p> + <p> + "This is very important to me, sir," continued Arthur, + nervously. + </p> + <p> + "Yes; and to others. Most of all it's important to Fogerty. + Don't worry, sir." + </p> + <p> + The young man was forced to go away with this assurance. He returned + home, but not to sleep. He wondered vaguely if he had been wise to + lean upon so frail a reed as Fogerty seemed to be; and above all he + wondered where poor Louise was, and if terror and alarm were + breaking her heart. + </p> + <hr style="width: 35%;" /> + <a name="chap13" id="chap13"></a> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIII + </h2> + <br /> + <p> + DIANA REVOLTS + </p> + <br /> + <p> + Charlie Mershone had no difficulty in securing his release when + Parker came on duty at six o'clock. He called up a cab and went at + once to his rooms at the Bruxtelle; and Fogerty followed him. + </p> + <p> + While he discarded his dress-coat, took a bath and donned his + walking suit Mershone was in a brown study. Hours ago Louise had + been safely landed at the East Orange house and placed in the care + of old Madame Cerise, who would guard her like an ogre. There was no + immediate need of his hastening after her, and his arrest and the + discovery of half his plot had seriously disturbed him. This young + man was no novice in intrigue, nor even in crime. Arguing from his + own stand-point he realized that the friends of Louise were by this + time using every endeavor to locate her. They would not succeed in + this, he was positive. His plot had been so audacious and all clews + so cleverly destroyed or covered up that the most skillful + detective, knowing he had abducted the girl; would be completely + baffled in an attempt to find her. + </p> + <p> + The thought of detectives, in this connection, led him to decide + that he was likely to be shadowed. That was the most natural thing + for his opponents to do. They could not prove Mershone's complicity + in the disappearance of Louise Merrick, but they might easily + suspect him, after that little affair of Weldon's arrest. Therefore + if he went to the girl now he was likely to lead others to her. + Better be cautious and wait until he had thrown the sleuths off his + track. + </p> + <p> + Having considered this matter thoroughly, Mershone decided to remain + quiet. By eight o'clock he was breakfasting in the grill room, and + Fogerty occupied a table just behind him. + </p> + <p> + During the meal it occurred to Charlie to telephone to Madame Cerise + for assurance that Louise had arrived safely and without a scene to + attract the attention of strangers. Having finished breakfast he + walked into the telephone booth and was about to call his number + when a thought struck him. He glanced out of the glass door. In the + hotel lobby were many loungers. He saw a dozen pairs of eyes fixed + upon him idly or curiously; one pair might belong to the suspected + detective. If he used the telephone there would be a way of + discovering the number he had asked for. That would not do—not + at all! He concluded not to telephone, at present, and left the + booth. + </p> + <p> + His next act was to purchase a morning paper, and seating himself + carelessly in a chair he controlled the impulse to search for a + "scare head" on the abduction of Miss Merrick. If he came + across the item, very well; he would satisfy no critical eye that + might be scanning him by hunting for it with a show of eagerness. + The game was in his hands, he believed, and he intended to keep it + there. + </p> + <p> + Fogerty was annoyed by the man's evident caution. It would not be + easy to surprise Mershone in any self-incriminating action. But, + after all, reflected the boy, resting comfortably in the soft-padded + cushions of a big leather chair, all this really made the case the + more interesting. He was rather glad Mershone was in no hurry to + precipitate a climax. A long stern chase was never a bad chase. + </p> + <p> + By and bye another idea occurred to Charlie. He would call upon his + cousin Diana, and get her to telephone Madame Cerise for information + about Louise. It would do no harm to enlighten Diana as to what he + had done. She must suspect it already; and was she not a + co-conspirator? + </p> + <p> + But he could not wisely make this call until the afternoon. So + meantime he took a stroll into Broadway and walked leisurely up and + down that thoroughfare, pausing occasionally to make a trifling + purchase and turning abruptly again and again in the attempt to + discover who might be following him. No one liable to be a detective + of any sort could he discern; yet he was too shrewd to be lulled + into a false belief that his each and every act was unobserved. + </p> + <p> + Mershone returned to his hotel, went to his room, and slept until + after one o'clock, as he had secured but little rest the night + before in his primitive quarters at the police station. It was + nearly two when he reappeared in the hotel restaurant for luncheon, + and he took his seat and ate with excellent appetite. + </p> + <p> + During this meal Mr. Fogerty also took occasion to refresh himself, + eating modestly at a retired table in a corner. Mershone's sharp + eyes noted him. He remembered seeing this youth at breakfast, and + thoughtfully reflected that the boy's appearance was not such as + might be expected from the guest of a fashionable and high-priced + hotel. Silently he marked this individual as the possible detective. + He had two or three others in his mind, by this time; the boy was + merely added to the list of possibilities. + </p> + <p> + Mershone was a capital actor. After luncheon he sauntered about the + hotel, stared from the window for a time, looked at his watch once + or twice with an undecided air, and finally stepped to the porter + and asked him to call a cab. He started for Central Park; then + changed his mind and ordered the man to drive him to the Von Taer + residence, where on arrival Diana at once ordered him shown into her + private parlor. + </p> + <p> + The young man found his cousin stalking up and down in an extremely + nervous manner. She wrung her delicate fingers with a swift, + spasmodic motion. Her eyes, nearly closed, shot red rays through + their slits. + </p> + <p> + "What's wrong, Di?" demanded Mershone, considerably + surprised by this intense display of emotion on the part of his + usually self-suppressed and collected cousin. + </p> + <p> + "Wrong!" she echoed; "everything is wrong. You've + ruined yourself, Charlie; and you're going to draw me into this + dreadful crime, also, in spite of all I can do!" + </p> + <p> + "Bah! don't be a fool," he observed, calmly taking a + chair. + </p> + <p> + "Am <i>I</i> the fool?" she exclaimed, turning upon him + fiercely. "Did <i>I</i> calmly perpetrate a deed that was sure + to result in disgrace and defeat?" + </p> + <p> + "What on earth has happened to upset you?" he asked, + wonderingly. "It strikes me everything is progressing + beautifully." + </p> + <p> + "Does it, indeed?" was her sarcastic rejoinder. "Then + your information is better than mine. They called me up at three + o'clock this morning to enquire after Louise Merrick—as if <i>I</i> + should know her whereabouts. Why did they come to <i>me</i> for such + information? Why?" she stamped her foot for emphasis. + </p> + <p> + "I suppose," said Charlie Mershone, "they called up + everyone who knows the girl. It would be natural in case of her + disappearance." + </p> + <p> + "Come here!" cried Diana, seizing his arm and dragging him + to a window. "Be careful; try to look out without showing + yourself. Do you see that man on the corner?" + </p> + <p> + "Well?" + </p> + <p> + "He has been patrolling this house since day-break. He's a + detective!" + </p> + <p> + Charlie whistled. + </p> + <p> + "What makes you think so, Di? Why on earth should they suspect + you?" + </p> + <p> + "Why? Because my disreputable cousin planned the abduction, + without consulting me, and—" + </p> + <p> + "Oh, come, Di; that's a little too—" + </p> + <p> + "Because the girl has been carried to the Von Taer house—<i>my</i> + house—in East Orange; because my own servant is at this moment + her jailor, and—" + </p> + <p> + "How should they know all this?" interrupted Mershone, + impatiently. "And how do you happen to know it yourself, Diana?" + </p> + <p> + "Madame Cerise called me up at five o'clock, just after + Louise's uncle had been here for the second time, with a crew of + officers. Cerise is in an ugly mood. She said a young girl had been + brought to her a prisoner, and Mr. Mershone's orders were to keep + her safely until he came. She is greatly provoked at our using her + in this way, but promised to follow instructions if I accepted all + responsibility." + </p> + <p> + "What did you tell her?" + </p> + <p> + "That I knew nothing of the affair, but had put the house and + her services at your disposal. I said I would accept no + responsibility whatever for anything you might do." + </p> + <p> + Mershone looked grave, and scowled. + </p> + <p> + "The old hag won't betray us, will she?" he asked, + uneasily. + </p> + <p> + "She cannot betray me, for I have done nothing. Charlie," + she said, suddenly facing him, "I won't be mixed in this horrid + affair. You must carry out your infamous plan in your own way. I + know nothing, sir, of what you have done; I know nothing of what you + intend to do. Do you understand me?" + </p> + <p> + He smiled rather grimly. + </p> + <p> + "I hardly expected, my fair cousin, that you would be + frightened into retreat at this stage of the game, when the cards + are all in our hands. Do you suppose I decided to carry away Louise + without fully considering what I was doing, and the immediate + consequences of my act? And wherein have I failed? All has gone + beautifully up to this minute. Diana, your fears are absolutely + foolish, and against your personal interests. All that I am doing + for myself benefits you doubly. Just consider, if you will, what has + been accomplished for our mutual benefit: The girl has disappeared + under suspicious circumstances; before she again rejoins her family + and friends she will either be my wife or Arthur Weldon will prefer + not to marry her. That leaves him open to appreciate the charms of + Diana Von Taer, does it not? Already, my dear cousin, your wishes + are accomplished. My own task, I admit, is a harder one, because it + is more delicate." + </p> + <p> + The cold-blooded brutality of this argument caused even Diana to + shudder. She looked at the young man half fearfully as she asked: + </p> + <p> + "What is your task?" + </p> + <p> + "Why, first to quiet Louise's fears; then to turn her by + specious arguments—lies, if you will —against Weldon; + next to induce her to give me her hand in honest wedlock. I shall + tell her of my love, which is sincere; I shall argue—threaten, + if necessary; use every reasonable means to gain her consent." + </p> + <p> + "You'll never succeed!" cried Diana, with conviction. + </p> + <p> + "Then I'll try other tactics," said he blandly. + </p> + <p> + "If you do, you monster, I'll expose you," warned the + girl. + </p> + <p> + "Having dissolved partnership, you won't be taken into my + confidence, my fair cousin. You have promised to know nothing of my + acts, and I'll see you don't." Then he sprang from his chair + and came to her with a hard, determined look upon his face. "Look + here, Di; I've gone too far in this game to back out now, I'm going + to carry it through if it costs me my life and liberty—and + yours into the bargain! I love Louise Merrick! I love her so well + that without her the world and its mockeries can go to the devil! + There's nothing worth living for but Louise—Louise. She's + going to be my wife, Diana—by fair means or foul I swear to + make her my wife." + </p> + <p> + He had worked himself up to a pitch of excitement surpassing that of + Diana. Now he passed his hand over his forehead, collected himself + with a slight shudder, and resumed his seat. + </p> + <p> + Diana was astonished. His fierce mood served to subdue her own. + Regarding him curiously for a time she finally asked: + </p> + <p> + "You speak as if you were to be allowed to have your own way—as + if all society was not arrayed against you. Have you counted the + cost of your action? Have you considered the consequences of this + crime?" + </p> + <p> + "I have committed no crime," he said stubbornly. "All's + fair in love and war." + </p> + <p> + "The courts will refuse to consider that argument, I imagine," + she retorted. "Moreover, the friends of this kidnaped girl are + powerful and active. They will show you no mercy if you are + discovered." + </p> + <p> + "If I fail," answered Mershone, slowly, "I do not + care a continental what they do to me, for my life will be a blank + without Louise. But I really see no reason to despair, despite your + womanish croakings. All seems to be going nicely and just as I had + anticipated." + </p> + <p> + "I am glad that you are satisfied," Diana returned, with + scornful emphasis. "But understand me, sir; this is none of my + affair in any way— except that I shall surely expose you if a + hair of the girl's head is injured. You must not come here again. I + shall refuse to see you. You ought not to have come to-day." + </p> + <p> + "Is there anything suspicious in my calling upon my cousin—as + usual?" + </p> + <p> + "Under such circumstances, yes. You have not been received at + this house of late years, and my father still despises you. There is + another danger you have brought upon me. My father seemed suspicious + this morning, and asked me quite pointedly what I knew of this + strange affair." + </p> + <p> + "But of course you lied to him. All right, Diana; perhaps there + is nothing to be gained from your alliance, and I'll let you out of + the deal from this moment. The battle's mine, after all, and I'll + fight it alone. But—I need more money. You ought to be willing + to pay, for so far the developments are all in your favor." + </p> + <p> + She brought a handful of notes from her desk. + </p> + <p> + "This ends our partnership, Charlie," she said. + </p> + <p> + "Very well. A woman makes a poor conspirator, but is invaluable + as a banker." + </p> + <p> + "There will be no more money. This ends everything between us." + </p> + <p> + "I thought you were game, Di. But you're as weak as the + ordinary feminine creation." + </p> + <p> + She did not answer, but stood motionless, a defiant expression upon + her face. He laughed a little, bowed mockingly, and went away. + </p> + <hr style="width: 35%;" /> + <a name="chap14" id="chap14"></a> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIV + </h2> + <br /> + <p> + A COOL ENCOUNTER + </p> + <p> + On leaving the house Mershone buttoned his overcoat tightly up to + his chin, for the weather was cold and raw, and then shot a quick + glance around him. Diana's suspect was still lounging on the corner. + Charlie had little doubt he was watching the house and the movements + of its in-mates —a bad sign, he reflected, with a frown. + Otherwise the street seemed deserted. + </p> + <p> + He had dismissed the cab on his arrival, so now he stepped out and + walked briskly around the corner, swinging his cane jauntily and + looking very unlike a fugitive. In the next block he passed a youth + who stood earnestly examining the conventional display in a + druggist's window. + </p> + <p> + Mershone, observing this individual, gave a start, but did not alter + his pace. It was the same pale, red-haired boy he had noticed twice + before at the hotel. In his alert, calculating mind there was no + coincidence in this meeting. Before he had taken six more steps + Mershone realized the exact situation. + </p> + <p> + At the next crossing he stopped and waited patiently for a car. Up + the street he still saw the youth profoundly interested in drugs—a + class of merchandise that seldom calls for such close inspection. + The car arrived and carried Mershone away. It also left the + red-haired youth at his post before the window. Yet on arriving at + the Bruxtelle some twenty minutes later Charlie found this same + queer personage occupying a hotel chair in the lobby and apparently + reading a newspaper with serious attention. + </p> + <p> + He hesitated a moment, then quietly walked over to a vacant chair + beside the red-haired one and sat down. The youth turned the paper, + glanced casually at his neighbor, and continued reading. + </p> + <p> + "A detective, I believe," said Mershone, in a low, matter + of fact tone. + </p> + <p> + "Who? me?" asked Fogerty, lowering the paper. + </p> + <p> + "Yes. Your age deceived me for a time. I imagined you were a + newsboy or a sporting kid from the country; but now I observe you + are older than you appear. All sorts of people seem to drift into + the detective business. I suppose your present occupation is + shadowing me." + </p> + <p> + Fogerty smiled. The smile was genuine. + </p> + <p> + "I might even be a lawyer, sir," he replied, "and in + that case I should undertake to cross-examine you, and ask your + reasons for so queer a charge." + </p> + <p> + "Or you might be a transient guest at this hotel," the + other returned, in the same bantering tone, "for I saw you at + breakfast and luncheon. Pretty fair <i>chef</i> here, isn't he? But + you didn't stick to that part, you know. You followed me up-town, + where I made a call on a relative, and you studied the colored + globes in a druggist's window when I went away. I wonder why people + employ inexperienced boys in such important matters. In your case, + my lad, it was easy enough to detect the detective. You even took + the foolish chance of heading me off, and returned to this hotel + before I did. Now, then, is my charge unfounded?" + </p> + <p> + "Why should you be under the surveillance of a detective?" + asked Fogerty, slowly. + </p> + <p> + "Really, my boy, I cannot say. There was an unpleasant little + affair last night at the Waldorf, in which I was not personally + concerned, but suffered, nevertheless. An officious deputy caused my + arrest and I spent an unpleasant night in jail. There being nothing + in the way of evidence against me I was released this morning, and + now I find a detective shadowing me. What can it all mean, I wonder? + These stupid blunders are very annoying to the plain citizen, who, + however innocent, feels himself the victim of a conspiracy." + </p> + <p> + "I understand you, sir," said Fogerty, drily. + </p> + <p> + For some moments Mershone now remained silent. Then he asked; "What + are your instructions concerning me?" + </p> + <p> + To his surprise the boy made a simple, frank admission. + </p> + <p> + "I'm to see you don't get into more mischief, sir." + </p> + <p> + "And how long is this nonsense to continue?" demanded + Mershone, showing a touch of anger for the first time. + </p> + <p> + "Depends on yourself, Mr. Mershone; I'm no judge, myself. I'm + so young—and inexperienced." + </p> + <p> + "Who is your employer?" + </p> + <p> + "Oh, I'm just sent out by an agency." + </p> + <p> + "Is it a big paying proposition?" asked Charlie, eyeing + the diffident youth beside him critically, as if to judge his true + caliber. + </p> + <p> + "Not very big. You see, if I'd been a better detective you'd + never have spotted me so quickly." + </p> + <p> + "I suppose money counts with you, though, as it does with + everyone else in the world?" + </p> + <p> + "Of course, sir. Every business is undertaken to make money." + </p> + <p> + Mershone drew his chair a little nearer. + </p> + <p> + "I need a clever detective myself," he announced, + confidentially. "I'm anxious to discover what enemy is + persecuting me in this way. Would it—er—be impossible + for me to employ <i>you</i> to—er—look after my + interests?" + </p> + <p> + Fogerty was very serious. + </p> + <p> + "You see, sir," he responded, "if I quit this job + they may not give me another. In order to be a successful detective + one must keep in the good graces of the agencies." + </p> + <p> + "That's easy enough," asserted Mershone. "You may + pretend to keep this job, but go home and take life easy. I'll send + you a daily statement of what I've been doing, and you can fix up a + report to your superior from that. In addition to this you can put + in a few hours each day trying to find out who is annoying me in + this rascally manner, and for this service I'll pay you five times + the agency price. How does that proposition strike you, Mr.—" + </p> + <p> + "Riordan. Me name's Riordan," said Fogerty, with a smile. + "No, Mr. Mershone," shaking his head gravely, "I + can't see my way to favor you. It's an easy job now, and I'm afraid + to take chances with a harder one." + </p> + <p> + Something in the tone nettled Mershone. + </p> + <p> + "But the pay," he suggested. + </p> + <p> + "Oh, the pay. If I'm a detective fifty years, I'll make an easy + two thousand a year. That's a round hundred thousand. Can you pay me + that much to risk my future career as a detective?" + </p> + <p> + Mershone bit his lip. This fellow was not so simple, after all, + boyish as he seemed. And, worse than all, he had a suspicion the + youngster was baiting him, and secretly laughing at his offers of + bribery. + </p> + <p> + "They will take you off the job, now that I have discovered + your identity," he asserted, with malicious satisfaction. + </p> + <p> + "Oh, no," answered Fogerty; "they won't do that. This + little interview merely simplifies matters. You see, sir, I'm an + expert at disguises. That's my one great talent, as many will + testify. But you will notice that in undertaking this job I resorted + to no disguise at all. You see me as nature made me—and 't was + a poor job, I'm thinking." + </p> + <p> + "Why were you so careless?" + </p> + <p> + "It wasn't carelessness; it was premeditated. There's not the + slightest objection to your knowing me. My only business is to keep + you in sight, and I can do that exactly as well as Riordan as I + could by disguising myself." + </p> + <p> + Mershone had it on his tongue's end to ask what they expected to + discover by shadowing him, but decided it was as well not to open an + avenue for the discussion of Miss Merrick's disappearance. So, + finding he could not bribe the youthful detective or use him in any + way to his advantage, he closed the interview by rising. + </p> + <p> + "I'm going to my room to write some letters," said he, + with a yawn. "Would you like to read them before they are + mailed?" + </p> + <p> + Again Fogerty laughed in his cheerful, boyish way. + </p> + <p> + "You'd make a fine detective yourself, Mr. Mershone," he + declared, "and I advise you to consider the occupation. I've a + notion it's safer, and better pay, than your present line." + </p> + <p> + Charlie scowled at the insinuation, but walked away without reply. + Fogerty eyed his retreating figure a moment, gave a slight shrug and + resumed his newspaper. + </p> + <p> + Day followed day without further event, and gradually Mershone came + to feel himself trapped. Wherever he might go he found Fogerty on + duty, unobtrusive, silent and watchful. It was very evident that he + was waiting for the young man to lead him to the secret hiding place + of Louise Merrick. + </p> + <p> + In one way this constant surveillance was a distinct comfort to + Charlie Mershone, for it assured him that the retreat of Louise was + still undiscovered. But he must find some way to get rid of his + "shadow," in order that he might proceed to carry out his + plans concerning the girl. During his enforced leisure he invented a + dozen apparently clever schemes, only to abandon them again as + unpractical. + </p> + <p> + One afternoon, while on a stroll, he chanced to meet the bruiser who + had attacked Arthur Weldon at the Waldorf, and been liberally paid + by Mershone for his excellent work. He stopped the man, and glancing + hastily around found that Fogerty was a block in the rear. + </p> + <p> + "Listen," he said; "I want your assistance, and if + you're quick and sure there is a pot of money, waiting for you." + </p> + <p> + "I need it, Mr. Mershone," replied the man, grinning. + </p> + <p> + "There's a detective following me; he's down the street there—a + mere boy--just in front of that tobacco store. See him?" + </p> + <p> + "Sure I see him. It's Fogerty." + </p> + <p> + "His name is Riordan." + </p> + <p> + "No; it's Fogerty. He's no boy, sir, but the slickest 'tec' in + the city, an' that's goin' some, I can tell you." + </p> + <p> + "Well, you must get him, whoever he is. Drag him away and hold + him for three hours—two— one. Give me a chance to slip + him; that's all. Can you do it? I'll pay you a hundred for the job." + </p> + <p> + "It's worth two hundred, Mr. Mershone. It isn't safe to fool + with Fogerty." + </p> + <p> + "I'll make it two hundred." + </p> + <p> + "Then rest easy," said the man. "I know the guy, and + how to handle him. You just watch him like he's watching you, Mr. + Mershone, and if anything happens you skip as lively as a flea. I + can use that two hundred in my business." + </p> + <p> + Then the fellow passed on, and Fogerty was still so far distant up + the street that neither of them could see the amused smile upon his + thin face. + </p> + <hr style="width: 35%;" /> + <a name="chap15" id="chap15"></a> + <h2> + CHAPTER XV + </h2> + <br /> + <p> + A BEWILDERING EXPERIENCE + </p> + <p> + When Louise Merrick entered the brown limousine, which she naturally + supposed to belong to Arthur Weldon, she had not the faintest + suspicion of any evil in her mind. Indeed, the girl was very happy + this especial evening, although tired with her duties at the + Kermess. A climax in her young life had arrived, and she greeted it + joyously, believing she loved Arthur well enough to become his wife. + </p> + <p> + Now that the engagement had been announced to their immediate circle + of friends she felt as proud and elated as any young girl has a + right to be under the circumstances. + </p> + <p> + Added to this pleasant event was the social triumph she and her + cousins had enjoyed at the Kermess, where Louise especially had met + with rare favor. The fashionable world had united in being most kind + and considerate to the dainty, attractive young <i>debutante</i>, + and only Diana had seemed to slight her. This was not surprising in + view of the fact that Diana evidently wanted Arthur for herself, and + there was some satisfaction in winning a lover who was elsewhere in + prime demand. In addition to all this the little dance that + concluded the evening's entertainment had been quite delightful, and + all things conspired to put Louise in a very contented frame of + mind. + </p> + <p> + Still fluttering with the innocent excitements of the hour the girl + went to join Arthur without a fear of impending misfortune. She did + not think of Charlie Mershone at all. He had been annoying and + impertinent, and she had rebuked him and sent him away, cutting him + out of her life altogether. Perhaps she ought to have remembered + that she had mildly flirted with Diana's cousin and given him + opportunity for the impassioned speeches she resented; but Louise + had a girlish idea that there was no harm in flirting, considering + it a feminine license. She saw young Mershone at the Kermess that + evening paying indifferent attentions to other women and ignoring + her, and was sincerely glad to have done with him for good and all. + </p> + <p> + She obeyed readily the man who asked her to be seated in the + limousine. Arthur would be with her in a minute, he said. When the + door closed and the car started she had an impulse to cry out but + next moment controlled it and imagined they were to pick up Mr. + Weldon on some corner. + </p> + <p> + On and on they rolled, and still no evidence of the owner of the + limousine. What could it mean, Louise began to wonder. Had something + happened to Arthur, so that he had been forced to send her home + alone? As the disquieting thought came she tried to speak with the + chauffeur, but could not find the tube. The car was whirling along + rapidly; the night seemed very dark, only a few lights twinkled here + and there outside. + </p> + <p> + Suddenly the speed slackened. There was a momentary pause, and then + the machine slowly rolled upon a wooden platform. A bell clanged, + there was a whistle and the sound of revolving water-wheels. Louise + decided they must be upon a ferry-boat, and became alarmed for the + first time. + </p> + <p> + The man in livery now opened the door, as if to reassure her. + </p> + <p> + "Where are we? Where is Mr. Weldon?" enquired the girl, + almost hysterically. + </p> + <p> + "He is on the boat, miss, and will be with you shortly now," + replied the man, very respectfully. "Mr. Weldon is very sorry + to have annoyed you, Miss Merrick, but says he will soon explain + everything, so that you will understand why he left you." + </p> + <p> + With this he quietly closed the door again, although Louise was + eager to ask a dozen more questions. Prominent was the query why + they should be on a ferry-boat instead of going directly home. She + knew the hour must be late. + </p> + <p> + But while these questions were revolving in her mind she still + suspected no plot against her liberty. She must perforce wait for + Arthur to explain his queer conduct; so she sat quietly enough in + her place awaiting his coming, while the ferry puffed steadily + across the river to the Jersey shore. + </p> + <p> + The stopping of the boat aroused Louise from her reflections. Arthur + not here yet? Voices were calling outside; vehicles were noisily + leaving their positions on the boat to clatter across the platforms. + But there was no sign of Arthur. + </p> + <p> + Again Louise tried to find the speaking tube. Then she made an + endeavor to open the door, although just then the car started with a + jerk that flung her back against the cushions. + </p> + <p> + The knowledge that she had been grossly deceived by her conductor at + last had the effect of arousing the girl to a sense of her danger. + Something must be wrong. Something <i>was</i> decidedly wrong, and + fear crept into her heart. She pounded on the glass windows with all + her strength, and shouted as loudly as she could, but all to no + avail. + </p> + <p> + Swiftly the limousine whirled over the dusky road and either her + voice could not be heard through the glass cage in which she was + confined or there was no one near who was willing to hear or to + rescue her. + </p> + <p> + She now realized how wrong she had been to sit idly during the trip + across the ferry, where a score of passengers would gladly have + assisted her. How cunning her captors had been to lull her fears + during that critical period! Now, alas, it was too late to cry out, + and she had no idea where she was being taken or the reason of her + going. + </p> + <p> + Presently it occurred to her that this was not Arthur's limousine at + all. There was no speaking tube for one thing. She leaned forward + and felt for the leathern pocket in which she kept a veil and her + street gloves. No pocket of any sort was to be found. + </p> + <p> + An unreasoning terror now possessed her. She knew not what to fear, + yet feared everything. She made another attempt to cry aloud for + help and then fell back unconscious on the cushions. + </p> + <p> + How long she lay in the faint she did not know. When she recovered + the limousine was still rattling forward at a brisk gait but bumping + over ruts in a manner that indicated a country road. + </p> + <p> + Through the curtains she could see little but the black night, + although there was a glow ahead cast by the searchlights of the car. + Louise was weak and unnerved. She had no energy to find a way to + combat her fate, if such a way were possible. A dim thought of + smashing a window and hurling herself through it gave her only a + shudder of repulsion. She lacked strength for such a desperate + attempt. + </p> + <p> + On, on, on. Would the dreary journey never end? How long must she + sit and suffer before she could know her fate, or at least find some + explanation of the dreadful mystery of this wild midnight ride? + </p> + <p> + At last, when she had settled down to dull despair, the car came to + a paved road and began to move more slowly. It even stopped once or + twice, as if the driver was not sure of his way. But they kept + moving, nevertheless, and before long entered a driveway. There was + another stop now, and a long wait. + </p> + <p> + Louise lay dismally back upon the cushions, sobbing hysterically + into her dripping handkerchief. The door of her prison at last + opened and a light shone in upon her. + </p> + <p> + "Here we are, miss," said the man in uniform, still in + quiet, respectful tones. "Shall I assist you to alight?" + </p> + <p> + She started up eagerly, her courage returning with a bound. Stepping + unassisted to the ground she looked around her in bewilderment. + </p> + <p> + The car stood before the entrance to a modest country house. There + was a light in the hall and another upon the broad porch. Around the + house a mass of trees and shrubbery loomed dark and forbidding. + </p> + <p> + "Where am I?" demanded Louise, drawing back haughtily as + the man extended a hand toward her. + </p> + <p> + "At your destination, miss," was the answer. "Will + you please enter?" + </p> + <p> + "No! Not until I have an explanation of this—this—singular, + high-handed proceeding," she replied, firmly. + </p> + <p> + Then she glanced at the house. The hall door had opened and a woman + stood peering anxiously at the scene outside. + </p> + <p> + With sudden resolve Louise sprang up the steps and approached her. + Any woman, she felt, in this emergency, was a welcome refuge. + </p> + <p> + "Who are you?" she asked eagerly, "and why have I + been brought here?" + </p> + <p> + "<i>Mademoiselle</i> will come inside, please," said the + woman, with a foreign accent. "It is cold in the night air, <i>N'est-ce-pas</i>?" + </p> + <p> + She turned to lead the way inside. While Louise hesitated to follow + the limousine started with a roar from its cylinders and disappeared + down the driveway, the two men going with it. The absence of the + lamps rendered the darkness around the solitary house rather + uncanny. An intense stillness prevailed except for the diminishing + rattle of the receding motor car. In the hall was a light and a + woman. + </p> + <p> + Louise went in. + </p> + <hr style="width: 35%;" /> + <a name="chap16" id="chap16"></a> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVI + </h2> + <p> + MADAME CERISE, CUSTODIAN + </p> + <br /> + <p> + The woman closed the hall door and locked it. Then she led the way + to a long, dim drawing-room in which a grate fire was smouldering. A + stand lamp of antique pattern but dimly illuminated the place, which + seemed well furnished in an old fashioned way. + </p> + <p> + "Will not you remove your wraps, Mees—Mees—I do not + know ma'm'selle's name." + </p> + <p> + "What is your own name?" asked Louise, coming closer to + gaze earnestly into the other's face. + </p> + <p> + "I am called Madame Cerise, if it please you." + </p> + <p> + Her voice, while softened to an extent by the French accent, was + nevertheless harsh and emotionless. She spoke as an automaton, + slowly, and pausing to choose her words. The woman was of medium + size, slim and straight in spite of many years. Her skin resembled + brown parchment; her eyes were small, black and beady; her nose + somewhat fleshy and her lips red and full as those of a young girl. + The age of Madame Cerise might be anywhere between fifty and + seventy; assuredly she had long been a stranger to youth, although + her dark hair was but slightly streaked with gray. She wore a + somber-hued gown and a maid's jaunty apron and cap. + </p> + <p> + Louise inspected her closely, longing to find a friend and protector + in this curious and strange woman. Her eyes were moist and pleading—an + appeal hard to resist. But Madame Cerise returned her scrutiny with + a wholly impassive expression. + </p> + <p> + "You are a French maid?" asked Louise, softly. + </p> + <p> + "A housekeeper, ma'm'selle. For a time, a caretaker." + </p> + <p> + "Ah, I understand. Are your employers asleep?" + </p> + <p> + "I cannot say, ma'm'seile. They are not here." + </p> + <p> + "You are alone in this house?" + </p> + <p> + "Alone with you, ma'm'seile." + </p> + <p> + Louise had a sudden access of alarm. + </p> + <p> + "And why am I here?" she cried, wringing her hands + pitifully. + </p> + <p> + "Ah, who can tell that?" returned the woman, composedly. + "Not Cerise, indeed. Cerise is told nothing—except what + is required of her. I but obey my orders." + </p> + <p> + Louise turned quickly, at this. + </p> + <p> + "What are your orders, then?" she asked. + </p> + <p> + "To attend ma'm'selle with my best skill, to give her every + comfort and care, to—" + </p> + <p> + "Yes—yes!" + </p> + <p> + "To keep her safely until she is called for. That is all." + </p> + <p> + The girl drew a long breath. + </p> + <p> + "Who will call for me, then?" + </p> + <p> + "I am not inform, ma'm'selle." + </p> + <p> + "And I am a prisoner in this house?" + </p> + <p> + "Ma'm'selle may call it so, if it please her. But reflect; + there is no place else to go. It is bleak weather, the winter soon + comes. And here I can make you the comforts you need." + </p> + <p> + Louise pondered this speech, which did not deceive her. While still + perplexed as to her abduction, with no comprehension why she should + have been seized in such a summary manner and spirited to this + lonely, out-of-the-way place, she realized she was in no immediate + danger. Her weariness returned tenfold, and she staggered and caught + the back of a chair for support. + </p> + <p> + The old woman observed this. + </p> + <p> + "Ma'm'selle is tired," said she. "See; it is past + four by the clock, and you must be much fatigue by the ride and the + nervous strain." + </p> + <p> + "I—I'm completely exhausted," murmured Louise, + drooping her head wearily. The next moment she ran and placed her + hands on Madame Cerise's shoulders, peering into the round, beady + eyes with tender pleading as she continued: "I don't know why I + have been stolen away from my home and friends; I don't know why + this dreadful thing has happened to me; I only know that I am worn + out and need rest. Will you take care of me, Madame Cerise? Will you + watch over me while I sleep and guard me from all harm? I—I + haven't any mother to lean on now, you know; I haven't any friend at + all—but <i>you!</i>" + </p> + <p> + The grim features never relaxed a muscle; but a softer look came + into the dark eyes and the woman's voice took on a faint tinge of + compassion as she answered: + </p> + <p> + "Nothing can harm ma'm'selle. Have no fear, <i>ma chere</i>. I + will take care of you; I will watch. <i>Allons</i>! it is my duty; + it is also my pleasure." + </p> + <p> + "Are there no—no men in the house—none at all?" + enquired the girl, peering into the surrounding gloom nervously. + </p> + <p> + "There is no person at all in the house, but you and I." + </p> + <p> + "And you will admit no one?" + </p> + <p> + The woman hesitated. + </p> + <p> + "Not to your apartment," she said firmly. "I promise + it." + </p> + <p> + Louise gave a long, fluttering sigh. Somehow, she felt that she + could rely upon this promise. + </p> + <p> + "Then, if you please, Madame Cerise, I'd like to go to bed," + she said. + </p> + <p> + The woman took the lamp and led the way upstairs, entering a large, + airy chamber in which a fire burned brightly in the grate. The + furniture here was dainty and feminine. In an alcove stood a snowy + bed, the covers invitingly turned down. + </p> + <p> + Madame Cerise set the lamp upon a table and without a word turned to + assist Louise. The beautiful Kermess costume, elaborately + embroidered with roses, which the girl still wore, evidently won the + Frenchwoman's approval. She unhooked and removed it carefully and + hung it in a closet. Very dextrous were her motions as she took down + the girl's pretty hair and braided it for the night. A dainty <i>robe + de nuit</i> was provided. + </p> + <p> + "It is my own," she said simply. "Ma'm'selle is not + prepared." + </p> + <p> + "But there must be young ladies in your family," remarked + Louise, thoughtfully, for in spite of the stupor she felt from want + of sleep the novelty of her position kept her alert in a way. It is + true she was too tired and bewildered to think clearly, but slight + details were impressing themselves upon her dimly. "This room, + for instance—" + </p> + <p> + "Of course, <i>ma chere</i>, a young lady has lived here. She + has left some odd pieces of wardrobe behind her, at times, in going + away. When you waken we will try to find a house-dress to replace + your evening-gown. Will ma'm'selle indulge in the bath before + retiring?" + </p> + <p> + "Not to-night, Madame Cerise. I'm too tired for anything but—sleep!" + </p> + <p> + Indeed, she had no sooner crawled into the enticing bed than she + sank into unconscious forgetfulness. This was to an extent + fortunate. Louise possessed one of those dispositions cheery and + equable under ordinary circumstances, but easily crushed into apathy + by any sudden adversity. She would not suffer so much as a more + excitable and nervous girl might do under similar circumstances. + </p> + <p> + Her sleep, following the severe strain of the night's adventure, did + little to refresh her. She awoke in broad daylight to hear a cold + wind whistling shrilly outside and raindrops beating against the + panes. + </p> + <p> + Madame Cerise had not slept much during the night. For an hour after + Louise retired she sat in her room in deep thought. Then she went to + the telephone and notwithstanding the late hour called up Diana, who + had a branch telephone on a table at her bedside. + </p> + <p> + Miss Von Taer was not asleep. She had had an exciting night herself. + She answered the old caretaker readily and it did not surprise her + to learn that the missing girl had been taken to the East Orange + house by the orders of Charlie Mershone. She enquired how Louise had + accepted the situation forced upon her, and was shocked and rendered + uncomfortable by the too plainly worded protest of the old + Frenchwoman. Madame Cerise did not hesitate to denounce the + abduction as a heartless crime, and in her communication with Diana + swore she would protect the innocent girl from harm at the hands of + Mershone or anyone else. + </p> + <p> + "I have ever to your family been loyal and true, Ma'm'selle + Diana," said she, "but I will not become the instrument of + an abominable crime at your command or that of your wicked cousin. I + will keep the girl here in safety, if it is your wish; but she will + be safe, indeed, as long as Cerise guards her." + </p> + <p> + "That's right, Madame," stammered Diana, hardly knowing at + the moment what to say. "Be discreet and silent until you hear + from me again; guard the girl carefully and see that she is not too + unhappy; but for heaven's sake keep Charlie's secret until he sees + fit to restore Miss Merrick to her friends. No crime is + contemplated; I would not allow such a thing, as you know. Yet it is + none of my affair whatever. My cousin has compromised me by taking + the girl to my house, and no knowledge of the abduction must get + abroad if we can help it. Do you understand me?" + </p> + <p> + "No," was the reply. "The safest way for us all is to + send Miss Merrick away." + </p> + <p> + "That will be done as soon as possible." + </p> + <p> + With this the old Frenchwoman was forced to be content, and she did + not suspect that her report had made Miss Von Taer nearly frantic + with fear—not for Louise but for her own precious reputation. + Accustomed to obey the family she had served for so many years, + Madame Cerise hesitated to follow her natural impulse to set the + poor young lady free and assist her to return to her friends. So she + compromised with her conscience—a thing she was not credited + with possessing—by resolving to make the imprisonment of the + "<i>pauvre fille</i>" as happy as possible. + </p> + <p> + Scarcely had Louise opened her eyes the following morning when the + old woman entered her chamber, unlocking the door from the outside + to secure admission. + </p> + <p> + She first rebuilt the fire, and when it was crackling cheerfully she + prepared a bath and brought an armful of clothing which she laid out + for inspection over the back of a sofa. She produced lingerie, too, + and Louise lay cuddled up in the bedclothes and watched her keeper + thoughtfully until the atmosphere of the room was sufficiently + warmed. + </p> + <p> + "I'll get up, now," she said, quietly. + </p> + <p> + Madame Cerise was assuredly a skilled lady's maid. She bathed the + girl, wrapped her in an ample kimono and then seated her before the + dresser and arranged her <i>coiffure</i> with dextrous skill. + </p> + <p> + During this time Louise talked. She had decided her only chance of + escape lay in conciliating this stern-faced woman, and she began by + relating her entire history, including her love affair with Arthur + Weldon, Diana Von Taer's attempt to rob her of her lover, and the + part that Charlie Mershone had taken in the affair. + </p> + <p> + Madame Cerise listened, but said nothing. + </p> + <p> + "And now," continued the girl, "tell me who you think + could be so wicked and cruel as to carry me away from my home and + friends? I cannot decide myself. You have more experience and more + shrewdness, can't you tell me, Madame Cerise?" + </p> + <p> + The woman muttered inaudibly. + </p> + <p> + "Mr. Mershone might be an enemy, because I laughed at his + love-making," continued Louise, musingly. "Would a man who + loved a girl try to injure her? But perhaps his love has turned to + hate. Anyhow, I can think of no one else who would do such a thing, + or of any reason why Charlie Mershone should do it." + </p> + <p> + Madame Cerise merely grunted. She was brushing the soft hair with + gentle care. + </p> + <p> + "What could a man gain by stealing a girl? If it was Mr. + Mershone, does he imagine I could ever forget Arthur? Or cease to + love him? Or that Arthur would forget me while I am away? Perhaps + it's Diana, and she wants to get rid of me so she can coax Arthur + back to her side. But that's nonsense; isn't it, Madame Cerise? No + girl—not even Diana Von Taer—would dare to act in such a + high-handed manner toward her rival. Did you ever hear of Miss Von + Taer? She's quite a society belle. Have you ever seen her, Madame + Cerise?" + </p> + <p> + The woman vouchsafed no reply to this direct enquiry, but busied + herself dressing the girl's hair. Louise casually turned over the + silver-mounted hand mirror she was holding and gave a sudden start. + A monogram was engraved upon the metal: "D.v.T." She gazed + at the mark fixedly and then picked up a brush that the Frenchwoman + laid down. Yes, the same monogram appeared upon the brush. + </p> + <p> + The sharp eyes of Cerise had noted these movements. She was a little + dismayed but not startled when Louise said, slowly: "'D.v.T.' + stands for Diana Von Taer. And it isn't likely to stand for anything + else. I think the mystery is explained, now, and my worst fears are + realized. Tell me, Madame, is this Diana Von Taer's house?" + </p> + <p> + Her eyes shone with anger and round red patches suddenly appeared + upon her pallid cheeks. Madame Cerise drew a long breath. + </p> + <p> + "It used to be," was her quiet answer. "It was left + her by her grandmother; but Mr. Von Taer did not like the place and + they have not been here lately—not for years. Miss Von Taer + informed me, some time ago, that she had transferred the property to + another." + </p> + <p> + "To her cousin—Mr. Mershone?" asked Louise quickly. + </p> + <p> + "That may be the name; I cannot remember," was the evasive + reply. + </p> + <p> + "But you must know him, as he is Diana's cousin," retorted + Louise. "Why will you try to deceive me? Am I not helpless + enough already, and do you wish to make me still more miserable?" + </p> + <p> + "I have seen Mr. Mershone when he was a boy, many times. He was + not the favorite with Ma'm'selle Diana, nor with Monsieur Von Taer. + For myself, I hated him." + </p> + <p> + There was decided emphasis to the last sentence. Louise believed her + and felt a little relieved. + </p> + <p> + From the <i>mélange</i> of apparel a modest outfit was + obtained to clothe the girl with decency and comfort, if not in the + prevailing style. The fit left much to be desired, yet Louise did + not complain, as weightier matters were now occupying her mind. + </p> + <p> + The toilet completed, Madame Cerise disappeared to get a tray + containing a good breakfast. She seemed exceedingly attentive. + </p> + <p> + "If you will give me the proper directions I will start for + home at once," announced Louise, with firm resolve, while + eating her egg and toast. + </p> + <p> + "I am unable to give you directions, and I cannot let you go, + ma'm'selle," was the equally firm reply. "The day is much + too disagreeable to venture out in, unless one has proper + conveyance. Here, alas, no conveyance may be had." + </p> + <p> + Louise tried other tactics. + </p> + <p> + "I have no money, but several valuable jewels," she said, + meaningly. "I am quite sure they will obtain for me a + conveyance." + </p> + <p> + "You are wrong, ma'm'selle; there is no conveyance to be had!" + persisted the old woman, more sternly. + </p> + <p> + "Then I shall walk." + </p> + <p> + "It is impossible." + </p> + <p> + "Where is this place situated? How far is it from New York? How + near am I to a street-car, or to a train?" + </p> + <p> + "I cannot tell you." + </p> + <p> + "But this is absurd!" cried Louise. "You cannot + deceive me for long. I know this is Diana Von Taer's house, and I + shall hold Diana Von Taer responsible for this enforced + imprisonment." + </p> + <p> + "That," said Madame Cerise, coldly, "is a matter of + indifference to me. But ma'm'selle must understand one thing, she + must not leave this house." + </p> + <p> + "Oh, indeed!" + </p> + <p> + "At least, until the weather moderates," added the woman, + more mildly. + </p> + <p> + She picked up the tray, went to the door and passed out. Louise + heard the key click in the lock. + </p> + <hr style="width: 35%;" /> + <a name="chap17" id="chap17"></a> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVII + </h2> + <br /> + <p> + THE MYSTERY DEEPENS + </p> + <p> + Uncle John was both astounded and indignant that so bold and + unlawful an act as the abduction of his own niece could have been + perpetrated in the heart of New York and directly under the eyes of + the police. Urged by the Major, Mr. Merrick was at first inclined to + allow Arthur Weldon to prosecute the affair and undertake the + recovery of the girl, being assured this would easily be + accomplished and conceding the fact that no one had a stronger + interest in solving the mystery of Louise's disappearance than young + Weldon. But when midday arrived and no trace of the young girl had + yet been obtained the little millionaire assumed an important and + decisive air and hurried down town to "take a hand in the game" + himself. + </p> + <p> + After a long interview with the Chief of Detectives, Mr. Merrick + said impressively: + </p> + <p> + "Now, understand, sir; not a hint of this to the newspaper + folks. I won't have any scandal attached to the poor child if I can + help it. Set your whole force to work—at once!—but + impress them with the need of secrecy. My offer is fair and square. + I'll give a reward of ten thousand dollars if Miss Merrick is + discovered within twenty-four hours; nine thousand if she's found + during the next twenty-four hours; and so on, deducting a thousand + for each day of delay. That's for the officer who finds her. For + yourself, sir, I intend to express my gratitude as liberally as the + service will allow me to. Is this all clear and above-board?" + </p> + <p> + "It is perfectly clear, Mr. Merrick." + </p> + <p> + "The child must be found—and found blamed quick, too! + Great Caesar! Can a simple affair like this baffle your splendid + metropolitan force?" + </p> + <p> + "Not for long, Mr. Merrick, believe me." + </p> + <p> + But this assurance proved optimistic. Day by day crept by without a + clew to the missing girl being discovered; without development of + any sort. The Inspector informed Mr. Merrick that "it began to + look like a mystery." + </p> + <p> + Arthur, even after several sleepless nights, still retained his + courage. + </p> + <p> + "I'm on the right track, sir," he told Uncle John. "The + delay is annoying, but not at all dangerous. So long as Fogerty + holds fast to Mershone Louise is safe, wherever she may be." + </p> + <p> + "Mershone may have nothing to do with the case." + </p> + <p> + "I'm positive he has." + </p> + <p> + "And Louise can't be safe while she's a prisoner, and in the + hands of strangers. I want the girl home! Then I'll know she's safe." + </p> + <p> + "I want her home, too, sir. But all your men are unable to find + her, it seems. They can't even discover in what direction she was + taken, or how. The brown limousine seems to be no due at all." + </p> + <p> + "Of course not. There are a thousand brown limousines in New + York." + </p> + <p> + "Do you imagine she's still somewhere in the city, sir?" + enquired Arthur. + </p> + <p> + "That's my theory," replied Uncle John. "She must be + somewhere in the city. You see it would be almost impossible to get + her out of town without discovery. But I'll admit this detective + force is the finest aggregation of incompetents I've ever known—and + I don't believe your precious Fogerty is any better, either." + </p> + <p> + Of course Beth and Patsy had to be told of their cousin's + disappearance as soon as the first endeavor to trace her proved a + failure. Patsy went at once to Mrs. Merrick and devoted herself to + comforting the poor woman as well as she could. + </p> + <p> + Beth frowned at the news and then sat down to carefully think out + the problem. In an hour she had logically concluded that Diana Von + Taer was the proper person to appeal to. If anyone knew where Louise + was, it was Diana. That same afternoon she drove to the Von Taer + residence and demanded an interview. + </p> + <p> + Diana was at that moment in a highly nervous state. She had at times + during her career been calculating and unscrupulous, but never + before had she deserved the accusation of being malicious and + wicked. She had come to reproach herself bitterly for having weakly + connived at the desperate act of Charlie Mershone, and her good + sense assured her the result would be disastrous to all concerned in + it. Contempt for herself and contempt for her cousin mingled with + well-defined fears for her cherished reputation, and so it was that + Miss Von Taer had almost decided to telephone Madame Cerise and + order her to escort Louise Merrick to her own home when Beth's card + came up with a curt demand for a personal interview. + </p> + <p> + The natures of these two girls had never harmonized in the slightest + degree. Beth's presence nerved Diana to a spirit of antagonism that + quickly destroyed her repentant mood. As she confronted her visitor + her demeanor was cold and suspicious. There was a challenge and an + accusation in Beth's eyes that conveyed a distinct warning, which + Miss Von Taer quickly noted and angrily resented—perhaps + because she knew it was deserved. + </p> + <p> + It would have been easy to tell Beth De Graf where her cousin Louise + was, and at the same time to assure her that Diana was blameless in + the affair; but she could not endure to give her antagonist this + satisfaction. + </p> + <p> + Beth began the interview by saying: "What have you done with + Louise Merrick?" That was, of course, equal to a declaration of + war. + </p> + <p> + Diana was sneering and scornful. Thoroughly on guard, she permitted + no compromising word or admission to escape her. Really, she knew + nothing of Louise Merrick, having unfortunately neglected to examine + her antecedents and personal characteristics before undertaking her + acquaintance. One is so likely to blunder through excess of good + nature. She had supposed a niece of Mr. John Merrick would be of the + right sort; but the age is peculiar, and one cannot be too cautious + in choosing associates. If Miss Merrick had run away from her home + and friends, Miss Von Taer was in no way responsible for the + escapade. And now, if Miss De Graf had nothing further to say, more + important matters demanded Diana's time. + </p> + <p> + Beth was furious with anger at this baiting. Without abandoning a + jot her suspicions she realized she was powerless to prove her case + at this time. With a few bitter and cutting remarks— made, she + afterward said, in "self-defense"—she retreated as + gracefully as possible and drove home. + </p> + <p> + An hour later she suggested to Uncle John that he have a detective + placed where Diana's movements could be watched; but that had + already been attended to by both Mr. Merrick and Mr. Fogerty. Uncle + John could hardly credit Diana's complicity in this affair. The + young lady's social position was so high, her family so eminently + respectable, her motive in harming Louise so inconceivable, that he + hesitated to believe her guilty, even indirectly. As for her cousin, + he did not know what to think, as Arthur accused him unreservedly. + It did not seem possible that any man of birth, breeding and social + position could be so contemptible as to perpetrate an act of this + character. Yet some one had done it, and who had a greater incentive + than Charlie Mershone? + </p> + <p> + Poor Mrs. Merrick was inconsolable as the days dragged by. She clung + to Patsy with pitiful entreaties not to be left alone; so Miss Doyle + brought her to her own apartments, where the bereft woman was shown + every consideration. Vain and selfish though Mrs. Merrick might be, + she was passionately devoted to her only child, and her fears for + the life and safety of Louise were naturally greatly exaggerated. + </p> + <p> + The group of anxious relatives and friends canvassed the subject + morning, noon and night, and the longer the mystery remained + unsolved the more uneasy they all became. + </p> + <p> + "This, ma'am," said Uncle John, sternly, as he sat one + evening facing Mrs. Merrick, "is the final result of your + foolish ambition to get our girls into society." + </p> + <p> + "I can't see it that way, John," wailed the poor woman. + "I've never heard of such a thing happening in society before, + have you?" + </p> + <p> + "I don't keep posted," he growled. "But everything + was moving smoothly with us before this confounded social stunt + began, as you must admit." + </p> + <p> + "I can't understand why the papers are not full of it," + sighed Mrs. Merrick, musingly. "Louise is so prominent now in + the best circles." + </p> + <p> + "Of course," said the Major, drily; "she's so + prominent, ma'am, that no one can discover her at all! And it's + lucky for us the newspapers know nothing of the calamity. They'd + twist the thing into so many shapes that not one of us would ever + again dare to look a friend in the eye." + </p> + <p> + "I'm sure my darling has been murdered!" declared Mrs. + Merrick, weeping miserably. She made the statement on an average of + once to every five minutes. "Or, if she hasn't been killed yet, + she's sure to be soon. Can't <i>something</i> be done?" + </p> + <p> + That last appeal was hard to answer. They had done everything that + could be thought of. And here it was Tuesday. Louise had been + missing for five days. + </p> + <hr style="width: 35%;" /> + <a name="chap18" id="chap18"></a> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVIII + </h2> + <br /> + <p> + A RIFT IN THE CLOUDS + </p> + <br /> + <p> + The Tuesday morning just referred to dawned cold and wintry. A chill + wind blew and for a time carried isolated snowflakes whirling here + and there. Gradually, as the morning advanced, the flakes became + more numerous, until by nine o'clock an old fashioned snowstorm had + set in that threatened to last for some time. The frozen ground was + soon covered with a thin white mantle and the landscape in city and + country seemed especially forbidding. + </p> + <p> + In spite of these adverse conditions Charlie Mershone decided to go + out for a walk. He felt much like a prisoner, and his only + recreation was in getting out of the hotel for a daily stroll. + Moreover, he had an object in going abroad to-day. + </p> + <p> + So he buttoned his overcoat up to his chin and fearlessly braved the + storm. He had come to wholly disregard the presence of the detective + who shadowed him, and if the youthful Fogerty by chance addressed + him he was rewarded with a direct snub. This did not seem to + disconcert the boy in the least, and to-day, as usual, when Mershone + walked out Fogerty followed at a respectful distance. He never + appeared to be watching his man closely, yet never for an instant + did Mershone feel that he had shaken the fellow off. + </p> + <p> + On this especial morning the detective was nearly a block in the + rear, with the snow driving furiously into his face, when an + automobile suddenly rolled up to the curb beside him and two men + leaped out and pinioned Fogerty in their arms. There was no + struggle, because there was no resistance. The captors quickly + tossed the detective into the car, an open one, which again started + and turned into a side street. + </p> + <p> + Fogerty, seated securely between the two burly fellows, managed to + straighten up and rearrange his clothing. + </p> + <p> + "Will you kindly explain this unlawful act, gentlemen?" he + enquired. + </p> + <p> + The man on the left laughed aloud. He was the same individual who + had attacked Arthur Weldon, the one who had encountered Mershone in + the street the day before. + </p> + <p> + "Cold day, ain't it, Fogerty?" he remarked. "But that + makes it all the better for a little auto ride. We like you, kid, + we're fond of you—awful fond—ain't we, Pete?" + </p> + <p> + "We surely are," admitted the other. + </p> + <p> + "So we thought we'd invite you out for a whirl—see? We'll + give you a nice ride, so you can enjoy the scenery. It's fine out + Harlem way, an' the cold'll make you feel good. Eh, Pete?" + </p> + <p> + "That's the idea," responded Pete, cheerfully. + </p> + <p> + "Very kind of you," said the detective, leaning back + comfortably against the cushions and pulling up his coat collar to + shield him from the wind. "But are you aware that I'm on duty, + and that this will allow my man to slip away from me?" + </p> + <p> + "Can't help that; but we're awful sorry," was the reply. + "We just wanted company, an' you're a good fellow, Fogerty, + considerin' your age an' size." + </p> + <p> + "Thank you," said Fogerty, "You know me, and I know + you. You are Bill Leesome, alias Will Dutton—usually called + Big Bill. You did time a couple of years ago for knocking out a + policeman." + </p> + <p> + "I'm safe enough now, though," responded Big Bill. "You're + not working on the reg'lar force, Fogerty, you're only a private + burr." + </p> + <p> + "I am protected, just the same," asserted Fogerty. "When + you knabbed me I was shadowing Mershone, who has made away with a + prominent society young lady." + </p> + <p> + "Oh, he has, has he?" chuckled Big Bill, and his companion + laughed so gleefully that he attracted Fogerty's attention to + himself. + </p> + <p> + "Ah, I suppose you are one of the two men who lugged the girl + off," he remarked; "and I must congratulate you on having + made a good job of it. Isn't it curious, by the way, that the fellow + who stole and hid this girl should be the innocent means of + revealing her biding place?" + </p> + <p> + The two men stared at him blankly. The car, during this + conversation, had moved steadily on, turning this and that corner in + a way that might have confused anyone not perfectly acquainted with + this section of the city. + </p> + <p> + "What d'ye mean by that talk, Fogerty?" demanded Big Bill. + </p> + <p> + "Of course it was Mershone who stole the girl," explained + the detective, calmly; "we know that. But Mershone is a clever + chap. He knew he was watched, and so he has never made a movement to + go to his prisoner. But he grew restless in time, and when he met + you, yesterday, fixed up a deal with you to carry me away, so he + could escape." + </p> + <p> + Big Bill looked uncomfortable. + </p> + <p> + "You know a lot, Fogerty," he said, doggedly. + </p> + <p> + "Yes; I've found that human nature is much the same the world + over," replied the detective. "Of course I suspected you + would undertake to give Mershone his chance by grabbing me, and that + is exactly what you have done. But, my lads, what do you suppose I + have done in the meantime?" + </p> + <p> + They both looked their curiosity but said nothing. + </p> + <p> + "I've simply used your clever plot to my own advantage, in + order to bring things to a climax," continued Fogerty. "While + we are joy-riding here, a half dozen of my men are watching every + move that Mershone makes. I believe he will lead them straight to + the girl; don't you?" + </p> + <p> + Big Bill growled some words that were not very choice and then + yelled to the chauffeur to stop. The other man was pale and + evidently frightened. + </p> + <p> + "See here, Fogerty; you make tracks!" was the sharp + command, as the automobile came to a halt. "You've worked a + pretty trick on us, 'cordin' to your own showin', and we must find + Mr. Mershone before it's too late—if we can." + </p> + <p> + "Good morning," said Fogerty, alighting. "Thank you + for a pleasant ride—and other things." + </p> + <p> + They dashed away and left him standing on the curb; and after + watching them disappear the detective walked over to a drug store + and entered the telephone booth. + </p> + <p> + "That you, Hyde?—This is Fogerty." + </p> + <p> + "Yes, sir. Mr. Mershone has just crossed the ferry to Jersey. + Adams is with him. I'll hear from him again in a minute: hold the + wire." + </p> + <p> + Fogerty waited. Soon he learned that Mershone had purchased a ticket + for East Orange. The train would leave in fifteen minutes. + </p> + <p> + Fogerty decided quickly. After looking at his watch he rushed out + and arrested a passing taxicab. + </p> + <p> + "Ready for a quick run—perhaps a long one?" he + asked. + </p> + <p> + "Ready for anything," declared the man. + </p> + <p> + The detective jumped in and gave hurried directions. + </p> + <p> + "Never mind the speed limit," he said. "No one will + interfere with us. I'm Fogerty." + </p> + <hr style="width: 35%;" /> + <a name="chap19" id="chap19"></a> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIX + </h2> + <br /> + <p> + POLITIC REPENTANCE + </p> + <p> + Perhaps no one—not even Mrs. Merrick—was so unhappy in + consequence of the lamentable crime that had been committed as Diana + Von Taer. Immediately after her interview with Beth her mood + changed, and she would have given worlds to be free from complicity + in the abduction. Bitterly, indeed, she reproached herself for her + enmity toward the unsuspecting girl, an innocent victim of Diana's + own vain desires and Charles Mershone's heartless wiles. Repenting + her folly and reasoning out the thing when it was too late, Diana + saw clearly that she had gained no possible advantage, but had + thoughtlessly conspired to ruin the reputation of an honest, + ingenuous girl. + </p> + <p> + Not long ago she had said that her life was dull, a stupid round of + social functions that bored her dreadfully. She had hoped by + adopting John Merrick's nieces as her <i>protégées</i> + and introducing them to society to find a novel and pleasurable + excitement that would serve to take her out of her unfortunate <i>ennui</i>—a + condition to which she had practically been born. + </p> + <p> + But Diana had never bargained for such excitement as this; she had + never thought to win self abhorrence by acts of petty malice and + callous cruelties. + </p> + <p> + Yet so intrenched was she in the conservatism of her class that she + could not at once bring herself to the point of exposing her own + guilt that she might make amends for what had been done. She told + herself she would rather die than permit Louise to suffer through + her connivance with her reckless, unprincipled cousin. She realized + perfectly that she ought to fly, without a moment's delay, to the + poor girl's assistance. Yet fear of exposure, of ridicule, of loss + of caste, held her a helpless prisoner in her own home, where she + paced the floor and moaned and wrung her hands until she was on the + verge of nervous prostration. If at any time she seemed to acquire + sufficient courage to go to Louise, a glance at the detective + watching the house unnerved her and prevented her from carrying out + her good intentions. + </p> + <p> + You must not believe that Diana was really bad; her lifelong + training along set lines and practical seclusion from the everyday + world were largely responsible for her evil impulses. Mischief is + sure to crop up, in one form or another, among the idle and + ambitionless. More daring wickedness is said to be accomplished by + the wealthy and aimless creatures of our false society than by the + poorer and uneducated classes, wherein criminals are supposed to + thrive. These sins are often unpublished, although not always + undiscovered, but they are no more venial because they are + suppressed by wealth and power. + </p> + <p> + Diana Von Taer was a girl who, rightly led, might have been capable + of developing a noble womanhood; yet the conditions of her limited + environment had induced her to countenance a most dastardly and + despicable act. It speaks well for the innate goodness of this girl + that she at last actually rebelled and resolved to undo, insofar as + she was able, the wrong that had been accomplished. + </p> + <p> + For four days she suffered tortures of remorse. On the morning of + the fifth day she firmly decided to act. Regardless of who might be + watching, or of any unpleasant consequences to herself, she quietly + left the house, unattended, and started directly for the East Orange + mansion. + </p> + <hr style="width: 35%;" /> + <a name="chap20" id="chap20"></a> + <h2> + CHAPTER XX + </h2> + <br /> + <p> + A TELEPHONE CALL + </p> + <p> + Still another laggard awoke to action on this eventful Tuesday + morning. + </p> + <p> + Madame Cerise had been growing more and more morose and dissatisfied + day by day. Her grievance was very tangible. A young girl had been + brought forcibly to the house and placed in her care to be treated + as a prisoner. From that time the perpetrators of the deed had left + the woman to her own resources, never communicating with her in any + way. + </p> + <p> + During a long life of servitude Madame Cerise had acquiesced in many + things that her own conscience did not approve of, for she + considered herself a mere instrument to be used at will by the + people who employed and paid her. But her enforced solitude as + caretaker of the lonely house at East Orange had given her ample + time to think, and her views had lately undergone a decided change. + </p> + <p> + To become the jailer of a young, pretty and innocent girl was the + most severe trial her faithfulness to her employers had ever + compelled her to undergo, and the woman deeply resented the doubtful + position in which she had been placed. + </p> + <p> + However, the chances were that Madame Cerise might have obeyed her + orders to the letter had not so long a period of waiting ensued. + During these days she was constantly thrown in the society of + Louise, which had a tendency to make her still more rebellious. The + girl clung to Cerise in her helplessness and despair, and constantly + implored her to set her free. This, indeed, the Frenchwoman might + have done long ago had she not suspected such an act might cause + great embarrassment to Diana Von Taer, whom she had held on her knee + as an infant and sought to protect with loyal affection. + </p> + <p> + It was hard, though, to hear the pitiful appeals of the imprisoned + girl, and to realize how great was the wrong that was being done + her. The old woman was forced to set her jaws firmly and turn deaf + ears to the pleadings in order not to succumb to them straightway. + Meantime she did her duty conscientiously. She never left Louise's + room without turning the key in the lock, and she steadfastly + refused the girl permission to wander in the other rooms of the + house. The prison was a real prison, indeed, but the turnkey sought + to alleviate the prisoner's misery by every means in her power. She + was indefatigable in her service, keeping the room warm and neat, + attending to the girl's every want and cooking her delicious meals. + </p> + <p> + While this all tended to Louise's comfort it had little affect in + soothing her misery. Between periods of weeping she sought to cajole + the old woman to release her, and at times she succumbed to blank + despair. Arthur was always in her mind, and she wondered why he did + not come to rescue her. Every night she stole softly from her bed to + try the door, hoping Cerise had forgotten to lock it. She examined + her prison by stealth to discover any possible way of escape. + </p> + <p> + There were two small windows and one large one. The latter opened + upon the roof of a small porch, but, there were no way to descend + from it unless one used a frail lattice at one end, which in summer + probably supported a rose or other vine. Louise shrank intuitively + from such a desperate undertaking. Unless some dreadful crisis + occurred she would never dare trust herself to that frail support. + Yet it seemed the only possible way of escape. + </p> + <p> + Time finally wore out the patience of Madame Cerise, who was unable + longer to withstand Louise's pleadings. She did not indicate by word + or look that her attitude had changed, but she made a secret resolve + to have done with the affair altogether. + </p> + <p> + Often in their conversations the girl had mentioned Arthur Weldon. + She had given Cerise his address and telephone number, and implored + her at least to communicate with him and tell him his sweetheart was + safe, although unhappy. This had given the old woman the clever idea + on which she finally acted. + </p> + <p> + By telephoning Mr. Weldon she could give him the information that + would lead to his coming for Louise, without anyone knowing who it + was that had betrayed the secret. This method commended itself + strongly to her, as it would save her from any trouble or reproach. + </p> + <p> + Leaving Louise at breakfast on this Tuesday morning Madame Cerise + went down to the telephone and was soon in communication with + Arthur. She told him, in a quiet tone, that Miss Louise Merrick was + being secluded in a suburban house near East Orange, and described + the place so he could easily find it. The young man questioned her + eagerly, but aside from the information that the girl was well and + uninjured she vouchsafed no further comment. + </p> + <p> + It was enough, however. Arthur, in wild excitement, rushed to the + rescue. + </p> + <hr style="width: 35%;" /> + <a name="chap21" id="chap21"></a> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXI + </h2> + <br /> + <p> + THE UNEXPECTED HAPPENS + </p> + <p> + Madame Cerise, well knowing she had accelerated the march of events + to a two-step, calmly sat herself down in the little housekeeper's + room off the lower hall and, leaving Louise to her moody solitude + upstairs, awaited the inevitable developments. + </p> + <p> + Outside the weather was cold and blustering. The wind whirled its + burden of snowflakes in every direction with blinding, bewildering + impartiality. It was a bad day to be out, thought the old + Frenchwoman; but a snowstorm was not likely to deter an anxious + lover. She calculated the time it would take Monsieur Weldon to + arrive at the mansion: if he was prompt and energetic he could cover + the distance in an hour and a half by train or three hours by motor + car. But he must prepare for the journey, and that would consume + some time; perhaps she need not expect him within two hours at the + earliest. + </p> + <p> + She read, to pass away the time, selecting a book from a shelf of + well-worn French novels. Somehow she did not care to face her + tearful prisoner again until she could restore the unhappy girl to + the arms of her true lover. There was still romance in the soul of + Madame Cerise, however withered her cheeks might be. She was very + glad that at last she had summoned courage to act according to the + dictates of her heart. + </p> + <p> + Eh? What is this? A rumble of wheels over the frozen snow caused her + to glance at the clock above the mantel. Not by any possibility + could Monsieur Weldon arrive so soon. Who, then, could it be? + </p> + <p> + She sat motionless while the doorbell rang, and rang again. Nothing + must interfere with the pretty <i>denouement</i> she had so fondly + anticipated when Louise's faithful knight came to her. + </p> + <p> + But the one who had just now alighted was persistent. The vehicle + had been sent away—she heard the sound of receding wheels—and + the new arrival wanted to get in. The bell jerked and jangled + unceasingly for a time and then came a crash against the door, as if + a stalwart shoulder was endeavoring to break it down. + </p> + <p> + Madame Cerise laid down her book, placed her <i>pince-nez</i> in the + case, and slowly proceeded down the hall. The door shook with + another powerful impact, a voice cried out demanding admittance. + </p> + <p> + "Who is it, then?" she called shrilly. + </p> + <p> + "Open the door, confound you!" was the irritated reply. + </p> + <p> + The woman reflected. This was surely young Mershone's voice. And she + had no excuse to deny him admittance. Quietly she unbolted the door + and allowed it to open an inch while she peered at the man outside. + </p> + <p> + "Oh! it is Monsieur Mershone." + </p> + <p> + "Of course it is," he roared, forcing the door open and + stalking in. "Who in thunder did you think it was?" + </p> + <p> + "A thousand pardons, m'sieur," said Cerise. "I must + be cautious; it is your own command. That you may be protected I + deny admittance to all." + </p> + <p> + "That's all right," said Mershone gruffly, while he + stamped his feet upon the rug and shook the snow from his clothing. + "Haven't you any fire in this beastly old refrigerator? I'm + nearly frozen. Where's Miss Merrick?" + </p> + <p> + "She is occupying Ma'm'selle Diana's room, in the west wing. + Will monsieur please to come this way?" + </p> + <p> + She led him to her own little room, and so engrossed were they that + neither remembered he had failed to rebolt the front door. + </p> + <p> + A good fire burned in the grate of Cerise's cosy den and Mershone + threw off his overcoat and warmed his hands as he showered questions + upon the old caretaker. + </p> + <p> + "How is the girl behaving? Tears and hysterics?" + </p> + <p> + "At times, m'sieur." + </p> + <p> + "Takes it hard, eh?" + </p> + <p> + "She is very unhappy." + </p> + <p> + "Ever mention a man named Weldon?" + </p> + <p> + "Often." + </p> + <p> + "Humph!" He did not like this report. "Has anyone + been here to disturb you, or to make enquiries?" + </p> + <p> + "No one, m'sieur." + </p> + <p> + "We're safe enough, I guess. It was a mighty neat job, Cerise, + taken altogether, although the fools have been watching me night and + day. That's the reason I did not come sooner." + </p> + <p> + She made no comment. Mershone threw himself into a chair and stared + thoughtfully at the fire. + </p> + <p> + "Has Louise—Miss Merrick, you know—mentioned my + name at all?" + </p> + <p> + "At times." + </p> + <p> + "In what way?" + </p> + <p> + "With loathing and contempt." + </p> + <p> + He scowled at her savagely. + </p> + <p> + "Do you think she suspects that I carried her away?" + </p> + <p> + "She seems to know it absolutely." + </p> + <p> + He stared at the fire again. + </p> + <p> + "I've got a queer job on my hands, Cerise, and I rely on you to + help me," said he presently, assuming a more conciliating + manner. "Perhaps I'm in a box, or a hole, or whatever else you + like to call it, but it's too late too back down now—I must + push ahead and win. You see the case is this: I love the girl and + had her brought here to keep her from another man. By hook or crook + I'm going to make her my wife. She won't take kindly to that at + first, perhaps, but I'll make her happy in the end. In one way this + delay has been a good thing. It must have worn her out and broken + her spirits quite a bit; eh?" + </p> + <p> + "She seems very miserable," conceded the woman. + </p> + <p> + "Do you find her hard to manage? Does she show much temper? In + other words, do you suppose she'll put up a fight?" + </p> + <p> + Madame Cerise regarded him wonderingly. + </p> + <p> + "She is a good girl," was her reply. "She loves with + much devotion the man from whom you have stolen her. I am quite + positive she will never consent to become your wife." + </p> + <p> + "Oh, you are? Well, I intend she shall marry me, and that + settles it. She's unnerved and miserable now, and I mean to grind + her down till she hasn't strength to resist me. That sounds hard. I + know; but it's the only way to accomplish my purpose. After she's my + wife I'll be very kind to her, poor thing, and teach her to love me. + A man can do anything with a woman if he sets about it the right + way. I'm not taking this stand because I'm cruel, Cerise, but + because I'm desperate. All's fair in love and war, you know, and + this is a bit of both." + </p> + <p> + He was pacing the floor by this time, his hands thrust deep in his + pockets, an anxious look upon his face that belied his bombastic + words. + </p> + <p> + The Frenchwoman's expression was impassive. Her scorn for the wretch + before her was tempered with the knowledge that his cowardly plan + was doomed to defeat. It was she who had checkmated him, and she was + glad. Now and again her eyes sought the clock, while she silently + calculated the time to elapse before Arthur Weldon arrived. There + would be a pretty scene then, Cerise would have much enjoyment in + witnessing the encounter. + </p> + <p> + "Now, then, take me to Louise," commanded Mershone, + suddenly. + </p> + <p> + She shrank back in dismay. + </p> + <p> + "Oh, not yet, m'sieur!" + </p> + <p> + "Why not?" + </p> + <p> + "The young lady is asleep. She will not waken for an hour—perhaps + two." + </p> + <p> + "I can't wait. We'll waken her now, and give her an idea of the + change of program." + </p> + <p> + "But no, m'sieur! It is outrageous. The poor thing has but now + sobbed herself to sleep, after many bitter hours. Can you not wait a + brief hour, having waited five days?" + </p> + <p> + "No. Take me to her at once." + </p> + <p> + As he came toward her the woman drew away. + </p> + <p> + "I cannot," she said firmly. + </p> + <p> + "See here, Cerise, I intend to be obeyed. I won't endure any + nonsense at this stage of the game, believe me," he announced + fiercely. "In order to win, there's just one way to manage this + affair, and I insist upon your following my instructions. Take me to + Louise!" + </p> + <p> + "I will not!" she returned, the bead-like eyes glittering + as they met his angry gaze. + </p> + <p> + "Then I'll go alone. Give me the key." + </p> + <p> + She did not move, nor did she answer him. At her waist hung a small + bunch of household keys and this he seized with a sudden movement + and jerked loose from its cord. + </p> + <p> + "You miserable hag!" he muttered, inflamed with anger at + her opposition. "If you propose to defend this girl and defy + me, you'll find I'm able to crush you as I will her. While I'm gone + I expect you to come to your senses, and decide to obey me." + </p> + <p> + With these words he advanced to the door of the little room and + opened it. Just outside stood Fogerty, smiling genially. + </p> + <p> + "Glad to meet you again, Mr. Mershone," he said. "May + I come in? Thank you." + </p> + <p> + While Mershone stood bewildered by this unexpected apparition the + detective entered the room, closed the door carefully, and putting + his back to it bowed politely to Madame Cerise. + </p> + <p> + "Pardon this seeming intrusion, ma'am," said he. "I'm + here on a little matter of business, having a warrant for the arrest + of Mr. Charles Connoldy Mershone." + </p> + <hr style="width: 35%;" /> + <a name="chap22" id="chap22"></a> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXII + </h2> + <p> + GONE + </p> + <p> + The grim face of Madame Cerise relaxed to allow a quaint smile to + flit across it. She returned Fogerty's bow with a deep curtsy. + </p> + <p> + Mershone, after one brief exclamation of dismay, wrested from him by + surprise, threw himself into the chair again and stared at the fire. + For a few moments there was intense stillness in the little room. + </p> + <p> + "How easy it is," said Fogerty, in soft, musing tones, + "to read one's thoughts—under certain circumstances. You + are thinking, Mr. Mershone, that I'm a boy, and not very strong, + while you are an athlete and can easily overpower me. I have come at + a disagreeable time, and all your plans depend on your ability to + get rid of me. But I've four good men within call, who are just now + guarding the approaches to this house. They'd like to come in, I + know, because it's very cold and disagreeable outside; but suppose + we allow them to freeze for a time? Ah, I thought you'd agree with + me, sir—I overheard you say you were about to visit Miss + Merrick, who is confined in a room upstairs, but I'd like you to + postpone that while we indulge in a little confidential chat + together. You see—" + </p> + <p> + The door-bell rang violently. Fogerty glanced at Madame Cerise. + </p> + <p> + "Will you see who it is?" he asked. + </p> + <p> + She arose at once and left the room. Mershone turned quickly. + </p> + <p> + "What's your price, Fogerty?" he asked, meaningly. + </p> + <p> + "For what?" + </p> + <p> + "For getting out of here—making tracks and leaving me + alone. Every man has his price, and I'm trapped—I'm willing to + pay anything—I'll—" + </p> + <p> + "Cut it out, sir. You've tried this once before. I'm not to be + bribed." + </p> + <p> + "Have you really a warrant for my arrest?" + </p> + <p> + "I've carried it since Friday. It's no use, Mershone, the + game's up and you may as well grin and bear it." + </p> + <p> + Mershone was about to reply when the door opened and Diana Von Taer + came in with a swift, catlike tread and confronted him with flaming + eyes. + </p> + <p> + "You coward! You low, miserable scoundrel! How dare you come + here to annoy and browbeat that poor girl?" she cried in clear, + cutting accents, without noticing the presence of Fogerty. + </p> + <p> + "Oh, shut up, Di, you're in it as deep as I am," he + retorted, turning away with a flushed face. + </p> + <p> + "I'm not, sir! Never have I countenanced this wicked, criminal + act," she declared. "I have come here to-day to save + Louise from your wiles and carry her back to her friends. I dare + you, or your confederates," with a scornful look at the + detective, "to interfere with me in any way." Then she + turned to Cerise and continued: "Where is Miss Merrick now?" + </p> + <p> + "In your own room, ma'm'seile." + </p> + <p> + "Come with me, then." + </p> + <p> + With a defiant glance at Mershone she turned haughtily and left the + room. Cerise followed obediently, somewhat astonished at the queer + turn of events. + </p> + <p> + Left alone with Mershone, Fogerty chuckled gleefully. + </p> + <p> + "Why, it seems I wasn't needed, after all," said he, + "and we've both of us taken a lot of trouble for nothing, + Mershone. The chances are Miss Von Taer would have turned the trick + in any event, don't you think so?" + </p> + <p> + "No, you don't understand her. She wouldn't have interfered if + she hadn't been scared out," growled the other. "She's + sacrificed me to save herself, that's all." + </p> + <p> + "You may be right about that," admitted Fogerty; and then + he got up to answer the door-bell, which once more rang violently. + </p> + <p> + An automobile stood outside, and from it an excited party trooped + into the hallway, disregarding the cutting wind and blinding + snowflakes that assailed them as they passed in. There was Arthur + Weldon and Uncle John, Patricia and Beth; and all, as they saw the + detective, cried with one voice: + </p> + <p> + "Where's Louise?" + </p> + <p> + Fogerty had just managed to close the door against the wintry blast + when the answer came from the stairway just above: + </p> + <p> + "She is gone!" + </p> + <p> + The voice was shrill and despairing, and looking up they saw Diana + standing dramatically posed upon the landing, her hands clasped over + her heart and a look of fear upon her face. Over her shoulder the + startled black eyes of old Cerise peered down upon the group below. + </p> + <p> + The newcomers were evidently bewildered by this reception. They had + come to rescue Louise, whom they imagined confined in a lonely + deserted villa with no companion other than the woman who guarded + her. Arthur's own detective opened the door to them and Diana Von + Taer, whom they certainly did not expect to meet here, confronted + them with the thrilling statement that Louise had gone. + </p> + <p> + Arthur was the first to recover his wits. + </p> + <p> + "Gone!" he repeated; "gone where?" + </p> + <p> + "She had escaped—run away!" explained Diana, in real + distress. + </p> + <p> + "When?" asked Uncle John. + </p> + <p> + "Just now. Within an hour, wasn't it, Cerise?" + </p> + <p> + "At ten o'clock I left her, now she is gone," said the old + woman, who appeared as greatly agitated as her mistress. + </p> + <p> + "Good gracious! you don't mean to say she's left the house in + this storm?" exclaimed Patsy, aghast at the very thought. + </p> + <p> + "What shall we do? What <i>can</i> we do?" demanded Beth, + eagerly. + </p> + <p> + Fogerty started up the stairs. Cerise turned to show him the way, + and the others followed in an awed group. + </p> + <p> + The key was in the lock of the door to the missing girl's room, but + the door itself now stood ajar. Fogerty entered, cast a sharp look + around and walked straight to the window. As the others came in, + glancing curiously about them and noting the still smouldering fire + and the evidences of recent occupation, the detective unlatched the + French window and stepped out into the snow that covered the roof of + the little porch below. Arthur sprang out beside him, leaving the + rest to shiver in the cold blast that rushed in upon them from the + open window. + </p> + <p> + Fogerty, on his knees, scanned the snow carefully, and although + Weldon could discover no sign of a footprint the young detective + nodded his head sagaciously and slowly made his way to the trellis + at the end. Here it was plain that the accumulation of snow had + recently been brushed away from the frail framework. + </p> + <p> + "It was strong enough to hold her, though," declared + Fogerty, looking over the edge of the roof. "I'll descend the + same way, sir. Go back by the stairs and meet me below." + </p> + <p> + He grasped the lattice and began cautiously to lower himself to the + ground, and Arthur turned to rejoin his friends in the room. + </p> + <p> + "That is the way she escaped, without doubt," he said to + them. "Poor child, she had no idea we were about to rescue her, + and her long confinement had made her desperate." + </p> + <p> + "Did she have a cloak, or any warm clothes?" asked Beth. + Madame Cerise hurriedly examined the wardrobe in the closets. + </p> + <p> + "Yes, ma'm'selle; she has taken a thick coat and a knit scarf," + she answered. But I am sure she had no gloves, and her shoes were + very thin." + </p> + <p> + "How long do you think she has been gone?" Patsy enquired. + </p> + <p> + "Not more than an hour. I was talking with Mr. Mershone, and—" + </p> + <p> + "Mershone! Is he here?" demanded Arthur. + </p> + <p> + "He is in my room downstairs—or was when you came," + said the woman. + </p> + <p> + "That accounts for her sudden flight," declared the young + man, bitterly. "She doubtless heard his voice and in a sudden + panic decided to fly. Did Mershone see her?" he asked. + </p> + <p> + "No, m'sieur," replied Cerise. + </p> + <p> + With one accord they descended to the lower hall and the caretaker + led the way to her room. To their surprise they found Mershone still + seated in the chair by the fire, his hands clasped behind his head, + a cigarette between his lips. + </p> + <p> + "Here is another crime for you to account for!" cried + Arthur, advancing upon him angrily. "You have driven Louise to + her death!" + </p> + <p> + Mershone raised one hand in mild protest. + </p> + <p> + "Don't waste time cursing me," he said. "Try to find + Louise before it is too late." + </p> + <p> + The reproach seemed justified. Arthur paused and turning to Mr. + Merrick said: + </p> + <p> + "He is right. I'll go help Fogerty, and you must stay here and + look after the girls until we return." + </p> + <p> + As he went out he passed Diana without a look. She sat in a corner + of the room sobbing miserably. Beth was thoughtful and quiet, Patsy + nervous and indignant. Uncle John was apparently crushed by the + disaster that had overtaken them. Mershone's suggestion that Louise + might perish in the storm was no idle one; the girl was not only + frail and delicate but worn out with her long imprisonment and its + anxieties. They all realized this. + </p> + <p> + "I believe," said Mershone, rising abruptly, "I'll go + and join the search. Fogerty has arrested me, but you needn't worry + about my trying to escape. I don't care what becomes of me, now, and + I'm going straight to join the detective." + </p> + <p> + They allowed him to go without protest, and he buttoned his coat and + set out in the storm to find the others. Fogerty and Arthur were by + this time in the lane back of the grounds, where the detective was + advancing slowly with his eyes fixed on the ground. + </p> + <p> + "The tracks are faint, but easily followed," he was + saying, "The high heels of her shoes leave a distinct mark." + </p> + <p> + When Mershone joined them Arthur scowled at the fellow but said + nothing. Fogerty merely smiled. + </p> + <p> + From the lane the tracks, already nearly obliterated by the fast + falling snow, wandered along nearly a quarter of a mile to a + crossroads, where they became wholly lost. + </p> + <p> + Fogerty looked up and down the roads and shook his head with a + puzzled expression. + </p> + <p> + "We've surely traced her so far," said he, "but now + we must guess at her further direction. You'll notice this track of + a wagon. It may have passed fifteen minutes or an hour ago. The hoof + tracks of the horses are covered, so I'm not positive which way they + headed; I only know there are indications of hoof tracks, which + proves it a farmer's wagon. The question is, whether the young lady + met it, and caught a ride, or whether she proceeded along some of + the other trails. I can't find any indication of those high-heeled + shoes from this point, in any direction. Better get your car, Mr. + Weldon, and run east a few miles, keeping sharp watch of the wagon + tracks on the way. It was a heavy wagon, for the wheels cut deep. + Mershone and I will go west. When you've driven far enough to + satisfy yourself you're going the wrong direction, you may easily + overtake us on your return. Then, if we've discovered nothing on + this road, we'll try the other." + </p> + <p> + Arthur ran back at once to the house and in a few minutes had + started on his quest. The motor car was powerful enough to plow + through the deep snow with comparative ease. + </p> + <p> + Those left together in Madam Cerise's little room were more to be + pitied than the ones engaged in active search, for there was nothing + to relieve their fears and anxieties. Diana, unable to bear the + accusing looks of Patsy and Beth, resolved to make a clean breast of + her complicity in the affair and related to them every detail of her + connection with her cousin's despicable plot. She ended by begging + their forgiveness, and wept so miserably that Uncle John found + himself stroking her hair while Patsy came close and pressed the + penitent girl's hand as if to comfort and reassure her. + </p> + <p> + Beth said nothing. She could not find it in her heart as yet to + forgive Diana's selfish conspiracy against her cousin's happiness. + If Louise perished in this dreadful storm the proud Diana Von Taer + could not escape the taint of murder. The end was not yet. + </p> + <hr style="width: 35%;" /> + <a name="chap23" id="chap23"></a> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXIII + </h2> + <br /> + <p> + THE CRISIS + </p> + <p> + Mershone and Fogerty plodded through the snow together, side by + side. They were facing the wind, which cut their faces cruelly, yet + neither seemed to mind the bitterness of the weather. + </p> + <p> + "Keep watch along the roadside," suggested Mershone; + "she may have fallen anywhere, you know. She couldn't endure + this thing long. Poor Louise!" + </p> + <p> + "You were fond of her, Mr. Mershone?" asked Fogerty, not + unsympathetically. + </p> + <p> + "Yes. That was why I made such a struggle to get her." + </p> + <p> + "It was a mistake, sir. Provided a woman is won by force or + trickery she's never worth getting. If she doesn't care for you it's + better to give her up." + </p> + <p> + "I know—now." + </p> + <p> + "You're a bright fellow, Mershone, a clever fellow. It's a pity + you couldn't direct your talents the right way. They'll jug you for + this." + </p> + <p> + "Never mind. The game of life isn't worth playing. I've done + with it, and the sooner I go to the devil the better. If only I + could be sure Louise was safe I'd toss every care—and every + honest thought—to the winds, from this moment." + </p> + <p> + During the silence that followed Fogerty was thoughtful. Indeed, his + mind dwelt more upon the defeated and desperate man beside him than + upon the waif he was searching for. + </p> + <p> + "What's been done, Mr. Mershone," he said, after a time, + "can't be helped now. The future of every man is always a + bigger proposition than his past—whoever he may be. With your + talents and genius you could yet make of yourself a successful and + prosperous man, respected by the community —if you could get + out of this miserable rut that has helped to drag you down." + </p> + <p> + "But I can't," said the other, despondently. + </p> + <p> + "You can if you try. But you'll have to strike for a place a + good way from New York. Go West, forget your past, and carve out an + honest future under a new name and among new associates. You're + equal to it." + </p> + <p> + Mershone shook his head. + </p> + <p> + "You forget," he said. "They'll give me a jail + sentence for this folly, as sure as fate, and that will be the end + of me." + </p> + <p> + "Not necessarily. See here, Mershone, it won't help any of + those people to prosecute you. If the girl escapes with her life no + real harm has been done, although you've caused a deal of + unhappiness, in one way or another. For my part, I'd like to see you + escape, because I'm sure this affair will be a warning to you that + will induce you to give up all trickery in the future. Money + wouldn't bribe me, as you know, but sympathy and good fellowship + will. If you'll promise to skip right now, and turn over a new leaf, + you are free." + </p> + <p> + "Where could I go?" + </p> + <p> + "There's a town a mile ahead of us; I can see the buildings now + and then. You've money, for you offered it to me. I haven't any + assistants here, I'm all alone on the job. That talk about four men + was only a bluff. Push me over in the snow and make tracks. I'll + tell Weldon you've escaped, and advise him not to bother you. It's + very easy." + </p> + <p> + Mershone stopped short, seized the detective's hand and wrung it + gratefully. + </p> + <p> + "You're a good fellow, Fogerty. I—I thank you. But I + can't do it. In the first place, I can't rest in peace until Louise + is found, or I know her fate. Secondly, I'm game to give an account + for all my deeds, now that I've played the farce out, and lost. I—I + really haven't the ambition, Fogerty, to make a new start in life, + and try to reform. What's the use?" + </p> + <p> + Fogerty did not reply. Perhaps he realized the case was entirely + hopeless. But he had done what he could to save the misguided fellow + and give him a chance, and he was sorry he had not succeeded. + </p> + <p> + Meantime Arthur Weldon, almost dazed by the calamity that had + overtaken his sweetheart, found an able assistant in his chauffeur, + who, when the case was explained to him, developed an eager and + intelligent interest in the chase. Fortunately they moved with the + storm and the snow presently moderated in volume although the wind + was still blowing a fierce gale. This gave them a better opportunity + than the others to observe the road they followed. + </p> + <p> + Jones had good eyes, and although the trail of the heavy wagon was + lost at times he soon picked it up again and they were enabled to + make fairly good speed. + </p> + <p> + "I believe," said Arthur, presently, "that the marks + are getting clearer." + </p> + <p> + "I know they are, sir," agreed Jones. + </p> + <p> + "Then we've come in the right direction, for it is proof that + the wagon was headed this way." + </p> + <p> + "Quite right, sir." + </p> + <p> + This back section was thinly settled and the occasional farm-houses + they passed were set well back from the road. It was evident from + the closed gates and drifted snowbanks that no teams had either left + these places or arrived during a recent period. Arthur was + encouraged, moreover, by the wagon ruts growing still more clear as + they proceeded, and his excitement was great when Jones abruptly + halted and pointed to a place where the wheels had made a turn and + entered a farm yard. + </p> + <p> + "Here's the place, sir," announced the chauffeur. + </p> + <p> + "Can you get in?" + </p> + <p> + "It's pretty deep, sir, but I'll try." + </p> + <p> + The snow was crisp and light, owing to the excessive cold, and the + machine plowed through it bravely, drawing up at last to the door of + an humble cottage. + </p> + <p> + As Arthur leaped out of the car a man appeared upon the steps, + closing the door softly behind him. + </p> + <p> + "Looking for the young lady, sir?" he asked. + </p> + <p> + "Is she here?" cried Arthur. + </p> + <p> + The man placed his finger on his lips, although the wind prevented + any sound of voices being heard within. + </p> + <p> + "Gently, sir, don't make a noise—but come in." + </p> + <p> + They entered what seemed to be a kitchen. The farmer, a man of + advanced years, led him to a front room, and again cautioning him to + be silent, motioned him to enter. + </p> + <p> + A sheet-iron stove made the place fairly comfortable. By a window + sat a meek-faced woman, bent over some sewing. On a couch opposite + lay Louise, covered by a heavy shawl. She was fast asleep, her hair + disheveled and straying over her crimson cheeks, flushed from + exposure to the weather. Her slumber seemed the result of physical + exhaustion, for her lips were parted and she breathed deeply. + </p> + <p> + Arthur, after gazing at her for a moment with a beating-heart, for + the mysterious actions of the old farmer had made him fear the + worst, softly approached the couch and knelt beside the girl he + loved, thanking; God in his inmost heart for her escape. Then he + leaned over and pressed a kiss upon her cheek. + </p> + <p> + Louise slowly opened her eyes, smiled divinely, and threw her arms + impulsively around his neck. + </p> + <p> + "I knew you would come for me, dear," she whispered. + </p> + <hr style="width: 35%;" /> + <a name="chap24" id="chap24"></a> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXIV + </h2> + <br /> + <p> + A MATTER OF COURSE + </p> + <p> + All explanations were barred until the girl had been tenderly taken + to her own home and under the loving care of her mother and cousins + had recovered to an extent from the terrible experiences she had + undergone. + </p> + <p> + Then by degrees she told them her story, and how, hearing the voice + of her persecutor Mershone in the hall below she had become frantic + with fear and resolved to trust herself to the mercies of the storm + rather than submit to an interview with him. Before this she had + decided that she could climb down the trellis, and that part of her + flight she accomplished easily. Then she ran toward the rear of the + premises to avoid being seen and managed to find the lane, and later + the cross-roads. It was very cold, but her excitement and the fear + of pursuit kept her warm until suddenly her strength failed her and + she sank down in the snow without power to move. At this juncture + the farmer and his wife drove by, having been on a trip to the town. + The man sprang out and lifted her in, and the woman tenderly wrapped + her in the robes and blankets and pillowed her head upon her + motherly bosom. By the time they reached the farm-house she was + quite warm again, but so exhausted that with a brief explanation + that she was lost, but somebody would be sure to find her before + long, she fell upon the couch and almost immediately lost + consciousness. + </p> + <p> + So Arthur found her, and one look into his eyes assured her that all + her troubles were over. + </p> + <p> + They did not prosecute Charlie Mershone, after all. Fogerty pleaded + for him earnestly, and Uncle John pointed out that to arrest the + young man would mean to give the whole affair to the newspapers, + which until now had not gleaned the slightest inkling of what had + happened. Publicity was to be avoided if possible, as it would set + loose a thousand malicious tongues and benefit nobody. The only + thing to be gained by prosecuting Mershone was revenge, and all were + willing to forego that doubtful satisfaction. + </p> + <p> + However, Uncle John had an interview with the young man in the + office of the prosecuting attorney, at which Mershone was given + permission to leave town quietly and pursue his fortunes in other + fields. If ever he returned, or in any way molested any of the + Merricks or his cousin Diana, he was assured that he would be + immediately arrested and prosecuted to the full extent of the law. + </p> + <p> + Mershone accepted the conditions and became an exile, passing at + once out of the lives of those he had so deeply wronged. + </p> + <p> + The joyful reunion of the lovers led to an early date being set for + the wedding. They met all protests by pleading their fears of + another heartrending separation, and no one ventured to oppose their + desire. + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Merrick quickly recovered her accustomed spirits during the + excitement of those anxious weeks preceding the wedding. Cards were + issued to "the very best people in town;" the <i>trousseau</i> + involved anxiety by day and restless dreams by night—all + eminently enjoyable; there were entertainments to be attended and + congratulations to be received from every side. + </p> + <p> + Society, suspecting nothing of the tragedy so lately enacted in + these young lives, was especially gracious to the betrothed. Louise + was the recipient of innumerable merry "showers" from her + girl associates, and her cousins, Patsy and Beth, followed in line + with "glass showers" and "china showers" until + the prospective bride was stocked with enough wares to establish a + "house-furnishing emporium," as Uncle John proudly + declared. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Merrick, by this time quite reconciled and palpably pleased at + the approaching marriage of his eldest niece, was not to be outdone + in "social stunts" that might add to her happiness. He + gave theatre parties and banquets without number, and gave them with + the marked success that invariably attended his efforts. + </p> + <p> + The evening before the wedding Uncle John and the Major claimed + Arthur for their own, and after an hour's conference between the + three that left the young fellow more happy and grateful than ever + before, he was entertained at his last "bachelor dinner," + where he made a remarkable speech and was lustily cheered. + </p> + <p> + Of course Beth and Patsy were the bridesmaids, and their cousin + Kenneth Forbes came all the way from Elmhurst to be Arthur's best + man. No one ever knew what it cost Uncle John for the wonderful + decorations at the church and home, for the music, the banquet and + all the other details which he himself eagerly arranged on a + magnificent scale and claimed was a part of his "wedding + present." + </p> + <p> + When it was all over, and the young people had driven away to begin + the journey of life together, the little man put a loving arm around + Beth and Patsy and said, between smiles and tears: + </p> + <p> + "Well, my dears, I've lost one niece, and that's a fact; but + I've still two left. How long will they remain with me, I wonder?" + </p> + <p> + "Dear me, Uncle John," said practical Patsy; "your + necktie's untied and dangling; like a shoestring! I hope it wasn't + that way at the wedding." + </p> + <p> + "It was, though," declared the Major, chuckling. "If + all three of ye get married, my dears, poor Uncle John will come to + look like a scarecrow —and all that in the face of swell + society!" + </p> + <p> + "Aren't we about through with swell society now?" asked + Mr. Merrick, anxiously. "Aren't we about done with it? It + caused all our troubles, you know." + </p> + <p> + "Society," announced Beth, complacently, "is an + excellent thing in the abstract. It has its black sheep, of course; + but I think no more than any other established class of humanity." + </p> + <p> + "Dear me!" cried Uncle John; "you once denounced + society." + </p> + <p> + "That," said she, "was before I knew anything at all + about it." + </p> + </td> + </tr> + </table> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + <div>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 10468 ***</div> +</body> +</html> diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..303f5f3 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #10468 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/10468) diff --git a/old/10468-8.txt b/old/10468-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..35034bf --- /dev/null +++ b/old/10468-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,5911 @@ +The Project Gutenberg eBook, Aunt Jane's Nieces in Society, by Edith Van +Dyne + + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + + + + + + + +Title: Aunt Jane's Nieces in Society + +Author: Edith Van Dyne + +Release Date: December 15, 2003 [eBook #10468] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: iso-8859-1 + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AUNT JANE'S NIECES IN SOCIETY*** + + +E-text prepared by Afra Ullah, Sjaani, and Project Gutenberg Distributed +Proofreaders + + + +AUNT JANE'S NIECES IN SOCIETY + +BY + +EDITH VAN DYNE + +1910 + + + + + + +LIST OF CHAPTERS + + +CHAPTER + + I UNCLE JOHN'S DUTY + II A QUESTION OF "PULL" + III DIANA + IV THE THREE NIECES + V PREPARING FOR THE PLUNGE + VI THE FLY IN THE BROTH + VII THE HERO ENTERS AND TROUBLE BEGINS + VIII OPENING THE CAMPAIGN + IX THE VON TAER PEARLS + X MISLED + XI LIMOUSINE + XII FOGERTY + XIII DIANA REVOLTS + XIV A COOL ENCOUNTER + XV A BEWILDERING EXPERIENCE + XVI MADAME CERISE, CUSTODIAN + XVII THE MYSTERY DEEPENS +XVIII A RIFT IN THE CLOUDS + XIX POLITIC REPENTANCE + XX A TELEPHONE CALL + XXI THE UNEXPECTED HAPPENS + XXII GONE +XXIII THE CRISIS + XXIV A MATTER OF COURSE + + + + +CHAPTER I + + +UNCLE JOHN'S DUTY + +"You're not doing your duty by those girls, John Merrick!" + +The gentleman at whom this assertion was flung in a rather angry tone +did not answer his sister-in-law. He sat gazing reflectively at the +pattern in the rug and seemed neither startled nor annoyed. Mrs. +Merrick, a pink-cheeked middle-aged lady attired in an elaborate morning +gown, knitted her brows severely as she regarded the chubby little man +opposite; then, suddenly remembering that the wrinkles might leave their +dreadful mark on her carefully rolled and massaged features, she +banished them with a pass of her ringed hand and sighed dismally. + +"It would not have mattered especially had the poor children been left +in their original condition of friendless poverty," she said. "They were +then like a million other girls, content to struggle for a respectable +livelihood and a doubtful position in the lower stratas of social +communion. But you interfered. You came into their lives abruptly, +appearing from those horrid Western wilds with an amazing accumulation +of money and a demand that your three nieces become your special +_protégées_. And what is the result?" + +The little man looked up with a charming smile of good humored raillery. +His keen gray eyes sparkled as mischievously as a schoolboy's. Softly he +rubbed the palms of his hands together, as if enjoying the situation. + +"What is it, Martha, my dear? What is the result?" he asked. + +"You've raised them from their lowly condition to a sphere in which they +reign as queens, the envy of all who know them. You've lavished your +millions upon them unsparingly; they are not only presumptive heiresses +but already possessed of independent fortunes. Ah, you think you've been +generous to these girls; don't you, John Merrick?" "Go on, Martha; go +on." + +"You've taken them abroad--you took my own daughter, John Merrick, and +left _me_ at home!--you've lugged your three nieces to the mountains and +carried them to the seashore. You even encouraged them to enlist in an +unseemly campaign to elect that young imbecile, Kenneth Forbes, and--" + +"Oh, Martha, Martha! Get to the point, if you can. I'm going, +presently." + +"Not until you've heard me out. You've given your nieces every advantage +in your power save one, and the neglect of that one thing renders futile +all else you have accomplished." + +Now, indeed, her listener seemed perplexed. He passed a hand over his +shiny bald head as if to stimulate thought and exorcise bewilderment. + +"What is it, then? What have I neglected?" was his mild enquiry. + +"To give those girls their proper standing in society." + +He started; smiled; then looked grave. + +"You're talking foolishly," he said. "Why, confound it, Martha, they're +as good girls as ever lived! They're highly respected, and--" "Sir, I +refer to Fashionable Society." The capitals indicate the impressive +manner in which Mrs. Merrick pronounced those words. + +"I guess money makes folks fashionable; don't it, Martha?" + +"No, indeed. How ignorant you are, John. Can you not understand that +there is a cultured, aristocratic and exclusive Society in New York that +millions will not enable one to gain _entrée_ to?" + +"Oh, is there? Then I'm helpless." + +"You are not, sir." + +"Eh? I thought you said--" + +"Listen, John; and for heaven's sake try for once to be receptive. I am +speaking not only for the welfare of my daughter Louise but for Beth +and Patricia. Your nieces are charming girls, all three. With the +advantages you have given them they may well become social celebrities." + +"H-m-m. Would they be happier so?" + +"Of course. Every true woman longs for social distinction, especially if +it seems difficult to acquire. Nothing is dearer to a girl's heart than +to win acceptance by the right social set. And New York society is the +most exclusive in America." + +"I'm afraid it will continue to exclude our girls, Martha." + +"Not if you do your duty, John." + +"That reminds me. What is your idea of my duty, Martha? You've been +talking in riddles, so far," he protested, shifting uneasily in his +chair. + +"Let me explain more concisely, then. Your millions, John Merrick, have +made you really famous, even in this wealthy metropolis. In the city and +at your club you must meet with men who have the _entrée_ to the most +desirable social circles: men who might be induced to introduce your +nieces to their families, whose endorsement would effect their proper +presentation." + +"Nonsense." + +"It isn't nonsense at all." + +"Then blamed if I know what you're driving at." + +"You're very obtuse." + +"I won't agree to that till I know what 'obtuse' means. See here, +Martha; you say this social position, that the girls are so crazy +for--but they've never said anything to _me_ about it--can't be bought. +In the next breath you urge me to buy it. Phoo! You're a thoughtless, +silly woman, Martha, and let your wild ambitions run away with your +common sense." + +Mrs. Merrick sighed, but stubbornly maintained her position. + +"I don't suggest 'buying' such people; not at all, John. It's what is +called--ah--ah--'influence'; or, or--" + +"Or 'pull.' 'Pull' is a better word, Martha. Do you imagine there's any +value in social position that can be acquired by 'pull'?" + +"Of course. It has to be acquired some way--if one is not born to it. As +a matter of fact, Louise is entitled, through her connection with _my_ +family--" + +"Pshaw, I knew _your_ family, Martha," he interrupted. "An arrant lot of +humbugs." + +"John Merrick!" + +"Don't get riled. It's the truth. I _knew_ 'em. On her father's side +Louise has just as much to brag about--an' no more. We Merricks never +amounted to much, an' didn't hanker to trip the light fantastic in +swell society. Once, though, when I was a boy, I had a cousin who +spelled down the whole crowd at a spellin'-bee. We were quite proud of +him then; but he went wrong after his triumph, poor fellow! and became a +book agent. Now, Martha, I imagine this talk of yours is all hot air, +and worked off on me not because the girls want society, but because you +want it for 'em. It's all _your_ ambition, I'll bet a peanut." + +"You misjudge me, as usual, John. I am urging a matter of simple +justice. Your nieces are lovely girls, fitted to shine in any sphere of +life," she continued, knowing his weak point and diplomatically +fostering it. "Our girls have youth, accomplishments, money--everything +to fit them for social triumphs. The winter season is now approaching; +the people are flocking back to town from their country homes; +fashionable gaieties and notable events will soon hold full sway. The +dear girls are surely entitled to enjoy these things, don't you think? +Aren't they _worthy_ the best that life has to offer? And why shouldn't +they enter society, if you do your full duty? Once get them properly +introduced and they will be able to hold their own with perfect ease. +Give me the credit for knowing these things, John, and try to help your +nieces to attain their ambition." + +"But _is_ it their ambition?" he asked, doubtfully. + +"They have not said so in words; but I can assure you it _is_ their +ambition, because all three are sensible, spirited, young women, who +live in this age and not the one you yourself knew a half century or so +ago." + +Mr. Merrick sighed and rubbed his head again. Then he slowly rose. + +"Mornin', Martha," he said, with a somewhat abstracted nod at his +sister-in-law. "This is a new idea to me. I'll think it over." + + + + +CHAPTER II + + +A QUESTION OF "PULL" + +John Merrick's face was not so cheery as usual as he made his way into +the city. This suggestion of Martha Merrick's regarding his inattention +to duty to his beloved nieces was no easy nut to crack. + +He knew his sister-in-law to be a wordly-minded, frivolous woman, with +many trivial ambitions; but in this instance he had misgivings that she +might be right. What did he, John Merrick, know of select society? A +poor man, of humble origin, he had wandered into the infantile, embryo +West years ago and there amassed a fortune. When he retired and returned +to "civilization" he found his greatest reward In the discovery of three +charming nieces, all "as poor as Job's turkey" but struggling along +bravely, each in her individual characteristic way, and well worthy +their doting uncle's affectionate admiration. Mrs. Merrick had recited +some of the advantages they had derived from the advent of this rich +relative; but even she could not guess how devoted the man was to the +welfare of these three fortunate girls, nor how his kindly, simple heart +resented the insinuation that he was neglecting anything that might +contribute to their happiness. + +Possession of money had never altered John Merrick's native simplicity. +He had no extravagant tastes, dressed quietly and lived the life of the +people. On this eventful morning the man of millions took a cross-town +car to the elevated station and climbed the stairs to his train. Once +seated and headed cityward he took out his memorandum book to see what +engagements he had for the day. There were three for the afternoon. At +twelve o'clock he had promised to meet Von Taer. + +"H-m-m. Von Taer." + +Gazing reflectively from the window he remembered a conversation with a +prominent banker some month or so before. "Von Taer," the banker had +said, "is an aristocrat with an independent fortune, who clings to the +brokerage business because he inherited it from his father and +grandfather. I hold that such a man has no moral right to continue in +business. He should retire and give the other fellow a chance." + +"Why do you call him an aristocrat?" Mr. Merrick had enquired. + +"Because his family is so ancient that it shames the ark itself. I +imagine his ancestors might have furnished Noah the lumber to build his +ship. In New York the '400' all kowtow to Von Taer." + +"Seems to me he has the right to be a broker if he wants to," asserted +Mr. Merrick. + +"The right; yes. But, between us, Mr. Merrick, this society swell has no +mental capacity to handle such an uncertain business. He's noted for +doing unwarranted things. To me it's a marvel that Von Taer hasn't +shipwrecked the family fortunes long ago. Luck has saved him, not +foresight." + +That speech of a few weeks ago now seemed prophetic to John Merrick. +Within a few days the aristocratic broker had encountered financial +difficulties and been forced to appeal to Mr. Merrick, to whom he +obtained an introduction through a mutual friend. Von Taer was +doubtless solvent, for he controlled large means; but unless a saving +hand was extended at this juncture his losses were sure to be severe, +and might even cripple him seriously. + +All this Mr. Merrick shrewdly considered in the space of a few moments. +As he left the train he looked at his watch and found it was barely +eleven. He decided not to await the hour of appointment. With his usual +brisk stride he walked to Von Taer's offices and was promptly admitted +to the broker's sanctum. + +Hedrik Von Taer was a fine looking man, tall, grave, of dignified +demeanor and courteous manners. He stood until his visitor was seated +and with a gesture of deference invited him to open the conversation. + +"I've decided to make you the loan, Von Taer," began Mr. Merrick, in his +practical, matter-of-fact way. "Three hundred thousand, wasn't it? Call +on Major Doyle at my office this afternoon and he'll arrange it for +you." + +An expression of relief crossed the broker's face. + +"You are very kind, sir," he answered. "I assure you I fully appreciate +the accommodation." + +"Glad to help you," responded the millionaire, briskly. Then he paused +with marked abruptness. It occurred to him he had a difficult +proposition to make to this man. To avoid the cold, enquiring eyes now +fixed upon him he pulled out a cigar and deliberately cut the end. Von +Taer furnished him a match. He smoked a while in silence. + +"This loan, sir," he finally began, "is freely made. There are no +strings tied to it. I don't want you to feel I'm demanding any sort of +return. But the truth is, you have it in your power to grant me a +favor." + +Von Taer bowed. + +"Mr. Merrick has generously placed me under an obligation it will afford +me pleasure to repay," said he. But his eyes held an uneasy look, +nevertheless. + +"It's this way," explained the other: "I've three nieces--fine girls, +Von Taer--who will some day inherit my money. They are already +independent, financially, and they're educated, well-bred and amiable +young women. Take my word for it." + +"I am sure your statements are justified, Mr. Merrick." Yet Hedrik Von +Taer's face, usually unexpressive, denoted blank mystification. What +connection could these girls have with the favor to be demanded? + +"Got any girls yourself, Von Taer?" + +"A daughter, sir. My only child. + +"Grown up?" + +"A young lady now, sir." + +"Then you'll understand. I'm a plain uneducated man myself. Never been +any nearer swell society than a Fifth Avenue stage. My money has given +me commercial position, but no social one worth mentioning. Your '400's' +a bunch I can't break into, nohow." + +A slight smile hovered over the other's lips, but he quickly controlled +it. + +"They tell me, though," continued the speaker, "that _your_ family has +long ago climbed into the top notch of society. You're one o' the big +guns in the battery, an' hold the fort against all comers." + +Von Taer merely bowed. It was scarcely necessary to either admit or +contradict the statement. Uncle John was a little indignant that his +companion showed no disposition to assist him in his explanation, which +a clear head might now easily comprehend. So, with his usual frankness, +he went directly to the point. + +"I'd like my girls to get into the best--the most select--circles," he +announced. "They're good and pretty and well-mannered, so it strikes me +they're entitled to the best there is a-going. I don't want to mix with +your swell crowd myself, because I ain't fit; likewise the outfit ain't +much to my taste, askin' your pardon; but with women it's different. +They need to stand high an' shine bright to make 'em really happy, and +if any special lot is particularly ex-clusive an' high-falutin', that's +the crowd they long to swarm with. It's human nature--female human +nature, anyhow. You catch my idea, Von Taer, don't you?" + +"I think so, Mr. Merrick. Yet I fail to see how I can be of service to +you in gratifying the ambition of your charming nieces." "Then I'll +go, and you may forget what I've said." The visitor arose and took his +hat from the table. "It was only a fool notion, anyway; just a thought, +badly expressed, to help my girls to a toy that money can't buy." + +Hedrik Von Taer gazed steadily into the man's face. There was something +in the simple, honest self-abnegation of this wealthy and important +person that won the respect of all he met. The broker's stern eyes +softened a bit as he gazed and he allowed a fugitive smile, due to his +own change of attitude, to wreathe his thin lips again--just for an +instant. + +"Sit down, please, Mr. Merrick," he requested, and rather reluctantly +Uncle John resumed his seat. "You may not have an especially clear idea +of New York society, and I want to explain my recent remark so that you +will understand it. What is called 'the 400' may or may not exist; but +certainly it is no distinct league or association. It may perhaps be +regarded as a figure of speech, to indicate how few are really admitted +to the most exclusive circles. Moreover, there can be no dominant +'leader of society' here, for the reason that not all grades of society +would recognize the supremacy of any one set, or clique. These cliques +exist for various reasons. They fraternize generally, but keep well +within their own circles. Kindred tastes attract some; ancient lineage +others. There is an ultra-fashionable set, a sporting set, a literary +set, an aristocratic set, a rather 'fast' set, a theatrical set--and so +on. These may all lay claim with certain justice to membership in good +society. Their circles are to an extent exclusive, because some +distinction must mark the eligibility of members. And outside each +luminous sphere hovers a multitude eager to pass the charmed circle and +so acquire recognition. Often it is hard to separate the initiate from +the uninitiate, even by those most expert. Is it difficult to comprehend +such a condition as I have described, Mr. Merrick?" + +"Somewhat, Mr. Von Taer. The wonder to me is why people waste time in +such foolishness." + +"It is the legitimate occupation of many; the folly of unwise ambition +impels others. There is a fascination about social life that appeals to +the majority of natures. Let us compare society to a mountain whose +sides are a steep incline, difficult to mount. To stand upon the +summit, to become the cynosure of all eyes, is a desire inherent, +seemingly, in all humanity; for humanity loves distinction. In the +scramble toward the peak many fall by the wayside; others deceive +themselves by imagining they have attained the apex when they are far +from it. It is a game, Mr. Merrick, just as business is a game, politics +a game, and war a game. You know how few really win." + +"Here," said Uncle John, musingly, "is a philosophy I did not expect +from you, Von Taer. They tell me you're one who stands on top the peak. +And you were born that way, and didn't have to climb. Seems to me you +rather scorn the crowd that's trying to climb to an eminence you never +had to win. That wouldn't be my way. And I suspect that if the crowd +wasn't trying to climb to you, your own position wouldn't be worth a +cotton hat." + +Von Taer had no answer to this criticism. Perhaps he scarcely heard it, +for he appeared lost in a brown study. Finally he said: "Will you +permit my daughter to call upon your nieces, Mr. Merrick?" + +"Of course, sir." + +"Then kindly give me their addresses." + +Uncle John wrote them on a slip of paper. + +"You may now dismiss the subject from your mind, sir, as you lately +advised me to do. Whatever may be accomplished in the direction you have +suggested I will gladly undertake. If I succeed it will be exceedingly +gratifying to us all, I am sure." + +Mr. Merrick left the office in a rather humbled and testy mood. He +disliked to ask favors at any time and now felt that he had confided +himself to the mercy of this callous aristocrat and met with a distinct +rebuff. + +But he had done it for the sake of his beloved nieces--and they would +never know what humiliation this unsatisfactory interview had cost him. + + + + +CHAPTER III + + +DIANA + +Diana Von Taer can not be called a type. She was individual. +Aristocratic to her finger tips, she was unlike all other aristocrats. +An admitted queen of society, her subjects were few and indifferent. She +possessed ancient lineage, was highly accomplished, had been born to the +purple, as the saying is; but none of these things conspired to make her +the curious creature she was. + +As we make her acquaintance she is twenty-three years of age--and looks +eighteen. She is tall and slender and carries her handsome form with +exquisite grace. Diana is never abrupt; her voice is ever modulated to +soft, even tones; she rises from a chair or couch with the lithe, +sinuous motion of a serpent uncoiling. + +Her face, critically regarded, is not so admirable as her form. The +features are a trifle too elongated, and their delicacy is marred by a +nose a bit broad and unshapely and a mouth with thin lips primly set. +Her dark eyes might be magnificent if wide open: but through the narrow +slits of their lids, half hidden by long curling lashes, the eyes peer +at you with a cold, watchful, intent gaze that carries a certain uncanny +and disconcerting fascination. + +Yet the girl is essentially feminine. If you refrain from meeting that +discomfiting gaze--and her familiars have learned to avoid it--Diana +impresses you as being graceful, dainty and possessed of charming +manners. Her taste in dress is perfect. She converses fluently on many +topics. It is her custom to rise at ten o'clock, whatever time she may +have retired the night before; to read until luncheon; to devote the +remainder of her day to the requirements of society. + +Eligible young men of admitted social standing call upon Diana at such +intervals as the proprieties require. They chatter "small talk" and are +careful to address her with deference. With an exception to be referred +to later these young men have no more thought of "flirting" with Miss +Von Taer than they would with the statue of the goddess, her namesake. +Her dinner parties and entertainments are very successful. She is +greatly admired, _per se_, but has no intimate friends. + +When her mother died, some years before, an aunt had come to live with +Diana, and now posed as her chaperon. Mrs. Cameron was a stolid, +corpulent lady, with a countenance perpetually placid and an habitual +aversion to displaying intellect. Her presence in the establishment, +although necessary, was frankly ignored. Fortunately she never obtruded +herself. + +Hedrik Von Taer was passionately devoted to his daughter. He alone, +perhaps, of all the world, thoroughly understood her and appreciated her +talents. She may have frightened him at times, but that only added to +his admiration. In return Diana displayed a calm, but affectionate +regard for her father. + +Often after dinner these two would pass an hour together in a corner of +the drawing-room, where the cold gray eyes of the man met the intent, +half-veiled glance of the girl with perfect understanding. They talked +of many things, including business. Hedrik had no secrets from his +daughter. The desperate condition of his finances, when he had been +caught in a "corner" on wheat and nearly crushed, had not dismayed her +in the least. It was she who had counseled him to appeal to John +Merrick, since the name and fame of the eccentric millionaire were +familiar to her as to him. + +He related to Diana his interview with Mr. Merrick on his return home. +He was saved. The three hundred thousand were now in the bank to his +credit and he could weather the coming storm easily--perhaps with +profit. In a tone half amused, half serious, he told her of the little +millionaire's desire to secure _entrée_ into good society for his three +nieces. + +Diana laughed with her lips; her eyes never laughed. Then she took in +her hand the paper containing the addresses of the three girls and +regarded it thoughtfully. + +"It is a curious request, _mon pere_," she said, in her soft, even +tones; "but one we cannot diplomatically disregard. Provided, however--" + +"Yes, Diana;" as she paused. + +"Provided these prospective _debutantes_ are not wholly impossible." + +"I realize that," returned her father. "John Merrick is a great power in +the city. He has been useful to me, and may be again. I have this chance +to win him. But the man is very common clay, despite his wealth, and his +three nieces are likely to be made of the same material. Should they +prove impossible you cannot well descend to introducing them to our +set." + +"I am not certain of that, sir," said the girl, with a pretty shrug. "My +position is too secure to be jeopardized by any error of this sort. I +believe I may introduce these girls without risk. I shall not vouch for +them too strongly, and after their debut they must stand or fall on +their own merits." + +"It is something a Von Taer has never yet done," remarked the man, +gravely. + +"To commercialize his social position? But, father dear, the age is fast +commercializing everything. I think our especial set is as yet +comparatively free from contamination by the 'lately rich'; but even +among us money has glossed many offenses that a generation ago would +have meant social ostracism." + +He nodded. + +"That is true, Diana." + +"Life with me is a bit dull, as well. Everlasting routine, however +admirable, is tiresome. I scent amusement in this adventure, which I +have decided to undertake. With your permission I will see these girls +and quickly decide their fate. Should they prove not too dreadfully +_outré_ you may look to see them my especial _protégés_." + +"I leave all to your discretion, Diana," returned Von Taer, with a sigh. +"If, in the end, some of the more particular venture to reproach them." + +"It will not matter," interrupted the daughter, lightly, as her dark +eyes narrowed to a hair's breadth. "Any who dares reproach Diana Von +Taer will afford her interesting occupation. And to offset that remote +contingency we shall permanently enslave the powerful John Merrick. I +understand he is hard as nails in financial matters; but to us the man +has disclosed his one weakness--ambition to promote his three nieces. +Since we have discovered this vulnerable point, let us take advantage of +it. I am satisfied the loan of three hundred thousand was but a +lure--and how cleverly the man gauged us!" + +Von Taer scowled. + +"Get your wraps, Diana. The carriage is waiting, and we are due at Mrs. +Doldringham's crush." + + + + +CHAPTER IV + + +THE THREE NIECES + +The Von Taers did not affect motor cars. In some circles the carriage +and pair is still considered the more aristocratic mode of conveyance. +Established customs do not readily give way to fads and freaks. + +Consulting her memoranda as she rode along; in her handsome, tastefully +appointed equipage, Diana found that Louise Merrick, one of the three +girls she had set out to discover, was the nearest on her route. +Presently she rang the bell at the Merrick residence, an eminently +respectable dwelling; in a desirable neighborhood. + +Diana could not resist a sigh of relief as her observant glance noted +this detail. A dignified butler ushered her into a reception room and +departed with her card. + +It was now that the visitor's nose took an upward tendency as she +critically examined her surroundings. The furnishings were abominable, a +mixture of distressingly new articles with those evidently procured +from dealers in "antiquities." Money had been lavished here, but good +taste was absent. To understand this--for Miss Von Taer gauged the +condition truly--it is necessary to know something of Mrs. Martha +Merrick. + +This lady, the relict of John Merrick's only brother, was endowed with a +mediocre mind and a towering ambition. When left a widow with an only +daughter she had schemed and contrived in endless ways to maintain an +appearance of competency on a meager income. Finally she divided her +capital, derived from her husband's life insurance, into three equal +parts, which she determined to squander in three years in an attempt to +hoodwink the world with the belief that she was wealthy. Before the +three years were ended her daughter Louise would be twenty, and by that +time she must have secured a rich _parti_ and been safely married. In +return for this "sacrifice" the girl was to see that her mother was made +comfortable thereafter. + +This worldly and foolish design was confided to Louise when she was only +seventeen, and her unformed mind easily absorbed her mother's silly +ambition. It was a pity, for Louise Merrick possessed a nature sweet +and lovable, as well as instinctively refined--a nature derived from her +dead father and with little true sympathy with Mrs. Merrick's +unscrupulous schemes. But at that age a girl is easily influenced, so it +is little wonder that under such tuition Louise became calculating, sly +and deceitful, to a most deplorable degree. + +Such acquired traits bade fair in the end to defeat Mrs. Merrick's +carefully planned _coup_, for the daughter had a premature love affair +with a youth outside the pale of eligibility. Louise ignored the fact +that he had been disinherited by his father, and in her reckless +infatuation would have sacrificed her mother without thought or remorse. +The dreadful finale had only been averted by the advent of Uncle John +Merrick, who had changed the life plans of the widow and her heedless +daughter and promptly saved the situation. + +John Merrick did not like his sister-in-law, but he was charmed by his +lovely niece and took her at once to his affectionate old heart. He saw +the faults of Louise clearly, but also appreciated her sweeter +qualities. Under his skillful guidance she soon redeemed herself and +regained control of her better nature. The girl was not yet perfect, by +any means; she was to an extent artificial and secretive, and her +thoughtless flirtations were far from wise; but her two cousins and her +uncle had come to know and understand her good points. They not only +bore patiently with her volatile nature but strove to influence her to +demonstrate her inherent good qualities. + +In one way her mother's calculating training had been most effective. +Louise was not only a dainty, lovely maid to the eye, but her manners +were gracious and winning and she had that admirable self-possession +which quickly endears one even to casual acquaintances. She did not +impress more intimate friends as being wholly sincere, yet there was +nothing in her acts, since that one escapade referred to, that merited +severe disapproval. + +Of course the brilliant idea of foisting her precious daughter upon the +"select" society of the metropolis was original with Mrs. Merrick. +Louise was well content with things as they were; but not so the +mother. The rise from poverty to affluence, the removal of all cares and +burdens from her mind, had merely fostered still greater ambitions. +Uncle John's generosity had endowed each of his three nieces with an +ample fortune. "I want 'em to enjoy the good things of life while +they're at an age to enjoy 'em," he said; "for the older one gets the +fewer things are found to be enjoyable. That's my experience, anyhow." +He also told the girls frankly that they were to inherit +jointly--although not equally--his entire fortune. Yet even this glowing +prospect did not satisfy Mrs. Merrick. Since all her plans for Louise, +from the very beginning, had been founded on personal selfishness, she +now proposed to have her daughter gain admission to recognized +fashionable society in order that she might herself bask in the +reflection of the glory so obtained and take her place with the proud +matrons who formed the keystone of such society. After carefully +considering ways and means to gain her object she had finally conceived +the idea of utilizing Mr. Merrick. She well knew Uncle John would not +consider one niece to the exclusion of the others, and had therefore +used his influence to get all three girls properly "introduced." +Therefore her delight and excitement were intense when the butler +brought up Diana's card and she realized that "the perfectly swell Miss +Von Taer" was seated in her reception room. She rushed to Louise, who, +wholly innocent of any knowledge of the intrigue which had led to this +climax, opened her blue eyes in astonishment and said with a gasp: + +"Oh, mother! what shall I do?" + +"Do? Why, go down and make yourself agreeable, of course. It's your +chance, my dear, your great chance in life! Go--go! Don't, for heaven's +sake, keep her waiting." + +Louise went down. In her most affable and gracious way she approached +the visitor and said: + +"It is very nice of you to call upon me. I am _so_ glad to meet Miss Von +Taer." Diana, passing conversational nothings with the young girl, was +pleased by her appearance and self-possession. This aspirant for social +honors was fresh, fair and attractive, with a flow of small talk at her +tongue's end. + +"Really," thought the fastidious visitor, "this one, at least, will do +me no discredit. If she is a fair sample of the others we shall get +along very nicely In this enterprise." + +To Louise she said, before going: + +"I'm to have an evening, the nineteenth. Will you assist me to receive? +Now that we are acquainted I wish to see more of you, my dear, and I +predict we shall get along famously together." + +The girl's head swam. Help Miss Von Taer to receive! Such an honor had +been undreamed of an hour ago. But she held her natural agitation under +good control and only a round red spot Upon each cheek betrayed her +inward excitement as she prettily accepted the invitation. Beneath their +drooping lashes Diana's sagacious eyes read the thoughts of the girl +quite accurately. Miss Von Taer enjoyed disconcerting anyone in any way, +and Louise was so simple and unsophisticated that she promised to afford +considerable amusement in the future. + +By the time Diana had finished her brief call this singular creature had +taken the measure of Louise Merrick in every detail, including her +assumption of lightness and her various frivolities. She understood that +in the girl were capabilities for good or for evil, as she might be led +by a stronger will. And, musingly, Diana wondered who would lead her. + +As for Louise, she was enraptured by her distinguished visitor's +condescension and patronage, and her heart bounded at the thought of +being admitted to the envied social coterie in which Diana Von Taer +shone a bright, particular star. + +The second name in the list of John Merrick's nieces was that of +Elizabeth De Graf. She lived at a good private hotel located in an +exclusive residence district. + +It was true that Elizabeth--or "Beth," as she was more familiarly +called--was not a permanent guest at this hotel. When in New York she +was accustomed to live with one or the other of her cousins, who +welcomed her eagerly. But just now her mother had journeyed from the old +Ohio home to visit Beth, and the girl had no intention of inflicting +her parent upon the other girls. Therefore she had taken rooms at the +hotel temporarily, and the plan suited her mother excellently. For one +thing, Mrs. De Graf could go home and tell her Cloverton gossips that +she had stopped at the most "fashionable" hotel in New York; a second +point was that she loved to feast with epicurean avidity upon the +products of a clever _chef_, being one of those women who live to eat, +rather than eat to live. + +Mrs. De Graf was John Merrick's only surviving sister, but she differed +as widely from the simple, kindly man in disposition as did her +ingenious daughter from her in mental attainments. The father, Professor +De Graf, was supposed to be a "musical genius." Before Beth came into +her money, through Uncle John, the Professor taught the piano and +singing; now, however, the daughter allowed her parents a liberal +income, and the self-engrossed musician devoted himself to composing +oratorios and concertas which no one but himself would ever play. To +be quite frank, the girl cared little for her gross and selfish parents, +and they in turn cared little for her beyond the value she afforded them +in the way of dollars and cents. So she had not lived at home, where +constant quarrels and bickerings nearly drove her frantic, since Uncle +John had adopted her. In catering to this present whim of her mother, +who longed to spend a few luxurious weeks in New York, Beth sacrificed +more than might be imagined by one unacquainted with her sad family +history. + +Whimsical Major Doyle often called Uncle John's nieces "the Three +Graces"; but Beth was by odds the beauty of them all. Splendid brown +eyes, added to an exquisite complexion, almost faultless features and a +superb carriage, rendered this fair young girl distinguished in any +throng. Fortunately she was as yet quite unspoiled, being saved from +vanity by a morbid consciousness of her inborn failings and a sincere +loathing for the moral weakness that prevented her from correcting those +faults. Judging Beth by the common standard of girls of her age, both +failings and faults were more imaginary than real; yet it was her +characteristic to suspect and despise in herself such weaknesses as +others would condone, or at least regard leniently. For here was a girl +true and staunch, incapable of intrigue or deceit, frank and outspoken, +all these qualities having been proven more than once. Everyone loved +Beth De Graf save herself, and at this stage of her development the +influence of her cousins and of Uncle John had conspired to make the +supersensitive girl more tolerant of herself and less morbid than +formerly. + +I think Beth knew of Diana Von Taer, for the latter's portrait +frequently graced the society columns of the New York press and at times +the three nieces, in confidential mood, would canvass Diana and her +social exploits as they did the acts of other famous semi-public +personages. But the girl had never dreamed of meeting such a celebrity, +and Miss Von Taer's card filled her with curious wonder as to the errand +that had brought her. + +The De Grafs lived _en suite_ at the hotel, for Beth had determined to +surround her Sybaritic mother with all attainable luxury, since the +child frequently reproached herself with feeling a distinct repulsion +for the poor woman. So to-day Diana was ushered into a pretty parlor +where Beth stood calmly awaiting her. + +The two regarded one another in silence a moment, Miss De Graf's frank +eyes covering the other with a comprehensive sweep while Miss Von Taer's +narrowed gaze, profoundly observant, studied the beautiful girl before +her with that impenetrable, half-hidden gleam that precluded any +solution. + +"Miss Von Taer, I believe," said Beth, quietly glancing at the card she +held. "Will you be seated?" + +Diana sank gracefully into a chair. The sinuous motion attracted Beth's +attention and gave her a slight shiver. + +"I am so glad to meet you, my dear," began the visitor, in soft, purring +accents. "I have long promised myself the pleasure of a call, and in +spite of many procrastinations at last have accomplished my ambition." + +Beth resented the affectation of this prelude, and slightly frowned. +Diana was watching; she always watched. "Why should you wish to call +upon me?" was the frank demand. "Do not think me rude, please; but I am +scarcely in a position to become a desirable acquaintance of Miss Von +Taer." The tone was a trifle bitter, and Diana noted it. A subtile +antagonism seemed springing up between them and the more experienced +girl scented in this danger to her plans. She must handle this young +lady more cautiously than she had Louise Merrick. + +"Your position is unimpeachable, my dear," was the sweet-toned response. +"You are John Merrick's niece." + +Beth was really angry now. She scowled, and it spoiled her beauty. Diana +took warning and began to think quickly. + +"I referred to my social position, Miss Von Taer. Our family is honest +enough, thank God; but it has never been accepted in what is termed +select society." + +Diana laughed; a quiet, rippling laugh as icy as a brook in November, +but as near gaiety as she could at the moment accomplish. When she +laughed this way her eyes nearly closed and became inscrutable. Beth +had a feeling of repulsion for her caller, but strove to shake it off. +Miss Von Taer was nothing to her; could be nothing to her. + +"Your uncle is a very wealthy man," said Diana, with easy composure. "He +has made you an heiress, placing you in a class much sought after in +these mercenary days. But aside from that, my dear, your personal +accomplishments have not escaped notice, and gossip declares you to be a +very fascinating young woman, as well as beautiful and good. I do not +imagine society claims to be of divine origin, but were it so no one is +more qualified to grace it." + +The blandishments of this speech had less effect upon Beth than the +evident desire to please. She began to feel she had been ungracious, and +straightway adopted a more cordial tone. + +"I am sure you mean well, Miss Von Taer," she hastened to say, "and I +assure you I am not ungrateful. But it occurred to me we could have +nothing in common." "Oh, my dear! You wrong us both." + +"Do you know my uncle?" enquired Beth. + +"He is the friend of my father, Mr. Hedrik Von Taer. Our family owes Mr. +John Merrick much consideration. Therefore I decided to seek pleasure in +the acquaintance of his nieces." + +The words and tone seemed alike candid. Beth began to relent. She sat +down for the first time, taking a chair opposite Diana. + +"You see," she said, artlessly, "I have no personal inclination for +society, which is doubtless so large a part of your own amusement. It +seems to me artificial and insipid." + +"Those who view from a distance the husk of a cocoanut, have little idea +of the milk within," declared Diana, softly. + +"True," answered Beth. "But I've cracked cocoanuts, and sometimes found +the milk sour and tainted." + +"The difference you observe in cocoanuts is to be found in the various +grades of society. These are not all insipid and artificial, I assure +you." + +"They may be worse," remarked Beth. "I've heard strange tales of your +orgies." Diana was really amused. This girl was proving more +interesting than the first niece she had interviewed. Unaccustomed to +seeking acquaintances outside her own exclusive circle, and under such +circumstances, these meetings were to her in the nature of an adventure. +A creature of powerful likes and dislikes, she already hated Beth most +heartily; but for that very reason she insisted on cultivating her +further acquaintance. + +"You must not judge society by the mad pranks of a few of its members," +she responded, in her most agreeable manner. "If we are not to set an +example in decorum to the rest of the world we are surely unfitted to +occupy the high place accorded us. But you must see and decide for +yourself." + +"I? No, indeed!" + +"Ah, do not decide hastily, my dear. Let me become your sponsor for a +short time, until you really discover what society is like. Then you may +act upon more mature judgment." + +"I do not understand you, Miss Von Taer." + +"Then I will be more explicit. I am to receive a few friends at my home +on the evening of the nineteenth; will you be my guest?" Beth was +puzzled how to answer. The thought crossed her mind that perhaps Uncle +John would like her to be courteous to his friend's daughter, and that +argument decided her. She accepted the invitation. + +"I want you to receive with me," continued Diana, rising. "In that way I +shall be able to introduce you to my friends." + +Beth wondered at this condescension, but consented to receive. She was +annoyed to think how completely she had surrendered to the will of Miss +Von Taer, for whom she had conceived the same aversion she had for a +snake. She estimated Diana, society belle though she was, to be sly, +calculating and deceitful. Worse than all, she was decidedly clever, and +therefore dangerous. Nothing good could come of an acquaintance with +her, Beth was sure; yet she had pledged herself to meet her and her +friends the nineteenth, lit a formal society function. How much Beth De +Graf misjudged Diana Von Taer the future will determine. The interview +had tired Diana. As she reentered her carriage she was undecided whether +to go home or hunt up the third niece. But Willing Square was not five +minutes' drive from here, so she ordered the coachman to proceed there. + +"I am positively out of my element in this affair," she told herself, +"for it is more difficult to cultivate these inexperienced girls than I +had thought. They are not exactly impossible, as I at first feared, but +they are so wholly unconventional as to be somewhat embarrassing as +_protégées_. Analyzing the two I have met--the majority--one strikes me +as being transparently affected and the other a stubborn, attractive +fool. They are equally untrained in diplomacy and unable to cover their +real feelings. Here am I, practically dragging them into the limelight, +when it would be far better for themselves--perhaps for me--that they +remained in oblivion. Ah, well: I called it an adventure: let me hope +some tangible plot will develop to compensate me for my trouble. Life +seems deadly dull; I need excitement. Is it to be furnished by John +Merrick's nieces, I wonder?" Willing Square is a new district, crowded +with fashionable apartment houses. That is, they are called fashionable +by their builders and owners and accepted as such by their would-be +fashionable occupants. Diana knew at least two good families resident in +Willing Square, and though she smiled grimly at the rows of +"oppressively new and vulgar" buildings, she still was not ashamed to +have her equipage seen waiting there. + +Number 3708 Willing Square is a very substantial and cozy appearing +apartment building owned in fee by Miss Patricia Doyle. Diana was +unaware of this fact, but rang the Doyle bell and ascended to the second +floor. + +A maid received her with the announcement that Miss Doyle had "just +stepped out," but was somewhere in the building. Would the visitor care +to wait a few minutes? + +Yes; Diana decided she would wait. She took a seat in the snug front +parlor and from her position noted the series of rooms that opened one +into another throughout the suite, all richly but tastefully furnished +in homely, unassuming manner. "This is better," she mused. "There is +no attempt at foolish display in this establishment, at any rate. I hope +to find Miss Doyle a sensible, refined person. The name is Irish." + +A door slammed somewhere down the line of rooms and a high-pitched voice +cried in excited tones: + +"I've found a baby! Hi, there, Nunkie, dear--I've found a baby!" + +Thereupon came the sound of a chair being pushed back as a man's voice +answered in equal glee: + +"Why, Patsy, Patsy! it's the little rogue from upstairs. Here, Bobby; +come to your own old Uncle!" + +"He won't. He belongs to me; don't you, Bobby darlin'?" + +A babyish voice babbled merrily, but the sounds were all "goos" and +"ahs" without any resemblance to words. Bobby may have imagined he was +talking, but he was not very intelligible. + +"See here, Patsy Doyle; you gimme that baby." cried the man, pleadingly. + "I found him myself, and he's mine. I've dragged him here all the way +from his home upstairs, an' don't you dare lay a finger on him. Uncle +John!" + +"Fair play, Patsy! Bobby's my chum, and--" + +"Well, I'll let you have half of him, Nunkie. Down on your hands and +knees, sir, and be a horse. That's it--Now, Bobby, straddle Uncle John +and drive him by his necktie--here it is. S-t-e-a-d-y, Uncle; and +neigh--neigh like a horse!" + +"How does a horse neigh, Patsy?" asked a muffled voice, choking and +chuckling at the same time. + +"'Nee, hee-hee--hee; hee!'" + +Uncle John tried to neigh, and made a sorry mess of it, although Bobby +shrieked with delight. + +Then came a sudden hush. Diana caught the maid's voice, perhaps +announcing the presence of a visitor, for Patsy cried in subdued +accents: + +"Goodness me, Mary! why didn't you say so? Listen, Uncle John--" + +"Leggo that ear, Bobby--leggo!" + +"--You watch the baby, Uncle John, and don't let anything happen to +him. I've got a caller." + +Diana smiled, a bit scornfully, and then composed her features as a +young girl bustled into the room and came toward her with frank +cordiality indicated in the wide smile and out-stretched hand. + +"Pardon my keeping you waiting," said Patsy, dropping into a chair +opposite her visitor, "Uncle John and I were romping with the baby from +upstarts--Bobby's such a dear! I didn't quite catch the name Mary gave +me and forgot to look at your card." + +"I am Miss Von Taer." + +"Not Diana Von Taer, the swell society girl?" cried Patsy eagerly. + +Diana couldn't remember when she had been so completely nonplused +before. After an involuntary gasp she answered quietly: + +"I am Diana Von Taer." + +"Well, I'm glad to meet you, just the same," said Patsy, cheerfully. "We +outsiders are liable to look on society folk as we would on a cage of +monkeys--because we're so very ignorant, you know, and the bars are +really between us." This frank disdain verged on rudeness, although +the girl had no intention of being rude. Diana was annoyed in spite of +her desire to be tolerant. + +"Perhaps the bars are imaginary," she rejoined, carelessly, "and it may +be you've been looking at the side-show and not at the entertainment in +the main tent. Will you admit that possibility, Miss Doyle?" + +Patsy laughed gleefully. + +"I think you have me there, Miss Von Taer. And what do _I_ know about +society? Just nothing at all. It's out of my line entirely." + +"Perhaps it is," was the slow response. "Society appeals to only those +whose tastes seem to require it." + +"And aren't we drawing distinctions?" enquired Miss Doyle. "Society at +large is the main evidence of civilization, and all decent folk are +members of it." + +"Isn't that communism?" asked Diana. + +"Perhaps so. It's society at large. But certain classes have leagued +together and excluded themselves from their fellows, admitting only +those of their own ilk. The people didn't put them on their +pedestals--they put themselves there. Yet the people bow down and +worship these social gods and seem glad to have them. The newspapers +print their pictures and the color of their gowns and how they do their +hair and what they eat and what they do, and the poor washwomen and +shop-girls and their like read these accounts more religiously than they +do their bibles. My maid Mary's a good girl, but she grabs the society +sheet of the Sunday paper and reads it from top to bottom. I never look +at it myself." + +Diana's cheeks were burning. She naturally resented such ridicule, +having been born to regard social distinction with awe and reverence. +Inwardly resolving to make Miss Patricia Doyle regret the speech she hid +all annoyance under her admirable self-control and answered with smooth +complacency: + +"Your estimate of society, my dear Miss Doyle, is superficial." + +"Don't I know it, then?" exclaimed Patsy. "Culture and breeding, +similarity of taste and intellectual pursuits will always attract +certain people and band them together in those cliques which are called +'social sets,' They are not secret societies; they have no rules of +exclusion; congenial minds are ever welcome to their ranks. This is a +natural coalition, in no way artificial. Can you not appreciate that, +Miss Doyle?" + +"Yes, indeed," admitted Patsy, promptly. "You're quite right, and I'm +just one of those stupid creatures who criticise the sun because there's +a cloud before it. Probably there are all grades of society, because +there are all grades of people." + +"I thought you would agree with me when you understood," murmured Diana, +and her expression was so smug and satisfied that Patsy was seized with +an irresistible spirit of mischief. + +"And haven't I seen your own pictures in the Sunday papers?" she asked. + +"Perhaps; if you robbed your maid of her pleasure." + +"And very pretty pictures they were, too. They showed culture and +breeding all right, and the latest style in gowns. Of course those +intellectual high-brows in your set didn't need an introduction to you; +you were advertised as an example of ultra-fashionable perfection, to +spur the ambition of those lower down in the social scale. Perhaps it's +a good thing." + +"Are you trying to annoy me?" demanded Diana, her eyes glaring under +their curling lashes. + +"Dear me--dear me!" cried Patsy, distressed, "see how saucy and impudent +I've been--and I didn't mean a bit of it! Won't you forgive me, please, +Miss Von Taer? There! we'll begin all over again, and I'll be on my good +behavior. I'm so very ignorant, you know!" + +Diana smiled at this; it would be folly to show resentment to such a +childish creature. + +"Unfortunately," she said, "I have been unable to escape the vulgar +publicity thrust upon me by the newspapers. The reporters are preying +vultures, rapacious for sensation, and have small respect for anyone. I +am sure we discourage them as much as we can. I used to weep with +mortification when I found myself 'written up'; now, however, I have +learned to bear such trials with fortitude--if not with resignation." +"Forgive me!" said Patsy, contritely. "Somehow I've had a false idea of +these things. If I knew you better, Miss Von Taer, you'd soon convert me +to be an admirer of society." + +"I'd like to do that, Miss Doyle, for you interest me. Will you return +my call?" + +"Indeed I will," promised the girl, readily. "I'm flattered that you +called on me at all, Miss Von Taer, for you might easily have amused +yourself better. You must be very busy, with all the demands society +makes on one. When shall I come? Make it some off time, when we won't be +disturbed." + +Diana smiled at her eagerness. How nescient the poor little thing was! + +"Your cousins, Miss Merrick and Miss De Graf, have consented to receive +with me on the evening of the nineteenth. Will you not join us?" + +"Louise and Beth!" cried Patsy, astounded. + +"Isn't it nice of them? And may I count upon you, also?" + +Patsy smiled dubiously into the other's face. + +"Let me out of it!" she said. "Can't you see I'm no butterfly?" + +Diana saw many things, having taken a shrewd account of the girl long +before this. Miss Patricia Doyle was short and plump, with a round, +merry face covered with freckles, hair indisputably red and a +_retroussé_ nose. Also she possessed a pair of wonderful blue eyes--eyes +that danced and scintillated with joyous good humor--eyes so captivating +that few ever looked beyond them or noted the plain face they +glorified. But the critic admitted that the face was charmingly +expressive, the sweet and sensitive mouth always in sympathy with the +twinkling, candid eyes. Life and energy radiated from her small person, +which Miss Von Taer grudgingly conceded to possess unusual fascination. +Here was a creature quite imperfect in detail, yet destined to allure +and enchant whomsoever she might meet. All this was quite the reverse of +Diana's own frigid personality. Patsy would make an excellent foil for +her. + +"As you please, my dear," she said graciously; "but do you not think it +would amuse you to make your debut in society--unimpeachable +society--and be properly introduced to the occupants of the 'pedestals,' +as your cousins will be?" + +Patsy reflected. If Beth and Louise had determined to undertake this +venture why should she hold back? Moreover, she experienced a girlish +and wholly natural curiosity to witness a fashionable gathering and +"size up" the lions for herself. So she said: + +"I'll come, if you really want me; and I'll try my best to behave +nicely. But I can't imagine why you have chosen to take us three girls +under your wing; unless--" with sudden intuition, "it's for Uncle John's +sake." + +"That was it, at first," replied Diana, rising to go; "but now that I've +seen you I'm delighted to have you on your own account. Come early, +dear; we must be ready to receive our guests by nine." + +"Nine o'clock!" reflected Patsy, when her visitor had gone; "why, I'm +often in bed by that time." + + + + +CHAPTER V + + +PREPARING FOR THE PLUNGE + +John Merrick lived with the Doyles at their Willing Square apartments. +There were but two of the Doyles--Patricia and her father, Major Doyle, +a tall, handsome, soldierly man with white moustache and hair. The Major +was noted as a "character," a keen wit and a most agreeable type of the +"old Irish gentleman." He fairly worshipped his daughter, and no one +blamed him for it. His business, as special agent and manager for his +brother-in-law's millions, kept the Major closely occupied and afforded +John Merrick opportunity to spend his days as be pleased. The rich man +was supposed to be "retired," yet the care of his investments and income +was no light task, as the Major found. + +We are accustomed to regard extreme wealth as the result of hard-headed +shrewdness, not wholly divorced from unscrupulous methods, yet no one +could accuse John Merrick or his representative with being other than +kindly, simple-hearted and honest. Uncle John says that he never +intended to "get rich"; it was all the result of carelessness. He had +been so immersed in business that he failed to notice how fast his +fortune was growing. When he awoke to a realization of his immense +accumulation he promptly retired, appointing Major Doyle to look after +his investments and seeking personal leisure after many years of hard +work. He instructed his agent to keep his income from growing into more +capital by rendering wise assistance to all worthy charities and +individuals, and this, as you may suppose, the Major found a herculean +task. Often he denounced Uncle John for refusing to advise him, claiming +that the millionaire had selfishly thrust the burden of his wealth on +the Major's broad shoulders. While there was an element of truth in this +the burden it was not so heavy as to make the old soldier unhappy, and +the two men loved and respected one another with manly cordiality. + +Patricia was recognized as Uncle John's favorite niece and it was +understood she was to inherit the bulk of his property, although some +millions might be divided between Beth and Louise "if they married +wisely." Neither Uncle John nor the Major ever seemed to consider +Patsy's marrying; she was such a child that wedlock for her seemed a +remote possibility. + +The Sunday afternoon following Diana Von Taer's visit to the three +nieces found the girls all congregated in Patsy's own room, where an +earnest discussion was being conducted. That left Uncle John to take his +after-dinner nap in the big Morris chair in the living room, where Major +Doyle sat smoking-sulkily while he gazed from the window and begrudged +the moments Patsy was being kept from him. + +Finally the door opened and the three girls trooped out. + +"Huh! Is the conspiracy all cut-an'-dried?" growled the Major. + +Uncle John woke up with a final snort, removed the newspaper from his +face and sat up. He smiled benignantly upon his nieces. + +"It's all your fault, sor!" declared Major Doyle, selecting the little +millionaire as the safest recipient of his displeasure. "Your +foolishness has involved us all in this dreadful complication. Why on +earth couldn't you leave well-enough alone?" + +Uncle John received the broadside with tolerant equanimity. + +"What's wrong; my dears?" he enquired, directing his mild glance toward +the bevy of young girls. + +"I am unaware that anything is wrong, Uncle," replied Louise gravely. +"But since we are about to make our debut in society it is natural we +should have many things to discuss that would prove quite uninteresting +to men. Really, Uncle John, this is a great event--perhaps the most +important event of our lives." + +"Shucks an' shoestrings!" grunted the Major. "What's in this +paper-shelled, painted, hollow thing ye call 'society' to interest three +healthy, wide-awake girls? Tell me that!" + +"You don't understand, dear," said Patsy, soothing him with a kiss. + +"I think he does," remarked Beth, with meditative brows. "Modern society +is a man-made--or woman-made--condition, to a large extent artificial, +selfish and unwholesome." + +"Oh, Beth!" protested Louise. "You're talking like a rank socialist. I +can understand common people sneering at society, which is so far out of +their reach; but a girl about to be accepted in the best circles has no +right to rail at her own caste." + +"There can be no caste in America," declared Beth, stubbornly. + +"But there _is_ caste in America, and will be so long as the +exclusiveness of society is recognized by the people at large," +continued Louise. "If it is a 'man-made condition' isn't it the most +respected, most refined, most desirable condition that one may attain +to?" + +"There are plenty of honest and happy people in the world who ignore +society altogether," answered Beth. "It strikes me that your social +stars are mighty few in the broad firmament of humanity." + +"But they're stars, for all that, dear," said Uncle John, smiling at her +with a hint of approval in his glance, yet picking up the argument; "and +they look mighty big and bright to the crowd below. It's quite natural. +You can't keep individuals from gaining distinction, even in America. +There are few generals in an army, for instance; and they're 'man-made'; +but that's no reason the generals ain't entitled to our admiration." + +"Let's admire 'em, then--from a distance," retorted the Major, realizing +the military simile was employed to win his sympathy. + +"Certain things, my dear Major, are naturally dear to a girl's heart," +continued Uncle John, musingly; "and we who are not girls have no right +to condemn their natural longings. Girls love dancing, pink teas and +fudge-parties, and where can they find 'em in all their perfection but +in high society? Girls love admiration and flirtations--you do, my +dears; you can't deny it--and the male society swells have the most time +to devote to such things. Girls love pretty dresses--" + +"Oh, Uncle! you've hit the nail on the head now," exclaimed Patsy, +laughing. "We must all have new gowns for this reception, and as we're +to assist Miss Von Taer the dresses must harmonize, so to speak, +and--and--" "And be quite suited to the occasion," broke in Louise; +"and--" + +"And wear our lives out with innumerable fittings," concluded Beth, +gloomily. + +"But why new dresses?" demanded the Major. "You've plenty of old ones +that are clean and pretty, I'm sure; and our Patsy had one from the +dressmaker only last week that's fit for a queen." + +"Oh, Daddy! you don't understand," laughed Patsy. + +"This time, Major, I fear you don't," agreed Beth. "Your convictions +regarding society may be admirable, but you're weak on the gown +question." + +"If the women would only listen to me," began the Major, dictatorially; +but Uncle John cut him short. + +"They won't, sir; they'll listen to no man when it comes to +dressmaking." + +"Don't they dress to captivate the men, then?" asked the Major, with +fine sarcasm. + +"Not at all," answered Louise, loftily. "Men seldom know what a woman +has on, if she looks nice; but women take in every detail of dress and +criticise it severely if anything happens to be out of date, ill +fitting or in bad taste." + +"Then they're in bad taste themselves!" retorted the Major, hotly. + +"Tut-tut, sir; who are you to criticise woman's ways?" asked Uncle John, +much amused. The Major was silenced, but he glared as if unconvinced. + +"Dressmaking is a nuisance," remarked Beth, placidly; "but it's the +penalty we pay for being women." + +"You're nothing but slips o' girls, not out of your teens," grumbled the +Major. And no one paid any attention to him. + +"We want to do you credit, Uncle John," said Patsy, brightly. "Perhaps +our names will be in the papers." + +"They're there already," announced Mr. Merrick, picking up the Sunday +paper that lay beside him. + +A chorus of exclamations was followed by a dive for the paper, and even +the Major smiled grimly as he observed the three girlish heads close +together and three pair of eager eyes scanning swiftly the society +columns. + +"Here it is!" cried Patsy, dancing up and down like a school-girl; and +Louise read in a dignified voice--which trembled slightly with +excitement and pleasure--the following item: + +"Miss Von Taer will receive next Thursday evening at the family mansion +in honor of Miss Merrick, Miss Doyle and Miss De Graf. These three +charming _debutantes_ are nieces of John Merrick, the famous tin-plate +magnate." + +"Phoo!" growled the Major, during the impressive hush that followed; +"that's it, exactly. Your names are printed because you're John +Merrick's nieces. If it hadn't been for tin-plate, my dears, society +never would 'a' known ye at all, at all!" + + + + +CHAPTER VI + + +THE FLY IN THE BROTH + +Diana was an experienced entertainer and under her skillful supervision +the reception proved eminently successful. Nor had she cause to be +ashamed of the three _protégées_ she presented to society, since capable +_modistes_ had supplemented their girlish charms and freshness with +costumes pertinent to the occasion. Perhaps Patsy's chubby form looked a +little "dumpish" in her party gown, for some of Diana's female guests +regarded her with quiet amusement and bored tolerance, while the same +critical posse was amazed and envious at Beth's superb beauty and +stately bearing. After all, it was Louise who captured the woman +contingency and scored the greatest success; for her appearance was not +only dainty and attractive but she was so perfectly self-possessed and +responsive and bore herself so admirably under the somewhat trying; +circumstances of a debut that she won the cordial goodwill of all whom +she encountered. The hostess was elaborately gowned in white pompadour +satin, trimmed with white chiffon and embroidered in pink roses and +pearls. The Von Taer home was handsomely decorated for the occasion, +since Diana never did anything by halves and for her own credit insisted +on attention to those details of display that society recognizes and +loves. Hundreds of long-stemmed American Beauties and Kentia palms were +combined in beautifying the spacious hall, while orchids in marvelous +variety nodded their blossoms in the great drawing-room, where the +young-ladies received. These rare and precious flowers were arranged in +bronze baskets with sprays of maidenhair. In the music room adjoining, +great clusters of Madam Chantenay roses embellished the charming scene. +Branches of cherry-blossoms, supplied by hot-houses, were banked in the +lofty dining-room, where a Japanese pergola made of bamboo and lighted +with red lanterns was erected at the upper end. The attendants here were +Japanese girls in native costume, and the long table was laid with a +lace cloth over pink satin, with butterfly bows of pink tulle. The table +itself was decorated with cut-glass baskets of Cecil Brunner roses +mingled with lilies of the valley and refreshments were distributed to +the standing guests as they entered. + +The affair was in the nature of a typical "crush," for Diana's list of +eligibles included most of the prominent society folk then in town, and +she was too important a personage to have her invitations disregarded. +Beth and Patsy were fairly bewildered by the numerous introductions, +until names became meaningless in their ears; but Louise, perfectly +composed and in no wise distracted by her surroundings or the music of +the orchestra and the perpetual buzz of conversation in the crowded +rooms, impressed each individual upon her memory clearly, and was not +likely to blunder in regard to names or individuality in the future. +This is a rare talent, indeed, and scores, largely in one's favor; for +no one likes to think himself so unimportant as to be forgotten, under +any circumstances. + +It was during the thick of the reception that one of Miss Von Taer's +intimates, a graceful blond girl, suddenly seized her arm and whispered: +"Oh, Diana! Guess who's here--guess, my dear!" Diana knew. Her eyes, +always narrowed until the lashes shielded their sharp watchfulness, +seldom missed observing anything of importance. She pressed her friend's +hand and turned again to the line of guests, while Louise, who had +overheard the excited whisper, wondered casually what it might mean. + +Soon after she knew. A tall, handsome young fellow was bowing before +Diana, who--wonder of wonders!--for an instant unclosed her great eyes +and shot an electric glance into his smiling face. The glance was brief +as unexpected, yet it must have told the young man something, for he +flushed and bowed again as if to hide his embarrassment. It also told +Louise something, and her heart, which had given a quick bound at sight +of the man's face, began to cry out against Diana Von Taer's artifices. + +"Mr. Arthur Weldon," said the hostess, in her soft voice; and now, as +the young man turned an eager gaze on Louise and half extended his hand, +the girl's face grew pale and she imitated Diana to the extent of +dropping her eyes and bowing with frigid indifference. Standing close +he whispered "Louise!" in a pleading tone that made Diana frown +wickedly. But the girl was unresponsive and another instant forced him +to turn to Beth. + +"Why, Arthur! are you here, then?" said the girl, in a surprised but +cordial tone. + +"That is not astonishing, Miss Beth," he replied. "The puzzling fact is +that _you_ are here--and under such auspices," he added, in a lower +tone. + +Patsy now claimed him, with a frank greeting, and Arthur Weldon could do +little more than press her hand when the line forced him to move on and +give place to others. + +But this especial young fellow occupied the minds of all four girls long +after the crowd had swallowed him up. Diana was uneasy and obviously +disturbed by the discovery that he was known to the three cousins, as +well as by the memory of his tone as he addressed Louise Merrick. +Louise, who had read Diana's quick glance with the accuracy of an +intuitionist, felt a sudden suspicion and dislike for Diana now +dominating her. Behind all this was a mystery, which shall be explained +here because the reader deserves to be more enlightened than the +characters themselves. + +Arthur Weldon's nature was a queer combination of weakness and strength. +He was physically brave but a moral coward. The motherless son of a man +wholly immersed in business, he had been much neglected in his youth and +his unstable character was largely the result of this neglect. On +leaving college he refused a business career planned for him by his +father, who cast him off with scornful indifference, and save for a slim +temporary allowance promised to disinherit him. It was during this +period that Arthur met Louise and fell desperately in love with her. The +girl appeared to return the young fellow's devotion, but shrewd, worldly +Mrs. Merrick, discovering that the boy was practically disinherited and +had no prospects whatever, forbade him the house. Louise, until now but +mildly interested in the young-man, resented her mother's interference +and refused to give him up. She found ways to meet Arthur Weldon outside +her home, so that the situation had become complicated and dangerous +when Uncle John seized his three nieces and whisked them off to Europe. +Young Weldon, under an assumed name, followed and attached himself to +the party; but John Merrick's suspicions were presently aroused and on +discovering the identity of the youth he forbade him or Louise to "make +love" or even speak of such a thing during the remainder of the trip. + +The young fellow, by manly acts on some occasions and grave weaknesses +on others, won Uncle John's kindly interest. The old gentleman knew +human nature, and saw much to admire as well as condemn in Louise's +friend. Beth and Patsy found him a pleasant comrade, and after all +love-making was tabooed they were quite a harmonious party. Finally the +sudden death of Weldon's father left him the possessor of a fortune. He +returned to America to look after his newly-acquired business and became +so immersed in it that Louise felt herself neglected when she came home +expecting him to dance attendance upon her as before. She treated him +coldly and he ceased calling, his volatile and sensitive nature +resenting such treatment. It is curious what little things influence +the trend of human lives. Many estrangements are caused by trifles so +intangible that we can scarcely locate them at all. + +At first the girl was very unhappy at the alienation, but soon schooled +herself to forget her former admirer. Arthur Weldon, for his part, +consoled himself by plunging into social distractions and devoting +himself to Diana Von Taer, whose strange personality for a time +fascinated him. + +The business could not hold young Weldon's vacillant temperament for +long; neither could Diana. As a matter of fact his heart, more staunch +than he himself suspected, had never wavered much from Louise. Yet pride +forbade his attempting to renew their former relations. It was now some +months since he had seen the girl, and his eager exclamation was wrested +from him by surprise and a sudden awakening to the fact that his love +for her had merely slumbered. + +Diana, worldly, cold and calculating as was her nature, had been +profoundly touched by Arthur's devotion to her. Usually young men were +soon repulsed by her unfortunate personality, which was not easily +understood. Therefore her intense nature responded freely to this +admirer's attentions, and if Diana could really love she loved Arthur +Weldon. He had never proposed to her or even intimated it was his +intention to do so, but she conceived a powerful desire to win him and +had never abandoned this motive when he grew cold and appeared to desert +her. Just now he was recently back from Italy, where he had passed +several months, and Diana's reception was his first reappearance in +society. The girl had planned to bring him to her side this evening and +intended to exert her strongest fascinations to lure him back to his +former allegiance; so her annoyance may be guessed when she found her +three _protégées_ seemingly more familiar with the young man than was +she herself. + +At last the line ended and the introductions were complete. The +_debutantes_ were at once the center of interested groups composed of +those who felt it a duty or pleasure to show them attention. Diana +wandered to the music room and waylaid Arthur Weldon, who was just about +to make his escape from the house, having decided it was impossible to +find an opportunity to converse with Louise that evening. + +"I'm so glad you came, Arthur," she said, a quick glance assuring her +they were not overheard. "You landed from the steamer but yesterday, I +hear." + +"And came straightway to pay my respects to my old friend," he answered +lightly. "Isn't it unusual for you to present _debutantes_, Diana?" + +"You know these girls, don't you, Arthur?" + +"Yes; I met them in Europe." + +"And flirted with Miss Merrick? Be honest, Arthur, I know your secret." + +"Do you? Then you know we were merely good friends," said he, annoyed at +her accusation. + +"Of course. You called her 'Louise,' didn't you?" + +"To be sure. And Patsy called me 'Arthur. You may have heard her." + +"Patsy?" + +"That's Miss Patricia Doyle--our dear little Patsy." + +"Oh. I'm sure you didn't fall in love with _her_, at any rate." + +"I'm not so sure. Everybody loves Patsy. But I had no time for +love-making. I was doing Europe." + +"Wasn't that a year or so ago?" she asked, realizing he was trying to +evade further reference to Louise. + +"Yes." + +"And since then?" + +"I've been away the last six or seven months, as you know, on my second +trip abroad." + +"But before that--when you first returned?" + +"If I remember rightly I was then much in the society of Miss Von Taer. +Is the catechism ended at last?" + +"Yes," she replied, laughing. "Don't think me inquisitive, Arthur; I was +surprised to find you knew these girls, with whom I am myself but +lightly acquainted." + +"Yet you introduce them to your very select set?" + +"To please my father, who wishes to please Mr. Merrick." + +"I understand," said he, nodding. "But they're nice girls, Diana. +You're not running chances, I assure you." + +"That relieves me," she replied rather scornfully. "If Arthur Weldon +will vouch for them--" + +"But I don't. I'll vouch for no one--not even myself," he declared +hastily. She was calmly reading his face, and did not seem to approve +the text. + +"Are you as fickle as ever, then, _mon cher_?" she asked, softly. + +"I'm not fickle, Diana. My fault is that I'm never serious." + +"Never?" + +"I cannot remember ever being serious; at least, where a girl was +concerned." + +Diana bit her lips to restrain a frown, but her eyes, which he was +avoiding, flashed wickedly. + +"That is surely a fault, my Arthur," was her tender reply. "Were you +never serious during our quiet evenings together; our dances, theatre +parties and romps?" + +"That was merely fun. And you, Diana?" + +"Oh, I enjoyed the fun, too. It meant so much to me. I began to live, +then, and found life very sweet. But when you suddenly left me and went +abroad--ah, _that_ was indeed serious." + +Her tone was full of passionate yearning. He laughed, trying to appear +at ease. Some sort of an understanding must be had with Diana sooner or +later, and she might as well realize at this present interview that the +old relations could not be restored. His nature was not brutal and he +disliked to hurt her; moreover, the boy had an uneasy feeling that he +had been a far more ardent admirer of this peculiar girl than any fellow +should be who had had no serious intentions; yet it would be folly to +allow Diana to think she could win him back to his former allegiance. No +compromising word had ever left his lips; he had never spoken of love to +her. Yet the girl's attitude seemed to infer a certain possession of him +which was far from agreeable. + +Having gone so far, he should have said more; but here again his lack of +moral courage proved his stumbling-block, and he weakly evaded a frank +expression of his true feelings. "Life," he began somewhat haltingly, +to break the embarrassing pause, "is only serious when we make it so; +and as soon as we make it serious it makes us unhappy. So I've adopted +one invariable rule: to laugh and be gay." + +"Then I too will be gay, and together we'll enjoy life," responded +Diana, with an effort to speak lightly. "I shall let your moods be my +moods, Arthur, as a good friend should. Are we not affinities?" + +Again he knew not what to say. Her persistence in clinging to her +intangible hold upon him was extremely irritating, and he realized the +girl was far too clever for him to cope with and was liable to cause him +future trouble. Instead of seizing the opportunity to frankly undeceive +her he foolishly evaded the subject. + +"You've been tempting fate to-night," he remarked with assumed +carelessness. "Don't you remember that to stand four girls in a row is a +bad omen?" + +"Only for the one who first winks. Isn't that the way the saying goes? I +seldom wink, myself," she continued, smilingly. "But I have no faith in +ill omens. Their power is entirely due to mental fear." + +"I think not," said Arthur, glad the conversation had taken this turn. +"Once I knew a fellow with thirteen letters in his name. He had no +mental fear. But he proposed to a girl--and was accepted." + +She gave him one of those sudden, swift glances that were so +disconcerting. + +"If you had a middle initial, there would be thirteen letters in your +own name, Arthur Weldon." + +"But I haven't, Diana; I haven't," he protested, eagerly. "And if ever I +propose to a girl I'm sure she'll refuse me. But I've no intention of +doing such a crazy thing, so I'm perfectly safe." + +"You cannot be sure until you try, Arthur," she replied pointedly, and +with a start he became conscious that he was again treading upon +dangerous ground. + +"Come; let us rejoin your guests," said he, offering her his arm. "They +would all hate me if they knew I was keeping the fair Diana from them so +long." "Arthur, I must have a good long; talk with you--one of our +old, delightful confabs," she said, earnestly. "Will you call Sunday +afternoon? Then we shall be quite undisturbed." + +He hesitated. + +"Sunday afternoon?" he answered. + +"Yes." + +"All right; I'll come, Diana." + +She gave him a grateful look and taking his arm allowed him to lead her +back to the drawing-room. The crush was over, many having already +departed. Some of the young people were dancing in the open spaces to +the music of a string orchestra hidden behind a bank of ferns in the +hall. + +Louise and Beth were the centers of attentive circles; Patsy conversed +with merry freedom with a group of ancient dowagers, who delighted in +her freshness and healthy vigor and were flattered by her consideration. +Mrs. Merrick--for she had been invited--sat in a corner gorgeously robed +and stiff as a poker, her eyes devouring the scene. Noting the triumph +of Louise she failed to realize she was herself neglected. A single +glance sufficed to acquaint Diana with all this, and after a gracious +word to her guests here and there she asked Arthur to dance with her. He +could not well refuse, but felt irritated and annoyed when he observed +Louise's eyes fastened upon him in amused disdain. After a few turns he +discovered some departing ones waiting to bid their hostess _adieu_, and +escaped from his unpleasant predicament by halting his partner before +them. Then he slipped away and quietly left the house before Diana had +time to miss him. + + + + +CHAPTER VII + + +THE HERO ENTERS AND TROUBLE BEGINS + +The Von Taer reception fully launched the three nieces in society. +Endorsed by Diana and backed by John Merrick's millions and their own +winsome charms, they were sure to become favorites in that admirable set +to which they had fortunately gained admittance. + +Cards poured in upon them during; the succeeding days and they found +themselves busy returning calls and attending dinners, fetes, bridge +parties and similar diversions. The great Mrs. Sandringham took a +decided fancy to Louise, and when the committee was appointed to arrange +for the social Kermess to be held in December, this dictatorial leader +had the girl's name included in the list. Naturally the favor led to all +three cousins taking active part in the most famous social event of the +season, and as an especial mark of favoritism they were appointed to +conduct the "flower booth," one of the important features of the +Kermess. + +Mrs. Merrick was in the seventh heaven of ecstatic delight; Uncle John +declared his three girls were sure to become shining lights, if not +actual constellations, wherever they might be placed; Major Doyle +growled and protested; but was secretly pleased to have "our Patsy the +captain of the dress parade," where he fondly imagined she outclassed +all others. All former denunciations of society at large were now +ignored, even by unimpressive Beth, and the girls soon became deeply +interested in their novel experiences. + +Arthur Weldon sulked at home, unhappy and undecided, for a day or two +after the reception. Sunday noon he dispatched a messenger to Diana with +a note saying he would be unable to keep his appointment with her that +afternoon. Then he went straight to the Merrick home and sent his card +to Louise. The girl flushed, smiled, frowned, and decided to go down. + +No one had ever interested her so much as Arthur Weldon. There had been +a spice of romance about their former relations that made her still +regard him as exceptional among mankind. She had been asking herself, +since the night of the reception, if she still loved him, but could not +come to a positive conclusion. The boy was no longer "ineligible," as he +had been at first; even Uncle John could now have no serious objection +to him. He was handsome, agreeable, occupied a good social position and +was fairly well off in the way of worldly goods--the last point removing +Mrs. Merrick's former rejection of Arthur as a desirable son-in-law. + +But girls are wayward and peculiar in such an _affaire du coeur_, and +none of these things might have weighed with Louise had she not +discovered that Diana Von Taer was in love with Arthur and intended to +win him. That aroused the girl's fighting instincts, rendered the young +man doubly important, and easily caused Louise to forget her resentment +at his temporary desertion of her. Perhaps, she reflected, it had +partially been her own fault. Now that Arthur showed a disposition to +renew their friendship, and she might promise herself the satisfaction +of defeating Diana's ambitions, it would be diplomatic, at least, to +receive the youth with cordial frankness. + +Therefore she greeted him smilingly and with outstretched hand, saying: + +"This is quite a surprise, Mr. Weldon. I'd a notion you had forgotten +me." "No, indeed, Louise! How could you imagine such a thing?" he +answered, reproachfully. + +"There was some evidence of the fact," she asserted archly. "At one time +you gave me no peace; then you became retiring. At last you disappeared +wholly. What could I think, sir, under such circumstances?" + +He stood looking down at her thoughtfully. How pretty she had grown; and +how mature and womanly. + +"Louise," said he, gently, "don't let us indulge in mutual reproaches. +Some one must have been at fault and I'll willingly take all the blame +if you will forgive me. Once we were--were good friends. We--we intended +to be still more to one another, Louise, but something occurred, I don't +know what, to--to separate us." + +"Why, you went away," said the girl, laughing; "and that of course +separated us." + +"You treated me like a beggar; don't forget that part of it, dear. Of +course I went away." + +"And consoled yourself with a certain Miss Diana Von Taer. It has lately +been rumored you are engaged to her." "Me? What nonsense?" But he +hushed guiltily, and Louise noted everything and determined he should +not escape punishment. + +"Diana, at least, is in earnest," she remarked, with assumed +indifference. "You may not care to deny that you have been very +attentive to her." + +"Not especially so," he declared, stoutly. + +"People gossip, you know. And Diana is charming." + +"She's an iceberg!" + +"Oh, you have discovered that? Was she wholly unresponsive, then?" + +"No," he said, with a touch of anger. "I have never cared for Diana, +except in a friendly way. She amused me for a while when--when I was +wretched. But I never made love to her; not for a moment. Afterward, +why--then----" + +"Well; what then?" as he hesitated, growing red again. + +"I found she had taken my careless attentions in earnest, and the play +was getting dangerous. So I went abroad." + +Louise considered this explanation seriously. She believed he was +speaking the truth, so far as he knew. But at the same time she realized +from her own experience that Arthur might as easily deceive himself as +Diana in his estimate as to the warmth of the devotion he displayed. His +nature was impetuous and ardent. That Diana should have taken his +attentions seriously and become infatuated with the handsome young +fellow was not a matter to cause surprise. + +Gradually Louise felt her resentment disappearing. In Arthur's presence +the charm of his personality influenced her to be lenient with his +shortcomings. And his evident desire for a reconciliation found an echo +in her own heart. + +Mutual explanations are excellent to clear a murky atmosphere, and an +hour's earnest conversation did much to restore these two congenial +spirits to their former affectionate relations. Of course Louise did not +succumb too fully to his pleadings, for her feminine instinct warned her +to keep the boy on "the anxious seat" long enough to enable him to +appreciate her value and the honor of winning her good graces. Moreover, +she made some severe conditions and put him on his good behavior. If he +proved worthy, and was steadfast and true, why then the future might +reward him freely. + +Diana had been making careful plans for her interview with Arthur that +Sunday afternoon. With no futile attempt to deceive herself as to +existent conditions she coldly weighed the chances in her mental scale +and concluded she had sufficient power to win this unstable youth to her +side and induce him to forget that such a person as Louise Merrick ever +existed. + +Diana was little experienced in such affairs, it is true. Arthur Weldon +had been her first and only declared admirer, and no one living had +studied his peculiar nature more critically than this observant girl. +Also she knew well her own physical failings. She realized that her +personality was to many repulsive, rather than attractive, and this in +spite of her exquisite form, her perfect breeding and many undeniable +accomplishments. Men, as a rule, seldom remained at her side save +through politeness, and even seemed to fear her; but never until now had +she cared for any man sufficiently to wish to retain or interest him. +There were unsuspected fascinations lying dormant in her nature, and +Miss Von Taer calmly reflected that the exercise of these qualities, +backed by her native wit and capacity for intrigue, could easily +accomplish the object she desired. + +Thus she had planned her campaign and carefully dressed herself in +anticipation of Arthur's call when his note came canceling the +engagement. After rereading his lame excuse she sat down in a quiet +corner and began to think. The first gun had been fired, the battle was +on, and like a wise general she carefully marshaled her forces for +combat. + +An hour or two later she turned to her telephone book and called up the +Merrick establishment. A voice, that of a maid, evidently, answered her. + +"I wish to speak with Miss Merrick," said Diana. + +Louise, annoyed at being disturbed, left Arthur's side to respond to the +call. + +"Who is it, please?" she asked. + +"Is Mr. Weldon still there, or has he gone?" enquired Diana, disguising +her voice and speaking imperatively.. "Why, he's still here," answered +bewildered Louise; "but who is talking, please?" + +No answer. + +"Do you wish to speak with Mr. Weldon?" continued the girl, mystified at +such an odd procedure. + +Diana hung up her receiver, severing the connection. The click of the +instrument assured Louise there was no use in waiting longer, so she +returned to Arthur. She could not even guess who had called her. Arthur +could, though, when he had heard her story, and Diana's impudent +meddling made him distinctly uneasy. He took care not to enlighten +Louise, and the incident was soon forgotten by her. + +"It proved just as I expected," mused Diana, huddled in her reclining' +chair. "The fool has thrown me over to go to her. But this is not +important. With the situation so clearly defined I shall know exactly +what I must do to protect my own interests." + +Mr. Von Taer was away from home that Sunday afternoon, and would not +return until a late hour. Diana went to the telephone again and after +several unsuccessful attempts located her cousin, Mr. Charles Connoldy +Mershone, at a club. + +"It's Diana," she said, when at last communication was established. "I +want you to come over and see me; at once." + +"You'll have to excuse me, Di," was the answer. "I was unceremoniously +kicked out the last time, you know." + +"Father's away. It's all right, Charlie. Come along." + +"Can't see it, my fair cousin. You've all treated me like a bull-pup, +and I'm not anxious to mix up with that sort of a relationship. Anything +more? I'm going to play pool to win my dinner." + +"Funds running low, Charlie?" + +"Worse than that; they're invisible." + +"Then pay attention. Call a taxi at once, and get here as soon as you +can. I'll foot the bill--and any others that happen to be bothering +you." + +A low, surprised whistle came over the wire. + +"What's up, Di?" he asked, with new interest. + +"Come and find out." + +"Can I be useful?" + +"Assuredly; to yourself." + +"All right; I'm on the way." + +He hung up, and Diana gave a sigh of content as she slowly returned to +her den and the easy chair, where Mr. Mershone found her "coiled" some +half hour later. + +"This is a queer go," said the young man, taking a seat and glancing +around with knitted brows. "It isn't so long since dear Uncle Hedrik +tumbled me out of here neck and crop; and now Cousin Diana invites me to +return." + +At first glance young Mershone seemed an attractive young fellow, tall, +finely formed and well groomed. But his eyes were too close together and +his handsome features bore unmistakable marks of dissipation. + +"You disgraced us a year or so ago, Charlie," said Diana, in her soft, +quiet accents, "and under such circumstances we could not tolerate you. +You can scarcely blame us for cutting your acquaintance. But now--" + +"Well, now?" he enquired coolly, trying to read her impassive face. + +"I need the services of just such an unscrupulous and clever individual +as you have proven yourself to be. I'm willing to pay liberally for +those services, and you doubtless need the money. Are we allies, then?" + +Mershone laughed, with little genuine mirth. + +"Of course, my dear cousin," he responded; "provided you propose any +legal villainy. I'm not partial to the police; but I really need the +money, as you suggest." + +"And you will be faithful?" she asked, regarding him doubtfully. + +"To the cause, you may be sure. But understand me: I balk at murder and +burglary. Somehow, the police seem to know me. I'll not do anything that +might lead to a jail sentence, because there are easier ways to get +money. However, I don't imagine your proposed plan is very desperate, +Diana; it's more liable to be dirty work. Never mind; you may command +me, my dear cousin--if the pay is ample." + +"The pay will be ample if you succeed," she began. + +"I don't like that. I may not succeed." + +"Listen to me, Charlie. Do you know Arthur Weldon?" + +"Slightly; not very well." + +"I intend to marry him. He has paid me marked attentions in the past; +but now--he--" + +"Wants to slip the leash. Quite natural, my dear." + +"He has become infatuated with another girl; a light-headed, +inexperienced little thing who is likely to marry the first man who asks +her. She is very rich--in her own right, too--and her husband will be a +fortunate man." + +Mershone stared at her. Then he whistled, took a few turns up and down +the room, and reseated himself. + +"Evidently!" he ejaculated, lighting a cigarette without permission and +then leaning back thoughtfully in his chair. + +"Charlie," continued Diana, "you may as well marry Louise Merrick and +settle down to a life of respectability. You've a dashing, masterful way +which no girl of her sort can long resist. I propose that you make +desperate love to Louise Merrick and so cut Arthur Weldon out of the +deal entirely. My part of the comedy will be to attract him to my side +again. Now you have the entire proposition in a nutshell." + +He smoked for a time in reflective silence. + +"What's the girl like?" he enquired, presently. "Is she attractive?" + +"Sufficiently so to fascinate Arthur Weldon. Moreover, she has just been +introduced in our set, and knows nothing of your shady past history. +Even if rumors came to her ears, young creatures of her sort often find +a subtle charm in a man accused of being 'naughty.'" + +"Humph!" + +"If you win her, you get a wife easily managed and a splendid fortune to +squander as you please." + +"Sounds interesting, Di, doesn't it? But--" + +"In regard to preliminary expenses," she interrupted, calmly, "I have +said that your reward will be ample when you have won the game. But +meantime I am willing to invest the necessary funds in the enterprise. I +will allow you a thousand a month." "Bah! that's nothing at all!" said +he, contemptuously, as he flicked the ashes from his cigarette. + +"What do you demand, then?" + +"Five hundred a week, in advance. It's an expensive job, Di." + +"Very well; I will give you five hundred a week; but only as long as you +work earnestly to carry out the plot. I shall watch you, Charlie. And +you must not lose sight of the ultimate reward." + +"I won't, my sweet cousin. It's a bargain," he said, readily enough. +"When do I begin, and what's the program?" + +"Draw your chair nearer," said Diana, restraining her triumphant joy. +"I'll explain everything to you in detail. It will be my part to plan, +and yours to execute." + +"Good!" he exclaimed, with a cheerful grin. "I feel like an executioner +already!" + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + + +OPENING THE CAMPAIGN + +Louise's little romance, which now began to thrive vigorously, was +regarded with calmness by her cousins and her mother, who knew of the +former episode between her and Arthur and attached little importance to +the renewed flirtation in which they indulged. That they were deceived +in their estimate was due to the girl's reputation for frivolity where +young men were concerned. She had been dubbed a "flirt" ever since she +first began to wear long dresses, and her nature was not considered deep +enough for her heart to be ever seriously affected. Therefore the young +girl was gravely misjudged. + +Louise was not one to bare her heart, even to her most intimate friends, +and no one now suspected that at last her deepest, truest womanly +affections were seriously involved. The love for Arthur that had lain +dormant in her heart was aroused at a time when she was more mature and +capable of recognizing truly her feelings, so that it was not long +before she surrendered her reserve and admitted to him that life would +mean little for her unless they might pass the years together. For his +part, young Weldon sincerely loved Louise, and had never wavered from +his firm devotion during all the past months of misunderstanding. + +The general impression that they were "merely flirting" afforded the +lovers ample opportunity to have their walks and drives together +undisturbed, and during these soulful communions they arrived at such a +perfect understanding that both were confident nothing could ever +disturb their trust and confidence. + +It was at a theatre party that the three _debutantes_ first met Charlie +Mershone, but they saw little of him that first evening and scarcely +noticed his presence. Louise, indeed, noted that his eyes were fixed +upon her more than once with thinly veiled admiration, and without a +thought of disloyalty to Arthur, but acting upon the impulse of her +coquettish nature, she responded with a demure smile of encouragement. +Charlie Mershone was an adept at playing parts. He at first regarded +Louise much as a hunter does the game he is stalking. Patsy Doyle was +more jolly and Beth De Graf more beautiful than Miss Merrick; but the +young man would in any event have preferred the latter's dainty +personality. When he found her responsive to his admiring glances he was +astounded to note his heart beating rapidly--a thing quite foreign to +his usual temperament. Yes, this girl would do very nicely, both as a +wife and as a banker. Assuredly the game was well worth playing, as +Diana had asserted. He must make it his business to discover what +difficulties must be overcome in winning her. Of course Arthur Weldon +was the main stumbling-block; but Weldon was a ninny; he must be thrust +aside; Diana had promised to attend to that. + +Never in his life had Charles Connoldy Mershone been in earnest before. +After his first interview with Louise Merrick he became in deadly +earnest. His second meeting with her was at Marie Delmar's bridge whist +party, where they had opportunity for an extended conversation. Arthur +was present this evening, but by some chance Mershone drew Louise for +his partner at cards, and being a skillful player he carried her in +progression from table to table, leaving poor Arthur far behind and +indulging in merry repartee and mild flirtation until they felt they +were quite well acquainted. + +Louise found the young man a charming conversationalist. He had a +dashing, confidential way of addressing the girl which impressed her as +flattering and agreeable, while his spirits were so exuberant and +sparkling with humor that she was thoroughly amused every moment while +in his society. Indeed, Mr. Mershone was really talented, and had he +possessed any manly attributes, or even the ordinary honorable instincts +of mankind, there is little doubt he would have been a popular favorite. +But he had made his mark, and it was a rather grimy one. From earliest +youth he had been guilty of discreditable acts that had won for him the +contempt of all right-minded people. That he was still accepted with lax +tolerance by some of the more thoughtless matrons of the fashionable set +was due to his family name. They could not forget that in spite of his +numerous lapses from respectability he was still a Mershone. Not one of +the careless mothers who admitted him to her house would have allowed +her daughter to wed him, and the degree of tolerance extended to him was +fully appreciated by Mershone himself. He knew he was practically barred +from the most desirable circles and seldom imposed himself upon his +former acquaintances; but now, with a distinct object in view, he +callously disregarded the doubtful looks he encountered and showed +himself in every drawing-room where he could secure an invitation or +impudently intrude himself. He made frank avowals that he had "reformed" +and abandoned his evil ways forever. Some there were who accepted this +statement seriously, and Diana furthered his cause by treating him +graciously whenever they met, whereas she had formerly refused to +recognize her cousin. + +Louise knew nothing at all of Charlie Mershone's history and permitted +him to call when he eagerly requested the favor; but on the way home +from the Delmars Arthur, who had glowered at the usurper all the +evening, took pains to hint to Louise that Mershone was an undesirable +acquaintance and had a bad record. Of course she laughed at him and +teased him, thinking he was jealous and rejoicing that in Mershone she +had a tool to "keep Arthur toeing the mark." As a matter of truth she +had really missed her lover's companionship that evening, but forbore to +apprise him of the fact. + +And now the great Kermess began to occupy the minds of the three +cousins, who were to share the important "Flower Booth" between them. +The Kermess was to be the holiday sensation of the season and bade fair +to eclipse the horse show in popularity. It was primarily a charitable +entertainment, as the net receipts were to be divided among several +deserving hospitals; nevertheless it was classed as a high society +function and only the elect were to take active part in the affair. + +The ball room at the Waldorf had been secured and many splendid booths +were to be erected for the sale of novelties, notions and refreshments. +There were to be lotteries and auctions, national dances given by groups +of society belles, and other novel entertainments calculated to empty +the pockets of the unwary. + +Beth was somewhat indignant to find that she and her cousins, having +been assigned to the flower booth, were expected to erect a pavilion and +decorate it at their own expense, as well as to provide the stock of +flowers to be sold. "There is no fund for preliminary expenses, you +know," remarked Mrs. Sandringham, "and of course all the receipts are to +go to charity; so there is nothing to do but stand these little bills +ourselves. We all do it willingly. The papers make a good deal of the +Kermess, and the advertisement we get is worth all it costs us." + +Beth did not see the force of this argument. She thought it was dreadful +for society--really good society--to wish to advertise itself; but +gradually she was learning that this was merely a part of the game. To +be talked about, to have her goings and comings heralded in the society +columns and her gowns described on every possible occasion, seemed the +desire of every society woman, and she who could show the biggest +scrap-book of clippings was considered of highest importance.. Uncle +John laughed joyously when told that the expenses of the flower booth +would fall on the shoulders of his girls and there was no later +recompense. + +"Why not?" he cried. "Mustn't we pay the fiddler if we dance?" + +"It's a hold-up game," declared Beth, angrily. "I'll have nothing to do +with it." + +"Yes, you will, my dear," replied her uncle; "and to avoid separating +you chicks from your pin-money I'm going to stand every cent of the +expense myself. Why, it's for charity, isn't it? Charity covers a +multitude of sins, and I'm just a miserable sinner that needs a +bath-robe to snuggle in. How can the poor be better served than by +robbing the rich? Go ahead, girls, and rig up the swellest booth that +money will build. I'll furnish as many flowers as you can sell, and +Charity ought to get a neat little nest-egg out of the deal." + +"That's nice of you," said Patsy, kissing him; "but it's an imposition, +all the same." + +"It's a blessing, my dear. It will help a bit to ease off that dreadful +income that threatens to crush me," he rejoined, smiling at them. And +the nieces made no further protest, well knowing the kindly old +gentleman would derive untold pleasure in carrying out his generous +plans. + +The flower booth, designed by a famous architect, proved a splendid and +most imposing structure. It was capped by a monster bouquet of +artificial orchids in _papier-maché,_ which reached twenty feet into the +air. The three cousins had their gowns especially designed for the +occasion. Beth represented a lily, Louise a Gold-of-Ophir rose, and +Patricia a pansy. + +The big ball room had been turned over to the society people several +days in advance, that the elaborate preparations might be completed in +time, and during this period groups of busy, energetic young folks +gathered by day and in the evenings, decorating, flirting, rehearsing +the fancy dances, and amusing themselves generally. + +Arthur Weldon was there to assist Uncle John's nieces; but his pleasure +was somewhat marred by the persistent presence of Charlie Mershone, who, +having called once or twice upon Louise, felt at liberty to attach +himself to her party. The ferocious looks of his rival were ignored by +this designing young man and he had no hesitation in interrupting a +_tête-à-tête_ to monopolize the girl for himself. + +Louise was amused, thinking it fun to worry Arthur by flirting mildly +with Mr. Mershone, for whom she cared not a jot. Both Patsy and Beth +took occasion to remonstrate with her for this folly, for having known +Weldon for a long time and journeyed with him through a part of Europe, +they naturally espoused his cause, liking him as much as they +intuitively disliked Mershone. + +One evening Arthur, his patience well-nigh exhausted, talked seriously +with Louise. + +"This fellow Mershone," said he, "is a bad egg, a despicable son of a +decadent family. His mother was Hedrik Von Taer's sister, but the poor +thing has been dead many years. Not long ago Charlie was tabooed by even +the rather fast set he belonged to, and the Von Taers, especially, +refused to recognize their relative. Now he seems to go everywhere +again. I don't know what has caused the change, I'm sure." "Why, he +has reformed," declared Louise; "Diana told me so. She said he had been +a bit wild, as all young men are; but now his behavior is +irreproachable." + +"I don't believe a word of it," insisted Arthur. "Mershone is a natural +cad; he's been guilty of all sorts of dirty tricks, and is capable of +many more. If you'll watch out, Louise, you'll see that all the girls +are shy of being found in his society, and all the chaperons cluck to +their fledglings the moment the hawk appears. You're a novice in society +just yet, my dear, and it won't do you any good to encourage Charlie +Mershone, whom everyone else avoids." + +"He's very nice," returned Louise, lightly. + +"Yes; he must be nicer than I am," admitted the young man, glumly, and +thereupon he became silent and morose and Louise found her evening +spoiled. + +The warning did not fall on barren ground, however. In the seclusion of +her own room the girl thought it all over and decided she had teased her +true lover enough. Arthur had not scolded or reproached her, despite his +annoyance, and she had a feeling that his judgment of Charlie Mershone +was quite right. Although the latter was evidently madly in love with +her the girl had the discretion to see how selfish and unrestrained was +his nature, and once or twice he had already frightened her by his +impetuosity. She decided to retreat cautiously but positively from +further association with him, and at once began to show the young man +coolness. + +Mershone must have been chagrined, but he did not allow Louise to see +there was any change in their relations as far as he was concerned. He +merely redoubled his attentions, sending her flowers and bonbons daily, +accompanied by ardently worded but respectful notes. Really, Louise was +in a quandary, and she frankly admitted to Arthur that she had brought +this embarrassment upon herself. Yet Arthur could do or say little to +comfort her. He longed secretly to "punch Mershone's head," but could +find no occasion for such decided action. + +Diana, during this time, treated both Arthur and Louise with marked +cordiality. Believing her time would come to take part in the comedy she +refrained from interfering prematurely with the progress of events. She +managed to meet her accomplice at frequent intervals and was pleased +that there was no necessity to urge Charlie to do his utmost in +separating the lovers. + +"I'm bound to win, Di," he said grimly, "for I love the girl even better +than I do her fortune. And of one thing you may rest assured; Weldon +shall never marry her." + +"What will you do?" asked Diana, curiously. + +"Anything! Everything that is necessary to accomplish my purpose." + +"Be careful," said she warningly. "Keep a cool head, Charlie, and don't +do anything foolish. Still--" + +"Well?" + +"If it is necessary to take a few chances, do it. Arthur Weldon must not +marry Louise Merrick!" + + + + +CHAPTER IX + + +THE VON TAER PEARLS + +Uncle John really had more fun out of the famous Kermess than anyone +else. The preparations gave him something to do, and he enjoyed +doing--openly, as well as in secret ways. Having declared that he would +stock the flower booth at his own expense, he confided to no one his +plans. The girls may have thought he would merely leave orders with a +florist; but that was not the Merrick way of doing things. Instead, he +visited the most famous greenhouses within a radius of many miles, +contracting for all the floral blooms that art and skill could produce. +The Kermess was to be a three days' affair, and each day the floral +treasures of the cast were delivered in reckless profusion at the flower +booth, which thus became the center of attraction and the marvel of the +public. The girls were delighted to be able to dispense such blooms, and +their success as saleswomen was assured at once. Of course the fair +vendors were ignorant of the value of their wares, for Uncle John +refused to tell them how extravagant he had been; so they were obliged +to guess at the sums to be demanded and in consequence sold priceless +orchids and rare hothouse flora at such ridiculous rates that Mr. +Merrick chuckled with amusement until he nearly choked. + +The public being "cordially invited" Uncle John was present on that +first important evening, and--wonder of wonders--was arrayed in an +immaculate full-dress suit that fitted his chubby form like the skin of +a banana. Mayor Doyle, likewise disguised, locked arms with his +brother-in-law and stalked gravely among the throng; but neither ever +got to a point in the big room where the flower booth was not in plain +sight. The Major's pride in "our Patsy" was something superb; Uncle John +was proud of all three of his nieces. As the sale of wares was for the +benefit of charity these old fellows purchased liberally--mostly flowers +and had enough parcels sent home to fill a delivery wagon. + +One disagreeable incident, only, marred this otherwise successful +evening--successful especially for the three cousins, whose beauty and +grace won the hearts of all. + +Diana Von Taer was stationed in the "Hindoo Booth," and the oriental +costume she wore exactly fitted her sensuous style of beauty. To enhance +its effect she had worn around her neck the famous string of Von Taer +pearls, a collection said to be unmatched in beauty and unequaled in +value in all New York. + +The "Hindoo Booth" was near enough to the "Flower Booth" for Diana to +watch the cousins, and the triumph of her late _protégées_ was very +bitter for her to endure. Especially annoying was it to find Arthur +Weldon devoting himself assiduously to Louise, who looked charming in +her rose gown and favored Arthur in a marked way, although Charlie +Mershone, refusing to be ignored, also leaned over the counter of the +booth and chatted continually, striving to draw Miss Merrick's attention +to himself. + +Forced to observe all this, Diana soon lost her accustomed coolness. The +sight of the happy faces of Arthur and Louise aroused all the rancor +and subtile wit that she possessed, and she resolved upon an act that +she would not before have believed herself capable of. Leaning down, she +released the catch of the famous pearls and unobserved concealed them in +a handkerchief. Then, leaving her booth, she sauntered slowly over to +the floral display, which was surrounded for the moment by a crowd of +eager customers. Many of the vases and pottery jars which had contained +flowers now stood empty, and just before the station of Louise Merrick +the stock was sadly depleted. This was, of course, offset by the store +of money in the little drawer beside the fair sales-lady, and Louise, +having greeted Diana with a smile and nod, turned to renew her +conversation with the young men besieging her. + +Diana leaned gracefully over the counter, resting the hand containing +the handkerchief over the mouth of an empty Doulton vase--empty save for +the water which had nourished the flowers. At the same time she caught +Louise's eye and with a gesture brought the girl to her side. "Those +young men are wealthy," she said, carelessly, her head close to that of +Louise. "Make them pay well for their purchases, my dear." + +"I can't rob them, Diana," was the laughing rejoinder. + +"But it is your duty to rob, at a Kermess, and in the interests of +charity," persisted Diana, maintaining her voice at a whisper. + +Louise was annoyed. + +"Thank you," she said, and went back to the group awaiting her. + +The floral booth was triangular, Beth officiated at one of the three +sides, Patsy at another, and Louise at the third. Diana now passed +softly around the booth, interchanging a word with the other two girls, +after which she returned to her own station. + +Presently, while chatting with a group of acquaintances, she suddenly +clasped her throat and assuming an expression of horror exclaimed: + +"My pearls!" + +"What, the Von Taer pearls?" cried one. + +"The Von Taer pearls," said Diana, as if dazed by her misfortune. + +"And you've lost them, dear?" + +"They're lost!" she echoed. + +Well, there was excitement then, you may be sure. One man hurried to +notify the door-keeper and the private detective employed oh all such +occasions, while others hastily searched the booth--of course in vain. +Diana seemed distracted and the news spread quickly through the +assemblage. + +"Have you left this booth at all?" asked a quiet voice, that of the +official whose business it was to investigate. + +"I--I merely walked over to the floral booth opposite, and exchanged a +word with Miss Merrick, and the others there," she explained. + +The search was resumed, and Charlie Mershone sauntered over. + +"What's this, Di? Lost the big pearls, I hear," he said. + +She took him aside and whispered something to him. He nodded and +returned at once to the flower booth, around which a crowd of searchers +now gathered, much to the annoyance of Louise and her cousins. + +"It's all foolishness, you know," said Uncle John, to the Major, +confidentially. "If the girl really dropped her pearls some one has +picked them up, long ago." + +Young Mershone seemed searching the floral booth as earnestly as the +others, and awkwardly knocked the Doulton vase from the shelf with his +elbow. It smashed to fragments and in the pool of water on the floor +appeared the missing pearls. + +There was an awkward silence for a moment, while all eyes turned +curiously upon Louise, who served this side of the triangle. The girl +appeared turned to stone as she gazed down at the gems. Mershone laughed +disagreeably and picked up the recovered treasure, which Diana ran +forward and seized. + +"H-m-m!" said the detective, with a shrug; "this is a strange +occurrence--a very strange occurrence, indeed. Miss Von Taer, do you +wish--" + +"No!" exclaimed Diana, haughtily. "I accuse no one. It is enough that an +accident has restored to me the heirloom." + +Stiffly she marched back to her own booth, and the crowd quietly +dispersed, leaving only Arthur, Uncle John and the Major standing to +support Louise and her astonished cousins. + +"Why, confound it!" cried the little millionaire, with a red face, "does +the jade mean to insinuate--" + +"Not at all, sor," interrupted the Major, sternly; "her early education +has been neglected, that's all." + +"Come dear," pleaded Arthur to Louise; "let us go home." + +"By no means!" announced Beth, positively; "let us stay where we belong. +Why, we're not half sold out yet!" + + + + +CHAPTER X + + +MISLED + +Arthur Weldon met Mershone at a club next afternoon. "You low +scoundrel!" he exclaimed. "It was _your_ trick to accuse Miss Merrick of +a theft last night." + +"Was she accused?" enquired the other, blandly. "I hadn't heard, +really." + +"You did it yourself!" + +"Dear me!" said Mershone, deliberately lighting a cigarette. + +"You or your precious cousin--you're both alike," declared Arthur, +bitterly. "But you have given us wisdom, Mershone. We'll see you don't +trick us again." + +The young man stared at him, between puffs of smoke. + +"It occurs to me, Weldon, that you're becoming insolent. It won't do, my +boy. Unless you guard your tongue--" + +"Bah! Resent it, if you dare; you coward." + +"Coward?" + +"Yes. A man who attacks an innocent girl is a coward. And you've been a +coward all your life, Mershone, for one reason or another. No one +believes in your pretended reform. But I want to warn you to keep away +from Miss Merrick, hereafter, or I'll take a hand in your punishment +myself." + +For a moment the two eyed one another savagely. They were equally +matched in physique; but Arthur was right, there was no fight in +Mershone; that is, of the knock-down order. He would fight in his own +way, doubtless, and this made him more dangerous than his antagonist +supposed. + +"What right have you, sir, to speak for Miss Merrick?" he demanded. + +"The best right in the world," replied Arthur. "She is my promised +wife." + +"Indeed! Since when?" + +"That is none of your affair, Mershone. As a matter of fact, however, +that little excitement you created last night resulted in a perfect +understanding between us." "_I_ created!" + +"You, of course. Miss Merrick does not care to meet you again. You will +do well to avoid her in the future." + +"I don't believe you, Weldon. You're bluffing." + +"Am I? Then dare to annoy Miss Merrick again and I'll soon convince you +of my sincerity." + +With this parting shot he walked away, leaving Mershone really at a loss +to know whether he was in earnest or not. To solve the question he +called a taxicab and in a few minutes gave his card to the Merrick +butler with a request to see Miss Louise. + +The man returned with a message that Miss Merrick was engaged. + +"Please tell her it is important," insisted Mershone. + +Again the butler departed, and soon returned. + +"Any message for Miss Merrick must be conveyed in writing, sir," he +said, "She declines to see you." + +Mershone went away white with anger. We may credit him with loving +Louise as intensely as a man of his caliber can love anyone. His sudden +dismissal astounded him and made him frantic with disappointment. +Louise's treatment of the past few days might have warned him, but he +had no intuition of the immediate catastrophe that had overtaken him. It +wasn't his self-pride that was injured; that had become so battered +there was little of it left; but he had set his whole heart on winning +this girl and felt that he could not give her up. + +Anger toward Weldon was prominent amongst his emotion. He declared +between his set teeth that if Louise was lost to him she should never +marry Weldon. Not on Diana's account, but for his own vengeful +satisfaction was this resolve made. + +He rode straight to his cousin and told her the news. The statement that +Arthur was engaged to marry Louise Merrick drove her to a wild anger no +less powerful because she restrained any appearance of it. Surveying her +cousin steadily through her veiled lashes she asked: + +"Is there no way we can prevent this thing?" + +Mershone stalked up and down before her like a caged beast. His eyes +were red and wicked; his lips were pressed tightly together. "Diana," +said he, "I've never wanted anything in this world as I want that girl. +I can't let that mollycoddle marry her!" + +She flushed, and then frowned. It was not pleasant to hear the man of +her choice spoken of with such contempt, but after all their +disappointment and desires were alike mutual and she could not break +with Charlie at this juncture. + +Suddenly he paused and asked: + +"Do you still own that country home near East Orange?" + +"Yes; but we never occupy it now. Father does not care for the place." + +"Is it deserted?" + +"Practically so. Madame Cerise is there in charge." + +"Old Cerise? I was going to ask you what had become of that clever +female." + +"She was too clever, Charlie. She knew too much of our affairs, and was +always prying into things that did not concern her. So father took an +antipathy to the poor creature, and because she has served our family +for so long sent her to care for the house at East Orange." + +"Pensioned her, eh? Well, this is good news, Di; perhaps the best news +in the world. I believe it will help clear up the situation. Old Cerise +and I always understood each other." + +"Will you explain?" asked Diana, coldly. + +"I think not, my fair cousin. I prefer to keep my own counsel. You made +a bad mess of that little deal last night, and are responsible for the +climax that faces us. Besides, a woman is never a good conspirator. I +know what you want; and I know what I want. So I'll work this plan +alone, if you please. And I'll win, Di; I'll win as sure as fate--if +you'll help me." + +"You ask me to help you and remain in the dark?" + +"Yes; it's better so. Write me a note to Cerise and tell her to place +the house and herself unreservedly at my disposal." + +She stared at him fixedly, and he returned the look with an evil smile. +So they sat in silence a moment. Then slowly she arose and moved to her +escritoire, drawing a sheet of paper toward her and beginning to write. + "Is there a telephone at the place?" enquired Mershone abruptly. + +"Yes." + +"Then telephone Cerise after I'm gone. That will make it doubly sure. +And give me the number, too, so I can jot it down. I may need it." + +Diana quietly tore up the note. + +"The telephone is better," she said. "Being in the dark, sir, I prefer +not to commit myself in writing." + +"You're quite right, Di," he exclaimed, admiringly. "But for heaven's +sake don't forget to telephone Madame Cerise." + +"I won't Charlie. And, see here, keep your precious plans to yourself, +now and always. I intend to know nothing of what you do." + +"I'm merely the cats-paw, eh? Well, never mind. Is old Cerise to be +depended upon, do you think?" + +"Why not?" replied the girl. "Cerise belongs to the Von Taers--body and +soul!" + + + + +CHAPTER XI + + +THE BROWN LIMOUSINE + +The second evening of the society Kermess passed without unusual event +and proved very successful in attracting throngs of fashionable people +to participate in its pleasures. + +Louise and her cousins were at their stations early, and the second +installment of Uncle John's flowers was even more splendid and profuse +than the first. It was not at all difficult to make sales, and the +little money drawer began to bulge with its generous receipts. + +Many a gracious smile or nod or word was bestowed upon Miss Merrick by +the society folk; for these people had had time to consider the +accusation against her implied by Diana Von Taer's manner when the +pearls were discovered in the empty flower vase. Being rather impartial +judges--for Diana was not a popular favorite with her set--they decided +it was absurd to suppose a niece of wealthy old John Merrick would +descend to stealing any one's jewelry. Miss Merrick might have anything +her heart desired with-out pausing to count the cost, and moreover she +was credited with sufficient common sense to realize that the Von Taer +heirlooms might easily be recognized anywhere. So a little gossip +concerning the queer incident had turned the tide of opinion in Louise's +favor, and as she was a recent _debutante_ with a charming personality +all vied to assure her she was held blameless. + +A vast coterie of the select hovered about the flower booth all the +evening, and the cousins joyously realized they had scored one of the +distinct successes of the Kermess. Arthur could not get very close to +Louise this evening; but he enjoyed her popularity and from his modest +retirement was able to exchange glances with her at intervals, and these +glances assured him he was seldom absent from her thoughts. + +Aside from this, he had the pleasure of glowering ferociously upon +Charlie Mershone, who, failing to obtain recognition from Miss Merrick, +devoted himself to his cousin Diana, or at least lounged nonchalantly in +the neighborhood of the Hindoo Booth. Mershone was very quiet. There +was a speculative look upon his features that denoted an undercurrent +of thought. + +Diana's face was as expressionless as ever. She well knew her action of +the previous evening had severed the cordial relations formerly existing +between her and Mr. Merrick's nieces, and determined to avoid the +possibility of a snub by keeping aloof from them. She greeted whoever +approached her station in her usual gracious and cultured manner, and +refrained from even glancing toward Louise. + +Hedrik Von Taer appeared for an hour this evening. He quietly expressed +his satisfaction at the complete arrangements of the Kermess, chatted a +moment with his daughter, and then innocently marched over to the flower +booth and made a liberal purchase from each of the three girls. +Evidently the old gentleman had no inkling of the incident of the +previous evening, or that Diana was not still on good terms with the +young ladies she had personally introduced to society. His action amused +many who noted it, and Louise blushing but thoroughly self-possessed, +exchanged her greetings with Diana's father and thanked him heartily +for his purchase. Mr. Von Taer stared stonily at Charlie Mershone, but +did not speak to him. + +Going out he met John Merrick, and the two men engaged in conversation +most cordially. + +"You did the trick all right, Von Taer," said the little millionaire, +"and I'm much obliged, as you may suppose. You're not ashamed of my +three nieces, I take it?" + +"Your nieces, Mr. Merrick, are very charming young women," was the +dignified reply. "They will grace any station in life to which they may +be called." + +When the evening's entertainment came to an end Arthur Weldon took +Louise home in his new brown limousine, leaving Patsy and her father, +Uncle John and Beth to comfortably fill the Doyle motor car. Now that +the engagement of the young people had been announced and accepted by +their friends, it seemed very natural for them to prefer their own +society. + +"What do you think of it, Uncle John, anyhow?" asked Patsy, as they +rode home. "It's all right, dear," he announced, with a sigh. "I hate +to see my girls take the matrimonial dive, but I guess they've got to +come to it, sooner or later." + +"Later, for me," laughed Patsy. + +"As for young Weldon," continued Mr. Merrick, reflectively, "he has some +mighty good points, as I found out long ago. Also he has some points +that need filing down. But I guess he'll average up with most young men, +and Louise seems to like him. So let's try to encourage 'em to be happy; +eh, my dears?" + +"Louise," said Beth, slowly, "is no more perfect than Arthur. They both +have faults which time may eradicate, and as at present they are not +disposed to be hypercritical they ought to get along nicely together." + +"If 't was me," said the Major, oracularly, "I'd never marry Weldon." + +"He won't propose to you, Daddy dear," returned Patsy, mischievously; +"he prefers Louise." + +"I decided long ago," said Uncle John, "that I'd never be allowed to +pick out the husbands for my three girls. Husbands are a matter of +taste, I guess, and a girl ought to know what sort she wants. If she +don't, and makes a mistake, that's _her_ look-out. So you can all choose +for yourselves, when the time comes, and I'll stand by you, my dears, +through thick and thin. If the husband won't play fair, you can always +bet your Uncle John will." "Oh, we know, that," said Patsy, simply; +and Beth added: "Of course, Uncle, dear." + +Thursday evening, the third and last of the series, was after all the +banner night of the great Kermess. All the world of society was present +and such wares as remained unsold in the booths were quickly auctioned +off by several fashionable gentlemen with a talent for such brigandage. +Then, the national dances and songs having been given and received +enthusiastically, a grand ball wound up the occasion in the merriest +possible way. + +Charlie Mershone was much in evidence this evening, as he had been +before; but he took no active part in the proceedings and refrained from +dancing, his pet amusement. Diana observed that he made frequent trips +downstairs, perhaps to the hotel offices. No one paid any attention to +his movements, except his cousin, and Miss Von Taer, watching him +intently, decided that underneath his calm exterior lurked a great deal +of suppressed excitement. + +At last the crowd began to disperse. Uncle John and the Major took Beth +and Patsy away early, as soon as their booth was closed; but Louise +stayed for a final waltz or two with Arthur. She soon found, however, +that the evening's work and excitement had tired her, and asked to be +taken home. + +"I'll go and get the limousine around," said Arthur. "That new chauffeur +is a stupid fellow. By the time you've managed in this jam to get your +wraps I shall be ready. Come down in the elevator and I'll meet you at +the Thirty-second street entrance." + +As he reached the street a man--an ordinary servant, to judge from his +appearance--ran into him full tilt, and when they recoiled from the +impact the fellow with a muttered curse raised his fist and struck young +Weldon a powerful blow. Reeling backward, a natural anger seized Arthur, +who was inclined to be hot-headed, and he also struck out with his +fists, never pausing to consider that the more dignified act would be to +call the police. + +The little spurt of fistcuffs was brief, but it gave Mershone, who stood +in the shadow of the door-way near by, time to whisper to a police +officer, who promptly seized the disputants and held them both in a +firm grip. + +"What's all this?" he demanded, sternly. + +"That drunken loafer assaulted me without cause" gasped Arthur, panting. + +"It's a lie!" retorted the man, calmly; "he struck me first." + +"Well, I arrest you both," said the officer. + +"Arrest!" cried Arthur, indignantly; "why, confound it, man, I'm--" + +"No talk!" was the stern command. "Come along and keep quiet." + +As if the whole affair had been premeditated and prearranged a patrol +wagon at that instant backed to the curb and in spite of Arthur Weldon's +loud protests he was thrust inside with his assailant and at once driven +away at a rapid gait. + +At the same moment a brown limousine drew up quietly before the +entrance. + +Louise, appearing in the doorway in her opera cloak, stood hesitating on +the steps, peering into the street for Arthur. A man in livery +approached her. + +"This way, please, Miss Merrick," he said. "Mr. Weldon begs you to be +seated in the limousine. He will join you in a moment." + +With this he led the way to the car and held the door open, while the +girl, having no suspicion, entered and sank back wearily upon the seat. +Then the door abruptly slammed, and the man in livery leaped to the seat +beside the chauffeur and with a jerk the car darted away. + +So sudden and astounding was this _denouement_ that Louise did not even +scream. Indeed, for the moment her wits were dazed. + +And now Charlie Mershone stepped from his hiding place and with a +satirical smile entered the vestibule and looked at his watch. He found +he had time to show himself again at the Kermess, for a few moments, +before driving to the ferry to catch the train for East Orange. + +Some one touched him on the arm. + +"Very pretty, sir, and quite cleverly done," remarked a quiet voice. + +Mershone started and glared at the speaker, a slender, unassuming man in +dark clothes. + +"What do you mean, fellow?" + +"I've been watching the comedy, sir, and I saw you were the star actor, +although you took care to keep hidden in the wings. That bruiser who +raised the row took his arrest very easily; I suppose you've arranged to +pay his fine, and he isn't worried. But the gentleman surely was in hard +luck pounded one minute and pinched the next. You arranged it very +cleverly, indeed." + +Charlie was relieved that no mention was made of the abduction of +Louise. Had that incident escaped notice? He gave the man another sharp +look and turned away; but the gentle touch again restrained him. + +"Not yet, please, Mr. Mershone." + +"Who are you?" asked the other, scowling. + +"The house detective. It's my business to watch things. So I noticed you +talking to the police officer; I also noticed the patrol wagon standing +on the opposite side of the street for nearly an hour--my report on that +will amuse them at headquarters, won't it? And I noticed you nod to the +bruiser, just as your victim came out." + +"Let go of my arm, sir!" + +"Do you prefer handcuffs? I arrest you. We'll run over to the station +and explain things." + +"Do you know who I am?" + +"Perfectly, Mr. Mershone. I believe I ran you in for less than this, +some two years ago. You gave the name of Ryder, then. Better take +another, to-night." + +"If you're the house detective, why do you mix up in this affair?" +enquired Mershone, his anxiety showing in his tone. + +"Your victim was a guest of the house." + +"Not at all. He was merely attending the Kermess." + +"That makes him our guest, sir. Are you ready?" + +Mershone glanced around and then lowered his voice. + +"It's all a little joke, my dear fellow," said he, "and you are liable +to spoil everything with your bungling. Here," drawing; a roll of bills +from his pocket, "don't let us waste any more time. I'm busy." + +The man chuckled and waved aside the bribe. + +"You certainly are, sir; you're _very_ busy, just now! But I think the +sergeant over at the station will give you some leisure. And listen, Mr. +Mershone: I've got it in for that policeman you fixed; he's a cheeky +individual and a new man. I'm inclined to think this night's work will +cost him his position. And the patrol, which I never can get when I want +it, seems under your direct management. These things have got to be +explained, and I need your help. Ready, sir?" + +Mershone looked grave, but he was not wholly checkmated. Thank heaven +the bungling detective had missed the departure of Louise altogether. +Charlie's arrest at this critical juncture was most unfortunate, but +need not prove disastrous to his cleverly-laid plot. He decided it would +be best to go quietly with the "plain-clothes man." + +Weldon had become nearly frantic in his demands to be released when +Mershone was ushered into the station. He started at seeing his enemy +and began to fear a thousand terrible, indefinite things, knowing how +unscrupulous Mershone was. But the Waldorf detective, who seemed +friendly with the police sergeant, made a clear, brief statement of the +facts he had observed. Mershone denied the accusation; the bruiser +denied it; the policeman and the driver of the patrol wagon likewise +stolidly denied it. Indeed, they had quite another story to tell. + +But the sergeant acted on his own judgment. He locked up Mershone, +refusing bail. He suspended the policeman and the driver, pending +investigation. Then he released Arthur Weldon on his own recognisance, +the young man promising to call and testify when required. + +The house detective and Arthur started back to the Waldorf together. + +"Did you notice a young lady come to the entrance, soon after I was +driven away?" he asked, anxiously. + +"A lady in a rose-colored opera cloak, sir?" + +"Yes! yes!" + +"Why, she got into a brown limousine and rode away." Arthur gave a +sigh of relief. + +"Thank goodness that chauffeur had a grain of sense," said he. "I +wouldn't have given him credit for it. Anyway, I'm glad Miss Merrick is +safe." + +"Huh!" grunted the detective, stopping short. "I begin to see this thing +in its true light. How stupid we've been!" + +"In what way?" enquired Arthur, uneasily. + +"Why did Mershone get you arrested, just at that moment?" + +"Because he hated me, I suppose." + +"Tell me, could he have any object in spiriting away that young lady--in +abducting her?" asked the detective. + +"Could he?" cried Arthur, terrified and trembling. "He had every object +known to villainy. Come to the hotel! Let's hurry, man--let's fly!" + + + + +CHAPTER XII + + +FOGERTY + +At the Waldorf Arthur's own limousine was standing by the curb. The +street was nearly deserted. The last of the Kermess people had gone +home. + +Weldon ran to his chauffeur. + +"Did you take Miss Merrick home?" he eagerly enquired. + +"Miss Merrick? Why, I haven't seen her, sir, I thought you'd all +forgotten me." + +The young man's heart sank. Despair seized him. The detective was +carefully examining the car. + +"They're pretty nearly mates, Mr. Weldon. as far as the brown color and +general appearances go," he said. "But I'm almost positive the car that +carried the young lady away was of another make." + +"What make was it?" + +The man shook his head. + +"Can't say, sir. I was mighty stupid, and that's a fact. But my mind was +so full of that assault and battery case, and the trickery of that +fellow Mershone, that I wasn't looking for anything else." + +"Can you get away?" asked Arthur. "Can you help me on this case?" + +"No, sir; I must remain on duty at the hotel. But perhaps the young lady +is now safe at home, and we've been borrowing trouble. In case she's +been stolen, however, you'd better see Fogerty." + +"Who's Fogerty?" + +"Here's his card, sir. He's a private detective, and may be busy just +now, for all I know. But if you can get Fogerty you've got the best man +in all New York." + +Arthur sprang into the seat beside his driver and hurried post-haste to +the Merrick residence. In a few minutes Mrs. Merrick was in violent +hysterics at the disappearance of her daughter. Arthur stopped long +enough to telephone for a doctor and then drove to the Doyles. He routed +up Uncle John and the Major, who appeared in pajamas and bath-robes, and +told them the startling news. + +A council of war was straightway held. Uncle John trembled with +nervousness; Arthur was mentally stupefied; the Major alone was calm. + +"In the first place," said he, "what object could the man have in +carrying off Louise?" Arthur hesitated. + +"To prevent our marriage, I suppose," he answered. "Mershone has an idea +he loves Louise. He made wild love to her until she cut his +acquaintance." + +"But it won't help him any to separate her from her friends, or her +promised husband," declared the Major. "Don't worry. We're sure to find +her, sooner or later." + +"How? How shall we find her?" cried Uncle John. "Will he murder her, or +what?" + +"Why, as for that, John, he's safe locked up in jail for the present, +and unable to murder anyone," retorted the Major. "It's probable he +meant to follow Louise, and induce her by fair means or foul to marry +him. But he's harmless enough for the time being." + +"It's not for long, though," said Arthur, fearfully. "They're liable to +let him out in the morning, for he has powerful friends, scoundrel +though he is. And when he is free--" + +"Then he must be shadowed, of course," returned the Major, nodding +wisely. "If it's true the fellow loves Louise, then he's no intention +of hurting her. So make your minds easy. Wherever the poor lass has been +taken to, she's probably safe enough." + +"But think of her terror--her suffering!" cried Uncle John, wringing his +chubby hands. "Poor child! It may be his idea to compromise her, and +break her heart!" + +"We'll stop all that, John, never fear," promised the Major. "The first +thing to do is to find a good detective." + +"Fogerty!" exclaimed Arthur, searching for the card. + +"Who's Fogerty?" + +"I don't know." + +"Get the best man possible!" commanded Mr. Merrick. "Spare no expense; +hire a regiment of detectives, if necessary; I'll--" + +"Of course you will," interrupted the Major, smiling. "But we won't need +a regiment. I'm pretty sure the game is in our hands, from the very +start." + +"Fogerty is highly recommended," explained Arthur, and related what the +house detective of the Waldorf had said. + +"Better go at once and hunt him up," suggested Uncle John. "What time is +it?" + +"After two o'clock. But I'll go at once." "Do; and let us hear from you +whenever you've anything to tell us," said the Major. + +"Where's Patsy?" asked Arthur. + +"Sound asleep. Mind ye, not a word of this to Patsy till she _has_ to be +told. Remember that, John." + +"Well, I'll go," said the young man, and hurried away. + +Q. Fogerty lived on Eleventh street, according to his card. Arthur drove +down town, making good time. The chauffeur asked surlily if this was to +be "an all-night job," and Arthur savagely replied that it might take a +week. "Can't you see, Jones, that I'm in great trouble?" he added. "But +you shall be well paid for your extra time." + +"All right, sir. That's no more than just," said the man. "It's none of +my affair, you know, if a young lady gets stolen." + +Arthur was wise enough to restrain his temper and the temptation to kick +Jones out of the limousine. Five minutes later they paused before a +block of ancient brick dwellings and found Fogerty's number. A card over +the bell bore his name, and Arthur lit a match and read it. Then he rang +impatiently. + +Only silence. + +Arthur rang a second time; waited, and rang again. A panic of fear took +possession of him. At this hour of night it would be well-nigh +impossible to hunt up another detective if Fogerty failed him. He +determined to persist as long as there was hope. Again he rang. + +"Look above, sir," called Jones from his station in the car. + +Arthur stepped back on the stone landing and looked up. A round spark, +as from a cigarette, was visible at the open window. While he gazed the +spark glowered brighter and illumined a pale, haggard boy's face, +surmounted by tousled locks of brick colored hair. + +"Hi, there!" said Arthur. "Does Mr. Fogerty live here?" + +"He pays the rent," answered a boyish voice, with a tinge of irony. +"What's wanted?" "Mr. Fogerty is wanted. Is he at home?" + +"He is," responded the boy. + +"I must see him at once--on important business. Wake him up, my lad; +will you?" + +"Wait a minute," said the youth, and left the window. Presently he +opened the front door, slipped gently out and closed the door behind +him. + +"Let's sit in your car," he said, in soft, quiet tones. "We can talk +more freely there." + +"But I must see Fogerty at once!" protested Arthur. + +"I'm Fogerty." + +"Q. Fogerty?" + +"Quintus Fogerty--the first and last and only individual of that name." + +Arthur hesitated; he was terribly disappointed. + +"Are you a detective?" he enquired. + +"By profession." + +"But you can't be very old." + +The boy laughed. + +"I'm no antiquity, sir," said he, "but I've shed the knickerbockers +long ago. Who sent you to me?" + +"Why do you ask?" + +"I'm tired. I've been busy twenty-three weeks. Just finished my case +yesterday and need a rest--a good long rest. But if you want a man I'll +refer you to a friend." + +"Gorman, of the Waldorf, sent me to you--and said you'd help me." + +"Oh; that's different. Case urgent, sir?" + +"Very. The young lady I'm engaged to marry was abducted less than three +hours ago." + +Fogerty lighted another cigarette and the match showed Arthur that the +young face was deeply lined, while two cold gray eyes stared blankly +into his own. + +"Let's sit in your limousine, sir," he repeated. + +When they had taken their places behind the closed doors the boy asked +Arthur to tell him "all about it, and don't forget any details, please." +So Weldon hastily told the events of the evening and gave a history of +Mershone and his relations with Miss Merrick. The story was not half +told when Fogerty said: + +"Tell your man to drive to the police station." + +On the way Arthur resumed his rapid recital and strove to post the +young detective as well as he was able. Fogerty made no remarks, nor did +he ask a single question until Weldon had told him everything he could +think of. Then he made a few pointed enquiries and presently they had +arrived at the station. + +The desk sergeant bowed with great respect to the youthful detective. By +the dim light Arthur was now able to examine Fogerty for the first time. + +He was small, slim and lean. His face attested to but eighteen or +nineteen years, in spite of its deep lines and serious expression. +Although his hair was tangled and unkempt Fogerty's clothing and linen +were neat and of good quality. He wore a Scotch cap and a horseshoe pin +in his cravat. + +One might have imagined him to be an errand boy, a clerk, a chauffeur, a +salesman or a house man. You might have placed him in almost any +middle-class walk in life. Perhaps, thought Arthur, he might even be a +good detective! yet his personality scarcely indicated it. + +"Mershone in, Billy?" the detective asked the desk sergeant. + +"Room 24. Want him?" + +"Not now. When is he likely to go?" + +"When Parker relieves me. There's been a reg'lar mob here to get +Mershone off. I couldn't prevent his using the telephone; but I'm a +stubborn duck; eh, Quintus? And now the gentleman has gone to bed, +vowing vengeance." + +"You're all right, Billy. We both know Mershone. Gentleman scoundrel." + +"Exactly. Swell society blackleg." + +"What name's he docked under?" + +"Smith." + +"Will Parker let him off with a fine?" + +"Yes, or without it. Parker comes on at six." + +"Good. I'll take a nap on that bench. Got to keep the fellow in sight, +Billy." + +"Go into my room. There's a cot there." + +"Thanks, old man; I will. I'm dead tired." + +Then Fogerty took Arthur aside. "Go home and try to sleep," he +advised. "Don't worry. The young lady's safe enough till Mershone goes +to her hiding place. When he does, I'll be there, too, and I'll try to +have you with me." + +"Do you think you can arrange it alone, Mr. Fogerty?" asked Arthur, +doubtfully. The boy seemed so very young. + +"Better than if I had a hundred to assist me. Why, this is an easy job, +Mr. Weldon. It 'll give me a fine chance to rest up." + +"And you won't lose Mershone?" + +"Never. He's mine." + +"This is very important to me, sir," continued Arthur, nervously. + +"Yes; and to others. Most of all it's important to Fogerty. Don't worry, +sir." + +The young man was forced to go away with this assurance. He returned +home, but not to sleep. He wondered vaguely if he had been wise to lean +upon so frail a reed as Fogerty seemed to be; and above all he wondered +where poor Louise was, and if terror and alarm were breaking her heart. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + + +DIANA REVOLTS + +Charlie Mershone had no difficulty in securing his release when Parker +came on duty at six o'clock. He called up a cab and went at once to his +rooms at the Bruxtelle; and Fogerty followed him. + +While he discarded his dress-coat, took a bath and donned his walking +suit Mershone was in a brown study. Hours ago Louise had been safely +landed at the East Orange house and placed in the care of old Madame +Cerise, who would guard her like an ogre. There was no immediate need of +his hastening after her, and his arrest and the discovery of half his +plot had seriously disturbed him. This young man was no novice in +intrigue, nor even in crime. Arguing from his own stand-point he +realized that the friends of Louise were by this time using every +endeavor to locate her. They would not succeed in this, he was positive. +His plot had been so audacious and all clews so cleverly destroyed or +covered up that the most skillful detective, knowing he had abducted the +girl; would be completely baffled in an attempt to find her. + +The thought of detectives, in this connection, led him to decide that he +was likely to be shadowed. That was the most natural thing for his +opponents to do. They could not prove Mershone's complicity in the +disappearance of Louise Merrick, but they might easily suspect him, +after that little affair of Weldon's arrest. Therefore if he went to the +girl now he was likely to lead others to her. Better be cautious and +wait until he had thrown the sleuths off his track. + +Having considered this matter thoroughly, Mershone decided to remain +quiet. By eight o'clock he was breakfasting in the grill room, and +Fogerty occupied a table just behind him. + +During the meal it occurred to Charlie to telephone to Madame Cerise for +assurance that Louise had arrived safely and without a scene to attract +the attention of strangers. Having finished breakfast he walked into the +telephone booth and was about to call his number when a thought struck +him. He glanced out of the glass door. In the hotel lobby were many +loungers. He saw a dozen pairs of eyes fixed upon him idly or curiously; +one pair might belong to the suspected detective. If he used the +telephone there would be a way of discovering the number he had asked +for. That would not do--not at all! He concluded not to telephone, at +present, and left the booth. His next act was to purchase a morning +paper, and seating himself carelessly in a chair he controlled the +impulse to search for a "scare head" on the abduction of Miss Merrick. +If he came across the item, very well; he would satisfy no critical eye +that might be scanning him by hunting for it with a show of eagerness. +The game was in his hands, he believed, and he intended to keep it +there. + +Fogerty was annoyed by the man's evident caution. It would not be easy +to surprise Mershone in any self-incriminating action. But, after all, +reflected the boy, resting comfortably in the soft-padded cushions of a +big leather chair, all this really made the case the more interesting. +He was rather glad Mershone was in no hurry to precipitate a climax. A +long stern chase was never a bad chase. + +By and bye another idea occurred to Charlie. He would call upon his +cousin Diana, and get her to telephone Madame Cerise for information +about Louise. It would do no harm to enlighten Diana as to what he had +done. She must suspect it already; and was she not a co-conspirator? +But he could not wisely make this call until the afternoon. So meantime +he took a stroll into Broadway and walked leisurely up and down that +thoroughfare, pausing occasionally to make a trifling purchase and +turning abruptly again and again in the attempt to discover who might be +following him. No one liable to be a detective of any sort could he +discern; yet he was too shrewd to be lulled into a false belief that his +each and every act was unobserved. + +Mershone returned to his hotel, went to his room, and slept until after +one o'clock, as he had secured but little rest the night before in his +primitive quarters at the police station. It was nearly two when he +reappeared in the hotel restaurant for luncheon, and he took his seat +and ate with excellent appetite. + +During this meal Mr. Fogerty also took occasion to refresh himself, +eating modestly at a retired table in a corner. Mershone's sharp eyes +noted him. He remembered seeing this youth at breakfast, and +thoughtfully reflected that the boy's appearance was not such as might +be expected from the guest of a fashionable and high-priced hotel. +Silently he marked this individual as the possible detective. He had two +or three others in his mind, by this time; the boy was merely added to +the list of possibilities. + +Mershone was a capital actor. After luncheon he sauntered about the +hotel, stared from the window for a time, looked at his watch once or +twice with an undecided air, and finally stepped to the porter and asked +him to call a cab. He started for Central Park; then changed his mind +and ordered the man to drive him to the Von Taer residence, where on +arrival Diana at once ordered him shown into her private parlor. + +The young man found his cousin stalking up and down in an extremely +nervous manner. She wrung her delicate fingers with a swift, spasmodic +motion. Her eyes, nearly closed, shot red rays through their slits. + +"What's wrong, Di?" demanded Mershone, considerably surprised by this +intense display of emotion on the part of his usually self-suppressed +and collected cousin. + +"Wrong!" she echoed; "everything is wrong. You've ruined yourself, +Charlie; and you're going to draw me into this dreadful crime, also, in +spite of all I can do!" + +"Bah! don't be a fool," he observed, calmly taking a chair. + +"Am _I_ the fool?" she exclaimed, turning upon him fiercely. "Did _I_ +calmly perpetrate a deed that was sure to result in disgrace and +defeat?" + +"What on earth has happened to upset you?" he asked, wonderingly. "It +strikes me everything is progressing beautifully." + +"Does it, indeed?" was her sarcastic rejoinder. "Then your information +is better than mine. They called me up at three o'clock this morning to +enquire after Louise Merrick--as if _I_ should know her whereabouts. Why +did they come to _me_ for such information? Why?" she stamped her foot +for emphasis. + +"I suppose," said Charlie Mershone, "they called up everyone who knows +the girl. It would be natural in case of her disappearance." + +"Come here!" cried Diana, seizing his arm and dragging him to a window. +"Be careful; try to look out without showing yourself. Do you see that +man on the corner?" + +"Well?" + +"He has been patrolling this house since day-break. He's a detective!" + +Charlie whistled. + +"What makes you think so, Di? Why on earth should they suspect you?" + +"Why? Because my disreputable cousin planned the abduction, without +consulting me, and--" + +"Oh, come, Di; that's a little too--" + +"Because the girl has been carried to the Von Taer house--_my_ house--in +East Orange; because my own servant is at this moment her jailor, and--" + +"How should they know all this?" interrupted Mershone, impatiently. "And +how do you happen to know it yourself, Diana?" + +"Madame Cerise called me up at five o'clock, just after Louise's uncle +had been here for the second time, with a crew of officers. Cerise is in +an ugly mood. She said a young girl had been brought to her a prisoner, +and Mr. Mershone's orders were to keep her safely until he came. She is +greatly provoked at our using her in this way, but promised to follow +instructions if I accepted all responsibility." + +"What did you tell her?" + +"That I knew nothing of the affair, but had put the house and her +services at your disposal. I said I would accept no responsibility +whatever for anything you might do." + +Mershone looked grave, and scowled. + +"The old hag won't betray us, will she?" he asked, uneasily. + +"She cannot betray me, for I have done nothing. Charlie," she said, +suddenly facing him, "I won't be mixed in this horrid affair. You must +carry out your infamous plan in your own way. I know nothing, sir, of +what you have done; I know nothing of what you intend to do. Do you +understand me?" + +He smiled rather grimly. + +"I hardly expected, my fair cousin, that you would be frightened into +retreat at this stage of the game, when the cards are all in our hands. +Do you suppose I decided to carry away Louise without fully considering +what I was doing, and the immediate consequences of my act? And wherein +have I failed? All has gone beautifully up to this minute. Diana, your +fears are absolutely foolish, and against your personal interests. All +that I am doing for myself benefits you doubly. Just consider, if you +will, what has been accomplished for our mutual benefit: The girl has +disappeared under suspicious circumstances; before she again rejoins her +family and friends she will either be my wife or Arthur Weldon will +prefer not to marry her. That leaves him open to appreciate the charms +of Diana Von Taer, does it not? Already, my dear cousin, your wishes are +accomplished. My own task, I admit, is a harder one, because it is more +delicate." + +The cold-blooded brutality of this argument caused even Diana to +shudder. She looked at the young man half fearfully as she asked: + +"What is your task?" + +"Why, first to quiet Louise's fears; then to turn her by specious +arguments--lies, if you will--against Weldon; next to induce her to +give me her hand in honest wedlock. I shall tell her of my love, which +is sincere; I shall argue--threaten, if necessary; use every reasonable +means to gain her consent." + +"You'll never succeed!" cried Diana, with conviction. + +"Then I'll try other tactics," said he blandly. + +"If you do, you monster, I'll expose you," warned the girl. + +"Having dissolved partnership, you won't be taken into my confidence, my +fair cousin. You have promised to know nothing of my acts, and I'll see +you don't." Then he sprang from his chair and came to her with a hard, +determined look upon his face. "Look here, Di; I've gone too far in this +game to back out now, I'm going to carry it through if it costs me my +life and liberty--and yours into the bargain! I love Louise Merrick! I +love her so well that without her the world and its mockeries can go to +the devil! There's nothing worth living for but Louise--Louise. She's +going to be my wife, Diana--by fair means or foul I swear to make her my +wife." + +He had worked himself up to a pitch of excitement surpassing that of +Diana. Now he passed his hand over his forehead, collected himself with +a slight shudder, and resumed his seat. + +Diana was astonished. His fierce mood served to subdue her own. +Regarding him curiously for a time she finally asked: + +"You speak as if you were to be allowed to have your own way--as if all +society was not arrayed against you. Have you counted the cost of your +action? Have you considered the consequences of this crime?" + +"I have committed no crime," he said stubbornly. "All's fair in love and +war." + +"The courts will refuse to consider that argument, I imagine," she +retorted. "Moreover, the friends of this kidnaped girl are powerful and +active. They will show you no mercy if you are discovered." + +"If I fail," answered Mershone, slowly, "I do not care a continental +what they do to me, for my life will be a blank without Louise. But I +really see no reason to despair, despite your womanish croakings. All +seems to be going nicely and just as I had anticipated." + +"I am glad that you are satisfied," Diana returned, with scornful +emphasis. "But understand me, sir; this is none of my affair in any +way--except that I shall surely expose you if a hair of the girl's head +is injured. You must not come here again. I shall refuse to see you. You +ought not to have come to-day." + +"Is there anything suspicious in my calling upon my cousin--as usual?" + +"Under such circumstances, yes. You have not been received at this house +of late years, and my father still despises you. There is another danger +you have brought upon me. My father seemed suspicious this morning, and +asked me quite pointedly what I knew of this strange affair." + +"But of course you lied to him. All right, Diana; perhaps there is +nothing to be gained from your alliance, and I'll let you out of the +deal from this moment. The battle's mine, after all, and I'll fight it +alone. But--I need more money. You ought to be willing to pay, for so far +the developments are all in your favor." + +She brought a handful of notes from her desk. + +"This ends our partnership, Charlie," she said. + +"Very well. A woman makes a poor conspirator, but is invaluable as a +banker." + +"There will be no more money. This ends everything between us." + +"I thought you were game, Di. But you're as weak as the ordinary +feminine creation." + +She did not answer, but stood motionless, a defiant expression upon her +face. He laughed a little, bowed mockingly, and went away. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + + +A COOL ENCOUNTER + +On leaving the house Mershone buttoned his overcoat tightly up to his +chin, for the weather was cold and raw, and then shot a quick glance +around him. Diana's suspect was still lounging on the corner. Charlie +had little doubt he was watching the house and the movements of its +in-mates--a bad sign, he reflected, with a frown. Otherwise the street +seemed deserted. + +He had dismissed the cab on his arrival, so now he stepped out and +walked briskly around the corner, swinging his cane jauntily and looking +very unlike a fugitive. In the next block he passed a youth who stood +earnestly examining the conventional display in a druggist's window. + +Mershone, observing this individual, gave a start, but did not alter his +pace. It was the same pale, red-haired boy he had noticed twice before +at the hotel. In his alert, calculating mind there was no coincidence in +this meeting. Before he had taken six more steps Mershone realized the +exact situation. + +At the next crossing he stopped and waited patiently for a car. Up the +street he still saw the youth profoundly interested in drugs--a class of +merchandise that seldom calls for such close inspection. The car arrived +and carried Mershone away. It also left the red-haired youth at his post +before the window. Yet on arriving at the Bruxtelle some twenty minutes +later Charlie found this same queer personage occupying a hotel chair in +the lobby and apparently reading a newspaper with serious attention. + +He hesitated a moment, then quietly walked over to a vacant chair beside +the red-haired one and sat down. The youth turned the paper, glanced +casually at his neighbor, and continued reading. + +"A detective, I believe," said Mershone, in a low, matter of fact tone. + +"Who? me?" asked Fogerty, lowering the paper. + +"Yes. Your age deceived me for a time. I imagined you were a newsboy or +a sporting kid from the country; but now I observe you are older than +you appear. All sorts of people seem to drift into the detective +business. I suppose your present occupation is shadowing me." + +Fogerty smiled. The smile was genuine. + +"I might even be a lawyer, sir," he replied, "and in that case I should +undertake to cross-examine you, and ask your reasons for so queer a +charge." + +"Or you might be a transient guest at this hotel," the other returned, +in the same bantering tone, "for I saw you at breakfast and luncheon. +Pretty fair _chef_ here, isn't he? But you didn't stick to that part, +you know. You followed me up-town, where I made a call on a relative, +and you studied the colored globes in a druggist's window when I went +away. I wonder why people employ inexperienced boys in such important +matters. In your case, my lad, it was easy enough to detect the +detective. You even took the foolish chance of heading me off, and +returned to this hotel before I did. Now, then, is my charge unfounded?" + +"Why should you be under the surveillance of a detective?" asked +Fogerty, slowly. + +"Really, my boy, I cannot say. There was an unpleasant little affair +last night at the Waldorf, in which I was not personally concerned, but +suffered, nevertheless. An officious deputy caused my arrest and I +spent an unpleasant night in jail. There being nothing in the way of +evidence against me I was released this morning, and now I find a +detective shadowing me. What can it all mean, I wonder? These stupid +blunders are very annoying to the plain citizen, who, however innocent, +feels himself the victim of a conspiracy." + +"I understand you, sir," said Fogerty, drily. + +For some moments Mershone now remained silent. Then he asked; "What are +your instructions concerning me?" + +To his surprise the boy made a simple, frank admission. + +"I'm to see you don't get into more mischief, sir." + +"And how long is this nonsense to continue?" demanded Mershone, showing +a touch of anger for the first time. + +"Depends on yourself, Mr. Mershone; I'm no judge, myself. I'm so +young--and inexperienced." + +"Who is your employer?" + +"Oh, I'm just sent out by an agency." + +"Is it a big paying proposition?" asked Charlie, eyeing the diffident +youth beside him critically, as if to judge his true caliber. + +"Not very big. You see, if I'd been a better detective you'd never have +spotted me so quickly." + +"I suppose money counts with you, though, as it does with everyone else +in the world?" + +"Of course, sir. Every business is undertaken to make money." + +Mershone drew his chair a little nearer. + +"I need a clever detective myself," he announced, confidentially. "I'm +anxious to discover what enemy is persecuting me in this way. Would +it--er--be impossible for me to employ _you_ to--er--look after my +interests?" + +Fogerty was very serious. + +"You see, sir," he responded, "if I quit this job they may not give me +another. In order to be a successful detective one must keep in the good +graces of the agencies." + +"That's easy enough," asserted Mershone. "You may pretend to keep this +job, but go home and take life easy. I'll send you a daily statement of +what I've been doing, and you can fix up a report to your superior from +that. In addition to this you can put in a few hours each day trying to +find out who is annoying me in this rascally manner, and for this +service I'll pay you five times the agency price. How does that +proposition strike you, Mr.--" + +"Riordan. Me name's Riordan," said Fogerty, with a smile. "No, Mr. +Mershone," shaking his head gravely, "I can't see my way to favor you. +It's an easy job now, and I'm afraid to take chances with a harder one." + +Something in the tone nettled Mershone. + +"But the pay," he suggested. + +"Oh, the pay. If I'm a detective fifty years, I'll make an easy two +thousand a year. That's a round hundred thousand. Can you pay me that +much to risk my future career as a detective?" + +Mershone bit his lip. This fellow was not so simple, after all, boyish +as he seemed. And, worse than all, he had a suspicion the youngster was +baiting him, and secretly laughing at his offers of bribery. + +"They will take you off the job, now that I have discovered your +identity," he asserted, with malicious satisfaction. + +"Oh, no," answered Fogerty; "they won't do that. This little interview +merely simplifies matters. You see, sir, I'm an expert at disguises. +That's my one great talent, as many will testify. But you will notice +that in undertaking this job I resorted to no disguise at all. You see +me as nature made me--and 't was a poor job, I'm thinking." + +"Why were you so careless?" + +"It wasn't carelessness; it was premeditated. There's not the slightest +objection to your knowing me. My only business is to keep you in sight, +and I can do that exactly as well as Riordan as I could by disguising +myself." + +Mershone had it on his tongue's end to ask what they expected to +discover by shadowing him, but decided it was as well not to open an +avenue for the discussion of Miss Merrick's disappearance. So, finding +he could not bribe the youthful detective or use him in any way to his +advantage, he closed the interview by rising. + +"I'm going to my room to write some letters," said he, with a yawn. +"Would you like to read them before they are mailed?" + +Again Fogerty laughed in his cheerful, boyish way. + +"You'd make a fine detective yourself, Mr. Mershone," he declared, "and +I advise you to consider the occupation. I've a notion it's safer, and +better pay, than your present line." + +Charlie scowled at the insinuation, but walked away without reply. +Fogerty eyed his retreating figure a moment, gave a slight shrug and +resumed his newspaper. + +Day followed day without further event, and gradually Mershone came to +feel himself trapped. Wherever he might go he found Fogerty on duty, +unobtrusive, silent and watchful. It was very evident that he was +waiting for the young man to lead him to the secret hiding place of +Louise Merrick. + +In one way this constant surveillance was a distinct comfort to Charlie +Mershone, for it assured him that the retreat of Louise was still +undiscovered. But he must find some way to get rid of his "shadow," in +order that he might proceed to carry out his plans concerning the girl. +During his enforced leisure he invented a dozen apparently clever +schemes, only to abandon them again as unpractical. + +One afternoon, while on a stroll, he chanced to meet the bruiser who had +attacked Arthur Weldon at the Waldorf, and been liberally paid by +Mershone for his excellent work. He stopped the man, and glancing +hastily around found that Fogerty was a block in the rear. + +"Listen," he said; "I want your assistance, and if you're quick and sure +there is a pot of money, waiting for you." + +"I need it, Mr. Mershone," replied the man, grinning. + +"There's a detective following me; he's down the street there--a mere +boy--just in front of that tobacco store. See him?" + +"Sure I see him. It's Fogerty." + +"His name is Riordan." + +"No; it's Fogerty. He's no boy, sir, but the slickest 'tec' in the city, +an' that's goin' some, I can tell you." + +"Well, you must get him, whoever he is. Drag him away and hold him for +three hours--two--one. Give me a chance to slip him; that's all. Can +you do it? I'll pay you a hundred for the job." + +"It's worth two hundred, Mr. Mershone. It isn't safe to fool with +Fogerty." + +"I'll make it two hundred." + +"Then rest easy," said the man. "I know the guy, and how to handle him. +You just watch him like he's watching you, Mr. Mershone, and if anything +happens you skip as lively as a flea. I can use that two hundred in my +business." + +Then the fellow passed on, and Fogerty was still so far distant up the +street that neither of them could see the amused smile upon his thin +face. + + + + +CHAPTER XV + + +A BEWILDERING EXPERIENCE + +When Louise Merrick entered the brown limousine, which she naturally +supposed to belong to Arthur Weldon, she had not the faintest suspicion +of any evil in her mind. Indeed, the girl was very happy this especial +evening, although tired with her duties at the Kermess. A climax in her +young life had arrived, and she greeted it joyously, believing she loved +Arthur well enough to become his wife. + +Now that the engagement had been announced to their immediate circle of +friends she felt as proud and elated as any young girl has a right to be +under the circumstances. + +Added to this pleasant event was the social triumph she and her cousins +had enjoyed at the Kermess, where Louise especially had met with rare +favor. The fashionable world had united in being most kind and +considerate to the dainty, attractive young _debutante_, and only Diana +had seemed to slight her. This was not surprising in view of the fact +that Diana evidently wanted Arthur for herself, and there was some +satisfaction in winning a lover who was elsewhere in prime demand. In +addition to all this the little dance that concluded the evening's +entertainment had been quite delightful, and all things conspired to put +Louise in a very contented frame of mind. Still fluttering with the +innocent excitements of the hour the girl went to join Arthur without a +fear of impending misfortune. She did not think of Charlie Mershone at +all. He had been annoying and impertinent, and she had rebuked him and +sent him away, cutting him out of her life altogether. Perhaps she ought +to have remembered that she had mildly flirted with Diana's cousin and +given him opportunity for the impassioned speeches she resented; but +Louise had a girlish idea that there was no harm in flirting, +considering it a feminine license. She saw young Mershone at the Kermess +that evening paying indifferent attentions to other women and ignoring +her, and was sincerely glad to have done with him for good and all. + +She obeyed readily the man who asked her to be seated in the limousine. +Arthur would be with her in a minute, he said. When the door closed and +the car started she had an impulse to cry out but next moment controlled +it and imagined they were to pick up Mr. Weldon on some corner. + +On and on they rolled, and still no evidence of the owner of the +limousine. What could it mean, Louise began to wonder. Had something +happened to Arthur, so that he had been forced to send her home alone? +As the disquieting thought came she tried to speak with the chauffeur, +but could not find the tube. The car was whirling along rapidly; the +night seemed very dark, only a few lights twinkled here and there +outside. + +Suddenly the speed slackened. There was a momentary pause, and then the +machine slowly rolled upon a wooden platform. A bell clanged, there was +a whistle and the sound of revolving water-wheels. Louise decided they +must be upon a ferry-boat, and became alarmed for the first time. + +The man in livery now opened the door, as if to reassure her. + +"Where are we? Where is Mr. Weldon?" enquired the girl, almost +hysterically. + +"He is on the boat, miss, and will be with you shortly now," replied the +man, very respectfully. "Mr. Weldon is very sorry to have annoyed you, +Miss Merrick, but says he will soon explain everything, so that you will +understand why he left you." + +With this he quietly closed the door again, although Louise was eager to +ask a dozen more questions. Prominent was the query why they should be +on a ferry-boat instead of going directly home. She knew the hour must +be late. + +But while these questions were revolving in her mind she still suspected +no plot against her liberty. She must perforce wait for Arthur to +explain his queer conduct; so she sat quietly enough in her place +awaiting his coming, while the ferry puffed steadily across the river to +the Jersey shore. + +The stopping of the boat aroused Louise from her reflections. Arthur not +here yet? Voices were calling outside; vehicles were noisily leaving +their positions on the boat to clatter across the platforms. But there +was no sign of Arthur. + +Again Louise tried to find the speaking tube. Then she made an endeavor +to open the door, although just then the car started with a jerk that +flung her back against the cushions. + +The knowledge that she had been grossly deceived by her conductor at +last had the effect of arousing the girl to a sense of her danger. +Something must be wrong. Something _was_ decidedly wrong, and fear crept +into her heart. She pounded on the glass windows with all her strength, +and shouted as loudly as she could, but all to no avail. + +Swiftly the limousine whirled over the dusky road and either her voice +could not be heard through the glass cage in which she was confined or +there was no one near who was willing to hear or to rescue her. + +She now realized how wrong she had been to sit idly during the trip +across the ferry, where a score of passengers would gladly have assisted +her. How cunning her captors had been to lull her fears during that +critical period! Now, alas, it was too late to cry out, and she had no +idea where she was being taken or the reason of her going. + +Presently it occurred to her that this was not Arthur's limousine at +all. There was no speaking tube for one thing. She leaned forward and +felt for the leathern pocket in which she kept a veil and her street +gloves. No pocket of any sort was to be found. + +An unreasoning terror now possessed her. She knew not what to fear, yet +feared everything. She made another attempt to cry aloud for help and +then fell back unconscious on the cushions. + +How long she lay in the faint she did not know. When she recovered the +limousine was still rattling forward at a brisk gait but bumping over +ruts in a manner that indicated a country road. + +Through the curtains she could see little but the black night, although +there was a glow ahead cast by the searchlights of the car. Louise was +weak and unnerved. She had no energy to find a way to combat her fate, +if such a way were possible. A dim thought of smashing a window and +hurling herself through it gave her only a shudder of repulsion. She +lacked strength for such a desperate attempt. + +On, on, on. Would the dreary journey never end? How long must she sit +and suffer before she could know her fate, or at least find some +explanation of the dreadful mystery of this wild midnight ride? + +At last, when she had settled down to dull despair, the car came to a +paved road and began to move more slowly. It even stopped once or twice, +as if the driver was not sure of his way. But they kept moving, +nevertheless, and before long entered a driveway. There was another stop +now, and a long wait. + +Louise lay dismally back upon the cushions, sobbing hysterically into +her dripping handkerchief. The door of her prison at last opened and a +light shone in upon her. + +"Here we are, miss," said the man in uniform, still in quiet, respectful +tones. "Shall I assist you to alight?" + +She started up eagerly, her courage returning with a bound. Stepping +unassisted to the ground she looked around her in bewilderment. + +The car stood before the entrance to a modest country house. There was a +light in the hall and another upon the broad porch. Around the house a +mass of trees and shrubbery loomed dark and forbidding. + +"Where am I?" demanded Louise, drawing back haughtily as the man +extended a hand toward her. + +"At your destination, miss," was the answer. "Will you please enter?" + +"No! Not until I have an explanation of this--this--singular, +high-handed proceeding," she replied, firmly. + +Then she glanced at the house. The hall door had opened and a woman +stood peering anxiously at the scene outside. + +With sudden resolve Louise sprang up the steps and approached her. Any +woman, she felt, in this emergency, was a welcome refuge. + +"Who are you?" she asked eagerly, "and why have I been brought here?" + +"_Mademoiselle_ will come inside, please," said the woman, with a +foreign accent. "It is cold in the night air, _N'est-ce-pas_?" + +She turned to lead the way inside. While Louise hesitated to follow the +limousine started with a roar from its cylinders and disappeared down +the driveway, the two men going with it. The absence of the lamps +rendered the darkness around the solitary house rather uncanny. An +intense stillness prevailed except for the diminishing rattle of the +receding motor car. In the hall was a light and a woman. + +Louise went in. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + + +MADAME CERISE, CUSTODIAN + +The woman closed the hall door and locked it. Then she led the way to a +long, dim drawing-room in which a grate fire was smouldering. A stand +lamp of antique pattern but dimly illuminated the place, which seemed +well furnished in an old fashioned way. + +"Will not you remove your wraps, Mees--Mees--I do not know ma'm'selle's +name." + +"What is your own name?" asked Louise, coming closer to gaze earnestly +into the other's face. + +"I am called Madame Cerise, if it please you." + +Her voice, while softened to an extent by the French accent, was +nevertheless harsh and emotionless. She spoke as an automaton, slowly, +and pausing to choose her words. The woman was of medium size, slim and +straight in spite of many years. Her skin resembled brown parchment; her +eyes were small, black and beady; her nose somewhat fleshy and her lips +red and full as those of a young girl. The age of Madame Cerise might be +anywhere between fifty and seventy; assuredly she had long been a +stranger to youth, although her dark hair was but slightly streaked with +gray. She wore a somber-hued gown and a maid's jaunty apron and cap. + +Louise inspected her closely, longing to find a friend and protector in +this curious and strange woman. Her eyes were moist and pleading--an +appeal hard to resist. But Madame Cerise returned her scrutiny with a +wholly impassive expression. + +"You are a French maid?" asked Louise, softly. + +"A housekeeper, ma'm'selle. For a time, a caretaker." + +"Ah, I understand. Are your employers asleep?" + +"I cannot say, ma'm'seile. They are not here." + +"You are alone in this house?" + +"Alone with you, ma'm'seile." + +Louise had a sudden access of alarm. + +"And why am I here?" she cried, wringing her hands pitifully. + +"Ah, who can tell that?" returned the woman, composedly. "Not Cerise, +indeed. Cerise is told nothing--except what is required of her. I but +obey my orders." + +Louise turned quickly, at this. + +"What are your orders, then?" she asked. + +"To attend ma'm'selle with my best skill, to give her every comfort and +care, to--" + +"Yes--yes!" + +"To keep her safely until she is called for. That is all." + +The girl drew a long breath. + +"Who will call for me, then?" + +"I am not inform, ma'm'selle." + +"And I am a prisoner in this house?" + +"Ma'm'selle may call it so, if it please her. But reflect; there is no +place else to go. It is bleak weather, the winter soon comes. And here I +can make you the comforts you need." + +Louise pondered this speech, which did not deceive her. While still +perplexed as to her abduction, with no comprehension why she should have +been seized in such a summary manner and spirited to this lonely, +out-of-the-way place, she realized she was in no immediate danger. Her +weariness returned tenfold, and she staggered and caught the back of a +chair for support. + +The old woman observed this. + +"Ma'm'selle is tired," said she. "See; it is past four by the clock, and +you must be much fatigue by the ride and the nervous strain." + +"I--I'm completely exhausted," murmured Louise, drooping her head +wearily. The next moment she ran and placed her hands on Madame Cerise's +shoulders, peering into the round, beady eyes with tender pleading as +she continued: "I don't know why I have been stolen away from my home +and friends; I don't know why this dreadful thing has happened to me; I +only know that I am worn out and need rest. Will you take care of me, +Madame Cerise? Will you watch over me while I sleep and guard me from +all harm? I--I haven't any mother to lean on now, you know; I haven't +any friend at all--but _you!_" + +The grim features never relaxed a muscle; but a softer look came into +the dark eyes and the woman's voice took on a faint tinge of compassion +as she answered: + +"Nothing can harm ma'm'selle. Have no fear, _ma chere_. I will take care +of you; I will watch. _Allons_! it is my duty; it is also my pleasure." + +"Are there no--no men in the house--none at all?" enquired the girl, +peering into the surrounding gloom nervously. "There is no person at +all in the house, but you and I." + +"And you will admit no one?" + +The woman hesitated. + +"Not to your apartment," she said firmly. "I promise it." + +Louise gave a long, fluttering sigh. Somehow, she felt that she could +rely upon this promise. + +"Then, if you please, Madame Cerise, I'd like to go to bed," she said. + +The woman took the lamp and led the way upstairs, entering a large, airy +chamber in which a fire burned brightly in the grate. The furniture here +was dainty and feminine. In an alcove stood a snowy bed, the covers +invitingly turned down. + +Madame Cerise set the lamp upon a table and without a word turned to +assist Louise. The beautiful Kermess costume, elaborately embroidered +with roses, which the girl still wore, evidently won the Frenchwoman's +approval. She unhooked and removed it carefully and hung it in a closet. +Very dextrous were her motions as she took down the girl's pretty hair +and braided it for the night. A dainty _robe de nuit_ was provided. + +"It is my own," she said simply. "Ma'm'selle is not prepared." "But +there must be young ladies in your family," remarked Louise, +thoughtfully, for in spite of the stupor she felt from want of sleep the +novelty of her position kept her alert in a way. It is true she was too +tired and bewildered to think clearly, but slight details were +impressing themselves upon her dimly. "This room, for instance--" + +"Of course, _ma chere_, a young lady has lived here. She has left some +odd pieces of wardrobe behind her, at times, in going away. When you +waken we will try to find a house-dress to replace your evening-gown. +Will ma'm'selle indulge in the bath before retiring?" + +"Not to-night, Madame Cerise. I'm too tired for anything but--sleep!" + +Indeed, she had no sooner crawled into the enticing bed than she sank +into unconscious forgetfulness. This was to an extent fortunate. Louise +possessed one of those dispositions cheery and equable under ordinary +circumstances, but easily crushed into apathy by any sudden adversity. +She would not suffer so much as a more excitable and nervous girl might +do under similar circumstances. + +Her sleep, following the severe strain of the night's adventure, did +little to refresh her. She awoke in broad daylight to hear a cold wind +whistling shrilly outside and raindrops beating against the panes. + +Madame Cerise had not slept much during the night. For an hour after +Louise retired she sat in her room in deep thought. Then she went to the +telephone and notwithstanding the late hour called up Diana, who had a +branch telephone on a table at her bedside. + +Miss Von Taer was not asleep. She had had an exciting night herself. She +answered the old caretaker readily and it did not surprise her to learn +that the missing girl had been taken to the East Orange house by the +orders of Charlie Mershone. She enquired how Louise had accepted the +situation forced upon her, and was shocked and rendered uncomfortable by +the too plainly worded protest of the old Frenchwoman. Madame Cerise did +not hesitate to denounce the abduction as a heartless crime, and in her +communication with Diana swore she would protect the innocent girl from +harm at the hands of Mershone or anyone else. + +"I have ever to your family been loyal and true, Ma'm'selle Diana," said +she, "but I will not become the instrument of an abominable crime at +your command or that of your wicked cousin. I will keep the girl here in +safety, if it is your wish; but she will be safe, indeed, as long as +Cerise guards her." + +"That's right, Madame," stammered Diana, hardly knowing at the moment +what to say. "Be discreet and silent until you hear from me again; guard +the girl carefully and see that she is not too unhappy; but for heaven's +sake keep Charlie's secret until he sees fit to restore Miss Merrick to +her friends. No crime is contemplated; I would not allow such a thing, +as you know. Yet it is none of my affair whatever. My cousin has +compromised me by taking the girl to my house, and no knowledge of the +abduction must get abroad if we can help it. Do you understand me?" + +"No," was the reply. "The safest way for us all is to send Miss Merrick +away." + +"That will be done as soon as possible." + +With this the old Frenchwoman was forced to be content, and she did not +suspect that her report had made Miss Von Taer nearly frantic with +fear--not for Louise but for her own precious reputation. Accustomed to +obey the family she had served for so many years, Madame Cerise +hesitated to follow her natural impulse to set the poor young lady free +and assist her to return to her friends. So she compromised with her +conscience--a thing she was not credited with possessing--by resolving +to make the imprisonment of the "_pauvre fille_" as happy as possible. + +Scarcely had Louise opened her eyes the following morning when the old +woman entered her chamber, unlocking the door from the outside to secure +admission. + +She first rebuilt the fire, and when it was crackling cheerfully she +prepared a bath and brought an armful of clothing which she laid out for +inspection over the back of a sofa. She produced lingerie, too, and +Louise lay cuddled up in the bedclothes and watched her keeper +thoughtfully until the atmosphere of the room was sufficiently warmed. + +"I'll get up, now," she said, quietly. + +Madame Cerise was assuredly a skilled lady's maid. She bathed the girl, +wrapped her in an ample kimono and then seated her before the dresser +and arranged her _coiffure_ with dextrous skill. + +During this time Louise talked. She had decided her only chance of +escape lay in conciliating this stern-faced woman, and she began by +relating her entire history, including her love affair with Arthur +Weldon, Diana Von Taer's attempt to rob her of her lover, and the part +that Charlie Mershone had taken in the affair. + +Madame Cerise listened, but said nothing. + +"And now," continued the girl, "tell me who you think could be so wicked +and cruel as to carry me away from my home and friends? I cannot decide +myself. You have more experience and more shrewdness, can't you tell me, +Madame Cerise?" + +The woman muttered inaudibly. + +"Mr. Mershone might be an enemy, because I laughed at his love-making," +continued Louise, musingly. "Would a man who loved a girl try to injure +her? But perhaps his love has turned to hate. Anyhow, I can think of no +one else who would do such a thing, or of any reason why Charlie +Mershone should do it." + +Madame Cerise merely grunted. She was brushing the soft hair with gentle +care. + +"What could a man gain by stealing a girl? If it was Mr. Mershone, does +he imagine I could ever forget Arthur? Or cease to love him? Or that +Arthur would forget me while I am away? Perhaps it's Diana, and she +wants to get rid of me so she can coax Arthur back to her side. But +that's nonsense; isn't it, Madame Cerise? No girl--not even Diana Von +Taer--would dare to act in such a high-handed manner toward her rival. +Did you ever hear of Miss Von Taer? She's quite a society belle. Have +you ever seen her, Madame Cerise?" + +The woman vouchsafed no reply to this direct enquiry, but busied herself +dressing the girl's hair. Louise casually turned over the silver-mounted +hand mirror she was holding and gave a sudden start. A monogram was +engraved upon the metal: "D.v.T." She gazed at the mark fixedly and then +picked up a brush that the Frenchwoman laid down. Yes, the same monogram +appeared upon the brush. + +The sharp eyes of Cerise had noted these movements. She was a little +dismayed but not startled when Louise said, slowly: "'D.v.T.' stands for +Diana Von Taer. And it isn't likely to stand for anything else. I think +the mystery is explained, now, and my worst fears are realized. Tell me, +Madame, is this Diana Von Taer's house?" + +Her eyes shone with anger and round red patches suddenly appeared upon +her pallid cheeks. Madame Cerise drew a long breath. + +"It used to be," was her quiet answer. "It was left her by her +grandmother; but Mr. Von Taer did not like the place and they have not +been here lately--not for years. Miss Von Taer informed me, some time +ago, that she had transferred the property to another." + +"To her cousin--Mr. Mershone?" asked Louise quickly. + +"That may be the name; I cannot remember," was the evasive reply. + +"But you must know him, as he is Diana's cousin," retorted Louise. "Why +will you try to deceive me? Am I not helpless enough already, and do you +wish to make me still more miserable?" + +"I have seen Mr. Mershone when he was a boy, many times. He was not the +favorite with Ma'm'selle Diana, nor with Monsieur Von Taer. For myself, +I hated him." + +There was decided emphasis to the last sentence. Louise believed her and +felt a little relieved. + +From the _mélange_ of apparel a modest outfit was obtained to clothe the +girl with decency and comfort, if not in the prevailing style. The fit +left much to be desired, yet Louise did not complain, as weightier +matters were now occupying her mind. + +The toilet completed, Madame Cerise disappeared to get a tray +containing a good breakfast. She seemed exceedingly attentive. + +"If you will give me the proper directions I will start for home at +once," announced Louise, with firm resolve, while eating her egg and +toast. + +"I am unable to give you directions, and I cannot let you go, +ma'm'selle," was the equally firm reply. "The day is much too +disagreeable to venture out in, unless one has proper conveyance. Here, +alas, no conveyance may be had." + +Louise tried other tactics. + +"I have no money, but several valuable jewels," she said, meaningly. "I +am quite sure they will obtain for me a conveyance." + +"You are wrong, ma'm'selle; there is no conveyance to be had!" persisted +the old woman, more sternly. + +"Then I shall walk." + +"It is impossible." + +"Where is this place situated? How far is it from New York? How near am +I to a street-car, or to a train?" + +"I cannot tell you." + +"But this is absurd!" cried Louise. "You cannot deceive me for long. I +know this is Diana Von Taer's house, and I shall hold Diana Von Taer +responsible for this enforced imprisonment." + +"That," said Madame Cerise, coldly, "is a matter of indifference to me. +But ma'm'selle must understand one thing, she must not leave this +house." + +"Oh, indeed!" + +"At least, until the weather moderates," added the woman, more mildly. + +She picked up the tray, went to the door and passed out. Louise heard +the key click in the lock. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + + +THE MYSTERY DEEPENS + +Uncle John was both astounded and indignant that so bold and unlawful an +act as the abduction of his own niece could have been perpetrated in the +heart of New York and directly under the eyes of the police. Urged by +the Major, Mr. Merrick was at first inclined to allow Arthur Weldon to +prosecute the affair and undertake the recovery of the girl, being +assured this would easily be accomplished and conceding the fact that no +one had a stronger interest in solving the mystery of Louise's +disappearance than young Weldon. But when midday arrived and no trace of +the young girl had yet been obtained the little millionaire assumed an +important and decisive air and hurried down town to "take a hand in the +game" himself. + +After a long interview with the Chief of Detectives, Mr. Merrick said +impressively: + +"Now, understand, sir; not a hint of this to the newspaper folks. I +won't have any scandal attached to the poor child if I can help it. Set +your whole force to work--at once!--but impress them with the need of +secrecy. My offer is fair and square. I'll give a reward of ten thousand +dollars if Miss Merrick is discovered within twenty-four hours; nine +thousand if she's found during the next twenty-four hours; and so on, +deducting a thousand for each day of delay. That's for the officer who +finds her. For yourself, sir, I intend to express my gratitude as +liberally as the service will allow me to. Is this all clear and +above-board?" + +"It is perfectly clear, Mr. Merrick." + +"The child must be found--and found blamed quick, too! Great Caesar! Can +a simple affair like this baffle your splendid metropolitan force?" + +"Not for long, Mr. Merrick, believe me." + +But this assurance proved optimistic. Day by day crept by without a clew +to the missing girl being discovered; without development of any sort. +The Inspector informed Mr. Merrick that "it began to look like a +mystery." + +Arthur, even after several sleepless nights, still retained his courage. + +"I'm on the right track, sir," he told Uncle John. "The delay is +annoying, but not at all dangerous. So long as Fogerty holds fast to +Mershone Louise is safe, wherever she may be." + +"Mershone may have nothing to do with the case." + +"I'm positive he has." + +"And Louise can't be safe while she's a prisoner, and in the hands of +strangers. I want the girl home! Then I'll know she's safe." + +"I want her home, too, sir. But all your men are unable to find her, it +seems. They can't even discover in what direction she was taken, or how. +The brown limousine seems to be no due at all." + +"Of course not. There are a thousand brown limousines in New York." + +"Do you imagine she's still somewhere in the city, sir?" enquired +Arthur. + +"That's my theory," replied Uncle John. "She must be somewhere in the +city. You see it would be almost impossible to get her out of town +without discovery. But I'll admit this detective force is the finest +aggregation of incompetents I've ever known--and I don't believe your +precious Fogerty is any better, either." + +Of course Beth and Patsy had to be told of their cousin's disappearance +as soon as the first endeavor to trace her proved a failure. Patsy went +at once to Mrs. Merrick and devoted herself to comforting the poor woman +as well as she could. + +Beth frowned at the news and then sat down to carefully think out the +problem. In an hour she had logically concluded that Diana Von Taer was +the proper person to appeal to. If anyone knew where Louise was, it was +Diana. That same afternoon she drove to the Von Taer residence and +demanded an interview. + +Diana was at that moment in a highly nervous state. She had at times +during her career been calculating and unscrupulous, but never before +had she deserved the accusation of being malicious and wicked. She had +come to reproach herself bitterly for having weakly connived at the +desperate act of Charlie Mershone, and her good sense assured her the +result would be disastrous to all concerned in it. Contempt for herself +and contempt for her cousin mingled with well-defined fears for her +cherished reputation, and so it was that Miss Von Taer had almost +decided to telephone Madame Cerise and order her to escort Louise +Merrick to her own home when Beth's card came up with a curt demand for +a personal interview. + +The natures of these two girls had never harmonized in the slightest +degree. Beth's presence nerved Diana to a spirit of antagonism that +quickly destroyed her repentant mood. As she confronted her visitor her +demeanor was cold and suspicious. There was a challenge and an +accusation in Beth's eyes that conveyed a distinct warning, which Miss +Von Taer quickly noted and angrily resented--perhaps because she knew it +was deserved. + +It would have been easy to tell Beth De Graf where her cousin Louise +was, and at the same time to assure her that Diana was blameless in the +affair; but she could not endure to give her antagonist this +satisfaction. + +Beth began the interview by saying: "What have you done with Louise +Merrick?" That was, of course, equal to a declaration of war. + +Diana was sneering and scornful. Thoroughly on guard, she permitted no +compromising word or admission to escape her. Really, she knew nothing +of Louise Merrick, having unfortunately neglected to examine her +antecedents and personal characteristics before undertaking her +acquaintance. One is so likely to blunder through excess of good nature. +She had supposed a niece of Mr. John Merrick would be of the right sort; +but the age is peculiar, and one cannot be too cautious in choosing +associates. If Miss Merrick had run away from her home and friends, Miss +Von Taer was in no way responsible for the escapade. And now, if Miss De +Graf had nothing further to say, more important matters demanded Diana's +time. + +Beth was furious with anger at this baiting. Without abandoning a jot +her suspicions she realized she was powerless to prove her case at this +time. With a few bitter and cutting remarks--made, she afterward said, +in "self-defense"--she retreated as gracefully as possible and drove +home. + +An hour later she suggested to Uncle John that he have a detective +placed where Diana's movements could be watched; but that had already +been attended to by both Mr. Merrick and Mr. Fogerty. Uncle John could +hardly credit Diana's complicity in this affair. The young lady's social +position was so high, her family so eminently respectable, her motive +in harming Louise so inconceivable, that he hesitated to believe her +guilty, even indirectly. As for her cousin, he did not know what to +think, as Arthur accused him unreservedly. It did not seem possible that +any man of birth, breeding and social position could be so contemptible +as to perpetrate an act of this character. Yet some one had done it, and +who had a greater incentive than Charlie Mershone? + +Poor Mrs. Merrick was inconsolable as the days dragged by. She clung to +Patsy with pitiful entreaties not to be left alone; so Miss Doyle +brought her to her own apartments, where the bereft woman was shown +every consideration. Vain and selfish though Mrs. Merrick might be, she +was passionately devoted to her only child, and her fears for the life +and safety of Louise were naturally greatly exaggerated. + +The group of anxious relatives and friends canvassed the subject +morning, noon and night, and the longer the mystery remained unsolved +the more uneasy they all became. + +"This, ma'am," said Uncle John, sternly, as he sat one evening facing +Mrs. Merrick, "is the final result of your foolish ambition to get our +girls into society." + +"I can't see it that way, John," wailed the poor woman. "I've never +heard of such a thing happening in society before, have you?" + +"I don't keep posted," he growled. "But everything was moving smoothly +with us before this confounded social stunt began, as you must admit." + +"I can't understand why the papers are not full of it," sighed Mrs. +Merrick, musingly. "Louise is so prominent now in the best circles." + +"Of course," said the Major, drily; "she's so prominent, ma'am, that no +one can discover her at all! And it's lucky for us the newspapers know +nothing of the calamity. They'd twist the thing into so many shapes that +not one of us would ever again dare to look a friend in the eye." + +"I'm sure my darling has been murdered!" declared Mrs. Merrick, weeping +miserably. She made the statement on an average of once to every five +minutes. "Or, if she hasn't been killed yet, she's sure to be soon. +Can't _something_ be done?" That last appeal was hard to answer. They +had done everything that could be thought of. And here it was Tuesday. +Louise had been missing for five days. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + + +A RIFT IN THE CLOUDS + +The Tuesday morning just referred to dawned cold and wintry. A chill +wind blew and for a time carried isolated snowflakes whirling here and +there. Gradually, as the morning advanced, the flakes became more +numerous, until by nine o'clock an old fashioned snowstorm had set in +that threatened to last for some time. The frozen ground was soon +covered with a thin white mantle and the landscape in city and country +seemed especially forbidding. + +In spite of these adverse conditions Charlie Mershone decided to go out +for a walk. He felt much like a prisoner, and his only recreation was in +getting out of the hotel for a daily stroll. Moreover, he had an object +in going abroad to-day. + +So he buttoned his overcoat up to his chin and fearlessly braved the +storm. He had come to wholly disregard the presence of the detective who +shadowed him, and if the youthful Fogerty by chance addressed him he was +rewarded with a direct snub. This did not seem to disconcert the boy in +the least, and to-day, as usual, when Mershone walked out Fogerty +followed at a respectful distance. He never appeared to be watching his +man closely, yet never for an instant did Mershone feel that he had +shaken the fellow off. + +On this especial morning the detective was nearly a block in the rear, +with the snow driving furiously into his face, when an automobile +suddenly rolled up to the curb beside him and two men leaped out and +pinioned Fogerty in their arms. There was no struggle, because there was +no resistance. The captors quickly tossed the detective into the car, an +open one, which again started and turned into a side street. + +Fogerty, seated securely between the two burly fellows, managed to +straighten up and rearrange his clothing. + +"Will you kindly explain this unlawful act, gentlemen?" he enquired. + +The man on the left laughed aloud. He was the same individual who had +attacked Arthur Weldon, the one who had encountered Mershone in the +street the day before. + +"Cold day, ain't it, Fogerty?" he remarked. "But that makes it all the +better for a little auto ride. We like you, kid, we're fond of +you--awful fond--ain't we, Pete?" + +"We surely are," admitted the other. + +"So we thought we'd invite you out for a whirl--see? We'll give you a +nice ride, so you can enjoy the scenery. It's fine out Harlem way, an' +the cold'll make you feel good. Eh, Pete?" + +"That's the idea," responded Pete, cheerfully. + +"Very kind of you," said the detective, leaning back comfortably against +the cushions and pulling up his coat collar to shield him from the wind. +"But are you aware that I'm on duty, and that this will allow my man to +slip away from me?" + +"Can't help that; but we're awful sorry," was the reply. "We just wanted +company, an' you're a good fellow, Fogerty, considerin' your age an' +size." + +"Thank you," said Fogerty, "You know me, and I know you. You are Bill +Leesome, alias Will Dutton--usually called Big Bill. You did time a +couple of years ago for knocking out a policeman." + +"I'm safe enough now, though," responded Big Bill. "You're not working +on the reg'lar force, Fogerty, you're only a private burr." + +"I am protected, just the same," asserted Fogerty. "When you knabbed me +I was shadowing Mershone, who has made away with a prominent society +young lady." + +"Oh, he has, has he?" chuckled Big Bill, and his companion laughed so +gleefully that he attracted Fogerty's attention to himself. + +"Ah, I suppose you are one of the two men who lugged the girl off," he +remarked; "and I must congratulate you on having made a good job of it. +Isn't it curious, by the way, that the fellow who stole and hid this +girl should be the innocent means of revealing her biding place?" + +The two men stared at him blankly. The car, during this conversation, +had moved steadily on, turning this and that corner in a way that might +have confused anyone not perfectly acquainted with this section of the +city. + +"What d'ye mean by that talk, Fogerty?" demanded Big Bill. + +"Of course it was Mershone who stole the girl," explained the detective, +calmly; "we know that. But Mershone is a clever chap. He knew he was +watched, and so he has never made a movement to go to his prisoner. But +he grew restless in time, and when he met you, yesterday, fixed up a +deal with you to carry me away, so he could escape." + +Big Bill looked uncomfortable. + +"You know a lot, Fogerty," he said, doggedly. + +"Yes; I've found that human nature is much the same the world over," +replied the detective. "Of course I suspected you would undertake to +give Mershone his chance by grabbing me, and that is exactly what you +have done. But, my lads, what do you suppose I have done in the +meantime?" + +They both looked their curiosity but said nothing. + +"I've simply used your clever plot to my own advantage, in order to +bring things to a climax," continued Fogerty. "While we are joy-riding +here, a half dozen of my men are watching every move that Mershone +makes. I believe he will lead them straight to the girl; don't you?" + +Big Bill growled some words that were not very choice and then yelled to +the chauffeur to stop. The other man was pale and evidently frightened. + +"See here, Fogerty; you make tracks!" was the sharp command, as the +automobile came to a halt. "You've worked a pretty trick on us, 'cordin' +to your own showin', and we must find Mr. Mershone before it's too +late--if we can." + +"Good morning," said Fogerty, alighting. "Thank you for a pleasant +ride--and other things." + +They dashed away and left him standing on the curb; and after watching +them disappear the detective walked over to a drug store and entered the +telephone booth. + +"That you, Hyde?--This is Fogerty." + +"Yes, sir. Mr. Mershone has just crossed the ferry to Jersey. Adams is +with him. I'll hear from him again in a minute: hold the wire." + +Fogerty waited. Soon he learned that Mershone had purchased a ticket for +East Orange. The train would leave in fifteen minutes. + +Fogerty decided quickly. After looking at his watch he rushed out and +arrested a passing taxicab. + +"Ready for a quick run--perhaps a long one?" he asked. + +"Ready for anything," declared the man. + +The detective jumped in and gave hurried directions. + +"Never mind the speed limit," he said. "No one will interfere with us. +I'm Fogerty." + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + + +POLITIC REPENTANCE + +Perhaps no one--not even Mrs. Merrick--was so unhappy in consequence of +the lamentable crime that had been committed as Diana Von Taer. +Immediately after her interview with Beth her mood changed, and she +would have given worlds to be free from complicity in the abduction. +Bitterly, indeed, she reproached herself for her enmity toward the +unsuspecting girl, an innocent victim of Diana's own vain desires and +Charles Mershone's heartless wiles. Repenting her folly and reasoning +out the thing when it was too late, Diana saw clearly that she had +gained no possible advantage, but had thoughtlessly conspired to ruin +the reputation of an honest, ingenuous girl. + +Not long ago she had said that her life was dull, a stupid round of +social functions that bored her dreadfully. She had hoped by adopting +John Merrick's nieces as her _protégées_ and introducing them to society +to find a novel and pleasurable excitement that would serve to take her +out of her unfortunate _ennui_--a condition to which she had practically +been born. + +But Diana had never bargained for such excitement as this; she had never +thought to win self abhorrence by acts of petty malice and callous +cruelties. Yet so intrenched was she in the conservatism of her class +that she could not at once bring herself to the point of exposing her +own guilt that she might make amends for what had been done. She told +herself she would rather die than permit Louise to suffer through her +connivance with her reckless, unprincipled cousin. She realized +perfectly that she ought to fly, without a moment's delay, to the poor +girl's assistance. Yet fear of exposure, of ridicule, of loss of caste, +held her a helpless prisoner in her own home, where she paced the floor +and moaned and wrung her hands until she was on the verge of nervous +prostration. If at any time she seemed to acquire sufficient courage to +go to Louise, a glance at the detective watching the house unnerved her +and prevented her from carrying out her good intentions. + +You must not believe that Diana was really bad; her lifelong training +along set lines and practical seclusion from the everyday world were +largely responsible for her evil impulses. Mischief is sure to crop up, +in one form or another, among the idle and ambitionless. More daring +wickedness is said to be accomplished by the wealthy and aimless +creatures of our false society than by the poorer and uneducated +classes, wherein criminals are supposed to thrive. These sins are often +unpublished, although not always undiscovered, but they are no more +venial because they are suppressed by wealth and power. + +Diana Von Taer was a girl who, rightly led, might have been capable of +developing a noble womanhood; yet the conditions of her limited +environment had induced her to countenance a most dastardly and +despicable act. It speaks well for the innate goodness of this girl that +she at last actually rebelled and resolved to undo, insofar as she was +able, the wrong that had been accomplished. + +For four days she suffered tortures of remorse. On the morning of the +fifth day she firmly decided to act. Regardless of who might be +watching, or of any unpleasant consequences to herself, she quietly left +the house, unattended, and started directly for the East Orange mansion. + + + + +CHAPTER XX + + +A TELEPHONE CALL + +Still another laggard awoke to action on this eventful Tuesday morning. + +Madame Cerise had been growing more and more morose and dissatisfied day +by day. Her grievance was very tangible. A young girl had been brought +forcibly to the house and placed in her care to be treated as a +prisoner. From that time the perpetrators of the deed had left the woman +to her own resources, never communicating with her in any way. + +During a long life of servitude Madame Cerise had acquiesced in many +things that her own conscience did not approve of, for she considered +herself a mere instrument to be used at will by the people who employed +and paid her. But her enforced solitude as caretaker of the lonely house +at East Orange had given her ample time to think, and her views had +lately undergone a decided change. + +To become the jailer of a young, pretty and innocent girl was the most +severe trial her faithfulness to her employers had ever compelled her to +undergo, and the woman deeply resented the doubtful position in which +she had been placed. + +However, the chances were that Madame Cerise might have obeyed her +orders to the letter had not so long a period of waiting ensued. During +these days she was constantly thrown in the society of Louise, which had +a tendency to make her still more rebellious. The girl clung to Cerise +in her helplessness and despair, and constantly implored her to set her +free. This, indeed, the Frenchwoman might have done long ago had she not +suspected such an act might cause great embarrassment to Diana Von Taer, +whom she had held on her knee as an infant and sought to protect with +loyal affection. + +It was hard, though, to hear the pitiful appeals of the imprisoned girl, +and to realize how great was the wrong that was being done her. The old +woman was forced to set her jaws firmly and turn deaf ears to the +pleadings in order not to succumb to them straightway. Meantime she did +her duty conscientiously. She never left Louise's room without turning +the key in the lock, and she steadfastly refused the girl permission to +wander in the other rooms of the house. The prison was a real prison, +indeed, but the turnkey sought to alleviate the prisoner's misery by +every means in her power. She was indefatigable in her service, keeping +the room warm and neat, attending to the girl's every want and cooking +her delicious meals. + +While this all tended to Louise's comfort it had little affect in +soothing her misery. Between periods of weeping she sought to cajole the +old woman to release her, and at times she succumbed to blank despair. +Arthur was always in her mind, and she wondered why he did not come to +rescue her. Every night she stole softly from her bed to try the door, +hoping Cerise had forgotten to lock it. She examined her prison by +stealth to discover any possible way of escape. + +There were two small windows and one large one. The latter opened upon +the roof of a small porch, but, there were no way to descend from it +unless one used a frail lattice at one end, which in summer probably +supported a rose or other vine. Louise shrank intuitively from such a +desperate undertaking. Unless some dreadful crisis occurred she would +never dare trust herself to that frail support. Yet it seemed the only +possible way of escape. + +Time finally wore out the patience of Madame Cerise, who was unable +longer to withstand Louise's pleadings. She did not indicate by word or +look that her attitude had changed, but she made a secret resolve to +have done with the affair altogether. + +Often in their conversations the girl had mentioned Arthur Weldon. She +had given Cerise his address and telephone number, and implored her at +least to communicate with him and tell him his sweetheart was safe, +although unhappy. This had given the old woman the clever idea on which +she finally acted. + +By telephoning Mr. Weldon she could give him the information that would +lead to his coming for Louise, without anyone knowing who it was that +had betrayed the secret. This method commended itself strongly to her, +as it would save her from any trouble or reproach. + +Leaving Louise at breakfast on this Tuesday morning Madame Cerise went +down to the telephone and was soon in communication with Arthur. She +told him, in a quiet tone, that Miss Louise Merrick was being secluded +in a suburban house near East Orange, and described the place so he +could easily find it. The young man questioned her eagerly, but aside +from the information that the girl was well and uninjured she +vouchsafed no further comment. + +It was enough, however. Arthur, in wild excitement, rushed to the +rescue. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + + +THE UNEXPECTED HAPPENS + +Madame Cerise, well knowing she had accelerated the march of events to a +two-step, calmly sat herself down in the little housekeeper's room off +the lower hall and, leaving Louise to her moody solitude upstairs, +awaited the inevitable developments. + +Outside the weather was cold and blustering. The wind whirled its burden +of snowflakes in every direction with blinding, bewildering +impartiality. It was a bad day to be out, thought the old Frenchwoman; +but a snowstorm was not likely to deter an anxious lover. She calculated +the time it would take Monsieur Weldon to arrive at the mansion: if he +was prompt and energetic he could cover the distance in an hour and a +half by train or three hours by motor car. But he must prepare for the +journey, and that would consume some time; perhaps she need not expect +him within two hours at the earliest. + +She read, to pass away the time, selecting a book from a shelf of +well-worn French novels. Somehow she did not care to face her tearful +prisoner again until she could restore the unhappy girl to the arms of +her true lover. There was still romance in the soul of Madame Cerise, +however withered her cheeks might be. She was very glad that at last she +had summoned courage to act according to the dictates of her heart. + +Eh? What is this? A rumble of wheels over the frozen snow caused her to +glance at the clock above the mantel. Not by any possibility could +Monsieur Weldon arrive so soon. Who, then, could it be? + +She sat motionless while the doorbell rang, and rang again. Nothing must +interfere with the pretty _denouement_ she had so fondly anticipated +when Louise's faithful knight came to her. + +But the one who had just now alighted was persistent. The vehicle had +been sent away--she heard the sound of receding wheels--and the new +arrival wanted to get in. The bell jerked and jangled unceasingly for a +time and then came a crash against the door, as if a stalwart shoulder +was endeavoring to break it down. + +Madame Cerise laid down her book, placed her _pince-nez_ in the case, +and slowly proceeded down the hall. The door shook with another powerful +impact, a voice cried out demanding admittance. + +"Who is it, then?" she called shrilly. + +"Open the door, confound you!" was the irritated reply. + +The woman reflected. This was surely young Mershone's voice. And she had +no excuse to deny him admittance. Quietly she unbolted the door and +allowed it to open an inch while she peered at the man outside. + +"Oh! it is Monsieur Mershone." + +"Of course it is," he roared, forcing the door open and stalking in. +"Who in thunder did you think it was?" + +"A thousand pardons, m'sieur," said Cerise. "I must be cautious; it is +your own command. That you may be protected I deny admittance to all." + +"That's all right," said Mershone gruffly, while he stamped his feet +upon the rug and shook the snow from his clothing. "Haven't you any fire +in this beastly old refrigerator? I'm nearly frozen. Where's Miss +Merrick?" + +"She is occupying Ma'm'selle Diana's room, in the west wing. Will +monsieur please to come this way?" + +She led him to her own little room, and so engrossed were they that +neither remembered he had failed to rebolt the front door. + +A good fire burned in the grate of Cerise's cosy den and Mershone threw +off his overcoat and warmed his hands as he showered questions upon the +old caretaker. + +"How is the girl behaving? Tears and hysterics?" + +"At times, m'sieur." + +"Takes it hard, eh?" + +"She is very unhappy." + +"Ever mention a man named Weldon?" + +"Often." + +"Humph!" He did not like this report. "Has anyone been here to disturb +you, or to make enquiries?" + +"No one, m'sieur." + +"We're safe enough, I guess. It was a mighty neat job, Cerise, taken +altogether, although the fools have been watching me night and day. +That's the reason I did not come sooner." + +She made no comment. Mershone threw himself into a chair and stared +thoughtfully at the fire. + +"Has Louise--Miss Merrick, you know--mentioned my name at all?" "At +times." + +"In what way?" + +"With loathing and contempt." + +He scowled at her savagely. + +"Do you think she suspects that I carried her away?" + +"She seems to know it absolutely." + +He stared at the fire again. + +"I've got a queer job on my hands, Cerise, and I rely on you to help +me," said he presently, assuming a more conciliating manner. "Perhaps +I'm in a box, or a hole, or whatever else you like to call it, but it's +too late too back down now--I must push ahead and win. You see the case +is this: I love the girl and had her brought here to keep her from +another man. By hook or crook I'm going to make her my wife. She won't +take kindly to that at first, perhaps, but I'll make her happy in the +end. In one way this delay has been a good thing. It must have worn her +out and broken her spirits quite a bit; eh?" + +"She seems very miserable," conceded the woman. + +"Do you find her hard to manage? Does she show much temper? In other +words, do you suppose she'll put up a fight?" + +Madame Cerise regarded him wonderingly. + +"She is a good girl," was her reply. "She loves with much devotion the +man from whom you have stolen her. I am quite positive she will never +consent to become your wife." + +"Oh, you are? Well, I intend she shall marry me, and that settles it. +She's unnerved and miserable now, and I mean to grind her down till she +hasn't strength to resist me. That sounds hard. I know; but it's the +only way to accomplish my purpose. After she's my wife I'll be very kind +to her, poor thing, and teach her to love me. A man can do anything with +a woman if he sets about it the right way. I'm not taking this stand +because I'm cruel, Cerise, but because I'm desperate. All's fair in love +and war, you know, and this is a bit of both." + +He was pacing the floor by this time, his hands thrust deep in his +pockets, an anxious look upon his face that belied his bombastic words. + +The Frenchwoman's expression was impassive. Her scorn for the wretch +before her was tempered with the knowledge that his cowardly plan was +doomed to defeat. It was she who had checkmated him, and she was glad. +Now and again her eyes sought the clock, while she silently calculated +the time to elapse before Arthur Weldon arrived. There would be a pretty +scene then, Cerise would have much enjoyment in witnessing the +encounter. + +"Now, then, take me to Louise," commanded Mershone, suddenly. + +She shrank back in dismay. + +"Oh, not yet, m'sieur!" + +"Why not?" + +"The young lady is asleep. She will not waken for an hour--perhaps two." + +"I can't wait. We'll waken her now, and give her an idea of the change +of program." + +"But no, m'sieur! It is outrageous. The poor thing has but now sobbed +herself to sleep, after many bitter hours. Can you not wait a brief +hour, having waited five days?" + +"No. Take me to her at once." As he came toward her the woman drew +away. + +"I cannot," she said firmly. + +"See here, Cerise, I intend to be obeyed. I won't endure any nonsense at +this stage of the game, believe me," he announced fiercely. "In order to +win, there's just one way to manage this affair, and I insist upon your +following my instructions. Take me to Louise!" + +"I will not!" she returned, the bead-like eyes glittering as they met +his angry gaze. + +"Then I'll go alone. Give me the key." + +She did not move, nor did she answer him. At her waist hung a small +bunch of household keys and this he seized with a sudden movement and +jerked loose from its cord. + +"You miserable hag!" he muttered, inflamed with anger at her opposition. +"If you propose to defend this girl and defy me, you'll find I'm able to +crush you as I will her. While I'm gone I expect you to come to your +senses, and decide to obey me." + +With these words he advanced to the door of the little room and opened +it. Just outside stood Fogerty, smiling genially. + +"Glad to meet you again, Mr. Mershone," he said. "May I come in? Thank +you." + +While Mershone stood bewildered by this unexpected apparition the +detective entered the room, closed the door carefully, and putting his +back to it bowed politely to Madame Cerise. + +"Pardon this seeming intrusion, ma'am," said he. "I'm here on a little +matter of business, having a warrant for the arrest of Mr. Charles +Connoldy Mershone." + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + + +GONE + +The grim face of Madame Cerise relaxed to allow a quaint smile to flit +across it. She returned Fogerty's bow with a deep curtsy. + +Mershone, after one brief exclamation of dismay, wrested from him by +surprise, threw himself into the chair again and stared at the fire. +For a few moments there was intense stillness in the little room. + +"How easy it is," said Fogerty, in soft, musing tones, "to read one's +thoughts--under certain circumstances. You are thinking, Mr. Mershone, +that I'm a boy, and not very strong, while you are an athlete and can +easily overpower me. I have come at a disagreeable time, and all your +plans depend on your ability to get rid of me. But I've four good men +within call, who are just now guarding the approaches to this house. +They'd like to come in, I know, because it's very cold and disagreeable +outside; but suppose we allow them to freeze for a time? Ah, I thought +you'd agree with me, sir--I overheard you say you were about to visit +Miss Merrick, who is confined in a room upstairs, but I'd like you to +postpone that while we indulge in a little confidential chat together. +You see--" + +The door-bell rang violently. Fogerty glanced at Madame Cerise. "Will +you see who it is?" he asked. + +She arose at once and left the room. Mershone turned quickly. + +"What's your price, Fogerty?" he asked, meaningly. + +"For what?" + +"For getting out of here--making tracks and leaving me alone. Every man +has his price, and I'm trapped--I'm willing to pay anything--I'll--" + +"Cut it out, sir. You've tried this once before. I'm not to be bribed." + +"Have you really a warrant for my arrest?" + +"I've carried it since Friday. It's no use, Mershone, the game's up and +you may as well grin and bear it." + +Mershone was about to reply when the door opened and Diana Von Taer came +in with a swift, catlike tread and confronted him with flaming eyes. + +"You coward! You low, miserable scoundrel! How dare you come here to +annoy and browbeat that poor girl?" she cried in clear, cutting accents, +without noticing the presence of Fogerty. + +"Oh, shut up, Di, you're in it as deep as I am," he retorted, turning +away with a flushed face. + +"I'm not, sir! Never have I countenanced this wicked, criminal act," she +declared. "I have come here to-day to save Louise from your wiles and +carry her back to her friends. I dare you, or your confederates," with a +scornful look at the detective, "to interfere with me in any way." Then +she turned to Cerise and continued: "Where is Miss Merrick now?" + +"In your own room, ma'm'seile." + +"Come with me, then." + +With a defiant glance at Mershone she turned haughtily and left the +room. Cerise followed obediently, somewhat astonished at the queer turn +of events. + +Left alone with Mershone, Fogerty chuckled gleefully. + +"Why, it seems I wasn't needed, after all," said he, "and we've both of +us taken a lot of trouble for nothing, Mershone. The chances are Miss +Von Taer would have turned the trick in any event, don't you think so?" + "No, you don't understand her. She wouldn't have interfered if she +hadn't been scared out," growled the other. "She's sacrificed me to save +herself, that's all." + +"You may be right about that," admitted Fogerty; and then he got up to +answer the door-bell, which once more rang violently. + +An automobile stood outside, and from it an excited party trooped into +the hallway, disregarding the cutting wind and blinding snowflakes that +assailed them as they passed in. There was Arthur Weldon and Uncle John, +Patricia and Beth; and all, as they saw the detective, cried with one +voice: + +"Where's Louise?" + +Fogerty had just managed to close the door against the wintry blast when +the answer came from the stairway just above: + +"She is gone!" + +The voice was shrill and despairing, and looking up they saw Diana +standing dramatically posed upon the landing, her hands clasped over her +heart and a look of fear upon her face. Over her shoulder the startled +black eyes of old Cerise peered down upon the group below. + +The newcomers were evidently bewildered by this reception. They had come +to rescue Louise, whom they imagined confined in a lonely deserted villa +with no companion other than the woman who guarded her. Arthur's own +detective opened the door to them and Diana Von Taer, whom they +certainly did not expect to meet here, confronted them with the +thrilling statement that Louise had gone. + +Arthur was the first to recover his wits. + +"Gone!" he repeated; "gone where?" + +"She had escaped--run away!" explained Diana, in real distress. + +"When?" asked Uncle John. + +"Just now. Within an hour, wasn't it, Cerise?" + +"At ten o'clock I left her, now she is gone," said the old woman, who +appeared as greatly agitated as her mistress. + +"Good gracious! you don't mean to say she's left the house in this +storm?" exclaimed Patsy, aghast at the very thought. + +"What shall we do? What _can_ we do?" demanded Beth, eagerly. + +Fogerty started up the stairs. Cerise turned to show him the way, and +the others followed in an awed group. + +The key was in the lock of the door to the missing girl's room, but the +door itself now stood ajar. Fogerty entered, cast a sharp look around +and walked straight to the window. As the others came in, glancing +curiously about them and noting the still smouldering fire and the +evidences of recent occupation, the detective unlatched the French +window and stepped out into the snow that covered the roof of the little +porch below. Arthur sprang out beside him, leaving the rest to shiver in +the cold blast that rushed in upon them from the open window. + +Fogerty, on his knees, scanned the snow carefully, and although Weldon +could discover no sign of a footprint the young detective nodded his +head sagaciously and slowly made his way to the trellis at the end. Here +it was plain that the accumulation of snow had recently been brushed +away from the frail framework. "It was strong enough to hold her, +though," declared Fogerty, looking over the edge of the roof. "I'll +descend the same way, sir. Go back by the stairs and meet me below." + +He grasped the lattice and began cautiously to lower himself to the +ground, and Arthur turned to rejoin his friends in the room. + +"That is the way she escaped, without doubt," he said to them. "Poor +child, she had no idea we were about to rescue her, and her long +confinement had made her desperate." + +"Did she have a cloak, or any warm clothes?" asked Beth. Madame Cerise +hurriedly examined the wardrobe in the closets. + +"Yes, ma'm'selle; she has taken a thick coat and a knit scarf," she +answered. But I am sure she had no gloves, and her shoes were very +thin." + +"How long do you think she has been gone?" Patsy enquired. + +"Not more than an hour. I was talking with Mr. Mershone, and--" + +"Mershone! Is he here?" demanded Arthur. + +"He is in my room downstairs--or was when you came," said the woman. + +"That accounts for her sudden flight," declared the young man, bitterly. +"She doubtless heard his voice and in a sudden panic decided to fly. Did +Mershone see her?" he asked. + +"No, m'sieur," replied Cerise. + +With one accord they descended to the lower hall and the caretaker led +the way to her room. To their surprise they found Mershone still seated +in the chair by the fire, his hands clasped behind his head, a cigarette +between his lips. + +"Here is another crime for you to account for!" cried Arthur, advancing +upon him angrily. "You have driven Louise to her death!" + +Mershone raised one hand in mild protest. + +"Don't waste time cursing me," he said. "Try to find Louise before it is +too late." + +The reproach seemed justified. Arthur paused and turning to Mr. Merrick +said: + +"He is right. I'll go help Fogerty, and you must stay here and look +after the girls until we return." As he went out he passed Diana +without a look. She sat in a corner of the room sobbing miserably. Beth +was thoughtful and quiet, Patsy nervous and indignant. Uncle John was +apparently crushed by the disaster that had overtaken them. Mershone's +suggestion that Louise might perish in the storm was no idle one; the +girl was not only frail and delicate but worn out with her long +imprisonment and its anxieties. They all realized this. + +"I believe," said Mershone, rising abruptly, "I'll go and join the +search. Fogerty has arrested me, but you needn't worry about my trying +to escape. I don't care what becomes of me, now, and I'm going straight +to join the detective." + +They allowed him to go without protest, and he buttoned his coat and set +out in the storm to find the others. Fogerty and Arthur were by this +time in the lane back of the grounds, where the detective was advancing +slowly with his eyes fixed on the ground. + +"The tracks are faint, but easily followed," he was saying, "The high +heels of her shoes leave a distinct mark." + +When Mershone joined them Arthur scowled at the fellow but said nothing. +Fogerty merely smiled. + +From the lane the tracks, already nearly obliterated by the fast falling +snow, wandered along nearly a quarter of a mile to a crossroads, where +they became wholly lost. + +Fogerty looked up and down the roads and shook his head with a puzzled +expression. + +"We've surely traced her so far," said he, "but now we must guess at her +further direction. You'll notice this track of a wagon. It may have +passed fifteen minutes or an hour ago. The hoof tracks of the horses are +covered, so I'm not positive which way they headed; I only know there +are indications of hoof tracks, which proves it a farmer's wagon. The +question is, whether the young lady met it, and caught a ride, or +whether she proceeded along some of the other trails. I can't find any +indication of those high-heeled shoes from this point, in any direction. +Better get your car, Mr. Weldon, and run east a few miles, keeping sharp +watch of the wagon tracks on the way. It was a heavy wagon, for the +wheels cut deep. Mershone and I will go west. When you've driven far +enough to satisfy yourself you're going the wrong direction, you may +easily overtake us on your return. Then, if we've discovered nothing on +this road, we'll try the other." Arthur ran back at once to the house +and in a few minutes had started on his quest. The motor car was +powerful enough to plow through the deep snow with comparative ease. + +Those left together in Madam Cerise's little room were more to be pitied +than the ones engaged in active search, for there was nothing to relieve +their fears and anxieties. Diana, unable to bear the accusing looks of +Patsy and Beth, resolved to make a clean breast of her complicity in the +affair and related to them every detail of her connection with her +cousin's despicable plot. She ended by begging their forgiveness, and +wept so miserably that Uncle John found himself stroking her hair while +Patsy came close and pressed the penitent girl's hand as if to comfort +and reassure her. + +Beth said nothing. She could not find it in her heart as yet to forgive +Diana's selfish conspiracy against her cousin's happiness. If Louise +perished in this dreadful storm the proud Diana Von Taer could not +escape the taint of murder. The end was not yet. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII + + +THE CRISIS + +Mershone and Fogerty plodded through the snow together, side by side. +They were facing the wind, which cut their faces cruelly, yet neither +seemed to mind the bitterness of the weather. "Keep watch along the +roadside," suggested Mershone; "she may have fallen anywhere, you know. +She couldn't endure this thing long. Poor Louise!" + +"You were fond of her, Mr. Mershone?" asked Fogerty, not +unsympathetically. + +"Yes. That was why I made such a struggle to get her." + +"It was a mistake, sir. Provided a woman is won by force or trickery +she's never worth getting. If she doesn't care for you it's better to +give her up." + +"I know--now." + +"You're a bright fellow, Mershone, a clever fellow. It's a pity you +couldn't direct your talents the right way. They'll jug you for this." + +"Never mind. The game of life isn't worth playing. I've done with it, +and the sooner I go to the devil the better. If only I could be sure +Louise was safe I'd toss every care--and every honest thought--to the +winds, from this moment." + +During the silence that followed Fogerty was thoughtful. Indeed, his +mind dwelt more upon the defeated and desperate man beside him than upon +the waif he was searching for. + +"What's been done, Mr. Mershone," he said, after a time, "can't be +helped now. The future of every man is always a bigger proposition than +his past--whoever he may be. With your talents and genius you could yet +make of yourself a successful and prosperous man, respected by the +community--if you could get out of this miserable rut that has helped +to drag you down." + +"But I can't," said the other, despondently. + +"You can if you try. But you'll have to strike for a place a good way +from New York. Go West, forget your past, and carve out an honest future +under a new name and among new associates. You're equal to it." + +Mershone shook his head. + +"You forget," he said. "They'll give me a jail sentence for this folly, +as sure as fate, and that will be the end of me." + +"Not necessarily. See here, Mershone, it won't help any of those people +to prosecute you. If the girl escapes with her life no real harm has +been done, although you've caused a deal of unhappiness, in one way or +another. For my part, I'd like to see you escape, because I'm sure this +affair will be a warning to you that will induce you to give up all +trickery in the future. Money wouldn't bribe me, as you know, but +sympathy and good fellowship will. If you'll promise to skip right now, +and turn over a new leaf, you are free." + +"Where could I go?" + +"There's a town a mile ahead of us; I can see the buildings now and +then. You've money, for you offered it to me. I haven't any assistants +here, I'm all alone on the job. That talk about four men was only a +bluff. Push me over in the snow and make tracks. I'll tell Weldon you've +escaped, and advise him not to bother you. It's very easy." + +Mershone stopped short, seized the detective's hand and wrung it +gratefully. + +"You're a good fellow, Fogerty. I--I thank you. But I can't do it. In +the first place, I can't rest in peace until Louise is found, or I know +her fate. Secondly, I'm game to give an account for all my deeds, now +that I've played the farce out, and lost. I--I really haven't the +ambition, Fogerty, to make a new start in life, and try to reform. +What's the use?" + +Fogerty did not reply. Perhaps he realized the case was entirely +hopeless. But he had done what he could to save the misguided fellow and +give him a chance, and he was sorry he had not succeeded. + +Meantime Arthur Weldon, almost dazed by the calamity that had overtaken +his sweetheart, found an able assistant in his chauffeur, who, when the +case was explained to him, developed an eager and intelligent interest +in the chase. Fortunately they moved with the storm and the snow +presently moderated in volume although the wind was still blowing a +fierce gale. This gave them a better opportunity than the others to +observe the road they followed. + +Jones had good eyes, and although the trail of the heavy wagon was lost +at times he soon picked it up again and they were enabled to make fairly +good speed. + +"I believe," said Arthur, presently, "that the marks are getting +clearer." + +"I know they are, sir," agreed Jones. + +"Then we've come in the right direction, for it is proof that the wagon +was headed this way." + +"Quite right, sir." + +This back section was thinly settled and the occasional farm-houses they +passed were set well back from the road. It was evident from the closed +gates and drifted snowbanks that no teams had either left these places +or arrived during a recent period. Arthur was encouraged, moreover, by +the wagon ruts growing still more clear as they proceeded, and his +excitement was great when Jones abruptly halted and pointed to a place +where the wheels had made a turn and entered a farm yard. + +"Here's the place, sir," announced the chauffeur. + +"Can you get in?" + +"It's pretty deep, sir, but I'll try." + +The snow was crisp and light, owing to the excessive cold, and the +machine plowed through it bravely, drawing up at last to the door of an +humble cottage. + +As Arthur leaped out of the car a man appeared upon the steps, closing +the door softly behind him. + +"Looking for the young lady, sir?" he asked. + +"Is she here?" cried Arthur. + +The man placed his finger on his lips, although the wind prevented any +sound of voices being heard within. + +"Gently, sir, don't make a noise--but come in." + +They entered what seemed to be a kitchen. The farmer, a man of advanced +years, led him to a front room, and again cautioning him to be silent, +motioned him to enter. + +A sheet-iron stove made the place fairly comfortable. By a window sat a +meek-faced woman, bent over some sewing. On a couch opposite lay Louise, +covered by a heavy shawl. She was fast asleep, her hair disheveled and +straying over her crimson cheeks, flushed from exposure to the weather. +Her slumber seemed the result of physical exhaustion, for her lips were +parted and she breathed deeply. + +Arthur, after gazing at her for a moment with a beating-heart, for the +mysterious actions of the old farmer had made him fear the worst, softly +approached the couch and knelt beside the girl he loved, thanking; God +in his inmost heart for her escape. Then he leaned over and pressed a +kiss upon her cheek. + +Louise slowly opened her eyes, smiled divinely, and threw her arms +impulsively around his neck. + +"I knew you would come for me, dear," she whispered. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV + + +A MATTER OF COURSE + +All explanations were barred until the girl had been tenderly taken to +her own home and under the loving care of her mother and cousins had +recovered to an extent from the terrible experiences she had undergone. + Then by degrees she told them her story, and how, hearing the voice of +her persecutor Mershone in the hall below she had become frantic with +fear and resolved to trust herself to the mercies of the storm rather +than submit to an interview with him. Before this she had decided that +she could climb down the trellis, and that part of her flight she +accomplished easily. Then she ran toward the rear of the premises to +avoid being seen and managed to find the lane, and later the +cross-roads. It was very cold, but her excitement and the fear of +pursuit kept her warm until suddenly her strength failed her and she +sank down in the snow without power to move. At this juncture the farmer +and his wife drove by, having been on a trip to the town. The man sprang +out and lifted her in, and the woman tenderly wrapped her in the robes +and blankets and pillowed her head upon her motherly bosom. By the time +they reached the farm-house she was quite warm again, but so exhausted +that with a brief explanation that she was lost, but somebody would be +sure to find her before long, she fell upon the couch and almost +immediately lost consciousness. + +So Arthur found her, and one look into his eyes assured her that all her +troubles were over. + +They did not prosecute Charlie Mershone, after all. Fogerty pleaded for +him earnestly, and Uncle John pointed out that to arrest the young man +would mean to give the whole affair to the newspapers, which until now +had not gleaned the slightest inkling of what had happened. Publicity +was to be avoided if possible, as it would set loose a thousand +malicious tongues and benefit nobody. The only thing to be gained by +prosecuting Mershone was revenge, and all were willing to forego that +doubtful satisfaction. + +However, Uncle John had an interview with the young man in the office of +the prosecuting attorney, at which Mershone was given permission to +leave town quietly and pursue his fortunes in other fields. If ever he +returned, or in any way molested any of the Merricks or his cousin +Diana, he was assured that he would be immediately arrested and +prosecuted to the full extent of the law. + +Mershone accepted the conditions and became an exile, passing at once +out of the lives of those he had so deeply wronged. + +The joyful reunion of the lovers led to an early date being set for the +wedding. They met all protests by pleading their fears of another +heartrending separation, and no one ventured to oppose their desire. + +Mrs. Merrick quickly recovered her accustomed spirits during the +excitement of those anxious weeks preceding the wedding. Cards were +issued to "the very best people in town;" the _trousseau_ involved +anxiety by day and restless dreams by night--all eminently enjoyable; +there were entertainments to be attended and congratulations to be +received from every side. + +Society, suspecting nothing of the tragedy so lately enacted in these +young lives, was especially gracious to the betrothed. Louise was the +recipient of innumerable merry "showers" from her girl associates, and +her cousins, Patsy and Beth, followed in line with "glass showers" and +"china showers" until the prospective bride was stocked with enough +wares to establish a "house-furnishing emporium," as Uncle John proudly +declared. + +Mr. Merrick, by this time quite reconciled and palpably pleased at the +approaching marriage of his eldest niece, was not to be outdone in +"social stunts" that might add to her happiness. He gave theatre parties +and banquets without number, and gave them with the marked success that +invariably attended his efforts. + +The evening before the wedding Uncle John and the Major claimed Arthur +for their own, and after an hour's conference between the three that +left the young fellow more happy and grateful than ever before, he was +entertained at his last "bachelor dinner," where he made a remarkable +speech and was lustily cheered. + +Of course Beth and Patsy were the bridesmaids, and their cousin Kenneth +Forbes came all the way from Elmhurst to be Arthur's best man. No one +ever knew what it cost Uncle John for the wonderful decorations at the +church and home, for the music, the banquet and all the other details +which he himself eagerly arranged on a magnificent scale and claimed was +a part of his "wedding present." + +When it was all over, and the young people had driven away to begin the +journey of life together, the little man put a loving arm around Beth +and Patsy and said, between smiles and tears: + +"Well, my dears, I've lost one niece, and that's a fact; but I've still +two left. How long will they remain with me, I wonder?" + +"Dear me, Uncle John," said practical Patsy; "your necktie's untied and +dangling; like a shoestring! I hope it wasn't that way at the wedding." + +"It was, though," declared the Major, chuckling. "If all three of ye get +married, my dears, poor Uncle John will come to look like a scarecrow +--and all that in the face of swell society!" + +"Aren't we about through with swell society now?" asked Mr. Merrick, +anxiously. "Aren't we about done with it? It caused all our troubles, +you know." + +"Society," announced Beth, complacently, "is an excellent thing in the +abstract. It has its black sheep, of course; but I think no more than +any other established class of humanity." + +"Dear me!" cried Uncle John; "you once denounced society." + +"That," said she, "was before I knew anything at all about it." + + + +***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AUNT JANE'S NIECES IN SOCIETY*** + + +******* This file should be named 10468-8.txt or 10468-8.zip ******* + + +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: +https://www.gutenberg.org/1/0/4/6/10468 + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a> + +Title: Aunt Jane's Nieces in Society + +Author: Edith Van Dyne + +Release Date: December 15, 2003 [eBook #10468] +Last Updated: May 18, 2013 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: iso-8859-1 + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AUNT JANE'S NIECES IN SOCIETY*** + +<p> + <b>E-text prepared by Afra Ullah, Sjaani,<br /> and Project Gutenberg + Distributed Proofreaders </b> <br /> <br /> + </p> +</pre> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <table width="80%" border="0"> + <tr> + <td> + <h1> + AUNT JANE'S NIECES IN SOCIETY + </h1> + <h2> + BY + </h2> + <h1> + EDITH VAN DYNE + </h1> + <h2> + 1910 + </h2> + </td> + </tr> + </table> + <hr style="width: 35%;" /> + <table border="0" cellpadding="5"> + <tr> + <td colspan="2"> + <h2> + LIST OF CHAPTERS + </h2> + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <strong> CHAPTER </strong> + </td> + <td> + + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <div> + <strong>I<br /> II<br /> III<br /> IV<br /> V<br /> VI<br /> VII<br /> VIII<br /> + IX<br /> X<br /> XI<br /> XII<br /> XIII<br /> XIV<br /> XV<br /> XVI<br /> + XVII<br /> XVIII<br /> XIX<br /> XX<br /> XXI<br /> XXII<br /> XXIII<br /> + XXIV<br /> </strong> + </div> + </td> + <td> + <div> + <a href="#chap1">UNCLE JOHN'S DUTY</a><br /> <a href="#chap2">A + QUESTION OF "PULL"</a><br /> <a href="#chap3">DIANA</a><br /> + <a href="#chap4">THE THREE NIECES</a><br /> <a href="#chap5">PREPARING + FOR THE PLUNGE</a><br /> <a href="#chap6">THE FLY IN THE BROTH</a><br /> + <a href="#chap7">THE HERO ENTERS AND TROUBLE BEGINS</a><br /> <a + href="#chap8">OPENING THE CAMPAIGN</a><br /> <a href="#chap9">THE VON + TAER PEARLS</a><br /> <a href="#chap10">MISLED</a><br /> <a + href="#chap11">LIMOUSINE</a><br /> <a href="#chap12">FOGERTY</a><br /> + <a href="#chap13">DIANA REVOLTS</a><br /> <a href="#chap14">A COOL + ENCOUNTER</a><br /> <a href="#chap15">A BEWILDERING EXPERIENCE</a><br /> + <a href="#chap16">MADAME CERISE, CUSTODIAN</a><br /> <a href="#chap17">THE + MYSTERY DEEPENS</a><br /> <a href="#chap18">A RIFT IN THE CLOUDS</a><br /> + <a href="#chap19">POLITIC REPENTANCE</a><br /> <a href="#chap20">A + TELEPHONE CALL</a><br /> <a href="#chap21">THE UNEXPECTED HAPPENS</a><br /> + <a href="#chap22">GONE</a><br /> <a href="#chap23">THE CRISIS</a><br /> + <a href="#chap24">A MATTER OF COURSE</a><br /> + </div> + </td> + </tr> + </table> + <hr style="width: 65%;" /> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <table width="80%" border="0"> + <tr> + <td> + <a name="chap1" id="chap1"></a> + <h2> + CHAPTER I + </h2> + <br /> + <p> + UNCLE JOHN'S DUTY + </p> + <p> + "You're not doing your duty by those girls, John Merrick!" + </p> + <p> + The gentleman at whom this assertion was flung in a rather angry + tone did not answer his sister-in-law. He sat gazing reflectively at + the pattern in the rug and seemed neither startled nor annoyed. Mrs. + Merrick, a pink-cheeked middle-aged lady attired in an elaborate + morning gown, knitted her brows severely as she regarded the chubby + little man opposite; then, suddenly remembering that the wrinkles + might leave their dreadful mark on her carefully rolled and massaged + features, she banished them with a pass of her ringed hand and + sighed dismally. + </p> + <p> + "It would not have mattered especially had the poor children + been left in their original condition of friendless poverty," + she said. "They were then like a million other girls, content + to struggle for a respectable livelihood and a doubtful position in + the lower stratas of social communion. But you interfered. You came + into their lives abruptly, appearing from those horrid Western wilds + with an amazing accumulation of money and a demand that your three + nieces become your special <i>protégées</i>. And what + is the result?" + </p> + <p> + The little man looked up with a charming smile of good humored + raillery. His keen gray eyes sparkled as mischievously as a + schoolboy's. Softly he rubbed the palms of his hands together, as if + enjoying the situation. + </p> + <p> + "What is it, Martha, my dear? What is the result?" he + asked. + </p> + <p> + "You've raised them from their lowly condition to a sphere in + which they reign as queens, the envy of all who know them. You've + lavished your millions upon them unsparingly; they are not only + presumptive heiresses but already possessed of independent fortunes. + Ah, you think you've been generous to these girls; don't you, John + Merrick?" + </p> + <p> + "Go on, Martha; go on." + </p> + <p> + "You've taken them abroad—you took my own daughter, John + Merrick, and left <i>me</i> at home!—you've lugged your three + nieces to the mountains and carried them to the seashore. You even + encouraged them to enlist in an unseemly campaign to elect that + young imbecile, Kenneth Forbes, and—" + </p> + <p> + "Oh, Martha, Martha! Get to the point, if you can. I'm going, + presently." + </p> + <p> + "Not until you've heard me out. You've given your nieces every + advantage in your power save one, and the neglect of that one thing + renders futile all else you have accomplished." + </p> + <p> + Now, indeed, her listener seemed perplexed. He passed a hand over + his shiny bald head as if to stimulate thought and exorcise + bewilderment. + </p> + <p> + "What is it, then? What have I neglected?" was his mild + enquiry. + </p> + <p> + "To give those girls their proper standing in society." + </p> + <p> + He started; smiled; then looked grave. + </p> + <p> + "You're talking foolishly," he said. "Why, confound + it, Martha, they're as good girls as ever lived! They're highly + respected, and—" + </p> + <p> + "Sir, I refer to Fashionable Society." The capitals + indicate the impressive manner in which Mrs. Merrick pronounced + those words. + </p> + <p> + "I guess money makes folks fashionable; don't it, Martha?" + </p> + <p> + "No, indeed. How ignorant you are, John. Can you not understand + that there is a cultured, aristocratic and exclusive Society in New + York that millions will not enable one to gain <i>entrée</i> + to?" + </p> + <p> + "Oh, is there? Then I'm helpless." + </p> + <p> + "You are not, sir." + </p> + <p> + "Eh? I thought you said—" + </p> + <p> + "Listen, John; and for heaven's sake try for once to be + receptive. I am speaking not only for the welfare of my daughter + Louise but for Beth and Patricia. Your nieces are charming girls, + all three. With the advantages you have given them they may well + become social celebrities." + </p> + <p> + "H-m-m. Would they be happier so?" + </p> + <p> + "Of course. Every true woman longs for social distinction, + especially if it seems difficult to acquire. Nothing is dearer to a + girl's heart than to win acceptance by the right social set. And New + York society is the most exclusive in America." + </p> + <p> + "I'm afraid it will continue to exclude our girls, Martha." + </p> + <p> + "Not if you do your duty, John." + </p> + <p> + "That reminds me. What is your idea of my duty, Martha? You've + been talking in riddles, so far," he protested, shifting + uneasily in his chair. + </p> + <p> + "Let me explain more concisely, then. Your millions, John + Merrick, have made you really famous, even in this wealthy + metropolis. In the city and at your club you must meet with men who + have the <i>entrée</i> to the most desirable social circles: + men who might be induced to introduce your nieces to their families, + whose endorsement would effect their proper presentation." + </p> + <p> + "Nonsense." + </p> + <p> + "It isn't nonsense at all." + </p> + <p> + "Then blamed if I know what you're driving at." + </p> + <p> + "You're very obtuse." + </p> + <p> + "I won't agree to that till I know what 'obtuse' means. See + here, Martha; you say this social position, that the girls are so + crazy for—but they've never said anything to <i>me</i> about + it—can't be bought. In the next breath you urge me to buy it. + Phoo! You're a thoughtless, silly woman, Martha, and let your wild + ambitions run away with your common sense." + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Merrick sighed, but stubbornly maintained her position. + </p> + <p> + "I don't suggest 'buying' such people; not at all, John. It's + what is called—ah—ah—'influence'; or, or—" + </p> + <p> + "Or 'pull.' 'Pull' is a better word, Martha. Do you imagine + there's any value in social position that can be acquired by 'pull'?" + </p> + <p> + "Of course. It has to be acquired some way—if one is not + born to it. As a matter of fact, Louise is entitled, through her + connection with <i>my</i> family—" + </p> + <p> + "Pshaw, I knew <i>your</i> family, Martha," he + interrupted. "An arrant lot of humbugs." + </p> + <p> + "John Merrick!" + </p> + <p> + "Don't get riled. It's the truth. I <i>knew</i> 'em. On her + father's side Louise has just as much to brag about—an' no + more. We Merricks never amounted to much, an' didn't hanker to trip + the light fantastic in swell society. Once, though, when I was a + boy, I had a cousin who spelled down the whole crowd at a + spellin'-bee. We were quite proud of him then; but he went wrong + after his triumph, poor fellow! and became a book agent. Now, + Martha, I imagine this talk of yours is all hot air, and worked off + on me not because the girls want society, but because you want it + for 'em. It's all <i>your</i> ambition, I'll bet a peanut." + </p> + <p> + "You misjudge me, as usual, John. I am urging a matter of + simple justice. Your nieces are lovely girls, fitted to shine in any + sphere of life," she continued, knowing his weak point and + diplomatically fostering it. "Our girls have youth, + accomplishments, money—everything to fit them for social + triumphs. The winter season is now approaching; the people are + flocking back to town from their country homes; fashionable gaieties + and notable events will soon hold full sway. The dear girls are + surely entitled to enjoy these things, don't you think? Aren't they + <i>worthy</i> the best that life has to offer? And why shouldn't + they enter society, if you do your full duty? Once get them properly + introduced and they will be able to hold their own with perfect + ease. Give me the credit for knowing these things, John, and try to + help your nieces to attain their ambition." + </p> + <p> + "But <i>is</i> it their ambition?" he asked, doubtfully. + </p> + <p> + "They have not said so in words; but I can assure you it <i>is</i> + their ambition, because all three are sensible, spirited, young + women, who live in this age and not the one you yourself knew a half + century or so ago." + </p> + <p> + Mr. Merrick sighed and rubbed his head again. Then he slowly rose. + </p> + <p> + "Mornin', Martha," he said, with a somewhat abstracted nod + at his sister-in-law. "This is a new idea to me. I'll think it + over." + </p> + <hr style="width: 35%;" /> + <a name="chap2" id="chap2"></a> + <h2> + CHAPTER II + </h2> + <br /> + <p> + A QUESTION OF "PULL" + </p> + <p> + John Merrick's face was not so cheery as usual as he made his way + into the city. This suggestion of Martha Merrick's regarding his + inattention to duty to his beloved nieces was no easy nut to crack. + </p> + <p> + He knew his sister-in-law to be a wordly-minded, frivolous woman, + with many trivial ambitions; but in this instance he had misgivings + that she might be right. What did he, John Merrick, know of select + society? A poor man, of humble origin, he had wandered into the + infantile, embryo West years ago and there amassed a fortune. When + he retired and returned to "civilization" he found his + greatest reward In the discovery of three charming nieces, all + "as poor as Job's turkey" but struggling along bravely, + each in her individual characteristic way, and well worthy their + doting uncle's affectionate admiration. Mrs. Merrick had recited + some of the advantages they had derived from the advent of this rich + relative; but even she could not guess how devoted the man was to + the welfare of these three fortunate girls, nor how his kindly, + simple heart resented the insinuation that he was neglecting + anything that might contribute to their happiness. + </p> + <p> + Possession of money had never altered John Merrick's native + simplicity. He had no extravagant tastes, dressed quietly and lived + the life of the people. On this eventful morning the man of millions + took a cross-town car to the elevated station and climbed the stairs + to his train. Once seated and headed cityward he took out his + memorandum book to see what engagements he had for the day. There + were three for the afternoon. At twelve o'clock he had promised to + meet Von Taer. + </p> + <p> + "H-m-m. Von Taer." + </p> + <p> + Gazing reflectively from the window he remembered a conversation + with a prominent banker some month or so before. "Von Taer," + the banker had said, "is an aristocrat with an independent + fortune, who clings to the brokerage business because he inherited + it from his father and grandfather. I hold that such a man has no + moral right to continue in business. He should retire and give the + other fellow a chance." + </p> + <p> + "Why do you call him an aristocrat?" Mr. Merrick had + enquired. + </p> + <p> + "Because his family is so ancient that it shames the ark + itself. I imagine his ancestors might have furnished Noah the lumber + to build his ship. In New York the '400' all kowtow to Von Taer." + </p> + <p> + "Seems to me he has the right to be a broker if he wants to," + asserted Mr. Merrick. + </p> + <p> + "The right; yes. But, between us, Mr. Merrick, this society + swell has no mental capacity to handle such an uncertain business. + He's noted for doing unwarranted things. To me it's a marvel that + Von Taer hasn't shipwrecked the family fortunes long ago. Luck has + saved him, not foresight." + </p> + <p> + That speech of a few weeks ago now seemed prophetic to John Merrick. + Within a few days the aristocratic broker had encountered financial + difficulties and been forced to appeal to Mr. Merrick, to whom he + obtained an introduction through a mutual friend. Von Taer was + doubtless solvent, for he controlled large means; but unless a + saving hand was extended at this juncture his losses were sure to be + severe, and might even cripple him seriously. + </p> + <p> + All this Mr. Merrick shrewdly considered in the space of a few + moments. As he left the train he looked at his watch and found it + was barely eleven. He decided not to await the hour of appointment. + With his usual brisk stride he walked to Von Taer's offices and was + promptly admitted to the broker's sanctum. + </p> + <p> + Hedrik Von Taer was a fine looking man, tall, grave, of dignified + demeanor and courteous manners. He stood until his visitor was + seated and with a gesture of deference invited him to open the + conversation. + </p> + <p> + "I've decided to make you the loan, Von Taer," began Mr. + Merrick, in his practical, matter-of-fact way. "Three hundred + thousand, wasn't it? Call on Major Doyle at my office this afternoon + and he'll arrange it for you." + </p> + <p> + An expression of relief crossed the broker's face. + </p> + <p> + "You are very kind, sir," he answered. "I assure you + I fully appreciate the accommodation." + </p> + <p> + "Glad to help you," responded the millionaire, briskly. + Then he paused with marked abruptness. It occurred to him he had a + difficult proposition to make to this man. To avoid the cold, + enquiring eyes now fixed upon him he pulled out a cigar and + deliberately cut the end. Von Taer furnished him a match. He smoked + a while in silence. + </p> + <p> + "This loan, sir," he finally began, "is freely made. + There are no strings tied to it. I don't want you to feel I'm + demanding any sort of return. But the truth is, you have it in your + power to grant me a favor." + </p> + <p> + Von Taer bowed. + </p> + <p> + "Mr. Merrick has generously placed me under an obligation it + will afford me pleasure to repay," said he. But his eyes held + an uneasy look, nevertheless. + </p> + <p> + "It's this way," explained the other: "I've three + nieces—fine girls, Von Taer—who will some day inherit my + money. They are already independent, financially, and they're + educated, well-bred and amiable young women. Take my word for it." + </p> + <p> + "I am sure your statements are justified, Mr. Merrick." + Yet Hedrik Von Taer's face, usually unexpressive, denoted blank + mystification. What connection could these girls have with the favor + to be demanded? + </p> + <p> + "Got any girls yourself, Von Taer?" + </p> + <p> + "A daughter, sir. My only child. + </p> + <p> + "Grown up?" + </p> + <p> + "A young lady now, sir." + </p> + <p> + "Then you'll understand. I'm a plain uneducated man myself. + Never been any nearer swell society than a Fifth Avenue stage. My + money has given me commercial position, but no social one worth + mentioning. Your '400's' a bunch I can't break into, nohow." + </p> + <p> + A slight smile hovered over the other's lips, but he quickly + controlled it. + </p> + <p> + "They tell me, though," continued the speaker, "that + <i>your</i> family has long ago climbed into the top notch of + society. You're one o' the big guns in the battery, an' hold the + fort against all comers." + </p> + <p> + Von Taer merely bowed. It was scarcely necessary to either admit or + contradict the statement. Uncle John was a little indignant that his + companion showed no disposition to assist him in his explanation, + which a clear head might now easily comprehend. So, with his usual + frankness, he went directly to the point. + </p> + <p> + "I'd like my girls to get into the best—the most select—circles," + he announced. "They're good and pretty and well-mannered, so it + strikes me they're entitled to the best there is a-going. I don't + want to mix with your swell crowd myself, because I ain't fit; + likewise the outfit ain't much to my taste, askin' your pardon; but + with women it's different. They need to stand high an' shine bright + to make 'em really happy, and if any special lot is particularly + ex-clusive an' high-falutin', that's the crowd they long to swarm + with. It's human nature—female human nature, anyhow. You catch + my idea, Von Taer, don't you?" + </p> + <p> + "I think so, Mr. Merrick. Yet I fail to see how I can be of + service to you in gratifying the ambition of your charming nieces." + </p> + <p> + "Then I'll go, and you may forget what I've said." The + visitor arose and took his hat from the table. "It was only a + fool notion, anyway; just a thought, badly expressed, to help my + girls to a toy that money can't buy." + </p> + <p> + Hedrik Von Taer gazed steadily into the man's face. There was + something in the simple, honest self-abnegation of this wealthy and + important person that won the respect of all he met. The broker's + stern eyes softened a bit as he gazed and he allowed a fugitive + smile, due to his own change of attitude, to wreathe his thin lips + again—just for an instant. + </p> + <p> + "Sit down, please, Mr. Merrick," he requested, and rather + reluctantly Uncle John resumed his seat. "You may not have an + especially clear idea of New York society, and I want to explain my + recent remark so that you will understand it. What is called 'the + 400' may or may not exist; but certainly it is no distinct league or + association. It may perhaps be regarded as a figure of speech, to + indicate how few are really admitted to the most exclusive circles. + Moreover, there can be no dominant 'leader of society' here, for the + reason that not all grades of society would recognize the supremacy + of any one set, or clique. These cliques exist for various reasons. + They fraternize generally, but keep well within their own circles. + Kindred tastes attract some; ancient lineage others. There is an + ultra-fashionable set, a sporting set, a literary set, an + aristocratic set, a rather 'fast' set, a theatrical set—and so + on. These may all lay claim with certain justice to membership in + good society. Their circles are to an extent exclusive, because some + distinction must mark the eligibility of members. And outside each + luminous sphere hovers a multitude eager to pass the charmed circle + and so acquire recognition. Often it is hard to separate the + initiate from the uninitiate, even by those most expert. Is it + difficult to comprehend such a condition as I have described, Mr. + Merrick?" + </p> + <p> + "Somewhat, Mr. Von Taer. The wonder to me is why people waste + time in such foolishness." + </p> + <p> + "It is the legitimate occupation of many; the folly of unwise + ambition impels others. There is a fascination about social life + that appeals to the majority of natures. Let us compare society to a + mountain whose sides are a steep incline, difficult to mount. To + stand upon the summit, to become the cynosure of all eyes, is a + desire inherent, seemingly, in all humanity; for humanity loves + distinction. In the scramble toward the peak many fall by the + wayside; others deceive themselves by imagining they have attained + the apex when they are far from it. It is a game, Mr. Merrick, just + as business is a game, politics a game, and war a game. You know how + few really win." + </p> + <p> + "Here," said Uncle John, musingly, "is a philosophy I + did not expect from you, Von Taer. They tell me you're one who + stands on top the peak. And you were born that way, and didn't have + to climb. Seems to me you rather scorn the crowd that's trying to + climb to an eminence you never had to win. That wouldn't be my way. + And I suspect that if the crowd wasn't trying to climb to you, your + own position wouldn't be worth a cotton hat." + </p> + <p> + Von Taer had no answer to this criticism. Perhaps he scarcely heard + it, for he appeared lost in a brown study. Finally he said: + </p> + <p> + "Will you permit my daughter to call upon your nieces, Mr. + Merrick?" + </p> + <p> + "Of course, sir." + </p> + <p> + "Then kindly give me their addresses." + </p> + <p> + Uncle John wrote them on a slip of paper. + </p> + <p> + "You may now dismiss the subject from your mind, sir, as you + lately advised me to do. Whatever may be accomplished in the + direction you have suggested I will gladly undertake. If I succeed + it will be exceedingly gratifying to us all, I am sure." + </p> + <p> + Mr. Merrick left the office in a rather humbled and testy mood. He + disliked to ask favors at any time and now felt that he had confided + himself to the mercy of this callous aristocrat and met with a + distinct rebuff. + </p> + <p> + But he had done it for the sake of his beloved nieces—and they + would never know what humiliation this unsatisfactory interview had + cost him. + </p> + <hr style="width: 35%;" /> + <a name="chap3" id="chap3"></a> + <h2> + CHAPTER III + </h2> + <p> + DIANA + </p> + <br /> + <p> + Diana Von Taer can not be called a type. She was individual. + Aristocratic to her finger tips, she was unlike all other + aristocrats. An admitted queen of society, her subjects were few and + indifferent. She possessed ancient lineage, was highly accomplished, + had been born to the purple, as the saying is; but none of these + things conspired to make her the curious creature she was. + </p> + <p> + As we make her acquaintance she is twenty-three years of age—and + looks eighteen. She is tall and slender and carries her handsome + form with exquisite grace. Diana is never abrupt; her voice is ever + modulated to soft, even tones; she rises from a chair or couch with + the lithe, sinuous motion of a serpent uncoiling. + </p> + <p> + Her face, critically regarded, is not so admirable as her form. The + features are a trifle too elongated, and their delicacy is marred by + a nose a bit broad and unshapely and a mouth with thin lips primly + set. Her dark eyes might be magnificent if wide open: but through + the narrow slits of their lids, half hidden by long curling lashes, + the eyes peer at you with a cold, watchful, intent gaze that carries + a certain uncanny and disconcerting fascination. + </p> + <p> + Yet the girl is essentially feminine. If you refrain from meeting + that discomfiting gaze—and her familiars have learned to avoid + it—Diana impresses you as being graceful, dainty and possessed + of charming manners. Her taste in dress is perfect. She converses + fluently on many topics. It is her custom to rise at ten o'clock, + whatever time she may have retired the night before; to read until + luncheon; to devote the remainder of her day to the requirements of + society. + </p> + <p> + Eligible young men of admitted social standing call upon Diana at + such intervals as the proprieties require. They chatter "small + talk" and are careful to address her with deference. With an + exception to be referred to later these young men have no more + thought of "flirting" with Miss Von Taer than they would + with the statue of the goddess, her namesake. Her dinner parties and + entertainments are very successful. She is greatly admired, <i>per + se</i>, but has no intimate friends. + </p> + <p> + When her mother died, some years before, an aunt had come to live + with Diana, and now posed as her chaperon. Mrs. Cameron was a + stolid, corpulent lady, with a countenance perpetually placid and an + habitual aversion to displaying intellect. Her presence in the + establishment, although necessary, was frankly ignored. Fortunately + she never obtruded herself. + </p> + <p> + Hedrik Von Taer was passionately devoted to his daughter. He alone, + perhaps, of all the world, thoroughly understood her and appreciated + her talents. She may have frightened him at times, but that only + added to his admiration. In return Diana displayed a calm, but + affectionate regard for her father. + </p> + <p> + Often after dinner these two would pass an hour together in a corner + of the drawing-room, where the cold gray eyes of the man met the + intent, half-veiled glance of the girl with perfect understanding. + They talked of many things, including business. Hedrik had no + secrets from his daughter. + </p> + <p> + The desperate condition of his finances, when he had been caught in + a "corner" on wheat and nearly crushed, had not dismayed + her in the least. It was she who had counseled him to appeal to John + Merrick, since the name and fame of the eccentric millionaire were + familiar to her as to him. + </p> + <p> + He related to Diana his interview with Mr. Merrick on his return + home. He was saved. The three hundred thousand were now in the bank + to his credit and he could weather the coming storm easily—perhaps + with profit. In a tone half amused, half serious, he told her of the + little millionaire's desire to secure <i>entrée</i> into good + society for his three nieces. + </p> + <p> + Diana laughed with her lips; her eyes never laughed. Then she took + in her hand the paper containing the addresses of the three girls + and regarded it thoughtfully. + </p> + <p> + "It is a curious request, <i>mon pere</i>," she said, In + her soft, even tones; "but one we cannot diplomatically + disregard. Provided, however—" + </p> + <p> + "Yes, Diana;" as she paused. + </p> + <p> + "Provided these prospective <i>debutantes</i> are not wholly + impossible." + </p> + <p> + "I realize that," returned her father. "John Merrick + is a great power in the city. He has been useful to me, and may be + again. I have this chance to win him. But the man is very common + clay, despite his wealth, and his three nieces are likely to be made + of the same material. Should they prove impossible you cannot well + descend to introducing them to our set." + </p> + <p> + "I am not certain of that, sir," said the girl, with a + pretty shrug. "My position is too secure to be jeopardized by + any error of this sort. I believe I may introduce these girls + without risk. I shall not vouch for them too strongly, and after + their debut they must stand or fall on their own merits." + </p> + <p> + "It is something a Von Taer has never yet done," remarked + the man, gravely. + </p> + <p> + "To commercialize his social position? But, father dear, the + age is fast commercializing everything. I think our especial set is + as yet comparatively free from contamination by the 'lately rich'; + but even among us money has glossed many offenses that a generation + ago would have meant social ostracism." + </p> + <p> + He nodded. + </p> + <p> + "That is true, Diana." + </p> + <p> + "Life with me is a bit dull, as well. Everlasting routine, + however admirable, is tiresome. I scent amusement in this adventure, + which I have decided to undertake. With your permission I will see + these girls and quickly decide their fate. Should they prove not too + dreadfully <i>outré</i> you may look to see them my especial + <i>protégés</i>." + </p> + <p> + "I leave all to your discretion, Diana," returned Von + Taer, with a sigh. "If, in the end, some of the more particular + venture to reproach them." + </p> + <p> + "It will not matter," interrupted the daughter, lightly, + as her dark eyes narrowed to a hair's breadth. "Any who dares + reproach Diana Von Taer will afford her interesting occupation. And + to offset that remote contingency we shall permanently enslave the + powerful John Merrick. I understand he is hard as nails in financial + matters; but to us the man has disclosed his one weakness —ambition + to promote his three nieces. Since we have discovered this + vulnerable point, let us take advantage of it. I am satisfied the + loan of three hundred thousand was but a lure—and how cleverly + the man gauged us!" + </p> + <p> + Von Taer scowled. + </p> + <p> + "Get your wraps, Diana. The carriage is waiting, and we are due + at Mrs. Doldringham's crush." + </p> + <hr style="width: 35%;" /> + <a name="chap4" id="chap4"></a> + <h2> + CHAPTER IV + </h2> + <br /> + <p> + THE THREE NIECES + </p> + <p> + The Von Taers did not affect motor cars. In some circles the + carriage and pair is still considered the more aristocratic mode of + conveyance. Established customs do not readily give way to fads and + freaks. + </p> + <p> + Consulting her memoranda as she rode along; in her handsome, + tastefully appointed equipage, Diana found that Louise Merrick, one + of the three girls she had set out to discover, was the nearest on + her route. Presently she rang the bell at the Merrick residence, an + eminently respectable dwelling; in a desirable neighborhood. + </p> + <p> + Diana could not resist a sigh of relief as her observant glance + noted this detail. A dignified butler ushered her into a reception + room and departed with her card. + </p> + <p> + It was now that the visitor's nose took an upward tendency as she + critically examined her surroundings. The furnishings were + abominable, a mixture of distressingly new articles with those + evidently procured from dealers in "antiquities." Money + had been lavished here, but good taste was absent. To understand + this—for Miss Von Taer gauged the condition truly—it is + necessary to know something of Mrs. Martha Merrick. + </p> + <p> + This lady, the relict of John Merrick's only brother, was endowed + with a mediocre mind and a towering ambition. When left a widow with + an only daughter she had schemed and contrived in endless ways to + maintain an appearance of competency on a meager income. Finally she + divided her capital, derived from her husband's life insurance, into + three equal parts, which she determined to squander in three years + in an attempt to hoodwink the world with the belief that she was + wealthy. Before the three years were ended her daughter Louise would + be twenty, and by that time she must have secured a rich <i>parti</i> + and been safely married. In return for this "sacrifice" + the girl was to see that her mother was made comfortable thereafter. + </p> + <p> + This worldly and foolish design was confided to Louise when she was + only seventeen, and her unformed mind easily absorbed her mother's + silly ambition. It was a pity, for Louise Merrick possessed a nature + sweet and lovable, as well as instinctively refined—a nature + derived from her dead father and with little true sympathy with Mrs. + Merrick's unscrupulous schemes. But at that age a girl is easily + influenced, so it is little wonder that under such tuition Louise + became calculating, sly and deceitful, to a most deplorable degree. + </p> + <p> + Such acquired traits bade fair in the end to defeat Mrs. Merrick's + carefully planned <i>coup</i>, for the daughter had a premature love + affair with a youth outside the pale of eligibility. Louise ignored + the fact that he had been disinherited by his father, and in her + reckless infatuation would have sacrificed her mother without + thought or remorse. The dreadful finale had only been averted by the + advent of Uncle John Merrick, who had changed the life plans of the + widow and her heedless daughter and promptly saved the situation. + </p> + <p> + John Merrick did not like his sister-in-law, but he was charmed by + his lovely niece and took her at once to his affectionate old heart. + He saw the faults of Louise clearly, but also appreciated her + sweeter qualities. Under his skillful guidance she soon redeemed + herself and regained control of her better nature. The girl was not + yet perfect, by any means; she was to an extent artificial and + secretive, and her thoughtless flirtations were far from wise; but + her two cousins and her uncle had come to know and understand her + good points. They not only bore patiently with her volatile nature + but strove to influence her to demonstrate her inherent good + qualities. + </p> + <p> + In one way her mother's calculating training had been most + effective. Louise was not only a dainty, lovely maid to the eye, but + her manners were gracious and winning and she had that admirable + self-possession which quickly endears one even to casual + acquaintances. She did not impress more intimate friends as being + wholly sincere, yet there was nothing in her acts, since that one + escapade referred to, that merited severe disapproval. + </p> + <p> + Of course the brilliant idea of foisting her precious daughter upon + the "select" society of the metropolis was original with + Mrs. Merrick. Louise was well content with things as they were; but + not so the mother. The rise from poverty to affluence, the removal + of all cares and burdens from her mind, had merely fostered still + greater ambitions. Uncle John's generosity had endowed each of his + three nieces with an ample fortune. "I want 'em to enjoy the + good things of life while they're at an age to enjoy 'em," he + said; "for the older one gets the fewer things are found to be + enjoyable. That's my experience, anyhow." He also told the + girls frankly that they were to inherit jointly—although not + equally—his entire fortune. Yet even this glowing prospect did + not satisfy Mrs. Merrick. Since all her plans for Louise, from the + very beginning, had been founded on personal selfishness, she now + proposed to have her daughter gain admission to recognized + fashionable society in order that she might herself bask in the + reflection of the glory so obtained and take her place with the + proud matrons who formed the keystone of such society. + </p> + <p> + After carefully considering ways and means to gain her object she + had finally conceived the idea of utilizing Mr. Merrick. She well + knew Uncle John would not consider one niece to the exclusion of the + others, and had therefore used his influence to get all three girls + properly "introduced." Therefore her delight and + excitement were intense when the butler brought up Diana's card and + she realized that "the perfectly swell Miss Von Taer" was + seated in her reception room. She rushed to Louise, who, wholly + innocent of any knowledge of the intrigue which had led to this + climax, opened her blue eyes in astonishment and said with a gasp: + </p> + <p> + "Oh, mother! what shall I do?" + </p> + <p> + "Do? Why, go down and make yourself agreeable, of course. It's + your chance, my dear, your great chance in life! Go—go! Don't, + for heaven's sake, keep her waiting." + </p> + <p> + Louise went down. In her most affable and gracious way she + approached the visitor and said: + </p> + <p> + "It is very nice of you to call upon me. I am <i>so</i> glad to + meet Miss Von Taer." + </p> + <p> + Diana, passing conversational nothings with the young girl, was + pleased by her appearance and self-possession. This aspirant for + social honors was fresh, fair and attractive, with a flow of small + talk at her tongue's end. + </p> + <p> + "Really," thought the fastidious visitor, "this one, + at least, will do me no discredit. If she is a fair sample of the + others we shall get along very nicely In this enterprise." + </p> + <p> + To Louise she said, before going: + </p> + <p> + "I'm to have an evening, the nineteenth. Will you assist me to + receive? Now that we are acquainted I wish to see more of you, my + dear, and I predict we shall get along famously together." + </p> + <p> + The girl's head swam. Help Miss Von Taer to receive! Such an honor + had been undreamed of an hour ago. But she held her natural + agitation under good control and only a round red spot Upon each + cheek betrayed her inward excitement as she prettily accepted the + invitation. Beneath their drooping lashes Diana's sagacious eyes + read the thoughts of the girl quite accurately. Miss Von Taer + enjoyed disconcerting anyone in any way, and Louise was so simple + and unsophisticated that she promised to afford considerable + amusement in the future. + </p> + <p> + By the time Diana had finished her brief call this singular creature + had taken the measure of Louise Merrick in every detail, including + her assumption of lightness and her various frivolities. She + understood that in the girl were capabilities for good or for evil, + as she might be led by a stronger will. And, musingly, Diana + wondered who would lead her. + </p> + <p> + As for Louise, she was enraptured by her distinguished visitor's + condescension and patronage, and her heart bounded at the thought of + being admitted to the envied social coterie in which Diana Von Taer + shone a bright, particular star. + </p> + <p> + The second name in the list of John Merrick's nieces was that of + Elizabeth De Graf. She lived at a good private hotel located in an + exclusive residence district. + </p> + <p> + It was true that Elizabeth—or "Beth," as she was + more familiarly called—was not a permanent guest at this + hotel. When in New York she was accustomed to live with one or the + other of her cousins, who welcomed her eagerly. But just now her + mother had journeyed from the old Ohio home to visit Beth, and the + girl had no intention of inflicting her parent upon the other girls. + Therefore she had taken rooms at the hotel temporarily, and the plan + suited her mother excellently. For one thing, Mrs. De Graf could go + home and tell her Cloverton gossips that she had stopped at the most + "fashionable" hotel in New York; a second point was that + she loved to feast with epicurean avidity upon the products of a + clever <i>chef</i>, being one of those women who live to eat, rather + than eat to live. + </p> + <p> + Mrs. De Graf was John Merrick's only surviving sister, but she + differed as widely from the simple, kindly man in disposition as did + her ingenious daughter from her in mental attainments. The father, + Professor De Graf, was supposed to be a "musical genius." + Before Beth came into her money, through Uncle John, the Professor + taught the piano and singing; now, however, the daughter allowed her + parents a liberal income, and the self-engrossed musician devoted + himself to composing oratorios and concertas which no one but + himself would ever play. + </p> + <p> + To be quite frank, the girl cared little for her gross and selfish + parents, and they in turn cared little for her beyond the value she + afforded them in the way of dollars and cents. So she had not lived + at home, where constant quarrels and bickerings nearly drove her + frantic, since Uncle John had adopted her. In catering to this + present whim of her mother, who longed to spend a few luxurious + weeks in New York, Beth sacrificed more than might be imagined by + one unacquainted with her sad family history. + </p> + <p> + Whimsical Major Doyle often called Uncle John's nieces "the + Three Graces"; but Beth was by odds the beauty of them all. + Splendid brown eyes, added to an exquisite complexion, almost + faultless features and a superb carriage, rendered this fair young + girl distinguished in any throng. Fortunately she was as yet quite + unspoiled, being saved from vanity by a morbid consciousness of her + inborn failings and a sincere loathing for the moral weakness that + prevented her from correcting those faults. Judging Beth by the + common standard of girls of her age, both failings and faults were + more imaginary than real; yet it was her characteristic to suspect + and despise in herself such weaknesses as others would condone, or + at least regard leniently. For here was a girl true and staunch, + incapable of intrigue or deceit, frank and outspoken, all these + qualities having been proven more than once. Everyone loved Beth De + Graf save herself, and at this stage of her development the + influence of her cousins and of Uncle John had conspired to make the + supersensitive girl more tolerant of herself and less morbid than + formerly. + </p> + <p> + I think Beth knew of Diana Von Taer, for the latter's portrait + frequently graced the society columns of the New York press and at + times the three nieces, in confidential mood, would canvass Diana + and her social exploits as they did the acts of other famous + semi-public personages. But the girl had never dreamed of meeting + such a celebrity, and Miss Von Taer's card filled her with curious + wonder as to the errand that had brought her. + </p> + <p> + The De Grafs lived <i>en suite</i> at the hotel, for Beth had + determined to surround her Sybaritic mother with all attainable + luxury, since the child frequently reproached herself with feeling a + distinct repulsion for the poor woman. So to-day Diana was ushered + into a pretty parlor where Beth stood calmly awaiting her. + </p> + <p> + The two regarded one another in silence a moment, Miss De Graf's + frank eyes covering the other with a comprehensive sweep while Miss + Von Taer's narrowed gaze, profoundly observant, studied the + beautiful girl before her with that impenetrable, half-hidden gleam + that precluded any solution. + </p> + <p> + "Miss Von Taer, I believe," said Beth, quietly glancing at + the card she held. "Will you be seated?" + </p> + <p> + Diana sank gracefully into a chair. The sinuous motion attracted + Beth's attention and gave her a slight shiver. + </p> + <p> + "I am so glad to meet you, my dear," began the visitor, in + soft, purring accents. "I have long promised myself the + pleasure of a call, and in spite of many procrastinations at last + have accomplished my ambition." + </p> + <p> + Beth resented the affectation of this prelude, and slightly frowned. + Diana was watching; she always watched. + </p> + <p> + "Why should you wish to call upon me?" was the frank + demand. "Do not think me rude, please; but I am scarcely in a + position to become a desirable acquaintance of Miss Von Taer." + The tone was a trifle bitter, and Diana noted it. A subtile + antagonism seemed springing up between them and the more experienced + girl scented in this danger to her plans. She must handle this young + lady more cautiously than she had Louise Merrick. + </p> + <p> + "Your position is unimpeachable, my dear," was the + sweet-toned response. "You are John Merrick's niece." + </p> + <p> + Beth was really angry now. She scowled, and it spoiled her beauty. + Diana took warning and began to think quickly. + </p> + <p> + "I referred to my social position, Miss Von Taer. Our family is + honest enough, thank God; but it has never been accepted in what is + termed select society." + </p> + <p> + Diana laughed; a quiet, rippling laugh as icy as a brook in + November, but as near gaiety as she could at the moment accomplish. + When she laughed this way her eyes nearly closed and became + inscrutable. Beth had a feeling of repulsion for her caller, but + strove to shake it off. Miss Von Taer was nothing to her; could be + nothing to her. + </p> + <p> + "Your uncle is a very wealthy man," said Diana, with easy + composure. "He has made you an heiress, placing you in a class + much sought after in these mercenary days. But aside from that, my + dear, your personal accomplishments have not escaped notice, and + gossip declares you to be a very fascinating young woman, as well as + beautiful and good. I do not imagine society claims to be of divine + origin, but were it so no one is more qualified to grace it." + </p> + <p> + The blandishments of this speech had less effect upon Beth than the + evident desire to please. She began to feel she had been ungracious, + and straightway adopted a more cordial tone. + </p> + <p> + "I am sure you mean well, Miss Von Taer," she hastened to + say, "and I assure you I am not ungrateful. But it occurred to + me we could have nothing in common." + </p> + <p> + "Oh, my dear! You wrong us both." + </p> + <p> + "Do you know my uncle?" enquired Beth. + </p> + <p> + "He is the friend of my father, Mr. Hedrik Von Taer. Our family + owes Mr. John Merrick much consideration. Therefore I decided to + seek pleasure in the acquaintance of his nieces." + </p> + <p> + The words and tone seemed alike candid. Beth began to relent. She + sat down for the first time, taking a chair opposite Diana. + </p> + <p> + "You see," she said, artlessly, "I have no personal + inclination for society, which is doubtless so large a part of your + own amusement. It seems to me artificial and insipid." + </p> + <p> + "Those who view from a distance the husk of a cocoanut, have + little idea of the milk within," declared Diana, softly. + </p> + <p> + "True," answered Beth. "But I've cracked cocoanuts, + and sometimes found the milk sour and tainted." + </p> + <p> + "The difference you observe in cocoanuts is to be found in the + various grades of society. These are not all insipid and artificial, + I assure you." + </p> + <p> + "They may be worse," remarked Beth. "I've heard + strange tales of your orgies." + </p> + <p> + Diana was really amused. This girl was proving more interesting than + the first niece she had interviewed. Unaccustomed to seeking + acquaintances outside her own exclusive circle, and under such + circumstances, these meetings were to her in the nature of an + adventure. A creature of powerful likes and dislikes, she already + hated Beth most heartily; but for that very reason she insisted on + cultivating her further acquaintance. + </p> + <p> + "You must not judge society by the mad pranks of a few of its + members," she responded, in her most agreeable manner. "If + we are not to set an example in decorum to the rest of the world we + are surely unfitted to occupy the high place accorded us. But you + must see and decide for yourself." + </p> + <p> + "I? No, indeed!" + </p> + <p> + "Ah, do not decide hastily, my dear. Let me become your sponsor + for a short time, until you really discover what society is like. + Then you may act upon more mature judgment." + </p> + <p> + "I do not understand you, Miss Von Taer." + </p> + <p> + "Then I will be more explicit. I am to receive a few friends at + my home on the evening of the nineteenth; will you be my guest?" + </p> + <p> + Beth was puzzled how to answer. The thought crossed her mind that + perhaps Uncle John would like her to be courteous to his friend's + daughter, and that argument decided her. She accepted the + invitation. + </p> + <p> + "I want you to receive with me," continued Diana, rising. + "In that way I shall be able to introduce you to my friends." + </p> + <p> + Beth wondered at this condescension, but consented to receive. She + was annoyed to think how completely she had surrendered to the will + of Miss Von Taer, for whom she had conceived the same aversion she + had for a snake. She estimated Diana, society belle though she was, + to be sly, calculating and deceitful. Worse than all, she was + decidedly clever, and therefore dangerous. Nothing good could come + of an acquaintance with her, Beth was sure; yet she had pledged + herself to meet her and her friends the nineteenth, lit a formal + society function. How much Beth De Graf misjudged Diana Von Taer the + future will determine. + </p> + <p> + The interview had tired Diana. As she reentered her carriage she was + undecided whether to go home or hunt up the third niece. But Willing + Square was not five minutes' drive from here, so she ordered the + coachman to proceed there. + </p> + <p> + "I am positively out of my element in this affair," she + told herself, "for it is more difficult to cultivate these + inexperienced girls than I had thought. They are not exactly + impossible, as I at first feared, but they are so wholly + unconventional as to be somewhat embarrassing as <i>protégées</i>. + Analyzing the two I have met—the majority—one strikes me + as being transparently affected and the other a stubborn, attractive + fool. They are equally untrained in diplomacy and unable to cover + their real feelings. Here am I, practically dragging them into the + limelight, when it would be far better for themselves—perhaps + for me—that they remained in oblivion. Ah, well: I called it + an adventure: let me hope some tangible plot will develop to + compensate me for my trouble. Life seems deadly dull; I need + excitement. Is it to be furnished by John Merrick's nieces, I + wonder?" + </p> + <p> + Willing Square is a new district, crowded with fashionable apartment + houses. That is, they are called fashionable by their builders and + owners and accepted as such by their would-be fashionable occupants. + Diana knew at least two good families resident in Willing Square, + and though she smiled grimly at the rows of "oppressively new + and vulgar" buildings, she still was not ashamed to have her + equipage seen waiting there. + </p> + <p> + Number 3708 Willing Square is a very substantial and cozy appearing + apartment building owned in fee by Miss Patricia Doyle. Diana was + unaware of this fact, but rang the Doyle bell and ascended to the + second floor. + </p> + <p> + A maid received her with the announcement that Miss Doyle had "just + stepped out," but was somewhere in the building. Would the + visitor care to wait a few minutes? + </p> + <p> + Yes; Diana decided she would wait. She took a seat in the snug front + parlor and from her position noted the series of rooms that opened + one into another throughout the suite, all richly but tastefully + furnished in homely, unassuming manner. + </p> + <p> + "This is better," she mused. "There is no attempt at + foolish display in this establishment, at any rate. I hope to find + Miss Doyle a sensible, refined person. The name is Irish." + </p> + <p> + A door slammed somewhere down the line of rooms and a high-pitched + voice cried in excited tones: + </p> + <p> + "I've found a baby! Hi, there, Nunkie, dear—I've found a + baby!" + </p> + <p> + Thereupon came the sound of a chair being pushed back as a man's + voice answered in equal glee: + </p> + <p> + "Why, Patsy, Patsy! it's the little rogue from upstairs. Here, + Bobby; come to your own old Uncle!" + </p> + <p> + "He won't. He belongs to me; don't you, Bobby darlin'?" + </p> + <p> + A babyish voice babbled merrily, but the sounds were all "goos" + and "ahs" without any resemblance to words. Bobby may have + imagined he was talking, but he was not very intelligible. + </p> + <p> + "See here, Patsy Doyle; you gimme that baby." cried the + man, pleadingly. + </p> + <p> + "I found him myself, and he's mine. I've dragged him here all + the way from his home upstairs, an' don't you dare lay a finger on + him. Uncle John!" + </p> + <p> + "Fair play, Patsy! Bobby's my chum, and—" + </p> + <p> + "Well, I'll let you have half of him, Nunkie. Down on your + hands and knees, sir, and be a horse. That's it—Now, Bobby, + straddle Uncle John and drive him by his necktie—here it is. + S-t-e-a-d-y, Uncle; and neigh—neigh like a horse!" + </p> + <p> + "How does a horse neigh, Patsy?" asked a muffled voice, + choking and chuckling at the same time. + </p> + <p> + "'Nee, hee-hee—hee; hee!'" + </p> + <p> + Uncle John tried to neigh, and made a sorry mess of it, although + Bobby shrieked with delight. + </p> + <p> + Then came a sudden hush. Diana caught the maid's voice, perhaps + announcing the presence of a visitor, for Patsy cried in subdued + accents: + </p> + <p> + "Goodness me, Mary! why didn't you say so? Listen, Uncle John—" + </p> + <p> + "Leggo that ear, Bobby—leggo!" + </p> + <p> + "—You watch the baby, Uncle John, and don't let anything + happen to him. I've got a caller." + </p> + <p> + Diana smiled, a bit scornfully, and then composed her features as a + young girl bustled into the room and came toward her with frank + cordiality indicated in the wide smile and out-stretched hand. + </p> + <p> + "Pardon my keeping you waiting," said Patsy, dropping into + a chair opposite her visitor, "Uncle John and I were romping + with the baby from upstarts—Bobby's such a dear! I didn't + quite catch the name Mary gave me and forgot to look at your card." + </p> + <p> + "I am Miss Von Taer." + </p> + <p> + "Not Diana Von Taer, the swell society girl?" cried Patsy + eagerly. + </p> + <p> + Diana couldn't remember when she had been so completely nonplused + before. After an involuntary gasp she answered quietly: + </p> + <p> + "I am Diana Von Taer." + </p> + <p> + "Well, I'm glad to meet you, just the same," said Patsy, + cheerfully. "We outsiders are liable to look on society folk as + we would on a cage of monkeys—because we're so very ignorant, + you know, and the bars are really between us." + </p> + <p> + This frank disdain verged on rudeness, although the girl had no + intention of being rude. Diana was annoyed in spite of her desire to + be tolerant. + </p> + <p> + "Perhaps the bars are imaginary," she rejoined, + carelessly, "and it may be you've been looking at the side-show + and not at the entertainment in the main tent. Will you admit that + possibility, Miss Doyle?" + </p> + <p> + Patsy laughed gleefully. + </p> + <p> + "I think you have me there, Miss Von Taer. And what do <i>I</i> + know about society? Just nothing at all. It's out of my line + entirely." + </p> + <p> + "Perhaps it is," was the slow response. "Society + appeals to only those whose tastes seem to require it." + </p> + <p> + "And aren't we drawing distinctions?" enquired Miss Doyle. + "Society at large is the main evidence of civilization, and all + decent folk are members of it." + </p> + <p> + "Isn't that communism?" asked Diana. + </p> + <p> + "Perhaps so. It's society at large. But certain classes have + leagued together and excluded themselves from their fellows, + admitting only those of their own ilk. The people didn't put them on + their pedestals—they put themselves there. Yet the people bow + down and worship these social gods and seem glad to have them. The + newspapers print their pictures and the color of their gowns and how + they do their hair and what they eat and what they do, and the poor + washwomen and shop-girls and their like read these accounts more + religiously than they do their bibles. My maid Mary's a good girl, + but she grabs the society sheet of the Sunday paper and reads it + from top to bottom. I never look at it myself." + </p> + <p> + Diana's cheeks were burning. She naturally resented such ridicule, + having been born to regard social distinction with awe and + reverence. Inwardly resolving to make Miss Patricia Doyle regret the + speech she hid all annoyance under her admirable self-control and + answered with smooth complacency: + </p> + <p> + "Your estimate of society, my dear Miss Doyle, is superficial." + </p> + <p> + "Don't I know it, then?" exclaimed Patsy. "Culture + and breeding, similarity of taste and intellectual pursuits will + always attract certain people and band them together in those + cliques which are called 'social sets,' They are not secret + societies; they have no rules of exclusion; congenial minds are ever + welcome to their ranks. This is a natural coalition, in no way + artificial. Can you not appreciate that, Miss Doyle?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes, indeed," admitted Patsy, promptly. "You're + quite right, and I'm just one of those stupid creatures who + criticise the sun because there's a cloud before it. Probably there + are all grades of society, because there are all grades of people." + </p> + <p> + "I thought you would agree with me when you understood," + murmured Diana, and her expression was so smug and satisfied that + Patsy was seized with an irresistible spirit of mischief. + </p> + <p> + "And haven't I seen your own pictures in the Sunday papers?" + she asked. + </p> + <p> + "Perhaps; if you robbed your maid of her pleasure." + </p> + <p> + "And very pretty pictures they were, too. They showed culture + and breeding all right, and the latest style in gowns. Of course + those intellectual high-brows in your set didn't need an + introduction to you; you were advertised as an example of + ultra-fashionable perfection, to spur the ambition of those lower + down in the social scale. Perhaps it's a good thing." + </p> + <p> + "Are you trying to annoy me?" demanded Diana, her eyes + glaring under their curling lashes. + </p> + <p> + "Dear me—dear me!" cried Patsy, distressed, "see + how saucy and impudent I've been—and I didn't mean a bit of + it! Won't you forgive me, please, Miss Von Taer? There! we'll begin + all over again, and I'll be on my good behavior. I'm so very + ignorant, you know!" + </p> + <p> + Diana smiled at this; it would be folly to show resentment to such a + childish creature. + </p> + <p> + "Unfortunately," she said, "I have been unable to + escape the vulgar publicity thrust upon me by the newspapers. The + reporters are preying vultures, rapacious for sensation, and have + small respect for anyone. I am sure we discourage them as much as we + can. I used to weep with mortification when I found myself 'written + up'; now, however, I have learned to bear such trials with fortitude—if + not with resignation." + </p> + <p> + "Forgive me!" said Patsy, contritely. "Somehow I've + had a false idea of these things. If I knew you better, Miss Von + Taer, you'd soon convert me to be an admirer of society." + </p> + <p> + "I'd like to do that, Miss Doyle, for you interest me. Will you + return my call?" + </p> + <p> + "Indeed I will," promised the girl, readily. "I'm + flattered that you called on me at all, Miss Von Taer, for you might + easily have amused yourself better. You must be very busy, with all + the demands society makes on one. When shall I come? Make it some + off time, when we won't be disturbed." + </p> + <p> + Diana smiled at her eagerness. How nescient the poor little thing + was! + </p> + <p> + "Your cousins, Miss Merrick and Miss De Graf, have consented to + receive with me on the evening of the nineteenth. Will you not join + us?" + </p> + <p> + "Louise and Beth!" cried Patsy, astounded. + </p> + <p> + "Isn't it nice of them? And may I count upon you, also?" + </p> + <p> + Patsy smiled dubiously into the other's face. + </p> + <p> + "Let me out of it!" she said. "Can't you see I'm no + butterfly?" + </p> + <p> + Diana saw many things, having taken a shrewd account of the girl + long before this. Miss Patricia Doyle was short and plump, with a + round, merry face covered with freckles, hair indisputably red and a + <i>retroussé</i> nose. Also she possessed a pair of wonderful + blue eyes—eyes that danced and scintillated with joyous good + humor—eyes so captivating that few ever looked beyond them or + noted the plain face they glorified. But the critic admitted that + the face was charmingly expressive, the sweet and sensitive mouth + always in sympathy with the twinkling, candid eyes. Life and energy + radiated from her small person, which Miss Von Taer grudgingly + conceded to possess unusual fascination. Here was a creature quite + imperfect in detail, yet destined to allure and enchant whomsoever + she might meet. All this was quite the reverse of Diana's own frigid + personality. Patsy would make an excellent foil for her. + </p> + <p> + "As you please, my dear," she said graciously; "but + do you not think it would amuse you to make your debut in society—unimpeachable + society—and be properly introduced to the occupants of the + 'pedestals,' as your cousins will be?" + </p> + <p> + Patsy reflected. If Beth and Louise had determined to undertake this + venture why should she hold back? Moreover, she experienced a + girlish and wholly natural curiosity to witness a fashionable + gathering and "size up" the lions for herself. So she + said: + </p> + <p> + "I'll come, if you really want me; and I'll try my best to + behave nicely. But I can't imagine why you have chosen to take us + three girls under your wing; unless—" with sudden + intuition, "it's for Uncle John's sake." + </p> + <p> + "That was it, at first," replied Diana, rising to go; + "but now that I've seen you I'm delighted to have you on your + own account. Come early, dear; we must be ready to receive our + guests by nine." + </p> + <p> + "Nine o'clock!" reflected Patsy, when her visitor had + gone; "why, I'm often in bed by that time." + </p> + <hr style="width: 35%;" /> + <a name="chap5" id="chap5"></a> + <h2> + CHAPTER V + </h2> + <br /> + <p> + PREPARING FOR THE PLUNGE + </p> + <br /> + <p> + John Merrick lived with the Doyles at their Willing Square + apartments. There were but two of the Doyles—Patricia and her + father, Major Doyle, a tall, handsome, soldierly man with white + moustache and hair. The Major was noted as a "character," + a keen wit and a most agreeable type of the "old Irish + gentleman." He fairly worshipped his daughter, and no one + blamed him for it. His business, as special agent and manager for + his brother-in-law's millions, kept the Major closely occupied and + afforded John Merrick opportunity to spend his days as be pleased. + The rich man was supposed to be "retired," yet the care of + his investments and income was no light task, as the Major found. + </p> + <p> + We are accustomed to regard extreme wealth as the result of + hard-headed shrewdness, not wholly divorced from unscrupulous + methods, yet no one could accuse John Merrick or his representative + with being other than kindly, simple-hearted and honest. Uncle John + says that he never intended to "get rich"; it was all the + result of carelessness. He had been so immersed in business that he + failed to notice how fast his fortune was growing. When he awoke to + a realization of his immense accumulation he promptly retired, + appointing Major Doyle to look after his investments and seeking + personal leisure after many years of hard work. He instructed his + agent to keep his income from growing into more capital by rendering + wise assistance to all worthy charities and individuals, and this, + as you may suppose, the Major found a herculean task. Often he + denounced Uncle John for refusing to advise him, claiming that the + millionaire had selfishly thrust the burden of his wealth on the + Major's broad shoulders. While there was an element of truth in this + the burden it was not so heavy as to make the old soldier unhappy, + and the two men loved and respected one another with manly + cordiality. + </p> + <p> + Patricia was recognized as Uncle John's favorite niece and it was + understood she was to inherit the bulk of his property, although + some millions might be divided between Beth and Louise "if they + married wisely." Neither Uncle John nor the Major ever seemed + to consider Patsy's marrying; she was such a child that wedlock for + her seemed a remote possibility. + </p> + <p> + The Sunday afternoon following Diana Von Taer's visit to the three + nieces found the girls all congregated in Patsy's own room, where an + earnest discussion was being conducted. That left Uncle John to take + his after-dinner nap in the big Morris chair in the living room, + where Major Doyle sat smoking-sulkily while he gazed from the window + and begrudged the moments Patsy was being kept from him. + </p> + <p> + Finally the door opened and the three girls trooped out. + </p> + <p> + "Huh! Is the conspiracy all cut-an'-dried?" growled the + Major. + </p> + <p> + Uncle John woke up with a final snort, removed the newspaper from + his face and sat up. He smiled benignantly upon his nieces. + </p> + <p> + "It's all your fault, sor!" declared Major Doyle, + selecting the little millionaire as the safest recipient of his + displeasure. "Your foolishness has involved us all in this + dreadful complication. Why on earth couldn't you leave well-enough + alone?" + </p> + <p> + Uncle John received the broadside with tolerant equanimity. + </p> + <p> + "What's wrong; my dears?" he enquired, directing his mild + glance toward the bevy of young girls. + </p> + <p> + "I am unaware that anything is wrong, Uncle," replied + Louise gravely. "But since we are about to make our debut in + society it is natural we should have many things to discuss that + would prove quite uninteresting to men. Really, Uncle John, this is + a great event—perhaps the most important event of our lives." + </p> + <p> + "Shucks an' shoestrings!" grunted the Major. "What's + in this paper-shelled, painted, hollow thing ye call 'society' to + interest three healthy, wide-awake girls? Tell me that!" + </p> + <p> + "You don't understand, dear," said Patsy, soothing him + with a kiss. + </p> + <p> + "I think he does," remarked Beth, with meditative brows. + "Modern society is a man-made—or woman-made—condition, + to a large extent artificial, selfish and unwholesome." + </p> + <p> + "Oh, Beth!" protested Louise. "You're talking like a + rank socialist. I can understand common people sneering at society, + which is so far out of their reach; but a girl about to be accepted + in the best circles has no right to rail at her own caste." + </p> + <p> + "There can be no caste in America," declared Beth, + stubbornly. + </p> + <p> + "But there <i>is</i> caste in America, and will be so long as + the exclusiveness of society is recognized by the people at large," + continued Louise. "If it is a 'man-made condition' isn't it the + most respected, most refined, most desirable condition that one may + attain to?" + </p> + <p> + "There are plenty of honest and happy people in the world who + ignore society altogether," answered Beth. "It strikes me + that your social stars are mighty few in the broad firmament of + humanity." + </p> + <p> + "But they're stars, for all that, dear," said Uncle John, + smiling at her with a hint of approval in his glance, yet picking up + the argument; "and they look mighty big and bright to the crowd + below. It's quite natural. You can't keep individuals from gaining + distinction, even in America. There are few generals in an army, for + instance; and they're 'man-made'; but that's no reason the generals + ain't entitled to our admiration." + </p> + <p> + "Let's admire 'em, then—from a distance," retorted + the Major, realizing the military simile was employed to win his + sympathy. + </p> + <p> + "Certain things, my dear Major, are naturally dear to a girl's + heart," continued Uncle John, musingly; "and we who are + not girls have no right to condemn their natural longings. Girls + love dancing, pink teas and fudge-parties, and where can they find + 'em in all their perfection but in high society? Girls love + admiration and flirtations—you do, my dears; you can't deny + it--and the male society swells have the most time to devote to such + things. Girls love pretty dresses—" + </p> + <p> + "Oh, Uncle! you've hit the nail on the head now," + exclaimed Patsy, laughing. "We must all have new gowns for this + reception, and as we're to assist Miss Von Taer the dresses must + harmonize, so to speak, and—and—" + </p> + <p> + "And be quite suited to the occasion," broke in Louise; + "and—" + </p> + <p> + "And wear our lives out with innumerable fittings," + concluded Beth, gloomily. + </p> + <p> + "But why new dresses?" demanded the Major. "You've + plenty of old ones that are clean and pretty, I'm sure; and our + Patsy had one from the dressmaker only last week that's fit for a + queen." + </p> + <p> + "Oh, Daddy! you don't understand," laughed Patsy. + </p> + <p> + "This time, Major, I fear you don't," agreed Beth. "Your + convictions regarding society may be admirable, but you're weak on + the gown question." + </p> + <p> + "If the women would only listen to me," began the Major, + dictatorially; but Uncle John cut him short. + </p> + <p> + "They won't, sir; they'll listen to no man when it comes to + dressmaking." + </p> + <p> + "Don't they dress to captivate the men, then?" asked the + Major, with fine sarcasm. + </p> + <p> + "Not at all," answered Louise, loftily. "Men seldom + know what a woman has on, if she looks nice; but women take in every + detail of dress and criticise it severely if anything happens to be + out of date, ill fitting or in bad taste." + </p> + <p> + "Then they're in bad taste themselves!" retorted the + Major, hotly. + </p> + <p> + "Tut-tut, sir; who are you to criticise woman's ways?" + asked Uncle John, much amused. The Major was silenced, but he glared + as if unconvinced. + </p> + <p> + "Dressmaking is a nuisance," remarked Beth, placidly; + "but it's the penalty we pay for being women." + </p> + <p> + "You're nothing but slips o' girls, not out of your teens," + grumbled the Major. And no one paid any attention to him. + </p> + <p> + "We want to do you credit, Uncle John," said Patsy, + brightly. "Perhaps our names will be in the papers." + </p> + <p> + "They're there already," announced Mr. Merrick, picking up + the Sunday paper that lay beside him. + </p> + <p> + A chorus of exclamations was followed by a dive for the paper, and + even the Major smiled grimly as he observed the three girlish heads + close together and three pair of eager eyes scanning swiftly the + society columns. + </p> + <p> + "Here it is!" cried Patsy, dancing up and down like a + school-girl; and Louise read in a dignified voice—which + trembled slightly with excitement and pleasure—the following + item: + </p> + <p> + "Miss Von Taer will receive next Thursday evening at the family + mansion in honor of Miss Merrick, Miss Doyle and Miss De Graf. These + three charming <i>debutantes</i> are nieces of John Merrick, the + famous tin-plate magnate." + </p> + <p> + "Phoo!" growled the Major, during the impressive hush that + followed; "that's it, exactly. Your names are printed because + you're John Merrick's nieces. If it hadn't been for tin-plate, my + dears, society never would 'a' known ye at all, at all!" + </p> + <hr style="width: 35%;" /> + <a name="chap6" id="chap6"></a> + <h2> + CHAPTER VI + </h2> + <br /> + <p> + THE FLY IN THE BROTH + </p> + <br /> + <p> + Diana was an experienced entertainer and under her skillful + supervision the reception proved eminently successful. Nor had she + cause to be ashamed of the three <i>protégées</i> she + presented to society, since capable <i>modistes</i> had supplemented + their girlish charms and freshness with costumes pertinent to the + occasion. Perhaps Patsy's chubby form looked a little "dumpish" + in her party gown, for some of Diana's female guests regarded her + with quiet amusement and bored tolerance, while the same critical + posse was amazed and envious at Beth's superb beauty and stately + bearing. After all, it was Louise who captured the woman contingency + and scored the greatest success; for her appearance was not only + dainty and attractive but she was so perfectly self-possessed and + responsive and bore herself so admirably under the somewhat trying; + circumstances of a debut that she won the cordial goodwill of all + whom she encountered. The hostess was elaborately gowned in white + pompadour satin, trimmed with white chiffon and embroidered in pink + roses and pearls. The Von Taer home was handsomely decorated for the + occasion, since Diana never did anything by halves and for her own + credit insisted on attention to those details of display that + society recognizes and loves. Hundreds of long-stemmed American + Beauties and Kentia palms were combined in beautifying the spacious + hall, while orchids in marvelous variety nodded their blossoms in + the great drawing-room, where the young-ladies received. These rare + and precious flowers were arranged in bronze baskets with sprays of + maidenhair. In the music room adjoining, great clusters of Madam + Chantenay roses embellished the charming scene. Branches of + cherry-blossoms, supplied by hot-houses, were banked in the lofty + dining-room, where a Japanese pergola made of bamboo and lighted + with red lanterns was erected at the upper end. The attendants here + were Japanese girls in native costume, and the long table was laid + with a lace cloth over pink satin, with butterfly bows of pink + tulle. The table itself was decorated with cut-glass baskets of + Cecil Brunner roses mingled with lilies of the valley and + refreshments were distributed to the standing guests as they + entered. + </p> + <p> + The affair was in the nature of a typical "crush," for + Diana's list of eligibles included most of the prominent society + folk then in town, and she was too important a personage to have her + invitations disregarded. Beth and Patsy were fairly bewildered by + the numerous introductions, until names became meaningless in their + ears; but Louise, perfectly composed and in no wise distracted by + her surroundings or the music of the orchestra and the perpetual + buzz of conversation in the crowded rooms, impressed each individual + upon her memory clearly, and was not likely to blunder in regard to + names or individuality in the future. This is a rare talent, indeed, + and scores, largely in one's favor; for no one likes to think + himself so unimportant as to be forgotten, under any circumstances. + </p> + <p> + It was during the thick of the reception that one of Miss Von Taer's + intimates, a graceful blond girl, suddenly seized her arm and + whispered: "Oh, Diana! Guess who's here—guess, my dear!" + </p> + <p> + Diana knew. Her eyes, always narrowed until the lashes shielded + their sharp watchfulness, seldom missed observing anything of + importance. She pressed her friend's hand and turned again to the + line of guests, while Louise, who had overheard the excited whisper, + wondered casually what it might mean. + </p> + <p> + Soon after she knew. A tall, handsome young fellow was bowing before + Diana, who—wonder of wonders!—for an instant unclosed + her great eyes and shot an electric glance into his smiling face. + The glance was brief as unexpected, yet it must have told the young + man something, for he flushed and bowed again as if to hide his + embarrassment. It also told Louise something, and her heart, which + had given a quick bound at sight of the man's face, began to cry out + against Diana Von Taer's artifices. + </p> + <p> + "Mr. Arthur Weldon," said the hostess, in her soft voice; + and now, as the young man turned an eager gaze on Louise and half + extended his hand, the girl's face grew pale and she imitated Diana + to the extent of dropping her eyes and bowing with frigid + indifference. + </p> + <p> + Standing close he whispered "Louise!" in a pleading tone + that made Diana frown wickedly. But the girl was unresponsive and + another instant forced him to turn to Beth. + </p> + <p> + "Why, Arthur! are you here, then?" said the girl, in a + surprised but cordial tone. + </p> + <p> + "That is not astonishing, Miss Beth," he replied. "The + puzzling fact is that <i>you</i> are here—and under such + auspices," he added, in a lower tone. + </p> + <p> + Patsy now claimed him, with a frank greeting, and Arthur Weldon + could do little more than press her hand when the line forced him to + move on and give place to others. + </p> + <p> + But this especial young fellow occupied the minds of all four girls + long after the crowd had swallowed him up. Diana was uneasy and + obviously disturbed by the discovery that he was known to the three + cousins, as well as by the memory of his tone as he addressed Louise + Merrick. Louise, who had read Diana's quick glance with the accuracy + of an intuitionist, felt a sudden suspicion and dislike for Diana + now dominating her. Behind all this was a mystery, which shall be + explained here because the reader deserves to be more enlightened + than the characters themselves. + </p> + <p> + Arthur Weldon's nature was a queer combination of weakness and + strength. He was physically brave but a moral coward. The motherless + son of a man wholly immersed in business, he had been much neglected + in his youth and his unstable character was largely the result of + this neglect. On leaving college he refused a business career + planned for him by his father, who cast him off with scornful + indifference, and save for a slim temporary allowance promised to + disinherit him. It was during this period that Arthur met Louise and + fell desperately in love with her. The girl appeared to return the + young fellow's devotion, but shrewd, worldly Mrs. Merrick, + discovering that the boy was practically disinherited and had no + prospects whatever, forbade him the house. Louise, until now but + mildly interested in the young-man, resented her mother's + interference and refused to give him up. She found ways to meet + Arthur Weldon outside her home, so that the situation had become + complicated and dangerous when Uncle John seized his three nieces + and whisked them off to Europe. Young Weldon, under an assumed name, + followed and attached himself to the party; but John Merrick's + suspicions were presently aroused and on discovering the identity of + the youth he forbade him or Louise to "make love" or even + speak of such a thing during the remainder of the trip. + </p> + <p> + The young fellow, by manly acts on some occasions and grave + weaknesses on others, won Uncle John's kindly interest. The old + gentleman knew human nature, and saw much to admire as well as + condemn in Louise's friend. Beth and Patsy found him a pleasant + comrade, and after all love-making was tabooed they were quite a + harmonious party. Finally the sudden death of Weldon's father left + him the possessor of a fortune. He returned to America to look after + his newly-acquired business and became so immersed in it that Louise + felt herself neglected when she came home expecting him to dance + attendance upon her as before. She treated him coldly and he ceased + calling, his volatile and sensitive nature resenting such treatment. + </p> + <p> + It is curious what little things influence the trend of human lives. + Many estrangements are caused by trifles so intangible that we can + scarcely locate them at all. + </p> + <p> + At first the girl was very unhappy at the alienation, but soon + schooled herself to forget her former admirer. Arthur Weldon, for + his part, consoled himself by plunging into social distractions and + devoting himself to Diana Von Taer, whose strange personality for a + time fascinated him. + </p> + <p> + The business could not hold young Weldon's vacillant temperament for + long; neither could Diana. As a matter of fact his heart, more + staunch than he himself suspected, had never wavered much from + Louise. Yet pride forbade his attempting to renew their former + relations. It was now some months since he had seen the girl, and + his eager exclamation was wrested from him by surprise and a sudden + awakening to the fact that his love for her had merely slumbered. + </p> + <p> + Diana, worldly, cold and calculating as was her nature, had been + profoundly touched by Arthur's devotion to her. Usually young men + were soon repulsed by her unfortunate personality, which was not + easily understood. Therefore her intense nature responded freely to + this admirer's attentions, and if Diana could really love she loved + Arthur Weldon. He had never proposed to her or even intimated it was + his intention to do so, but she conceived a powerful desire to win + him and had never abandoned this motive when he grew cold and + appeared to desert her. Just now he was recently back from Italy, + where he had passed several months, and Diana's reception was his + first reappearance in society. The girl had planned to bring him to + her side this evening and intended to exert her strongest + fascinations to lure him back to his former allegiance; so her + annoyance may be guessed when she found her three <i>protégées</i> + seemingly more familiar with the young man than was she herself. + </p> + <p> + At last the line ended and the introductions were complete. The <i>debutantes</i> + were at once the center of interested groups composed of those who + felt it a duty or pleasure to show them attention. Diana wandered to + the music room and waylaid Arthur Weldon, who was just about to make + his escape from the house, having decided it was impossible to find + an opportunity to converse with Louise that evening. + </p> + <p> + "I'm so glad you came, Arthur," she said, a quick glance + assuring her they were not overheard. "You landed from the + steamer but yesterday, I hear." + </p> + <p> + "And came straightway to pay my respects to my old friend," + he answered lightly. "Isn't it unusual for you to present <i>debutantes</i>, + Diana?" + </p> + <p> + "You know these girls, don't you, Arthur?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes; I met them in Europe." + </p> + <p> + "And flirted with Miss Merrick? Be honest, Arthur, I know your + secret." + </p> + <p> + "Do you? Then you know we were merely good friends," said + he, annoyed at her accusation. + </p> + <p> + "Of course. You called her 'Louise,' didn't you?" + </p> + <p> + "To be sure. And Patsy called me 'Arthur. You may have heard + her." + </p> + <p> + "Patsy?" + </p> + <p> + "That's Miss Patricia Doyle—our dear little Patsy." + </p> + <p> + "Oh. I'm sure you didn't fall in love with <i>her</i>, at any + rate." + </p> + <p> + "I'm not so sure. Everybody loves Patsy. But I had no time for + love-making. I was doing Europe." + </p> + <p> + "Wasn't that a year or so ago?" she asked, realizing he + was trying to evade further reference to Louise. + </p> + <p> + "Yes." + </p> + <p> + "And since then?" + </p> + <p> + "I've been away the last six or seven months, as you know, on + my second trip abroad." + </p> + <p> + "But before that—when you first returned?" + </p> + <p> + "If I remember rightly I was then much in the society of Miss + Von Taer. Is the catechism ended at last?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes," she replied, laughing. "Don't think me + inquisitive, Arthur; I was surprised to find you knew these girls, + with whom I am myself but lightly acquainted." + </p> + <p> + "Yet you introduce them to your very select set?" + </p> + <p> + "To please my father, who wishes to please Mr. Merrick." + </p> + <p> + "I understand," said he, nodding. "But they're nice + girls, Diana. You're not running chances, I assure you." + </p> + <p> + "That relieves me," she replied rather scornfully. "If + Arthur Weldon will vouch for them—" + </p> + <p> + "But I don't. I'll vouch for no one—not even myself," + he declared hastily. She was calmly reading his face, and did not + seem to approve the text. + </p> + <p> + "Are you as fickle as ever, then, <i>mon cher</i>?" she + asked, softly. + </p> + <p> + "I'm not fickle, Diana. My fault is that I'm never serious." + </p> + <p> + "Never?" + </p> + <p> + "I cannot remember ever being serious; at least, where a girl + was concerned." + </p> + <p> + Diana bit her lips to restrain a frown, but her eyes, which he was + avoiding, flashed wickedly. + </p> + <p> + "That is surely a fault, my Arthur," was her tender reply. + "Were you never serious during our quiet evenings together; our + dances, theatre parties and romps?" + </p> + <p> + "That was merely fun. And you, Diana?" + </p> + <p> + "Oh, I enjoyed the fun, too. It meant so much to me. I began to + live, then, and found life very sweet. But when you suddenly left me + and went abroad—ah, <i>that</i> was indeed serious." + </p> + <p> + Her tone was full of passionate yearning. He laughed, trying to + appear at ease. Some sort of an understanding must be had with Diana + sooner or later, and she might as well realize at this present + interview that the old relations could not be restored. His nature + was not brutal and he disliked to hurt her; moreover, the boy had an + uneasy feeling that he had been a far more ardent admirer of this + peculiar girl than any fellow should be who had had no serious + intentions; yet it would be folly to allow Diana to think she could + win him back to his former allegiance. No compromising word had ever + left his lips; he had never spoken of love to her. Yet the girl's + attitude seemed to infer a certain possession of him which was far + from agreeable. + </p> + <p> + Having gone so far, he should have said more; but here again his + lack of moral courage proved his stumbling-block, and he weakly + evaded a frank expression of his true feelings. + </p> + <p> + "Life," he began somewhat haltingly, to break the + embarrassing pause, "is only serious when we make it so; and as + soon as we make it serious it makes us unhappy. So I've adopted one + invariable rule: to laugh and be gay." + </p> + <p> + "Then I too will be gay, and together we'll enjoy life," + responded Diana, with an effort to speak lightly. "I shall let + your moods be my moods, Arthur, as a good friend should. Are we not + affinities?" + </p> + <p> + Again he knew not what to say. Her persistence in clinging to her + intangible hold upon him was extremely irritating, and he realized + the girl was far too clever for him to cope with and was liable to + cause him future trouble. Instead of seizing the opportunity to + frankly undeceive her he foolishly evaded the subject. + </p> + <p> + "You've been tempting fate to-night," he remarked with + assumed carelessness. "Don't you remember that to stand four + girls in a row is a bad omen?" + </p> + <p> + "Only for the one who first winks. Isn't that the way the + saying goes? I seldom wink, myself," she continued, smilingly. + "But I have no faith in ill omens. Their power is entirely due + to mental fear." + </p> + <p> + "I think not," said Arthur, glad the conversation had + taken this turn. "Once I knew a fellow with thirteen letters in + his name. He had no mental fear. But he proposed to a girl—and + was accepted." + </p> + <p> + She gave him one of those sudden, swift glances that were so + disconcerting. + </p> + <p> + "If you had a middle initial, there would be thirteen letters + in your own name, Arthur Weldon." + </p> + <br /> + <p> + "But I haven't, Diana; I haven't," he protested, eagerly. + "And if ever I propose to a girl I'm sure she'll refuse me. But + I've no intention of doing such a crazy thing, so I'm perfectly + safe." + </p> + <p> + "You cannot be sure until you try, Arthur," she replied + pointedly, and with a start he became conscious that he was again + treading upon dangerous ground. + </p> + <p> + "Come; let us rejoin your guests," said he, offering her + his arm. "They would all hate me if they knew I was keeping the + fair Diana from them so long." + </p> + <p> + "Arthur, I must have a good long; talk with you—one of + our old, delightful confabs," she said, earnestly. "Will + you call Sunday afternoon? Then we shall be quite undisturbed." + </p> + <p> + He hesitated. + </p> + <p> + "Sunday afternoon?" he answered. + </p> + <p> + "Yes." + </p> + <p> + "All right; I'll come, Diana." + </p> + <p> + She gave him a grateful look and taking his arm allowed him to lead + her back to the drawing-room. The crush was over, many having + already departed. Some of the young people were dancing in the open + spaces to the music of a string orchestra hidden behind a bank of + ferns in the hall. + </p> + <p> + Louise and Beth were the centers of attentive circles; Patsy + conversed with merry freedom with a group of ancient dowagers, who + delighted in her freshness and healthy vigor and were flattered by + her consideration. Mrs. Merrick—for she had been invited—sat + in a corner gorgeously robed and stiff as a poker, her eyes + devouring the scene. Noting the triumph of Louise she failed to + realize she was herself neglected. + </p> + <p> + A single glance sufficed to acquaint Diana with all this, and after + a gracious word to her guests here and there she asked Arthur to + dance with her. He could not well refuse, but felt irritated and + annoyed when he observed Louise's eyes fastened upon him in amused + disdain. After a few turns he discovered some departing ones waiting + to bid their hostess <i>adieu</i>, and escaped from his unpleasant + predicament by halting his partner before them. Then he slipped away + and quietly left the house before Diana had time to miss him. + </p> + <hr style="width: 35%;" /> + <a name="chap7" id="chap7"></a> + <h2> + CHAPTER VII + </h2> + <br /> + <p> + THE HERO ENTERS AND TROUBLE BEGINS + </p> + <br /> + <p> + The Von Taer reception fully launched the three nieces in society. + Endorsed by Diana and backed by John Merrick's millions and their + own winsome charms, they were sure to become favorites in that + admirable set to which they had fortunately gained admittance. + </p> + <p> + Cards poured in upon them during; the succeeding days and they found + themselves busy returning calls and attending dinners, fetes, bridge + parties and similar diversions. The great Mrs. Sandringham took a + decided fancy to Louise, and when the committee was appointed to + arrange for the social Kermess to be held in December, this + dictatorial leader had the girl's name included in the list. + Naturally the favor led to all three cousins taking active part in + the most famous social event of the season, and as an especial mark + of favoritism they were appointed to conduct the "flower booth," + one of the important features of the Kermess. + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Merrick was in the seventh heaven of ecstatic delight; Uncle + John declared his three girls were sure to become shining lights, if + not actual constellations, wherever they might be placed; Major + Doyle growled and protested; but was secretly pleased to have "our + Patsy the captain of the dress parade," where he fondly + imagined she outclassed all others. All former denunciations of + society at large were now ignored, even by unimpressive Beth, and + the girls soon became deeply interested in their novel experiences. + </p> + <p> + Arthur Weldon sulked at home, unhappy and undecided, for a day or + two after the reception. Sunday noon he dispatched a messenger to + Diana with a note saying he would be unable to keep his appointment + with her that afternoon. Then he went straight to the Merrick home + and sent his card to Louise. The girl flushed, smiled, frowned, and + decided to go down. + </p> + <p> + No one had ever interested her so much as Arthur Weldon. There had + been a spice of romance about their former relations that made her + still regard him as exceptional among mankind. She had been asking + herself, since the night of the reception, if she still loved him, + but could not come to a positive conclusion. The boy was no longer + "ineligible," as he had been at first; even Uncle John + could now have no serious objection to him. He was handsome, + agreeable, occupied a good social position and was fairly well off + in the way of worldly goods—the last point removing Mrs. + Merrick's former rejection of Arthur as a desirable son-in-law. + </p> + <p> + But girls are wayward and peculiar in such an <i>affaire du coeur</i>, + and none of these things might have weighed with Louise had she not + discovered that Diana Von Taer was in love with Arthur and intended + to win him. That aroused the girl's fighting instincts, rendered the + young man doubly important, and easily caused Louise to forget her + resentment at his temporary desertion of her. Perhaps, she + reflected, it had partially been her own fault. Now that Arthur + showed a disposition to renew their friendship, and she might + promise herself the satisfaction of defeating Diana's ambitions, it + would be diplomatic, at least, to receive the youth with cordial + frankness. + </p> + <p> + Therefore she greeted him smilingly and with outstretched hand, + saying: + </p> + <p> + "This is quite a surprise, Mr. Weldon. I'd a notion you had + forgotten me." + </p> + <p> + "No, indeed, Louise! How could you imagine such a thing?" + he answered, reproachfully. + </p> + <p> + "There was some evidence of the fact," she asserted + archly. "At one time you gave me no peace; then you became + retiring. At last you disappeared wholly. What could I think, sir, + under such circumstances?" + </p> + <p> + He stood looking down at her thoughtfully. How pretty she had grown; + and how mature and womanly. + </p> + <p> + "Louise," said he, gently, "don't let us indulge in + mutual reproaches. Some one must have been at fault and I'll + willingly take all the blame if you will forgive me. Once we were—were + good friends. We—we intended to be still more to one another, + Louise, but something occurred, I don't know what, to—to + separate us." + </p> + <p> + "Why, you went away," said the girl, laughing; "and + that of course separated us." + </p> + <p> + "You treated me like a beggar; don't forget that part of it, + dear. Of course I went away." + </p> + <p> + "And consoled yourself with a certain Miss Diana Von Taer. It + has lately been rumored you are engaged to her." + </p> + <p> + "Me? What nonsense?" But he hushed guiltily, and Louise + noted everything and determined he should not escape punishment. + </p> + <p> + "Diana, at least, is in earnest," she remarked, with + assumed indifference. "You may not care to deny that you have + been very attentive to her." + </p> + <p> + "Not especially so," he declared, stoutly. + </p> + <p> + "People gossip, you know. And Diana is charming." + </p> + <p> + "She's an iceberg!" + </p> + <p> + "Oh, you have discovered that? Was she wholly unresponsive, + then?" + </p> + <p> + "No," he said, with a touch of anger. "I have never + cared for Diana, except in a friendly way. She amused me for a while + when—when I was wretched. But I never made love to her; not + for a moment. Afterward, why—then----" + </p> + <p> + "Well; what then?" as he hesitated, growing red again. + </p> + <p> + "I found she had taken my careless attentions in earnest, and + the play was getting dangerous. So I went abroad." + </p> + <p> + Louise considered this explanation seriously. She believed he was + speaking the truth, so far as he knew. But at the same time she + realized from her own experience that Arthur might as easily deceive + himself as Diana in his estimate as to the warmth of the devotion he + displayed. His nature was impetuous and ardent. That Diana should + have taken his attentions seriously and become infatuated with the + handsome young fellow was not a matter to cause surprise. + </p> + <p> + Gradually Louise felt her resentment disappearing. In Arthur's + presence the charm of his personality influenced her to be lenient + with his shortcomings. And his evident desire for a reconciliation + found an echo in her own heart. + </p> + <p> + Mutual explanations are excellent to clear a murky atmosphere, and + an hour's earnest conversation did much to restore these two + congenial spirits to their former affectionate relations. Of course + Louise did not succumb too fully to his pleadings, for her feminine + instinct warned her to keep the boy on "the anxious seat" + long enough to enable him to appreciate her value and the honor of + winning her good graces. Moreover, she made some severe conditions + and put him on his good behavior. If he proved worthy, and was + steadfast and true, why then the future might reward him freely. + </p> + <p> + Diana had been making careful plans for her interview with Arthur + that Sunday afternoon. With no futile attempt to deceive herself as + to existent conditions she coldly weighed the chances in her mental + scale and concluded she had sufficient power to win this unstable + youth to her side and induce him to forget that such a person as + Louise Merrick ever existed. + </p> + <p> + Diana was little experienced in such affairs, it is true. Arthur + Weldon had been her first and only declared admirer, and no one + living had studied his peculiar nature more critically than this + observant girl. Also she knew well her own physical failings. She + realized that her personality was to many repulsive, rather than + attractive, and this in spite of her exquisite form, her perfect + breeding and many undeniable accomplishments. Men, as a rule, seldom + remained at her side save through politeness, and even seemed to + fear her; but never until now had she cared for any man sufficiently + to wish to retain or interest him. There were unsuspected + fascinations lying dormant in her nature, and Miss Von Taer calmly + reflected that the exercise of these qualities, backed by her native + wit and capacity for intrigue, could easily accomplish the object + she desired. + </p> + <p> + Thus she had planned her campaign and carefully dressed herself in + anticipation of Arthur's call when his note came canceling the + engagement. After rereading his lame excuse she sat down in a quiet + corner and began to think. The first gun had been fired, the battle + was on, and like a wise general she carefully marshaled her forces + for combat. + </p> + <p> + An hour or two later she turned to her telephone book and called up + the Merrick establishment. A voice, that of a maid, evidently, + answered her. + </p> + <p> + "I wish to speak with Miss Merrick," said Diana. + </p> + <p> + Louise, annoyed at being disturbed, left Arthur's side to respond to + the call. + </p> + <p> + "Who is it, please?" she asked. + </p> + <p> + "Is Mr. Weldon still there, or has he gone?" enquired + Diana, disguising her voice and speaking imperatively.. + </p> + <p> + "Why, he's still here," answered bewildered Louise; "but + who is talking, please?" + </p> + <p> + No answer. + </p> + <p> + "Do you wish to speak with Mr. Weldon?" continued the + girl, mystified at such an odd procedure. + </p> + <p> + Diana hung up her receiver, severing the connection. The click of + the instrument assured Louise there was no use in waiting longer, so + she returned to Arthur. She could not even guess who had called her. + Arthur could, though, when he had heard her story, and Diana's + impudent meddling made him distinctly uneasy. He took care not to + enlighten Louise, and the incident was soon forgotten by her. + </p> + <p> + "It proved just as I expected," mused Diana, huddled in + her reclining' chair. "The fool has thrown me over to go to + her. But this is not important. With the situation so clearly + defined I shall know exactly what I must do to protect my own + interests." + </p> + <p> + Mr. Von Taer was away from home that Sunday afternoon, and would not + return until a late hour. Diana went to the telephone again and + after several unsuccessful attempts located her cousin, Mr. Charles + Connoldy Mershone, at a club. + </p> + <p> + "It's Diana," she said, when at last communication was + established. "I want you to come over and see me; at once." + </p> + <p> + "You'll have to excuse me, Di," was the answer. "I + was unceremoniously kicked out the last time, you know." + </p> + <p> + "Father's away. It's all right, Charlie. Come along." + </p> + <p> + "Can't see it, my fair cousin. You've all treated me like a + bull-pup, and I'm not anxious to mix up with that sort of a + relationship. Anything more? I'm going to play pool to win my + dinner." + </p> + <p> + "Funds running low, Charlie?" + </p> + <p> + "Worse than that; they're invisible." + </p> + <p> + "Then pay attention. Call a taxi at once, and get here as soon + as you can. I'll foot the bill— and any others that happen to + be bothering you." + </p> + <p> + A low, surprised whistle came over the wire. + </p> + <p> + "What's up, Di?" he asked, with new interest. + </p> + <p> + "Come and find out." + </p> + <p> + "Can I be useful?" + </p> + <p> + "Assuredly; to yourself." + </p> + <p> + "All right; I'm on the way." + </p> + <p> + He hung up, and Diana gave a sigh of content as she slowly returned + to her den and the easy chair, where Mr. Mershone found her "coiled" + some half hour later. + </p> + <p> + "This is a queer go," said the young man, taking a seat + and glancing around with knitted brows. "It isn't so long since + dear Uncle Hedrik tumbled me out of here neck and crop; and now + Cousin Diana invites me to return." + </p> + <p> + At first glance young Mershone seemed an attractive young fellow, + tall, finely formed and well groomed. But his eyes were too close + together and his handsome features bore unmistakable marks of + dissipation. + </p> + <p> + "You disgraced us a year or so ago, Charlie," said Diana, + in her soft, quiet accents, "and under such circumstances we + could not tolerate you. You can scarcely blame us for cutting your + acquaintance. But now—" + </p> + <p> + "Well, now?" he enquired coolly, trying to read her + impassive face. + </p> + <p> + "I need the services of just such an unscrupulous and clever + individual as you have proven yourself to be. I'm willing to pay + liberally for those services, and you doubtless need the money. Are + we allies, then?" + </p> + <p> + Mershone laughed, with little genuine mirth. + </p> + <p> + "Of course, my dear cousin," he responded; "provided + you propose any legal villainy. I'm not partial to the police; but I + really need the money, as you suggest." + </p> + <p> + "And you will be faithful?" she asked, regarding him + doubtfully. + </p> + <p> + "To the cause, you may be sure. But understand me: I balk at + murder and burglary. Somehow, the police seem to know me. I'll not + do anything that might lead to a jail sentence, because there are + easier ways to get money. However, I don't imagine your proposed + plan is very desperate, Diana; it's more liable to be dirty work. + Never mind; you may command me, my dear cousin—if the pay is + ample." + </p> + <p> + "The pay will be ample if you succeed," she began. + </p> + <p> + "I don't like that. I may not succeed." + </p> + <p> + "Listen to me, Charlie. Do you know Arthur Weldon?" + </p> + <p> + "Slightly; not very well." + </p> + <p> + "I intend to marry him. He has paid me marked attentions in the + past; but now—he—" + </p> + <p> + "Wants to slip the leash. Quite natural, my dear." + </p> + <p> + "He has become infatuated with another girl; a light-headed, + inexperienced little thing who is likely to marry the first man who + asks her. She is very rich—in her own right, too—and her + husband will be a fortunate man." + </p> + <p> + Mershone stared at her. Then he whistled, took a few turns up and + down the room, and reseated himself. + </p> + <p> + "Evidently!" he ejaculated, lighting a cigarette without + permission and then leaning back thoughtfully in his chair. + </p> + <p> + "Charlie," continued Diana, "you may as well marry + Louise Merrick and settle down to a life of respectability. You've a + dashing, masterful way which no girl of her sort can long resist. I + propose that you make desperate love to Louise Merrick and so cut + Arthur Weldon out of the deal entirely. My part of the comedy will + be to attract him to my side again. Now you have the entire + proposition in a nutshell." + </p> + <p> + He smoked for a time in reflective silence. + </p> + <p> + "What's the girl like?" he enquired, presently. "Is + she attractive?" + </p> + <p> + "Sufficiently so to fascinate Arthur Weldon. Moreover, she has + just been introduced in our set, and knows nothing of your shady + past history. Even if rumors came to her ears, young creatures of + her sort often find a subtle charm in a man accused of being + 'naughty.'" + </p> + <p> + "Humph!" + </p> + <p> + "If you win her, you get a wife easily managed and a splendid + fortune to squander as you please." + </p> + <p> + "Sounds interesting, Di, doesn't it? But—" + </p> + <p> + "In regard to preliminary expenses," she interrupted, + calmly, "I have said that your reward will be ample when you + have won the game. But meantime I am willing to invest the necessary + funds in the enterprise. I will allow you a thousand a month." + </p> + <p> + "Bah! that's nothing at all!" said he, contemptuously, as + he flicked the ashes from his cigarette. + </p> + <p> + "What do you demand, then?" + </p> + <p> + "Five hundred a week, in advance. It's an expensive job, Di." + </p> + <p> + "Very well; I will give you five hundred a week; but only as + long as you work earnestly to carry out the plot. I shall watch you, + Charlie. And you must not lose sight of the ultimate reward." + </p> + <p> + "I won't, my sweet cousin. It's a bargain," he said, + readily enough. "When do I begin, and what's the program?" + </p> + <p> + "Draw your chair nearer," said Diana, restraining her + triumphant joy. "I'll explain everything to you in detail. It + will be my part to plan, and yours to execute." + </p> + <p> + "Good!" he exclaimed, with a cheerful grin. "I feel + like an executioner already!" + </p> + <hr style="width: 35%;" /> + <a name="chap8" id="chap8"></a> + <h2> + CHAPTER VIII + </h2> + <br /> + <p> + OPENING THE CAMPAIGN + </p> + <br /> + <p> + Louise's little romance, which now began to thrive vigorously, was + regarded with calmness by her cousins and her mother, who knew of + the former episode between her and Arthur and attached little + importance to the renewed flirtation in which they indulged. That + they were deceived in their estimate was due to the girl's + reputation for frivolity where young men were concerned. She had + been dubbed a "flirt" ever since she first began to wear + long dresses, and her nature was not considered deep enough for her + heart to be ever seriously affected. Therefore the young girl was + gravely misjudged. + </p> + <p> + Louise was not one to bare her heart, even to her most intimate + friends, and no one now suspected that at last her deepest, truest + womanly affections were seriously involved. The love for Arthur that + had lain dormant in her heart was aroused at a time when she was + more mature and capable of recognizing truly her feelings, so that + it was not long before she surrendered her reserve and admitted to + him that life would mean little for her unless they might pass the + years together. For his part, young Weldon sincerely loved Louise, + and had never wavered from his firm devotion during all the past + months of misunderstanding. + </p> + <p> + The general impression that they were "merely flirting" + afforded the lovers ample opportunity to have their walks and drives + together undisturbed, and during these soulful communions they + arrived at such a perfect understanding that both were confident + nothing could ever disturb their trust and confidence. + </p> + <p> + It was at a theatre party that the three <i>debutantes</i> first met + Charlie Mershone, but they saw little of him that first evening and + scarcely noticed his presence. Louise, indeed, noted that his eyes + were fixed upon her more than once with thinly veiled admiration, + and without a thought of disloyalty to Arthur, but acting upon the + impulse of her coquettish nature, she responded with a demure smile + of encouragement. + </p> + <p> + Charlie Mershone was an adept at playing parts. He at first regarded + Louise much as a hunter does the game he is stalking. Patsy Doyle + was more jolly and Beth De Graf more beautiful than Miss Merrick; + but the young man would in any event have preferred the latter's + dainty personality. When he found her responsive to his admiring + glances he was astounded to note his heart beating rapidly—a + thing quite foreign to his usual temperament. Yes, this girl would + do very nicely, both as a wife and as a banker. Assuredly the game + was well worth playing, as Diana had asserted. He must make it his + business to discover what difficulties must be overcome in winning + her. Of course Arthur Weldon was the main stumbling-block; but + Weldon was a ninny; he must be thrust aside; Diana had promised to + attend to that. + </p> + <p> + Never in his life had Charles Connoldy Mershone been in earnest + before. After his first interview with Louise Merrick he became in + deadly earnest. His second meeting with her was at Marie Delmar's + bridge whist party, where they had opportunity for an extended + conversation. Arthur was present this evening, but by some chance + Mershone drew Louise for his partner at cards, and being a skillful + player he carried her in progression from table to table, leaving + poor Arthur far behind and indulging in merry repartee and mild + flirtation until they felt they were quite well acquainted. + </p> + <p> + Louise found the young man a charming conversationalist. He had a + dashing, confidential way of addressing the girl which impressed her + as flattering and agreeable, while his spirits were so exuberant and + sparkling with humor that she was thoroughly amused every moment + while in his society. Indeed, Mr. Mershone was really talented, and + had he possessed any manly attributes, or even the ordinary + honorable instincts of mankind, there is little doubt he would have + been a popular favorite. But he had made his mark, and it was a + rather grimy one. From earliest youth he had been guilty of + discreditable acts that had won for him the contempt of all + right-minded people. That he was still accepted with lax tolerance + by some of the more thoughtless matrons of the fashionable set was + due to his family name. They could not forget that in spite of his + numerous lapses from respectability he was still a Mershone. Not one + of the careless mothers who admitted him to her house would have + allowed her daughter to wed him, and the degree of tolerance + extended to him was fully appreciated by Mershone himself. He knew + he was practically barred from the most desirable circles and seldom + imposed himself upon his former acquaintances; but now, with a + distinct object in view, he callously disregarded the doubtful looks + he encountered and showed himself in every drawing-room where he + could secure an invitation or impudently intrude himself. He made + frank avowals that he had "reformed" and abandoned his + evil ways forever. Some there were who accepted this statement + seriously, and Diana furthered his cause by treating him graciously + whenever they met, whereas she had formerly refused to recognize her + cousin. + </p> + <p> + Louise knew nothing at all of Charlie Mershone's history and + permitted him to call when he eagerly requested the favor; but on + the way home from the Delmars Arthur, who had glowered at the + usurper all the evening, took pains to hint to Louise that Mershone + was an undesirable acquaintance and had a bad record. Of course she + laughed at him and teased him, thinking he was jealous and rejoicing + that in Mershone she had a tool to "keep Arthur toeing the + mark." As a matter of truth she had really missed her lover's + companionship that evening, but forbore to apprise him of the fact. + </p> + <p> + And now the great Kermess began to occupy the minds of the three + cousins, who were to share the important "Flower Booth" + between them. The Kermess was to be the holiday sensation of the + season and bade fair to eclipse the horse show in popularity. It was + primarily a charitable entertainment, as the net receipts were to be + divided among several deserving hospitals; nevertheless it was + classed as a high society function and only the elect were to take + active part in the affair. + </p> + <p> + The ball room at the Waldorf had been secured and many splendid + booths were to be erected for the sale of novelties, notions and + refreshments. There were to be lotteries and auctions, national + dances given by groups of society belles, and other novel + entertainments calculated to empty the pockets of the unwary. + </p> + <p> + Beth was somewhat indignant to find that she and her cousins, having + been assigned to the flower booth, were expected to erect a pavilion + and decorate it at their own expense, as well as to provide the + stock of flowers to be sold. "There is no fund for preliminary + expenses, you know," remarked Mrs. Sandringham, "and of + course all the receipts are to go to charity; so there is nothing to + do but stand these little bills ourselves. We all do it willingly. + The papers make a good deal of the Kermess, and the advertisement we + get is worth all it costs us." + </p> + <p> + Beth did not see the force of this argument. She thought it was + dreadful for society—really good society—to wish to + advertise itself; but gradually she was learning that this was + merely a part of the game. To be talked about, to have her goings + and comings heralded in the society columns and her gowns described + on every possible occasion, seemed the desire of every society + woman, and she who could show the biggest scrap-book of clippings + was considered of highest importance.. + </p> + <p> + Uncle John laughed joyously when told that the expenses of the + flower booth would fall on the shoulders of his girls and there was + no later recompense. + </p> + <p> + "Why not?" he cried. "Mustn't we pay the fiddler if + we dance?" + </p> + <p> + "It's a hold-up game," declared Beth, angrily. "I'll + have nothing to do with it." + </p> + <p> + "Yes, you will, my dear," replied her uncle; "and to + avoid separating you chicks from your pin-money I'm going to stand + every cent of the expense myself. Why, it's for charity, isn't it? + Charity covers a multitude of sins, and I'm just a miserable sinner + that needs a bath-robe to snuggle in. How can the poor be better + served than by robbing the rich? Go ahead, girls, and rig up the + swellest booth that money will build. I'll furnish as many flowers + as you can sell, and Charity ought to get a neat little nest-egg out + of the deal." + </p> + <p> + "That's nice of you," said Patsy, kissing him; "but + it's an imposition, all the same." + </p> + <p> + "It's a blessing, my dear. It will help a bit to ease off that + dreadful income that threatens to crush me," he rejoined, + smiling at them. And the nieces made no further protest, well + knowing the kindly old gentleman would derive untold pleasure in + carrying out his generous plans. + </p> + <p> + The flower booth, designed by a famous architect, proved a splendid + and most imposing structure. It was capped by a monster bouquet of + artificial orchids in <i>papier-maché,</i> which reached + twenty feet into the air. The three cousins had their gowns + especially designed for the occasion. Beth represented a lily, + Louise a Gold-of-Ophir rose, and Patricia a pansy. + </p> + <p> + The big ball room had been turned over to the society people several + days in advance, that the elaborate preparations might be completed + in time, and during this period groups of busy, energetic young + folks gathered by day and in the evenings, decorating, flirting, + rehearsing the fancy dances, and amusing themselves generally. + </p> + <p> + Arthur Weldon was there to assist Uncle John's nieces; but his + pleasure was somewhat marred by the persistent presence of Charlie + Mershone, who, having called once or twice upon Louise, felt at + liberty to attach himself to her party. The ferocious looks of his + rival were ignored by this designing young man and he had no + hesitation in interrupting a <i>tête-à-tête</i> + to monopolize the girl for himself. + </p> + <p> + Louise was amused, thinking it fun to worry Arthur by flirting + mildly with Mr. Mershone, for whom she cared not a jot. Both Patsy + and Beth took occasion to remonstrate with her for this folly, for + having known Weldon for a long time and journeyed with him through a + part of Europe, they naturally espoused his cause, liking him as + much as they intuitively disliked Mershone. + </p> + <p> + One evening Arthur, his patience well-nigh exhausted, talked + seriously with Louise. + </p> + <p> + "This fellow Mershone," said he, "is a bad egg, a + despicable son of a decadent family. His mother was Hedrik Von + Taer's sister, but the poor thing has been dead many years. Not long + ago Charlie was tabooed by even the rather fast set he belonged to, + and the Von Taers, especially, refused to recognize their relative. + Now he seems to go everywhere again. I don't know what has caused + the change, I'm sure." + </p> + <p> + "Why, he has reformed," declared Louise; "Diana told + me so. She said he had been a bit wild, as all young men are; but + now his behavior is irreproachable." + </p> + <p> + "I don't believe a word of it," insisted Arthur. "Mershone + is a natural cad; he's been guilty of all sorts of dirty tricks, and + is capable of many more. If you'll watch out, Louise, you'll see + that all the girls are shy of being found in his society, and all + the chaperons cluck to their fledglings the moment the hawk appears. + You're a novice in society just yet, my dear, and it won't do you + any good to encourage Charlie Mershone, whom everyone else avoids." + </p> + <p> + "He's very nice," returned Louise, lightly. + </p> + <p> + "Yes; he must be nicer than I am," admitted the young man, + glumly, and thereupon he became silent and morose and Louise found + her evening spoiled. + </p> + <p> + The warning did not fall on barren ground, however. In the seclusion + of her own room the girl thought it all over and decided she had + teased her true lover enough. Arthur had not scolded or reproached + her, despite his annoyance, and she had a feeling that his judgment + of Charlie Mershone was quite right. Although the latter was + evidently madly in love with her the girl had the discretion to see + how selfish and unrestrained was his nature, and once or twice he + had already frightened her by his impetuosity. She decided to + retreat cautiously but positively from further association with him, + and at once began to show the young man coolness. + </p> + <p> + Mershone must have been chagrined, but he did not allow Louise to + see there was any change in their relations as far as he was + concerned. He merely redoubled his attentions, sending her flowers + and bonbons daily, accompanied by ardently worded but respectful + notes. Really, Louise was in a quandary, and she frankly admitted to + Arthur that she had brought this embarrassment upon herself. Yet + Arthur could do or say little to comfort her. He longed secretly to + "punch Mershone's head," but could find no occasion for + such decided action. + </p> + <p> + Diana, during this time, treated both Arthur and Louise with marked + cordiality. Believing her time would come to take part in the comedy + she refrained from interfering prematurely with the progress of + events. She managed to meet her accomplice at frequent intervals and + was pleased that there was no necessity to urge Charlie to do his + utmost in separating the lovers. + </p> + <p> + "I'm bound to win, Di," he said grimly, "for I love + the girl even better than I do her fortune. And of one thing you may + rest assured; Weldon shall never marry her." + </p> + <p> + "What will you do?" asked Diana, curiously. + </p> + <p> + "Anything! Everything that is necessary to accomplish my + purpose." + </p> + <p> + "Be careful," said she warningly. "Keep a cool head, + Charlie, and don't do anything foolish. Still—" + </p> + <p> + "Well?" + </p> + <p> + "If it is necessary to take a few chances, do it. Arthur Weldon + must not marry Louise Merrick!" + </p> + <hr style="width: 35%;" /> + <a name="chap9" id="chap9"></a> + <h2> + CHAPTER IX + </h2> + <br /> + <p> + THE VON TAER PEARLS + </p> + <br /> + <p> + Uncle John really had more fun out of the famous Kermess than anyone + else. The preparations gave him something to do, and he enjoyed + doing—openly, as well as in secret ways. Having declared that + he would stock the flower booth at his own expense, he confided to + no one his plans. The girls may have thought he would merely leave + orders with a florist; but that was not the Merrick way of doing + things. Instead, he visited the most famous greenhouses within a + radius of many miles, contracting for all the floral blooms that art + and skill could produce. The Kermess was to be a three days' affair, + and each day the floral treasures of the cast were delivered in + reckless profusion at the flower booth, which thus became the center + of attraction and the marvel of the public. The girls were delighted + to be able to dispense such blooms, and their success as saleswomen + was assured at once. + </p> + <p> + Of course the fair vendors were ignorant of the value of their + wares, for Uncle John refused to tell them how extravagant he had + been; so they were obliged to guess at the sums to be demanded and + in consequence sold priceless orchids and rare hothouse flora at + such ridiculous rates that Mr. Merrick chuckled with amusement until + he nearly choked. + </p> + <p> + The public being "cordially invited" Uncle John was + present on that first important evening, and —wonder of + wonders—was arrayed in an immaculate full-dress suit that + fitted his chubby form like the skin of a banana. Mayor Doyle, + likewise disguised, locked arms with his brother-in-law and stalked + gravely among the throng; but neither ever got to a point in the big + room where the flower booth was not in plain sight. The Major's + pride in "our Patsy" was something superb; Uncle John was + proud of all three of his nieces. As the sale of wares was for the + benefit of charity these old fellows purchased liberally—mostly + flowers and had enough parcels sent home to fill a delivery wagon. + </p> + <p> + One disagreeable incident, only, marred this otherwise successful + evening—successful especially for the three cousins, whose + beauty and grace won the hearts of all. + </p> + <p> + Diana Von Taer was stationed in the "Hindoo Booth," and + the oriental costume she wore exactly fitted her sensuous style of + beauty. To enhance its effect she had worn around her neck the + famous string of Von Taer pearls, a collection said to be unmatched + in beauty and unequaled in value in all New York. + </p> + <p> + The "Hindoo Booth" was near enough to the "Flower + Booth" for Diana to watch the cousins, and the triumph of her + late <i>protégées</i> was very bitter for her to + endure. Especially annoying was it to find Arthur Weldon devoting + himself assiduously to Louise, who looked charming in her rose gown + and favored Arthur in a marked way, although Charlie Mershone, + refusing to be ignored, also leaned over the counter of the booth + and chatted continually, striving to draw Miss Merrick's attention + to himself. + </p> + <p> + Forced to observe all this, Diana soon lost her accustomed coolness. + The sight of the happy faces of Arthur and Louise aroused all the + rancor and subtile wit that she possessed, and she resolved upon an + act that she would not before have believed herself capable of. + Leaning down, she released the catch of the famous pearls and + unobserved concealed them in a handkerchief. Then, leaving her + booth, she sauntered slowly over to the floral display, which was + surrounded for the moment by a crowd of eager customers. Many of the + vases and pottery jars which had contained flowers now stood empty, + and just before the station of Louise Merrick the stock was sadly + depleted. This was, of course, offset by the store of money in the + little drawer beside the fair sales-lady, and Louise, having greeted + Diana with a smile and nod, turned to renew her conversation with + the young men besieging her. + </p> + <p> + Diana leaned gracefully over the counter, resting the hand + containing the handkerchief over the mouth of an empty Doulton vase—empty + save for the water which had nourished the flowers. At the same time + she caught Louise's eye and with a gesture brought the girl to her + side. + </p> + <p> + "Those young men are wealthy," she said, carelessly, her + head close to that of Louise. "Make them pay well for their + purchases, my dear." + </p> + <p> + "I can't rob them, Diana," was the laughing rejoinder. + </p> + <p> + "But it is your duty to rob, at a Kermess, and in the interests + of charity," persisted Diana, maintaining her voice at a + whisper. + </p> + <p> + Louise was annoyed. + </p> + <p> + "Thank you," she said, and went back to the group awaiting + her. + </p> + <p> + The floral booth was triangular, Beth officiated at one of the three + sides, Patsy at another, and Louise at the third. Diana now passed + softly around the booth, interchanging a word with the other two + girls, after which she returned to her own station. + </p> + <p> + Presently, while chatting with a group of acquaintances, she + suddenly clasped her throat and assuming an expression of horror + exclaimed: + </p> + <p> + "My pearls!" + </p> + <p> + "What, the Von Taer pearls?" cried one. + </p> + <p> + "The Von Taer pearls," said Diana, as if dazed by her + misfortune. + </p> + <p> + "And you've lost them, dear?" + </p> + <p> + "They're lost!" she echoed. + </p> + <p> + Well, there was excitement then, you may be sure. One man hurried to + notify the door-keeper and the private detective employed oh all + such occasions, while others hastily searched the booth —of + course in vain. Diana seemed distracted and the news spread quickly + through the assemblage. + </p> + <p> + "Have you left this booth at all?" asked a quiet voice, + that of the official whose business it was to investigate. + </p> + <p> + "I—I merely walked over to the floral booth opposite, and + exchanged a word with Miss Merrick, and the others there," she + explained. + </p> + <p> + The search was resumed, and Charlie Mershone sauntered over. + </p> + <p> + "What's this, Di? Lost the big pearls, I hear," he said. + </p> + <p> + She took him aside and whispered something to him. He nodded and + returned at once to the flower booth, around which a crowd of + searchers now gathered, much to the annoyance of Louise and her + cousins. + </p> + <p> + "It's all foolishness, you know," said Uncle John, to the + Major, confidentially. "If the girl really dropped her pearls + some one has picked them up, long ago." + </p> + <p> + Young Mershone seemed searching the floral booth as earnestly as the + others, and awkwardly knocked the Doulton vase from the shelf with + his elbow. It smashed to fragments and in the pool of water on the + floor appeared the missing pearls. + </p> + <p> + There was an awkward silence for a moment, while all eyes turned + curiously upon Louise, who served this side of the triangle. The + girl appeared turned to stone as she gazed down at the gems. + Mershone laughed disagreeably and picked up the recovered treasure, + which Diana ran forward and seized. + </p> + <p> + "H-m-m!" said the detective, with a shrug; "this is a + strange occurrence—a very strange occurrence, indeed. Miss Von + Taer, do you wish—" + </p> + <p> + "No!" exclaimed Diana, haughtily. "I accuse no one. + It is enough that an accident has restored to me the heirloom." + </p> + <p> + Stiffly she marched back to her own booth, and the crowd quietly + dispersed, leaving only Arthur, Uncle John and the Major standing to + support Louise and her astonished cousins. + </p> + <p> + "Why, confound it!" cried the little millionaire, with a + red face, "does the jade mean to insinuate—" + </p> + <p> + "Not at all, sor," interrupted the Major, sternly; "her + early education has been neglected, that's all." + </p> + <p> + "Come dear," pleaded Arthur to Louise; "let us go + home." + </p> + <p> + "By no means!" announced Beth, positively; "let us + stay where we belong. Why, we're not half sold out yet!" + </p> + <hr style="width: 35%;" /> + <a name="chap10" id="chap10"></a> + <h2> + CHAPTER X + </h2> + <br /> + <p> + MISLED + </p> + <br /> + <p> + Arthur Weldon met Mershone at a club next afternoon. "You low + scoundrel!" he exclaimed. "It was <i>your</i> trick to + accuse Miss Merrick of a theft last night." + </p> + <p> + "Was she accused?" enquired the other, blandly. "I + hadn't heard, really." + </p> + <p> + "You did it yourself!" + </p> + <p> + "Dear me!" said Mershone, deliberately lighting a + cigarette. + </p> + <p> + "You or your precious cousin—you're both alike," + declared Arthur, bitterly. "But you have given us wisdom, + Mershone. We'll see you don't trick us again." + </p> + <p> + The young man stared at him, between puffs of smoke. + </p> + <p> + "It occurs to me, Weldon, that you're becoming insolent. It + won't do, my boy. Unless you guard your tongue—" + </p> + <p> + "Bah! Resent it, if you dare; you coward." + </p> + <p> + "Coward?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes. A man who attacks an innocent girl is a coward. And + you've been a coward all your life, Mershone, for one reason or + another. No one believes in your pretended reform. But I want to + warn you to keep away from Miss Merrick, hereafter, or I'll take a + hand in your punishment myself." + </p> + <p> + For a moment the two eyed one another savagely. They were equally + matched in physique; but Arthur was right, there was no fight in + Mershone; that is, of the knock-down order. He would fight in his + own way, doubtless, and this made him more dangerous than his + antagonist supposed. + </p> + <p> + "What right have you, sir, to speak for Miss Merrick?" he + demanded. + </p> + <p> + "The best right in the world," replied Arthur. "She + is my promised wife." + </p> + <p> + "Indeed! Since when?" + </p> + <p> + "That is none of your affair, Mershone. As a matter of fact, + however, that little excitement you created last night resulted in a + perfect understanding between us." + </p> + <p> + "<i>I</i> created!" + </p> + <p> + "You, of course. Miss Merrick does not care to meet you again. + You will do well to avoid her in the future." + </p> + <p> + "I don't believe you, Weldon. You're bluffing." + </p> + <p> + "Am I? Then dare to annoy Miss Merrick again and I'll soon + convince you of my sincerity." + </p> + <p> + With this parting shot he walked away, leaving Mershone really at a + loss to know whether he was in earnest or not. To solve the question + he called a taxicab and in a few minutes gave his card to the + Merrick butler with a request to see Miss Louise. + </p> + <p> + The man returned with a message that Miss Merrick was engaged. + </p> + <p> + "Please tell her it is important," insisted Mershone. + </p> + <p> + Again the butler departed, and soon returned. + </p> + <p> + "Any message for Miss Merrick must be conveyed in writing, sir," + he said, "She declines to see you." + </p> + <p> + Mershone went away white with anger. We may credit him with loving + Louise as intensely as a man of his caliber can love anyone. His + sudden dismissal astounded him and made him frantic with + disappointment. Louise's treatment of the past few days might have + warned him, but he had no intuition of the immediate catastrophe + that had overtaken him. It wasn't his self-pride that was injured; + that had become so battered there was little of it left; but he had + set his whole heart on winning this girl and felt that he could not + give her up. + </p> + <p> + Anger toward Weldon was prominent amongst his emotion. He declared + between his set teeth that if Louise was lost to him she should + never marry Weldon. Not on Diana's account, but for his own vengeful + satisfaction was this resolve made. + </p> + <p> + He rode straight to his cousin and told her the news. The statement + that Arthur was engaged to marry Louise Merrick drove her to a wild + anger no less powerful because she restrained any appearance of it. + Surveying her cousin steadily through her veiled lashes she asked: + </p> + <p> + "Is there no way we can prevent this thing?" + </p> + <p> + Mershone stalked up and down before her like a caged beast. His eyes + were red and wicked; his lips were pressed tightly together. + </p> + <p> + "Diana," said he, "I've never wanted anything in this + world as I want that girl. I can't let that mollycoddle marry her!" + </p> + <p> + She flushed, and then frowned. It was not pleasant to hear the man + of her choice spoken of with such contempt, but after all their + disappointment and desires were alike mutual and she could not break + with Charlie at this juncture. + </p> + <p> + Suddenly he paused and asked: + </p> + <p> + "Do you still own that country home near East Orange?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes; but we never occupy it now. Father does not care for the + place." + </p> + <p> + "Is it deserted?" + </p> + <p> + "Practically so. Madame Cerise is there in charge." + </p> + <p> + "Old Cerise? I was going to ask you what had become of that + clever female." + </p> + <p> + "She was too clever, Charlie. She knew too much of our affairs, + and was always prying into things that did not concern her. So + father took an antipathy to the poor creature, and because she has + served our family for so long sent her to care for the house at East + Orange." + </p> + <p> + "Pensioned her, eh? Well, this is good news, Di; perhaps the + best news in the world. I believe it will help clear up the + situation. Old Cerise and I always understood each other." + </p> + <p> + "Will you explain?" asked Diana, coldly. + </p> + <p> + "I think not, my fair cousin. I prefer to keep my own counsel. + You made a bad mess of that little deal last night, and are + responsible for the climax that faces us. Besides, a woman is never + a good conspirator. I know what you want; and I know what I want. So + I'll work this plan alone, if you please. And I'll win, Di; I'll win + as sure as fate—if you'll help me." + </p> + <p> + "You ask me to help you and remain in the dark?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes; it's better so. Write me a note to Cerise and tell her to + place the house and herself unreservedly at my disposal." + </p> + <p> + She stared at him fixedly, and he returned the look with an evil + smile. So they sat in silence a moment. Then slowly she arose and + moved to her escritoire, drawing a sheet of paper toward her and + beginning to write. + </p> + <p> + "Is there a telephone at the place?" enquired Mershone + abruptly. + </p> + <p> + "Yes." + </p> + <p> + "Then telephone Cerise after I'm gone. That will make it doubly + sure. And give me the number, too, so I can jot it down. I may need + it." + </p> + <p> + Diana quietly tore up the note. + </p> + <p> + "The telephone is better," she said. "Being in the + dark, sir, I prefer not to commit myself in writing." + </p> + <p> + "You're quite right, Di," he exclaimed, admiringly. "But + for heaven's sake don't forget to telephone Madame Cerise." + </p> + <p> + "I won't Charlie. And, see here, keep your precious plans to + yourself, now and always. I intend to know nothing of what you do." + </p> + <p> + "I'm merely the cats-paw, eh? Well, never mind. Is old Cerise + to be depended upon, do you think?" + </p> + <p> + "Why not?" replied the girl. "Cerise belongs to the + Von Taers—body and soul!" + </p> + <hr style="width: 35%;" /> + <a name="chap11" id="chap11"></a> + <h2> + CHAPTER XI + </h2> + <br /> + <p> + THE BROWN LIMOUSINE + </p> + <br /> + <p> + The second evening of the society Kermess passed without unusual + event and proved very successful in attracting throngs of + fashionable people to participate in its pleasures. + </p> + <p> + Louise and her cousins were at their stations early, and the second + installment of Uncle John's flowers was even more splendid and + profuse than the first. It was not at all difficult to make sales, + and the little money drawer began to bulge with its generous + receipts. + </p> + <p> + Many a gracious smile or nod or word was bestowed upon Miss Merrick + by the society folk; for these people had had time to consider the + accusation against her implied by Diana Von Taer's manner when the + pearls were discovered in the empty flower vase. Being rather + impartial judges—for Diana was not a popular favorite with her + set—they decided it was absurd to suppose a niece of wealthy + old John Merrick would descend to stealing any one's jewelry. Miss + Merrick might have anything her heart desired with-out pausing to + count the cost, and moreover she was credited with sufficient common + sense to realize that the Von Taer heirlooms might easily be + recognized anywhere. So a little gossip concerning the queer + incident had turned the tide of opinion in Louise's favor, and as + she was a recent <i>debutante</i> with a charming personality all + vied to assure her she was held blameless. + </p> + <p> + A vast coterie of the select hovered about the flower booth all the + evening, and the cousins joyously realized they had scored one of + the distinct successes of the Kermess. Arthur could not get very + close to Louise this evening; but he enjoyed her popularity and from + his modest retirement was able to exchange glances with her at + intervals, and these glances assured him he was seldom absent from + her thoughts. + </p> + <p> + Aside from this, he had the pleasure of glowering ferociously upon + Charlie Mershone, who, failing to obtain recognition from Miss + Merrick, devoted himself to his cousin Diana, or at least lounged + nonchalantly in the neighborhood of the Hindoo Booth. Mershone was + very quiet. There was a speculative look upon his features that + denoted an undercurrent of thought. + </p> + <p> + Diana's face was as expressionless as ever. She well knew her action + of the previous evening had severed the cordial relations formerly + existing between her and Mr. Merrick's nieces, and determined to + avoid the possibility of a snub by keeping aloof from them. She + greeted whoever approached her station in her usual gracious and + cultured manner, and refrained from even glancing toward Louise. + </p> + <p> + Hedrik Von Taer appeared for an hour this evening. He quietly + expressed his satisfaction at the complete arrangements of the + Kermess, chatted a moment with his daughter, and then innocently + marched over to the flower booth and made a liberal purchase from + each of the three girls. Evidently the old gentleman had no inkling + of the incident of the previous evening, or that Diana was not still + on good terms with the young ladies she had personally introduced to + society. His action amused many who noted it, and Louise blushing + but thoroughly self-possessed, exchanged her greetings with Diana's + father and thanked him heartily for his purchase. Mr. Von Taer + stared stonily at Charlie Mershone, but did not speak to him. + </p> + <p> + Going out he met John Merrick, and the two men engaged in + conversation most cordially. + </p> + <p> + "You did the trick all right, Von Taer," said the little + millionaire, "and I'm much obliged, as you may suppose. You're + not ashamed of my three nieces, I take it?" + </p> + <p> + "Your nieces, Mr. Merrick, are very charming young women," + was the dignified reply. "They will grace any station in life + to which they may be called." + </p> + <p> + When the evening's entertainment came to an end Arthur Weldon took + Louise home in his new brown limousine, leaving Patsy and her + father, Uncle John and Beth to comfortably fill the Doyle motor car. + Now that the engagement of the young people had been announced and + accepted by their friends, it seemed very natural for them to prefer + their own society. + </p> + <p> + "What do you think of it, Uncle John, anyhow?" asked + Patsy, as they rode home. + </p> + <p> + "It's all right, dear," he announced, with a sigh. "I + hate to see my girls take the matrimonial dive, but I guess they've + got to come to it, sooner or later." + </p> + <p> + "Later, for me," laughed Patsy. + </p> + <p> + "As for young Weldon," continued Mr. Merrick, + reflectively, "he has some mighty good points, as I found out + long ago. Also he has some points that need filing down. But I guess + he'll average up with most young men, and Louise seems to like him. + So let's try to encourage 'em to be happy; eh, my dears?" + </p> + <p> + "Louise," said Beth, slowly, "is no more perfect than + Arthur. They both have faults which time may eradicate, and as at + present they are not disposed to be hypercritical they ought to get + along nicely together." + </p> + <p> + "If 't was me," said the Major, oracularly, "I'd + never marry Weldon." + </p> + <p> + "He won't propose to you, Daddy dear," returned Patsy, + mischievously; "he prefers Louise." + </p> + <p> + "I decided long ago," said Uncle John, "that" + </p> + <p> + I'd never be allowed to pick out the husbands for my three girls. + Husbands are a matter of taste, I guess, and a girl ought to know + what sort she wants. If she don't, and makes a mistake, that's <i>her</i> + look-out. So you can all choose for yourselves, when the time comes, + and I'll stand by you, my dears, through thick and thin. If the + husband won't play fair, you can always bet your Uncle John will." + </p> + <p> + "Oh, we know, that," said Patsy, simply; and Beth added: + "Of course, Uncle, dear." + </p> + <p> + Thursday evening, the third and last of the series, was after all + the banner night of the great Kermess. All the world of society was + present and such wares as remained unsold in the booths were quickly + auctioned off by several fashionable gentlemen with a talent for + such brigandage. Then, the national dances and songs having been + given and received enthusiastically, a grand ball wound up the + occasion in the merriest possible way. + </p> + <p> + Charlie Mershone was much in evidence this evening, as he had been + before; but he took no active part in the proceedings and refrained + from dancing, his pet amusement. Diana observed that he made + frequent trips downstairs, perhaps to the hotel offices. No one paid + any attention to his movements, except his cousin, and Miss Von + Taer, watching him intently, decided that underneath his calm + exterior lurked a great deal of suppressed excitement. + </p> + <p> + At last the crowd began to disperse. Uncle John and the Major took + Beth and Patsy away early, as soon as their booth was closed; but + Louise stayed for a final waltz or two with Arthur. She soon found, + however, that the evening's work and excitement had tired her, and + asked to be taken home. + </p> + <p> + "I'll go and get the limousine around," said Arthur. + "That new chauffeur is a stupid fellow. By the time you've + managed in this jam to get your wraps I shall be ready. Come down in + the elevator and I'll meet you at the Thirty-second street entrance." + </p> + <p> + As he reached the street a man—an ordinary servant, to judge + from his appearance—ran into him full tilt, and when they + recoiled from the impact the fellow with a muttered curse raised his + fist and struck young Weldon a powerful blow. Reeling backward, a + natural anger seized Arthur, who was inclined to be hot-headed, and + he also struck out with his fists, never pausing to consider that + the more dignified act would be to call the police. + </p> + <p> + The little spurt of fistcuffs was brief, but it gave Mershone, who + stood in the shadow of the door-way near by, time to whisper to a + police officer, who promptly seized the disputants and held them + both in a firm grip. + </p> + <p> + "What's all this?" he demanded, sternly. + </p> + <p> + "That drunken loafer assaulted me without cause" gasped + Arthur, panting. + </p> + <p> + "It's a lie!" retorted the man, calmly; "he struck me + first." + </p> + <p> + "Well, I arrest you both," said the officer. + </p> + <p> + "Arrest!" cried Arthur, indignantly; "why, confound + it, man, I'm—" + </p> + <p> + "No talk!" was the stern command. "Come along and + keep quiet." + </p> + <p> + As if the whole affair had been premeditated and prearranged a + patrol wagon at that instant backed to the curb and in spite of + Arthur Weldon's loud protests he was thrust inside with his + assailant and at once driven away at a rapid gait. + </p> + <p> + At the same moment a brown limousine drew up quietly before the + entrance. + </p> + <p> + Louise, appearing in the doorway in her opera cloak, stood + hesitating on the steps, peering into the street for Arthur. A man + in livery approached her. + </p> + <p> + "This way, please, Miss Merrick," he said. "Mr. + Weldon begs you to be seated in the limousine. He will join you in a + moment." + </p> + <p> + With this he led the way to the car and held the door open, while + the girl, having no suspicion, entered and sank back wearily upon + the seat. Then the door abruptly slammed, and the man in livery + leaped to the seat beside the chauffeur and with a jerk the car + darted away. + </p> + <p> + So sudden and astounding was this <i>denouement</i> that Louise did + not even scream. Indeed, for the moment her wits were dazed. + </p> + <p> + And now Charlie Mershone stepped from his hiding place and with a + satirical smile entered the vestibule and looked at his watch. He + found he had time to show himself again at the Kermess, for a few + moments, before driving to the ferry to catch the train for East + Orange. + </p> + <p> + Some one touched him on the arm. + </p> + <p> + "Very pretty, sir, and quite cleverly done," remarked a + quiet voice. + </p> + <p> + Mershone started and glared at the speaker, a slender, unassuming + man in dark clothes. + </p> + <p> + "What do you mean, fellow?" + </p> + <p> + "I've been watching the comedy, sir, and I saw you were the + star actor, although you took care to keep hidden in the wings. That + bruiser who raised the row took his arrest very easily; I suppose + you've arranged to pay his fine, and he isn't worried. But the + gentleman surely was in hard luck pounded one minute and pinched the + next. You arranged it very cleverly, indeed." + </p> + <p> + Charlie was relieved that no mention was made of the abduction of + Louise. Had that incident escaped notice? He gave the man another + sharp look and turned away; but the gentle touch again restrained + him. + </p> + <p> + "Not yet, please, Mr. Mershone." + </p> + <p> + "Who are you?" asked the other, scowling. + </p> + <p> + "The house detective. It's my business to watch things. So I + noticed you talking to the police officer; I also noticed the patrol + wagon standing on the opposite side of the street for nearly an hour—my + report on that will amuse them at headquarters, won't it? And I + noticed you nod to the bruiser, just as your victim came out." + </p> + <p> + "Let go of my arm, sir!" + </p> + <p> + "Do you prefer handcuffs? I arrest you. We'll run over to the + station and explain things." + </p> + <p> + "Do you know who I am?" + </p> + <p> + "Perfectly, Mr. Mershone. I believe I ran you in for less than + this, some two years ago. You gave the name of Ryder, then. Better + take another, to-night." + </p> + <p> + "If you're the house detective, why do you mix up in this + affair?" enquired Mershone, his anxiety showing in his tone. + </p> + <p> + "Your victim was a guest of the house." + </p> + <p> + "Not at all. He was merely attending the Kermess." + </p> + <p> + "That makes him our guest, sir. Are you ready?" + </p> + <p> + Mershone glanced around and then lowered his voice. + </p> + <p> + "It's all a little joke, my dear fellow," said he, "and + you are liable to spoil everything with your bungling. Here," + drawing; a roll of bills from his pocket, "don't let us waste + any more time. I'm busy." + </p> + <p> + The man chuckled and waved aside the bribe. + </p> + <p> + "You certainly are, sir; you're <i>very</i> busy, just now! But + I think the sergeant over at the station will give you some leisure. + And listen, Mr. Mershone: I've got it in for that policeman you + fixed; he's a cheeky individual and a new man. I'm inclined to think + this night's work will cost him his position. And the patrol, which + I never can get when I want it, seems under your direct management. + These things have got to be explained, and I need your help. Ready, + sir?" + </p> + <p> + Mershone looked grave, but he was not wholly checkmated. Thank + heaven the bungling detective had missed the departure of Louise + altogether. Charlie's arrest at this critical juncture was most + unfortunate, but need not prove disastrous to his cleverly-laid + plot. He decided it would be best to go quietly with the "plain-clothes + man." + </p> + <p> + Weldon had become nearly frantic in his demands to be released when + Mershone was ushered into the station. He started at seeing his + enemy and began to fear a thousand terrible, indefinite things, + knowing how unscrupulous Mershone was. But the Waldorf detective, + who seemed friendly with the police sergeant, made a clear, brief + statement of the facts he had observed. Mershone denied the + accusation; the bruiser denied it; the policeman and the driver of + the patrol wagon likewise stolidly denied it. Indeed, they had quite + another story to tell. + </p> + <p> + But the sergeant acted on his own judgment. He locked up Mershone, + refusing bail. He suspended the policeman and the driver, pending + investigation. Then he released Arthur Weldon on his own + recognisance, the young man promising to call and testify when + required. + </p> + <p> + The house detective and Arthur started back to the Waldorf together. + </p> + <p> + "Did you notice a young lady come to the entrance, soon after I + was driven away?" he asked, anxiously. + </p> + <p> + "A lady in a rose-colored opera cloak, sir?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes! yes!" + </p> + <p> + "Why, she got into a brown limousine and rode away." + </p> + <p> + Arthur gave a sigh of relief. + </p> + <p> + "Thank goodness that chauffeur had a grain of sense," said + he. "I wouldn't have given him credit for it. Anyway, I'm glad + Miss Merrick is safe." + </p> + <p> + "Huh!" grunted the detective, stopping short. "I + begin to see this thing in its true light. How stupid we've been!" + </p> + <p> + "In what way?" enquired Arthur, uneasily. + </p> + <p> + "Why did Mershone get you arrested, just at that moment?" + </p> + <p> + "Because he hated me, I suppose." + </p> + <p> + "Tell me, could he have any object in spiriting away that young + lady—in abducting her?" asked the detective. + </p> + <p> + "Could he?" cried Arthur, terrified and trembling. "He + had every object known to villainy. Come to the hotel! Let's hurry, + man—let's fly!" + </p> + <hr style="width: 35%;" /> + <a name="chap12" id="chap12"></a> + <h2> + CHAPTER XII + </h2> + <br /> + <p> + FOGERTY + </p> + <br /> + <p> + At the Waldorf Arthur's own limousine was standing by the curb. The + street was nearly deserted. The last of the Kermess people had gone + home. + </p> + <p> + Weldon ran to his chauffeur. + </p> + <p> + "Did you take Miss Merrick home?" he eagerly enquired. + </p> + <p> + "Miss Merrick? Why, I haven't seen her, sir, I thought you'd + all forgotten me." + </p> + <p> + The young man's heart sank. Despair seized him. The detective was + carefully examining the car. + </p> + <p> + "They're pretty nearly mates, Mr. Weldon. as far as the brown + color and general appearances go," he said. "But I'm + almost positive the car that carried the young lady away was of + another make." + </p> + <p> + "What make was it?" + </p> + <p> + The man shook his head. + </p> + <p> + "Can't say, sir. I was mighty stupid, and that's a fact. But my + mind was so full of that assault and battery case, and the trickery + of that fellow Mershone, that I wasn't looking for anything else." + </p> + <p> + "Can you get away?" asked Arthur. "Can you help me on + this case?" + </p> + <p> + "No, sir; I must remain on duty at the hotel. But perhaps the + young lady is now safe at home, and we've been borrowing trouble. In + case she's been stolen, however, you'd better see Fogerty." + </p> + <p> + "Who's Fogerty?" + </p> + <p> + "Here's his card, sir. He's a private detective, and may be + busy just now, for all I know. But if you can get Fogerty you've got + the best man in all New York." + </p> + <p> + Arthur sprang into the seat beside his driver and hurried post-haste + to the Merrick residence. In a few minutes Mrs. Merrick was in + violent hysterics at the disappearance of her daughter. Arthur + stopped long enough to telephone for a doctor and then drove to the + Doyles. He routed up Uncle John and the Major, who appeared in + pajamas and bath-robes, and told them the startling news. + </p> + <p> + A council of war was straightway held. Uncle John trembled with + nervousness; Arthur was mentally stupefied; the Major alone was + calm. + </p> + <p> + "In the first place," said he, "what object could the + man have in carrying off Louise?" + </p> + <p> + Arthur hesitated. + </p> + <p> + "To prevent our marriage, I suppose," he answered. "Mershone + has an idea he loves Louise. He made wild love to her until she cut + his acquaintance." + </p> + <p> + "But it won't help him any to separate her from her friends, or + her promised husband," declared the Major. "Don't worry. + We're sure to find her, sooner or later." + </p> + <p> + "How? How shall we find her?" cried Uncle John. "Will + he murder her, or what?" + </p> + <p> + "Why, as for that, John, he's safe locked up in jail for the + present, and unable to murder anyone," retorted the Major. + "It's probable he meant to follow Louise, and induce her by + fair means or foul to marry him. But he's harmless enough for the + time being." + </p> + <p> + "It's not for long, though," said Arthur, fearfully. + "They're liable to let him out in the morning, for he has + powerful friends, scoundrel though he is. And when he is free—" + </p> + <p> + "Then he must be shadowed, of course," returned the Major, + nodding wisely. "If it's true the fellow loves Louise, then + he's no intention of hurting her. So make your minds easy. Wherever + the poor lass has been taken to, she's probably safe enough." + </p> + <p> + "But think of her terror—her suffering!" cried Uncle + John, wringing his chubby hands. "Poor child! It may be his + idea to compromise her, and break her heart!" + </p> + <p> + "We'll stop all that, John, never fear," promised the + Major. "The first thing to do is to find a good detective." + </p> + <p> + "Fogerty!" exclaimed Arthur, searching for the card. + </p> + <p> + "Who's Fogerty?" + </p> + <p> + "I don't know." + </p> + <p> + "Get the best man possible!" commanded Mr. Merrick. "Spare + no expense; hire a regiment of detectives, if necessary; I'll—" + </p> + <p> + "Of course you will," interrupted the Major, smiling. + "But we won't need a regiment. I'm pretty sure the game is in + our hands, from the very start." + </p> + <p> + "Fogerty is highly recommended," explained Arthur, and + related what the house detective of the Waldorf had said. + </p> + <p> + "Better go at once and hunt him up," suggested Uncle John. + "What time is it?" + </p> + <p> + "After two o'clock. But I'll go at once." "Do; and + let us hear from you whenever you've anything to tell us," said + the Major. + </p> + <p> + "Where's Patsy?" asked Arthur. + </p> + <p> + "Sound asleep. Mind ye, not a word of this to Patsy till she <i>has</i> + to be told. Remember that, John." + </p> + <p> + "Well, I'll go," said the young man, and hurried away. + </p> + <p> + Q. Fogerty lived on Eleventh street, according to his card. Arthur + drove down town, making good time. The chauffeur asked surlily if + this was to be "an all-night job," and Arthur savagely + replied that it might take a week. "Can't you see, Jones, that + I'm in great trouble?" he added. "But you shall be well + paid for your extra time." + </p> + <p> + "All right, sir. That's no more than just," said the man. + "It's none of my affair, you know, if a young lady gets stolen." + </p> + <p> + Arthur was wise enough to restrain his temper and the temptation to + kick Jones out of the limousine. Five minutes later they paused + before a block of ancient brick dwellings and found Fogerty's + number. A card over the bell bore his name, and Arthur lit a match + and read it. Then he rang impatiently. + </p> + <p> + Only silence. + </p> + <p> + Arthur rang a second time; waited, and rang again. A panic of fear + took possession of him. At this hour of night it would be well-nigh + impossible to hunt up another detective if Fogerty failed him. He + determined to persist as long as there was hope. Again he rang. + </p> + <p> + "Look above, sir," called Jones from his station in the + car. + </p> + <p> + Arthur stepped back on the stone landing and looked up. A round + spark, as from a cigarette, was visible at the open window. While he + gazed the spark glowered brighter and illumined a pale, haggard + boy's face, surmounted by tousled locks of brick colored hair. + </p> + <p> + "Hi, there!" said Arthur. "Does Mr. Fogerty live + here?" + </p> + <p> + "He pays the rent," answered a boyish voice, with a tinge + of irony. "What's wanted?" + </p> + <p> + "Mr. Fogerty is wanted. Is he at home?" + </p> + <p> + "He is," responded the boy. + </p> + <p> + "I must see him at once—on important business. Wake him + up, my lad; will you?" + </p> + <p> + "Wait a minute," said the youth, and left the window. + Presently he opened the front door, slipped gently out and closed + the door behind him. + </p> + <p> + "Let's sit in your car," he said, in soft, quiet tones. + "We can talk more freely there." + </p> + <p> + "But I must see Fogerty at once!" protested Arthur. + </p> + <p> + "I'm Fogerty." + </p> + <p> + "Q. Fogerty?" + </p> + <p> + "Quintus Fogerty—the first and last and only individual + of that name." + </p> + <p> + Arthur hesitated; he was terribly disappointed. + </p> + <p> + "Are you a detective?" he enquired. + </p> + <p> + "By profession." + </p> + <p> + "But you can't be very old." + </p> + <p> + The boy laughed. + </p> + <p> + "I'm no antiquity, sir," said he, "but I've shed the + knickerbockers long ago. Who sent you to me?" + </p> + <p> + "Why do you ask?" + </p> + <p> + "I'm tired. I've been busy twenty-three weeks. Just finished my + case yesterday and need a rest—a good long rest. But if you + want a man I'll refer you to a friend." + </p> + <p> + "Gorman, of the Waldorf, sent me to you—and said you'd + help me." + </p> + <p> + "Oh; that's different. Case urgent, sir?" + </p> + <p> + "Very. The young lady I'm engaged to marry was abducted less + than three hours ago." + </p> + <p> + Fogerty lighted another cigarette and the match showed Arthur that + the young face was deeply lined, while two cold gray eyes stared + blankly into his own. + </p> + <p> + "Let's sit in your limousine, sir," he repeated. + </p> + <p> + When they had taken their places behind the closed doors the boy + asked Arthur to tell him "all about it, and don't forget any + details, please." So Weldon hastily told the events of the + evening and gave a history of Mershone and his relations with Miss + Merrick. The story was not half told when Fogerty said: + </p> + <p> + "Tell your man to drive to the police station." + </p> + <p> + On the way Arthur resumed his rapid recital and strove to post the + young detective as well as he was able. Fogerty made no remarks, nor + did he ask a single question until Weldon had told him everything he + could think of. Then he made a few pointed enquiries and presently + they had arrived at the station. + </p> + <p> + The desk sergeant bowed with great respect to the youthful + detective. By the dim light Arthur was now able to examine Fogerty + for the first time. + </p> + <p> + He was small, slim and lean. His face attested to but eighteen or + nineteen years, in spite of its deep lines and serious expression. + Although his hair was tangled and unkempt Fogerty's clothing and + linen were neat and of good quality. He wore a Scotch cap and a + horseshoe pin in his cravat. + </p> + <p> + One might have imagined him to be an errand boy, a clerk, a + chauffeur, a salesman or a house man. You might have placed him in + almost any middle-class walk in life. Perhaps, thought Arthur, he + might even be a good detective! yet his personality scarcely + indicated it. + </p> + <p> + "Mershone in, Billy?" the detective asked the desk + sergeant. + </p> + <p> + "Room 24. Want him?" + </p> + <p> + "Not now. When is he likely to go?" + </p> + <p> + "When Parker relieves me. There's been a reg'lar mob here to + get Mershone off. I couldn't prevent his using the telephone; but + I'm a stubborn duck; eh, Quintus? And now the gentleman has gone to + bed, vowing vengeance." + </p> + <p> + "You're all right, Billy. We both know Mershone. Gentleman + scoundrel." + </p> + <p> + "Exactly. Swell society blackleg." + </p> + <p> + "What name's he docked under?" + </p> + <p> + "Smith." + </p> + <p> + "Will Parker let him off with a fine?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes, or without it. Parker comes on at six." + </p> + <p> + "Good. I'll take a nap on that bench. Got to keep the fellow in + sight, Billy." + </p> + <p> + "Go into my room. There's a cot there." + </p> + <p> + "Thanks, old man; I will. I'm dead tired." + </p> + <p> + Then Fogerty took Arthur aside. + </p> + <p> + "Go home and try to sleep," he advised. "Don't worry. + The young lady's safe enough till Mershone goes to her hiding place. + When he does, I'll be there, too, and I'll try to have you with me." + </p> + <p> + "Do you think you can arrange it alone, Mr. Fogerty?" + asked Arthur, doubtfully. The boy seemed so very young. + </p> + <p> + "Better than if I had a hundred to assist me. Why, this is an + easy job, Mr. Weldon. It 'll give me a fine chance to rest up." + </p> + <p> + "And you won't lose Mershone?" + </p> + <p> + "Never. He's mine." + </p> + <p> + "This is very important to me, sir," continued Arthur, + nervously. + </p> + <p> + "Yes; and to others. Most of all it's important to Fogerty. + Don't worry, sir." + </p> + <p> + The young man was forced to go away with this assurance. He returned + home, but not to sleep. He wondered vaguely if he had been wise to + lean upon so frail a reed as Fogerty seemed to be; and above all he + wondered where poor Louise was, and if terror and alarm were + breaking her heart. + </p> + <hr style="width: 35%;" /> + <a name="chap13" id="chap13"></a> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIII + </h2> + <br /> + <p> + DIANA REVOLTS + </p> + <br /> + <p> + Charlie Mershone had no difficulty in securing his release when + Parker came on duty at six o'clock. He called up a cab and went at + once to his rooms at the Bruxtelle; and Fogerty followed him. + </p> + <p> + While he discarded his dress-coat, took a bath and donned his + walking suit Mershone was in a brown study. Hours ago Louise had + been safely landed at the East Orange house and placed in the care + of old Madame Cerise, who would guard her like an ogre. There was no + immediate need of his hastening after her, and his arrest and the + discovery of half his plot had seriously disturbed him. This young + man was no novice in intrigue, nor even in crime. Arguing from his + own stand-point he realized that the friends of Louise were by this + time using every endeavor to locate her. They would not succeed in + this, he was positive. His plot had been so audacious and all clews + so cleverly destroyed or covered up that the most skillful + detective, knowing he had abducted the girl; would be completely + baffled in an attempt to find her. + </p> + <p> + The thought of detectives, in this connection, led him to decide + that he was likely to be shadowed. That was the most natural thing + for his opponents to do. They could not prove Mershone's complicity + in the disappearance of Louise Merrick, but they might easily + suspect him, after that little affair of Weldon's arrest. Therefore + if he went to the girl now he was likely to lead others to her. + Better be cautious and wait until he had thrown the sleuths off his + track. + </p> + <p> + Having considered this matter thoroughly, Mershone decided to remain + quiet. By eight o'clock he was breakfasting in the grill room, and + Fogerty occupied a table just behind him. + </p> + <p> + During the meal it occurred to Charlie to telephone to Madame Cerise + for assurance that Louise had arrived safely and without a scene to + attract the attention of strangers. Having finished breakfast he + walked into the telephone booth and was about to call his number + when a thought struck him. He glanced out of the glass door. In the + hotel lobby were many loungers. He saw a dozen pairs of eyes fixed + upon him idly or curiously; one pair might belong to the suspected + detective. If he used the telephone there would be a way of + discovering the number he had asked for. That would not do—not + at all! He concluded not to telephone, at present, and left the + booth. + </p> + <p> + His next act was to purchase a morning paper, and seating himself + carelessly in a chair he controlled the impulse to search for a + "scare head" on the abduction of Miss Merrick. If he came + across the item, very well; he would satisfy no critical eye that + might be scanning him by hunting for it with a show of eagerness. + The game was in his hands, he believed, and he intended to keep it + there. + </p> + <p> + Fogerty was annoyed by the man's evident caution. It would not be + easy to surprise Mershone in any self-incriminating action. But, + after all, reflected the boy, resting comfortably in the soft-padded + cushions of a big leather chair, all this really made the case the + more interesting. He was rather glad Mershone was in no hurry to + precipitate a climax. A long stern chase was never a bad chase. + </p> + <p> + By and bye another idea occurred to Charlie. He would call upon his + cousin Diana, and get her to telephone Madame Cerise for information + about Louise. It would do no harm to enlighten Diana as to what he + had done. She must suspect it already; and was she not a + co-conspirator? + </p> + <p> + But he could not wisely make this call until the afternoon. So + meantime he took a stroll into Broadway and walked leisurely up and + down that thoroughfare, pausing occasionally to make a trifling + purchase and turning abruptly again and again in the attempt to + discover who might be following him. No one liable to be a detective + of any sort could he discern; yet he was too shrewd to be lulled + into a false belief that his each and every act was unobserved. + </p> + <p> + Mershone returned to his hotel, went to his room, and slept until + after one o'clock, as he had secured but little rest the night + before in his primitive quarters at the police station. It was + nearly two when he reappeared in the hotel restaurant for luncheon, + and he took his seat and ate with excellent appetite. + </p> + <p> + During this meal Mr. Fogerty also took occasion to refresh himself, + eating modestly at a retired table in a corner. Mershone's sharp + eyes noted him. He remembered seeing this youth at breakfast, and + thoughtfully reflected that the boy's appearance was not such as + might be expected from the guest of a fashionable and high-priced + hotel. Silently he marked this individual as the possible detective. + He had two or three others in his mind, by this time; the boy was + merely added to the list of possibilities. + </p> + <p> + Mershone was a capital actor. After luncheon he sauntered about the + hotel, stared from the window for a time, looked at his watch once + or twice with an undecided air, and finally stepped to the porter + and asked him to call a cab. He started for Central Park; then + changed his mind and ordered the man to drive him to the Von Taer + residence, where on arrival Diana at once ordered him shown into her + private parlor. + </p> + <p> + The young man found his cousin stalking up and down in an extremely + nervous manner. She wrung her delicate fingers with a swift, + spasmodic motion. Her eyes, nearly closed, shot red rays through + their slits. + </p> + <p> + "What's wrong, Di?" demanded Mershone, considerably + surprised by this intense display of emotion on the part of his + usually self-suppressed and collected cousin. + </p> + <p> + "Wrong!" she echoed; "everything is wrong. You've + ruined yourself, Charlie; and you're going to draw me into this + dreadful crime, also, in spite of all I can do!" + </p> + <p> + "Bah! don't be a fool," he observed, calmly taking a + chair. + </p> + <p> + "Am <i>I</i> the fool?" she exclaimed, turning upon him + fiercely. "Did <i>I</i> calmly perpetrate a deed that was sure + to result in disgrace and defeat?" + </p> + <p> + "What on earth has happened to upset you?" he asked, + wonderingly. "It strikes me everything is progressing + beautifully." + </p> + <p> + "Does it, indeed?" was her sarcastic rejoinder. "Then + your information is better than mine. They called me up at three + o'clock this morning to enquire after Louise Merrick—as if <i>I</i> + should know her whereabouts. Why did they come to <i>me</i> for such + information? Why?" she stamped her foot for emphasis. + </p> + <p> + "I suppose," said Charlie Mershone, "they called up + everyone who knows the girl. It would be natural in case of her + disappearance." + </p> + <p> + "Come here!" cried Diana, seizing his arm and dragging him + to a window. "Be careful; try to look out without showing + yourself. Do you see that man on the corner?" + </p> + <p> + "Well?" + </p> + <p> + "He has been patrolling this house since day-break. He's a + detective!" + </p> + <p> + Charlie whistled. + </p> + <p> + "What makes you think so, Di? Why on earth should they suspect + you?" + </p> + <p> + "Why? Because my disreputable cousin planned the abduction, + without consulting me, and—" + </p> + <p> + "Oh, come, Di; that's a little too—" + </p> + <p> + "Because the girl has been carried to the Von Taer house—<i>my</i> + house—in East Orange; because my own servant is at this moment + her jailor, and—" + </p> + <p> + "How should they know all this?" interrupted Mershone, + impatiently. "And how do you happen to know it yourself, Diana?" + </p> + <p> + "Madame Cerise called me up at five o'clock, just after + Louise's uncle had been here for the second time, with a crew of + officers. Cerise is in an ugly mood. She said a young girl had been + brought to her a prisoner, and Mr. Mershone's orders were to keep + her safely until he came. She is greatly provoked at our using her + in this way, but promised to follow instructions if I accepted all + responsibility." + </p> + <p> + "What did you tell her?" + </p> + <p> + "That I knew nothing of the affair, but had put the house and + her services at your disposal. I said I would accept no + responsibility whatever for anything you might do." + </p> + <p> + Mershone looked grave, and scowled. + </p> + <p> + "The old hag won't betray us, will she?" he asked, + uneasily. + </p> + <p> + "She cannot betray me, for I have done nothing. Charlie," + she said, suddenly facing him, "I won't be mixed in this horrid + affair. You must carry out your infamous plan in your own way. I + know nothing, sir, of what you have done; I know nothing of what you + intend to do. Do you understand me?" + </p> + <p> + He smiled rather grimly. + </p> + <p> + "I hardly expected, my fair cousin, that you would be + frightened into retreat at this stage of the game, when the cards + are all in our hands. Do you suppose I decided to carry away Louise + without fully considering what I was doing, and the immediate + consequences of my act? And wherein have I failed? All has gone + beautifully up to this minute. Diana, your fears are absolutely + foolish, and against your personal interests. All that I am doing + for myself benefits you doubly. Just consider, if you will, what has + been accomplished for our mutual benefit: The girl has disappeared + under suspicious circumstances; before she again rejoins her family + and friends she will either be my wife or Arthur Weldon will prefer + not to marry her. That leaves him open to appreciate the charms of + Diana Von Taer, does it not? Already, my dear cousin, your wishes + are accomplished. My own task, I admit, is a harder one, because it + is more delicate." + </p> + <p> + The cold-blooded brutality of this argument caused even Diana to + shudder. She looked at the young man half fearfully as she asked: + </p> + <p> + "What is your task?" + </p> + <p> + "Why, first to quiet Louise's fears; then to turn her by + specious arguments—lies, if you will —against Weldon; + next to induce her to give me her hand in honest wedlock. I shall + tell her of my love, which is sincere; I shall argue—threaten, + if necessary; use every reasonable means to gain her consent." + </p> + <p> + "You'll never succeed!" cried Diana, with conviction. + </p> + <p> + "Then I'll try other tactics," said he blandly. + </p> + <p> + "If you do, you monster, I'll expose you," warned the + girl. + </p> + <p> + "Having dissolved partnership, you won't be taken into my + confidence, my fair cousin. You have promised to know nothing of my + acts, and I'll see you don't." Then he sprang from his chair + and came to her with a hard, determined look upon his face. "Look + here, Di; I've gone too far in this game to back out now, I'm going + to carry it through if it costs me my life and liberty—and + yours into the bargain! I love Louise Merrick! I love her so well + that without her the world and its mockeries can go to the devil! + There's nothing worth living for but Louise—Louise. She's + going to be my wife, Diana—by fair means or foul I swear to + make her my wife." + </p> + <p> + He had worked himself up to a pitch of excitement surpassing that of + Diana. Now he passed his hand over his forehead, collected himself + with a slight shudder, and resumed his seat. + </p> + <p> + Diana was astonished. His fierce mood served to subdue her own. + Regarding him curiously for a time she finally asked: + </p> + <p> + "You speak as if you were to be allowed to have your own way—as + if all society was not arrayed against you. Have you counted the + cost of your action? Have you considered the consequences of this + crime?" + </p> + <p> + "I have committed no crime," he said stubbornly. "All's + fair in love and war." + </p> + <p> + "The courts will refuse to consider that argument, I imagine," + she retorted. "Moreover, the friends of this kidnaped girl are + powerful and active. They will show you no mercy if you are + discovered." + </p> + <p> + "If I fail," answered Mershone, slowly, "I do not + care a continental what they do to me, for my life will be a blank + without Louise. But I really see no reason to despair, despite your + womanish croakings. All seems to be going nicely and just as I had + anticipated." + </p> + <p> + "I am glad that you are satisfied," Diana returned, with + scornful emphasis. "But understand me, sir; this is none of my + affair in any way— except that I shall surely expose you if a + hair of the girl's head is injured. You must not come here again. I + shall refuse to see you. You ought not to have come to-day." + </p> + <p> + "Is there anything suspicious in my calling upon my cousin—as + usual?" + </p> + <p> + "Under such circumstances, yes. You have not been received at + this house of late years, and my father still despises you. There is + another danger you have brought upon me. My father seemed suspicious + this morning, and asked me quite pointedly what I knew of this + strange affair." + </p> + <p> + "But of course you lied to him. All right, Diana; perhaps there + is nothing to be gained from your alliance, and I'll let you out of + the deal from this moment. The battle's mine, after all, and I'll + fight it alone. But—I need more money. You ought to be willing + to pay, for so far the developments are all in your favor." + </p> + <p> + She brought a handful of notes from her desk. + </p> + <p> + "This ends our partnership, Charlie," she said. + </p> + <p> + "Very well. A woman makes a poor conspirator, but is invaluable + as a banker." + </p> + <p> + "There will be no more money. This ends everything between us." + </p> + <p> + "I thought you were game, Di. But you're as weak as the + ordinary feminine creation." + </p> + <p> + She did not answer, but stood motionless, a defiant expression upon + her face. He laughed a little, bowed mockingly, and went away. + </p> + <hr style="width: 35%;" /> + <a name="chap14" id="chap14"></a> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIV + </h2> + <br /> + <p> + A COOL ENCOUNTER + </p> + <p> + On leaving the house Mershone buttoned his overcoat tightly up to + his chin, for the weather was cold and raw, and then shot a quick + glance around him. Diana's suspect was still lounging on the corner. + Charlie had little doubt he was watching the house and the movements + of its in-mates —a bad sign, he reflected, with a frown. + Otherwise the street seemed deserted. + </p> + <p> + He had dismissed the cab on his arrival, so now he stepped out and + walked briskly around the corner, swinging his cane jauntily and + looking very unlike a fugitive. In the next block he passed a youth + who stood earnestly examining the conventional display in a + druggist's window. + </p> + <p> + Mershone, observing this individual, gave a start, but did not alter + his pace. It was the same pale, red-haired boy he had noticed twice + before at the hotel. In his alert, calculating mind there was no + coincidence in this meeting. Before he had taken six more steps + Mershone realized the exact situation. + </p> + <p> + At the next crossing he stopped and waited patiently for a car. Up + the street he still saw the youth profoundly interested in drugs—a + class of merchandise that seldom calls for such close inspection. + The car arrived and carried Mershone away. It also left the + red-haired youth at his post before the window. Yet on arriving at + the Bruxtelle some twenty minutes later Charlie found this same + queer personage occupying a hotel chair in the lobby and apparently + reading a newspaper with serious attention. + </p> + <p> + He hesitated a moment, then quietly walked over to a vacant chair + beside the red-haired one and sat down. The youth turned the paper, + glanced casually at his neighbor, and continued reading. + </p> + <p> + "A detective, I believe," said Mershone, in a low, matter + of fact tone. + </p> + <p> + "Who? me?" asked Fogerty, lowering the paper. + </p> + <p> + "Yes. Your age deceived me for a time. I imagined you were a + newsboy or a sporting kid from the country; but now I observe you + are older than you appear. All sorts of people seem to drift into + the detective business. I suppose your present occupation is + shadowing me." + </p> + <p> + Fogerty smiled. The smile was genuine. + </p> + <p> + "I might even be a lawyer, sir," he replied, "and in + that case I should undertake to cross-examine you, and ask your + reasons for so queer a charge." + </p> + <p> + "Or you might be a transient guest at this hotel," the + other returned, in the same bantering tone, "for I saw you at + breakfast and luncheon. Pretty fair <i>chef</i> here, isn't he? But + you didn't stick to that part, you know. You followed me up-town, + where I made a call on a relative, and you studied the colored + globes in a druggist's window when I went away. I wonder why people + employ inexperienced boys in such important matters. In your case, + my lad, it was easy enough to detect the detective. You even took + the foolish chance of heading me off, and returned to this hotel + before I did. Now, then, is my charge unfounded?" + </p> + <p> + "Why should you be under the surveillance of a detective?" + asked Fogerty, slowly. + </p> + <p> + "Really, my boy, I cannot say. There was an unpleasant little + affair last night at the Waldorf, in which I was not personally + concerned, but suffered, nevertheless. An officious deputy caused my + arrest and I spent an unpleasant night in jail. There being nothing + in the way of evidence against me I was released this morning, and + now I find a detective shadowing me. What can it all mean, I wonder? + These stupid blunders are very annoying to the plain citizen, who, + however innocent, feels himself the victim of a conspiracy." + </p> + <p> + "I understand you, sir," said Fogerty, drily. + </p> + <p> + For some moments Mershone now remained silent. Then he asked; "What + are your instructions concerning me?" + </p> + <p> + To his surprise the boy made a simple, frank admission. + </p> + <p> + "I'm to see you don't get into more mischief, sir." + </p> + <p> + "And how long is this nonsense to continue?" demanded + Mershone, showing a touch of anger for the first time. + </p> + <p> + "Depends on yourself, Mr. Mershone; I'm no judge, myself. I'm + so young—and inexperienced." + </p> + <p> + "Who is your employer?" + </p> + <p> + "Oh, I'm just sent out by an agency." + </p> + <p> + "Is it a big paying proposition?" asked Charlie, eyeing + the diffident youth beside him critically, as if to judge his true + caliber. + </p> + <p> + "Not very big. You see, if I'd been a better detective you'd + never have spotted me so quickly." + </p> + <p> + "I suppose money counts with you, though, as it does with + everyone else in the world?" + </p> + <p> + "Of course, sir. Every business is undertaken to make money." + </p> + <p> + Mershone drew his chair a little nearer. + </p> + <p> + "I need a clever detective myself," he announced, + confidentially. "I'm anxious to discover what enemy is + persecuting me in this way. Would it—er—be impossible + for me to employ <i>you</i> to—er—look after my + interests?" + </p> + <p> + Fogerty was very serious. + </p> + <p> + "You see, sir," he responded, "if I quit this job + they may not give me another. In order to be a successful detective + one must keep in the good graces of the agencies." + </p> + <p> + "That's easy enough," asserted Mershone. "You may + pretend to keep this job, but go home and take life easy. I'll send + you a daily statement of what I've been doing, and you can fix up a + report to your superior from that. In addition to this you can put + in a few hours each day trying to find out who is annoying me in + this rascally manner, and for this service I'll pay you five times + the agency price. How does that proposition strike you, Mr.—" + </p> + <p> + "Riordan. Me name's Riordan," said Fogerty, with a smile. + "No, Mr. Mershone," shaking his head gravely, "I + can't see my way to favor you. It's an easy job now, and I'm afraid + to take chances with a harder one." + </p> + <p> + Something in the tone nettled Mershone. + </p> + <p> + "But the pay," he suggested. + </p> + <p> + "Oh, the pay. If I'm a detective fifty years, I'll make an easy + two thousand a year. That's a round hundred thousand. Can you pay me + that much to risk my future career as a detective?" + </p> + <p> + Mershone bit his lip. This fellow was not so simple, after all, + boyish as he seemed. And, worse than all, he had a suspicion the + youngster was baiting him, and secretly laughing at his offers of + bribery. + </p> + <p> + "They will take you off the job, now that I have discovered + your identity," he asserted, with malicious satisfaction. + </p> + <p> + "Oh, no," answered Fogerty; "they won't do that. This + little interview merely simplifies matters. You see, sir, I'm an + expert at disguises. That's my one great talent, as many will + testify. But you will notice that in undertaking this job I resorted + to no disguise at all. You see me as nature made me—and 't was + a poor job, I'm thinking." + </p> + <p> + "Why were you so careless?" + </p> + <p> + "It wasn't carelessness; it was premeditated. There's not the + slightest objection to your knowing me. My only business is to keep + you in sight, and I can do that exactly as well as Riordan as I + could by disguising myself." + </p> + <p> + Mershone had it on his tongue's end to ask what they expected to + discover by shadowing him, but decided it was as well not to open an + avenue for the discussion of Miss Merrick's disappearance. So, + finding he could not bribe the youthful detective or use him in any + way to his advantage, he closed the interview by rising. + </p> + <p> + "I'm going to my room to write some letters," said he, + with a yawn. "Would you like to read them before they are + mailed?" + </p> + <p> + Again Fogerty laughed in his cheerful, boyish way. + </p> + <p> + "You'd make a fine detective yourself, Mr. Mershone," he + declared, "and I advise you to consider the occupation. I've a + notion it's safer, and better pay, than your present line." + </p> + <p> + Charlie scowled at the insinuation, but walked away without reply. + Fogerty eyed his retreating figure a moment, gave a slight shrug and + resumed his newspaper. + </p> + <p> + Day followed day without further event, and gradually Mershone came + to feel himself trapped. Wherever he might go he found Fogerty on + duty, unobtrusive, silent and watchful. It was very evident that he + was waiting for the young man to lead him to the secret hiding place + of Louise Merrick. + </p> + <p> + In one way this constant surveillance was a distinct comfort to + Charlie Mershone, for it assured him that the retreat of Louise was + still undiscovered. But he must find some way to get rid of his + "shadow," in order that he might proceed to carry out his + plans concerning the girl. During his enforced leisure he invented a + dozen apparently clever schemes, only to abandon them again as + unpractical. + </p> + <p> + One afternoon, while on a stroll, he chanced to meet the bruiser who + had attacked Arthur Weldon at the Waldorf, and been liberally paid + by Mershone for his excellent work. He stopped the man, and glancing + hastily around found that Fogerty was a block in the rear. + </p> + <p> + "Listen," he said; "I want your assistance, and if + you're quick and sure there is a pot of money, waiting for you." + </p> + <p> + "I need it, Mr. Mershone," replied the man, grinning. + </p> + <p> + "There's a detective following me; he's down the street there—a + mere boy--just in front of that tobacco store. See him?" + </p> + <p> + "Sure I see him. It's Fogerty." + </p> + <p> + "His name is Riordan." + </p> + <p> + "No; it's Fogerty. He's no boy, sir, but the slickest 'tec' in + the city, an' that's goin' some, I can tell you." + </p> + <p> + "Well, you must get him, whoever he is. Drag him away and hold + him for three hours—two— one. Give me a chance to slip + him; that's all. Can you do it? I'll pay you a hundred for the job." + </p> + <p> + "It's worth two hundred, Mr. Mershone. It isn't safe to fool + with Fogerty." + </p> + <p> + "I'll make it two hundred." + </p> + <p> + "Then rest easy," said the man. "I know the guy, and + how to handle him. You just watch him like he's watching you, Mr. + Mershone, and if anything happens you skip as lively as a flea. I + can use that two hundred in my business." + </p> + <p> + Then the fellow passed on, and Fogerty was still so far distant up + the street that neither of them could see the amused smile upon his + thin face. + </p> + <hr style="width: 35%;" /> + <a name="chap15" id="chap15"></a> + <h2> + CHAPTER XV + </h2> + <br /> + <p> + A BEWILDERING EXPERIENCE + </p> + <p> + When Louise Merrick entered the brown limousine, which she naturally + supposed to belong to Arthur Weldon, she had not the faintest + suspicion of any evil in her mind. Indeed, the girl was very happy + this especial evening, although tired with her duties at the + Kermess. A climax in her young life had arrived, and she greeted it + joyously, believing she loved Arthur well enough to become his wife. + </p> + <p> + Now that the engagement had been announced to their immediate circle + of friends she felt as proud and elated as any young girl has a + right to be under the circumstances. + </p> + <p> + Added to this pleasant event was the social triumph she and her + cousins had enjoyed at the Kermess, where Louise especially had met + with rare favor. The fashionable world had united in being most kind + and considerate to the dainty, attractive young <i>debutante</i>, + and only Diana had seemed to slight her. This was not surprising in + view of the fact that Diana evidently wanted Arthur for herself, and + there was some satisfaction in winning a lover who was elsewhere in + prime demand. In addition to all this the little dance that + concluded the evening's entertainment had been quite delightful, and + all things conspired to put Louise in a very contented frame of + mind. + </p> + <p> + Still fluttering with the innocent excitements of the hour the girl + went to join Arthur without a fear of impending misfortune. She did + not think of Charlie Mershone at all. He had been annoying and + impertinent, and she had rebuked him and sent him away, cutting him + out of her life altogether. Perhaps she ought to have remembered + that she had mildly flirted with Diana's cousin and given him + opportunity for the impassioned speeches she resented; but Louise + had a girlish idea that there was no harm in flirting, considering + it a feminine license. She saw young Mershone at the Kermess that + evening paying indifferent attentions to other women and ignoring + her, and was sincerely glad to have done with him for good and all. + </p> + <p> + She obeyed readily the man who asked her to be seated in the + limousine. Arthur would be with her in a minute, he said. When the + door closed and the car started she had an impulse to cry out but + next moment controlled it and imagined they were to pick up Mr. + Weldon on some corner. + </p> + <p> + On and on they rolled, and still no evidence of the owner of the + limousine. What could it mean, Louise began to wonder. Had something + happened to Arthur, so that he had been forced to send her home + alone? As the disquieting thought came she tried to speak with the + chauffeur, but could not find the tube. The car was whirling along + rapidly; the night seemed very dark, only a few lights twinkled here + and there outside. + </p> + <p> + Suddenly the speed slackened. There was a momentary pause, and then + the machine slowly rolled upon a wooden platform. A bell clanged, + there was a whistle and the sound of revolving water-wheels. Louise + decided they must be upon a ferry-boat, and became alarmed for the + first time. + </p> + <p> + The man in livery now opened the door, as if to reassure her. + </p> + <p> + "Where are we? Where is Mr. Weldon?" enquired the girl, + almost hysterically. + </p> + <p> + "He is on the boat, miss, and will be with you shortly now," + replied the man, very respectfully. "Mr. Weldon is very sorry + to have annoyed you, Miss Merrick, but says he will soon explain + everything, so that you will understand why he left you." + </p> + <p> + With this he quietly closed the door again, although Louise was + eager to ask a dozen more questions. Prominent was the query why + they should be on a ferry-boat instead of going directly home. She + knew the hour must be late. + </p> + <p> + But while these questions were revolving in her mind she still + suspected no plot against her liberty. She must perforce wait for + Arthur to explain his queer conduct; so she sat quietly enough in + her place awaiting his coming, while the ferry puffed steadily + across the river to the Jersey shore. + </p> + <p> + The stopping of the boat aroused Louise from her reflections. Arthur + not here yet? Voices were calling outside; vehicles were noisily + leaving their positions on the boat to clatter across the platforms. + But there was no sign of Arthur. + </p> + <p> + Again Louise tried to find the speaking tube. Then she made an + endeavor to open the door, although just then the car started with a + jerk that flung her back against the cushions. + </p> + <p> + The knowledge that she had been grossly deceived by her conductor at + last had the effect of arousing the girl to a sense of her danger. + Something must be wrong. Something <i>was</i> decidedly wrong, and + fear crept into her heart. She pounded on the glass windows with all + her strength, and shouted as loudly as she could, but all to no + avail. + </p> + <p> + Swiftly the limousine whirled over the dusky road and either her + voice could not be heard through the glass cage in which she was + confined or there was no one near who was willing to hear or to + rescue her. + </p> + <p> + She now realized how wrong she had been to sit idly during the trip + across the ferry, where a score of passengers would gladly have + assisted her. How cunning her captors had been to lull her fears + during that critical period! Now, alas, it was too late to cry out, + and she had no idea where she was being taken or the reason of her + going. + </p> + <p> + Presently it occurred to her that this was not Arthur's limousine at + all. There was no speaking tube for one thing. She leaned forward + and felt for the leathern pocket in which she kept a veil and her + street gloves. No pocket of any sort was to be found. + </p> + <p> + An unreasoning terror now possessed her. She knew not what to fear, + yet feared everything. She made another attempt to cry aloud for + help and then fell back unconscious on the cushions. + </p> + <p> + How long she lay in the faint she did not know. When she recovered + the limousine was still rattling forward at a brisk gait but bumping + over ruts in a manner that indicated a country road. + </p> + <p> + Through the curtains she could see little but the black night, + although there was a glow ahead cast by the searchlights of the car. + Louise was weak and unnerved. She had no energy to find a way to + combat her fate, if such a way were possible. A dim thought of + smashing a window and hurling herself through it gave her only a + shudder of repulsion. She lacked strength for such a desperate + attempt. + </p> + <p> + On, on, on. Would the dreary journey never end? How long must she + sit and suffer before she could know her fate, or at least find some + explanation of the dreadful mystery of this wild midnight ride? + </p> + <p> + At last, when she had settled down to dull despair, the car came to + a paved road and began to move more slowly. It even stopped once or + twice, as if the driver was not sure of his way. But they kept + moving, nevertheless, and before long entered a driveway. There was + another stop now, and a long wait. + </p> + <p> + Louise lay dismally back upon the cushions, sobbing hysterically + into her dripping handkerchief. The door of her prison at last + opened and a light shone in upon her. + </p> + <p> + "Here we are, miss," said the man in uniform, still in + quiet, respectful tones. "Shall I assist you to alight?" + </p> + <p> + She started up eagerly, her courage returning with a bound. Stepping + unassisted to the ground she looked around her in bewilderment. + </p> + <p> + The car stood before the entrance to a modest country house. There + was a light in the hall and another upon the broad porch. Around the + house a mass of trees and shrubbery loomed dark and forbidding. + </p> + <p> + "Where am I?" demanded Louise, drawing back haughtily as + the man extended a hand toward her. + </p> + <p> + "At your destination, miss," was the answer. "Will + you please enter?" + </p> + <p> + "No! Not until I have an explanation of this—this—singular, + high-handed proceeding," she replied, firmly. + </p> + <p> + Then she glanced at the house. The hall door had opened and a woman + stood peering anxiously at the scene outside. + </p> + <p> + With sudden resolve Louise sprang up the steps and approached her. + Any woman, she felt, in this emergency, was a welcome refuge. + </p> + <p> + "Who are you?" she asked eagerly, "and why have I + been brought here?" + </p> + <p> + "<i>Mademoiselle</i> will come inside, please," said the + woman, with a foreign accent. "It is cold in the night air, <i>N'est-ce-pas</i>?" + </p> + <p> + She turned to lead the way inside. While Louise hesitated to follow + the limousine started with a roar from its cylinders and disappeared + down the driveway, the two men going with it. The absence of the + lamps rendered the darkness around the solitary house rather + uncanny. An intense stillness prevailed except for the diminishing + rattle of the receding motor car. In the hall was a light and a + woman. + </p> + <p> + Louise went in. + </p> + <hr style="width: 35%;" /> + <a name="chap16" id="chap16"></a> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVI + </h2> + <p> + MADAME CERISE, CUSTODIAN + </p> + <br /> + <p> + The woman closed the hall door and locked it. Then she led the way + to a long, dim drawing-room in which a grate fire was smouldering. A + stand lamp of antique pattern but dimly illuminated the place, which + seemed well furnished in an old fashioned way. + </p> + <p> + "Will not you remove your wraps, Mees—Mees—I do not + know ma'm'selle's name." + </p> + <p> + "What is your own name?" asked Louise, coming closer to + gaze earnestly into the other's face. + </p> + <p> + "I am called Madame Cerise, if it please you." + </p> + <p> + Her voice, while softened to an extent by the French accent, was + nevertheless harsh and emotionless. She spoke as an automaton, + slowly, and pausing to choose her words. The woman was of medium + size, slim and straight in spite of many years. Her skin resembled + brown parchment; her eyes were small, black and beady; her nose + somewhat fleshy and her lips red and full as those of a young girl. + The age of Madame Cerise might be anywhere between fifty and + seventy; assuredly she had long been a stranger to youth, although + her dark hair was but slightly streaked with gray. She wore a + somber-hued gown and a maid's jaunty apron and cap. + </p> + <p> + Louise inspected her closely, longing to find a friend and protector + in this curious and strange woman. Her eyes were moist and pleading—an + appeal hard to resist. But Madame Cerise returned her scrutiny with + a wholly impassive expression. + </p> + <p> + "You are a French maid?" asked Louise, softly. + </p> + <p> + "A housekeeper, ma'm'selle. For a time, a caretaker." + </p> + <p> + "Ah, I understand. Are your employers asleep?" + </p> + <p> + "I cannot say, ma'm'seile. They are not here." + </p> + <p> + "You are alone in this house?" + </p> + <p> + "Alone with you, ma'm'seile." + </p> + <p> + Louise had a sudden access of alarm. + </p> + <p> + "And why am I here?" she cried, wringing her hands + pitifully. + </p> + <p> + "Ah, who can tell that?" returned the woman, composedly. + "Not Cerise, indeed. Cerise is told nothing—except what + is required of her. I but obey my orders." + </p> + <p> + Louise turned quickly, at this. + </p> + <p> + "What are your orders, then?" she asked. + </p> + <p> + "To attend ma'm'selle with my best skill, to give her every + comfort and care, to—" + </p> + <p> + "Yes—yes!" + </p> + <p> + "To keep her safely until she is called for. That is all." + </p> + <p> + The girl drew a long breath. + </p> + <p> + "Who will call for me, then?" + </p> + <p> + "I am not inform, ma'm'selle." + </p> + <p> + "And I am a prisoner in this house?" + </p> + <p> + "Ma'm'selle may call it so, if it please her. But reflect; + there is no place else to go. It is bleak weather, the winter soon + comes. And here I can make you the comforts you need." + </p> + <p> + Louise pondered this speech, which did not deceive her. While still + perplexed as to her abduction, with no comprehension why she should + have been seized in such a summary manner and spirited to this + lonely, out-of-the-way place, she realized she was in no immediate + danger. Her weariness returned tenfold, and she staggered and caught + the back of a chair for support. + </p> + <p> + The old woman observed this. + </p> + <p> + "Ma'm'selle is tired," said she. "See; it is past + four by the clock, and you must be much fatigue by the ride and the + nervous strain." + </p> + <p> + "I—I'm completely exhausted," murmured Louise, + drooping her head wearily. The next moment she ran and placed her + hands on Madame Cerise's shoulders, peering into the round, beady + eyes with tender pleading as she continued: "I don't know why I + have been stolen away from my home and friends; I don't know why + this dreadful thing has happened to me; I only know that I am worn + out and need rest. Will you take care of me, Madame Cerise? Will you + watch over me while I sleep and guard me from all harm? I—I + haven't any mother to lean on now, you know; I haven't any friend at + all—but <i>you!</i>" + </p> + <p> + The grim features never relaxed a muscle; but a softer look came + into the dark eyes and the woman's voice took on a faint tinge of + compassion as she answered: + </p> + <p> + "Nothing can harm ma'm'selle. Have no fear, <i>ma chere</i>. I + will take care of you; I will watch. <i>Allons</i>! it is my duty; + it is also my pleasure." + </p> + <p> + "Are there no—no men in the house—none at all?" + enquired the girl, peering into the surrounding gloom nervously. + </p> + <p> + "There is no person at all in the house, but you and I." + </p> + <p> + "And you will admit no one?" + </p> + <p> + The woman hesitated. + </p> + <p> + "Not to your apartment," she said firmly. "I promise + it." + </p> + <p> + Louise gave a long, fluttering sigh. Somehow, she felt that she + could rely upon this promise. + </p> + <p> + "Then, if you please, Madame Cerise, I'd like to go to bed," + she said. + </p> + <p> + The woman took the lamp and led the way upstairs, entering a large, + airy chamber in which a fire burned brightly in the grate. The + furniture here was dainty and feminine. In an alcove stood a snowy + bed, the covers invitingly turned down. + </p> + <p> + Madame Cerise set the lamp upon a table and without a word turned to + assist Louise. The beautiful Kermess costume, elaborately + embroidered with roses, which the girl still wore, evidently won the + Frenchwoman's approval. She unhooked and removed it carefully and + hung it in a closet. Very dextrous were her motions as she took down + the girl's pretty hair and braided it for the night. A dainty <i>robe + de nuit</i> was provided. + </p> + <p> + "It is my own," she said simply. "Ma'm'selle is not + prepared." + </p> + <p> + "But there must be young ladies in your family," remarked + Louise, thoughtfully, for in spite of the stupor she felt from want + of sleep the novelty of her position kept her alert in a way. It is + true she was too tired and bewildered to think clearly, but slight + details were impressing themselves upon her dimly. "This room, + for instance—" + </p> + <p> + "Of course, <i>ma chere</i>, a young lady has lived here. She + has left some odd pieces of wardrobe behind her, at times, in going + away. When you waken we will try to find a house-dress to replace + your evening-gown. Will ma'm'selle indulge in the bath before + retiring?" + </p> + <p> + "Not to-night, Madame Cerise. I'm too tired for anything but—sleep!" + </p> + <p> + Indeed, she had no sooner crawled into the enticing bed than she + sank into unconscious forgetfulness. This was to an extent + fortunate. Louise possessed one of those dispositions cheery and + equable under ordinary circumstances, but easily crushed into apathy + by any sudden adversity. She would not suffer so much as a more + excitable and nervous girl might do under similar circumstances. + </p> + <p> + Her sleep, following the severe strain of the night's adventure, did + little to refresh her. She awoke in broad daylight to hear a cold + wind whistling shrilly outside and raindrops beating against the + panes. + </p> + <p> + Madame Cerise had not slept much during the night. For an hour after + Louise retired she sat in her room in deep thought. Then she went to + the telephone and notwithstanding the late hour called up Diana, who + had a branch telephone on a table at her bedside. + </p> + <p> + Miss Von Taer was not asleep. She had had an exciting night herself. + She answered the old caretaker readily and it did not surprise her + to learn that the missing girl had been taken to the East Orange + house by the orders of Charlie Mershone. She enquired how Louise had + accepted the situation forced upon her, and was shocked and rendered + uncomfortable by the too plainly worded protest of the old + Frenchwoman. Madame Cerise did not hesitate to denounce the + abduction as a heartless crime, and in her communication with Diana + swore she would protect the innocent girl from harm at the hands of + Mershone or anyone else. + </p> + <p> + "I have ever to your family been loyal and true, Ma'm'selle + Diana," said she, "but I will not become the instrument of + an abominable crime at your command or that of your wicked cousin. I + will keep the girl here in safety, if it is your wish; but she will + be safe, indeed, as long as Cerise guards her." + </p> + <p> + "That's right, Madame," stammered Diana, hardly knowing at + the moment what to say. "Be discreet and silent until you hear + from me again; guard the girl carefully and see that she is not too + unhappy; but for heaven's sake keep Charlie's secret until he sees + fit to restore Miss Merrick to her friends. No crime is + contemplated; I would not allow such a thing, as you know. Yet it is + none of my affair whatever. My cousin has compromised me by taking + the girl to my house, and no knowledge of the abduction must get + abroad if we can help it. Do you understand me?" + </p> + <p> + "No," was the reply. "The safest way for us all is to + send Miss Merrick away." + </p> + <p> + "That will be done as soon as possible." + </p> + <p> + With this the old Frenchwoman was forced to be content, and she did + not suspect that her report had made Miss Von Taer nearly frantic + with fear—not for Louise but for her own precious reputation. + Accustomed to obey the family she had served for so many years, + Madame Cerise hesitated to follow her natural impulse to set the + poor young lady free and assist her to return to her friends. So she + compromised with her conscience—a thing she was not credited + with possessing—by resolving to make the imprisonment of the + "<i>pauvre fille</i>" as happy as possible. + </p> + <p> + Scarcely had Louise opened her eyes the following morning when the + old woman entered her chamber, unlocking the door from the outside + to secure admission. + </p> + <p> + She first rebuilt the fire, and when it was crackling cheerfully she + prepared a bath and brought an armful of clothing which she laid out + for inspection over the back of a sofa. She produced lingerie, too, + and Louise lay cuddled up in the bedclothes and watched her keeper + thoughtfully until the atmosphere of the room was sufficiently + warmed. + </p> + <p> + "I'll get up, now," she said, quietly. + </p> + <p> + Madame Cerise was assuredly a skilled lady's maid. She bathed the + girl, wrapped her in an ample kimono and then seated her before the + dresser and arranged her <i>coiffure</i> with dextrous skill. + </p> + <p> + During this time Louise talked. She had decided her only chance of + escape lay in conciliating this stern-faced woman, and she began by + relating her entire history, including her love affair with Arthur + Weldon, Diana Von Taer's attempt to rob her of her lover, and the + part that Charlie Mershone had taken in the affair. + </p> + <p> + Madame Cerise listened, but said nothing. + </p> + <p> + "And now," continued the girl, "tell me who you think + could be so wicked and cruel as to carry me away from my home and + friends? I cannot decide myself. You have more experience and more + shrewdness, can't you tell me, Madame Cerise?" + </p> + <p> + The woman muttered inaudibly. + </p> + <p> + "Mr. Mershone might be an enemy, because I laughed at his + love-making," continued Louise, musingly. "Would a man who + loved a girl try to injure her? But perhaps his love has turned to + hate. Anyhow, I can think of no one else who would do such a thing, + or of any reason why Charlie Mershone should do it." + </p> + <p> + Madame Cerise merely grunted. She was brushing the soft hair with + gentle care. + </p> + <p> + "What could a man gain by stealing a girl? If it was Mr. + Mershone, does he imagine I could ever forget Arthur? Or cease to + love him? Or that Arthur would forget me while I am away? Perhaps + it's Diana, and she wants to get rid of me so she can coax Arthur + back to her side. But that's nonsense; isn't it, Madame Cerise? No + girl—not even Diana Von Taer—would dare to act in such a + high-handed manner toward her rival. Did you ever hear of Miss Von + Taer? She's quite a society belle. Have you ever seen her, Madame + Cerise?" + </p> + <p> + The woman vouchsafed no reply to this direct enquiry, but busied + herself dressing the girl's hair. Louise casually turned over the + silver-mounted hand mirror she was holding and gave a sudden start. + A monogram was engraved upon the metal: "D.v.T." She gazed + at the mark fixedly and then picked up a brush that the Frenchwoman + laid down. Yes, the same monogram appeared upon the brush. + </p> + <p> + The sharp eyes of Cerise had noted these movements. She was a little + dismayed but not startled when Louise said, slowly: "'D.v.T.' + stands for Diana Von Taer. And it isn't likely to stand for anything + else. I think the mystery is explained, now, and my worst fears are + realized. Tell me, Madame, is this Diana Von Taer's house?" + </p> + <p> + Her eyes shone with anger and round red patches suddenly appeared + upon her pallid cheeks. Madame Cerise drew a long breath. + </p> + <p> + "It used to be," was her quiet answer. "It was left + her by her grandmother; but Mr. Von Taer did not like the place and + they have not been here lately—not for years. Miss Von Taer + informed me, some time ago, that she had transferred the property to + another." + </p> + <p> + "To her cousin—Mr. Mershone?" asked Louise quickly. + </p> + <p> + "That may be the name; I cannot remember," was the evasive + reply. + </p> + <p> + "But you must know him, as he is Diana's cousin," retorted + Louise. "Why will you try to deceive me? Am I not helpless + enough already, and do you wish to make me still more miserable?" + </p> + <p> + "I have seen Mr. Mershone when he was a boy, many times. He was + not the favorite with Ma'm'selle Diana, nor with Monsieur Von Taer. + For myself, I hated him." + </p> + <p> + There was decided emphasis to the last sentence. Louise believed her + and felt a little relieved. + </p> + <p> + From the <i>mélange</i> of apparel a modest outfit was + obtained to clothe the girl with decency and comfort, if not in the + prevailing style. The fit left much to be desired, yet Louise did + not complain, as weightier matters were now occupying her mind. + </p> + <p> + The toilet completed, Madame Cerise disappeared to get a tray + containing a good breakfast. She seemed exceedingly attentive. + </p> + <p> + "If you will give me the proper directions I will start for + home at once," announced Louise, with firm resolve, while + eating her egg and toast. + </p> + <p> + "I am unable to give you directions, and I cannot let you go, + ma'm'selle," was the equally firm reply. "The day is much + too disagreeable to venture out in, unless one has proper + conveyance. Here, alas, no conveyance may be had." + </p> + <p> + Louise tried other tactics. + </p> + <p> + "I have no money, but several valuable jewels," she said, + meaningly. "I am quite sure they will obtain for me a + conveyance." + </p> + <p> + "You are wrong, ma'm'selle; there is no conveyance to be had!" + persisted the old woman, more sternly. + </p> + <p> + "Then I shall walk." + </p> + <p> + "It is impossible." + </p> + <p> + "Where is this place situated? How far is it from New York? How + near am I to a street-car, or to a train?" + </p> + <p> + "I cannot tell you." + </p> + <p> + "But this is absurd!" cried Louise. "You cannot + deceive me for long. I know this is Diana Von Taer's house, and I + shall hold Diana Von Taer responsible for this enforced + imprisonment." + </p> + <p> + "That," said Madame Cerise, coldly, "is a matter of + indifference to me. But ma'm'selle must understand one thing, she + must not leave this house." + </p> + <p> + "Oh, indeed!" + </p> + <p> + "At least, until the weather moderates," added the woman, + more mildly. + </p> + <p> + She picked up the tray, went to the door and passed out. Louise + heard the key click in the lock. + </p> + <hr style="width: 35%;" /> + <a name="chap17" id="chap17"></a> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVII + </h2> + <br /> + <p> + THE MYSTERY DEEPENS + </p> + <p> + Uncle John was both astounded and indignant that so bold and + unlawful an act as the abduction of his own niece could have been + perpetrated in the heart of New York and directly under the eyes of + the police. Urged by the Major, Mr. Merrick was at first inclined to + allow Arthur Weldon to prosecute the affair and undertake the + recovery of the girl, being assured this would easily be + accomplished and conceding the fact that no one had a stronger + interest in solving the mystery of Louise's disappearance than young + Weldon. But when midday arrived and no trace of the young girl had + yet been obtained the little millionaire assumed an important and + decisive air and hurried down town to "take a hand in the game" + himself. + </p> + <p> + After a long interview with the Chief of Detectives, Mr. Merrick + said impressively: + </p> + <p> + "Now, understand, sir; not a hint of this to the newspaper + folks. I won't have any scandal attached to the poor child if I can + help it. Set your whole force to work—at once!—but + impress them with the need of secrecy. My offer is fair and square. + I'll give a reward of ten thousand dollars if Miss Merrick is + discovered within twenty-four hours; nine thousand if she's found + during the next twenty-four hours; and so on, deducting a thousand + for each day of delay. That's for the officer who finds her. For + yourself, sir, I intend to express my gratitude as liberally as the + service will allow me to. Is this all clear and above-board?" + </p> + <p> + "It is perfectly clear, Mr. Merrick." + </p> + <p> + "The child must be found—and found blamed quick, too! + Great Caesar! Can a simple affair like this baffle your splendid + metropolitan force?" + </p> + <p> + "Not for long, Mr. Merrick, believe me." + </p> + <p> + But this assurance proved optimistic. Day by day crept by without a + clew to the missing girl being discovered; without development of + any sort. The Inspector informed Mr. Merrick that "it began to + look like a mystery." + </p> + <p> + Arthur, even after several sleepless nights, still retained his + courage. + </p> + <p> + "I'm on the right track, sir," he told Uncle John. "The + delay is annoying, but not at all dangerous. So long as Fogerty + holds fast to Mershone Louise is safe, wherever she may be." + </p> + <p> + "Mershone may have nothing to do with the case." + </p> + <p> + "I'm positive he has." + </p> + <p> + "And Louise can't be safe while she's a prisoner, and in the + hands of strangers. I want the girl home! Then I'll know she's safe." + </p> + <p> + "I want her home, too, sir. But all your men are unable to find + her, it seems. They can't even discover in what direction she was + taken, or how. The brown limousine seems to be no due at all." + </p> + <p> + "Of course not. There are a thousand brown limousines in New + York." + </p> + <p> + "Do you imagine she's still somewhere in the city, sir?" + enquired Arthur. + </p> + <p> + "That's my theory," replied Uncle John. "She must be + somewhere in the city. You see it would be almost impossible to get + her out of town without discovery. But I'll admit this detective + force is the finest aggregation of incompetents I've ever known—and + I don't believe your precious Fogerty is any better, either." + </p> + <p> + Of course Beth and Patsy had to be told of their cousin's + disappearance as soon as the first endeavor to trace her proved a + failure. Patsy went at once to Mrs. Merrick and devoted herself to + comforting the poor woman as well as she could. + </p> + <p> + Beth frowned at the news and then sat down to carefully think out + the problem. In an hour she had logically concluded that Diana Von + Taer was the proper person to appeal to. If anyone knew where Louise + was, it was Diana. That same afternoon she drove to the Von Taer + residence and demanded an interview. + </p> + <p> + Diana was at that moment in a highly nervous state. She had at times + during her career been calculating and unscrupulous, but never + before had she deserved the accusation of being malicious and + wicked. She had come to reproach herself bitterly for having weakly + connived at the desperate act of Charlie Mershone, and her good + sense assured her the result would be disastrous to all concerned in + it. Contempt for herself and contempt for her cousin mingled with + well-defined fears for her cherished reputation, and so it was that + Miss Von Taer had almost decided to telephone Madame Cerise and + order her to escort Louise Merrick to her own home when Beth's card + came up with a curt demand for a personal interview. + </p> + <p> + The natures of these two girls had never harmonized in the slightest + degree. Beth's presence nerved Diana to a spirit of antagonism that + quickly destroyed her repentant mood. As she confronted her visitor + her demeanor was cold and suspicious. There was a challenge and an + accusation in Beth's eyes that conveyed a distinct warning, which + Miss Von Taer quickly noted and angrily resented—perhaps + because she knew it was deserved. + </p> + <p> + It would have been easy to tell Beth De Graf where her cousin Louise + was, and at the same time to assure her that Diana was blameless in + the affair; but she could not endure to give her antagonist this + satisfaction. + </p> + <p> + Beth began the interview by saying: "What have you done with + Louise Merrick?" That was, of course, equal to a declaration of + war. + </p> + <p> + Diana was sneering and scornful. Thoroughly on guard, she permitted + no compromising word or admission to escape her. Really, she knew + nothing of Louise Merrick, having unfortunately neglected to examine + her antecedents and personal characteristics before undertaking her + acquaintance. One is so likely to blunder through excess of good + nature. She had supposed a niece of Mr. John Merrick would be of the + right sort; but the age is peculiar, and one cannot be too cautious + in choosing associates. If Miss Merrick had run away from her home + and friends, Miss Von Taer was in no way responsible for the + escapade. And now, if Miss De Graf had nothing further to say, more + important matters demanded Diana's time. + </p> + <p> + Beth was furious with anger at this baiting. Without abandoning a + jot her suspicions she realized she was powerless to prove her case + at this time. With a few bitter and cutting remarks— made, she + afterward said, in "self-defense"—she retreated as + gracefully as possible and drove home. + </p> + <p> + An hour later she suggested to Uncle John that he have a detective + placed where Diana's movements could be watched; but that had + already been attended to by both Mr. Merrick and Mr. Fogerty. Uncle + John could hardly credit Diana's complicity in this affair. The + young lady's social position was so high, her family so eminently + respectable, her motive in harming Louise so inconceivable, that he + hesitated to believe her guilty, even indirectly. As for her cousin, + he did not know what to think, as Arthur accused him unreservedly. + It did not seem possible that any man of birth, breeding and social + position could be so contemptible as to perpetrate an act of this + character. Yet some one had done it, and who had a greater incentive + than Charlie Mershone? + </p> + <p> + Poor Mrs. Merrick was inconsolable as the days dragged by. She clung + to Patsy with pitiful entreaties not to be left alone; so Miss Doyle + brought her to her own apartments, where the bereft woman was shown + every consideration. Vain and selfish though Mrs. Merrick might be, + she was passionately devoted to her only child, and her fears for + the life and safety of Louise were naturally greatly exaggerated. + </p> + <p> + The group of anxious relatives and friends canvassed the subject + morning, noon and night, and the longer the mystery remained + unsolved the more uneasy they all became. + </p> + <p> + "This, ma'am," said Uncle John, sternly, as he sat one + evening facing Mrs. Merrick, "is the final result of your + foolish ambition to get our girls into society." + </p> + <p> + "I can't see it that way, John," wailed the poor woman. + "I've never heard of such a thing happening in society before, + have you?" + </p> + <p> + "I don't keep posted," he growled. "But everything + was moving smoothly with us before this confounded social stunt + began, as you must admit." + </p> + <p> + "I can't understand why the papers are not full of it," + sighed Mrs. Merrick, musingly. "Louise is so prominent now in + the best circles." + </p> + <p> + "Of course," said the Major, drily; "she's so + prominent, ma'am, that no one can discover her at all! And it's + lucky for us the newspapers know nothing of the calamity. They'd + twist the thing into so many shapes that not one of us would ever + again dare to look a friend in the eye." + </p> + <p> + "I'm sure my darling has been murdered!" declared Mrs. + Merrick, weeping miserably. She made the statement on an average of + once to every five minutes. "Or, if she hasn't been killed yet, + she's sure to be soon. Can't <i>something</i> be done?" + </p> + <p> + That last appeal was hard to answer. They had done everything that + could be thought of. And here it was Tuesday. Louise had been + missing for five days. + </p> + <hr style="width: 35%;" /> + <a name="chap18" id="chap18"></a> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVIII + </h2> + <br /> + <p> + A RIFT IN THE CLOUDS + </p> + <br /> + <p> + The Tuesday morning just referred to dawned cold and wintry. A chill + wind blew and for a time carried isolated snowflakes whirling here + and there. Gradually, as the morning advanced, the flakes became + more numerous, until by nine o'clock an old fashioned snowstorm had + set in that threatened to last for some time. The frozen ground was + soon covered with a thin white mantle and the landscape in city and + country seemed especially forbidding. + </p> + <p> + In spite of these adverse conditions Charlie Mershone decided to go + out for a walk. He felt much like a prisoner, and his only + recreation was in getting out of the hotel for a daily stroll. + Moreover, he had an object in going abroad to-day. + </p> + <p> + So he buttoned his overcoat up to his chin and fearlessly braved the + storm. He had come to wholly disregard the presence of the detective + who shadowed him, and if the youthful Fogerty by chance addressed + him he was rewarded with a direct snub. This did not seem to + disconcert the boy in the least, and to-day, as usual, when Mershone + walked out Fogerty followed at a respectful distance. He never + appeared to be watching his man closely, yet never for an instant + did Mershone feel that he had shaken the fellow off. + </p> + <p> + On this especial morning the detective was nearly a block in the + rear, with the snow driving furiously into his face, when an + automobile suddenly rolled up to the curb beside him and two men + leaped out and pinioned Fogerty in their arms. There was no + struggle, because there was no resistance. The captors quickly + tossed the detective into the car, an open one, which again started + and turned into a side street. + </p> + <p> + Fogerty, seated securely between the two burly fellows, managed to + straighten up and rearrange his clothing. + </p> + <p> + "Will you kindly explain this unlawful act, gentlemen?" he + enquired. + </p> + <p> + The man on the left laughed aloud. He was the same individual who + had attacked Arthur Weldon, the one who had encountered Mershone in + the street the day before. + </p> + <p> + "Cold day, ain't it, Fogerty?" he remarked. "But that + makes it all the better for a little auto ride. We like you, kid, + we're fond of you—awful fond—ain't we, Pete?" + </p> + <p> + "We surely are," admitted the other. + </p> + <p> + "So we thought we'd invite you out for a whirl—see? We'll + give you a nice ride, so you can enjoy the scenery. It's fine out + Harlem way, an' the cold'll make you feel good. Eh, Pete?" + </p> + <p> + "That's the idea," responded Pete, cheerfully. + </p> + <p> + "Very kind of you," said the detective, leaning back + comfortably against the cushions and pulling up his coat collar to + shield him from the wind. "But are you aware that I'm on duty, + and that this will allow my man to slip away from me?" + </p> + <p> + "Can't help that; but we're awful sorry," was the reply. + "We just wanted company, an' you're a good fellow, Fogerty, + considerin' your age an' size." + </p> + <p> + "Thank you," said Fogerty, "You know me, and I know + you. You are Bill Leesome, alias Will Dutton—usually called + Big Bill. You did time a couple of years ago for knocking out a + policeman." + </p> + <p> + "I'm safe enough now, though," responded Big Bill. "You're + not working on the reg'lar force, Fogerty, you're only a private + burr." + </p> + <p> + "I am protected, just the same," asserted Fogerty. "When + you knabbed me I was shadowing Mershone, who has made away with a + prominent society young lady." + </p> + <p> + "Oh, he has, has he?" chuckled Big Bill, and his companion + laughed so gleefully that he attracted Fogerty's attention to + himself. + </p> + <p> + "Ah, I suppose you are one of the two men who lugged the girl + off," he remarked; "and I must congratulate you on having + made a good job of it. Isn't it curious, by the way, that the fellow + who stole and hid this girl should be the innocent means of + revealing her biding place?" + </p> + <p> + The two men stared at him blankly. The car, during this + conversation, had moved steadily on, turning this and that corner in + a way that might have confused anyone not perfectly acquainted with + this section of the city. + </p> + <p> + "What d'ye mean by that talk, Fogerty?" demanded Big Bill. + </p> + <p> + "Of course it was Mershone who stole the girl," explained + the detective, calmly; "we know that. But Mershone is a clever + chap. He knew he was watched, and so he has never made a movement to + go to his prisoner. But he grew restless in time, and when he met + you, yesterday, fixed up a deal with you to carry me away, so he + could escape." + </p> + <p> + Big Bill looked uncomfortable. + </p> + <p> + "You know a lot, Fogerty," he said, doggedly. + </p> + <p> + "Yes; I've found that human nature is much the same the world + over," replied the detective. "Of course I suspected you + would undertake to give Mershone his chance by grabbing me, and that + is exactly what you have done. But, my lads, what do you suppose I + have done in the meantime?" + </p> + <p> + They both looked their curiosity but said nothing. + </p> + <p> + "I've simply used your clever plot to my own advantage, in + order to bring things to a climax," continued Fogerty. "While + we are joy-riding here, a half dozen of my men are watching every + move that Mershone makes. I believe he will lead them straight to + the girl; don't you?" + </p> + <p> + Big Bill growled some words that were not very choice and then + yelled to the chauffeur to stop. The other man was pale and + evidently frightened. + </p> + <p> + "See here, Fogerty; you make tracks!" was the sharp + command, as the automobile came to a halt. "You've worked a + pretty trick on us, 'cordin' to your own showin', and we must find + Mr. Mershone before it's too late—if we can." + </p> + <p> + "Good morning," said Fogerty, alighting. "Thank you + for a pleasant ride—and other things." + </p> + <p> + They dashed away and left him standing on the curb; and after + watching them disappear the detective walked over to a drug store + and entered the telephone booth. + </p> + <p> + "That you, Hyde?—This is Fogerty." + </p> + <p> + "Yes, sir. Mr. Mershone has just crossed the ferry to Jersey. + Adams is with him. I'll hear from him again in a minute: hold the + wire." + </p> + <p> + Fogerty waited. Soon he learned that Mershone had purchased a ticket + for East Orange. The train would leave in fifteen minutes. + </p> + <p> + Fogerty decided quickly. After looking at his watch he rushed out + and arrested a passing taxicab. + </p> + <p> + "Ready for a quick run—perhaps a long one?" he + asked. + </p> + <p> + "Ready for anything," declared the man. + </p> + <p> + The detective jumped in and gave hurried directions. + </p> + <p> + "Never mind the speed limit," he said. "No one will + interfere with us. I'm Fogerty." + </p> + <hr style="width: 35%;" /> + <a name="chap19" id="chap19"></a> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIX + </h2> + <br /> + <p> + POLITIC REPENTANCE + </p> + <p> + Perhaps no one—not even Mrs. Merrick—was so unhappy in + consequence of the lamentable crime that had been committed as Diana + Von Taer. Immediately after her interview with Beth her mood + changed, and she would have given worlds to be free from complicity + in the abduction. Bitterly, indeed, she reproached herself for her + enmity toward the unsuspecting girl, an innocent victim of Diana's + own vain desires and Charles Mershone's heartless wiles. Repenting + her folly and reasoning out the thing when it was too late, Diana + saw clearly that she had gained no possible advantage, but had + thoughtlessly conspired to ruin the reputation of an honest, + ingenuous girl. + </p> + <p> + Not long ago she had said that her life was dull, a stupid round of + social functions that bored her dreadfully. She had hoped by + adopting John Merrick's nieces as her <i>protégées</i> + and introducing them to society to find a novel and pleasurable + excitement that would serve to take her out of her unfortunate <i>ennui</i>—a + condition to which she had practically been born. + </p> + <p> + But Diana had never bargained for such excitement as this; she had + never thought to win self abhorrence by acts of petty malice and + callous cruelties. + </p> + <p> + Yet so intrenched was she in the conservatism of her class that she + could not at once bring herself to the point of exposing her own + guilt that she might make amends for what had been done. She told + herself she would rather die than permit Louise to suffer through + her connivance with her reckless, unprincipled cousin. She realized + perfectly that she ought to fly, without a moment's delay, to the + poor girl's assistance. Yet fear of exposure, of ridicule, of loss + of caste, held her a helpless prisoner in her own home, where she + paced the floor and moaned and wrung her hands until she was on the + verge of nervous prostration. If at any time she seemed to acquire + sufficient courage to go to Louise, a glance at the detective + watching the house unnerved her and prevented her from carrying out + her good intentions. + </p> + <p> + You must not believe that Diana was really bad; her lifelong + training along set lines and practical seclusion from the everyday + world were largely responsible for her evil impulses. Mischief is + sure to crop up, in one form or another, among the idle and + ambitionless. More daring wickedness is said to be accomplished by + the wealthy and aimless creatures of our false society than by the + poorer and uneducated classes, wherein criminals are supposed to + thrive. These sins are often unpublished, although not always + undiscovered, but they are no more venial because they are + suppressed by wealth and power. + </p> + <p> + Diana Von Taer was a girl who, rightly led, might have been capable + of developing a noble womanhood; yet the conditions of her limited + environment had induced her to countenance a most dastardly and + despicable act. It speaks well for the innate goodness of this girl + that she at last actually rebelled and resolved to undo, insofar as + she was able, the wrong that had been accomplished. + </p> + <p> + For four days she suffered tortures of remorse. On the morning of + the fifth day she firmly decided to act. Regardless of who might be + watching, or of any unpleasant consequences to herself, she quietly + left the house, unattended, and started directly for the East Orange + mansion. + </p> + <hr style="width: 35%;" /> + <a name="chap20" id="chap20"></a> + <h2> + CHAPTER XX + </h2> + <br /> + <p> + A TELEPHONE CALL + </p> + <p> + Still another laggard awoke to action on this eventful Tuesday + morning. + </p> + <p> + Madame Cerise had been growing more and more morose and dissatisfied + day by day. Her grievance was very tangible. A young girl had been + brought forcibly to the house and placed in her care to be treated + as a prisoner. From that time the perpetrators of the deed had left + the woman to her own resources, never communicating with her in any + way. + </p> + <p> + During a long life of servitude Madame Cerise had acquiesced in many + things that her own conscience did not approve of, for she + considered herself a mere instrument to be used at will by the + people who employed and paid her. But her enforced solitude as + caretaker of the lonely house at East Orange had given her ample + time to think, and her views had lately undergone a decided change. + </p> + <p> + To become the jailer of a young, pretty and innocent girl was the + most severe trial her faithfulness to her employers had ever + compelled her to undergo, and the woman deeply resented the doubtful + position in which she had been placed. + </p> + <p> + However, the chances were that Madame Cerise might have obeyed her + orders to the letter had not so long a period of waiting ensued. + During these days she was constantly thrown in the society of + Louise, which had a tendency to make her still more rebellious. The + girl clung to Cerise in her helplessness and despair, and constantly + implored her to set her free. This, indeed, the Frenchwoman might + have done long ago had she not suspected such an act might cause + great embarrassment to Diana Von Taer, whom she had held on her knee + as an infant and sought to protect with loyal affection. + </p> + <p> + It was hard, though, to hear the pitiful appeals of the imprisoned + girl, and to realize how great was the wrong that was being done + her. The old woman was forced to set her jaws firmly and turn deaf + ears to the pleadings in order not to succumb to them straightway. + Meantime she did her duty conscientiously. She never left Louise's + room without turning the key in the lock, and she steadfastly + refused the girl permission to wander in the other rooms of the + house. The prison was a real prison, indeed, but the turnkey sought + to alleviate the prisoner's misery by every means in her power. She + was indefatigable in her service, keeping the room warm and neat, + attending to the girl's every want and cooking her delicious meals. + </p> + <p> + While this all tended to Louise's comfort it had little affect in + soothing her misery. Between periods of weeping she sought to cajole + the old woman to release her, and at times she succumbed to blank + despair. Arthur was always in her mind, and she wondered why he did + not come to rescue her. Every night she stole softly from her bed to + try the door, hoping Cerise had forgotten to lock it. She examined + her prison by stealth to discover any possible way of escape. + </p> + <p> + There were two small windows and one large one. The latter opened + upon the roof of a small porch, but, there were no way to descend + from it unless one used a frail lattice at one end, which in summer + probably supported a rose or other vine. Louise shrank intuitively + from such a desperate undertaking. Unless some dreadful crisis + occurred she would never dare trust herself to that frail support. + Yet it seemed the only possible way of escape. + </p> + <p> + Time finally wore out the patience of Madame Cerise, who was unable + longer to withstand Louise's pleadings. She did not indicate by word + or look that her attitude had changed, but she made a secret resolve + to have done with the affair altogether. + </p> + <p> + Often in their conversations the girl had mentioned Arthur Weldon. + She had given Cerise his address and telephone number, and implored + her at least to communicate with him and tell him his sweetheart was + safe, although unhappy. This had given the old woman the clever idea + on which she finally acted. + </p> + <p> + By telephoning Mr. Weldon she could give him the information that + would lead to his coming for Louise, without anyone knowing who it + was that had betrayed the secret. This method commended itself + strongly to her, as it would save her from any trouble or reproach. + </p> + <p> + Leaving Louise at breakfast on this Tuesday morning Madame Cerise + went down to the telephone and was soon in communication with + Arthur. She told him, in a quiet tone, that Miss Louise Merrick was + being secluded in a suburban house near East Orange, and described + the place so he could easily find it. The young man questioned her + eagerly, but aside from the information that the girl was well and + uninjured she vouchsafed no further comment. + </p> + <p> + It was enough, however. Arthur, in wild excitement, rushed to the + rescue. + </p> + <hr style="width: 35%;" /> + <a name="chap21" id="chap21"></a> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXI + </h2> + <br /> + <p> + THE UNEXPECTED HAPPENS + </p> + <p> + Madame Cerise, well knowing she had accelerated the march of events + to a two-step, calmly sat herself down in the little housekeeper's + room off the lower hall and, leaving Louise to her moody solitude + upstairs, awaited the inevitable developments. + </p> + <p> + Outside the weather was cold and blustering. The wind whirled its + burden of snowflakes in every direction with blinding, bewildering + impartiality. It was a bad day to be out, thought the old + Frenchwoman; but a snowstorm was not likely to deter an anxious + lover. She calculated the time it would take Monsieur Weldon to + arrive at the mansion: if he was prompt and energetic he could cover + the distance in an hour and a half by train or three hours by motor + car. But he must prepare for the journey, and that would consume + some time; perhaps she need not expect him within two hours at the + earliest. + </p> + <p> + She read, to pass away the time, selecting a book from a shelf of + well-worn French novels. Somehow she did not care to face her + tearful prisoner again until she could restore the unhappy girl to + the arms of her true lover. There was still romance in the soul of + Madame Cerise, however withered her cheeks might be. She was very + glad that at last she had summoned courage to act according to the + dictates of her heart. + </p> + <p> + Eh? What is this? A rumble of wheels over the frozen snow caused her + to glance at the clock above the mantel. Not by any possibility + could Monsieur Weldon arrive so soon. Who, then, could it be? + </p> + <p> + She sat motionless while the doorbell rang, and rang again. Nothing + must interfere with the pretty <i>denouement</i> she had so fondly + anticipated when Louise's faithful knight came to her. + </p> + <p> + But the one who had just now alighted was persistent. The vehicle + had been sent away—she heard the sound of receding wheels—and + the new arrival wanted to get in. The bell jerked and jangled + unceasingly for a time and then came a crash against the door, as if + a stalwart shoulder was endeavoring to break it down. + </p> + <p> + Madame Cerise laid down her book, placed her <i>pince-nez</i> in the + case, and slowly proceeded down the hall. The door shook with + another powerful impact, a voice cried out demanding admittance. + </p> + <p> + "Who is it, then?" she called shrilly. + </p> + <p> + "Open the door, confound you!" was the irritated reply. + </p> + <p> + The woman reflected. This was surely young Mershone's voice. And she + had no excuse to deny him admittance. Quietly she unbolted the door + and allowed it to open an inch while she peered at the man outside. + </p> + <p> + "Oh! it is Monsieur Mershone." + </p> + <p> + "Of course it is," he roared, forcing the door open and + stalking in. "Who in thunder did you think it was?" + </p> + <p> + "A thousand pardons, m'sieur," said Cerise. "I must + be cautious; it is your own command. That you may be protected I + deny admittance to all." + </p> + <p> + "That's all right," said Mershone gruffly, while he + stamped his feet upon the rug and shook the snow from his clothing. + "Haven't you any fire in this beastly old refrigerator? I'm + nearly frozen. Where's Miss Merrick?" + </p> + <p> + "She is occupying Ma'm'selle Diana's room, in the west wing. + Will monsieur please to come this way?" + </p> + <p> + She led him to her own little room, and so engrossed were they that + neither remembered he had failed to rebolt the front door. + </p> + <p> + A good fire burned in the grate of Cerise's cosy den and Mershone + threw off his overcoat and warmed his hands as he showered questions + upon the old caretaker. + </p> + <p> + "How is the girl behaving? Tears and hysterics?" + </p> + <p> + "At times, m'sieur." + </p> + <p> + "Takes it hard, eh?" + </p> + <p> + "She is very unhappy." + </p> + <p> + "Ever mention a man named Weldon?" + </p> + <p> + "Often." + </p> + <p> + "Humph!" He did not like this report. "Has anyone + been here to disturb you, or to make enquiries?" + </p> + <p> + "No one, m'sieur." + </p> + <p> + "We're safe enough, I guess. It was a mighty neat job, Cerise, + taken altogether, although the fools have been watching me night and + day. That's the reason I did not come sooner." + </p> + <p> + She made no comment. Mershone threw himself into a chair and stared + thoughtfully at the fire. + </p> + <p> + "Has Louise—Miss Merrick, you know—mentioned my + name at all?" + </p> + <p> + "At times." + </p> + <p> + "In what way?" + </p> + <p> + "With loathing and contempt." + </p> + <p> + He scowled at her savagely. + </p> + <p> + "Do you think she suspects that I carried her away?" + </p> + <p> + "She seems to know it absolutely." + </p> + <p> + He stared at the fire again. + </p> + <p> + "I've got a queer job on my hands, Cerise, and I rely on you to + help me," said he presently, assuming a more conciliating + manner. "Perhaps I'm in a box, or a hole, or whatever else you + like to call it, but it's too late too back down now—I must + push ahead and win. You see the case is this: I love the girl and + had her brought here to keep her from another man. By hook or crook + I'm going to make her my wife. She won't take kindly to that at + first, perhaps, but I'll make her happy in the end. In one way this + delay has been a good thing. It must have worn her out and broken + her spirits quite a bit; eh?" + </p> + <p> + "She seems very miserable," conceded the woman. + </p> + <p> + "Do you find her hard to manage? Does she show much temper? In + other words, do you suppose she'll put up a fight?" + </p> + <p> + Madame Cerise regarded him wonderingly. + </p> + <p> + "She is a good girl," was her reply. "She loves with + much devotion the man from whom you have stolen her. I am quite + positive she will never consent to become your wife." + </p> + <p> + "Oh, you are? Well, I intend she shall marry me, and that + settles it. She's unnerved and miserable now, and I mean to grind + her down till she hasn't strength to resist me. That sounds hard. I + know; but it's the only way to accomplish my purpose. After she's my + wife I'll be very kind to her, poor thing, and teach her to love me. + A man can do anything with a woman if he sets about it the right + way. I'm not taking this stand because I'm cruel, Cerise, but + because I'm desperate. All's fair in love and war, you know, and + this is a bit of both." + </p> + <p> + He was pacing the floor by this time, his hands thrust deep in his + pockets, an anxious look upon his face that belied his bombastic + words. + </p> + <p> + The Frenchwoman's expression was impassive. Her scorn for the wretch + before her was tempered with the knowledge that his cowardly plan + was doomed to defeat. It was she who had checkmated him, and she was + glad. Now and again her eyes sought the clock, while she silently + calculated the time to elapse before Arthur Weldon arrived. There + would be a pretty scene then, Cerise would have much enjoyment in + witnessing the encounter. + </p> + <p> + "Now, then, take me to Louise," commanded Mershone, + suddenly. + </p> + <p> + She shrank back in dismay. + </p> + <p> + "Oh, not yet, m'sieur!" + </p> + <p> + "Why not?" + </p> + <p> + "The young lady is asleep. She will not waken for an hour—perhaps + two." + </p> + <p> + "I can't wait. We'll waken her now, and give her an idea of the + change of program." + </p> + <p> + "But no, m'sieur! It is outrageous. The poor thing has but now + sobbed herself to sleep, after many bitter hours. Can you not wait a + brief hour, having waited five days?" + </p> + <p> + "No. Take me to her at once." + </p> + <p> + As he came toward her the woman drew away. + </p> + <p> + "I cannot," she said firmly. + </p> + <p> + "See here, Cerise, I intend to be obeyed. I won't endure any + nonsense at this stage of the game, believe me," he announced + fiercely. "In order to win, there's just one way to manage this + affair, and I insist upon your following my instructions. Take me to + Louise!" + </p> + <p> + "I will not!" she returned, the bead-like eyes glittering + as they met his angry gaze. + </p> + <p> + "Then I'll go alone. Give me the key." + </p> + <p> + She did not move, nor did she answer him. At her waist hung a small + bunch of household keys and this he seized with a sudden movement + and jerked loose from its cord. + </p> + <p> + "You miserable hag!" he muttered, inflamed with anger at + her opposition. "If you propose to defend this girl and defy + me, you'll find I'm able to crush you as I will her. While I'm gone + I expect you to come to your senses, and decide to obey me." + </p> + <p> + With these words he advanced to the door of the little room and + opened it. Just outside stood Fogerty, smiling genially. + </p> + <p> + "Glad to meet you again, Mr. Mershone," he said. "May + I come in? Thank you." + </p> + <p> + While Mershone stood bewildered by this unexpected apparition the + detective entered the room, closed the door carefully, and putting + his back to it bowed politely to Madame Cerise. + </p> + <p> + "Pardon this seeming intrusion, ma'am," said he. "I'm + here on a little matter of business, having a warrant for the arrest + of Mr. Charles Connoldy Mershone." + </p> + <hr style="width: 35%;" /> + <a name="chap22" id="chap22"></a> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXII + </h2> + <p> + GONE + </p> + <p> + The grim face of Madame Cerise relaxed to allow a quaint smile to + flit across it. She returned Fogerty's bow with a deep curtsy. + </p> + <p> + Mershone, after one brief exclamation of dismay, wrested from him by + surprise, threw himself into the chair again and stared at the fire. + For a few moments there was intense stillness in the little room. + </p> + <p> + "How easy it is," said Fogerty, in soft, musing tones, + "to read one's thoughts—under certain circumstances. You + are thinking, Mr. Mershone, that I'm a boy, and not very strong, + while you are an athlete and can easily overpower me. I have come at + a disagreeable time, and all your plans depend on your ability to + get rid of me. But I've four good men within call, who are just now + guarding the approaches to this house. They'd like to come in, I + know, because it's very cold and disagreeable outside; but suppose + we allow them to freeze for a time? Ah, I thought you'd agree with + me, sir—I overheard you say you were about to visit Miss + Merrick, who is confined in a room upstairs, but I'd like you to + postpone that while we indulge in a little confidential chat + together. You see—" + </p> + <p> + The door-bell rang violently. Fogerty glanced at Madame Cerise. + </p> + <p> + "Will you see who it is?" he asked. + </p> + <p> + She arose at once and left the room. Mershone turned quickly. + </p> + <p> + "What's your price, Fogerty?" he asked, meaningly. + </p> + <p> + "For what?" + </p> + <p> + "For getting out of here—making tracks and leaving me + alone. Every man has his price, and I'm trapped—I'm willing to + pay anything—I'll—" + </p> + <p> + "Cut it out, sir. You've tried this once before. I'm not to be + bribed." + </p> + <p> + "Have you really a warrant for my arrest?" + </p> + <p> + "I've carried it since Friday. It's no use, Mershone, the + game's up and you may as well grin and bear it." + </p> + <p> + Mershone was about to reply when the door opened and Diana Von Taer + came in with a swift, catlike tread and confronted him with flaming + eyes. + </p> + <p> + "You coward! You low, miserable scoundrel! How dare you come + here to annoy and browbeat that poor girl?" she cried in clear, + cutting accents, without noticing the presence of Fogerty. + </p> + <p> + "Oh, shut up, Di, you're in it as deep as I am," he + retorted, turning away with a flushed face. + </p> + <p> + "I'm not, sir! Never have I countenanced this wicked, criminal + act," she declared. "I have come here to-day to save + Louise from your wiles and carry her back to her friends. I dare + you, or your confederates," with a scornful look at the + detective, "to interfere with me in any way." Then she + turned to Cerise and continued: "Where is Miss Merrick now?" + </p> + <p> + "In your own room, ma'm'seile." + </p> + <p> + "Come with me, then." + </p> + <p> + With a defiant glance at Mershone she turned haughtily and left the + room. Cerise followed obediently, somewhat astonished at the queer + turn of events. + </p> + <p> + Left alone with Mershone, Fogerty chuckled gleefully. + </p> + <p> + "Why, it seems I wasn't needed, after all," said he, + "and we've both of us taken a lot of trouble for nothing, + Mershone. The chances are Miss Von Taer would have turned the trick + in any event, don't you think so?" + </p> + <p> + "No, you don't understand her. She wouldn't have interfered if + she hadn't been scared out," growled the other. "She's + sacrificed me to save herself, that's all." + </p> + <p> + "You may be right about that," admitted Fogerty; and then + he got up to answer the door-bell, which once more rang violently. + </p> + <p> + An automobile stood outside, and from it an excited party trooped + into the hallway, disregarding the cutting wind and blinding + snowflakes that assailed them as they passed in. There was Arthur + Weldon and Uncle John, Patricia and Beth; and all, as they saw the + detective, cried with one voice: + </p> + <p> + "Where's Louise?" + </p> + <p> + Fogerty had just managed to close the door against the wintry blast + when the answer came from the stairway just above: + </p> + <p> + "She is gone!" + </p> + <p> + The voice was shrill and despairing, and looking up they saw Diana + standing dramatically posed upon the landing, her hands clasped over + her heart and a look of fear upon her face. Over her shoulder the + startled black eyes of old Cerise peered down upon the group below. + </p> + <p> + The newcomers were evidently bewildered by this reception. They had + come to rescue Louise, whom they imagined confined in a lonely + deserted villa with no companion other than the woman who guarded + her. Arthur's own detective opened the door to them and Diana Von + Taer, whom they certainly did not expect to meet here, confronted + them with the thrilling statement that Louise had gone. + </p> + <p> + Arthur was the first to recover his wits. + </p> + <p> + "Gone!" he repeated; "gone where?" + </p> + <p> + "She had escaped—run away!" explained Diana, in real + distress. + </p> + <p> + "When?" asked Uncle John. + </p> + <p> + "Just now. Within an hour, wasn't it, Cerise?" + </p> + <p> + "At ten o'clock I left her, now she is gone," said the old + woman, who appeared as greatly agitated as her mistress. + </p> + <p> + "Good gracious! you don't mean to say she's left the house in + this storm?" exclaimed Patsy, aghast at the very thought. + </p> + <p> + "What shall we do? What <i>can</i> we do?" demanded Beth, + eagerly. + </p> + <p> + Fogerty started up the stairs. Cerise turned to show him the way, + and the others followed in an awed group. + </p> + <p> + The key was in the lock of the door to the missing girl's room, but + the door itself now stood ajar. Fogerty entered, cast a sharp look + around and walked straight to the window. As the others came in, + glancing curiously about them and noting the still smouldering fire + and the evidences of recent occupation, the detective unlatched the + French window and stepped out into the snow that covered the roof of + the little porch below. Arthur sprang out beside him, leaving the + rest to shiver in the cold blast that rushed in upon them from the + open window. + </p> + <p> + Fogerty, on his knees, scanned the snow carefully, and although + Weldon could discover no sign of a footprint the young detective + nodded his head sagaciously and slowly made his way to the trellis + at the end. Here it was plain that the accumulation of snow had + recently been brushed away from the frail framework. + </p> + <p> + "It was strong enough to hold her, though," declared + Fogerty, looking over the edge of the roof. "I'll descend the + same way, sir. Go back by the stairs and meet me below." + </p> + <p> + He grasped the lattice and began cautiously to lower himself to the + ground, and Arthur turned to rejoin his friends in the room. + </p> + <p> + "That is the way she escaped, without doubt," he said to + them. "Poor child, she had no idea we were about to rescue her, + and her long confinement had made her desperate." + </p> + <p> + "Did she have a cloak, or any warm clothes?" asked Beth. + Madame Cerise hurriedly examined the wardrobe in the closets. + </p> + <p> + "Yes, ma'm'selle; she has taken a thick coat and a knit scarf," + she answered. But I am sure she had no gloves, and her shoes were + very thin." + </p> + <p> + "How long do you think she has been gone?" Patsy enquired. + </p> + <p> + "Not more than an hour. I was talking with Mr. Mershone, and—" + </p> + <p> + "Mershone! Is he here?" demanded Arthur. + </p> + <p> + "He is in my room downstairs—or was when you came," + said the woman. + </p> + <p> + "That accounts for her sudden flight," declared the young + man, bitterly. "She doubtless heard his voice and in a sudden + panic decided to fly. Did Mershone see her?" he asked. + </p> + <p> + "No, m'sieur," replied Cerise. + </p> + <p> + With one accord they descended to the lower hall and the caretaker + led the way to her room. To their surprise they found Mershone still + seated in the chair by the fire, his hands clasped behind his head, + a cigarette between his lips. + </p> + <p> + "Here is another crime for you to account for!" cried + Arthur, advancing upon him angrily. "You have driven Louise to + her death!" + </p> + <p> + Mershone raised one hand in mild protest. + </p> + <p> + "Don't waste time cursing me," he said. "Try to find + Louise before it is too late." + </p> + <p> + The reproach seemed justified. Arthur paused and turning to Mr. + Merrick said: + </p> + <p> + "He is right. I'll go help Fogerty, and you must stay here and + look after the girls until we return." + </p> + <p> + As he went out he passed Diana without a look. She sat in a corner + of the room sobbing miserably. Beth was thoughtful and quiet, Patsy + nervous and indignant. Uncle John was apparently crushed by the + disaster that had overtaken them. Mershone's suggestion that Louise + might perish in the storm was no idle one; the girl was not only + frail and delicate but worn out with her long imprisonment and its + anxieties. They all realized this. + </p> + <p> + "I believe," said Mershone, rising abruptly, "I'll go + and join the search. Fogerty has arrested me, but you needn't worry + about my trying to escape. I don't care what becomes of me, now, and + I'm going straight to join the detective." + </p> + <p> + They allowed him to go without protest, and he buttoned his coat and + set out in the storm to find the others. Fogerty and Arthur were by + this time in the lane back of the grounds, where the detective was + advancing slowly with his eyes fixed on the ground. + </p> + <p> + "The tracks are faint, but easily followed," he was + saying, "The high heels of her shoes leave a distinct mark." + </p> + <p> + When Mershone joined them Arthur scowled at the fellow but said + nothing. Fogerty merely smiled. + </p> + <p> + From the lane the tracks, already nearly obliterated by the fast + falling snow, wandered along nearly a quarter of a mile to a + crossroads, where they became wholly lost. + </p> + <p> + Fogerty looked up and down the roads and shook his head with a + puzzled expression. + </p> + <p> + "We've surely traced her so far," said he, "but now + we must guess at her further direction. You'll notice this track of + a wagon. It may have passed fifteen minutes or an hour ago. The hoof + tracks of the horses are covered, so I'm not positive which way they + headed; I only know there are indications of hoof tracks, which + proves it a farmer's wagon. The question is, whether the young lady + met it, and caught a ride, or whether she proceeded along some of + the other trails. I can't find any indication of those high-heeled + shoes from this point, in any direction. Better get your car, Mr. + Weldon, and run east a few miles, keeping sharp watch of the wagon + tracks on the way. It was a heavy wagon, for the wheels cut deep. + Mershone and I will go west. When you've driven far enough to + satisfy yourself you're going the wrong direction, you may easily + overtake us on your return. Then, if we've discovered nothing on + this road, we'll try the other." + </p> + <p> + Arthur ran back at once to the house and in a few minutes had + started on his quest. The motor car was powerful enough to plow + through the deep snow with comparative ease. + </p> + <p> + Those left together in Madam Cerise's little room were more to be + pitied than the ones engaged in active search, for there was nothing + to relieve their fears and anxieties. Diana, unable to bear the + accusing looks of Patsy and Beth, resolved to make a clean breast of + her complicity in the affair and related to them every detail of her + connection with her cousin's despicable plot. She ended by begging + their forgiveness, and wept so miserably that Uncle John found + himself stroking her hair while Patsy came close and pressed the + penitent girl's hand as if to comfort and reassure her. + </p> + <p> + Beth said nothing. She could not find it in her heart as yet to + forgive Diana's selfish conspiracy against her cousin's happiness. + If Louise perished in this dreadful storm the proud Diana Von Taer + could not escape the taint of murder. The end was not yet. + </p> + <hr style="width: 35%;" /> + <a name="chap23" id="chap23"></a> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXIII + </h2> + <br /> + <p> + THE CRISIS + </p> + <p> + Mershone and Fogerty plodded through the snow together, side by + side. They were facing the wind, which cut their faces cruelly, yet + neither seemed to mind the bitterness of the weather. + </p> + <p> + "Keep watch along the roadside," suggested Mershone; + "she may have fallen anywhere, you know. She couldn't endure + this thing long. Poor Louise!" + </p> + <p> + "You were fond of her, Mr. Mershone?" asked Fogerty, not + unsympathetically. + </p> + <p> + "Yes. That was why I made such a struggle to get her." + </p> + <p> + "It was a mistake, sir. Provided a woman is won by force or + trickery she's never worth getting. If she doesn't care for you it's + better to give her up." + </p> + <p> + "I know—now." + </p> + <p> + "You're a bright fellow, Mershone, a clever fellow. It's a pity + you couldn't direct your talents the right way. They'll jug you for + this." + </p> + <p> + "Never mind. The game of life isn't worth playing. I've done + with it, and the sooner I go to the devil the better. If only I + could be sure Louise was safe I'd toss every care—and every + honest thought—to the winds, from this moment." + </p> + <p> + During the silence that followed Fogerty was thoughtful. Indeed, his + mind dwelt more upon the defeated and desperate man beside him than + upon the waif he was searching for. + </p> + <p> + "What's been done, Mr. Mershone," he said, after a time, + "can't be helped now. The future of every man is always a + bigger proposition than his past—whoever he may be. With your + talents and genius you could yet make of yourself a successful and + prosperous man, respected by the community —if you could get + out of this miserable rut that has helped to drag you down." + </p> + <p> + "But I can't," said the other, despondently. + </p> + <p> + "You can if you try. But you'll have to strike for a place a + good way from New York. Go West, forget your past, and carve out an + honest future under a new name and among new associates. You're + equal to it." + </p> + <p> + Mershone shook his head. + </p> + <p> + "You forget," he said. "They'll give me a jail + sentence for this folly, as sure as fate, and that will be the end + of me." + </p> + <p> + "Not necessarily. See here, Mershone, it won't help any of + those people to prosecute you. If the girl escapes with her life no + real harm has been done, although you've caused a deal of + unhappiness, in one way or another. For my part, I'd like to see you + escape, because I'm sure this affair will be a warning to you that + will induce you to give up all trickery in the future. Money + wouldn't bribe me, as you know, but sympathy and good fellowship + will. If you'll promise to skip right now, and turn over a new leaf, + you are free." + </p> + <p> + "Where could I go?" + </p> + <p> + "There's a town a mile ahead of us; I can see the buildings now + and then. You've money, for you offered it to me. I haven't any + assistants here, I'm all alone on the job. That talk about four men + was only a bluff. Push me over in the snow and make tracks. I'll + tell Weldon you've escaped, and advise him not to bother you. It's + very easy." + </p> + <p> + Mershone stopped short, seized the detective's hand and wrung it + gratefully. + </p> + <p> + "You're a good fellow, Fogerty. I—I thank you. But I + can't do it. In the first place, I can't rest in peace until Louise + is found, or I know her fate. Secondly, I'm game to give an account + for all my deeds, now that I've played the farce out, and lost. I—I + really haven't the ambition, Fogerty, to make a new start in life, + and try to reform. What's the use?" + </p> + <p> + Fogerty did not reply. Perhaps he realized the case was entirely + hopeless. But he had done what he could to save the misguided fellow + and give him a chance, and he was sorry he had not succeeded. + </p> + <p> + Meantime Arthur Weldon, almost dazed by the calamity that had + overtaken his sweetheart, found an able assistant in his chauffeur, + who, when the case was explained to him, developed an eager and + intelligent interest in the chase. Fortunately they moved with the + storm and the snow presently moderated in volume although the wind + was still blowing a fierce gale. This gave them a better opportunity + than the others to observe the road they followed. + </p> + <p> + Jones had good eyes, and although the trail of the heavy wagon was + lost at times he soon picked it up again and they were enabled to + make fairly good speed. + </p> + <p> + "I believe," said Arthur, presently, "that the marks + are getting clearer." + </p> + <p> + "I know they are, sir," agreed Jones. + </p> + <p> + "Then we've come in the right direction, for it is proof that + the wagon was headed this way." + </p> + <p> + "Quite right, sir." + </p> + <p> + This back section was thinly settled and the occasional farm-houses + they passed were set well back from the road. It was evident from + the closed gates and drifted snowbanks that no teams had either left + these places or arrived during a recent period. Arthur was + encouraged, moreover, by the wagon ruts growing still more clear as + they proceeded, and his excitement was great when Jones abruptly + halted and pointed to a place where the wheels had made a turn and + entered a farm yard. + </p> + <p> + "Here's the place, sir," announced the chauffeur. + </p> + <p> + "Can you get in?" + </p> + <p> + "It's pretty deep, sir, but I'll try." + </p> + <p> + The snow was crisp and light, owing to the excessive cold, and the + machine plowed through it bravely, drawing up at last to the door of + an humble cottage. + </p> + <p> + As Arthur leaped out of the car a man appeared upon the steps, + closing the door softly behind him. + </p> + <p> + "Looking for the young lady, sir?" he asked. + </p> + <p> + "Is she here?" cried Arthur. + </p> + <p> + The man placed his finger on his lips, although the wind prevented + any sound of voices being heard within. + </p> + <p> + "Gently, sir, don't make a noise—but come in." + </p> + <p> + They entered what seemed to be a kitchen. The farmer, a man of + advanced years, led him to a front room, and again cautioning him to + be silent, motioned him to enter. + </p> + <p> + A sheet-iron stove made the place fairly comfortable. By a window + sat a meek-faced woman, bent over some sewing. On a couch opposite + lay Louise, covered by a heavy shawl. She was fast asleep, her hair + disheveled and straying over her crimson cheeks, flushed from + exposure to the weather. Her slumber seemed the result of physical + exhaustion, for her lips were parted and she breathed deeply. + </p> + <p> + Arthur, after gazing at her for a moment with a beating-heart, for + the mysterious actions of the old farmer had made him fear the + worst, softly approached the couch and knelt beside the girl he + loved, thanking; God in his inmost heart for her escape. Then he + leaned over and pressed a kiss upon her cheek. + </p> + <p> + Louise slowly opened her eyes, smiled divinely, and threw her arms + impulsively around his neck. + </p> + <p> + "I knew you would come for me, dear," she whispered. + </p> + <hr style="width: 35%;" /> + <a name="chap24" id="chap24"></a> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXIV + </h2> + <br /> + <p> + A MATTER OF COURSE + </p> + <p> + All explanations were barred until the girl had been tenderly taken + to her own home and under the loving care of her mother and cousins + had recovered to an extent from the terrible experiences she had + undergone. + </p> + <p> + Then by degrees she told them her story, and how, hearing the voice + of her persecutor Mershone in the hall below she had become frantic + with fear and resolved to trust herself to the mercies of the storm + rather than submit to an interview with him. Before this she had + decided that she could climb down the trellis, and that part of her + flight she accomplished easily. Then she ran toward the rear of the + premises to avoid being seen and managed to find the lane, and later + the cross-roads. It was very cold, but her excitement and the fear + of pursuit kept her warm until suddenly her strength failed her and + she sank down in the snow without power to move. At this juncture + the farmer and his wife drove by, having been on a trip to the town. + The man sprang out and lifted her in, and the woman tenderly wrapped + her in the robes and blankets and pillowed her head upon her + motherly bosom. By the time they reached the farm-house she was + quite warm again, but so exhausted that with a brief explanation + that she was lost, but somebody would be sure to find her before + long, she fell upon the couch and almost immediately lost + consciousness. + </p> + <p> + So Arthur found her, and one look into his eyes assured her that all + her troubles were over. + </p> + <p> + They did not prosecute Charlie Mershone, after all. Fogerty pleaded + for him earnestly, and Uncle John pointed out that to arrest the + young man would mean to give the whole affair to the newspapers, + which until now had not gleaned the slightest inkling of what had + happened. Publicity was to be avoided if possible, as it would set + loose a thousand malicious tongues and benefit nobody. The only + thing to be gained by prosecuting Mershone was revenge, and all were + willing to forego that doubtful satisfaction. + </p> + <p> + However, Uncle John had an interview with the young man in the + office of the prosecuting attorney, at which Mershone was given + permission to leave town quietly and pursue his fortunes in other + fields. If ever he returned, or in any way molested any of the + Merricks or his cousin Diana, he was assured that he would be + immediately arrested and prosecuted to the full extent of the law. + </p> + <p> + Mershone accepted the conditions and became an exile, passing at + once out of the lives of those he had so deeply wronged. + </p> + <p> + The joyful reunion of the lovers led to an early date being set for + the wedding. They met all protests by pleading their fears of + another heartrending separation, and no one ventured to oppose their + desire. + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Merrick quickly recovered her accustomed spirits during the + excitement of those anxious weeks preceding the wedding. Cards were + issued to "the very best people in town;" the <i>trousseau</i> + involved anxiety by day and restless dreams by night—all + eminently enjoyable; there were entertainments to be attended and + congratulations to be received from every side. + </p> + <p> + Society, suspecting nothing of the tragedy so lately enacted in + these young lives, was especially gracious to the betrothed. Louise + was the recipient of innumerable merry "showers" from her + girl associates, and her cousins, Patsy and Beth, followed in line + with "glass showers" and "china showers" until + the prospective bride was stocked with enough wares to establish a + "house-furnishing emporium," as Uncle John proudly + declared. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Merrick, by this time quite reconciled and palpably pleased at + the approaching marriage of his eldest niece, was not to be outdone + in "social stunts" that might add to her happiness. He + gave theatre parties and banquets without number, and gave them with + the marked success that invariably attended his efforts. + </p> + <p> + The evening before the wedding Uncle John and the Major claimed + Arthur for their own, and after an hour's conference between the + three that left the young fellow more happy and grateful than ever + before, he was entertained at his last "bachelor dinner," + where he made a remarkable speech and was lustily cheered. + </p> + <p> + Of course Beth and Patsy were the bridesmaids, and their cousin + Kenneth Forbes came all the way from Elmhurst to be Arthur's best + man. No one ever knew what it cost Uncle John for the wonderful + decorations at the church and home, for the music, the banquet and + all the other details which he himself eagerly arranged on a + magnificent scale and claimed was a part of his "wedding + present." + </p> + <p> + When it was all over, and the young people had driven away to begin + the journey of life together, the little man put a loving arm around + Beth and Patsy and said, between smiles and tears: + </p> + <p> + "Well, my dears, I've lost one niece, and that's a fact; but + I've still two left. How long will they remain with me, I wonder?" + </p> + <p> + "Dear me, Uncle John," said practical Patsy; "your + necktie's untied and dangling; like a shoestring! I hope it wasn't + that way at the wedding." + </p> + <p> + "It was, though," declared the Major, chuckling. "If + all three of ye get married, my dears, poor Uncle John will come to + look like a scarecrow —and all that in the face of swell + society!" + </p> + <p> + "Aren't we about through with swell society now?" asked + Mr. Merrick, anxiously. "Aren't we about done with it? It + caused all our troubles, you know." + </p> + <p> + "Society," announced Beth, complacently, "is an + excellent thing in the abstract. It has its black sheep, of course; + but I think no more than any other established class of humanity." + </p> + <p> + "Dear me!" cried Uncle John; "you once denounced + society." + </p> + <p> + "That," said she, "was before I knew anything at all + about it." + </p> + </td> + </tr> + </table> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + +***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AUNT JANE'S NIECES IN SOCIETY*** + +******* This file should be named 10468-h.txt or 10468-h.zip ******* + +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:<br /> +<a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/1/0/4/6/10468">https://www.gutenberg.org/1/0/4/6/10468</a> + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + + + + + + + +Title: Aunt Jane's Nieces in Society + +Author: Edith Van Dyne + +Release Date: December 15, 2003 [eBook #10468] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: US-ASCII + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AUNT JANE'S NIECES IN SOCIETY*** + + +E-text prepared by Afra Ullah, Sjaani, and Project Gutenberg Distributed +Proofreaders + + + +AUNT JANE'S NIECES IN SOCIETY + +BY + +EDITH VAN DYNE + +1910 + + + + + + +LIST OF CHAPTERS + + +CHAPTER + + I UNCLE JOHN'S DUTY + II A QUESTION OF "PULL" + III DIANA + IV THE THREE NIECES + V PREPARING FOR THE PLUNGE + VI THE FLY IN THE BROTH + VII THE HERO ENTERS AND TROUBLE BEGINS + VIII OPENING THE CAMPAIGN + IX THE VON TAER PEARLS + X MISLED + XI LIMOUSINE + XII FOGERTY + XIII DIANA REVOLTS + XIV A COOL ENCOUNTER + XV A BEWILDERING EXPERIENCE + XVI MADAME CERISE, CUSTODIAN + XVII THE MYSTERY DEEPENS +XVIII A RIFT IN THE CLOUDS + XIX POLITIC REPENTANCE + XX A TELEPHONE CALL + XXI THE UNEXPECTED HAPPENS + XXII GONE +XXIII THE CRISIS + XXIV A MATTER OF COURSE + + + + +CHAPTER I + + +UNCLE JOHN'S DUTY + +"You're not doing your duty by those girls, John Merrick!" + +The gentleman at whom this assertion was flung in a rather angry tone +did not answer his sister-in-law. He sat gazing reflectively at the +pattern in the rug and seemed neither startled nor annoyed. Mrs. +Merrick, a pink-cheeked middle-aged lady attired in an elaborate morning +gown, knitted her brows severely as she regarded the chubby little man +opposite; then, suddenly remembering that the wrinkles might leave their +dreadful mark on her carefully rolled and massaged features, she +banished them with a pass of her ringed hand and sighed dismally. + +"It would not have mattered especially had the poor children been left +in their original condition of friendless poverty," she said. "They were +then like a million other girls, content to struggle for a respectable +livelihood and a doubtful position in the lower stratas of social +communion. But you interfered. You came into their lives abruptly, +appearing from those horrid Western wilds with an amazing accumulation +of money and a demand that your three nieces become your special +_protegees_. And what is the result?" + +The little man looked up with a charming smile of good humored raillery. +His keen gray eyes sparkled as mischievously as a schoolboy's. Softly he +rubbed the palms of his hands together, as if enjoying the situation. + +"What is it, Martha, my dear? What is the result?" he asked. + +"You've raised them from their lowly condition to a sphere in which they +reign as queens, the envy of all who know them. You've lavished your +millions upon them unsparingly; they are not only presumptive heiresses +but already possessed of independent fortunes. Ah, you think you've been +generous to these girls; don't you, John Merrick?" "Go on, Martha; go +on." + +"You've taken them abroad--you took my own daughter, John Merrick, and +left _me_ at home!--you've lugged your three nieces to the mountains and +carried them to the seashore. You even encouraged them to enlist in an +unseemly campaign to elect that young imbecile, Kenneth Forbes, and--" + +"Oh, Martha, Martha! Get to the point, if you can. I'm going, +presently." + +"Not until you've heard me out. You've given your nieces every advantage +in your power save one, and the neglect of that one thing renders futile +all else you have accomplished." + +Now, indeed, her listener seemed perplexed. He passed a hand over his +shiny bald head as if to stimulate thought and exorcise bewilderment. + +"What is it, then? What have I neglected?" was his mild enquiry. + +"To give those girls their proper standing in society." + +He started; smiled; then looked grave. + +"You're talking foolishly," he said. "Why, confound it, Martha, they're +as good girls as ever lived! They're highly respected, and--" "Sir, I +refer to Fashionable Society." The capitals indicate the impressive +manner in which Mrs. Merrick pronounced those words. + +"I guess money makes folks fashionable; don't it, Martha?" + +"No, indeed. How ignorant you are, John. Can you not understand that +there is a cultured, aristocratic and exclusive Society in New York that +millions will not enable one to gain _entree_ to?" + +"Oh, is there? Then I'm helpless." + +"You are not, sir." + +"Eh? I thought you said--" + +"Listen, John; and for heaven's sake try for once to be receptive. I am +speaking not only for the welfare of my daughter Louise but for Beth +and Patricia. Your nieces are charming girls, all three. With the +advantages you have given them they may well become social celebrities." + +"H-m-m. Would they be happier so?" + +"Of course. Every true woman longs for social distinction, especially if +it seems difficult to acquire. Nothing is dearer to a girl's heart than +to win acceptance by the right social set. And New York society is the +most exclusive in America." + +"I'm afraid it will continue to exclude our girls, Martha." + +"Not if you do your duty, John." + +"That reminds me. What is your idea of my duty, Martha? You've been +talking in riddles, so far," he protested, shifting uneasily in his +chair. + +"Let me explain more concisely, then. Your millions, John Merrick, have +made you really famous, even in this wealthy metropolis. In the city and +at your club you must meet with men who have the _entree_ to the most +desirable social circles: men who might be induced to introduce your +nieces to their families, whose endorsement would effect their proper +presentation." + +"Nonsense." + +"It isn't nonsense at all." + +"Then blamed if I know what you're driving at." + +"You're very obtuse." + +"I won't agree to that till I know what 'obtuse' means. See here, +Martha; you say this social position, that the girls are so crazy +for--but they've never said anything to _me_ about it--can't be bought. +In the next breath you urge me to buy it. Phoo! You're a thoughtless, +silly woman, Martha, and let your wild ambitions run away with your +common sense." + +Mrs. Merrick sighed, but stubbornly maintained her position. + +"I don't suggest 'buying' such people; not at all, John. It's what is +called--ah--ah--'influence'; or, or--" + +"Or 'pull.' 'Pull' is a better word, Martha. Do you imagine there's any +value in social position that can be acquired by 'pull'?" + +"Of course. It has to be acquired some way--if one is not born to it. As +a matter of fact, Louise is entitled, through her connection with _my_ +family--" + +"Pshaw, I knew _your_ family, Martha," he interrupted. "An arrant lot of +humbugs." + +"John Merrick!" + +"Don't get riled. It's the truth. I _knew_ 'em. On her father's side +Louise has just as much to brag about--an' no more. We Merricks never +amounted to much, an' didn't hanker to trip the light fantastic in +swell society. Once, though, when I was a boy, I had a cousin who +spelled down the whole crowd at a spellin'-bee. We were quite proud of +him then; but he went wrong after his triumph, poor fellow! and became a +book agent. Now, Martha, I imagine this talk of yours is all hot air, +and worked off on me not because the girls want society, but because you +want it for 'em. It's all _your_ ambition, I'll bet a peanut." + +"You misjudge me, as usual, John. I am urging a matter of simple +justice. Your nieces are lovely girls, fitted to shine in any sphere of +life," she continued, knowing his weak point and diplomatically +fostering it. "Our girls have youth, accomplishments, money--everything +to fit them for social triumphs. The winter season is now approaching; +the people are flocking back to town from their country homes; +fashionable gaieties and notable events will soon hold full sway. The +dear girls are surely entitled to enjoy these things, don't you think? +Aren't they _worthy_ the best that life has to offer? And why shouldn't +they enter society, if you do your full duty? Once get them properly +introduced and they will be able to hold their own with perfect ease. +Give me the credit for knowing these things, John, and try to help your +nieces to attain their ambition." + +"But _is_ it their ambition?" he asked, doubtfully. + +"They have not said so in words; but I can assure you it _is_ their +ambition, because all three are sensible, spirited, young women, who +live in this age and not the one you yourself knew a half century or so +ago." + +Mr. Merrick sighed and rubbed his head again. Then he slowly rose. + +"Mornin', Martha," he said, with a somewhat abstracted nod at his +sister-in-law. "This is a new idea to me. I'll think it over." + + + + +CHAPTER II + + +A QUESTION OF "PULL" + +John Merrick's face was not so cheery as usual as he made his way into +the city. This suggestion of Martha Merrick's regarding his inattention +to duty to his beloved nieces was no easy nut to crack. + +He knew his sister-in-law to be a wordly-minded, frivolous woman, with +many trivial ambitions; but in this instance he had misgivings that she +might be right. What did he, John Merrick, know of select society? A +poor man, of humble origin, he had wandered into the infantile, embryo +West years ago and there amassed a fortune. When he retired and returned +to "civilization" he found his greatest reward In the discovery of three +charming nieces, all "as poor as Job's turkey" but struggling along +bravely, each in her individual characteristic way, and well worthy +their doting uncle's affectionate admiration. Mrs. Merrick had recited +some of the advantages they had derived from the advent of this rich +relative; but even she could not guess how devoted the man was to the +welfare of these three fortunate girls, nor how his kindly, simple heart +resented the insinuation that he was neglecting anything that might +contribute to their happiness. + +Possession of money had never altered John Merrick's native simplicity. +He had no extravagant tastes, dressed quietly and lived the life of the +people. On this eventful morning the man of millions took a cross-town +car to the elevated station and climbed the stairs to his train. Once +seated and headed cityward he took out his memorandum book to see what +engagements he had for the day. There were three for the afternoon. At +twelve o'clock he had promised to meet Von Taer. + +"H-m-m. Von Taer." + +Gazing reflectively from the window he remembered a conversation with a +prominent banker some month or so before. "Von Taer," the banker had +said, "is an aristocrat with an independent fortune, who clings to the +brokerage business because he inherited it from his father and +grandfather. I hold that such a man has no moral right to continue in +business. He should retire and give the other fellow a chance." + +"Why do you call him an aristocrat?" Mr. Merrick had enquired. + +"Because his family is so ancient that it shames the ark itself. I +imagine his ancestors might have furnished Noah the lumber to build his +ship. In New York the '400' all kowtow to Von Taer." + +"Seems to me he has the right to be a broker if he wants to," asserted +Mr. Merrick. + +"The right; yes. But, between us, Mr. Merrick, this society swell has no +mental capacity to handle such an uncertain business. He's noted for +doing unwarranted things. To me it's a marvel that Von Taer hasn't +shipwrecked the family fortunes long ago. Luck has saved him, not +foresight." + +That speech of a few weeks ago now seemed prophetic to John Merrick. +Within a few days the aristocratic broker had encountered financial +difficulties and been forced to appeal to Mr. Merrick, to whom he +obtained an introduction through a mutual friend. Von Taer was +doubtless solvent, for he controlled large means; but unless a saving +hand was extended at this juncture his losses were sure to be severe, +and might even cripple him seriously. + +All this Mr. Merrick shrewdly considered in the space of a few moments. +As he left the train he looked at his watch and found it was barely +eleven. He decided not to await the hour of appointment. With his usual +brisk stride he walked to Von Taer's offices and was promptly admitted +to the broker's sanctum. + +Hedrik Von Taer was a fine looking man, tall, grave, of dignified +demeanor and courteous manners. He stood until his visitor was seated +and with a gesture of deference invited him to open the conversation. + +"I've decided to make you the loan, Von Taer," began Mr. Merrick, in his +practical, matter-of-fact way. "Three hundred thousand, wasn't it? Call +on Major Doyle at my office this afternoon and he'll arrange it for +you." + +An expression of relief crossed the broker's face. + +"You are very kind, sir," he answered. "I assure you I fully appreciate +the accommodation." + +"Glad to help you," responded the millionaire, briskly. Then he paused +with marked abruptness. It occurred to him he had a difficult +proposition to make to this man. To avoid the cold, enquiring eyes now +fixed upon him he pulled out a cigar and deliberately cut the end. Von +Taer furnished him a match. He smoked a while in silence. + +"This loan, sir," he finally began, "is freely made. There are no +strings tied to it. I don't want you to feel I'm demanding any sort of +return. But the truth is, you have it in your power to grant me a +favor." + +Von Taer bowed. + +"Mr. Merrick has generously placed me under an obligation it will afford +me pleasure to repay," said he. But his eyes held an uneasy look, +nevertheless. + +"It's this way," explained the other: "I've three nieces--fine girls, +Von Taer--who will some day inherit my money. They are already +independent, financially, and they're educated, well-bred and amiable +young women. Take my word for it." + +"I am sure your statements are justified, Mr. Merrick." Yet Hedrik Von +Taer's face, usually unexpressive, denoted blank mystification. What +connection could these girls have with the favor to be demanded? + +"Got any girls yourself, Von Taer?" + +"A daughter, sir. My only child. + +"Grown up?" + +"A young lady now, sir." + +"Then you'll understand. I'm a plain uneducated man myself. Never been +any nearer swell society than a Fifth Avenue stage. My money has given +me commercial position, but no social one worth mentioning. Your '400's' +a bunch I can't break into, nohow." + +A slight smile hovered over the other's lips, but he quickly controlled +it. + +"They tell me, though," continued the speaker, "that _your_ family has +long ago climbed into the top notch of society. You're one o' the big +guns in the battery, an' hold the fort against all comers." + +Von Taer merely bowed. It was scarcely necessary to either admit or +contradict the statement. Uncle John was a little indignant that his +companion showed no disposition to assist him in his explanation, which +a clear head might now easily comprehend. So, with his usual frankness, +he went directly to the point. + +"I'd like my girls to get into the best--the most select--circles," he +announced. "They're good and pretty and well-mannered, so it strikes me +they're entitled to the best there is a-going. I don't want to mix with +your swell crowd myself, because I ain't fit; likewise the outfit ain't +much to my taste, askin' your pardon; but with women it's different. +They need to stand high an' shine bright to make 'em really happy, and +if any special lot is particularly ex-clusive an' high-falutin', that's +the crowd they long to swarm with. It's human nature--female human +nature, anyhow. You catch my idea, Von Taer, don't you?" + +"I think so, Mr. Merrick. Yet I fail to see how I can be of service to +you in gratifying the ambition of your charming nieces." "Then I'll +go, and you may forget what I've said." The visitor arose and took his +hat from the table. "It was only a fool notion, anyway; just a thought, +badly expressed, to help my girls to a toy that money can't buy." + +Hedrik Von Taer gazed steadily into the man's face. There was something +in the simple, honest self-abnegation of this wealthy and important +person that won the respect of all he met. The broker's stern eyes +softened a bit as he gazed and he allowed a fugitive smile, due to his +own change of attitude, to wreathe his thin lips again--just for an +instant. + +"Sit down, please, Mr. Merrick," he requested, and rather reluctantly +Uncle John resumed his seat. "You may not have an especially clear idea +of New York society, and I want to explain my recent remark so that you +will understand it. What is called 'the 400' may or may not exist; but +certainly it is no distinct league or association. It may perhaps be +regarded as a figure of speech, to indicate how few are really admitted +to the most exclusive circles. Moreover, there can be no dominant +'leader of society' here, for the reason that not all grades of society +would recognize the supremacy of any one set, or clique. These cliques +exist for various reasons. They fraternize generally, but keep well +within their own circles. Kindred tastes attract some; ancient lineage +others. There is an ultra-fashionable set, a sporting set, a literary +set, an aristocratic set, a rather 'fast' set, a theatrical set--and so +on. These may all lay claim with certain justice to membership in good +society. Their circles are to an extent exclusive, because some +distinction must mark the eligibility of members. And outside each +luminous sphere hovers a multitude eager to pass the charmed circle and +so acquire recognition. Often it is hard to separate the initiate from +the uninitiate, even by those most expert. Is it difficult to comprehend +such a condition as I have described, Mr. Merrick?" + +"Somewhat, Mr. Von Taer. The wonder to me is why people waste time in +such foolishness." + +"It is the legitimate occupation of many; the folly of unwise ambition +impels others. There is a fascination about social life that appeals to +the majority of natures. Let us compare society to a mountain whose +sides are a steep incline, difficult to mount. To stand upon the +summit, to become the cynosure of all eyes, is a desire inherent, +seemingly, in all humanity; for humanity loves distinction. In the +scramble toward the peak many fall by the wayside; others deceive +themselves by imagining they have attained the apex when they are far +from it. It is a game, Mr. Merrick, just as business is a game, politics +a game, and war a game. You know how few really win." + +"Here," said Uncle John, musingly, "is a philosophy I did not expect +from you, Von Taer. They tell me you're one who stands on top the peak. +And you were born that way, and didn't have to climb. Seems to me you +rather scorn the crowd that's trying to climb to an eminence you never +had to win. That wouldn't be my way. And I suspect that if the crowd +wasn't trying to climb to you, your own position wouldn't be worth a +cotton hat." + +Von Taer had no answer to this criticism. Perhaps he scarcely heard it, +for he appeared lost in a brown study. Finally he said: "Will you +permit my daughter to call upon your nieces, Mr. Merrick?" + +"Of course, sir." + +"Then kindly give me their addresses." + +Uncle John wrote them on a slip of paper. + +"You may now dismiss the subject from your mind, sir, as you lately +advised me to do. Whatever may be accomplished in the direction you have +suggested I will gladly undertake. If I succeed it will be exceedingly +gratifying to us all, I am sure." + +Mr. Merrick left the office in a rather humbled and testy mood. He +disliked to ask favors at any time and now felt that he had confided +himself to the mercy of this callous aristocrat and met with a distinct +rebuff. + +But he had done it for the sake of his beloved nieces--and they would +never know what humiliation this unsatisfactory interview had cost him. + + + + +CHAPTER III + + +DIANA + +Diana Von Taer can not be called a type. She was individual. +Aristocratic to her finger tips, she was unlike all other aristocrats. +An admitted queen of society, her subjects were few and indifferent. She +possessed ancient lineage, was highly accomplished, had been born to the +purple, as the saying is; but none of these things conspired to make her +the curious creature she was. + +As we make her acquaintance she is twenty-three years of age--and looks +eighteen. She is tall and slender and carries her handsome form with +exquisite grace. Diana is never abrupt; her voice is ever modulated to +soft, even tones; she rises from a chair or couch with the lithe, +sinuous motion of a serpent uncoiling. + +Her face, critically regarded, is not so admirable as her form. The +features are a trifle too elongated, and their delicacy is marred by a +nose a bit broad and unshapely and a mouth with thin lips primly set. +Her dark eyes might be magnificent if wide open: but through the narrow +slits of their lids, half hidden by long curling lashes, the eyes peer +at you with a cold, watchful, intent gaze that carries a certain uncanny +and disconcerting fascination. + +Yet the girl is essentially feminine. If you refrain from meeting that +discomfiting gaze--and her familiars have learned to avoid it--Diana +impresses you as being graceful, dainty and possessed of charming +manners. Her taste in dress is perfect. She converses fluently on many +topics. It is her custom to rise at ten o'clock, whatever time she may +have retired the night before; to read until luncheon; to devote the +remainder of her day to the requirements of society. + +Eligible young men of admitted social standing call upon Diana at such +intervals as the proprieties require. They chatter "small talk" and are +careful to address her with deference. With an exception to be referred +to later these young men have no more thought of "flirting" with Miss +Von Taer than they would with the statue of the goddess, her namesake. +Her dinner parties and entertainments are very successful. She is +greatly admired, _per se_, but has no intimate friends. + +When her mother died, some years before, an aunt had come to live with +Diana, and now posed as her chaperon. Mrs. Cameron was a stolid, +corpulent lady, with a countenance perpetually placid and an habitual +aversion to displaying intellect. Her presence in the establishment, +although necessary, was frankly ignored. Fortunately she never obtruded +herself. + +Hedrik Von Taer was passionately devoted to his daughter. He alone, +perhaps, of all the world, thoroughly understood her and appreciated her +talents. She may have frightened him at times, but that only added to +his admiration. In return Diana displayed a calm, but affectionate +regard for her father. + +Often after dinner these two would pass an hour together in a corner of +the drawing-room, where the cold gray eyes of the man met the intent, +half-veiled glance of the girl with perfect understanding. They talked +of many things, including business. Hedrik had no secrets from his +daughter. The desperate condition of his finances, when he had been +caught in a "corner" on wheat and nearly crushed, had not dismayed her +in the least. It was she who had counseled him to appeal to John +Merrick, since the name and fame of the eccentric millionaire were +familiar to her as to him. + +He related to Diana his interview with Mr. Merrick on his return home. +He was saved. The three hundred thousand were now in the bank to his +credit and he could weather the coming storm easily--perhaps with +profit. In a tone half amused, half serious, he told her of the little +millionaire's desire to secure _entree_ into good society for his three +nieces. + +Diana laughed with her lips; her eyes never laughed. Then she took in +her hand the paper containing the addresses of the three girls and +regarded it thoughtfully. + +"It is a curious request, _mon pere_," she said, in her soft, even +tones; "but one we cannot diplomatically disregard. Provided, however--" + +"Yes, Diana;" as she paused. + +"Provided these prospective _debutantes_ are not wholly impossible." + +"I realize that," returned her father. "John Merrick is a great power in +the city. He has been useful to me, and may be again. I have this chance +to win him. But the man is very common clay, despite his wealth, and his +three nieces are likely to be made of the same material. Should they +prove impossible you cannot well descend to introducing them to our +set." + +"I am not certain of that, sir," said the girl, with a pretty shrug. "My +position is too secure to be jeopardized by any error of this sort. I +believe I may introduce these girls without risk. I shall not vouch for +them too strongly, and after their debut they must stand or fall on +their own merits." + +"It is something a Von Taer has never yet done," remarked the man, +gravely. + +"To commercialize his social position? But, father dear, the age is fast +commercializing everything. I think our especial set is as yet +comparatively free from contamination by the 'lately rich'; but even +among us money has glossed many offenses that a generation ago would +have meant social ostracism." + +He nodded. + +"That is true, Diana." + +"Life with me is a bit dull, as well. Everlasting routine, however +admirable, is tiresome. I scent amusement in this adventure, which I +have decided to undertake. With your permission I will see these girls +and quickly decide their fate. Should they prove not too dreadfully +_outre_ you may look to see them my especial _proteges_." + +"I leave all to your discretion, Diana," returned Von Taer, with a sigh. +"If, in the end, some of the more particular venture to reproach them." + +"It will not matter," interrupted the daughter, lightly, as her dark +eyes narrowed to a hair's breadth. "Any who dares reproach Diana Von +Taer will afford her interesting occupation. And to offset that remote +contingency we shall permanently enslave the powerful John Merrick. I +understand he is hard as nails in financial matters; but to us the man +has disclosed his one weakness--ambition to promote his three nieces. +Since we have discovered this vulnerable point, let us take advantage of +it. I am satisfied the loan of three hundred thousand was but a +lure--and how cleverly the man gauged us!" + +Von Taer scowled. + +"Get your wraps, Diana. The carriage is waiting, and we are due at Mrs. +Doldringham's crush." + + + + +CHAPTER IV + + +THE THREE NIECES + +The Von Taers did not affect motor cars. In some circles the carriage +and pair is still considered the more aristocratic mode of conveyance. +Established customs do not readily give way to fads and freaks. + +Consulting her memoranda as she rode along; in her handsome, tastefully +appointed equipage, Diana found that Louise Merrick, one of the three +girls she had set out to discover, was the nearest on her route. +Presently she rang the bell at the Merrick residence, an eminently +respectable dwelling; in a desirable neighborhood. + +Diana could not resist a sigh of relief as her observant glance noted +this detail. A dignified butler ushered her into a reception room and +departed with her card. + +It was now that the visitor's nose took an upward tendency as she +critically examined her surroundings. The furnishings were abominable, a +mixture of distressingly new articles with those evidently procured +from dealers in "antiquities." Money had been lavished here, but good +taste was absent. To understand this--for Miss Von Taer gauged the +condition truly--it is necessary to know something of Mrs. Martha +Merrick. + +This lady, the relict of John Merrick's only brother, was endowed with a +mediocre mind and a towering ambition. When left a widow with an only +daughter she had schemed and contrived in endless ways to maintain an +appearance of competency on a meager income. Finally she divided her +capital, derived from her husband's life insurance, into three equal +parts, which she determined to squander in three years in an attempt to +hoodwink the world with the belief that she was wealthy. Before the +three years were ended her daughter Louise would be twenty, and by that +time she must have secured a rich _parti_ and been safely married. In +return for this "sacrifice" the girl was to see that her mother was made +comfortable thereafter. + +This worldly and foolish design was confided to Louise when she was only +seventeen, and her unformed mind easily absorbed her mother's silly +ambition. It was a pity, for Louise Merrick possessed a nature sweet +and lovable, as well as instinctively refined--a nature derived from her +dead father and with little true sympathy with Mrs. Merrick's +unscrupulous schemes. But at that age a girl is easily influenced, so it +is little wonder that under such tuition Louise became calculating, sly +and deceitful, to a most deplorable degree. + +Such acquired traits bade fair in the end to defeat Mrs. Merrick's +carefully planned _coup_, for the daughter had a premature love affair +with a youth outside the pale of eligibility. Louise ignored the fact +that he had been disinherited by his father, and in her reckless +infatuation would have sacrificed her mother without thought or remorse. +The dreadful finale had only been averted by the advent of Uncle John +Merrick, who had changed the life plans of the widow and her heedless +daughter and promptly saved the situation. + +John Merrick did not like his sister-in-law, but he was charmed by his +lovely niece and took her at once to his affectionate old heart. He saw +the faults of Louise clearly, but also appreciated her sweeter +qualities. Under his skillful guidance she soon redeemed herself and +regained control of her better nature. The girl was not yet perfect, by +any means; she was to an extent artificial and secretive, and her +thoughtless flirtations were far from wise; but her two cousins and her +uncle had come to know and understand her good points. They not only +bore patiently with her volatile nature but strove to influence her to +demonstrate her inherent good qualities. + +In one way her mother's calculating training had been most effective. +Louise was not only a dainty, lovely maid to the eye, but her manners +were gracious and winning and she had that admirable self-possession +which quickly endears one even to casual acquaintances. She did not +impress more intimate friends as being wholly sincere, yet there was +nothing in her acts, since that one escapade referred to, that merited +severe disapproval. + +Of course the brilliant idea of foisting her precious daughter upon the +"select" society of the metropolis was original with Mrs. Merrick. +Louise was well content with things as they were; but not so the +mother. The rise from poverty to affluence, the removal of all cares and +burdens from her mind, had merely fostered still greater ambitions. +Uncle John's generosity had endowed each of his three nieces with an +ample fortune. "I want 'em to enjoy the good things of life while +they're at an age to enjoy 'em," he said; "for the older one gets the +fewer things are found to be enjoyable. That's my experience, anyhow." +He also told the girls frankly that they were to inherit +jointly--although not equally--his entire fortune. Yet even this glowing +prospect did not satisfy Mrs. Merrick. Since all her plans for Louise, +from the very beginning, had been founded on personal selfishness, she +now proposed to have her daughter gain admission to recognized +fashionable society in order that she might herself bask in the +reflection of the glory so obtained and take her place with the proud +matrons who formed the keystone of such society. After carefully +considering ways and means to gain her object she had finally conceived +the idea of utilizing Mr. Merrick. She well knew Uncle John would not +consider one niece to the exclusion of the others, and had therefore +used his influence to get all three girls properly "introduced." +Therefore her delight and excitement were intense when the butler +brought up Diana's card and she realized that "the perfectly swell Miss +Von Taer" was seated in her reception room. She rushed to Louise, who, +wholly innocent of any knowledge of the intrigue which had led to this +climax, opened her blue eyes in astonishment and said with a gasp: + +"Oh, mother! what shall I do?" + +"Do? Why, go down and make yourself agreeable, of course. It's your +chance, my dear, your great chance in life! Go--go! Don't, for heaven's +sake, keep her waiting." + +Louise went down. In her most affable and gracious way she approached +the visitor and said: + +"It is very nice of you to call upon me. I am _so_ glad to meet Miss Von +Taer." Diana, passing conversational nothings with the young girl, was +pleased by her appearance and self-possession. This aspirant for social +honors was fresh, fair and attractive, with a flow of small talk at her +tongue's end. + +"Really," thought the fastidious visitor, "this one, at least, will do +me no discredit. If she is a fair sample of the others we shall get +along very nicely In this enterprise." + +To Louise she said, before going: + +"I'm to have an evening, the nineteenth. Will you assist me to receive? +Now that we are acquainted I wish to see more of you, my dear, and I +predict we shall get along famously together." + +The girl's head swam. Help Miss Von Taer to receive! Such an honor had +been undreamed of an hour ago. But she held her natural agitation under +good control and only a round red spot Upon each cheek betrayed her +inward excitement as she prettily accepted the invitation. Beneath their +drooping lashes Diana's sagacious eyes read the thoughts of the girl +quite accurately. Miss Von Taer enjoyed disconcerting anyone in any way, +and Louise was so simple and unsophisticated that she promised to afford +considerable amusement in the future. + +By the time Diana had finished her brief call this singular creature had +taken the measure of Louise Merrick in every detail, including her +assumption of lightness and her various frivolities. She understood that +in the girl were capabilities for good or for evil, as she might be led +by a stronger will. And, musingly, Diana wondered who would lead her. + +As for Louise, she was enraptured by her distinguished visitor's +condescension and patronage, and her heart bounded at the thought of +being admitted to the envied social coterie in which Diana Von Taer +shone a bright, particular star. + +The second name in the list of John Merrick's nieces was that of +Elizabeth De Graf. She lived at a good private hotel located in an +exclusive residence district. + +It was true that Elizabeth--or "Beth," as she was more familiarly +called--was not a permanent guest at this hotel. When in New York she +was accustomed to live with one or the other of her cousins, who +welcomed her eagerly. But just now her mother had journeyed from the old +Ohio home to visit Beth, and the girl had no intention of inflicting +her parent upon the other girls. Therefore she had taken rooms at the +hotel temporarily, and the plan suited her mother excellently. For one +thing, Mrs. De Graf could go home and tell her Cloverton gossips that +she had stopped at the most "fashionable" hotel in New York; a second +point was that she loved to feast with epicurean avidity upon the +products of a clever _chef_, being one of those women who live to eat, +rather than eat to live. + +Mrs. De Graf was John Merrick's only surviving sister, but she differed +as widely from the simple, kindly man in disposition as did her +ingenious daughter from her in mental attainments. The father, Professor +De Graf, was supposed to be a "musical genius." Before Beth came into +her money, through Uncle John, the Professor taught the piano and +singing; now, however, the daughter allowed her parents a liberal +income, and the self-engrossed musician devoted himself to composing +oratorios and concertas which no one but himself would ever play. To +be quite frank, the girl cared little for her gross and selfish parents, +and they in turn cared little for her beyond the value she afforded them +in the way of dollars and cents. So she had not lived at home, where +constant quarrels and bickerings nearly drove her frantic, since Uncle +John had adopted her. In catering to this present whim of her mother, +who longed to spend a few luxurious weeks in New York, Beth sacrificed +more than might be imagined by one unacquainted with her sad family +history. + +Whimsical Major Doyle often called Uncle John's nieces "the Three +Graces"; but Beth was by odds the beauty of them all. Splendid brown +eyes, added to an exquisite complexion, almost faultless features and a +superb carriage, rendered this fair young girl distinguished in any +throng. Fortunately she was as yet quite unspoiled, being saved from +vanity by a morbid consciousness of her inborn failings and a sincere +loathing for the moral weakness that prevented her from correcting those +faults. Judging Beth by the common standard of girls of her age, both +failings and faults were more imaginary than real; yet it was her +characteristic to suspect and despise in herself such weaknesses as +others would condone, or at least regard leniently. For here was a girl +true and staunch, incapable of intrigue or deceit, frank and outspoken, +all these qualities having been proven more than once. Everyone loved +Beth De Graf save herself, and at this stage of her development the +influence of her cousins and of Uncle John had conspired to make the +supersensitive girl more tolerant of herself and less morbid than +formerly. + +I think Beth knew of Diana Von Taer, for the latter's portrait +frequently graced the society columns of the New York press and at times +the three nieces, in confidential mood, would canvass Diana and her +social exploits as they did the acts of other famous semi-public +personages. But the girl had never dreamed of meeting such a celebrity, +and Miss Von Taer's card filled her with curious wonder as to the errand +that had brought her. + +The De Grafs lived _en suite_ at the hotel, for Beth had determined to +surround her Sybaritic mother with all attainable luxury, since the +child frequently reproached herself with feeling a distinct repulsion +for the poor woman. So to-day Diana was ushered into a pretty parlor +where Beth stood calmly awaiting her. + +The two regarded one another in silence a moment, Miss De Graf's frank +eyes covering the other with a comprehensive sweep while Miss Von Taer's +narrowed gaze, profoundly observant, studied the beautiful girl before +her with that impenetrable, half-hidden gleam that precluded any +solution. + +"Miss Von Taer, I believe," said Beth, quietly glancing at the card she +held. "Will you be seated?" + +Diana sank gracefully into a chair. The sinuous motion attracted Beth's +attention and gave her a slight shiver. + +"I am so glad to meet you, my dear," began the visitor, in soft, purring +accents. "I have long promised myself the pleasure of a call, and in +spite of many procrastinations at last have accomplished my ambition." + +Beth resented the affectation of this prelude, and slightly frowned. +Diana was watching; she always watched. "Why should you wish to call +upon me?" was the frank demand. "Do not think me rude, please; but I am +scarcely in a position to become a desirable acquaintance of Miss Von +Taer." The tone was a trifle bitter, and Diana noted it. A subtile +antagonism seemed springing up between them and the more experienced +girl scented in this danger to her plans. She must handle this young +lady more cautiously than she had Louise Merrick. + +"Your position is unimpeachable, my dear," was the sweet-toned response. +"You are John Merrick's niece." + +Beth was really angry now. She scowled, and it spoiled her beauty. Diana +took warning and began to think quickly. + +"I referred to my social position, Miss Von Taer. Our family is honest +enough, thank God; but it has never been accepted in what is termed +select society." + +Diana laughed; a quiet, rippling laugh as icy as a brook in November, +but as near gaiety as she could at the moment accomplish. When she +laughed this way her eyes nearly closed and became inscrutable. Beth +had a feeling of repulsion for her caller, but strove to shake it off. +Miss Von Taer was nothing to her; could be nothing to her. + +"Your uncle is a very wealthy man," said Diana, with easy composure. "He +has made you an heiress, placing you in a class much sought after in +these mercenary days. But aside from that, my dear, your personal +accomplishments have not escaped notice, and gossip declares you to be a +very fascinating young woman, as well as beautiful and good. I do not +imagine society claims to be of divine origin, but were it so no one is +more qualified to grace it." + +The blandishments of this speech had less effect upon Beth than the +evident desire to please. She began to feel she had been ungracious, and +straightway adopted a more cordial tone. + +"I am sure you mean well, Miss Von Taer," she hastened to say, "and I +assure you I am not ungrateful. But it occurred to me we could have +nothing in common." "Oh, my dear! You wrong us both." + +"Do you know my uncle?" enquired Beth. + +"He is the friend of my father, Mr. Hedrik Von Taer. Our family owes Mr. +John Merrick much consideration. Therefore I decided to seek pleasure in +the acquaintance of his nieces." + +The words and tone seemed alike candid. Beth began to relent. She sat +down for the first time, taking a chair opposite Diana. + +"You see," she said, artlessly, "I have no personal inclination for +society, which is doubtless so large a part of your own amusement. It +seems to me artificial and insipid." + +"Those who view from a distance the husk of a cocoanut, have little idea +of the milk within," declared Diana, softly. + +"True," answered Beth. "But I've cracked cocoanuts, and sometimes found +the milk sour and tainted." + +"The difference you observe in cocoanuts is to be found in the various +grades of society. These are not all insipid and artificial, I assure +you." + +"They may be worse," remarked Beth. "I've heard strange tales of your +orgies." Diana was really amused. This girl was proving more +interesting than the first niece she had interviewed. Unaccustomed to +seeking acquaintances outside her own exclusive circle, and under such +circumstances, these meetings were to her in the nature of an adventure. +A creature of powerful likes and dislikes, she already hated Beth most +heartily; but for that very reason she insisted on cultivating her +further acquaintance. + +"You must not judge society by the mad pranks of a few of its members," +she responded, in her most agreeable manner. "If we are not to set an +example in decorum to the rest of the world we are surely unfitted to +occupy the high place accorded us. But you must see and decide for +yourself." + +"I? No, indeed!" + +"Ah, do not decide hastily, my dear. Let me become your sponsor for a +short time, until you really discover what society is like. Then you may +act upon more mature judgment." + +"I do not understand you, Miss Von Taer." + +"Then I will be more explicit. I am to receive a few friends at my home +on the evening of the nineteenth; will you be my guest?" Beth was +puzzled how to answer. The thought crossed her mind that perhaps Uncle +John would like her to be courteous to his friend's daughter, and that +argument decided her. She accepted the invitation. + +"I want you to receive with me," continued Diana, rising. "In that way I +shall be able to introduce you to my friends." + +Beth wondered at this condescension, but consented to receive. She was +annoyed to think how completely she had surrendered to the will of Miss +Von Taer, for whom she had conceived the same aversion she had for a +snake. She estimated Diana, society belle though she was, to be sly, +calculating and deceitful. Worse than all, she was decidedly clever, and +therefore dangerous. Nothing good could come of an acquaintance with +her, Beth was sure; yet she had pledged herself to meet her and her +friends the nineteenth, lit a formal society function. How much Beth De +Graf misjudged Diana Von Taer the future will determine. The interview +had tired Diana. As she reentered her carriage she was undecided whether +to go home or hunt up the third niece. But Willing Square was not five +minutes' drive from here, so she ordered the coachman to proceed there. + +"I am positively out of my element in this affair," she told herself, +"for it is more difficult to cultivate these inexperienced girls than I +had thought. They are not exactly impossible, as I at first feared, but +they are so wholly unconventional as to be somewhat embarrassing as +_protegees_. Analyzing the two I have met--the majority--one strikes me +as being transparently affected and the other a stubborn, attractive +fool. They are equally untrained in diplomacy and unable to cover their +real feelings. Here am I, practically dragging them into the limelight, +when it would be far better for themselves--perhaps for me--that they +remained in oblivion. Ah, well: I called it an adventure: let me hope +some tangible plot will develop to compensate me for my trouble. Life +seems deadly dull; I need excitement. Is it to be furnished by John +Merrick's nieces, I wonder?" Willing Square is a new district, crowded +with fashionable apartment houses. That is, they are called fashionable +by their builders and owners and accepted as such by their would-be +fashionable occupants. Diana knew at least two good families resident in +Willing Square, and though she smiled grimly at the rows of +"oppressively new and vulgar" buildings, she still was not ashamed to +have her equipage seen waiting there. + +Number 3708 Willing Square is a very substantial and cozy appearing +apartment building owned in fee by Miss Patricia Doyle. Diana was +unaware of this fact, but rang the Doyle bell and ascended to the second +floor. + +A maid received her with the announcement that Miss Doyle had "just +stepped out," but was somewhere in the building. Would the visitor care +to wait a few minutes? + +Yes; Diana decided she would wait. She took a seat in the snug front +parlor and from her position noted the series of rooms that opened one +into another throughout the suite, all richly but tastefully furnished +in homely, unassuming manner. "This is better," she mused. "There is +no attempt at foolish display in this establishment, at any rate. I hope +to find Miss Doyle a sensible, refined person. The name is Irish." + +A door slammed somewhere down the line of rooms and a high-pitched voice +cried in excited tones: + +"I've found a baby! Hi, there, Nunkie, dear--I've found a baby!" + +Thereupon came the sound of a chair being pushed back as a man's voice +answered in equal glee: + +"Why, Patsy, Patsy! it's the little rogue from upstairs. Here, Bobby; +come to your own old Uncle!" + +"He won't. He belongs to me; don't you, Bobby darlin'?" + +A babyish voice babbled merrily, but the sounds were all "goos" and +"ahs" without any resemblance to words. Bobby may have imagined he was +talking, but he was not very intelligible. + +"See here, Patsy Doyle; you gimme that baby." cried the man, pleadingly. + "I found him myself, and he's mine. I've dragged him here all the way +from his home upstairs, an' don't you dare lay a finger on him. Uncle +John!" + +"Fair play, Patsy! Bobby's my chum, and--" + +"Well, I'll let you have half of him, Nunkie. Down on your hands and +knees, sir, and be a horse. That's it--Now, Bobby, straddle Uncle John +and drive him by his necktie--here it is. S-t-e-a-d-y, Uncle; and +neigh--neigh like a horse!" + +"How does a horse neigh, Patsy?" asked a muffled voice, choking and +chuckling at the same time. + +"'Nee, hee-hee--hee; hee!'" + +Uncle John tried to neigh, and made a sorry mess of it, although Bobby +shrieked with delight. + +Then came a sudden hush. Diana caught the maid's voice, perhaps +announcing the presence of a visitor, for Patsy cried in subdued +accents: + +"Goodness me, Mary! why didn't you say so? Listen, Uncle John--" + +"Leggo that ear, Bobby--leggo!" + +"--You watch the baby, Uncle John, and don't let anything happen to +him. I've got a caller." + +Diana smiled, a bit scornfully, and then composed her features as a +young girl bustled into the room and came toward her with frank +cordiality indicated in the wide smile and out-stretched hand. + +"Pardon my keeping you waiting," said Patsy, dropping into a chair +opposite her visitor, "Uncle John and I were romping with the baby from +upstarts--Bobby's such a dear! I didn't quite catch the name Mary gave +me and forgot to look at your card." + +"I am Miss Von Taer." + +"Not Diana Von Taer, the swell society girl?" cried Patsy eagerly. + +Diana couldn't remember when she had been so completely nonplused +before. After an involuntary gasp she answered quietly: + +"I am Diana Von Taer." + +"Well, I'm glad to meet you, just the same," said Patsy, cheerfully. "We +outsiders are liable to look on society folk as we would on a cage of +monkeys--because we're so very ignorant, you know, and the bars are +really between us." This frank disdain verged on rudeness, although +the girl had no intention of being rude. Diana was annoyed in spite of +her desire to be tolerant. + +"Perhaps the bars are imaginary," she rejoined, carelessly, "and it may +be you've been looking at the side-show and not at the entertainment in +the main tent. Will you admit that possibility, Miss Doyle?" + +Patsy laughed gleefully. + +"I think you have me there, Miss Von Taer. And what do _I_ know about +society? Just nothing at all. It's out of my line entirely." + +"Perhaps it is," was the slow response. "Society appeals to only those +whose tastes seem to require it." + +"And aren't we drawing distinctions?" enquired Miss Doyle. "Society at +large is the main evidence of civilization, and all decent folk are +members of it." + +"Isn't that communism?" asked Diana. + +"Perhaps so. It's society at large. But certain classes have leagued +together and excluded themselves from their fellows, admitting only +those of their own ilk. The people didn't put them on their +pedestals--they put themselves there. Yet the people bow down and +worship these social gods and seem glad to have them. The newspapers +print their pictures and the color of their gowns and how they do their +hair and what they eat and what they do, and the poor washwomen and +shop-girls and their like read these accounts more religiously than they +do their bibles. My maid Mary's a good girl, but she grabs the society +sheet of the Sunday paper and reads it from top to bottom. I never look +at it myself." + +Diana's cheeks were burning. She naturally resented such ridicule, +having been born to regard social distinction with awe and reverence. +Inwardly resolving to make Miss Patricia Doyle regret the speech she hid +all annoyance under her admirable self-control and answered with smooth +complacency: + +"Your estimate of society, my dear Miss Doyle, is superficial." + +"Don't I know it, then?" exclaimed Patsy. "Culture and breeding, +similarity of taste and intellectual pursuits will always attract +certain people and band them together in those cliques which are called +'social sets,' They are not secret societies; they have no rules of +exclusion; congenial minds are ever welcome to their ranks. This is a +natural coalition, in no way artificial. Can you not appreciate that, +Miss Doyle?" + +"Yes, indeed," admitted Patsy, promptly. "You're quite right, and I'm +just one of those stupid creatures who criticise the sun because there's +a cloud before it. Probably there are all grades of society, because +there are all grades of people." + +"I thought you would agree with me when you understood," murmured Diana, +and her expression was so smug and satisfied that Patsy was seized with +an irresistible spirit of mischief. + +"And haven't I seen your own pictures in the Sunday papers?" she asked. + +"Perhaps; if you robbed your maid of her pleasure." + +"And very pretty pictures they were, too. They showed culture and +breeding all right, and the latest style in gowns. Of course those +intellectual high-brows in your set didn't need an introduction to you; +you were advertised as an example of ultra-fashionable perfection, to +spur the ambition of those lower down in the social scale. Perhaps it's +a good thing." + +"Are you trying to annoy me?" demanded Diana, her eyes glaring under +their curling lashes. + +"Dear me--dear me!" cried Patsy, distressed, "see how saucy and impudent +I've been--and I didn't mean a bit of it! Won't you forgive me, please, +Miss Von Taer? There! we'll begin all over again, and I'll be on my good +behavior. I'm so very ignorant, you know!" + +Diana smiled at this; it would be folly to show resentment to such a +childish creature. + +"Unfortunately," she said, "I have been unable to escape the vulgar +publicity thrust upon me by the newspapers. The reporters are preying +vultures, rapacious for sensation, and have small respect for anyone. I +am sure we discourage them as much as we can. I used to weep with +mortification when I found myself 'written up'; now, however, I have +learned to bear such trials with fortitude--if not with resignation." +"Forgive me!" said Patsy, contritely. "Somehow I've had a false idea of +these things. If I knew you better, Miss Von Taer, you'd soon convert me +to be an admirer of society." + +"I'd like to do that, Miss Doyle, for you interest me. Will you return +my call?" + +"Indeed I will," promised the girl, readily. "I'm flattered that you +called on me at all, Miss Von Taer, for you might easily have amused +yourself better. You must be very busy, with all the demands society +makes on one. When shall I come? Make it some off time, when we won't be +disturbed." + +Diana smiled at her eagerness. How nescient the poor little thing was! + +"Your cousins, Miss Merrick and Miss De Graf, have consented to receive +with me on the evening of the nineteenth. Will you not join us?" + +"Louise and Beth!" cried Patsy, astounded. + +"Isn't it nice of them? And may I count upon you, also?" + +Patsy smiled dubiously into the other's face. + +"Let me out of it!" she said. "Can't you see I'm no butterfly?" + +Diana saw many things, having taken a shrewd account of the girl long +before this. Miss Patricia Doyle was short and plump, with a round, +merry face covered with freckles, hair indisputably red and a +_retrousse_ nose. Also she possessed a pair of wonderful blue eyes--eyes +that danced and scintillated with joyous good humor--eyes so captivating +that few ever looked beyond them or noted the plain face they +glorified. But the critic admitted that the face was charmingly +expressive, the sweet and sensitive mouth always in sympathy with the +twinkling, candid eyes. Life and energy radiated from her small person, +which Miss Von Taer grudgingly conceded to possess unusual fascination. +Here was a creature quite imperfect in detail, yet destined to allure +and enchant whomsoever she might meet. All this was quite the reverse of +Diana's own frigid personality. Patsy would make an excellent foil for +her. + +"As you please, my dear," she said graciously; "but do you not think it +would amuse you to make your debut in society--unimpeachable +society--and be properly introduced to the occupants of the 'pedestals,' +as your cousins will be?" + +Patsy reflected. If Beth and Louise had determined to undertake this +venture why should she hold back? Moreover, she experienced a girlish +and wholly natural curiosity to witness a fashionable gathering and +"size up" the lions for herself. So she said: + +"I'll come, if you really want me; and I'll try my best to behave +nicely. But I can't imagine why you have chosen to take us three girls +under your wing; unless--" with sudden intuition, "it's for Uncle John's +sake." + +"That was it, at first," replied Diana, rising to go; "but now that I've +seen you I'm delighted to have you on your own account. Come early, +dear; we must be ready to receive our guests by nine." + +"Nine o'clock!" reflected Patsy, when her visitor had gone; "why, I'm +often in bed by that time." + + + + +CHAPTER V + + +PREPARING FOR THE PLUNGE + +John Merrick lived with the Doyles at their Willing Square apartments. +There were but two of the Doyles--Patricia and her father, Major Doyle, +a tall, handsome, soldierly man with white moustache and hair. The Major +was noted as a "character," a keen wit and a most agreeable type of the +"old Irish gentleman." He fairly worshipped his daughter, and no one +blamed him for it. His business, as special agent and manager for his +brother-in-law's millions, kept the Major closely occupied and afforded +John Merrick opportunity to spend his days as be pleased. The rich man +was supposed to be "retired," yet the care of his investments and income +was no light task, as the Major found. + +We are accustomed to regard extreme wealth as the result of hard-headed +shrewdness, not wholly divorced from unscrupulous methods, yet no one +could accuse John Merrick or his representative with being other than +kindly, simple-hearted and honest. Uncle John says that he never +intended to "get rich"; it was all the result of carelessness. He had +been so immersed in business that he failed to notice how fast his +fortune was growing. When he awoke to a realization of his immense +accumulation he promptly retired, appointing Major Doyle to look after +his investments and seeking personal leisure after many years of hard +work. He instructed his agent to keep his income from growing into more +capital by rendering wise assistance to all worthy charities and +individuals, and this, as you may suppose, the Major found a herculean +task. Often he denounced Uncle John for refusing to advise him, claiming +that the millionaire had selfishly thrust the burden of his wealth on +the Major's broad shoulders. While there was an element of truth in this +the burden it was not so heavy as to make the old soldier unhappy, and +the two men loved and respected one another with manly cordiality. + +Patricia was recognized as Uncle John's favorite niece and it was +understood she was to inherit the bulk of his property, although some +millions might be divided between Beth and Louise "if they married +wisely." Neither Uncle John nor the Major ever seemed to consider +Patsy's marrying; she was such a child that wedlock for her seemed a +remote possibility. + +The Sunday afternoon following Diana Von Taer's visit to the three +nieces found the girls all congregated in Patsy's own room, where an +earnest discussion was being conducted. That left Uncle John to take his +after-dinner nap in the big Morris chair in the living room, where Major +Doyle sat smoking-sulkily while he gazed from the window and begrudged +the moments Patsy was being kept from him. + +Finally the door opened and the three girls trooped out. + +"Huh! Is the conspiracy all cut-an'-dried?" growled the Major. + +Uncle John woke up with a final snort, removed the newspaper from his +face and sat up. He smiled benignantly upon his nieces. + +"It's all your fault, sor!" declared Major Doyle, selecting the little +millionaire as the safest recipient of his displeasure. "Your +foolishness has involved us all in this dreadful complication. Why on +earth couldn't you leave well-enough alone?" + +Uncle John received the broadside with tolerant equanimity. + +"What's wrong; my dears?" he enquired, directing his mild glance toward +the bevy of young girls. + +"I am unaware that anything is wrong, Uncle," replied Louise gravely. +"But since we are about to make our debut in society it is natural we +should have many things to discuss that would prove quite uninteresting +to men. Really, Uncle John, this is a great event--perhaps the most +important event of our lives." + +"Shucks an' shoestrings!" grunted the Major. "What's in this +paper-shelled, painted, hollow thing ye call 'society' to interest three +healthy, wide-awake girls? Tell me that!" + +"You don't understand, dear," said Patsy, soothing him with a kiss. + +"I think he does," remarked Beth, with meditative brows. "Modern society +is a man-made--or woman-made--condition, to a large extent artificial, +selfish and unwholesome." + +"Oh, Beth!" protested Louise. "You're talking like a rank socialist. I +can understand common people sneering at society, which is so far out of +their reach; but a girl about to be accepted in the best circles has no +right to rail at her own caste." + +"There can be no caste in America," declared Beth, stubbornly. + +"But there _is_ caste in America, and will be so long as the +exclusiveness of society is recognized by the people at large," +continued Louise. "If it is a 'man-made condition' isn't it the most +respected, most refined, most desirable condition that one may attain +to?" + +"There are plenty of honest and happy people in the world who ignore +society altogether," answered Beth. "It strikes me that your social +stars are mighty few in the broad firmament of humanity." + +"But they're stars, for all that, dear," said Uncle John, smiling at her +with a hint of approval in his glance, yet picking up the argument; "and +they look mighty big and bright to the crowd below. It's quite natural. +You can't keep individuals from gaining distinction, even in America. +There are few generals in an army, for instance; and they're 'man-made'; +but that's no reason the generals ain't entitled to our admiration." + +"Let's admire 'em, then--from a distance," retorted the Major, realizing +the military simile was employed to win his sympathy. + +"Certain things, my dear Major, are naturally dear to a girl's heart," +continued Uncle John, musingly; "and we who are not girls have no right +to condemn their natural longings. Girls love dancing, pink teas and +fudge-parties, and where can they find 'em in all their perfection but +in high society? Girls love admiration and flirtations--you do, my +dears; you can't deny it--and the male society swells have the most time +to devote to such things. Girls love pretty dresses--" + +"Oh, Uncle! you've hit the nail on the head now," exclaimed Patsy, +laughing. "We must all have new gowns for this reception, and as we're +to assist Miss Von Taer the dresses must harmonize, so to speak, +and--and--" "And be quite suited to the occasion," broke in Louise; +"and--" + +"And wear our lives out with innumerable fittings," concluded Beth, +gloomily. + +"But why new dresses?" demanded the Major. "You've plenty of old ones +that are clean and pretty, I'm sure; and our Patsy had one from the +dressmaker only last week that's fit for a queen." + +"Oh, Daddy! you don't understand," laughed Patsy. + +"This time, Major, I fear you don't," agreed Beth. "Your convictions +regarding society may be admirable, but you're weak on the gown +question." + +"If the women would only listen to me," began the Major, dictatorially; +but Uncle John cut him short. + +"They won't, sir; they'll listen to no man when it comes to +dressmaking." + +"Don't they dress to captivate the men, then?" asked the Major, with +fine sarcasm. + +"Not at all," answered Louise, loftily. "Men seldom know what a woman +has on, if she looks nice; but women take in every detail of dress and +criticise it severely if anything happens to be out of date, ill +fitting or in bad taste." + +"Then they're in bad taste themselves!" retorted the Major, hotly. + +"Tut-tut, sir; who are you to criticise woman's ways?" asked Uncle John, +much amused. The Major was silenced, but he glared as if unconvinced. + +"Dressmaking is a nuisance," remarked Beth, placidly; "but it's the +penalty we pay for being women." + +"You're nothing but slips o' girls, not out of your teens," grumbled the +Major. And no one paid any attention to him. + +"We want to do you credit, Uncle John," said Patsy, brightly. "Perhaps +our names will be in the papers." + +"They're there already," announced Mr. Merrick, picking up the Sunday +paper that lay beside him. + +A chorus of exclamations was followed by a dive for the paper, and even +the Major smiled grimly as he observed the three girlish heads close +together and three pair of eager eyes scanning swiftly the society +columns. + +"Here it is!" cried Patsy, dancing up and down like a school-girl; and +Louise read in a dignified voice--which trembled slightly with +excitement and pleasure--the following item: + +"Miss Von Taer will receive next Thursday evening at the family mansion +in honor of Miss Merrick, Miss Doyle and Miss De Graf. These three +charming _debutantes_ are nieces of John Merrick, the famous tin-plate +magnate." + +"Phoo!" growled the Major, during the impressive hush that followed; +"that's it, exactly. Your names are printed because you're John +Merrick's nieces. If it hadn't been for tin-plate, my dears, society +never would 'a' known ye at all, at all!" + + + + +CHAPTER VI + + +THE FLY IN THE BROTH + +Diana was an experienced entertainer and under her skillful supervision +the reception proved eminently successful. Nor had she cause to be +ashamed of the three _protegees_ she presented to society, since capable +_modistes_ had supplemented their girlish charms and freshness with +costumes pertinent to the occasion. Perhaps Patsy's chubby form looked a +little "dumpish" in her party gown, for some of Diana's female guests +regarded her with quiet amusement and bored tolerance, while the same +critical posse was amazed and envious at Beth's superb beauty and +stately bearing. After all, it was Louise who captured the woman +contingency and scored the greatest success; for her appearance was not +only dainty and attractive but she was so perfectly self-possessed and +responsive and bore herself so admirably under the somewhat trying; +circumstances of a debut that she won the cordial goodwill of all whom +she encountered. The hostess was elaborately gowned in white pompadour +satin, trimmed with white chiffon and embroidered in pink roses and +pearls. The Von Taer home was handsomely decorated for the occasion, +since Diana never did anything by halves and for her own credit insisted +on attention to those details of display that society recognizes and +loves. Hundreds of long-stemmed American Beauties and Kentia palms were +combined in beautifying the spacious hall, while orchids in marvelous +variety nodded their blossoms in the great drawing-room, where the +young-ladies received. These rare and precious flowers were arranged in +bronze baskets with sprays of maidenhair. In the music room adjoining, +great clusters of Madam Chantenay roses embellished the charming scene. +Branches of cherry-blossoms, supplied by hot-houses, were banked in the +lofty dining-room, where a Japanese pergola made of bamboo and lighted +with red lanterns was erected at the upper end. The attendants here were +Japanese girls in native costume, and the long table was laid with a +lace cloth over pink satin, with butterfly bows of pink tulle. The table +itself was decorated with cut-glass baskets of Cecil Brunner roses +mingled with lilies of the valley and refreshments were distributed to +the standing guests as they entered. + +The affair was in the nature of a typical "crush," for Diana's list of +eligibles included most of the prominent society folk then in town, and +she was too important a personage to have her invitations disregarded. +Beth and Patsy were fairly bewildered by the numerous introductions, +until names became meaningless in their ears; but Louise, perfectly +composed and in no wise distracted by her surroundings or the music of +the orchestra and the perpetual buzz of conversation in the crowded +rooms, impressed each individual upon her memory clearly, and was not +likely to blunder in regard to names or individuality in the future. +This is a rare talent, indeed, and scores, largely in one's favor; for +no one likes to think himself so unimportant as to be forgotten, under +any circumstances. + +It was during the thick of the reception that one of Miss Von Taer's +intimates, a graceful blond girl, suddenly seized her arm and whispered: +"Oh, Diana! Guess who's here--guess, my dear!" Diana knew. Her eyes, +always narrowed until the lashes shielded their sharp watchfulness, +seldom missed observing anything of importance. She pressed her friend's +hand and turned again to the line of guests, while Louise, who had +overheard the excited whisper, wondered casually what it might mean. + +Soon after she knew. A tall, handsome young fellow was bowing before +Diana, who--wonder of wonders!--for an instant unclosed her great eyes +and shot an electric glance into his smiling face. The glance was brief +as unexpected, yet it must have told the young man something, for he +flushed and bowed again as if to hide his embarrassment. It also told +Louise something, and her heart, which had given a quick bound at sight +of the man's face, began to cry out against Diana Von Taer's artifices. + +"Mr. Arthur Weldon," said the hostess, in her soft voice; and now, as +the young man turned an eager gaze on Louise and half extended his hand, +the girl's face grew pale and she imitated Diana to the extent of +dropping her eyes and bowing with frigid indifference. Standing close +he whispered "Louise!" in a pleading tone that made Diana frown +wickedly. But the girl was unresponsive and another instant forced him +to turn to Beth. + +"Why, Arthur! are you here, then?" said the girl, in a surprised but +cordial tone. + +"That is not astonishing, Miss Beth," he replied. "The puzzling fact is +that _you_ are here--and under such auspices," he added, in a lower +tone. + +Patsy now claimed him, with a frank greeting, and Arthur Weldon could do +little more than press her hand when the line forced him to move on and +give place to others. + +But this especial young fellow occupied the minds of all four girls long +after the crowd had swallowed him up. Diana was uneasy and obviously +disturbed by the discovery that he was known to the three cousins, as +well as by the memory of his tone as he addressed Louise Merrick. +Louise, who had read Diana's quick glance with the accuracy of an +intuitionist, felt a sudden suspicion and dislike for Diana now +dominating her. Behind all this was a mystery, which shall be explained +here because the reader deserves to be more enlightened than the +characters themselves. + +Arthur Weldon's nature was a queer combination of weakness and strength. +He was physically brave but a moral coward. The motherless son of a man +wholly immersed in business, he had been much neglected in his youth and +his unstable character was largely the result of this neglect. On +leaving college he refused a business career planned for him by his +father, who cast him off with scornful indifference, and save for a slim +temporary allowance promised to disinherit him. It was during this +period that Arthur met Louise and fell desperately in love with her. The +girl appeared to return the young fellow's devotion, but shrewd, worldly +Mrs. Merrick, discovering that the boy was practically disinherited and +had no prospects whatever, forbade him the house. Louise, until now but +mildly interested in the young-man, resented her mother's interference +and refused to give him up. She found ways to meet Arthur Weldon outside +her home, so that the situation had become complicated and dangerous +when Uncle John seized his three nieces and whisked them off to Europe. +Young Weldon, under an assumed name, followed and attached himself to +the party; but John Merrick's suspicions were presently aroused and on +discovering the identity of the youth he forbade him or Louise to "make +love" or even speak of such a thing during the remainder of the trip. + +The young fellow, by manly acts on some occasions and grave weaknesses +on others, won Uncle John's kindly interest. The old gentleman knew +human nature, and saw much to admire as well as condemn in Louise's +friend. Beth and Patsy found him a pleasant comrade, and after all +love-making was tabooed they were quite a harmonious party. Finally the +sudden death of Weldon's father left him the possessor of a fortune. He +returned to America to look after his newly-acquired business and became +so immersed in it that Louise felt herself neglected when she came home +expecting him to dance attendance upon her as before. She treated him +coldly and he ceased calling, his volatile and sensitive nature +resenting such treatment. It is curious what little things influence +the trend of human lives. Many estrangements are caused by trifles so +intangible that we can scarcely locate them at all. + +At first the girl was very unhappy at the alienation, but soon schooled +herself to forget her former admirer. Arthur Weldon, for his part, +consoled himself by plunging into social distractions and devoting +himself to Diana Von Taer, whose strange personality for a time +fascinated him. + +The business could not hold young Weldon's vacillant temperament for +long; neither could Diana. As a matter of fact his heart, more staunch +than he himself suspected, had never wavered much from Louise. Yet pride +forbade his attempting to renew their former relations. It was now some +months since he had seen the girl, and his eager exclamation was wrested +from him by surprise and a sudden awakening to the fact that his love +for her had merely slumbered. + +Diana, worldly, cold and calculating as was her nature, had been +profoundly touched by Arthur's devotion to her. Usually young men were +soon repulsed by her unfortunate personality, which was not easily +understood. Therefore her intense nature responded freely to this +admirer's attentions, and if Diana could really love she loved Arthur +Weldon. He had never proposed to her or even intimated it was his +intention to do so, but she conceived a powerful desire to win him and +had never abandoned this motive when he grew cold and appeared to desert +her. Just now he was recently back from Italy, where he had passed +several months, and Diana's reception was his first reappearance in +society. The girl had planned to bring him to her side this evening and +intended to exert her strongest fascinations to lure him back to his +former allegiance; so her annoyance may be guessed when she found her +three _protegees_ seemingly more familiar with the young man than was +she herself. + +At last the line ended and the introductions were complete. The +_debutantes_ were at once the center of interested groups composed of +those who felt it a duty or pleasure to show them attention. Diana +wandered to the music room and waylaid Arthur Weldon, who was just about +to make his escape from the house, having decided it was impossible to +find an opportunity to converse with Louise that evening. + +"I'm so glad you came, Arthur," she said, a quick glance assuring her +they were not overheard. "You landed from the steamer but yesterday, I +hear." + +"And came straightway to pay my respects to my old friend," he answered +lightly. "Isn't it unusual for you to present _debutantes_, Diana?" + +"You know these girls, don't you, Arthur?" + +"Yes; I met them in Europe." + +"And flirted with Miss Merrick? Be honest, Arthur, I know your secret." + +"Do you? Then you know we were merely good friends," said he, annoyed at +her accusation. + +"Of course. You called her 'Louise,' didn't you?" + +"To be sure. And Patsy called me 'Arthur. You may have heard her." + +"Patsy?" + +"That's Miss Patricia Doyle--our dear little Patsy." + +"Oh. I'm sure you didn't fall in love with _her_, at any rate." + +"I'm not so sure. Everybody loves Patsy. But I had no time for +love-making. I was doing Europe." + +"Wasn't that a year or so ago?" she asked, realizing he was trying to +evade further reference to Louise. + +"Yes." + +"And since then?" + +"I've been away the last six or seven months, as you know, on my second +trip abroad." + +"But before that--when you first returned?" + +"If I remember rightly I was then much in the society of Miss Von Taer. +Is the catechism ended at last?" + +"Yes," she replied, laughing. "Don't think me inquisitive, Arthur; I was +surprised to find you knew these girls, with whom I am myself but +lightly acquainted." + +"Yet you introduce them to your very select set?" + +"To please my father, who wishes to please Mr. Merrick." + +"I understand," said he, nodding. "But they're nice girls, Diana. +You're not running chances, I assure you." + +"That relieves me," she replied rather scornfully. "If Arthur Weldon +will vouch for them--" + +"But I don't. I'll vouch for no one--not even myself," he declared +hastily. She was calmly reading his face, and did not seem to approve +the text. + +"Are you as fickle as ever, then, _mon cher_?" she asked, softly. + +"I'm not fickle, Diana. My fault is that I'm never serious." + +"Never?" + +"I cannot remember ever being serious; at least, where a girl was +concerned." + +Diana bit her lips to restrain a frown, but her eyes, which he was +avoiding, flashed wickedly. + +"That is surely a fault, my Arthur," was her tender reply. "Were you +never serious during our quiet evenings together; our dances, theatre +parties and romps?" + +"That was merely fun. And you, Diana?" + +"Oh, I enjoyed the fun, too. It meant so much to me. I began to live, +then, and found life very sweet. But when you suddenly left me and went +abroad--ah, _that_ was indeed serious." + +Her tone was full of passionate yearning. He laughed, trying to appear +at ease. Some sort of an understanding must be had with Diana sooner or +later, and she might as well realize at this present interview that the +old relations could not be restored. His nature was not brutal and he +disliked to hurt her; moreover, the boy had an uneasy feeling that he +had been a far more ardent admirer of this peculiar girl than any fellow +should be who had had no serious intentions; yet it would be folly to +allow Diana to think she could win him back to his former allegiance. No +compromising word had ever left his lips; he had never spoken of love to +her. Yet the girl's attitude seemed to infer a certain possession of him +which was far from agreeable. + +Having gone so far, he should have said more; but here again his lack of +moral courage proved his stumbling-block, and he weakly evaded a frank +expression of his true feelings. "Life," he began somewhat haltingly, +to break the embarrassing pause, "is only serious when we make it so; +and as soon as we make it serious it makes us unhappy. So I've adopted +one invariable rule: to laugh and be gay." + +"Then I too will be gay, and together we'll enjoy life," responded +Diana, with an effort to speak lightly. "I shall let your moods be my +moods, Arthur, as a good friend should. Are we not affinities?" + +Again he knew not what to say. Her persistence in clinging to her +intangible hold upon him was extremely irritating, and he realized the +girl was far too clever for him to cope with and was liable to cause him +future trouble. Instead of seizing the opportunity to frankly undeceive +her he foolishly evaded the subject. + +"You've been tempting fate to-night," he remarked with assumed +carelessness. "Don't you remember that to stand four girls in a row is a +bad omen?" + +"Only for the one who first winks. Isn't that the way the saying goes? I +seldom wink, myself," she continued, smilingly. "But I have no faith in +ill omens. Their power is entirely due to mental fear." + +"I think not," said Arthur, glad the conversation had taken this turn. +"Once I knew a fellow with thirteen letters in his name. He had no +mental fear. But he proposed to a girl--and was accepted." + +She gave him one of those sudden, swift glances that were so +disconcerting. + +"If you had a middle initial, there would be thirteen letters in your +own name, Arthur Weldon." + +"But I haven't, Diana; I haven't," he protested, eagerly. "And if ever I +propose to a girl I'm sure she'll refuse me. But I've no intention of +doing such a crazy thing, so I'm perfectly safe." + +"You cannot be sure until you try, Arthur," she replied pointedly, and +with a start he became conscious that he was again treading upon +dangerous ground. + +"Come; let us rejoin your guests," said he, offering her his arm. "They +would all hate me if they knew I was keeping the fair Diana from them so +long." "Arthur, I must have a good long; talk with you--one of our +old, delightful confabs," she said, earnestly. "Will you call Sunday +afternoon? Then we shall be quite undisturbed." + +He hesitated. + +"Sunday afternoon?" he answered. + +"Yes." + +"All right; I'll come, Diana." + +She gave him a grateful look and taking his arm allowed him to lead her +back to the drawing-room. The crush was over, many having already +departed. Some of the young people were dancing in the open spaces to +the music of a string orchestra hidden behind a bank of ferns in the +hall. + +Louise and Beth were the centers of attentive circles; Patsy conversed +with merry freedom with a group of ancient dowagers, who delighted in +her freshness and healthy vigor and were flattered by her consideration. +Mrs. Merrick--for she had been invited--sat in a corner gorgeously robed +and stiff as a poker, her eyes devouring the scene. Noting the triumph +of Louise she failed to realize she was herself neglected. A single +glance sufficed to acquaint Diana with all this, and after a gracious +word to her guests here and there she asked Arthur to dance with her. He +could not well refuse, but felt irritated and annoyed when he observed +Louise's eyes fastened upon him in amused disdain. After a few turns he +discovered some departing ones waiting to bid their hostess _adieu_, and +escaped from his unpleasant predicament by halting his partner before +them. Then he slipped away and quietly left the house before Diana had +time to miss him. + + + + +CHAPTER VII + + +THE HERO ENTERS AND TROUBLE BEGINS + +The Von Taer reception fully launched the three nieces in society. +Endorsed by Diana and backed by John Merrick's millions and their own +winsome charms, they were sure to become favorites in that admirable set +to which they had fortunately gained admittance. + +Cards poured in upon them during; the succeeding days and they found +themselves busy returning calls and attending dinners, fetes, bridge +parties and similar diversions. The great Mrs. Sandringham took a +decided fancy to Louise, and when the committee was appointed to arrange +for the social Kermess to be held in December, this dictatorial leader +had the girl's name included in the list. Naturally the favor led to all +three cousins taking active part in the most famous social event of the +season, and as an especial mark of favoritism they were appointed to +conduct the "flower booth," one of the important features of the +Kermess. + +Mrs. Merrick was in the seventh heaven of ecstatic delight; Uncle John +declared his three girls were sure to become shining lights, if not +actual constellations, wherever they might be placed; Major Doyle +growled and protested; but was secretly pleased to have "our Patsy the +captain of the dress parade," where he fondly imagined she outclassed +all others. All former denunciations of society at large were now +ignored, even by unimpressive Beth, and the girls soon became deeply +interested in their novel experiences. + +Arthur Weldon sulked at home, unhappy and undecided, for a day or two +after the reception. Sunday noon he dispatched a messenger to Diana with +a note saying he would be unable to keep his appointment with her that +afternoon. Then he went straight to the Merrick home and sent his card +to Louise. The girl flushed, smiled, frowned, and decided to go down. + +No one had ever interested her so much as Arthur Weldon. There had been +a spice of romance about their former relations that made her still +regard him as exceptional among mankind. She had been asking herself, +since the night of the reception, if she still loved him, but could not +come to a positive conclusion. The boy was no longer "ineligible," as he +had been at first; even Uncle John could now have no serious objection +to him. He was handsome, agreeable, occupied a good social position and +was fairly well off in the way of worldly goods--the last point removing +Mrs. Merrick's former rejection of Arthur as a desirable son-in-law. + +But girls are wayward and peculiar in such an _affaire du coeur_, and +none of these things might have weighed with Louise had she not +discovered that Diana Von Taer was in love with Arthur and intended to +win him. That aroused the girl's fighting instincts, rendered the young +man doubly important, and easily caused Louise to forget her resentment +at his temporary desertion of her. Perhaps, she reflected, it had +partially been her own fault. Now that Arthur showed a disposition to +renew their friendship, and she might promise herself the satisfaction +of defeating Diana's ambitions, it would be diplomatic, at least, to +receive the youth with cordial frankness. + +Therefore she greeted him smilingly and with outstretched hand, saying: + +"This is quite a surprise, Mr. Weldon. I'd a notion you had forgotten +me." "No, indeed, Louise! How could you imagine such a thing?" he +answered, reproachfully. + +"There was some evidence of the fact," she asserted archly. "At one time +you gave me no peace; then you became retiring. At last you disappeared +wholly. What could I think, sir, under such circumstances?" + +He stood looking down at her thoughtfully. How pretty she had grown; and +how mature and womanly. + +"Louise," said he, gently, "don't let us indulge in mutual reproaches. +Some one must have been at fault and I'll willingly take all the blame +if you will forgive me. Once we were--were good friends. We--we intended +to be still more to one another, Louise, but something occurred, I don't +know what, to--to separate us." + +"Why, you went away," said the girl, laughing; "and that of course +separated us." + +"You treated me like a beggar; don't forget that part of it, dear. Of +course I went away." + +"And consoled yourself with a certain Miss Diana Von Taer. It has lately +been rumored you are engaged to her." "Me? What nonsense?" But he +hushed guiltily, and Louise noted everything and determined he should +not escape punishment. + +"Diana, at least, is in earnest," she remarked, with assumed +indifference. "You may not care to deny that you have been very +attentive to her." + +"Not especially so," he declared, stoutly. + +"People gossip, you know. And Diana is charming." + +"She's an iceberg!" + +"Oh, you have discovered that? Was she wholly unresponsive, then?" + +"No," he said, with a touch of anger. "I have never cared for Diana, +except in a friendly way. She amused me for a while when--when I was +wretched. But I never made love to her; not for a moment. Afterward, +why--then----" + +"Well; what then?" as he hesitated, growing red again. + +"I found she had taken my careless attentions in earnest, and the play +was getting dangerous. So I went abroad." + +Louise considered this explanation seriously. She believed he was +speaking the truth, so far as he knew. But at the same time she realized +from her own experience that Arthur might as easily deceive himself as +Diana in his estimate as to the warmth of the devotion he displayed. His +nature was impetuous and ardent. That Diana should have taken his +attentions seriously and become infatuated with the handsome young +fellow was not a matter to cause surprise. + +Gradually Louise felt her resentment disappearing. In Arthur's presence +the charm of his personality influenced her to be lenient with his +shortcomings. And his evident desire for a reconciliation found an echo +in her own heart. + +Mutual explanations are excellent to clear a murky atmosphere, and an +hour's earnest conversation did much to restore these two congenial +spirits to their former affectionate relations. Of course Louise did not +succumb too fully to his pleadings, for her feminine instinct warned her +to keep the boy on "the anxious seat" long enough to enable him to +appreciate her value and the honor of winning her good graces. Moreover, +she made some severe conditions and put him on his good behavior. If he +proved worthy, and was steadfast and true, why then the future might +reward him freely. + +Diana had been making careful plans for her interview with Arthur that +Sunday afternoon. With no futile attempt to deceive herself as to +existent conditions she coldly weighed the chances in her mental scale +and concluded she had sufficient power to win this unstable youth to her +side and induce him to forget that such a person as Louise Merrick ever +existed. + +Diana was little experienced in such affairs, it is true. Arthur Weldon +had been her first and only declared admirer, and no one living had +studied his peculiar nature more critically than this observant girl. +Also she knew well her own physical failings. She realized that her +personality was to many repulsive, rather than attractive, and this in +spite of her exquisite form, her perfect breeding and many undeniable +accomplishments. Men, as a rule, seldom remained at her side save +through politeness, and even seemed to fear her; but never until now had +she cared for any man sufficiently to wish to retain or interest him. +There were unsuspected fascinations lying dormant in her nature, and +Miss Von Taer calmly reflected that the exercise of these qualities, +backed by her native wit and capacity for intrigue, could easily +accomplish the object she desired. + +Thus she had planned her campaign and carefully dressed herself in +anticipation of Arthur's call when his note came canceling the +engagement. After rereading his lame excuse she sat down in a quiet +corner and began to think. The first gun had been fired, the battle was +on, and like a wise general she carefully marshaled her forces for +combat. + +An hour or two later she turned to her telephone book and called up the +Merrick establishment. A voice, that of a maid, evidently, answered her. + +"I wish to speak with Miss Merrick," said Diana. + +Louise, annoyed at being disturbed, left Arthur's side to respond to the +call. + +"Who is it, please?" she asked. + +"Is Mr. Weldon still there, or has he gone?" enquired Diana, disguising +her voice and speaking imperatively.. "Why, he's still here," answered +bewildered Louise; "but who is talking, please?" + +No answer. + +"Do you wish to speak with Mr. Weldon?" continued the girl, mystified at +such an odd procedure. + +Diana hung up her receiver, severing the connection. The click of the +instrument assured Louise there was no use in waiting longer, so she +returned to Arthur. She could not even guess who had called her. Arthur +could, though, when he had heard her story, and Diana's impudent +meddling made him distinctly uneasy. He took care not to enlighten +Louise, and the incident was soon forgotten by her. + +"It proved just as I expected," mused Diana, huddled in her reclining' +chair. "The fool has thrown me over to go to her. But this is not +important. With the situation so clearly defined I shall know exactly +what I must do to protect my own interests." + +Mr. Von Taer was away from home that Sunday afternoon, and would not +return until a late hour. Diana went to the telephone again and after +several unsuccessful attempts located her cousin, Mr. Charles Connoldy +Mershone, at a club. + +"It's Diana," she said, when at last communication was established. "I +want you to come over and see me; at once." + +"You'll have to excuse me, Di," was the answer. "I was unceremoniously +kicked out the last time, you know." + +"Father's away. It's all right, Charlie. Come along." + +"Can't see it, my fair cousin. You've all treated me like a bull-pup, +and I'm not anxious to mix up with that sort of a relationship. Anything +more? I'm going to play pool to win my dinner." + +"Funds running low, Charlie?" + +"Worse than that; they're invisible." + +"Then pay attention. Call a taxi at once, and get here as soon as you +can. I'll foot the bill--and any others that happen to be bothering +you." + +A low, surprised whistle came over the wire. + +"What's up, Di?" he asked, with new interest. + +"Come and find out." + +"Can I be useful?" + +"Assuredly; to yourself." + +"All right; I'm on the way." + +He hung up, and Diana gave a sigh of content as she slowly returned to +her den and the easy chair, where Mr. Mershone found her "coiled" some +half hour later. + +"This is a queer go," said the young man, taking a seat and glancing +around with knitted brows. "It isn't so long since dear Uncle Hedrik +tumbled me out of here neck and crop; and now Cousin Diana invites me to +return." + +At first glance young Mershone seemed an attractive young fellow, tall, +finely formed and well groomed. But his eyes were too close together and +his handsome features bore unmistakable marks of dissipation. + +"You disgraced us a year or so ago, Charlie," said Diana, in her soft, +quiet accents, "and under such circumstances we could not tolerate you. +You can scarcely blame us for cutting your acquaintance. But now--" + +"Well, now?" he enquired coolly, trying to read her impassive face. + +"I need the services of just such an unscrupulous and clever individual +as you have proven yourself to be. I'm willing to pay liberally for +those services, and you doubtless need the money. Are we allies, then?" + +Mershone laughed, with little genuine mirth. + +"Of course, my dear cousin," he responded; "provided you propose any +legal villainy. I'm not partial to the police; but I really need the +money, as you suggest." + +"And you will be faithful?" she asked, regarding him doubtfully. + +"To the cause, you may be sure. But understand me: I balk at murder and +burglary. Somehow, the police seem to know me. I'll not do anything that +might lead to a jail sentence, because there are easier ways to get +money. However, I don't imagine your proposed plan is very desperate, +Diana; it's more liable to be dirty work. Never mind; you may command +me, my dear cousin--if the pay is ample." + +"The pay will be ample if you succeed," she began. + +"I don't like that. I may not succeed." + +"Listen to me, Charlie. Do you know Arthur Weldon?" + +"Slightly; not very well." + +"I intend to marry him. He has paid me marked attentions in the past; +but now--he--" + +"Wants to slip the leash. Quite natural, my dear." + +"He has become infatuated with another girl; a light-headed, +inexperienced little thing who is likely to marry the first man who asks +her. She is very rich--in her own right, too--and her husband will be a +fortunate man." + +Mershone stared at her. Then he whistled, took a few turns up and down +the room, and reseated himself. + +"Evidently!" he ejaculated, lighting a cigarette without permission and +then leaning back thoughtfully in his chair. + +"Charlie," continued Diana, "you may as well marry Louise Merrick and +settle down to a life of respectability. You've a dashing, masterful way +which no girl of her sort can long resist. I propose that you make +desperate love to Louise Merrick and so cut Arthur Weldon out of the +deal entirely. My part of the comedy will be to attract him to my side +again. Now you have the entire proposition in a nutshell." + +He smoked for a time in reflective silence. + +"What's the girl like?" he enquired, presently. "Is she attractive?" + +"Sufficiently so to fascinate Arthur Weldon. Moreover, she has just been +introduced in our set, and knows nothing of your shady past history. +Even if rumors came to her ears, young creatures of her sort often find +a subtle charm in a man accused of being 'naughty.'" + +"Humph!" + +"If you win her, you get a wife easily managed and a splendid fortune to +squander as you please." + +"Sounds interesting, Di, doesn't it? But--" + +"In regard to preliminary expenses," she interrupted, calmly, "I have +said that your reward will be ample when you have won the game. But +meantime I am willing to invest the necessary funds in the enterprise. I +will allow you a thousand a month." "Bah! that's nothing at all!" said +he, contemptuously, as he flicked the ashes from his cigarette. + +"What do you demand, then?" + +"Five hundred a week, in advance. It's an expensive job, Di." + +"Very well; I will give you five hundred a week; but only as long as you +work earnestly to carry out the plot. I shall watch you, Charlie. And +you must not lose sight of the ultimate reward." + +"I won't, my sweet cousin. It's a bargain," he said, readily enough. +"When do I begin, and what's the program?" + +"Draw your chair nearer," said Diana, restraining her triumphant joy. +"I'll explain everything to you in detail. It will be my part to plan, +and yours to execute." + +"Good!" he exclaimed, with a cheerful grin. "I feel like an executioner +already!" + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + + +OPENING THE CAMPAIGN + +Louise's little romance, which now began to thrive vigorously, was +regarded with calmness by her cousins and her mother, who knew of the +former episode between her and Arthur and attached little importance to +the renewed flirtation in which they indulged. That they were deceived +in their estimate was due to the girl's reputation for frivolity where +young men were concerned. She had been dubbed a "flirt" ever since she +first began to wear long dresses, and her nature was not considered deep +enough for her heart to be ever seriously affected. Therefore the young +girl was gravely misjudged. + +Louise was not one to bare her heart, even to her most intimate friends, +and no one now suspected that at last her deepest, truest womanly +affections were seriously involved. The love for Arthur that had lain +dormant in her heart was aroused at a time when she was more mature and +capable of recognizing truly her feelings, so that it was not long +before she surrendered her reserve and admitted to him that life would +mean little for her unless they might pass the years together. For his +part, young Weldon sincerely loved Louise, and had never wavered from +his firm devotion during all the past months of misunderstanding. + +The general impression that they were "merely flirting" afforded the +lovers ample opportunity to have their walks and drives together +undisturbed, and during these soulful communions they arrived at such a +perfect understanding that both were confident nothing could ever +disturb their trust and confidence. + +It was at a theatre party that the three _debutantes_ first met Charlie +Mershone, but they saw little of him that first evening and scarcely +noticed his presence. Louise, indeed, noted that his eyes were fixed +upon her more than once with thinly veiled admiration, and without a +thought of disloyalty to Arthur, but acting upon the impulse of her +coquettish nature, she responded with a demure smile of encouragement. +Charlie Mershone was an adept at playing parts. He at first regarded +Louise much as a hunter does the game he is stalking. Patsy Doyle was +more jolly and Beth De Graf more beautiful than Miss Merrick; but the +young man would in any event have preferred the latter's dainty +personality. When he found her responsive to his admiring glances he was +astounded to note his heart beating rapidly--a thing quite foreign to +his usual temperament. Yes, this girl would do very nicely, both as a +wife and as a banker. Assuredly the game was well worth playing, as +Diana had asserted. He must make it his business to discover what +difficulties must be overcome in winning her. Of course Arthur Weldon +was the main stumbling-block; but Weldon was a ninny; he must be thrust +aside; Diana had promised to attend to that. + +Never in his life had Charles Connoldy Mershone been in earnest before. +After his first interview with Louise Merrick he became in deadly +earnest. His second meeting with her was at Marie Delmar's bridge whist +party, where they had opportunity for an extended conversation. Arthur +was present this evening, but by some chance Mershone drew Louise for +his partner at cards, and being a skillful player he carried her in +progression from table to table, leaving poor Arthur far behind and +indulging in merry repartee and mild flirtation until they felt they +were quite well acquainted. + +Louise found the young man a charming conversationalist. He had a +dashing, confidential way of addressing the girl which impressed her as +flattering and agreeable, while his spirits were so exuberant and +sparkling with humor that she was thoroughly amused every moment while +in his society. Indeed, Mr. Mershone was really talented, and had he +possessed any manly attributes, or even the ordinary honorable instincts +of mankind, there is little doubt he would have been a popular favorite. +But he had made his mark, and it was a rather grimy one. From earliest +youth he had been guilty of discreditable acts that had won for him the +contempt of all right-minded people. That he was still accepted with lax +tolerance by some of the more thoughtless matrons of the fashionable set +was due to his family name. They could not forget that in spite of his +numerous lapses from respectability he was still a Mershone. Not one of +the careless mothers who admitted him to her house would have allowed +her daughter to wed him, and the degree of tolerance extended to him was +fully appreciated by Mershone himself. He knew he was practically barred +from the most desirable circles and seldom imposed himself upon his +former acquaintances; but now, with a distinct object in view, he +callously disregarded the doubtful looks he encountered and showed +himself in every drawing-room where he could secure an invitation or +impudently intrude himself. He made frank avowals that he had "reformed" +and abandoned his evil ways forever. Some there were who accepted this +statement seriously, and Diana furthered his cause by treating him +graciously whenever they met, whereas she had formerly refused to +recognize her cousin. + +Louise knew nothing at all of Charlie Mershone's history and permitted +him to call when he eagerly requested the favor; but on the way home +from the Delmars Arthur, who had glowered at the usurper all the +evening, took pains to hint to Louise that Mershone was an undesirable +acquaintance and had a bad record. Of course she laughed at him and +teased him, thinking he was jealous and rejoicing that in Mershone she +had a tool to "keep Arthur toeing the mark." As a matter of truth she +had really missed her lover's companionship that evening, but forbore to +apprise him of the fact. + +And now the great Kermess began to occupy the minds of the three +cousins, who were to share the important "Flower Booth" between them. +The Kermess was to be the holiday sensation of the season and bade fair +to eclipse the horse show in popularity. It was primarily a charitable +entertainment, as the net receipts were to be divided among several +deserving hospitals; nevertheless it was classed as a high society +function and only the elect were to take active part in the affair. + +The ball room at the Waldorf had been secured and many splendid booths +were to be erected for the sale of novelties, notions and refreshments. +There were to be lotteries and auctions, national dances given by groups +of society belles, and other novel entertainments calculated to empty +the pockets of the unwary. + +Beth was somewhat indignant to find that she and her cousins, having +been assigned to the flower booth, were expected to erect a pavilion and +decorate it at their own expense, as well as to provide the stock of +flowers to be sold. "There is no fund for preliminary expenses, you +know," remarked Mrs. Sandringham, "and of course all the receipts are to +go to charity; so there is nothing to do but stand these little bills +ourselves. We all do it willingly. The papers make a good deal of the +Kermess, and the advertisement we get is worth all it costs us." + +Beth did not see the force of this argument. She thought it was dreadful +for society--really good society--to wish to advertise itself; but +gradually she was learning that this was merely a part of the game. To +be talked about, to have her goings and comings heralded in the society +columns and her gowns described on every possible occasion, seemed the +desire of every society woman, and she who could show the biggest +scrap-book of clippings was considered of highest importance.. Uncle +John laughed joyously when told that the expenses of the flower booth +would fall on the shoulders of his girls and there was no later +recompense. + +"Why not?" he cried. "Mustn't we pay the fiddler if we dance?" + +"It's a hold-up game," declared Beth, angrily. "I'll have nothing to do +with it." + +"Yes, you will, my dear," replied her uncle; "and to avoid separating +you chicks from your pin-money I'm going to stand every cent of the +expense myself. Why, it's for charity, isn't it? Charity covers a +multitude of sins, and I'm just a miserable sinner that needs a +bath-robe to snuggle in. How can the poor be better served than by +robbing the rich? Go ahead, girls, and rig up the swellest booth that +money will build. I'll furnish as many flowers as you can sell, and +Charity ought to get a neat little nest-egg out of the deal." + +"That's nice of you," said Patsy, kissing him; "but it's an imposition, +all the same." + +"It's a blessing, my dear. It will help a bit to ease off that dreadful +income that threatens to crush me," he rejoined, smiling at them. And +the nieces made no further protest, well knowing the kindly old +gentleman would derive untold pleasure in carrying out his generous +plans. + +The flower booth, designed by a famous architect, proved a splendid and +most imposing structure. It was capped by a monster bouquet of +artificial orchids in _papier-mache,_ which reached twenty feet into the +air. The three cousins had their gowns especially designed for the +occasion. Beth represented a lily, Louise a Gold-of-Ophir rose, and +Patricia a pansy. + +The big ball room had been turned over to the society people several +days in advance, that the elaborate preparations might be completed in +time, and during this period groups of busy, energetic young folks +gathered by day and in the evenings, decorating, flirting, rehearsing +the fancy dances, and amusing themselves generally. + +Arthur Weldon was there to assist Uncle John's nieces; but his pleasure +was somewhat marred by the persistent presence of Charlie Mershone, who, +having called once or twice upon Louise, felt at liberty to attach +himself to her party. The ferocious looks of his rival were ignored by +this designing young man and he had no hesitation in interrupting a +_tete-a-tete_ to monopolize the girl for himself. + +Louise was amused, thinking it fun to worry Arthur by flirting mildly +with Mr. Mershone, for whom she cared not a jot. Both Patsy and Beth +took occasion to remonstrate with her for this folly, for having known +Weldon for a long time and journeyed with him through a part of Europe, +they naturally espoused his cause, liking him as much as they +intuitively disliked Mershone. + +One evening Arthur, his patience well-nigh exhausted, talked seriously +with Louise. + +"This fellow Mershone," said he, "is a bad egg, a despicable son of a +decadent family. His mother was Hedrik Von Taer's sister, but the poor +thing has been dead many years. Not long ago Charlie was tabooed by even +the rather fast set he belonged to, and the Von Taers, especially, +refused to recognize their relative. Now he seems to go everywhere +again. I don't know what has caused the change, I'm sure." "Why, he +has reformed," declared Louise; "Diana told me so. She said he had been +a bit wild, as all young men are; but now his behavior is +irreproachable." + +"I don't believe a word of it," insisted Arthur. "Mershone is a natural +cad; he's been guilty of all sorts of dirty tricks, and is capable of +many more. If you'll watch out, Louise, you'll see that all the girls +are shy of being found in his society, and all the chaperons cluck to +their fledglings the moment the hawk appears. You're a novice in society +just yet, my dear, and it won't do you any good to encourage Charlie +Mershone, whom everyone else avoids." + +"He's very nice," returned Louise, lightly. + +"Yes; he must be nicer than I am," admitted the young man, glumly, and +thereupon he became silent and morose and Louise found her evening +spoiled. + +The warning did not fall on barren ground, however. In the seclusion of +her own room the girl thought it all over and decided she had teased her +true lover enough. Arthur had not scolded or reproached her, despite his +annoyance, and she had a feeling that his judgment of Charlie Mershone +was quite right. Although the latter was evidently madly in love with +her the girl had the discretion to see how selfish and unrestrained was +his nature, and once or twice he had already frightened her by his +impetuosity. She decided to retreat cautiously but positively from +further association with him, and at once began to show the young man +coolness. + +Mershone must have been chagrined, but he did not allow Louise to see +there was any change in their relations as far as he was concerned. He +merely redoubled his attentions, sending her flowers and bonbons daily, +accompanied by ardently worded but respectful notes. Really, Louise was +in a quandary, and she frankly admitted to Arthur that she had brought +this embarrassment upon herself. Yet Arthur could do or say little to +comfort her. He longed secretly to "punch Mershone's head," but could +find no occasion for such decided action. + +Diana, during this time, treated both Arthur and Louise with marked +cordiality. Believing her time would come to take part in the comedy she +refrained from interfering prematurely with the progress of events. She +managed to meet her accomplice at frequent intervals and was pleased +that there was no necessity to urge Charlie to do his utmost in +separating the lovers. + +"I'm bound to win, Di," he said grimly, "for I love the girl even better +than I do her fortune. And of one thing you may rest assured; Weldon +shall never marry her." + +"What will you do?" asked Diana, curiously. + +"Anything! Everything that is necessary to accomplish my purpose." + +"Be careful," said she warningly. "Keep a cool head, Charlie, and don't +do anything foolish. Still--" + +"Well?" + +"If it is necessary to take a few chances, do it. Arthur Weldon must not +marry Louise Merrick!" + + + + +CHAPTER IX + + +THE VON TAER PEARLS + +Uncle John really had more fun out of the famous Kermess than anyone +else. The preparations gave him something to do, and he enjoyed +doing--openly, as well as in secret ways. Having declared that he would +stock the flower booth at his own expense, he confided to no one his +plans. The girls may have thought he would merely leave orders with a +florist; but that was not the Merrick way of doing things. Instead, he +visited the most famous greenhouses within a radius of many miles, +contracting for all the floral blooms that art and skill could produce. +The Kermess was to be a three days' affair, and each day the floral +treasures of the cast were delivered in reckless profusion at the flower +booth, which thus became the center of attraction and the marvel of the +public. The girls were delighted to be able to dispense such blooms, and +their success as saleswomen was assured at once. Of course the fair +vendors were ignorant of the value of their wares, for Uncle John +refused to tell them how extravagant he had been; so they were obliged +to guess at the sums to be demanded and in consequence sold priceless +orchids and rare hothouse flora at such ridiculous rates that Mr. +Merrick chuckled with amusement until he nearly choked. + +The public being "cordially invited" Uncle John was present on that +first important evening, and--wonder of wonders--was arrayed in an +immaculate full-dress suit that fitted his chubby form like the skin of +a banana. Mayor Doyle, likewise disguised, locked arms with his +brother-in-law and stalked gravely among the throng; but neither ever +got to a point in the big room where the flower booth was not in plain +sight. The Major's pride in "our Patsy" was something superb; Uncle John +was proud of all three of his nieces. As the sale of wares was for the +benefit of charity these old fellows purchased liberally--mostly flowers +and had enough parcels sent home to fill a delivery wagon. + +One disagreeable incident, only, marred this otherwise successful +evening--successful especially for the three cousins, whose beauty and +grace won the hearts of all. + +Diana Von Taer was stationed in the "Hindoo Booth," and the oriental +costume she wore exactly fitted her sensuous style of beauty. To enhance +its effect she had worn around her neck the famous string of Von Taer +pearls, a collection said to be unmatched in beauty and unequaled in +value in all New York. + +The "Hindoo Booth" was near enough to the "Flower Booth" for Diana to +watch the cousins, and the triumph of her late _protegees_ was very +bitter for her to endure. Especially annoying was it to find Arthur +Weldon devoting himself assiduously to Louise, who looked charming in +her rose gown and favored Arthur in a marked way, although Charlie +Mershone, refusing to be ignored, also leaned over the counter of the +booth and chatted continually, striving to draw Miss Merrick's attention +to himself. + +Forced to observe all this, Diana soon lost her accustomed coolness. The +sight of the happy faces of Arthur and Louise aroused all the rancor +and subtile wit that she possessed, and she resolved upon an act that +she would not before have believed herself capable of. Leaning down, she +released the catch of the famous pearls and unobserved concealed them in +a handkerchief. Then, leaving her booth, she sauntered slowly over to +the floral display, which was surrounded for the moment by a crowd of +eager customers. Many of the vases and pottery jars which had contained +flowers now stood empty, and just before the station of Louise Merrick +the stock was sadly depleted. This was, of course, offset by the store +of money in the little drawer beside the fair sales-lady, and Louise, +having greeted Diana with a smile and nod, turned to renew her +conversation with the young men besieging her. + +Diana leaned gracefully over the counter, resting the hand containing +the handkerchief over the mouth of an empty Doulton vase--empty save for +the water which had nourished the flowers. At the same time she caught +Louise's eye and with a gesture brought the girl to her side. "Those +young men are wealthy," she said, carelessly, her head close to that of +Louise. "Make them pay well for their purchases, my dear." + +"I can't rob them, Diana," was the laughing rejoinder. + +"But it is your duty to rob, at a Kermess, and in the interests of +charity," persisted Diana, maintaining her voice at a whisper. + +Louise was annoyed. + +"Thank you," she said, and went back to the group awaiting her. + +The floral booth was triangular, Beth officiated at one of the three +sides, Patsy at another, and Louise at the third. Diana now passed +softly around the booth, interchanging a word with the other two girls, +after which she returned to her own station. + +Presently, while chatting with a group of acquaintances, she suddenly +clasped her throat and assuming an expression of horror exclaimed: + +"My pearls!" + +"What, the Von Taer pearls?" cried one. + +"The Von Taer pearls," said Diana, as if dazed by her misfortune. + +"And you've lost them, dear?" + +"They're lost!" she echoed. + +Well, there was excitement then, you may be sure. One man hurried to +notify the door-keeper and the private detective employed oh all such +occasions, while others hastily searched the booth--of course in vain. +Diana seemed distracted and the news spread quickly through the +assemblage. + +"Have you left this booth at all?" asked a quiet voice, that of the +official whose business it was to investigate. + +"I--I merely walked over to the floral booth opposite, and exchanged a +word with Miss Merrick, and the others there," she explained. + +The search was resumed, and Charlie Mershone sauntered over. + +"What's this, Di? Lost the big pearls, I hear," he said. + +She took him aside and whispered something to him. He nodded and +returned at once to the flower booth, around which a crowd of searchers +now gathered, much to the annoyance of Louise and her cousins. + +"It's all foolishness, you know," said Uncle John, to the Major, +confidentially. "If the girl really dropped her pearls some one has +picked them up, long ago." + +Young Mershone seemed searching the floral booth as earnestly as the +others, and awkwardly knocked the Doulton vase from the shelf with his +elbow. It smashed to fragments and in the pool of water on the floor +appeared the missing pearls. + +There was an awkward silence for a moment, while all eyes turned +curiously upon Louise, who served this side of the triangle. The girl +appeared turned to stone as she gazed down at the gems. Mershone laughed +disagreeably and picked up the recovered treasure, which Diana ran +forward and seized. + +"H-m-m!" said the detective, with a shrug; "this is a strange +occurrence--a very strange occurrence, indeed. Miss Von Taer, do you +wish--" + +"No!" exclaimed Diana, haughtily. "I accuse no one. It is enough that an +accident has restored to me the heirloom." + +Stiffly she marched back to her own booth, and the crowd quietly +dispersed, leaving only Arthur, Uncle John and the Major standing to +support Louise and her astonished cousins. + +"Why, confound it!" cried the little millionaire, with a red face, "does +the jade mean to insinuate--" + +"Not at all, sor," interrupted the Major, sternly; "her early education +has been neglected, that's all." + +"Come dear," pleaded Arthur to Louise; "let us go home." + +"By no means!" announced Beth, positively; "let us stay where we belong. +Why, we're not half sold out yet!" + + + + +CHAPTER X + + +MISLED + +Arthur Weldon met Mershone at a club next afternoon. "You low +scoundrel!" he exclaimed. "It was _your_ trick to accuse Miss Merrick of +a theft last night." + +"Was she accused?" enquired the other, blandly. "I hadn't heard, +really." + +"You did it yourself!" + +"Dear me!" said Mershone, deliberately lighting a cigarette. + +"You or your precious cousin--you're both alike," declared Arthur, +bitterly. "But you have given us wisdom, Mershone. We'll see you don't +trick us again." + +The young man stared at him, between puffs of smoke. + +"It occurs to me, Weldon, that you're becoming insolent. It won't do, my +boy. Unless you guard your tongue--" + +"Bah! Resent it, if you dare; you coward." + +"Coward?" + +"Yes. A man who attacks an innocent girl is a coward. And you've been a +coward all your life, Mershone, for one reason or another. No one +believes in your pretended reform. But I want to warn you to keep away +from Miss Merrick, hereafter, or I'll take a hand in your punishment +myself." + +For a moment the two eyed one another savagely. They were equally +matched in physique; but Arthur was right, there was no fight in +Mershone; that is, of the knock-down order. He would fight in his own +way, doubtless, and this made him more dangerous than his antagonist +supposed. + +"What right have you, sir, to speak for Miss Merrick?" he demanded. + +"The best right in the world," replied Arthur. "She is my promised +wife." + +"Indeed! Since when?" + +"That is none of your affair, Mershone. As a matter of fact, however, +that little excitement you created last night resulted in a perfect +understanding between us." "_I_ created!" + +"You, of course. Miss Merrick does not care to meet you again. You will +do well to avoid her in the future." + +"I don't believe you, Weldon. You're bluffing." + +"Am I? Then dare to annoy Miss Merrick again and I'll soon convince you +of my sincerity." + +With this parting shot he walked away, leaving Mershone really at a loss +to know whether he was in earnest or not. To solve the question he +called a taxicab and in a few minutes gave his card to the Merrick +butler with a request to see Miss Louise. + +The man returned with a message that Miss Merrick was engaged. + +"Please tell her it is important," insisted Mershone. + +Again the butler departed, and soon returned. + +"Any message for Miss Merrick must be conveyed in writing, sir," he +said, "She declines to see you." + +Mershone went away white with anger. We may credit him with loving +Louise as intensely as a man of his caliber can love anyone. His sudden +dismissal astounded him and made him frantic with disappointment. +Louise's treatment of the past few days might have warned him, but he +had no intuition of the immediate catastrophe that had overtaken him. It +wasn't his self-pride that was injured; that had become so battered +there was little of it left; but he had set his whole heart on winning +this girl and felt that he could not give her up. + +Anger toward Weldon was prominent amongst his emotion. He declared +between his set teeth that if Louise was lost to him she should never +marry Weldon. Not on Diana's account, but for his own vengeful +satisfaction was this resolve made. + +He rode straight to his cousin and told her the news. The statement that +Arthur was engaged to marry Louise Merrick drove her to a wild anger no +less powerful because she restrained any appearance of it. Surveying her +cousin steadily through her veiled lashes she asked: + +"Is there no way we can prevent this thing?" + +Mershone stalked up and down before her like a caged beast. His eyes +were red and wicked; his lips were pressed tightly together. "Diana," +said he, "I've never wanted anything in this world as I want that girl. +I can't let that mollycoddle marry her!" + +She flushed, and then frowned. It was not pleasant to hear the man of +her choice spoken of with such contempt, but after all their +disappointment and desires were alike mutual and she could not break +with Charlie at this juncture. + +Suddenly he paused and asked: + +"Do you still own that country home near East Orange?" + +"Yes; but we never occupy it now. Father does not care for the place." + +"Is it deserted?" + +"Practically so. Madame Cerise is there in charge." + +"Old Cerise? I was going to ask you what had become of that clever +female." + +"She was too clever, Charlie. She knew too much of our affairs, and was +always prying into things that did not concern her. So father took an +antipathy to the poor creature, and because she has served our family +for so long sent her to care for the house at East Orange." + +"Pensioned her, eh? Well, this is good news, Di; perhaps the best news +in the world. I believe it will help clear up the situation. Old Cerise +and I always understood each other." + +"Will you explain?" asked Diana, coldly. + +"I think not, my fair cousin. I prefer to keep my own counsel. You made +a bad mess of that little deal last night, and are responsible for the +climax that faces us. Besides, a woman is never a good conspirator. I +know what you want; and I know what I want. So I'll work this plan +alone, if you please. And I'll win, Di; I'll win as sure as fate--if +you'll help me." + +"You ask me to help you and remain in the dark?" + +"Yes; it's better so. Write me a note to Cerise and tell her to place +the house and herself unreservedly at my disposal." + +She stared at him fixedly, and he returned the look with an evil smile. +So they sat in silence a moment. Then slowly she arose and moved to her +escritoire, drawing a sheet of paper toward her and beginning to write. + "Is there a telephone at the place?" enquired Mershone abruptly. + +"Yes." + +"Then telephone Cerise after I'm gone. That will make it doubly sure. +And give me the number, too, so I can jot it down. I may need it." + +Diana quietly tore up the note. + +"The telephone is better," she said. "Being in the dark, sir, I prefer +not to commit myself in writing." + +"You're quite right, Di," he exclaimed, admiringly. "But for heaven's +sake don't forget to telephone Madame Cerise." + +"I won't Charlie. And, see here, keep your precious plans to yourself, +now and always. I intend to know nothing of what you do." + +"I'm merely the cats-paw, eh? Well, never mind. Is old Cerise to be +depended upon, do you think?" + +"Why not?" replied the girl. "Cerise belongs to the Von Taers--body and +soul!" + + + + +CHAPTER XI + + +THE BROWN LIMOUSINE + +The second evening of the society Kermess passed without unusual event +and proved very successful in attracting throngs of fashionable people +to participate in its pleasures. + +Louise and her cousins were at their stations early, and the second +installment of Uncle John's flowers was even more splendid and profuse +than the first. It was not at all difficult to make sales, and the +little money drawer began to bulge with its generous receipts. + +Many a gracious smile or nod or word was bestowed upon Miss Merrick by +the society folk; for these people had had time to consider the +accusation against her implied by Diana Von Taer's manner when the +pearls were discovered in the empty flower vase. Being rather impartial +judges--for Diana was not a popular favorite with her set--they decided +it was absurd to suppose a niece of wealthy old John Merrick would +descend to stealing any one's jewelry. Miss Merrick might have anything +her heart desired with-out pausing to count the cost, and moreover she +was credited with sufficient common sense to realize that the Von Taer +heirlooms might easily be recognized anywhere. So a little gossip +concerning the queer incident had turned the tide of opinion in Louise's +favor, and as she was a recent _debutante_ with a charming personality +all vied to assure her she was held blameless. + +A vast coterie of the select hovered about the flower booth all the +evening, and the cousins joyously realized they had scored one of the +distinct successes of the Kermess. Arthur could not get very close to +Louise this evening; but he enjoyed her popularity and from his modest +retirement was able to exchange glances with her at intervals, and these +glances assured him he was seldom absent from her thoughts. + +Aside from this, he had the pleasure of glowering ferociously upon +Charlie Mershone, who, failing to obtain recognition from Miss Merrick, +devoted himself to his cousin Diana, or at least lounged nonchalantly in +the neighborhood of the Hindoo Booth. Mershone was very quiet. There +was a speculative look upon his features that denoted an undercurrent +of thought. + +Diana's face was as expressionless as ever. She well knew her action of +the previous evening had severed the cordial relations formerly existing +between her and Mr. Merrick's nieces, and determined to avoid the +possibility of a snub by keeping aloof from them. She greeted whoever +approached her station in her usual gracious and cultured manner, and +refrained from even glancing toward Louise. + +Hedrik Von Taer appeared for an hour this evening. He quietly expressed +his satisfaction at the complete arrangements of the Kermess, chatted a +moment with his daughter, and then innocently marched over to the flower +booth and made a liberal purchase from each of the three girls. +Evidently the old gentleman had no inkling of the incident of the +previous evening, or that Diana was not still on good terms with the +young ladies she had personally introduced to society. His action amused +many who noted it, and Louise blushing but thoroughly self-possessed, +exchanged her greetings with Diana's father and thanked him heartily +for his purchase. Mr. Von Taer stared stonily at Charlie Mershone, but +did not speak to him. + +Going out he met John Merrick, and the two men engaged in conversation +most cordially. + +"You did the trick all right, Von Taer," said the little millionaire, +"and I'm much obliged, as you may suppose. You're not ashamed of my +three nieces, I take it?" + +"Your nieces, Mr. Merrick, are very charming young women," was the +dignified reply. "They will grace any station in life to which they may +be called." + +When the evening's entertainment came to an end Arthur Weldon took +Louise home in his new brown limousine, leaving Patsy and her father, +Uncle John and Beth to comfortably fill the Doyle motor car. Now that +the engagement of the young people had been announced and accepted by +their friends, it seemed very natural for them to prefer their own +society. + +"What do you think of it, Uncle John, anyhow?" asked Patsy, as they +rode home. "It's all right, dear," he announced, with a sigh. "I hate +to see my girls take the matrimonial dive, but I guess they've got to +come to it, sooner or later." + +"Later, for me," laughed Patsy. + +"As for young Weldon," continued Mr. Merrick, reflectively, "he has some +mighty good points, as I found out long ago. Also he has some points +that need filing down. But I guess he'll average up with most young men, +and Louise seems to like him. So let's try to encourage 'em to be happy; +eh, my dears?" + +"Louise," said Beth, slowly, "is no more perfect than Arthur. They both +have faults which time may eradicate, and as at present they are not +disposed to be hypercritical they ought to get along nicely together." + +"If 't was me," said the Major, oracularly, "I'd never marry Weldon." + +"He won't propose to you, Daddy dear," returned Patsy, mischievously; +"he prefers Louise." + +"I decided long ago," said Uncle John, "that I'd never be allowed to +pick out the husbands for my three girls. Husbands are a matter of +taste, I guess, and a girl ought to know what sort she wants. If she +don't, and makes a mistake, that's _her_ look-out. So you can all choose +for yourselves, when the time comes, and I'll stand by you, my dears, +through thick and thin. If the husband won't play fair, you can always +bet your Uncle John will." "Oh, we know, that," said Patsy, simply; +and Beth added: "Of course, Uncle, dear." + +Thursday evening, the third and last of the series, was after all the +banner night of the great Kermess. All the world of society was present +and such wares as remained unsold in the booths were quickly auctioned +off by several fashionable gentlemen with a talent for such brigandage. +Then, the national dances and songs having been given and received +enthusiastically, a grand ball wound up the occasion in the merriest +possible way. + +Charlie Mershone was much in evidence this evening, as he had been +before; but he took no active part in the proceedings and refrained from +dancing, his pet amusement. Diana observed that he made frequent trips +downstairs, perhaps to the hotel offices. No one paid any attention to +his movements, except his cousin, and Miss Von Taer, watching him +intently, decided that underneath his calm exterior lurked a great deal +of suppressed excitement. + +At last the crowd began to disperse. Uncle John and the Major took Beth +and Patsy away early, as soon as their booth was closed; but Louise +stayed for a final waltz or two with Arthur. She soon found, however, +that the evening's work and excitement had tired her, and asked to be +taken home. + +"I'll go and get the limousine around," said Arthur. "That new chauffeur +is a stupid fellow. By the time you've managed in this jam to get your +wraps I shall be ready. Come down in the elevator and I'll meet you at +the Thirty-second street entrance." + +As he reached the street a man--an ordinary servant, to judge from his +appearance--ran into him full tilt, and when they recoiled from the +impact the fellow with a muttered curse raised his fist and struck young +Weldon a powerful blow. Reeling backward, a natural anger seized Arthur, +who was inclined to be hot-headed, and he also struck out with his +fists, never pausing to consider that the more dignified act would be to +call the police. + +The little spurt of fistcuffs was brief, but it gave Mershone, who stood +in the shadow of the door-way near by, time to whisper to a police +officer, who promptly seized the disputants and held them both in a +firm grip. + +"What's all this?" he demanded, sternly. + +"That drunken loafer assaulted me without cause" gasped Arthur, panting. + +"It's a lie!" retorted the man, calmly; "he struck me first." + +"Well, I arrest you both," said the officer. + +"Arrest!" cried Arthur, indignantly; "why, confound it, man, I'm--" + +"No talk!" was the stern command. "Come along and keep quiet." + +As if the whole affair had been premeditated and prearranged a patrol +wagon at that instant backed to the curb and in spite of Arthur Weldon's +loud protests he was thrust inside with his assailant and at once driven +away at a rapid gait. + +At the same moment a brown limousine drew up quietly before the +entrance. + +Louise, appearing in the doorway in her opera cloak, stood hesitating on +the steps, peering into the street for Arthur. A man in livery +approached her. + +"This way, please, Miss Merrick," he said. "Mr. Weldon begs you to be +seated in the limousine. He will join you in a moment." + +With this he led the way to the car and held the door open, while the +girl, having no suspicion, entered and sank back wearily upon the seat. +Then the door abruptly slammed, and the man in livery leaped to the seat +beside the chauffeur and with a jerk the car darted away. + +So sudden and astounding was this _denouement_ that Louise did not even +scream. Indeed, for the moment her wits were dazed. + +And now Charlie Mershone stepped from his hiding place and with a +satirical smile entered the vestibule and looked at his watch. He found +he had time to show himself again at the Kermess, for a few moments, +before driving to the ferry to catch the train for East Orange. + +Some one touched him on the arm. + +"Very pretty, sir, and quite cleverly done," remarked a quiet voice. + +Mershone started and glared at the speaker, a slender, unassuming man in +dark clothes. + +"What do you mean, fellow?" + +"I've been watching the comedy, sir, and I saw you were the star actor, +although you took care to keep hidden in the wings. That bruiser who +raised the row took his arrest very easily; I suppose you've arranged to +pay his fine, and he isn't worried. But the gentleman surely was in hard +luck pounded one minute and pinched the next. You arranged it very +cleverly, indeed." + +Charlie was relieved that no mention was made of the abduction of +Louise. Had that incident escaped notice? He gave the man another sharp +look and turned away; but the gentle touch again restrained him. + +"Not yet, please, Mr. Mershone." + +"Who are you?" asked the other, scowling. + +"The house detective. It's my business to watch things. So I noticed you +talking to the police officer; I also noticed the patrol wagon standing +on the opposite side of the street for nearly an hour--my report on that +will amuse them at headquarters, won't it? And I noticed you nod to the +bruiser, just as your victim came out." + +"Let go of my arm, sir!" + +"Do you prefer handcuffs? I arrest you. We'll run over to the station +and explain things." + +"Do you know who I am?" + +"Perfectly, Mr. Mershone. I believe I ran you in for less than this, +some two years ago. You gave the name of Ryder, then. Better take +another, to-night." + +"If you're the house detective, why do you mix up in this affair?" +enquired Mershone, his anxiety showing in his tone. + +"Your victim was a guest of the house." + +"Not at all. He was merely attending the Kermess." + +"That makes him our guest, sir. Are you ready?" + +Mershone glanced around and then lowered his voice. + +"It's all a little joke, my dear fellow," said he, "and you are liable +to spoil everything with your bungling. Here," drawing; a roll of bills +from his pocket, "don't let us waste any more time. I'm busy." + +The man chuckled and waved aside the bribe. + +"You certainly are, sir; you're _very_ busy, just now! But I think the +sergeant over at the station will give you some leisure. And listen, Mr. +Mershone: I've got it in for that policeman you fixed; he's a cheeky +individual and a new man. I'm inclined to think this night's work will +cost him his position. And the patrol, which I never can get when I want +it, seems under your direct management. These things have got to be +explained, and I need your help. Ready, sir?" + +Mershone looked grave, but he was not wholly checkmated. Thank heaven +the bungling detective had missed the departure of Louise altogether. +Charlie's arrest at this critical juncture was most unfortunate, but +need not prove disastrous to his cleverly-laid plot. He decided it would +be best to go quietly with the "plain-clothes man." + +Weldon had become nearly frantic in his demands to be released when +Mershone was ushered into the station. He started at seeing his enemy +and began to fear a thousand terrible, indefinite things, knowing how +unscrupulous Mershone was. But the Waldorf detective, who seemed +friendly with the police sergeant, made a clear, brief statement of the +facts he had observed. Mershone denied the accusation; the bruiser +denied it; the policeman and the driver of the patrol wagon likewise +stolidly denied it. Indeed, they had quite another story to tell. + +But the sergeant acted on his own judgment. He locked up Mershone, +refusing bail. He suspended the policeman and the driver, pending +investigation. Then he released Arthur Weldon on his own recognisance, +the young man promising to call and testify when required. + +The house detective and Arthur started back to the Waldorf together. + +"Did you notice a young lady come to the entrance, soon after I was +driven away?" he asked, anxiously. + +"A lady in a rose-colored opera cloak, sir?" + +"Yes! yes!" + +"Why, she got into a brown limousine and rode away." Arthur gave a +sigh of relief. + +"Thank goodness that chauffeur had a grain of sense," said he. "I +wouldn't have given him credit for it. Anyway, I'm glad Miss Merrick is +safe." + +"Huh!" grunted the detective, stopping short. "I begin to see this thing +in its true light. How stupid we've been!" + +"In what way?" enquired Arthur, uneasily. + +"Why did Mershone get you arrested, just at that moment?" + +"Because he hated me, I suppose." + +"Tell me, could he have any object in spiriting away that young lady--in +abducting her?" asked the detective. + +"Could he?" cried Arthur, terrified and trembling. "He had every object +known to villainy. Come to the hotel! Let's hurry, man--let's fly!" + + + + +CHAPTER XII + + +FOGERTY + +At the Waldorf Arthur's own limousine was standing by the curb. The +street was nearly deserted. The last of the Kermess people had gone +home. + +Weldon ran to his chauffeur. + +"Did you take Miss Merrick home?" he eagerly enquired. + +"Miss Merrick? Why, I haven't seen her, sir, I thought you'd all +forgotten me." + +The young man's heart sank. Despair seized him. The detective was +carefully examining the car. + +"They're pretty nearly mates, Mr. Weldon. as far as the brown color and +general appearances go," he said. "But I'm almost positive the car that +carried the young lady away was of another make." + +"What make was it?" + +The man shook his head. + +"Can't say, sir. I was mighty stupid, and that's a fact. But my mind was +so full of that assault and battery case, and the trickery of that +fellow Mershone, that I wasn't looking for anything else." + +"Can you get away?" asked Arthur. "Can you help me on this case?" + +"No, sir; I must remain on duty at the hotel. But perhaps the young lady +is now safe at home, and we've been borrowing trouble. In case she's +been stolen, however, you'd better see Fogerty." + +"Who's Fogerty?" + +"Here's his card, sir. He's a private detective, and may be busy just +now, for all I know. But if you can get Fogerty you've got the best man +in all New York." + +Arthur sprang into the seat beside his driver and hurried post-haste to +the Merrick residence. In a few minutes Mrs. Merrick was in violent +hysterics at the disappearance of her daughter. Arthur stopped long +enough to telephone for a doctor and then drove to the Doyles. He routed +up Uncle John and the Major, who appeared in pajamas and bath-robes, and +told them the startling news. + +A council of war was straightway held. Uncle John trembled with +nervousness; Arthur was mentally stupefied; the Major alone was calm. + +"In the first place," said he, "what object could the man have in +carrying off Louise?" Arthur hesitated. + +"To prevent our marriage, I suppose," he answered. "Mershone has an idea +he loves Louise. He made wild love to her until she cut his +acquaintance." + +"But it won't help him any to separate her from her friends, or her +promised husband," declared the Major. "Don't worry. We're sure to find +her, sooner or later." + +"How? How shall we find her?" cried Uncle John. "Will he murder her, or +what?" + +"Why, as for that, John, he's safe locked up in jail for the present, +and unable to murder anyone," retorted the Major. "It's probable he +meant to follow Louise, and induce her by fair means or foul to marry +him. But he's harmless enough for the time being." + +"It's not for long, though," said Arthur, fearfully. "They're liable to +let him out in the morning, for he has powerful friends, scoundrel +though he is. And when he is free--" + +"Then he must be shadowed, of course," returned the Major, nodding +wisely. "If it's true the fellow loves Louise, then he's no intention +of hurting her. So make your minds easy. Wherever the poor lass has been +taken to, she's probably safe enough." + +"But think of her terror--her suffering!" cried Uncle John, wringing his +chubby hands. "Poor child! It may be his idea to compromise her, and +break her heart!" + +"We'll stop all that, John, never fear," promised the Major. "The first +thing to do is to find a good detective." + +"Fogerty!" exclaimed Arthur, searching for the card. + +"Who's Fogerty?" + +"I don't know." + +"Get the best man possible!" commanded Mr. Merrick. "Spare no expense; +hire a regiment of detectives, if necessary; I'll--" + +"Of course you will," interrupted the Major, smiling. "But we won't need +a regiment. I'm pretty sure the game is in our hands, from the very +start." + +"Fogerty is highly recommended," explained Arthur, and related what the +house detective of the Waldorf had said. + +"Better go at once and hunt him up," suggested Uncle John. "What time is +it?" + +"After two o'clock. But I'll go at once." "Do; and let us hear from you +whenever you've anything to tell us," said the Major. + +"Where's Patsy?" asked Arthur. + +"Sound asleep. Mind ye, not a word of this to Patsy till she _has_ to be +told. Remember that, John." + +"Well, I'll go," said the young man, and hurried away. + +Q. Fogerty lived on Eleventh street, according to his card. Arthur drove +down town, making good time. The chauffeur asked surlily if this was to +be "an all-night job," and Arthur savagely replied that it might take a +week. "Can't you see, Jones, that I'm in great trouble?" he added. "But +you shall be well paid for your extra time." + +"All right, sir. That's no more than just," said the man. "It's none of +my affair, you know, if a young lady gets stolen." + +Arthur was wise enough to restrain his temper and the temptation to kick +Jones out of the limousine. Five minutes later they paused before a +block of ancient brick dwellings and found Fogerty's number. A card over +the bell bore his name, and Arthur lit a match and read it. Then he rang +impatiently. + +Only silence. + +Arthur rang a second time; waited, and rang again. A panic of fear took +possession of him. At this hour of night it would be well-nigh +impossible to hunt up another detective if Fogerty failed him. He +determined to persist as long as there was hope. Again he rang. + +"Look above, sir," called Jones from his station in the car. + +Arthur stepped back on the stone landing and looked up. A round spark, +as from a cigarette, was visible at the open window. While he gazed the +spark glowered brighter and illumined a pale, haggard boy's face, +surmounted by tousled locks of brick colored hair. + +"Hi, there!" said Arthur. "Does Mr. Fogerty live here?" + +"He pays the rent," answered a boyish voice, with a tinge of irony. +"What's wanted?" "Mr. Fogerty is wanted. Is he at home?" + +"He is," responded the boy. + +"I must see him at once--on important business. Wake him up, my lad; +will you?" + +"Wait a minute," said the youth, and left the window. Presently he +opened the front door, slipped gently out and closed the door behind +him. + +"Let's sit in your car," he said, in soft, quiet tones. "We can talk +more freely there." + +"But I must see Fogerty at once!" protested Arthur. + +"I'm Fogerty." + +"Q. Fogerty?" + +"Quintus Fogerty--the first and last and only individual of that name." + +Arthur hesitated; he was terribly disappointed. + +"Are you a detective?" he enquired. + +"By profession." + +"But you can't be very old." + +The boy laughed. + +"I'm no antiquity, sir," said he, "but I've shed the knickerbockers +long ago. Who sent you to me?" + +"Why do you ask?" + +"I'm tired. I've been busy twenty-three weeks. Just finished my case +yesterday and need a rest--a good long rest. But if you want a man I'll +refer you to a friend." + +"Gorman, of the Waldorf, sent me to you--and said you'd help me." + +"Oh; that's different. Case urgent, sir?" + +"Very. The young lady I'm engaged to marry was abducted less than three +hours ago." + +Fogerty lighted another cigarette and the match showed Arthur that the +young face was deeply lined, while two cold gray eyes stared blankly +into his own. + +"Let's sit in your limousine, sir," he repeated. + +When they had taken their places behind the closed doors the boy asked +Arthur to tell him "all about it, and don't forget any details, please." +So Weldon hastily told the events of the evening and gave a history of +Mershone and his relations with Miss Merrick. The story was not half +told when Fogerty said: + +"Tell your man to drive to the police station." + +On the way Arthur resumed his rapid recital and strove to post the +young detective as well as he was able. Fogerty made no remarks, nor did +he ask a single question until Weldon had told him everything he could +think of. Then he made a few pointed enquiries and presently they had +arrived at the station. + +The desk sergeant bowed with great respect to the youthful detective. By +the dim light Arthur was now able to examine Fogerty for the first time. + +He was small, slim and lean. His face attested to but eighteen or +nineteen years, in spite of its deep lines and serious expression. +Although his hair was tangled and unkempt Fogerty's clothing and linen +were neat and of good quality. He wore a Scotch cap and a horseshoe pin +in his cravat. + +One might have imagined him to be an errand boy, a clerk, a chauffeur, a +salesman or a house man. You might have placed him in almost any +middle-class walk in life. Perhaps, thought Arthur, he might even be a +good detective! yet his personality scarcely indicated it. + +"Mershone in, Billy?" the detective asked the desk sergeant. + +"Room 24. Want him?" + +"Not now. When is he likely to go?" + +"When Parker relieves me. There's been a reg'lar mob here to get +Mershone off. I couldn't prevent his using the telephone; but I'm a +stubborn duck; eh, Quintus? And now the gentleman has gone to bed, +vowing vengeance." + +"You're all right, Billy. We both know Mershone. Gentleman scoundrel." + +"Exactly. Swell society blackleg." + +"What name's he docked under?" + +"Smith." + +"Will Parker let him off with a fine?" + +"Yes, or without it. Parker comes on at six." + +"Good. I'll take a nap on that bench. Got to keep the fellow in sight, +Billy." + +"Go into my room. There's a cot there." + +"Thanks, old man; I will. I'm dead tired." + +Then Fogerty took Arthur aside. "Go home and try to sleep," he +advised. "Don't worry. The young lady's safe enough till Mershone goes +to her hiding place. When he does, I'll be there, too, and I'll try to +have you with me." + +"Do you think you can arrange it alone, Mr. Fogerty?" asked Arthur, +doubtfully. The boy seemed so very young. + +"Better than if I had a hundred to assist me. Why, this is an easy job, +Mr. Weldon. It 'll give me a fine chance to rest up." + +"And you won't lose Mershone?" + +"Never. He's mine." + +"This is very important to me, sir," continued Arthur, nervously. + +"Yes; and to others. Most of all it's important to Fogerty. Don't worry, +sir." + +The young man was forced to go away with this assurance. He returned +home, but not to sleep. He wondered vaguely if he had been wise to lean +upon so frail a reed as Fogerty seemed to be; and above all he wondered +where poor Louise was, and if terror and alarm were breaking her heart. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + + +DIANA REVOLTS + +Charlie Mershone had no difficulty in securing his release when Parker +came on duty at six o'clock. He called up a cab and went at once to his +rooms at the Bruxtelle; and Fogerty followed him. + +While he discarded his dress-coat, took a bath and donned his walking +suit Mershone was in a brown study. Hours ago Louise had been safely +landed at the East Orange house and placed in the care of old Madame +Cerise, who would guard her like an ogre. There was no immediate need of +his hastening after her, and his arrest and the discovery of half his +plot had seriously disturbed him. This young man was no novice in +intrigue, nor even in crime. Arguing from his own stand-point he +realized that the friends of Louise were by this time using every +endeavor to locate her. They would not succeed in this, he was positive. +His plot had been so audacious and all clews so cleverly destroyed or +covered up that the most skillful detective, knowing he had abducted the +girl; would be completely baffled in an attempt to find her. + +The thought of detectives, in this connection, led him to decide that he +was likely to be shadowed. That was the most natural thing for his +opponents to do. They could not prove Mershone's complicity in the +disappearance of Louise Merrick, but they might easily suspect him, +after that little affair of Weldon's arrest. Therefore if he went to the +girl now he was likely to lead others to her. Better be cautious and +wait until he had thrown the sleuths off his track. + +Having considered this matter thoroughly, Mershone decided to remain +quiet. By eight o'clock he was breakfasting in the grill room, and +Fogerty occupied a table just behind him. + +During the meal it occurred to Charlie to telephone to Madame Cerise for +assurance that Louise had arrived safely and without a scene to attract +the attention of strangers. Having finished breakfast he walked into the +telephone booth and was about to call his number when a thought struck +him. He glanced out of the glass door. In the hotel lobby were many +loungers. He saw a dozen pairs of eyes fixed upon him idly or curiously; +one pair might belong to the suspected detective. If he used the +telephone there would be a way of discovering the number he had asked +for. That would not do--not at all! He concluded not to telephone, at +present, and left the booth. His next act was to purchase a morning +paper, and seating himself carelessly in a chair he controlled the +impulse to search for a "scare head" on the abduction of Miss Merrick. +If he came across the item, very well; he would satisfy no critical eye +that might be scanning him by hunting for it with a show of eagerness. +The game was in his hands, he believed, and he intended to keep it +there. + +Fogerty was annoyed by the man's evident caution. It would not be easy +to surprise Mershone in any self-incriminating action. But, after all, +reflected the boy, resting comfortably in the soft-padded cushions of a +big leather chair, all this really made the case the more interesting. +He was rather glad Mershone was in no hurry to precipitate a climax. A +long stern chase was never a bad chase. + +By and bye another idea occurred to Charlie. He would call upon his +cousin Diana, and get her to telephone Madame Cerise for information +about Louise. It would do no harm to enlighten Diana as to what he had +done. She must suspect it already; and was she not a co-conspirator? +But he could not wisely make this call until the afternoon. So meantime +he took a stroll into Broadway and walked leisurely up and down that +thoroughfare, pausing occasionally to make a trifling purchase and +turning abruptly again and again in the attempt to discover who might be +following him. No one liable to be a detective of any sort could he +discern; yet he was too shrewd to be lulled into a false belief that his +each and every act was unobserved. + +Mershone returned to his hotel, went to his room, and slept until after +one o'clock, as he had secured but little rest the night before in his +primitive quarters at the police station. It was nearly two when he +reappeared in the hotel restaurant for luncheon, and he took his seat +and ate with excellent appetite. + +During this meal Mr. Fogerty also took occasion to refresh himself, +eating modestly at a retired table in a corner. Mershone's sharp eyes +noted him. He remembered seeing this youth at breakfast, and +thoughtfully reflected that the boy's appearance was not such as might +be expected from the guest of a fashionable and high-priced hotel. +Silently he marked this individual as the possible detective. He had two +or three others in his mind, by this time; the boy was merely added to +the list of possibilities. + +Mershone was a capital actor. After luncheon he sauntered about the +hotel, stared from the window for a time, looked at his watch once or +twice with an undecided air, and finally stepped to the porter and asked +him to call a cab. He started for Central Park; then changed his mind +and ordered the man to drive him to the Von Taer residence, where on +arrival Diana at once ordered him shown into her private parlor. + +The young man found his cousin stalking up and down in an extremely +nervous manner. She wrung her delicate fingers with a swift, spasmodic +motion. Her eyes, nearly closed, shot red rays through their slits. + +"What's wrong, Di?" demanded Mershone, considerably surprised by this +intense display of emotion on the part of his usually self-suppressed +and collected cousin. + +"Wrong!" she echoed; "everything is wrong. You've ruined yourself, +Charlie; and you're going to draw me into this dreadful crime, also, in +spite of all I can do!" + +"Bah! don't be a fool," he observed, calmly taking a chair. + +"Am _I_ the fool?" she exclaimed, turning upon him fiercely. "Did _I_ +calmly perpetrate a deed that was sure to result in disgrace and +defeat?" + +"What on earth has happened to upset you?" he asked, wonderingly. "It +strikes me everything is progressing beautifully." + +"Does it, indeed?" was her sarcastic rejoinder. "Then your information +is better than mine. They called me up at three o'clock this morning to +enquire after Louise Merrick--as if _I_ should know her whereabouts. Why +did they come to _me_ for such information? Why?" she stamped her foot +for emphasis. + +"I suppose," said Charlie Mershone, "they called up everyone who knows +the girl. It would be natural in case of her disappearance." + +"Come here!" cried Diana, seizing his arm and dragging him to a window. +"Be careful; try to look out without showing yourself. Do you see that +man on the corner?" + +"Well?" + +"He has been patrolling this house since day-break. He's a detective!" + +Charlie whistled. + +"What makes you think so, Di? Why on earth should they suspect you?" + +"Why? Because my disreputable cousin planned the abduction, without +consulting me, and--" + +"Oh, come, Di; that's a little too--" + +"Because the girl has been carried to the Von Taer house--_my_ house--in +East Orange; because my own servant is at this moment her jailor, and--" + +"How should they know all this?" interrupted Mershone, impatiently. "And +how do you happen to know it yourself, Diana?" + +"Madame Cerise called me up at five o'clock, just after Louise's uncle +had been here for the second time, with a crew of officers. Cerise is in +an ugly mood. She said a young girl had been brought to her a prisoner, +and Mr. Mershone's orders were to keep her safely until he came. She is +greatly provoked at our using her in this way, but promised to follow +instructions if I accepted all responsibility." + +"What did you tell her?" + +"That I knew nothing of the affair, but had put the house and her +services at your disposal. I said I would accept no responsibility +whatever for anything you might do." + +Mershone looked grave, and scowled. + +"The old hag won't betray us, will she?" he asked, uneasily. + +"She cannot betray me, for I have done nothing. Charlie," she said, +suddenly facing him, "I won't be mixed in this horrid affair. You must +carry out your infamous plan in your own way. I know nothing, sir, of +what you have done; I know nothing of what you intend to do. Do you +understand me?" + +He smiled rather grimly. + +"I hardly expected, my fair cousin, that you would be frightened into +retreat at this stage of the game, when the cards are all in our hands. +Do you suppose I decided to carry away Louise without fully considering +what I was doing, and the immediate consequences of my act? And wherein +have I failed? All has gone beautifully up to this minute. Diana, your +fears are absolutely foolish, and against your personal interests. All +that I am doing for myself benefits you doubly. Just consider, if you +will, what has been accomplished for our mutual benefit: The girl has +disappeared under suspicious circumstances; before she again rejoins her +family and friends she will either be my wife or Arthur Weldon will +prefer not to marry her. That leaves him open to appreciate the charms +of Diana Von Taer, does it not? Already, my dear cousin, your wishes are +accomplished. My own task, I admit, is a harder one, because it is more +delicate." + +The cold-blooded brutality of this argument caused even Diana to +shudder. She looked at the young man half fearfully as she asked: + +"What is your task?" + +"Why, first to quiet Louise's fears; then to turn her by specious +arguments--lies, if you will--against Weldon; next to induce her to +give me her hand in honest wedlock. I shall tell her of my love, which +is sincere; I shall argue--threaten, if necessary; use every reasonable +means to gain her consent." + +"You'll never succeed!" cried Diana, with conviction. + +"Then I'll try other tactics," said he blandly. + +"If you do, you monster, I'll expose you," warned the girl. + +"Having dissolved partnership, you won't be taken into my confidence, my +fair cousin. You have promised to know nothing of my acts, and I'll see +you don't." Then he sprang from his chair and came to her with a hard, +determined look upon his face. "Look here, Di; I've gone too far in this +game to back out now, I'm going to carry it through if it costs me my +life and liberty--and yours into the bargain! I love Louise Merrick! I +love her so well that without her the world and its mockeries can go to +the devil! There's nothing worth living for but Louise--Louise. She's +going to be my wife, Diana--by fair means or foul I swear to make her my +wife." + +He had worked himself up to a pitch of excitement surpassing that of +Diana. Now he passed his hand over his forehead, collected himself with +a slight shudder, and resumed his seat. + +Diana was astonished. His fierce mood served to subdue her own. +Regarding him curiously for a time she finally asked: + +"You speak as if you were to be allowed to have your own way--as if all +society was not arrayed against you. Have you counted the cost of your +action? Have you considered the consequences of this crime?" + +"I have committed no crime," he said stubbornly. "All's fair in love and +war." + +"The courts will refuse to consider that argument, I imagine," she +retorted. "Moreover, the friends of this kidnaped girl are powerful and +active. They will show you no mercy if you are discovered." + +"If I fail," answered Mershone, slowly, "I do not care a continental +what they do to me, for my life will be a blank without Louise. But I +really see no reason to despair, despite your womanish croakings. All +seems to be going nicely and just as I had anticipated." + +"I am glad that you are satisfied," Diana returned, with scornful +emphasis. "But understand me, sir; this is none of my affair in any +way--except that I shall surely expose you if a hair of the girl's head +is injured. You must not come here again. I shall refuse to see you. You +ought not to have come to-day." + +"Is there anything suspicious in my calling upon my cousin--as usual?" + +"Under such circumstances, yes. You have not been received at this house +of late years, and my father still despises you. There is another danger +you have brought upon me. My father seemed suspicious this morning, and +asked me quite pointedly what I knew of this strange affair." + +"But of course you lied to him. All right, Diana; perhaps there is +nothing to be gained from your alliance, and I'll let you out of the +deal from this moment. The battle's mine, after all, and I'll fight it +alone. But--I need more money. You ought to be willing to pay, for so far +the developments are all in your favor." + +She brought a handful of notes from her desk. + +"This ends our partnership, Charlie," she said. + +"Very well. A woman makes a poor conspirator, but is invaluable as a +banker." + +"There will be no more money. This ends everything between us." + +"I thought you were game, Di. But you're as weak as the ordinary +feminine creation." + +She did not answer, but stood motionless, a defiant expression upon her +face. He laughed a little, bowed mockingly, and went away. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + + +A COOL ENCOUNTER + +On leaving the house Mershone buttoned his overcoat tightly up to his +chin, for the weather was cold and raw, and then shot a quick glance +around him. Diana's suspect was still lounging on the corner. Charlie +had little doubt he was watching the house and the movements of its +in-mates--a bad sign, he reflected, with a frown. Otherwise the street +seemed deserted. + +He had dismissed the cab on his arrival, so now he stepped out and +walked briskly around the corner, swinging his cane jauntily and looking +very unlike a fugitive. In the next block he passed a youth who stood +earnestly examining the conventional display in a druggist's window. + +Mershone, observing this individual, gave a start, but did not alter his +pace. It was the same pale, red-haired boy he had noticed twice before +at the hotel. In his alert, calculating mind there was no coincidence in +this meeting. Before he had taken six more steps Mershone realized the +exact situation. + +At the next crossing he stopped and waited patiently for a car. Up the +street he still saw the youth profoundly interested in drugs--a class of +merchandise that seldom calls for such close inspection. The car arrived +and carried Mershone away. It also left the red-haired youth at his post +before the window. Yet on arriving at the Bruxtelle some twenty minutes +later Charlie found this same queer personage occupying a hotel chair in +the lobby and apparently reading a newspaper with serious attention. + +He hesitated a moment, then quietly walked over to a vacant chair beside +the red-haired one and sat down. The youth turned the paper, glanced +casually at his neighbor, and continued reading. + +"A detective, I believe," said Mershone, in a low, matter of fact tone. + +"Who? me?" asked Fogerty, lowering the paper. + +"Yes. Your age deceived me for a time. I imagined you were a newsboy or +a sporting kid from the country; but now I observe you are older than +you appear. All sorts of people seem to drift into the detective +business. I suppose your present occupation is shadowing me." + +Fogerty smiled. The smile was genuine. + +"I might even be a lawyer, sir," he replied, "and in that case I should +undertake to cross-examine you, and ask your reasons for so queer a +charge." + +"Or you might be a transient guest at this hotel," the other returned, +in the same bantering tone, "for I saw you at breakfast and luncheon. +Pretty fair _chef_ here, isn't he? But you didn't stick to that part, +you know. You followed me up-town, where I made a call on a relative, +and you studied the colored globes in a druggist's window when I went +away. I wonder why people employ inexperienced boys in such important +matters. In your case, my lad, it was easy enough to detect the +detective. You even took the foolish chance of heading me off, and +returned to this hotel before I did. Now, then, is my charge unfounded?" + +"Why should you be under the surveillance of a detective?" asked +Fogerty, slowly. + +"Really, my boy, I cannot say. There was an unpleasant little affair +last night at the Waldorf, in which I was not personally concerned, but +suffered, nevertheless. An officious deputy caused my arrest and I +spent an unpleasant night in jail. There being nothing in the way of +evidence against me I was released this morning, and now I find a +detective shadowing me. What can it all mean, I wonder? These stupid +blunders are very annoying to the plain citizen, who, however innocent, +feels himself the victim of a conspiracy." + +"I understand you, sir," said Fogerty, drily. + +For some moments Mershone now remained silent. Then he asked; "What are +your instructions concerning me?" + +To his surprise the boy made a simple, frank admission. + +"I'm to see you don't get into more mischief, sir." + +"And how long is this nonsense to continue?" demanded Mershone, showing +a touch of anger for the first time. + +"Depends on yourself, Mr. Mershone; I'm no judge, myself. I'm so +young--and inexperienced." + +"Who is your employer?" + +"Oh, I'm just sent out by an agency." + +"Is it a big paying proposition?" asked Charlie, eyeing the diffident +youth beside him critically, as if to judge his true caliber. + +"Not very big. You see, if I'd been a better detective you'd never have +spotted me so quickly." + +"I suppose money counts with you, though, as it does with everyone else +in the world?" + +"Of course, sir. Every business is undertaken to make money." + +Mershone drew his chair a little nearer. + +"I need a clever detective myself," he announced, confidentially. "I'm +anxious to discover what enemy is persecuting me in this way. Would +it--er--be impossible for me to employ _you_ to--er--look after my +interests?" + +Fogerty was very serious. + +"You see, sir," he responded, "if I quit this job they may not give me +another. In order to be a successful detective one must keep in the good +graces of the agencies." + +"That's easy enough," asserted Mershone. "You may pretend to keep this +job, but go home and take life easy. I'll send you a daily statement of +what I've been doing, and you can fix up a report to your superior from +that. In addition to this you can put in a few hours each day trying to +find out who is annoying me in this rascally manner, and for this +service I'll pay you five times the agency price. How does that +proposition strike you, Mr.--" + +"Riordan. Me name's Riordan," said Fogerty, with a smile. "No, Mr. +Mershone," shaking his head gravely, "I can't see my way to favor you. +It's an easy job now, and I'm afraid to take chances with a harder one." + +Something in the tone nettled Mershone. + +"But the pay," he suggested. + +"Oh, the pay. If I'm a detective fifty years, I'll make an easy two +thousand a year. That's a round hundred thousand. Can you pay me that +much to risk my future career as a detective?" + +Mershone bit his lip. This fellow was not so simple, after all, boyish +as he seemed. And, worse than all, he had a suspicion the youngster was +baiting him, and secretly laughing at his offers of bribery. + +"They will take you off the job, now that I have discovered your +identity," he asserted, with malicious satisfaction. + +"Oh, no," answered Fogerty; "they won't do that. This little interview +merely simplifies matters. You see, sir, I'm an expert at disguises. +That's my one great talent, as many will testify. But you will notice +that in undertaking this job I resorted to no disguise at all. You see +me as nature made me--and 't was a poor job, I'm thinking." + +"Why were you so careless?" + +"It wasn't carelessness; it was premeditated. There's not the slightest +objection to your knowing me. My only business is to keep you in sight, +and I can do that exactly as well as Riordan as I could by disguising +myself." + +Mershone had it on his tongue's end to ask what they expected to +discover by shadowing him, but decided it was as well not to open an +avenue for the discussion of Miss Merrick's disappearance. So, finding +he could not bribe the youthful detective or use him in any way to his +advantage, he closed the interview by rising. + +"I'm going to my room to write some letters," said he, with a yawn. +"Would you like to read them before they are mailed?" + +Again Fogerty laughed in his cheerful, boyish way. + +"You'd make a fine detective yourself, Mr. Mershone," he declared, "and +I advise you to consider the occupation. I've a notion it's safer, and +better pay, than your present line." + +Charlie scowled at the insinuation, but walked away without reply. +Fogerty eyed his retreating figure a moment, gave a slight shrug and +resumed his newspaper. + +Day followed day without further event, and gradually Mershone came to +feel himself trapped. Wherever he might go he found Fogerty on duty, +unobtrusive, silent and watchful. It was very evident that he was +waiting for the young man to lead him to the secret hiding place of +Louise Merrick. + +In one way this constant surveillance was a distinct comfort to Charlie +Mershone, for it assured him that the retreat of Louise was still +undiscovered. But he must find some way to get rid of his "shadow," in +order that he might proceed to carry out his plans concerning the girl. +During his enforced leisure he invented a dozen apparently clever +schemes, only to abandon them again as unpractical. + +One afternoon, while on a stroll, he chanced to meet the bruiser who had +attacked Arthur Weldon at the Waldorf, and been liberally paid by +Mershone for his excellent work. He stopped the man, and glancing +hastily around found that Fogerty was a block in the rear. + +"Listen," he said; "I want your assistance, and if you're quick and sure +there is a pot of money, waiting for you." + +"I need it, Mr. Mershone," replied the man, grinning. + +"There's a detective following me; he's down the street there--a mere +boy--just in front of that tobacco store. See him?" + +"Sure I see him. It's Fogerty." + +"His name is Riordan." + +"No; it's Fogerty. He's no boy, sir, but the slickest 'tec' in the city, +an' that's goin' some, I can tell you." + +"Well, you must get him, whoever he is. Drag him away and hold him for +three hours--two--one. Give me a chance to slip him; that's all. Can +you do it? I'll pay you a hundred for the job." + +"It's worth two hundred, Mr. Mershone. It isn't safe to fool with +Fogerty." + +"I'll make it two hundred." + +"Then rest easy," said the man. "I know the guy, and how to handle him. +You just watch him like he's watching you, Mr. Mershone, and if anything +happens you skip as lively as a flea. I can use that two hundred in my +business." + +Then the fellow passed on, and Fogerty was still so far distant up the +street that neither of them could see the amused smile upon his thin +face. + + + + +CHAPTER XV + + +A BEWILDERING EXPERIENCE + +When Louise Merrick entered the brown limousine, which she naturally +supposed to belong to Arthur Weldon, she had not the faintest suspicion +of any evil in her mind. Indeed, the girl was very happy this especial +evening, although tired with her duties at the Kermess. A climax in her +young life had arrived, and she greeted it joyously, believing she loved +Arthur well enough to become his wife. + +Now that the engagement had been announced to their immediate circle of +friends she felt as proud and elated as any young girl has a right to be +under the circumstances. + +Added to this pleasant event was the social triumph she and her cousins +had enjoyed at the Kermess, where Louise especially had met with rare +favor. The fashionable world had united in being most kind and +considerate to the dainty, attractive young _debutante_, and only Diana +had seemed to slight her. This was not surprising in view of the fact +that Diana evidently wanted Arthur for herself, and there was some +satisfaction in winning a lover who was elsewhere in prime demand. In +addition to all this the little dance that concluded the evening's +entertainment had been quite delightful, and all things conspired to put +Louise in a very contented frame of mind. Still fluttering with the +innocent excitements of the hour the girl went to join Arthur without a +fear of impending misfortune. She did not think of Charlie Mershone at +all. He had been annoying and impertinent, and she had rebuked him and +sent him away, cutting him out of her life altogether. Perhaps she ought +to have remembered that she had mildly flirted with Diana's cousin and +given him opportunity for the impassioned speeches she resented; but +Louise had a girlish idea that there was no harm in flirting, +considering it a feminine license. She saw young Mershone at the Kermess +that evening paying indifferent attentions to other women and ignoring +her, and was sincerely glad to have done with him for good and all. + +She obeyed readily the man who asked her to be seated in the limousine. +Arthur would be with her in a minute, he said. When the door closed and +the car started she had an impulse to cry out but next moment controlled +it and imagined they were to pick up Mr. Weldon on some corner. + +On and on they rolled, and still no evidence of the owner of the +limousine. What could it mean, Louise began to wonder. Had something +happened to Arthur, so that he had been forced to send her home alone? +As the disquieting thought came she tried to speak with the chauffeur, +but could not find the tube. The car was whirling along rapidly; the +night seemed very dark, only a few lights twinkled here and there +outside. + +Suddenly the speed slackened. There was a momentary pause, and then the +machine slowly rolled upon a wooden platform. A bell clanged, there was +a whistle and the sound of revolving water-wheels. Louise decided they +must be upon a ferry-boat, and became alarmed for the first time. + +The man in livery now opened the door, as if to reassure her. + +"Where are we? Where is Mr. Weldon?" enquired the girl, almost +hysterically. + +"He is on the boat, miss, and will be with you shortly now," replied the +man, very respectfully. "Mr. Weldon is very sorry to have annoyed you, +Miss Merrick, but says he will soon explain everything, so that you will +understand why he left you." + +With this he quietly closed the door again, although Louise was eager to +ask a dozen more questions. Prominent was the query why they should be +on a ferry-boat instead of going directly home. She knew the hour must +be late. + +But while these questions were revolving in her mind she still suspected +no plot against her liberty. She must perforce wait for Arthur to +explain his queer conduct; so she sat quietly enough in her place +awaiting his coming, while the ferry puffed steadily across the river to +the Jersey shore. + +The stopping of the boat aroused Louise from her reflections. Arthur not +here yet? Voices were calling outside; vehicles were noisily leaving +their positions on the boat to clatter across the platforms. But there +was no sign of Arthur. + +Again Louise tried to find the speaking tube. Then she made an endeavor +to open the door, although just then the car started with a jerk that +flung her back against the cushions. + +The knowledge that she had been grossly deceived by her conductor at +last had the effect of arousing the girl to a sense of her danger. +Something must be wrong. Something _was_ decidedly wrong, and fear crept +into her heart. She pounded on the glass windows with all her strength, +and shouted as loudly as she could, but all to no avail. + +Swiftly the limousine whirled over the dusky road and either her voice +could not be heard through the glass cage in which she was confined or +there was no one near who was willing to hear or to rescue her. + +She now realized how wrong she had been to sit idly during the trip +across the ferry, where a score of passengers would gladly have assisted +her. How cunning her captors had been to lull her fears during that +critical period! Now, alas, it was too late to cry out, and she had no +idea where she was being taken or the reason of her going. + +Presently it occurred to her that this was not Arthur's limousine at +all. There was no speaking tube for one thing. She leaned forward and +felt for the leathern pocket in which she kept a veil and her street +gloves. No pocket of any sort was to be found. + +An unreasoning terror now possessed her. She knew not what to fear, yet +feared everything. She made another attempt to cry aloud for help and +then fell back unconscious on the cushions. + +How long she lay in the faint she did not know. When she recovered the +limousine was still rattling forward at a brisk gait but bumping over +ruts in a manner that indicated a country road. + +Through the curtains she could see little but the black night, although +there was a glow ahead cast by the searchlights of the car. Louise was +weak and unnerved. She had no energy to find a way to combat her fate, +if such a way were possible. A dim thought of smashing a window and +hurling herself through it gave her only a shudder of repulsion. She +lacked strength for such a desperate attempt. + +On, on, on. Would the dreary journey never end? How long must she sit +and suffer before she could know her fate, or at least find some +explanation of the dreadful mystery of this wild midnight ride? + +At last, when she had settled down to dull despair, the car came to a +paved road and began to move more slowly. It even stopped once or twice, +as if the driver was not sure of his way. But they kept moving, +nevertheless, and before long entered a driveway. There was another stop +now, and a long wait. + +Louise lay dismally back upon the cushions, sobbing hysterically into +her dripping handkerchief. The door of her prison at last opened and a +light shone in upon her. + +"Here we are, miss," said the man in uniform, still in quiet, respectful +tones. "Shall I assist you to alight?" + +She started up eagerly, her courage returning with a bound. Stepping +unassisted to the ground she looked around her in bewilderment. + +The car stood before the entrance to a modest country house. There was a +light in the hall and another upon the broad porch. Around the house a +mass of trees and shrubbery loomed dark and forbidding. + +"Where am I?" demanded Louise, drawing back haughtily as the man +extended a hand toward her. + +"At your destination, miss," was the answer. "Will you please enter?" + +"No! Not until I have an explanation of this--this--singular, +high-handed proceeding," she replied, firmly. + +Then she glanced at the house. The hall door had opened and a woman +stood peering anxiously at the scene outside. + +With sudden resolve Louise sprang up the steps and approached her. Any +woman, she felt, in this emergency, was a welcome refuge. + +"Who are you?" she asked eagerly, "and why have I been brought here?" + +"_Mademoiselle_ will come inside, please," said the woman, with a +foreign accent. "It is cold in the night air, _N'est-ce-pas_?" + +She turned to lead the way inside. While Louise hesitated to follow the +limousine started with a roar from its cylinders and disappeared down +the driveway, the two men going with it. The absence of the lamps +rendered the darkness around the solitary house rather uncanny. An +intense stillness prevailed except for the diminishing rattle of the +receding motor car. In the hall was a light and a woman. + +Louise went in. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + + +MADAME CERISE, CUSTODIAN + +The woman closed the hall door and locked it. Then she led the way to a +long, dim drawing-room in which a grate fire was smouldering. A stand +lamp of antique pattern but dimly illuminated the place, which seemed +well furnished in an old fashioned way. + +"Will not you remove your wraps, Mees--Mees--I do not know ma'm'selle's +name." + +"What is your own name?" asked Louise, coming closer to gaze earnestly +into the other's face. + +"I am called Madame Cerise, if it please you." + +Her voice, while softened to an extent by the French accent, was +nevertheless harsh and emotionless. She spoke as an automaton, slowly, +and pausing to choose her words. The woman was of medium size, slim and +straight in spite of many years. Her skin resembled brown parchment; her +eyes were small, black and beady; her nose somewhat fleshy and her lips +red and full as those of a young girl. The age of Madame Cerise might be +anywhere between fifty and seventy; assuredly she had long been a +stranger to youth, although her dark hair was but slightly streaked with +gray. She wore a somber-hued gown and a maid's jaunty apron and cap. + +Louise inspected her closely, longing to find a friend and protector in +this curious and strange woman. Her eyes were moist and pleading--an +appeal hard to resist. But Madame Cerise returned her scrutiny with a +wholly impassive expression. + +"You are a French maid?" asked Louise, softly. + +"A housekeeper, ma'm'selle. For a time, a caretaker." + +"Ah, I understand. Are your employers asleep?" + +"I cannot say, ma'm'seile. They are not here." + +"You are alone in this house?" + +"Alone with you, ma'm'seile." + +Louise had a sudden access of alarm. + +"And why am I here?" she cried, wringing her hands pitifully. + +"Ah, who can tell that?" returned the woman, composedly. "Not Cerise, +indeed. Cerise is told nothing--except what is required of her. I but +obey my orders." + +Louise turned quickly, at this. + +"What are your orders, then?" she asked. + +"To attend ma'm'selle with my best skill, to give her every comfort and +care, to--" + +"Yes--yes!" + +"To keep her safely until she is called for. That is all." + +The girl drew a long breath. + +"Who will call for me, then?" + +"I am not inform, ma'm'selle." + +"And I am a prisoner in this house?" + +"Ma'm'selle may call it so, if it please her. But reflect; there is no +place else to go. It is bleak weather, the winter soon comes. And here I +can make you the comforts you need." + +Louise pondered this speech, which did not deceive her. While still +perplexed as to her abduction, with no comprehension why she should have +been seized in such a summary manner and spirited to this lonely, +out-of-the-way place, she realized she was in no immediate danger. Her +weariness returned tenfold, and she staggered and caught the back of a +chair for support. + +The old woman observed this. + +"Ma'm'selle is tired," said she. "See; it is past four by the clock, and +you must be much fatigue by the ride and the nervous strain." + +"I--I'm completely exhausted," murmured Louise, drooping her head +wearily. The next moment she ran and placed her hands on Madame Cerise's +shoulders, peering into the round, beady eyes with tender pleading as +she continued: "I don't know why I have been stolen away from my home +and friends; I don't know why this dreadful thing has happened to me; I +only know that I am worn out and need rest. Will you take care of me, +Madame Cerise? Will you watch over me while I sleep and guard me from +all harm? I--I haven't any mother to lean on now, you know; I haven't +any friend at all--but _you!_" + +The grim features never relaxed a muscle; but a softer look came into +the dark eyes and the woman's voice took on a faint tinge of compassion +as she answered: + +"Nothing can harm ma'm'selle. Have no fear, _ma chere_. I will take care +of you; I will watch. _Allons_! it is my duty; it is also my pleasure." + +"Are there no--no men in the house--none at all?" enquired the girl, +peering into the surrounding gloom nervously. "There is no person at +all in the house, but you and I." + +"And you will admit no one?" + +The woman hesitated. + +"Not to your apartment," she said firmly. "I promise it." + +Louise gave a long, fluttering sigh. Somehow, she felt that she could +rely upon this promise. + +"Then, if you please, Madame Cerise, I'd like to go to bed," she said. + +The woman took the lamp and led the way upstairs, entering a large, airy +chamber in which a fire burned brightly in the grate. The furniture here +was dainty and feminine. In an alcove stood a snowy bed, the covers +invitingly turned down. + +Madame Cerise set the lamp upon a table and without a word turned to +assist Louise. The beautiful Kermess costume, elaborately embroidered +with roses, which the girl still wore, evidently won the Frenchwoman's +approval. She unhooked and removed it carefully and hung it in a closet. +Very dextrous were her motions as she took down the girl's pretty hair +and braided it for the night. A dainty _robe de nuit_ was provided. + +"It is my own," she said simply. "Ma'm'selle is not prepared." "But +there must be young ladies in your family," remarked Louise, +thoughtfully, for in spite of the stupor she felt from want of sleep the +novelty of her position kept her alert in a way. It is true she was too +tired and bewildered to think clearly, but slight details were +impressing themselves upon her dimly. "This room, for instance--" + +"Of course, _ma chere_, a young lady has lived here. She has left some +odd pieces of wardrobe behind her, at times, in going away. When you +waken we will try to find a house-dress to replace your evening-gown. +Will ma'm'selle indulge in the bath before retiring?" + +"Not to-night, Madame Cerise. I'm too tired for anything but--sleep!" + +Indeed, she had no sooner crawled into the enticing bed than she sank +into unconscious forgetfulness. This was to an extent fortunate. Louise +possessed one of those dispositions cheery and equable under ordinary +circumstances, but easily crushed into apathy by any sudden adversity. +She would not suffer so much as a more excitable and nervous girl might +do under similar circumstances. + +Her sleep, following the severe strain of the night's adventure, did +little to refresh her. She awoke in broad daylight to hear a cold wind +whistling shrilly outside and raindrops beating against the panes. + +Madame Cerise had not slept much during the night. For an hour after +Louise retired she sat in her room in deep thought. Then she went to the +telephone and notwithstanding the late hour called up Diana, who had a +branch telephone on a table at her bedside. + +Miss Von Taer was not asleep. She had had an exciting night herself. She +answered the old caretaker readily and it did not surprise her to learn +that the missing girl had been taken to the East Orange house by the +orders of Charlie Mershone. She enquired how Louise had accepted the +situation forced upon her, and was shocked and rendered uncomfortable by +the too plainly worded protest of the old Frenchwoman. Madame Cerise did +not hesitate to denounce the abduction as a heartless crime, and in her +communication with Diana swore she would protect the innocent girl from +harm at the hands of Mershone or anyone else. + +"I have ever to your family been loyal and true, Ma'm'selle Diana," said +she, "but I will not become the instrument of an abominable crime at +your command or that of your wicked cousin. I will keep the girl here in +safety, if it is your wish; but she will be safe, indeed, as long as +Cerise guards her." + +"That's right, Madame," stammered Diana, hardly knowing at the moment +what to say. "Be discreet and silent until you hear from me again; guard +the girl carefully and see that she is not too unhappy; but for heaven's +sake keep Charlie's secret until he sees fit to restore Miss Merrick to +her friends. No crime is contemplated; I would not allow such a thing, +as you know. Yet it is none of my affair whatever. My cousin has +compromised me by taking the girl to my house, and no knowledge of the +abduction must get abroad if we can help it. Do you understand me?" + +"No," was the reply. "The safest way for us all is to send Miss Merrick +away." + +"That will be done as soon as possible." + +With this the old Frenchwoman was forced to be content, and she did not +suspect that her report had made Miss Von Taer nearly frantic with +fear--not for Louise but for her own precious reputation. Accustomed to +obey the family she had served for so many years, Madame Cerise +hesitated to follow her natural impulse to set the poor young lady free +and assist her to return to her friends. So she compromised with her +conscience--a thing she was not credited with possessing--by resolving +to make the imprisonment of the "_pauvre fille_" as happy as possible. + +Scarcely had Louise opened her eyes the following morning when the old +woman entered her chamber, unlocking the door from the outside to secure +admission. + +She first rebuilt the fire, and when it was crackling cheerfully she +prepared a bath and brought an armful of clothing which she laid out for +inspection over the back of a sofa. She produced lingerie, too, and +Louise lay cuddled up in the bedclothes and watched her keeper +thoughtfully until the atmosphere of the room was sufficiently warmed. + +"I'll get up, now," she said, quietly. + +Madame Cerise was assuredly a skilled lady's maid. She bathed the girl, +wrapped her in an ample kimono and then seated her before the dresser +and arranged her _coiffure_ with dextrous skill. + +During this time Louise talked. She had decided her only chance of +escape lay in conciliating this stern-faced woman, and she began by +relating her entire history, including her love affair with Arthur +Weldon, Diana Von Taer's attempt to rob her of her lover, and the part +that Charlie Mershone had taken in the affair. + +Madame Cerise listened, but said nothing. + +"And now," continued the girl, "tell me who you think could be so wicked +and cruel as to carry me away from my home and friends? I cannot decide +myself. You have more experience and more shrewdness, can't you tell me, +Madame Cerise?" + +The woman muttered inaudibly. + +"Mr. Mershone might be an enemy, because I laughed at his love-making," +continued Louise, musingly. "Would a man who loved a girl try to injure +her? But perhaps his love has turned to hate. Anyhow, I can think of no +one else who would do such a thing, or of any reason why Charlie +Mershone should do it." + +Madame Cerise merely grunted. She was brushing the soft hair with gentle +care. + +"What could a man gain by stealing a girl? If it was Mr. Mershone, does +he imagine I could ever forget Arthur? Or cease to love him? Or that +Arthur would forget me while I am away? Perhaps it's Diana, and she +wants to get rid of me so she can coax Arthur back to her side. But +that's nonsense; isn't it, Madame Cerise? No girl--not even Diana Von +Taer--would dare to act in such a high-handed manner toward her rival. +Did you ever hear of Miss Von Taer? She's quite a society belle. Have +you ever seen her, Madame Cerise?" + +The woman vouchsafed no reply to this direct enquiry, but busied herself +dressing the girl's hair. Louise casually turned over the silver-mounted +hand mirror she was holding and gave a sudden start. A monogram was +engraved upon the metal: "D.v.T." She gazed at the mark fixedly and then +picked up a brush that the Frenchwoman laid down. Yes, the same monogram +appeared upon the brush. + +The sharp eyes of Cerise had noted these movements. She was a little +dismayed but not startled when Louise said, slowly: "'D.v.T.' stands for +Diana Von Taer. And it isn't likely to stand for anything else. I think +the mystery is explained, now, and my worst fears are realized. Tell me, +Madame, is this Diana Von Taer's house?" + +Her eyes shone with anger and round red patches suddenly appeared upon +her pallid cheeks. Madame Cerise drew a long breath. + +"It used to be," was her quiet answer. "It was left her by her +grandmother; but Mr. Von Taer did not like the place and they have not +been here lately--not for years. Miss Von Taer informed me, some time +ago, that she had transferred the property to another." + +"To her cousin--Mr. Mershone?" asked Louise quickly. + +"That may be the name; I cannot remember," was the evasive reply. + +"But you must know him, as he is Diana's cousin," retorted Louise. "Why +will you try to deceive me? Am I not helpless enough already, and do you +wish to make me still more miserable?" + +"I have seen Mr. Mershone when he was a boy, many times. He was not the +favorite with Ma'm'selle Diana, nor with Monsieur Von Taer. For myself, +I hated him." + +There was decided emphasis to the last sentence. Louise believed her and +felt a little relieved. + +From the _melange_ of apparel a modest outfit was obtained to clothe the +girl with decency and comfort, if not in the prevailing style. The fit +left much to be desired, yet Louise did not complain, as weightier +matters were now occupying her mind. + +The toilet completed, Madame Cerise disappeared to get a tray +containing a good breakfast. She seemed exceedingly attentive. + +"If you will give me the proper directions I will start for home at +once," announced Louise, with firm resolve, while eating her egg and +toast. + +"I am unable to give you directions, and I cannot let you go, +ma'm'selle," was the equally firm reply. "The day is much too +disagreeable to venture out in, unless one has proper conveyance. Here, +alas, no conveyance may be had." + +Louise tried other tactics. + +"I have no money, but several valuable jewels," she said, meaningly. "I +am quite sure they will obtain for me a conveyance." + +"You are wrong, ma'm'selle; there is no conveyance to be had!" persisted +the old woman, more sternly. + +"Then I shall walk." + +"It is impossible." + +"Where is this place situated? How far is it from New York? How near am +I to a street-car, or to a train?" + +"I cannot tell you." + +"But this is absurd!" cried Louise. "You cannot deceive me for long. I +know this is Diana Von Taer's house, and I shall hold Diana Von Taer +responsible for this enforced imprisonment." + +"That," said Madame Cerise, coldly, "is a matter of indifference to me. +But ma'm'selle must understand one thing, she must not leave this +house." + +"Oh, indeed!" + +"At least, until the weather moderates," added the woman, more mildly. + +She picked up the tray, went to the door and passed out. Louise heard +the key click in the lock. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + + +THE MYSTERY DEEPENS + +Uncle John was both astounded and indignant that so bold and unlawful an +act as the abduction of his own niece could have been perpetrated in the +heart of New York and directly under the eyes of the police. Urged by +the Major, Mr. Merrick was at first inclined to allow Arthur Weldon to +prosecute the affair and undertake the recovery of the girl, being +assured this would easily be accomplished and conceding the fact that no +one had a stronger interest in solving the mystery of Louise's +disappearance than young Weldon. But when midday arrived and no trace of +the young girl had yet been obtained the little millionaire assumed an +important and decisive air and hurried down town to "take a hand in the +game" himself. + +After a long interview with the Chief of Detectives, Mr. Merrick said +impressively: + +"Now, understand, sir; not a hint of this to the newspaper folks. I +won't have any scandal attached to the poor child if I can help it. Set +your whole force to work--at once!--but impress them with the need of +secrecy. My offer is fair and square. I'll give a reward of ten thousand +dollars if Miss Merrick is discovered within twenty-four hours; nine +thousand if she's found during the next twenty-four hours; and so on, +deducting a thousand for each day of delay. That's for the officer who +finds her. For yourself, sir, I intend to express my gratitude as +liberally as the service will allow me to. Is this all clear and +above-board?" + +"It is perfectly clear, Mr. Merrick." + +"The child must be found--and found blamed quick, too! Great Caesar! Can +a simple affair like this baffle your splendid metropolitan force?" + +"Not for long, Mr. Merrick, believe me." + +But this assurance proved optimistic. Day by day crept by without a clew +to the missing girl being discovered; without development of any sort. +The Inspector informed Mr. Merrick that "it began to look like a +mystery." + +Arthur, even after several sleepless nights, still retained his courage. + +"I'm on the right track, sir," he told Uncle John. "The delay is +annoying, but not at all dangerous. So long as Fogerty holds fast to +Mershone Louise is safe, wherever she may be." + +"Mershone may have nothing to do with the case." + +"I'm positive he has." + +"And Louise can't be safe while she's a prisoner, and in the hands of +strangers. I want the girl home! Then I'll know she's safe." + +"I want her home, too, sir. But all your men are unable to find her, it +seems. They can't even discover in what direction she was taken, or how. +The brown limousine seems to be no due at all." + +"Of course not. There are a thousand brown limousines in New York." + +"Do you imagine she's still somewhere in the city, sir?" enquired +Arthur. + +"That's my theory," replied Uncle John. "She must be somewhere in the +city. You see it would be almost impossible to get her out of town +without discovery. But I'll admit this detective force is the finest +aggregation of incompetents I've ever known--and I don't believe your +precious Fogerty is any better, either." + +Of course Beth and Patsy had to be told of their cousin's disappearance +as soon as the first endeavor to trace her proved a failure. Patsy went +at once to Mrs. Merrick and devoted herself to comforting the poor woman +as well as she could. + +Beth frowned at the news and then sat down to carefully think out the +problem. In an hour she had logically concluded that Diana Von Taer was +the proper person to appeal to. If anyone knew where Louise was, it was +Diana. That same afternoon she drove to the Von Taer residence and +demanded an interview. + +Diana was at that moment in a highly nervous state. She had at times +during her career been calculating and unscrupulous, but never before +had she deserved the accusation of being malicious and wicked. She had +come to reproach herself bitterly for having weakly connived at the +desperate act of Charlie Mershone, and her good sense assured her the +result would be disastrous to all concerned in it. Contempt for herself +and contempt for her cousin mingled with well-defined fears for her +cherished reputation, and so it was that Miss Von Taer had almost +decided to telephone Madame Cerise and order her to escort Louise +Merrick to her own home when Beth's card came up with a curt demand for +a personal interview. + +The natures of these two girls had never harmonized in the slightest +degree. Beth's presence nerved Diana to a spirit of antagonism that +quickly destroyed her repentant mood. As she confronted her visitor her +demeanor was cold and suspicious. There was a challenge and an +accusation in Beth's eyes that conveyed a distinct warning, which Miss +Von Taer quickly noted and angrily resented--perhaps because she knew it +was deserved. + +It would have been easy to tell Beth De Graf where her cousin Louise +was, and at the same time to assure her that Diana was blameless in the +affair; but she could not endure to give her antagonist this +satisfaction. + +Beth began the interview by saying: "What have you done with Louise +Merrick?" That was, of course, equal to a declaration of war. + +Diana was sneering and scornful. Thoroughly on guard, she permitted no +compromising word or admission to escape her. Really, she knew nothing +of Louise Merrick, having unfortunately neglected to examine her +antecedents and personal characteristics before undertaking her +acquaintance. One is so likely to blunder through excess of good nature. +She had supposed a niece of Mr. John Merrick would be of the right sort; +but the age is peculiar, and one cannot be too cautious in choosing +associates. If Miss Merrick had run away from her home and friends, Miss +Von Taer was in no way responsible for the escapade. And now, if Miss De +Graf had nothing further to say, more important matters demanded Diana's +time. + +Beth was furious with anger at this baiting. Without abandoning a jot +her suspicions she realized she was powerless to prove her case at this +time. With a few bitter and cutting remarks--made, she afterward said, +in "self-defense"--she retreated as gracefully as possible and drove +home. + +An hour later she suggested to Uncle John that he have a detective +placed where Diana's movements could be watched; but that had already +been attended to by both Mr. Merrick and Mr. Fogerty. Uncle John could +hardly credit Diana's complicity in this affair. The young lady's social +position was so high, her family so eminently respectable, her motive +in harming Louise so inconceivable, that he hesitated to believe her +guilty, even indirectly. As for her cousin, he did not know what to +think, as Arthur accused him unreservedly. It did not seem possible that +any man of birth, breeding and social position could be so contemptible +as to perpetrate an act of this character. Yet some one had done it, and +who had a greater incentive than Charlie Mershone? + +Poor Mrs. Merrick was inconsolable as the days dragged by. She clung to +Patsy with pitiful entreaties not to be left alone; so Miss Doyle +brought her to her own apartments, where the bereft woman was shown +every consideration. Vain and selfish though Mrs. Merrick might be, she +was passionately devoted to her only child, and her fears for the life +and safety of Louise were naturally greatly exaggerated. + +The group of anxious relatives and friends canvassed the subject +morning, noon and night, and the longer the mystery remained unsolved +the more uneasy they all became. + +"This, ma'am," said Uncle John, sternly, as he sat one evening facing +Mrs. Merrick, "is the final result of your foolish ambition to get our +girls into society." + +"I can't see it that way, John," wailed the poor woman. "I've never +heard of such a thing happening in society before, have you?" + +"I don't keep posted," he growled. "But everything was moving smoothly +with us before this confounded social stunt began, as you must admit." + +"I can't understand why the papers are not full of it," sighed Mrs. +Merrick, musingly. "Louise is so prominent now in the best circles." + +"Of course," said the Major, drily; "she's so prominent, ma'am, that no +one can discover her at all! And it's lucky for us the newspapers know +nothing of the calamity. They'd twist the thing into so many shapes that +not one of us would ever again dare to look a friend in the eye." + +"I'm sure my darling has been murdered!" declared Mrs. Merrick, weeping +miserably. She made the statement on an average of once to every five +minutes. "Or, if she hasn't been killed yet, she's sure to be soon. +Can't _something_ be done?" That last appeal was hard to answer. They +had done everything that could be thought of. And here it was Tuesday. +Louise had been missing for five days. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + + +A RIFT IN THE CLOUDS + +The Tuesday morning just referred to dawned cold and wintry. A chill +wind blew and for a time carried isolated snowflakes whirling here and +there. Gradually, as the morning advanced, the flakes became more +numerous, until by nine o'clock an old fashioned snowstorm had set in +that threatened to last for some time. The frozen ground was soon +covered with a thin white mantle and the landscape in city and country +seemed especially forbidding. + +In spite of these adverse conditions Charlie Mershone decided to go out +for a walk. He felt much like a prisoner, and his only recreation was in +getting out of the hotel for a daily stroll. Moreover, he had an object +in going abroad to-day. + +So he buttoned his overcoat up to his chin and fearlessly braved the +storm. He had come to wholly disregard the presence of the detective who +shadowed him, and if the youthful Fogerty by chance addressed him he was +rewarded with a direct snub. This did not seem to disconcert the boy in +the least, and to-day, as usual, when Mershone walked out Fogerty +followed at a respectful distance. He never appeared to be watching his +man closely, yet never for an instant did Mershone feel that he had +shaken the fellow off. + +On this especial morning the detective was nearly a block in the rear, +with the snow driving furiously into his face, when an automobile +suddenly rolled up to the curb beside him and two men leaped out and +pinioned Fogerty in their arms. There was no struggle, because there was +no resistance. The captors quickly tossed the detective into the car, an +open one, which again started and turned into a side street. + +Fogerty, seated securely between the two burly fellows, managed to +straighten up and rearrange his clothing. + +"Will you kindly explain this unlawful act, gentlemen?" he enquired. + +The man on the left laughed aloud. He was the same individual who had +attacked Arthur Weldon, the one who had encountered Mershone in the +street the day before. + +"Cold day, ain't it, Fogerty?" he remarked. "But that makes it all the +better for a little auto ride. We like you, kid, we're fond of +you--awful fond--ain't we, Pete?" + +"We surely are," admitted the other. + +"So we thought we'd invite you out for a whirl--see? We'll give you a +nice ride, so you can enjoy the scenery. It's fine out Harlem way, an' +the cold'll make you feel good. Eh, Pete?" + +"That's the idea," responded Pete, cheerfully. + +"Very kind of you," said the detective, leaning back comfortably against +the cushions and pulling up his coat collar to shield him from the wind. +"But are you aware that I'm on duty, and that this will allow my man to +slip away from me?" + +"Can't help that; but we're awful sorry," was the reply. "We just wanted +company, an' you're a good fellow, Fogerty, considerin' your age an' +size." + +"Thank you," said Fogerty, "You know me, and I know you. You are Bill +Leesome, alias Will Dutton--usually called Big Bill. You did time a +couple of years ago for knocking out a policeman." + +"I'm safe enough now, though," responded Big Bill. "You're not working +on the reg'lar force, Fogerty, you're only a private burr." + +"I am protected, just the same," asserted Fogerty. "When you knabbed me +I was shadowing Mershone, who has made away with a prominent society +young lady." + +"Oh, he has, has he?" chuckled Big Bill, and his companion laughed so +gleefully that he attracted Fogerty's attention to himself. + +"Ah, I suppose you are one of the two men who lugged the girl off," he +remarked; "and I must congratulate you on having made a good job of it. +Isn't it curious, by the way, that the fellow who stole and hid this +girl should be the innocent means of revealing her biding place?" + +The two men stared at him blankly. The car, during this conversation, +had moved steadily on, turning this and that corner in a way that might +have confused anyone not perfectly acquainted with this section of the +city. + +"What d'ye mean by that talk, Fogerty?" demanded Big Bill. + +"Of course it was Mershone who stole the girl," explained the detective, +calmly; "we know that. But Mershone is a clever chap. He knew he was +watched, and so he has never made a movement to go to his prisoner. But +he grew restless in time, and when he met you, yesterday, fixed up a +deal with you to carry me away, so he could escape." + +Big Bill looked uncomfortable. + +"You know a lot, Fogerty," he said, doggedly. + +"Yes; I've found that human nature is much the same the world over," +replied the detective. "Of course I suspected you would undertake to +give Mershone his chance by grabbing me, and that is exactly what you +have done. But, my lads, what do you suppose I have done in the +meantime?" + +They both looked their curiosity but said nothing. + +"I've simply used your clever plot to my own advantage, in order to +bring things to a climax," continued Fogerty. "While we are joy-riding +here, a half dozen of my men are watching every move that Mershone +makes. I believe he will lead them straight to the girl; don't you?" + +Big Bill growled some words that were not very choice and then yelled to +the chauffeur to stop. The other man was pale and evidently frightened. + +"See here, Fogerty; you make tracks!" was the sharp command, as the +automobile came to a halt. "You've worked a pretty trick on us, 'cordin' +to your own showin', and we must find Mr. Mershone before it's too +late--if we can." + +"Good morning," said Fogerty, alighting. "Thank you for a pleasant +ride--and other things." + +They dashed away and left him standing on the curb; and after watching +them disappear the detective walked over to a drug store and entered the +telephone booth. + +"That you, Hyde?--This is Fogerty." + +"Yes, sir. Mr. Mershone has just crossed the ferry to Jersey. Adams is +with him. I'll hear from him again in a minute: hold the wire." + +Fogerty waited. Soon he learned that Mershone had purchased a ticket for +East Orange. The train would leave in fifteen minutes. + +Fogerty decided quickly. After looking at his watch he rushed out and +arrested a passing taxicab. + +"Ready for a quick run--perhaps a long one?" he asked. + +"Ready for anything," declared the man. + +The detective jumped in and gave hurried directions. + +"Never mind the speed limit," he said. "No one will interfere with us. +I'm Fogerty." + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + + +POLITIC REPENTANCE + +Perhaps no one--not even Mrs. Merrick--was so unhappy in consequence of +the lamentable crime that had been committed as Diana Von Taer. +Immediately after her interview with Beth her mood changed, and she +would have given worlds to be free from complicity in the abduction. +Bitterly, indeed, she reproached herself for her enmity toward the +unsuspecting girl, an innocent victim of Diana's own vain desires and +Charles Mershone's heartless wiles. Repenting her folly and reasoning +out the thing when it was too late, Diana saw clearly that she had +gained no possible advantage, but had thoughtlessly conspired to ruin +the reputation of an honest, ingenuous girl. + +Not long ago she had said that her life was dull, a stupid round of +social functions that bored her dreadfully. She had hoped by adopting +John Merrick's nieces as her _protegees_ and introducing them to society +to find a novel and pleasurable excitement that would serve to take her +out of her unfortunate _ennui_--a condition to which she had practically +been born. + +But Diana had never bargained for such excitement as this; she had never +thought to win self abhorrence by acts of petty malice and callous +cruelties. Yet so intrenched was she in the conservatism of her class +that she could not at once bring herself to the point of exposing her +own guilt that she might make amends for what had been done. She told +herself she would rather die than permit Louise to suffer through her +connivance with her reckless, unprincipled cousin. She realized +perfectly that she ought to fly, without a moment's delay, to the poor +girl's assistance. Yet fear of exposure, of ridicule, of loss of caste, +held her a helpless prisoner in her own home, where she paced the floor +and moaned and wrung her hands until she was on the verge of nervous +prostration. If at any time she seemed to acquire sufficient courage to +go to Louise, a glance at the detective watching the house unnerved her +and prevented her from carrying out her good intentions. + +You must not believe that Diana was really bad; her lifelong training +along set lines and practical seclusion from the everyday world were +largely responsible for her evil impulses. Mischief is sure to crop up, +in one form or another, among the idle and ambitionless. More daring +wickedness is said to be accomplished by the wealthy and aimless +creatures of our false society than by the poorer and uneducated +classes, wherein criminals are supposed to thrive. These sins are often +unpublished, although not always undiscovered, but they are no more +venial because they are suppressed by wealth and power. + +Diana Von Taer was a girl who, rightly led, might have been capable of +developing a noble womanhood; yet the conditions of her limited +environment had induced her to countenance a most dastardly and +despicable act. It speaks well for the innate goodness of this girl that +she at last actually rebelled and resolved to undo, insofar as she was +able, the wrong that had been accomplished. + +For four days she suffered tortures of remorse. On the morning of the +fifth day she firmly decided to act. Regardless of who might be +watching, or of any unpleasant consequences to herself, she quietly left +the house, unattended, and started directly for the East Orange mansion. + + + + +CHAPTER XX + + +A TELEPHONE CALL + +Still another laggard awoke to action on this eventful Tuesday morning. + +Madame Cerise had been growing more and more morose and dissatisfied day +by day. Her grievance was very tangible. A young girl had been brought +forcibly to the house and placed in her care to be treated as a +prisoner. From that time the perpetrators of the deed had left the woman +to her own resources, never communicating with her in any way. + +During a long life of servitude Madame Cerise had acquiesced in many +things that her own conscience did not approve of, for she considered +herself a mere instrument to be used at will by the people who employed +and paid her. But her enforced solitude as caretaker of the lonely house +at East Orange had given her ample time to think, and her views had +lately undergone a decided change. + +To become the jailer of a young, pretty and innocent girl was the most +severe trial her faithfulness to her employers had ever compelled her to +undergo, and the woman deeply resented the doubtful position in which +she had been placed. + +However, the chances were that Madame Cerise might have obeyed her +orders to the letter had not so long a period of waiting ensued. During +these days she was constantly thrown in the society of Louise, which had +a tendency to make her still more rebellious. The girl clung to Cerise +in her helplessness and despair, and constantly implored her to set her +free. This, indeed, the Frenchwoman might have done long ago had she not +suspected such an act might cause great embarrassment to Diana Von Taer, +whom she had held on her knee as an infant and sought to protect with +loyal affection. + +It was hard, though, to hear the pitiful appeals of the imprisoned girl, +and to realize how great was the wrong that was being done her. The old +woman was forced to set her jaws firmly and turn deaf ears to the +pleadings in order not to succumb to them straightway. Meantime she did +her duty conscientiously. She never left Louise's room without turning +the key in the lock, and she steadfastly refused the girl permission to +wander in the other rooms of the house. The prison was a real prison, +indeed, but the turnkey sought to alleviate the prisoner's misery by +every means in her power. She was indefatigable in her service, keeping +the room warm and neat, attending to the girl's every want and cooking +her delicious meals. + +While this all tended to Louise's comfort it had little affect in +soothing her misery. Between periods of weeping she sought to cajole the +old woman to release her, and at times she succumbed to blank despair. +Arthur was always in her mind, and she wondered why he did not come to +rescue her. Every night she stole softly from her bed to try the door, +hoping Cerise had forgotten to lock it. She examined her prison by +stealth to discover any possible way of escape. + +There were two small windows and one large one. The latter opened upon +the roof of a small porch, but, there were no way to descend from it +unless one used a frail lattice at one end, which in summer probably +supported a rose or other vine. Louise shrank intuitively from such a +desperate undertaking. Unless some dreadful crisis occurred she would +never dare trust herself to that frail support. Yet it seemed the only +possible way of escape. + +Time finally wore out the patience of Madame Cerise, who was unable +longer to withstand Louise's pleadings. She did not indicate by word or +look that her attitude had changed, but she made a secret resolve to +have done with the affair altogether. + +Often in their conversations the girl had mentioned Arthur Weldon. She +had given Cerise his address and telephone number, and implored her at +least to communicate with him and tell him his sweetheart was safe, +although unhappy. This had given the old woman the clever idea on which +she finally acted. + +By telephoning Mr. Weldon she could give him the information that would +lead to his coming for Louise, without anyone knowing who it was that +had betrayed the secret. This method commended itself strongly to her, +as it would save her from any trouble or reproach. + +Leaving Louise at breakfast on this Tuesday morning Madame Cerise went +down to the telephone and was soon in communication with Arthur. She +told him, in a quiet tone, that Miss Louise Merrick was being secluded +in a suburban house near East Orange, and described the place so he +could easily find it. The young man questioned her eagerly, but aside +from the information that the girl was well and uninjured she +vouchsafed no further comment. + +It was enough, however. Arthur, in wild excitement, rushed to the +rescue. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + + +THE UNEXPECTED HAPPENS + +Madame Cerise, well knowing she had accelerated the march of events to a +two-step, calmly sat herself down in the little housekeeper's room off +the lower hall and, leaving Louise to her moody solitude upstairs, +awaited the inevitable developments. + +Outside the weather was cold and blustering. The wind whirled its burden +of snowflakes in every direction with blinding, bewildering +impartiality. It was a bad day to be out, thought the old Frenchwoman; +but a snowstorm was not likely to deter an anxious lover. She calculated +the time it would take Monsieur Weldon to arrive at the mansion: if he +was prompt and energetic he could cover the distance in an hour and a +half by train or three hours by motor car. But he must prepare for the +journey, and that would consume some time; perhaps she need not expect +him within two hours at the earliest. + +She read, to pass away the time, selecting a book from a shelf of +well-worn French novels. Somehow she did not care to face her tearful +prisoner again until she could restore the unhappy girl to the arms of +her true lover. There was still romance in the soul of Madame Cerise, +however withered her cheeks might be. She was very glad that at last she +had summoned courage to act according to the dictates of her heart. + +Eh? What is this? A rumble of wheels over the frozen snow caused her to +glance at the clock above the mantel. Not by any possibility could +Monsieur Weldon arrive so soon. Who, then, could it be? + +She sat motionless while the doorbell rang, and rang again. Nothing must +interfere with the pretty _denouement_ she had so fondly anticipated +when Louise's faithful knight came to her. + +But the one who had just now alighted was persistent. The vehicle had +been sent away--she heard the sound of receding wheels--and the new +arrival wanted to get in. The bell jerked and jangled unceasingly for a +time and then came a crash against the door, as if a stalwart shoulder +was endeavoring to break it down. + +Madame Cerise laid down her book, placed her _pince-nez_ in the case, +and slowly proceeded down the hall. The door shook with another powerful +impact, a voice cried out demanding admittance. + +"Who is it, then?" she called shrilly. + +"Open the door, confound you!" was the irritated reply. + +The woman reflected. This was surely young Mershone's voice. And she had +no excuse to deny him admittance. Quietly she unbolted the door and +allowed it to open an inch while she peered at the man outside. + +"Oh! it is Monsieur Mershone." + +"Of course it is," he roared, forcing the door open and stalking in. +"Who in thunder did you think it was?" + +"A thousand pardons, m'sieur," said Cerise. "I must be cautious; it is +your own command. That you may be protected I deny admittance to all." + +"That's all right," said Mershone gruffly, while he stamped his feet +upon the rug and shook the snow from his clothing. "Haven't you any fire +in this beastly old refrigerator? I'm nearly frozen. Where's Miss +Merrick?" + +"She is occupying Ma'm'selle Diana's room, in the west wing. Will +monsieur please to come this way?" + +She led him to her own little room, and so engrossed were they that +neither remembered he had failed to rebolt the front door. + +A good fire burned in the grate of Cerise's cosy den and Mershone threw +off his overcoat and warmed his hands as he showered questions upon the +old caretaker. + +"How is the girl behaving? Tears and hysterics?" + +"At times, m'sieur." + +"Takes it hard, eh?" + +"She is very unhappy." + +"Ever mention a man named Weldon?" + +"Often." + +"Humph!" He did not like this report. "Has anyone been here to disturb +you, or to make enquiries?" + +"No one, m'sieur." + +"We're safe enough, I guess. It was a mighty neat job, Cerise, taken +altogether, although the fools have been watching me night and day. +That's the reason I did not come sooner." + +She made no comment. Mershone threw himself into a chair and stared +thoughtfully at the fire. + +"Has Louise--Miss Merrick, you know--mentioned my name at all?" "At +times." + +"In what way?" + +"With loathing and contempt." + +He scowled at her savagely. + +"Do you think she suspects that I carried her away?" + +"She seems to know it absolutely." + +He stared at the fire again. + +"I've got a queer job on my hands, Cerise, and I rely on you to help +me," said he presently, assuming a more conciliating manner. "Perhaps +I'm in a box, or a hole, or whatever else you like to call it, but it's +too late too back down now--I must push ahead and win. You see the case +is this: I love the girl and had her brought here to keep her from +another man. By hook or crook I'm going to make her my wife. She won't +take kindly to that at first, perhaps, but I'll make her happy in the +end. In one way this delay has been a good thing. It must have worn her +out and broken her spirits quite a bit; eh?" + +"She seems very miserable," conceded the woman. + +"Do you find her hard to manage? Does she show much temper? In other +words, do you suppose she'll put up a fight?" + +Madame Cerise regarded him wonderingly. + +"She is a good girl," was her reply. "She loves with much devotion the +man from whom you have stolen her. I am quite positive she will never +consent to become your wife." + +"Oh, you are? Well, I intend she shall marry me, and that settles it. +She's unnerved and miserable now, and I mean to grind her down till she +hasn't strength to resist me. That sounds hard. I know; but it's the +only way to accomplish my purpose. After she's my wife I'll be very kind +to her, poor thing, and teach her to love me. A man can do anything with +a woman if he sets about it the right way. I'm not taking this stand +because I'm cruel, Cerise, but because I'm desperate. All's fair in love +and war, you know, and this is a bit of both." + +He was pacing the floor by this time, his hands thrust deep in his +pockets, an anxious look upon his face that belied his bombastic words. + +The Frenchwoman's expression was impassive. Her scorn for the wretch +before her was tempered with the knowledge that his cowardly plan was +doomed to defeat. It was she who had checkmated him, and she was glad. +Now and again her eyes sought the clock, while she silently calculated +the time to elapse before Arthur Weldon arrived. There would be a pretty +scene then, Cerise would have much enjoyment in witnessing the +encounter. + +"Now, then, take me to Louise," commanded Mershone, suddenly. + +She shrank back in dismay. + +"Oh, not yet, m'sieur!" + +"Why not?" + +"The young lady is asleep. She will not waken for an hour--perhaps two." + +"I can't wait. We'll waken her now, and give her an idea of the change +of program." + +"But no, m'sieur! It is outrageous. The poor thing has but now sobbed +herself to sleep, after many bitter hours. Can you not wait a brief +hour, having waited five days?" + +"No. Take me to her at once." As he came toward her the woman drew +away. + +"I cannot," she said firmly. + +"See here, Cerise, I intend to be obeyed. I won't endure any nonsense at +this stage of the game, believe me," he announced fiercely. "In order to +win, there's just one way to manage this affair, and I insist upon your +following my instructions. Take me to Louise!" + +"I will not!" she returned, the bead-like eyes glittering as they met +his angry gaze. + +"Then I'll go alone. Give me the key." + +She did not move, nor did she answer him. At her waist hung a small +bunch of household keys and this he seized with a sudden movement and +jerked loose from its cord. + +"You miserable hag!" he muttered, inflamed with anger at her opposition. +"If you propose to defend this girl and defy me, you'll find I'm able to +crush you as I will her. While I'm gone I expect you to come to your +senses, and decide to obey me." + +With these words he advanced to the door of the little room and opened +it. Just outside stood Fogerty, smiling genially. + +"Glad to meet you again, Mr. Mershone," he said. "May I come in? Thank +you." + +While Mershone stood bewildered by this unexpected apparition the +detective entered the room, closed the door carefully, and putting his +back to it bowed politely to Madame Cerise. + +"Pardon this seeming intrusion, ma'am," said he. "I'm here on a little +matter of business, having a warrant for the arrest of Mr. Charles +Connoldy Mershone." + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + + +GONE + +The grim face of Madame Cerise relaxed to allow a quaint smile to flit +across it. She returned Fogerty's bow with a deep curtsy. + +Mershone, after one brief exclamation of dismay, wrested from him by +surprise, threw himself into the chair again and stared at the fire. +For a few moments there was intense stillness in the little room. + +"How easy it is," said Fogerty, in soft, musing tones, "to read one's +thoughts--under certain circumstances. You are thinking, Mr. Mershone, +that I'm a boy, and not very strong, while you are an athlete and can +easily overpower me. I have come at a disagreeable time, and all your +plans depend on your ability to get rid of me. But I've four good men +within call, who are just now guarding the approaches to this house. +They'd like to come in, I know, because it's very cold and disagreeable +outside; but suppose we allow them to freeze for a time? Ah, I thought +you'd agree with me, sir--I overheard you say you were about to visit +Miss Merrick, who is confined in a room upstairs, but I'd like you to +postpone that while we indulge in a little confidential chat together. +You see--" + +The door-bell rang violently. Fogerty glanced at Madame Cerise. "Will +you see who it is?" he asked. + +She arose at once and left the room. Mershone turned quickly. + +"What's your price, Fogerty?" he asked, meaningly. + +"For what?" + +"For getting out of here--making tracks and leaving me alone. Every man +has his price, and I'm trapped--I'm willing to pay anything--I'll--" + +"Cut it out, sir. You've tried this once before. I'm not to be bribed." + +"Have you really a warrant for my arrest?" + +"I've carried it since Friday. It's no use, Mershone, the game's up and +you may as well grin and bear it." + +Mershone was about to reply when the door opened and Diana Von Taer came +in with a swift, catlike tread and confronted him with flaming eyes. + +"You coward! You low, miserable scoundrel! How dare you come here to +annoy and browbeat that poor girl?" she cried in clear, cutting accents, +without noticing the presence of Fogerty. + +"Oh, shut up, Di, you're in it as deep as I am," he retorted, turning +away with a flushed face. + +"I'm not, sir! Never have I countenanced this wicked, criminal act," she +declared. "I have come here to-day to save Louise from your wiles and +carry her back to her friends. I dare you, or your confederates," with a +scornful look at the detective, "to interfere with me in any way." Then +she turned to Cerise and continued: "Where is Miss Merrick now?" + +"In your own room, ma'm'seile." + +"Come with me, then." + +With a defiant glance at Mershone she turned haughtily and left the +room. Cerise followed obediently, somewhat astonished at the queer turn +of events. + +Left alone with Mershone, Fogerty chuckled gleefully. + +"Why, it seems I wasn't needed, after all," said he, "and we've both of +us taken a lot of trouble for nothing, Mershone. The chances are Miss +Von Taer would have turned the trick in any event, don't you think so?" + "No, you don't understand her. She wouldn't have interfered if she +hadn't been scared out," growled the other. "She's sacrificed me to save +herself, that's all." + +"You may be right about that," admitted Fogerty; and then he got up to +answer the door-bell, which once more rang violently. + +An automobile stood outside, and from it an excited party trooped into +the hallway, disregarding the cutting wind and blinding snowflakes that +assailed them as they passed in. There was Arthur Weldon and Uncle John, +Patricia and Beth; and all, as they saw the detective, cried with one +voice: + +"Where's Louise?" + +Fogerty had just managed to close the door against the wintry blast when +the answer came from the stairway just above: + +"She is gone!" + +The voice was shrill and despairing, and looking up they saw Diana +standing dramatically posed upon the landing, her hands clasped over her +heart and a look of fear upon her face. Over her shoulder the startled +black eyes of old Cerise peered down upon the group below. + +The newcomers were evidently bewildered by this reception. They had come +to rescue Louise, whom they imagined confined in a lonely deserted villa +with no companion other than the woman who guarded her. Arthur's own +detective opened the door to them and Diana Von Taer, whom they +certainly did not expect to meet here, confronted them with the +thrilling statement that Louise had gone. + +Arthur was the first to recover his wits. + +"Gone!" he repeated; "gone where?" + +"She had escaped--run away!" explained Diana, in real distress. + +"When?" asked Uncle John. + +"Just now. Within an hour, wasn't it, Cerise?" + +"At ten o'clock I left her, now she is gone," said the old woman, who +appeared as greatly agitated as her mistress. + +"Good gracious! you don't mean to say she's left the house in this +storm?" exclaimed Patsy, aghast at the very thought. + +"What shall we do? What _can_ we do?" demanded Beth, eagerly. + +Fogerty started up the stairs. Cerise turned to show him the way, and +the others followed in an awed group. + +The key was in the lock of the door to the missing girl's room, but the +door itself now stood ajar. Fogerty entered, cast a sharp look around +and walked straight to the window. As the others came in, glancing +curiously about them and noting the still smouldering fire and the +evidences of recent occupation, the detective unlatched the French +window and stepped out into the snow that covered the roof of the little +porch below. Arthur sprang out beside him, leaving the rest to shiver in +the cold blast that rushed in upon them from the open window. + +Fogerty, on his knees, scanned the snow carefully, and although Weldon +could discover no sign of a footprint the young detective nodded his +head sagaciously and slowly made his way to the trellis at the end. Here +it was plain that the accumulation of snow had recently been brushed +away from the frail framework. "It was strong enough to hold her, +though," declared Fogerty, looking over the edge of the roof. "I'll +descend the same way, sir. Go back by the stairs and meet me below." + +He grasped the lattice and began cautiously to lower himself to the +ground, and Arthur turned to rejoin his friends in the room. + +"That is the way she escaped, without doubt," he said to them. "Poor +child, she had no idea we were about to rescue her, and her long +confinement had made her desperate." + +"Did she have a cloak, or any warm clothes?" asked Beth. Madame Cerise +hurriedly examined the wardrobe in the closets. + +"Yes, ma'm'selle; she has taken a thick coat and a knit scarf," she +answered. But I am sure she had no gloves, and her shoes were very +thin." + +"How long do you think she has been gone?" Patsy enquired. + +"Not more than an hour. I was talking with Mr. Mershone, and--" + +"Mershone! Is he here?" demanded Arthur. + +"He is in my room downstairs--or was when you came," said the woman. + +"That accounts for her sudden flight," declared the young man, bitterly. +"She doubtless heard his voice and in a sudden panic decided to fly. Did +Mershone see her?" he asked. + +"No, m'sieur," replied Cerise. + +With one accord they descended to the lower hall and the caretaker led +the way to her room. To their surprise they found Mershone still seated +in the chair by the fire, his hands clasped behind his head, a cigarette +between his lips. + +"Here is another crime for you to account for!" cried Arthur, advancing +upon him angrily. "You have driven Louise to her death!" + +Mershone raised one hand in mild protest. + +"Don't waste time cursing me," he said. "Try to find Louise before it is +too late." + +The reproach seemed justified. Arthur paused and turning to Mr. Merrick +said: + +"He is right. I'll go help Fogerty, and you must stay here and look +after the girls until we return." As he went out he passed Diana +without a look. She sat in a corner of the room sobbing miserably. Beth +was thoughtful and quiet, Patsy nervous and indignant. Uncle John was +apparently crushed by the disaster that had overtaken them. Mershone's +suggestion that Louise might perish in the storm was no idle one; the +girl was not only frail and delicate but worn out with her long +imprisonment and its anxieties. They all realized this. + +"I believe," said Mershone, rising abruptly, "I'll go and join the +search. Fogerty has arrested me, but you needn't worry about my trying +to escape. I don't care what becomes of me, now, and I'm going straight +to join the detective." + +They allowed him to go without protest, and he buttoned his coat and set +out in the storm to find the others. Fogerty and Arthur were by this +time in the lane back of the grounds, where the detective was advancing +slowly with his eyes fixed on the ground. + +"The tracks are faint, but easily followed," he was saying, "The high +heels of her shoes leave a distinct mark." + +When Mershone joined them Arthur scowled at the fellow but said nothing. +Fogerty merely smiled. + +From the lane the tracks, already nearly obliterated by the fast falling +snow, wandered along nearly a quarter of a mile to a crossroads, where +they became wholly lost. + +Fogerty looked up and down the roads and shook his head with a puzzled +expression. + +"We've surely traced her so far," said he, "but now we must guess at her +further direction. You'll notice this track of a wagon. It may have +passed fifteen minutes or an hour ago. The hoof tracks of the horses are +covered, so I'm not positive which way they headed; I only know there +are indications of hoof tracks, which proves it a farmer's wagon. The +question is, whether the young lady met it, and caught a ride, or +whether she proceeded along some of the other trails. I can't find any +indication of those high-heeled shoes from this point, in any direction. +Better get your car, Mr. Weldon, and run east a few miles, keeping sharp +watch of the wagon tracks on the way. It was a heavy wagon, for the +wheels cut deep. Mershone and I will go west. When you've driven far +enough to satisfy yourself you're going the wrong direction, you may +easily overtake us on your return. Then, if we've discovered nothing on +this road, we'll try the other." Arthur ran back at once to the house +and in a few minutes had started on his quest. The motor car was +powerful enough to plow through the deep snow with comparative ease. + +Those left together in Madam Cerise's little room were more to be pitied +than the ones engaged in active search, for there was nothing to relieve +their fears and anxieties. Diana, unable to bear the accusing looks of +Patsy and Beth, resolved to make a clean breast of her complicity in the +affair and related to them every detail of her connection with her +cousin's despicable plot. She ended by begging their forgiveness, and +wept so miserably that Uncle John found himself stroking her hair while +Patsy came close and pressed the penitent girl's hand as if to comfort +and reassure her. + +Beth said nothing. She could not find it in her heart as yet to forgive +Diana's selfish conspiracy against her cousin's happiness. If Louise +perished in this dreadful storm the proud Diana Von Taer could not +escape the taint of murder. The end was not yet. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII + + +THE CRISIS + +Mershone and Fogerty plodded through the snow together, side by side. +They were facing the wind, which cut their faces cruelly, yet neither +seemed to mind the bitterness of the weather. "Keep watch along the +roadside," suggested Mershone; "she may have fallen anywhere, you know. +She couldn't endure this thing long. Poor Louise!" + +"You were fond of her, Mr. Mershone?" asked Fogerty, not +unsympathetically. + +"Yes. That was why I made such a struggle to get her." + +"It was a mistake, sir. Provided a woman is won by force or trickery +she's never worth getting. If she doesn't care for you it's better to +give her up." + +"I know--now." + +"You're a bright fellow, Mershone, a clever fellow. It's a pity you +couldn't direct your talents the right way. They'll jug you for this." + +"Never mind. The game of life isn't worth playing. I've done with it, +and the sooner I go to the devil the better. If only I could be sure +Louise was safe I'd toss every care--and every honest thought--to the +winds, from this moment." + +During the silence that followed Fogerty was thoughtful. Indeed, his +mind dwelt more upon the defeated and desperate man beside him than upon +the waif he was searching for. + +"What's been done, Mr. Mershone," he said, after a time, "can't be +helped now. The future of every man is always a bigger proposition than +his past--whoever he may be. With your talents and genius you could yet +make of yourself a successful and prosperous man, respected by the +community--if you could get out of this miserable rut that has helped +to drag you down." + +"But I can't," said the other, despondently. + +"You can if you try. But you'll have to strike for a place a good way +from New York. Go West, forget your past, and carve out an honest future +under a new name and among new associates. You're equal to it." + +Mershone shook his head. + +"You forget," he said. "They'll give me a jail sentence for this folly, +as sure as fate, and that will be the end of me." + +"Not necessarily. See here, Mershone, it won't help any of those people +to prosecute you. If the girl escapes with her life no real harm has +been done, although you've caused a deal of unhappiness, in one way or +another. For my part, I'd like to see you escape, because I'm sure this +affair will be a warning to you that will induce you to give up all +trickery in the future. Money wouldn't bribe me, as you know, but +sympathy and good fellowship will. If you'll promise to skip right now, +and turn over a new leaf, you are free." + +"Where could I go?" + +"There's a town a mile ahead of us; I can see the buildings now and +then. You've money, for you offered it to me. I haven't any assistants +here, I'm all alone on the job. That talk about four men was only a +bluff. Push me over in the snow and make tracks. I'll tell Weldon you've +escaped, and advise him not to bother you. It's very easy." + +Mershone stopped short, seized the detective's hand and wrung it +gratefully. + +"You're a good fellow, Fogerty. I--I thank you. But I can't do it. In +the first place, I can't rest in peace until Louise is found, or I know +her fate. Secondly, I'm game to give an account for all my deeds, now +that I've played the farce out, and lost. I--I really haven't the +ambition, Fogerty, to make a new start in life, and try to reform. +What's the use?" + +Fogerty did not reply. Perhaps he realized the case was entirely +hopeless. But he had done what he could to save the misguided fellow and +give him a chance, and he was sorry he had not succeeded. + +Meantime Arthur Weldon, almost dazed by the calamity that had overtaken +his sweetheart, found an able assistant in his chauffeur, who, when the +case was explained to him, developed an eager and intelligent interest +in the chase. Fortunately they moved with the storm and the snow +presently moderated in volume although the wind was still blowing a +fierce gale. This gave them a better opportunity than the others to +observe the road they followed. + +Jones had good eyes, and although the trail of the heavy wagon was lost +at times he soon picked it up again and they were enabled to make fairly +good speed. + +"I believe," said Arthur, presently, "that the marks are getting +clearer." + +"I know they are, sir," agreed Jones. + +"Then we've come in the right direction, for it is proof that the wagon +was headed this way." + +"Quite right, sir." + +This back section was thinly settled and the occasional farm-houses they +passed were set well back from the road. It was evident from the closed +gates and drifted snowbanks that no teams had either left these places +or arrived during a recent period. Arthur was encouraged, moreover, by +the wagon ruts growing still more clear as they proceeded, and his +excitement was great when Jones abruptly halted and pointed to a place +where the wheels had made a turn and entered a farm yard. + +"Here's the place, sir," announced the chauffeur. + +"Can you get in?" + +"It's pretty deep, sir, but I'll try." + +The snow was crisp and light, owing to the excessive cold, and the +machine plowed through it bravely, drawing up at last to the door of an +humble cottage. + +As Arthur leaped out of the car a man appeared upon the steps, closing +the door softly behind him. + +"Looking for the young lady, sir?" he asked. + +"Is she here?" cried Arthur. + +The man placed his finger on his lips, although the wind prevented any +sound of voices being heard within. + +"Gently, sir, don't make a noise--but come in." + +They entered what seemed to be a kitchen. The farmer, a man of advanced +years, led him to a front room, and again cautioning him to be silent, +motioned him to enter. + +A sheet-iron stove made the place fairly comfortable. By a window sat a +meek-faced woman, bent over some sewing. On a couch opposite lay Louise, +covered by a heavy shawl. She was fast asleep, her hair disheveled and +straying over her crimson cheeks, flushed from exposure to the weather. +Her slumber seemed the result of physical exhaustion, for her lips were +parted and she breathed deeply. + +Arthur, after gazing at her for a moment with a beating-heart, for the +mysterious actions of the old farmer had made him fear the worst, softly +approached the couch and knelt beside the girl he loved, thanking; God +in his inmost heart for her escape. Then he leaned over and pressed a +kiss upon her cheek. + +Louise slowly opened her eyes, smiled divinely, and threw her arms +impulsively around his neck. + +"I knew you would come for me, dear," she whispered. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV + + +A MATTER OF COURSE + +All explanations were barred until the girl had been tenderly taken to +her own home and under the loving care of her mother and cousins had +recovered to an extent from the terrible experiences she had undergone. + Then by degrees she told them her story, and how, hearing the voice of +her persecutor Mershone in the hall below she had become frantic with +fear and resolved to trust herself to the mercies of the storm rather +than submit to an interview with him. Before this she had decided that +she could climb down the trellis, and that part of her flight she +accomplished easily. Then she ran toward the rear of the premises to +avoid being seen and managed to find the lane, and later the +cross-roads. It was very cold, but her excitement and the fear of +pursuit kept her warm until suddenly her strength failed her and she +sank down in the snow without power to move. At this juncture the farmer +and his wife drove by, having been on a trip to the town. The man sprang +out and lifted her in, and the woman tenderly wrapped her in the robes +and blankets and pillowed her head upon her motherly bosom. By the time +they reached the farm-house she was quite warm again, but so exhausted +that with a brief explanation that she was lost, but somebody would be +sure to find her before long, she fell upon the couch and almost +immediately lost consciousness. + +So Arthur found her, and one look into his eyes assured her that all her +troubles were over. + +They did not prosecute Charlie Mershone, after all. Fogerty pleaded for +him earnestly, and Uncle John pointed out that to arrest the young man +would mean to give the whole affair to the newspapers, which until now +had not gleaned the slightest inkling of what had happened. Publicity +was to be avoided if possible, as it would set loose a thousand +malicious tongues and benefit nobody. The only thing to be gained by +prosecuting Mershone was revenge, and all were willing to forego that +doubtful satisfaction. + +However, Uncle John had an interview with the young man in the office of +the prosecuting attorney, at which Mershone was given permission to +leave town quietly and pursue his fortunes in other fields. If ever he +returned, or in any way molested any of the Merricks or his cousin +Diana, he was assured that he would be immediately arrested and +prosecuted to the full extent of the law. + +Mershone accepted the conditions and became an exile, passing at once +out of the lives of those he had so deeply wronged. + +The joyful reunion of the lovers led to an early date being set for the +wedding. They met all protests by pleading their fears of another +heartrending separation, and no one ventured to oppose their desire. + +Mrs. Merrick quickly recovered her accustomed spirits during the +excitement of those anxious weeks preceding the wedding. Cards were +issued to "the very best people in town;" the _trousseau_ involved +anxiety by day and restless dreams by night--all eminently enjoyable; +there were entertainments to be attended and congratulations to be +received from every side. + +Society, suspecting nothing of the tragedy so lately enacted in these +young lives, was especially gracious to the betrothed. Louise was the +recipient of innumerable merry "showers" from her girl associates, and +her cousins, Patsy and Beth, followed in line with "glass showers" and +"china showers" until the prospective bride was stocked with enough +wares to establish a "house-furnishing emporium," as Uncle John proudly +declared. + +Mr. Merrick, by this time quite reconciled and palpably pleased at the +approaching marriage of his eldest niece, was not to be outdone in +"social stunts" that might add to her happiness. He gave theatre parties +and banquets without number, and gave them with the marked success that +invariably attended his efforts. + +The evening before the wedding Uncle John and the Major claimed Arthur +for their own, and after an hour's conference between the three that +left the young fellow more happy and grateful than ever before, he was +entertained at his last "bachelor dinner," where he made a remarkable +speech and was lustily cheered. + +Of course Beth and Patsy were the bridesmaids, and their cousin Kenneth +Forbes came all the way from Elmhurst to be Arthur's best man. No one +ever knew what it cost Uncle John for the wonderful decorations at the +church and home, for the music, the banquet and all the other details +which he himself eagerly arranged on a magnificent scale and claimed was +a part of his "wedding present." + +When it was all over, and the young people had driven away to begin the +journey of life together, the little man put a loving arm around Beth +and Patsy and said, between smiles and tears: + +"Well, my dears, I've lost one niece, and that's a fact; but I've still +two left. How long will they remain with me, I wonder?" + +"Dear me, Uncle John," said practical Patsy; "your necktie's untied and +dangling; like a shoestring! I hope it wasn't that way at the wedding." + +"It was, though," declared the Major, chuckling. "If all three of ye get +married, my dears, poor Uncle John will come to look like a scarecrow +--and all that in the face of swell society!" + +"Aren't we about through with swell society now?" asked Mr. Merrick, +anxiously. "Aren't we about done with it? It caused all our troubles, +you know." + +"Society," announced Beth, complacently, "is an excellent thing in the +abstract. It has its black sheep, of course; but I think no more than +any other established class of humanity." + +"Dear me!" cried Uncle John; "you once denounced society." + +"That," said she, "was before I knew anything at all about it." + + + +***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AUNT JANE'S NIECES IN SOCIETY*** + + +******* This file should be named 10468.txt or 10468.zip ******* + + +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: +https://www.gutenberg.org/1/0/4/6/10468 + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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