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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Polly in New York, by Lillian Elizabeth Roy
+
+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: Polly in New York
+
+Author: Lillian Elizabeth Roy
+
+Illustrator: H. S. Barbour
+
+Release Date: September 17, 2011 [EBook #37459]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK POLLY IN NEW YORK ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Roger Frank and the Online Distributed
+Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This book was
+produced from images made available by the HathiTrust
+Digital Library.)
+
+
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: ELEANOR HELD OUT THE SEAL, BUT JIM LOOKED FORLORN.
+(_Page 77_)]
+
+
+
+
+                                 POLLY
+                              IN NEW YORK
+
+                                   BY
+                         LILLIAN ELIZABETH ROY
+
+                              _Author of_
+
+                POLLY OF PEBBLY PIT, POLLY IN NEW YORK,
+                 POLLY AND HER FRIENDS ABROAD, POLLY'S
+                           BUSINESS VENTURE.
+
+                             ILLUSTRATED BY
+                             H. S. BARBOUR
+
+                                NEW YORK
+                            GROSSET & DUNLAP
+                               PUBLISHERS
+
+                  Made in the United States of America
+
+
+
+
+POLLY IN NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I--IN THE BIG CITY
+
+
+The long Pullman train, that left Denver behind and carried Polly
+Brewster away on her first venture from the ranch-home, was fitted up as
+luxuriously as capital could do it. Eleanor Maynard, Polly's bosom
+friend, enjoyed her companion's awe and wonderment--that a mere _car_
+should be so furnished.
+
+"Nolla," whispered Polly, furtively glancing about, "how different are
+these cars from the ones that come in and go out at Oak Creek!"
+
+Eleanor, whose pet name was Nolla, laughed. "I should think they would
+be, Polly. Why, those 'ancients' that rock back and forth between Denver
+and Oak Creek, are the 'only originals' now in existence. They'll be in
+Barnum's Show next Season as curios."
+
+Polly seemed to fully appreciate the comfort of her traveling carriage,
+and remarked, "One would hardly believe these cars are going at all!
+They run so smoothly and without any awful screeching of the joints."
+
+Anne Stewart, the teacher to whose charge these two girls had been
+committed, had been studying the time-table, but she smiled at Polly's
+words. Then she turned to her mother, a sweet-faced woman who was
+enjoying the trip almost as much as the young girls were, and said:
+"Mother, we'll have at least seven hours in Chicago before we have to
+take the New York train. We can visit Paul all that time."
+
+"Goody! Then Poll can visit John and I can see Daddy," exclaimed
+Eleanor, eagerly. "But we must first charter the wash-room to turn
+ourselves from dusty travelers into respectable citizens."
+
+"There isn't a fleck of dust to be seen, Anne," objected Polly, glancing
+around the tidy interior, then at herself and friends.
+
+"Wait till after we have crossed the plains and passed through all kinds
+of towns--we won't look like the same people."
+
+To Polly, that journey was a source of great interest and fun. The
+dining-car, the folding tables for games or work, the sleeping
+arrangements--all were so strangely different from the vast open-air
+life of the ranch.
+
+Then the express train reached Chicago and the recess hours were filled
+with greetings, visits and then good-bys, before the little party of
+four was on its last lap of the journey.
+
+After leaving Chicago, Eleanor asked curiously: "What did you think of
+our city, Polly?"
+
+"I never saw such crowds of troubled people! Everyone looked as if the
+worries of the universe rested upon his mind. And not one soul walked or
+acted as if there was a moment to spare before the end of the world
+would throw everything into chaos!"
+
+Polly's graphic description caused her companions to laugh, and Eleanor
+added: "If that is what you think of Chicago, just wait until you reach
+New York. The folks, there, are simply wild! Now Chicago is considered
+quite slow, in comparison."
+
+Polly stared unbelievingly at Eleanor, and Anne Stewart laughed. But
+Mrs. Stewart placed a calm hand over the amazed girl's throbbing wrist,
+and said sweetly: "Nolla is joking as usual."
+
+The four members which composed this little group of travelers arrived
+at Grand Central just before noon. Polly gazed in consternation at the
+vast station where the constant going and coming of trains and people
+made a most interesting sight for her.
+
+"We'll stop at the Commodore for a few days, girls, as it is so
+convenient for us," remarked Anne, telling a porter to conduct them to
+the hotel mentioned.
+
+Placed in a comfortable suite, Anne remarked: "I think we will call up
+the Evans or the Latimers, next. You remember, we were told to let them
+know the moment we arrived."
+
+The others agreed to this suggestion, so Anne telephoned the two
+families. Mrs. Latimer was out, but Mrs. Evans said she would come right
+down town to meet the new-comers.
+
+"Well, we can unpack our bags while we are waiting for her," suggested
+Anne. "But we must manage to get to a store this afternoon, and do some
+shopping for Polly."
+
+"Dear me! I was hoping you would show us all the sky-scrapers I've read
+about," said Polly, eagerly.
+
+"I planned to let the sight-seeing wait for a few days, as we _must_
+secure a place to live in, first of all. Here it is the middle of
+September, and I have to start school work the first of October, you
+know. In a great city like New York, the desirable apartments are
+generally taken as early as July and August. So we are up against it, in
+beginning to seek so late in the season."
+
+"But we can't hunt at night, Anne, and you might take us out to show us
+the Great White Way--as the boys call it," urged Eleanor.
+
+Mrs. Evans came down in time to have luncheon with the Westerners, and
+in the hour she visited with them, it was learned that Mrs. Latimer and
+she had scoured the uptown west-side for suitable apartments for Mrs.
+Stewart, but everything had been leased long before. She concluded with:
+
+"So I really do not see what you are going to do, unless you just happen
+to stumble over a place which has recently been resigned. There is
+absolutely no use in doing any place above Ninety-sixth street, as we
+sought diligently from that street up as far as One Hundred and
+Sixty-eighth street, and not a decent thing to be seen or had!"
+
+"But Ninety-sixth street is awfully far uptown, isn't it?" asked Anne,
+to whom the city was as yet a small middle-west town.
+
+"Oh, dear, no! It is about the center of the city, between North and
+South, these days."
+
+"I'm sure we will find just what we want, dear Mrs. Evans, but we are
+grateful to you for being so kind to us," said Polly.
+
+"My dear child, I feel that I have done _nothing_ in comparison to all
+you have done for me and mine. To know that my dear brother had friends
+during the last days of his life, means so much to me. I always had a
+horrible feeling that he died in the Klondike without money or friends;"
+and Mrs. Evans hurriedly dried the tears welling up in her eyes.
+
+Of course, that launched the conversation about Old Man Montresor, and
+so interested were all concerned, that Mrs. Evans started when she heard
+the mantel clock chime the hour.
+
+"Merciful goodness! Here am I--my first call, and staying all day!" she
+laughed.
+
+"It's not late, Mrs. Evans. We were only going to look up a first-class
+shop where Polly can buy a few things," replied Anne.
+
+"Perhaps I can be of service in recommending a place?"
+
+Several shops of quality were spoken of, and as these were located on
+Fifth avenue, not far from Forty-second street, everyone felt relieved.
+It would not take much time to do this necessary shopping, but Mrs.
+Stewart preferred to remain at the hotel.
+
+Mrs. Evans said good-by and the three young folks walked to Fifth
+avenue. It was about four o'clock and the avenue presented an endless
+stream of automobiles--one line going down, and the other line going
+uptown. The crowds of people hurrying to and fro made Polly tremble.
+
+"For goodness' sake, Anne, where _do_ all these folks come from, and
+where are they rushing to?"
+
+Anne and Eleanor laughed.
+
+"Well! If this is your wonderful Fifth avenue, I don't think much of
+it," declared Polly, a few moments later.
+
+"Why--it's simply great!" exclaimed Eleanor, having a far different
+view-point of the city.
+
+"Great! Why, just look how narrow the street is? Main street, in Oak
+Creek, is twice as wide. And Denver has nicer streets than this famous
+alley you hear so much about," scorned Polly.
+
+Again her companions laughed merrily. At this moment a traffic policeman
+sounded a shrill whistle. Instantly the mass of pedestrians, backed up
+on the curbs, started to cross. Or to use Polly's own description in the
+letter she wrote home that night: "Really, dearies, they catapulted back
+and forth like rockets! We had to rush with them, or be trampled upon.
+It is just awful!
+
+"And such freaks, mother! Nolla says it is style. Well, all I can say
+is, spare me from such outrageous styles! Most every woman and girl I
+met had faces covered thick with layers of white chalk, with a daub of
+red on each cheek, and lips as scarlet as a clown's. In fact, I had to
+stand stock-still and look at one queer creature--she looked exactly as
+if she was made up for a circus. Anne and Nolla laugh at me, all the
+time. But I don't care, so! These horrid painted things are not _nice_!
+
+"If I hadn't set my heart on being an interior decorator, I'd take up
+lecturing, and teach these crazy New Yorkers how to look and enjoy a
+simple life."
+
+From the above account you can see how one day's experience in New York
+impressed the girl of the Mountain Ranges in the West.
+
+Polly, accustomed as she was to the overstocked store in Oak Creek,
+where shelves were stacked high with all sorts of merchandise, opened
+her eyes as Anne led her into a quiet parlor-like room that opened
+directly from Fifth avenue. She stared around for a glimpse of the gowns
+she expected to see; but nothing like one was to be seen. The dignified
+lady who met Anne, and a few other well-dressed women who conversed in
+low tones with each other, did not look like Polly's idea of shop-girls.
+
+Anne's lady conducted them to a lift, and they shot up two stories.
+Again they came out into a lovely lounging-room, but still no sign of
+dresses. The lady pushed a button, and another woman hurried in.
+
+"Measurements of this young lady. She will need several gowns for
+afternoon and street wear; possibly, an evening dress."
+
+Then Polly was scientifically measured, and in a short time a number of
+models were brought for her inspection and approval. These were placed
+upon forms, and every desirable detail of the gowns was pointed out to
+Anne and the girls.
+
+"Oh, I just love that one, Poll!" cried Eleanor, gazing with rapt eyes
+at an imported model.
+
+"Isn't it clumsy at the back? And see how narrow the bottom of the skirt
+is. Maybe they didn't have enough goods to make it any wider?" commented
+Polly.
+
+Eleanor giggled but Anne explained to Polly. The saleslady seemed not to
+have heard the western girl's objection to the gown.
+
+Then it was tried on Polly, and she saw how very becoming it was. But
+when she endeavored to walk over to the full-length mirror, she almost
+fell down upon the rug.
+
+"Mercy, Anne! I never can amble about in this binder! Get me something
+sensible," complained Polly.
+
+But Eleanor liked the dress and as it fitted her, also, she said she
+would take it as long as Polly didn't.
+
+"Take it and welcome, Nolla! but I pity _you_ if you try to scoot over
+the crossings of Fifth avenue in _that_ skirt," laughed Polly.
+
+Other gowns were brought and Polly finally found several that she liked,
+with wide enough skirts to suit her comfort. Then Anne asked for the
+bills. The list was added up and when the total was mentioned Polly
+almost fainted. If she had not been seated, she might have crumpled to
+the floor.
+
+"We'll take that gown with us, the others you may send," said Anne,
+taking up the one to be wrapped. Then she gave the name and address
+where the other dresses were to be sent. A fat roll of yellow bills now
+came from Anne's hand-bag, and she paid the enormous sum--or, at least,
+Polly thought it was enormous for so few dresses.
+
+Safely out of hearing of the fashionable sales-ladies, Polly whispered:
+"Anne, you paid _hundreds_ of dollars for those things!"
+
+Anne nodded, smilingly. Eleanor said: "Why, that wasn't much for what we
+got, Poll. The dress I bought is _imported_! And a model, at that. It
+was a bargain at that price."
+
+Polly sighed. Would she ever be able to accommodate herself to such a
+changed life as this one now seemed to be? Her friends laughed at the
+sigh and expression of doubt on her face.
+
+As Anne led her protegees past the hotel desk, a very polite clerk said:
+"A 'phone call for you, Miss Stewart, at five-ten P. M."
+
+Anne was handed the slip and read: "Mr. Latimer called up. Said he would
+call again at six-thirty."
+
+"Maybe he wants us to go somewhere, to-night!" suggested Eleanor,
+eagerly.
+
+"Well, you won't go to-night, if he does ask you. It's bed at nine, for
+everyone of us, because we have a hard day of house-hunting before us,
+to-morrow," decreed Anne, courageously.
+
+But Eleanor was given no cause to argue that evening, for Mr. Latimer
+called up to invite them all to go to the Mardi Gras at Coney Island the
+following evening. He said the Evans and Latimers would call at the
+hotel, in two cars, about six o'clock and take them to supper at the
+Island.
+
+"Oh, goody! I never saw Coney Island but I've heard so much about it!"
+cried Eleanor, dancing about the room.
+
+"I have read how dreadful a place it is," ventured Polly.
+
+"That's another point of view, Polly. If you go down there to enjoy the
+fun and games, and see the ocean, then you will have nothing but frolic
+and sea. But if one is in quest of crime, then it can be found festering
+there, just as it is in every other section of a large city," explained
+Anne.
+
+"But we are only going for a frolic," added Eleanor.
+
+"I should hope so!" Polly said, so fervently, that Anne had to laugh
+heartily.
+
+After dinner that night, Anne said: "I think Polly ought to see a sight
+that no other city can offer--that is the wondrous advertising signs on
+Broadway about Times Square, at night."
+
+"I am too weary to go out, daughter, but you take the girls," Mrs.
+Stewart remarked, so they hurriedly donned their hats and gloves.
+
+When they reached the famous corner of Forty-second street and Broadway,
+and stood at the uptown side of Times Square Triangle to look at the
+lights, Polly was speechless.
+
+"Why, it's as bright as day, everywhere," whispered she.
+
+"And just see the moving ads. up on the roofs!" cried Eleanor,
+delighting in the scene.
+
+"I thought there were hordes of mad folks on the streets this afternoon,
+but this beats everything!" exclaimed Polly, watching both sides of
+Broadway from her vantage ground. "Honestly, Anne, do they not act
+obsessed, jostling and rushing as if Death drove them? They never seem
+to mind trolleys, autos, or policemen. They swirl and fly every which
+way, regardless of everyone and everything."
+
+"I just love this excitement!" sighed Eleanor, smiling.
+
+"Well, I hope to goodness we will live far enough away from all this to
+let me forget it once in a while," said Polly.
+
+"Oh, you'll love it, too, pretty soon," Eleanor said, confidently.
+
+"Never! This is Bedlam to me. When I write home about it, I shall tell
+father that it reminds me of the story of Sodom and Gomorrah when fire
+and brimstone fell and destroyed those cities. I bet the folks never
+acted any wilder, there, than these New Yorkers do, here."
+
+Anne laughed at Polly's vivid disgust, and suggested that they return to
+the hotel.
+
+"Oh, no, Anne! It is only eight-thirty. And for New York that only
+begins an evening, you know. Let's get up on top of one of the buses on
+Fifth avenue and take the round trip. That ride will show Polly lots of
+sights: the Flat Iron Building, Riverside Drive and the Hudson, and
+heaps of things."
+
+Eleanor prevailed, and after a delightful drive of an hour, the little
+party was glad to get to the hotel and drop into bed.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II--HOUSE HUNTING IN NEW YORK
+
+
+Before the westerners awake to the new day, let us renew our
+acquaintance with them.
+
+Polly Brewster, of Pebbly Pit, born and reared on that wonderful ranch
+in Colorado where the lava-jewels were found, is for the first time in
+her fourteen years, away from home. As she is at the most impressionable
+age, her wise mother authorized Anne Stewart, the young teacher who had
+spent the summer with the Brewsters and who was engaged to John
+Brewster, to spare no money when fitting Polly out for her life in New
+York. Mrs. Brewster wished Polly to feel herself the equal of anyone she
+met, if it pertained to dress. And style was about the only thing that
+Polly lacked, having all fine qualities in her character.
+
+Eleanor Maynard, of Chicago, now Polly's dearest friend, never had to
+count the cost of anything, as her father was the best known and richest
+banker of that great city. But because of her ill health, being a
+protegee of Anne Stewart for the past two years, this association had
+taught Eleanor to think twice before she wasted her allowance.
+
+And Anne Stewart, just past twenty-one, was experienced for her age,
+because of her mother's dependence on her for most things, since the
+father died many years before this story opens. And Paul, her younger
+brother now at college in Chicago (where the other boys also studied),
+was there because his sister earned the money with which to pay his
+expenses. Now that Anne would participate in the shares of the gold mine
+that had been discovered the day of the escape on Grizzly Slide, the
+Stewarts had no need to practise such strict economy as hitherto.
+
+In the morning Polly was awakened by a knock at her door. "Poll, someone
+wants to speak to you over the 'phone," said Anne.
+
+"Me? Why, who can it be? I never talked into one of those funny little
+black horns in my life, Anne. Wait, and help me."
+
+In another moment Polly, in a pretty negligee--one of the purchases of
+the previous afternoon--ran out of her room. Anne sat her upon a stool
+before the small stand and showed her how to hold the instrument.
+
+"Hello!" whispered Polly, half afraid that something would pop out at
+her.
+
+Eleanor had crept out of her room by this time, and stood back of Polly,
+grinning at her friend's nervousness.
+
+"Speak louder," admonished Anne in Polly's ear.
+
+"Hello!" shouted Polly, trying to adjust her senses to the unfamiliar
+method of conversing with an unseen individual.
+
+Then a merry laugh and a familiar voice sounded in her ear. Her face
+expressed amazement, then pleased surprise, and then excitement. She
+glanced up at Eleanor as the voice continued speaking.
+
+"Oh, we're _so_ glad to hear you are in the city. Now we shall have
+_lovely_ times!" exclaimed Polly, finally.
+
+A joyous boy's voice continued talking but suddenly it ceased, and Polly
+looked at Anne for an explanation. The telephone receiver began clicking
+strangely in her ear, and she held it at arm's length in fear of what
+might be going to explode inside that queer tube.
+
+Eleanor laughed and said, "Let me do the talking--it sounds like Jim
+Latimer--is it?"
+
+"Yes, Ken and he landed from the West at midnight, and they are going to
+the Mardi Gras with us to-night."
+
+Eleanor now took the telephone, and by the time the operator managed to
+connect the interrupted wires, she was ready to chat as if she had
+nothing else to do. After ten minutes of silly boy and girl talk, Anne
+whispered: "Oh, do stop, Nolla! It is eight o'clock and we want to fill
+a good day with work."
+
+"I've got to ring off, now, Jim, but we'll see you to-night. Good-by!"
+Then Eleanor turned to her companions, and said:
+
+"Well, that's good news, Polly! To have the boys in the city to show us
+a good time before we start school."
+
+Without saying anything to cause the girls to object because this "good
+time" with the boys might be indefinitely postponed, Anne made up her
+mind that a home would and _must_ be secured before anyone planned for
+pleasure or fun.
+
+That day, they sought in buildings on every block uptown that had been
+left uninspected by Mrs. Latimer and Mrs. Evans, but with no success. If
+an apartment of five to seven rooms was found, it would be found to be
+dark, dirty, or in an objectionable neighborhood. They were ready to pay
+a high rent for six or seven rooms, but nothing suitable could be found.
+
+When they returned to the hotel, at five o'clock, to wash and dress for
+the outing that evening, everyone felt discouraged. "And these poor
+deluded New Yorkers call the band-boxes we saw to-day, apartment rooms?"
+said Polly, sneering at the homes but not at the poor inmates.
+
+"Owners dare not build the rooms larger, Polly, because real estate in
+this city is so valuable and taxable. Every inch of property has to be
+made the most of. You know, that is why a builder, in large cities, runs
+his structures up in the sky--the sky doesn't charge taxes on so much
+per foot, but the ground the building stands on does."
+
+"Oh, I never thought of that! So that is why New York houses go up
+twenty and thirty stories, eh? The owner has to get his rents out of the
+air and sky, and pay it over to the land-assessor," Polly exclaimed, in
+a tone of understanding.
+
+Her friends laughed. "You are an apt pupil, Poll," said Anne.
+
+When their hosts for the evening called for Anne and her party, they
+were all ready and eager to start. So they were soon seated in the two
+cars; Jim driving one, with Polly seated beside him, and Ken, Eleanor
+and Anne in the back seat. Mrs. Stewart was welcomed with the two ladies
+and the two men in the other car.
+
+"Now, Jim," called Mr. Latimer, "you be sure and trail me. I'll go
+first, as I know every foot of the road to Coney Island."
+
+Polly had never been in an automobile before, and at first she felt
+frightened; but Jim chatted as he drove, and seemed to take it all so
+naturally, that she soon overcame the desire to clutch hold on the side
+of the car.
+
+There were hundreds of other automobiles all going in the same
+direction, and when our two cars reached the Boulevard, there was such a
+gay stream of machines and people as the girls never dreamed of before.
+Confetti, paper ribbons, horns and what-not, were used by the passengers
+on trolleys and in automobiles along the road until the lighted spires
+of The Park, and other pleasure-giving resorts of Coney Island were
+seen.
+
+Polly looked so different in her smart clothes that Jim Latimer wondered
+what had happened to turn this pretty ranch girl into such a stunning
+city girl in so short a time.
+
+He kept glancing at her oval face, rounded with health and vigor; at her
+straight little nose, her wide-open, deep, soulful eyes that seemed to
+weigh all things wisely; the heavy wavy hair that was becomingly looped
+back from her face, and above all, the rich glow in her cheeks, and the
+creamy complexion and fine texture of her skin. "Nothing made-up there!"
+thought Jim.
+
+But Polly was happily unaware of Jim's wondering approval, for she was
+too completely absorbed in the sights about her. She could not have told
+anyone what Jim looked like in his city clothes. In fact, after the
+first hasty glance at Ken and him, and the realization that they had
+doffed their mountain outfits, she gave no second thought to their
+clothes.
+
+At Coney Island, that night, the girls enjoyed one continual lark. Even
+Mrs. Stewart was urged to go with the elder Latimers and the Evans upon
+the chutes, the merry-go-rounds, the Twister, the Winsome Waves, and
+what-not. Such a reckless spirit of fun seemed to possess everyone in
+the place, that it was contagious.
+
+When the evening was almost over, and Polly sighed with very surfeit of
+so much fun, the boys managed to "lose" the elders and took the two
+girls to the beach.
+
+"Oh, how wonderful! I never thought of the ocean. There was so much to
+see and to do that I forgot Coney Island was right on the sea,"
+exclaimed Eleanor.
+
+But Polly said not a word. She was suddenly confronted with the restless
+mighty ocean that she had always longed to see. The sense of frivolity
+that had filled her for the last few hours vanished, and she gave
+herself up to the power of that calm, never-ceasing roll of water. A few
+minutes before and she had been weary from so much laughter and sport,
+but now a wonderful peace and rest pervaded her being.
+
+The boys understood this unusual effect of the ocean upon one who had
+never seen anything like it, and finally Polly heaved a sigh.
+
+"Well, this is better than all else. It's worth coming so far east to
+see. It's the only decent thing of which New York can boast."
+
+Her companions laughed; after digging in the soft sand for a short time,
+and exchanging youthful view-points about everything in the universe,
+they all sauntered back to the place where the two cars had been parked.
+
+A shout greeted them. "There, I _knew_ you boys had dodged us on
+purpose. But Miss Stewart thought you were lost in this crowd."
+
+As everyone felt tired before the cars reached New York City again, the
+conversation was intermittent. But just before Mr. Latimer drove his car
+up to the hotel, Mrs. Stewart learned how Dr. and Mrs. Evans, Mrs.
+Latimer, and the two boys, Jim and Ken, had spent that entire day
+home-hunting for the westerners with no success.
+
+"It seems very strange that in such a vast city one is not able to find
+a decent apartment," complained Mrs. Stewart.
+
+"We are told 'because of the war.' The war is blamed for everything
+these days, but the real excuse for owners not building now is because
+of the high cost of material and labor. They are all waiting for better
+times; meantime people must take what can be had, or go without," said
+Mr. Latimer.
+
+"After hunting the way we have for more than a week, and not having
+found a suitable place, Mrs. Stewart, I would suggest your finding a
+nice boarding-house for the winter. If you put it off too long, even
+those places will be filled," advised Mrs. Latimer.
+
+"Dear me!" sighed Mrs. Stewart. "That was suggested this morning, but I
+said it seemed dreadful, when I came East just to make a home and keep
+house for the three girls."
+
+"Yes, it would be much pleasanter for everyone to have a home, but in
+cases like this Fall's shortage of apartments, one must do what is most
+expedient," returned Mrs. Latimer.
+
+Mrs. Stewart told the girls, that night, what had been said, but they
+all felt sure something _must_ turn up in the next day or two. So the
+next morning before starting out, they laid out a regular plan of work.
+
+"Mother and Eleanor will start where we left off, yesterday, and weave a
+search back and forth downtown until they reach the hotel. I will take
+Polly and, beginning at Washington Square, work uptown until we finish.
+If either of us find anything at all decent, and in an agreeable
+neighborhood, pay down a deposit to hold it and be sure to get a receipt
+as a binder--Mr. Latimer told me that much. Then we will all go for the
+second inspection and decide. Dr. Evans said we'd better pay down
+several deposits rather than lose a place, as we can quickly sell out
+any option we have for more than we paid down."
+
+Having instructed her friends, Anne added one last bit of advice: "We
+will go as high as $3,000 a year for seven rooms, or $1,500 for four to
+five rooms--no more, as that is all shelter is worth. If we can't find a
+place at that price, we'll stay in a hotel!"
+
+So the second day of house-hunting went forward by two divisions instead
+of one, and all that day Mrs. Stewart and Eleanor experienced the same
+snubs, weariness, and failures, as thousands of other home-hunters in
+New York had. And at evening they returned wearily to the hotel to hear
+what Anne had accomplished.
+
+"Polly and she have not yet arrived," announced Eleanor, as Mrs. Stewart
+and she entered their suite.
+
+"I hope she has had better luck than we can brag about," added Mrs.
+Stewart, dropping into an easy chair.
+
+A long time after the "first division" had returned, baffled, to the
+hotel, Anne and Polly burst into the room with happy faces.
+
+"Oh, we just found the most wonderful place! Polly and I actually
+_discovered_ it. We were giving up all hope of ever finding a decent
+apartment at any reasonable figure, and had started for the subway when
+we saw this one. The flower-boxes caught Polly's eye, so we are really
+indebted to her for having secured our home."
+
+Anne's enthusiasm was contagious, and instantly Mrs. Stewart and Eleanor
+wanted to know where it was located.
+
+Anne and Polly exchanged smiling glances, as if the secret was too
+precious to impart to others.
+
+"I suppose you two did up the entire upper sections, to-day, eh?" asked
+Anne, countering their eager queries.
+
+"Did we? I should say we did! I got a taxi for the day and we flew from
+one pile of stone and marble to the next, and so many rides up and down
+in gorgeous elevators all day has kept my head still spinning. But we
+had the same results as yesterday. When you inspect one of these modern
+honey-combs you see them all. The only difference being that a few
+owners manage to retain the elevator and telephone operators, while the
+majority of superintendents apologise by saying, 'My help went on a
+strike, to-day.'
+
+"It really looks, Anne, as if these poor New Yorkers will have to move
+out to the country if they want to live this year," remarked Mrs.
+Stewart, earnestly.
+
+Her companions laughed and Anne said: "Mother, you are too precocious.
+But now listen to our 'find'!
+
+"As I planned, you two went uptown while Polly and I went downtown from
+here. We covered all the lower sections by criss-crossing back and
+forth, but we came away from the Gramercy Park section, late this
+afternoon, with an utter sense of failure. In fact, I was silently
+planning to inquire about good boarding-houses, when we hailed a
+Lexington avenue car, going north.
+
+"Being woolly westerners, we failed to ascertain how far northwards the
+car went, and having paid our fares, sat down. I remember turning to
+Polly and saying, 'This is actually the first car in New York that I
+have been on that wasn't crowded to the platforms.'"
+
+Polly laughed at the remembrance, and Anne smiled. "But it was our
+salvation, Anne," ventured the former.
+
+Anne nodded and continued her story. "Then we soon learned why there
+were vacant seats on that car. A pleasant-faced, grey-haired man of
+about fifty, must have overheard my comment because he spoke to us after
+we were seated.
+
+"'Perhaps you did not know that this car goes no farther north than the
+next block? It is switched back downtown, from that point. Did not the
+conductor mention it to you?'
+
+"I was furious, and I replied: 'No! he never said a word when I paid the
+fares.'
+
+"By this time the car stopped and the conductor called out: 'All
+out--dis car goes no furder. We switch back next corner!'
+
+"So Polly and I had to get off with the others. When we stepped down
+from the car, the nice man lifted his hat to us and said: 'I judge you
+are strangers in the city. Can I direct you anywhere?'
+
+"I thanked him and told him we were only going as far as Forty-second
+street to the hotel. Then I added, sarcastically: 'But there may be no
+cars which run as far north as that street!'
+
+"He laughed and said: 'You had better walk over to Fourth avenue and get
+the car there. It takes you through the tunnel much quicker than the
+Lexington avenue car runs to Forty-second street. But be careful and do
+not board a car that stops at the car-house on Thirty-second street.'
+
+"We all laughed at that, as it would have been just like me to do so;
+then we thanked him and started along Thirty-first street to reach the
+car. And there we found our Haven of Hope!"
+
+"Where? Not on Thirty-first street, I trust!" exclaimed Mrs. Stewart.
+"Isn't that section of the city dreadful?"
+
+"Not the block where we found a home," explained Anne. "It has several
+remodeled houses and several other flat houses on it."
+
+"But just wait until you see our house--it's fine!" said Polly, eagerly.
+
+"Polly caught hold of my arm and exclaimed: 'Oh, Anne! see the lovely
+flower-boxes in that cute little house!'
+
+"I saw three narrow windows on the second floor with green flower-boxes
+on the outside sills, but then my eyes dropped lower and I spied a
+swinging sign at a side-door. It merely said: 'To Let' inquire, etc.
+Polly saw it at the same moment, so we stood and gazed at each other.
+
+"'Let's try and peep in at this window,' suggested Polly.
+
+"I agreed, and we did our best to see what was within; but the long
+iron-lattice that covered the four slits in the wide front doors, were
+covered from the inside. So we went to hunt up the agent.
+
+"His office was only a few blocks down Fourth avenue, so Polly and I
+hurried there before it should be closed for the day. A boy was told to
+accompany us and we were soon inspecting the premises. Our escort
+offered all the information he had heard in the real estate office.
+
+"'This hain't been on our books more'n a day. I just hung out the sign
+this morning. The last man what lived here was an artist and he fixed up
+everything like you see it now. But he wanted the owner to take out the
+stable doors and put in a studio-winder, and when the owner wouldn't
+spend a cent, the artist up and moved. My boss said the next tenant
+would insist on having the doors taken out, so you might as well kick
+about them being here, and see if you'se kin get the winder in.'"
+
+Anne's mimicry of the office-boy was perfect and her hearers laughed,
+but Mrs. Stewart had caught the significant words: "Stable doors," and
+now she looked deeply concerned. Anne hastened to end her narrative when
+she saw her mother's expression.
+
+"So Polly and I went back to the agent's, heard the price of the place,
+and paid down half a month's rent to hold it until you all can go with
+us to-morrow morning to approve of our selection."
+
+"Oh, Anne! how much was it a month?" exclaimed Eleanor, eagerly, while
+Mrs. Stewart looked dubious over such recklessness.
+
+"One-fifty a month, and we can have a straight lease--no humbugging
+about clauses."
+
+"And how many rooms, did you say, dear?" gasped Mrs. Stewart.
+
+"I didn't say, mother, and I told Poll not to say more until after you
+see it in the morning."
+
+"But I like it, and it really does seem as if Providence sent us through
+that street," added Polly, sighing with content.
+
+"Eleanor, did you hear Anne say it had stable-doors?" now ventured Mrs.
+Stewart, fearfully.
+
+"No! did you, Anne? Why would it have stable-doors?"
+
+"Because in the days of horses and carriages, it was some rich man's
+private stable," laughed Anne, enjoying the horror on her mother's face.
+
+"A stable! Ha, ha, ha--for a Maynard of Chicago! Oh--ha, ha, ha!"
+laughed Eleanor, rocking back and forth.
+
+Even Mrs. Stewart had to laugh at the picture Eleanor's exclamation
+suggested--Mrs. Maynard and Barbara calling upon a member of their
+family who was living in an East Side stable!
+
+Any doubt of this being just the place they wanted vanished in the
+morning when Anne and Polly proudly escorted Mrs. Stewart and Eleanor
+about their future domicile. True, it had all the ear-marks of a stable
+from the _outside_, but once you were within, there was only an artistic
+home to be seen. The ground-floor which had once held four stalls and a
+harness-room, with space for two carriages, was now partitioned off in a
+manner that made the most of the space. A large living-room across the
+front acted as entrance-hall and passageway to the rear rooms and second
+floor. In the corner of the living-room, where the small brick chimney
+had served as smoke-vent for the stove of former days, there now was a
+wide tiled fire-place which would hold great logs.
+
+Double glass-paneled doors led from the front room to the dining-room
+with its two high-set square windows opening to the sunlight in the
+rear. Also a single door went to the kitchen, which also had two high
+windows like those in the adjoining room. From the kitchen, a back door
+opened upon a tiny grass-platted garden of about twenty feet square. A
+fine locust tree grew in one corner of the plot and gave shade in the
+afternoon.
+
+Anne explained certain peculiar features regarding the windows of the
+back-rooms. "Don't you see why they are so high? It is because they were
+once the ventilators to the stalls. Each horse had his own window for
+air. But I think they now make the rooms look quaint, don't you?"
+
+The others agreed with her, and Eleanor said: "If we had a shelf running
+along under the windows, it would look better."
+
+"And we can use it for china," added Polly.
+
+Anne now started to go upstairs, followed by the other three; they all
+examined the bedrooms and were delighted with them. There were two large
+front and two smaller rear rooms, with a fine tiled bathroom between the
+back rooms. Not one of the rooms was as small as the largest chambers
+seen in the modern apartments.
+
+"And all for a hundred and fifty a month!" exclaimed Eleanor, joyously.
+
+"I reckon we'd better take it at once, children," said Mrs. Stewart,
+approvingly.
+
+"But remember," said Anne, on the way to the agent's office, "we have to
+make all inside repairs, or redecorate as we want. There is no steam
+heat or hot water supplied, either, like the swell apartment houses,
+uptown, offer us."
+
+"I'd rather have it so, Anne dear," replied Mrs. Stewart. "I've always
+been used to a coal range and those fandangled gas ideas worried me, but
+I didn't say anything to you-all. I noticed what a fine little kitchen
+stove this one has, so you'll always have hot water--never fear. As for
+heat! Well, a great open fire-place in the front room will help heat
+upstairs, and there is a register in the bathroom that comes from the
+kitchen stove-pipe."
+
+"We can use electric or gas radiators, Anne," added Eleanor, eagerly,
+"in very cold weather."
+
+"I never knew what heated bedrooms were like, in Pebbly Pit, Anne,"
+Polly said, anxious to have a word.
+
+"Besides we may have a very mild winter," remarked Anne.
+
+So the lease was signed and the first month's rent paid. "We'll give you
+any assistance you may need in getting the place in order, Mrs.
+Stewart," said the agent, as he handed the papers to his new tenant.
+
+"That will be very nice, and we will take advantage of your offer, at
+once. I want the kitchen range and stove pipe put in perfect working
+order, and please see that the radiator in the bathroom is not
+obstructed in any way," said the lady.
+
+Anne and the agent exchanged looks and laughed. "I can see where Mrs.
+Stewart expects to enjoy herself this winter. Well, I told my wife the
+other day, we were more comfortable when we had an old-fashioned flat
+with a kitchen range, than we now are with all the latest modern
+improvements," returned the agent.
+
+"Anne, Polly and I want our rooms repapered and painted," whispered
+Eleanor, tugging at Anne's sleeve.
+
+"I was about to suggest that you have all the woodwork given one coat of
+nice fresh paint, but the paper now on the walls is very expensive and
+artistic, so I wouldn't be in too great a hurry to have it done over.
+The last tenant imported his own paper at a great expense for that
+place," explained the agent.
+
+"I think you are very kind and sensible to advise us in this way. So
+we'll have the men do the paint but not touch the paper until we have
+had time to look it over again," said Anne.
+
+"When can we move in?" questioned Polly.
+
+"Any time you like; but I would advise having the painters out first. I
+will send two men to begin work in there to-morrow."
+
+Then the four delighted tenants left the office, and on the walk back to
+the corner where they wished to board the car they eagerly planned how
+they would furnish their home.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III--FURNISHING THE STABLE
+
+
+"Anne, if we hurry and get the furniture, we can settle our home before
+school starts," suggested Eleanor, eagerly.
+
+"If you-all had only let me ship my stuff from Denver you wouldn't have
+to buy a stick!" declared Mrs. Stewart.
+
+They were standing on the corner waiting for an uptown car but not one
+was in sight. Anne showed signs of impatience but exclaimed at her
+mother's remark:
+
+"Mother, you know very well what the crating and freight would have
+cost, and you sold your stuff for more than it was worth. I think you
+are most fortunate to have that little roll of money on hand, when you
+consider the wear and tear your furniture has had in the last thirty
+years."
+
+"Anyway, Mrs. Stewart, I don't want Victorian period in our house. Polly
+and I want to furnish and decorate our own rooms as we like. This is to
+be our first experiment in real artistic work," said Eleanor,
+comfortingly.
+
+Polly nodded her head at these words; but standing with her back to the
+curb, her face was opposite a large show-window in the corner building.
+Now, as if by some magnet, her eyes were attracted to what that window
+contained.
+
+"Why, just see there! Right near our street is a furniture shop!" With
+this exclamation, Polly ran over to inspect the objects displayed in the
+window. A carved four-poster, and other rare antiques, drew the
+attention of the little group.
+
+Polly glanced around to see what furniture shop it was that was so near
+their new home.
+
+"Why! It's an auction place. Surely, it cannot be that such wonderful
+things are sold in a junk room," exclaimed Mrs. Stewart.
+
+That made the other three look also, and Eleanor added: "It doesn't
+follow that just because this is an auction house, that it must be a
+junk room."
+
+"Well, I never saw anything but awful junk in the second-hand place in
+Oak Creek," explained Polly.
+
+"Even the Denver dealers sell only junk, Nolla. But it may be different
+in New York. Everything seems to be different," said Anne.
+
+"Of course it is! Why wouldn't it be when you stop to think of it. In
+the first place, no one in Oak Creek ever had anything but junk to sell.
+And in Denver, where everyone hangs on to every stick they have, simply
+because it is so difficult to get anything worth while, the poor
+second-hand dealer starves for want of trade. But here, as well as in
+Chicago, folks send stuff to places like this for sale, when they can't
+find a place to move into. I just bet there will be thousands of
+families that will have to sell out this year just because there are not
+enough homes for all of them." Eleanor's logic was sound, and Polly
+ventured a suggestion.
+
+"I'd love to go in there and see what they do with such pieces. There
+are lots of well-dressed people going in--come on."
+
+Nothing loath to see the interior of a New York second-hand shop, the
+westerners went to the front door. There a colored porter stood and
+bowed politely.
+
+"Sale goin' on in third room, right, ladies; have a catalogue?"
+
+As the uniformed attendant offered Anne a pamphlet of about twenty
+pages, he waved them inside out of the doorway. Then he repeated his
+directions to the next couple who followed directly after Mrs. Stewart's
+party.
+
+To say the four friends were astonished at the size and quality of the
+auction-rooms is speaking mildly. Not a piece of furniture but looked
+rare and expensive. It seemed improbable that it all was for sale.
+
+A second attendant now came up and said: "Sale now going on in south
+gallery, ladies."
+
+Then Anne took her courage in her hands. "We have never visited a sale
+before, so you will confer a favor by showing us where to go, or what to
+do. We are about to furnish a house."
+
+The man sensed a good customer, and gallantly showed them through
+several well-stocked rooms until they reached the last, where a smiling
+smooth-tongued individual sat behind a raised desk and spoke
+conversationally to the crowd which sat in rows before him.
+
+"Jake, find me four chairs, in a hurry," whispered the man who was
+conducting Anne's party.
+
+Without confusion and in a moment's time, Jake carried over four
+wonderful Jacobean chairs, two in each hand, their backs to each other,
+and handled as recklessly as if the fine carving was made of unbreakable
+metal.
+
+"Now, ladies, enjoy yourselves," the smiling attendant said; then he
+stopped for a moment at the desk to say a word to the auctioneer who
+continued his selling as if no new victims had been introduced.
+
+One marvelous article after another was brought forth and placed for
+exhibition upon the Persian rug that covered the platform in front of
+the audience. And one after another, the objects of art and beauty were
+sold to different buyers at a preposterously low figure.
+
+But the wily auctioneer took notice that not a member of the newly
+arrived party was bidding on anything. He decided that this must not be,
+so he stood up to address the assembly.
+
+"Friends, I know that you are here to buy and not to waste your time in
+mere curiosity. If there is any particular article you need, or have
+seen on the premises, speak out and I will oblige you by introducing it
+in this sale."
+
+He glanced over the crowd and finally allowed his gaze to rest upon the
+four who sat in the front row. They all felt guilty of using his time
+and room when they had no idea of buying any particular thing. Mrs.
+Stewart was about to whisper to Anne that they had better go when
+Eleanor spoke up fearlessly.
+
+"I saw a four-poster in the show-window before I came in. Is it for
+sale?"
+
+Her three companions felt the shock that is experienced when one does an
+unusual or unexpected thing. But they each felt thrilled, too, at the
+courage of that one.
+
+"I regret exceedingly, my dear young lady, that that particular set of
+antique mahogany cannot be sold until day after to-morrow. In fact, only
+the contents of _this_ vast room is for sale to-day. We take them in
+turn, you see. To-morrow the adjoining room goes, and the day following
+that everything is sold and cleared out of the third room--where the bed
+is."
+
+"But we have a four-poster in this sale, Mr. Winters," quickly said one
+of the floor-men.
+
+"Ah, indeed! Perhaps the young lady will like it as well as the other
+one. Bring it forward, Joe."
+
+Without the slightest delay, the floor-men then pulled and pushed a very
+elaborately carved four-posted bed out upon the dais. It was similar to
+the one in the window but it was smaller, this one being four feet wide
+while the one on exhibition for Friday's sale was full sized.
+
+The auctioneer spoke of all the points about this particular piece of
+furniture, and then began to offer it for sale. The four visitors in the
+front row sat as if hypnotized at his manner.
+
+"What, no one here to appreciate this marvelous work of other days, now
+to be sold for three hundred dollars?"
+
+Not a sound encouraged him, so he sighed and said: "Well, is there
+anyone who will give two hundred for it?"
+
+Eleanor's heart thumped. She was willing to give it but she found her
+tongue cleave to the roof of her mouth at the very idea of securing the
+bed at such a price.
+
+"Too bad! Then I shall have to ask if anyone will pay me one hundred
+dollars? Is this bed not worth that to you, young lady--or perhaps you
+need a full-sized bed?" The auctioneer looked at Eleanor but failed to
+see the dazzling glint that shot into her eyes when he offered the bed
+for one hundred. He really had no hope of starting it at that figure so
+he over-did it that time.
+
+"All right, friends, I am perfectly willing to have you set your own
+price on this magnificent piece of carving that is no less than a
+hundred and fifty years old. Now what is your pleasure? Fifty, forty,
+thirty--what? did I hear a bargain-hunter say twenty-five? Oh,
+impossible?"
+
+Eleanor almost fainted at such a dreadful sacrifice, and would have
+stood up to offer him the hundred, had not a man in the rear called out
+"Fifty."
+
+"Ah, that is better--thank you. Now, fifty, fifty, fifty--who says
+seventy-five? I want seventy-five--fifty, fifty, fifty, fif--fif-tee,
+tee, t-e-e--what, no one here willing to pay more than fifty dollars for
+this bee-u--utiful bit of antique mahogany? Fif-fif-fif--Ah!"
+
+Eleanor swallowed hard, half-stood up, and the auctioneer caught her eye
+at last. He smiled, acknowledged her expression, and now called:
+
+"Seventy-five! I now have seventy-five, seven, seven,
+sev-sev-seventy--seventy-fi-ifvvve! I have seventy-five dollars for this
+wonderful mahogany bed that is really worth seven hundred dollars in any
+store to-day. And I only have seventy-five dollars bid. Seven-tee----"
+
+Again Eleanor half-stood up and this time she managed to say "One
+hundred, please!"
+
+"Thank you, young lady--you certainly understand fine furniture. I am
+now offered one hundred dollars by one who knows the value of this
+bed--one hundred, one hundred--hundred--one, h-u-ndred dollars
+offered--who will give a hundred and ten--only ten more gets it?"
+
+Polly was so amazed when Eleanor said "One hundred dollars" that she
+giggled hysterically; but not wishing to have her friend brag how "she
+bid at this auction and her friends were too shy," Polly looked
+anxiously at the auctioneer. He saw that look and understood.
+
+"Don't hesitate, young lady. You know 'he who hesitates is lost'--in
+this case, loses a great bargain. If you wish to bid, never fear
+competing with a friend. In this business there are no friends--all men
+are strangers. Shall I say one hundred and ten for you?"
+
+Polly nodded eagerly and smiled broadly at Eleanor. The two girls were
+so delighted with themselves at daring to speak out so bravely in a city
+like _New York_ that they failed to realize the auctioneer had knocked
+down the bed to Polly.
+
+"This young lady in front. I _must_ say she appreciates fine furniture!"
+declared the suave auctioneer to everyone in general.
+
+"W-h-y, Pol--le-ee! Is that your bed?" gasped Mrs. Stewart.
+
+"I'm sure I don't know. Is it, Nolla?" laughed Polly.
+
+Just then a brusque voice said: "Name and address please--and
+twenty-five per cent deposit money." The girls looked up in
+bewilderment. Who was the man?
+
+He seemed to read their thoughts, for he smiled. "I am the cashier.
+Everyone has to pay down a cash deposit on their bids. Everything you
+buy has to be removed by Saturday, or we are not responsible for it
+after that."
+
+"Oh!" Polly and Eleanor looked at each other. They were trying to figure
+out how much money he wanted.
+
+"Here--I'll pay the deposit. About thirty dollars, isn't it?" said Anne,
+in a business-like tone.
+
+"Yes, thank you. Now name and address, please?"
+
+"What's the number of our stable, Anne?" laughed Eleanor.
+
+When Anne gave the address the cashier looked surprised. "Oh, have you
+rented the Studio down the street?"
+
+The girls bowed wonderingly, and he added: "The artist who lived there
+for a number of years, used to drop in here every week just for the
+entertainment of picking up curios. In fact, I saw him here a few
+minutes ago. He told me he would give fifty percent advance to the
+tenant who leased that place. Here's a chance for you to make money if
+you want to give up the Studio."
+
+"We want a home more than money, mister!" declared Polly.
+
+"You've said it, Poll! If we give up this studio we may have to go back
+and live in our gold mine, because New York hasn't any homes left, this
+year," laughed Eleanor.
+
+The cashier had not missed the mention of "our gold mine" and determined
+to do his utmost to please these ladies. Hence he whispered: "I'll look
+after everything you buy here, and don't worry about moving it away on
+Saturday. Next week will do, if you are not ready to get things out this
+week."
+
+"Polly, Polly! There goes a high-boy that matches the bed you got!"
+cried Eleanor, at this moment.
+
+"They are pieces of the same set. Strange to say, they came from the
+very place you rented. The artist has to sell out because he cannot find
+an apartment, and there is no storage room for his furniture," explained
+the cashier.
+
+So Polly secured the high-boy for sixty dollars and felt very proud of
+her purchases. Eleanor bought a pair of brass fire-dogs and irons, and
+Anne bid on a large etching. When it was knocked down to her, she turned
+to her mother and said: "I really do not want it. What under the sun did
+I get it for?"
+
+And Mrs. Stewart laughed. "It's always the way at these vendues. One
+gets all kinds of things one never needs."
+
+"Then let's get out. Girls, I'm going now," whispered Anne, rising to
+leave.
+
+The cashier hurried over when he saw the four new customers about to go,
+and said, "The artist would like very much to meet his successors to the
+Studio."
+
+At the same moment, a grey-haired gentleman bowed and smiled, and the
+group waited expectantly. Anne and Polly smiled also.
+
+"You are the kind friend who advised us, yesterday, when we had to leave
+the car," Anne said, pleasantly.
+
+"Yes, but I never dreamed I was directing you right to my front door,"
+rejoined the artist.
+
+"Well, Mr. Fabian, as long as you've met before, I'll go about my
+business," and the cashier hurried away, leaving the five people in the
+adjoining room.
+
+Anne proceeded to introduce her friends and then added: "It was
+providential that we went through that street. Now we have a home to our
+liking."
+
+"I am delighted that my successors will appreciate the place, but I am
+still seeking for quarters. Had I choked my anger and swallowed my
+pride, when the owner refused to keep his word about the stable-doors, I
+would still be enjoying my cozy Studio."
+
+Mr. Fabian then told the ladies how he had taken the stable in its raw
+state and turned it into the lovely dwelling it now was. He had paid for
+all the hardwood floors, for the partitions on the ground-floor, and for
+the kitchen plumbing.
+
+"Why, it must have cost you a small fortune," ventured Anne. "And now it
+seems too bad that you can't enjoy it."
+
+"But I did enjoy it, my dear young lady--for five years. And I only paid
+sixty dollars a month, during that time, too. When the owner raised me,
+this year, to ninety I rebelled, because I had spent so much money on
+beautifying the rooms. I thought he would really relent and say I could
+have it for about seventy-five a month. I was mistaken."
+
+"We're paying a hundred and fifty a month and make all repairs,
+ourselves," Anne ventured.
+
+"He took advantage of the unusual conditions. But you have a better
+bargain, even so, than if you had rented a seven-room apartment, uptown,
+for two or three thousand a year."
+
+By this time they were standing on the corner once more, and Mr. Fabian
+seemed ready to leave them. Then Polly remembered that the cashier had
+said the bed and high-boy she just bought had come from the Studio.
+
+"Oh, Mr. Fabian, excuse me for speaking of it, but did you really own
+the four-poster I got at the sale just now?"
+
+"Yes, my dear. It was in the room my little daughter occupied when she
+was home. She is now in Paris taking an art course." The girls were
+deeply interested in this intimate information. "That box-spring with
+the mattress on the bed was made to order of the best material I could
+buy. You'll find the silk-floss in that mattress is so soft you'll never
+care to get up, once you rest upon it."
+
+"But I didn't know the spring and mattress went with the bed," Polly
+said, amazed.
+
+"Oh, yes. That is the way they generally sell other folks' goods. But I
+wish to say, that Nancy only used the bed a few weeks, as she had a
+splendid opportunity to enter a class in a friend's school in Paris, so
+we started her across without delay. My wife went, too, to look after
+her; that is one reason I refused to pay the increased rent; I thought
+it was too much for one lone man to pay."
+
+"It almost makes me feel as if we ought to take you in to live with us,"
+said Mrs. Stewart, sympathetically. "If there only was one extra
+bedroom, now, we could make you a member of our family just as well as
+not."
+
+"But we haven't that extra room!" laughed Anne, wondering what this
+stranger would think of her mother's free western hospitality.
+
+What he thought was soon expressed. "I certainly appreciate such unusual
+kindness and I see it is genuine. So I will dare to do this: I shall
+love to drop in, now and then, and see how you all are doing. Perhaps I
+can be of some assistance to you, in various ways."
+
+"I know you can!" declared Eleanor, eagerly. "Polly and I are taking up
+art and interior decorating and we need lots of ideas from grown-ups who
+have had experience. You can advise us that way."
+
+"Begin your regular home visits a week from Sunday, Mr. Fabian. We will
+be settled then and ready to welcome you to our house," added Anne.
+
+Then they parted and Mr. Fabian went downtown, while the four companions
+walked northwards to the hotel. As they walked, Anne said: "It certainly
+was queer how that gentleman sent us past his own home and we saw it.
+Now, he turns out to be just the kind of a friend Polly and Eleanor will
+need to advise them about art school."
+
+"Anne, what shall we do with the rest of the afternoon? We still have
+two hours before dinner-time," said Eleanor, glancing at her wristwatch.
+
+"We can go over to the nearest shop and get Polly an everyday hat. I
+can't bear to see this lovely one hacked out at auction rooms. She needs
+complete outfits of underwear, too, but we may be too late at the shops,
+for that."
+
+"Anne, I saw in the paper this morning, when you were looking for
+apartments, that a fine Fifth avenue shop is having a sale of early fall
+models. Let's go up and get Polly's hat there," advised Eleanor,
+eagerly.
+
+Anne laughed. "You are willing to get one for yourself, too, eh?"
+
+So both girls were supplied with chic hats before they returned to the
+hotel. There they found an invitation from the Latimers to come,
+informally, and dine with them that night. Dr. and Mrs. Evans would try
+to come in later.
+
+"It's now five-thirty. Can we get dressed and make it, in time?" asked
+Eleanor, anxiously.
+
+"Oh, yes; we haven't far to go, you know. A taxi will take us there in
+ten minutes," replied Anne.
+
+All was hurry and bustle, then, and when the two girls emerged from
+their rooms dressed in their new gowns, Anne felt that they did her
+credit. She could not but remark at the great improvement that clothes,
+well-fitting and of fine material, made in Polly's appearance. Now the
+girl looked positively beautiful.
+
+A pleasant evening ensued, Jim and Ken insisting upon the right to
+escort the ladies home after everyone had said good-night.
+
+"You know, girls, Ken and I are going to Yale next week?" said Jim, as
+they started down Broadway.
+
+"So your father said, to-night. We will miss you, Jim," returned Anne.
+
+"But we'll be home every chance we get--Thanksgiving, Christmas and
+other times," Kenneth said, hopefully.
+
+"Nolla and I will be awfully busy in school, and in trying to get
+started in the art classes," added Polly.
+
+"I hope you have the stable settled before we leave the city. We want to
+give you-all a house-warming," said Kenneth.
+
+"That will be great! Let's have it, anyway, even if everything is not in
+apple-pie order in the house," exclaimed Polly.
+
+So before they parted, that night, it was all arranged that the
+house-warming should take place the next Tuesday evening. The boys were
+leaving for college on Thursday, and the last few days before starting
+in the new school, would be busy ones for the girls.
+
+"All right, we'll tell the folks the fun is on for next Tuesday, then,"
+said Jim, as they shook hands.
+
+"And it must be a regular surprise, you know--we bring our own
+refreshments and everything," laughed Kenneth.
+
+"Oh, no! That is the least we can do in return for all you folks have
+done for us. We will furnish your refreshments!" declared Eleanor,
+positively.
+
+"As long as you furnish plenty, all right. But remember, girls, that Ken
+and I still have our Rocky Mountain appetites!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV--BARGAINS, BARGAINS EVERYWHERE!
+
+
+With the worry of house-hunting gone, the young friends felt at liberty
+to be deliberate while apportioning their time. Anne took Polly and
+Eleanor to the West End School, the morning following their meeting with
+Mr. Fabian, and introduced them to the proprietress as the two young
+ladies she had written about.
+
+Polly thought the elegant mansion that looked more like a prince's
+residence than a school, would keep her from concentrating upon her
+lessons. While Anne and the principal of the select school talked
+business, Polly glanced about the reception room.
+
+The rugs were beautiful, most of them having the faded soft colors of
+the antique Persian and Turkish. But the furniture was too gorgeous in
+upholstering for the type of room. Then there were heavy boxed oil
+paintings in rich gilt frames, hanging on the walls; and teakwood
+pedestals holding statuettes and busts; and onyx stands with palms. The
+mantel was loaded with bric-a-brac of all sorts. Many other minor items
+showed bad taste in whoever furnished the room.
+
+Polly felt all this, but could not explain just why she resented such a
+conglomeration of color and furnishings. But Eleanor, having had the
+results of a decorator's judgment displayed in her home, in Chicago,
+felt inclined to smile at what she saw about her. It was sure evidence
+of Polly's improvement in artistic interiors since the day she thought
+the green window-shades quite the thing, to this time when the
+indiscriminate mixing of colors offended her eyes.
+
+"I really am relieved to hear that you will not be resident here, Miss
+Stewart, as I need your room for two boarders. I had planned to enlarge
+the dormitory this year, but everything costs so much that I postponed
+it. Now this extra room will come in very nicely for me," Mrs.
+Wellington was saying when Polly and Eleanor had finished a survey of
+the room, and rejoined Anne.
+
+"Girls, Mrs. Wellington says we may have a look at the class-rooms.
+Would you like to go with me?" said Anne.
+
+Without demur they followed the lady of the house. They passed through
+the formal parlor where guests of distinction were entertained. Here the
+two girls also saw the lack of taste in furnishing. Gilded furniture
+with delicate satin upholstery, fought with wallpaper of heavy
+Spanish-leather design. Curtains and portieres were of velour, heavily
+edged with fringe. Valances of velour were over the windows, and on the
+mantel. Instead of having a delicate French carpet on the floor, there
+were thick napped dark-toned Beloochistan rugs.
+
+The long library opened out from the parlor, and here there was an
+atmosphere of rest, because the entire wall spaces were lined with dark
+cabinets whose shelves were well filled with volumes in bindings made to
+harmonize with the rich paper that showed above the book-cases. The
+window-seats were built in and upholstered in tapestry to match the
+paper. The tables and leather armchairs were not so glaringly out of
+keeping with the room as the furniture in the first two rooms had been.
+
+Mrs. Wellington waved her hand carelessly at this room: "When I bought
+this house, all the books went with it, just as you see them now. The
+window-seats are still covered as they were, but I hope soon to spend
+some money in making this library more cheerful for the girls. I like
+bright colors, but that dun wall paper and that dull tapestry on the
+window cushions gives me the blues. If the books had not been such a
+bargain--the executor of the estate was most anxious to dispose of
+them--I never would have taken them. Their dull green morocco bindings
+make the room seem heavy, don't you think?"
+
+"Oh, no! I was just thinking how lovely the glint of the gold lettering
+on each dark book makes the room seem. If only there was a dark polished
+floor to reflect the chair and table legs, the room would be wonderful!
+But this large carpet spoils that effect!" Nolla exclaimed impetuously.
+
+Mrs. Wellington straightened her spine and looked in hurt amazement at
+this inexperienced miss who babbled like an expert decorator. No one had
+ever criticised that carpet rug before!
+
+Anne saw the look and comprehended at once, so she dropped oil on the
+troubled waters. "Oh, Nolla! you are so carried away with your hobby of
+studying decorating that you needs must practise it and criticise
+everywhere. Now, I'm sure, Mrs. Wellington never would have dreamed of
+your ambition had you not showed it so plainly in your words just now."
+
+Eleanor understood Anne's motive in speaking thus, and smiled benignly.
+Polly was still trying to grasp the handle to Anne's remark when the
+lady of the house led them forth again.
+
+"Here are a number of smaller rooms where girls may sit and read or
+study in the evening. And now we will go up to the class rooms."
+
+If Eleanor and Polly had been able to find flaws with the lack of taste
+shown in the furnishings of the first-floor, they could not detect the
+slightest item missing in the equipment and furnishing of the different
+school rooms. Every known modern device and object for the comfort,
+health and help of scholars, were in evidence. Anne smiled with pleasure
+as she looked around.
+
+"It will be a delight to teach in such a room as this, Mrs. Wellington;
+and I'm sure the scholars appreciate all you do for them."
+
+"No, that is the strange part of it, Miss Stewart. The girls who come
+here seldom think of all I do for them in providing these rooms. They
+take it as a matter of course that I should spend so much money in
+keeping everything as I do, while my competitors ask higher rates and
+spend less;" the lady looked troubled over it.
+
+"Now I have a friend down on Seventy-second street, who has conducted a
+most exclusive school for years; but she will not spend a cent in these
+ideal accommodations yet she gets higher prices than I do. And her
+waiting list of well-known names is endless. I only have a list of about
+a dozen applicants and they are not daughters of millionaires, either."
+
+"Perhaps," Anne remarked kindly, "the girls _you_ graduate make
+something of themselves in life, whereas those other society girls
+merely skim over lessons and never know how to spell their own names."
+
+"Yes, that is true; I secure the very best teachers and try to instill
+knowledge wisely. And I am sure, my girls, upon leaving here, can
+compete with anyone."
+
+"I should say that was a great comfort. To look back some day and be
+able to say: 'I taught that girl how to combat ignorance.' And the girls
+who sincerely admit what you have done, will rise up and call you
+blessed--for giving them these expensive modern helps to acquire
+wisdom."
+
+Madam seemed pleased with this point of view, and said: "You will stop
+and have luncheon with me, won't you, dears?"
+
+"We really cannot, Mrs. Wellington. You see we have to furnish the home
+that we just leased, yesterday. We are most anxious to have everything
+in order before starting with our school work on the first," Anne
+explained, politely.
+
+"Oh, of course, that is wise. Then I will look for you Monday
+morning--the first of October. If there is anything you wish to know,
+you can call me up any time during the mornings. And if you are in this
+neighborhood before the first, do come in and have tea."
+
+After the girls had gone, Madam smiled and thought to herself: "I
+certainly made no mistake in engaging _that_ young teacher. She seems to
+be the best one I have ever interviewed. And the girls will take to her,
+I'm sure."
+
+Anne led the way to a Broadway trolley, and soon they were at the hotel.
+Mrs. Stewart was impatiently awaiting them, so they had an early
+luncheon and then hurried downtown to the "Art Galleries" on Fourth
+avenue.
+
+The sale had just opened, and they were able to secure front chairs. A
+list had been made of pieces of furniture they really needed to start
+house-keeping with, and now they hoped to be able to find just the
+things they had pictured for the Studio.
+
+A solid mahogany gate-leg table was knocked down to Anne for fourteen
+dollars and a half. Then a wing-chair with quaint lines, upholstered in
+orchid blue velour, was sold to Eleanor for nineteen dollars.
+
+"Dear me, that was a lovely chair, Nolla. I wish I had one like it,"
+sighed Polly.
+
+"Isn't my table a dear!" whispered Anne, eagerly.
+
+"But it has as many legs as a centipede," replied Polly.
+
+The others laughed gaily at her criticism but at that moment, a
+comfortable Turkish arm-chair was placed upon the dais. It was
+upholstered in a rich tapestry, and looked oh! so luxurious.
+
+Polly watched the bidders anxiously. She had a sudden desire for that
+chair, but she couldn't manage to get in at the bidding, at all. But
+when she saw a woman opposite, hold up a hand above her head, and so
+learned that that was one way to catch the auctioneer's attention, she,
+too, followed suit.
+
+She instantly held up her hand, and just saved the chair from being sold
+to a man at the back. So it was knocked down to her at seventeen-fifty.
+
+"There! That is Mrs. Stewart's chair. I saw the look in her eye when it
+was placed upon the dais; and I know just how she will enjoy it when she
+has done preparing our dinners. That chair, out before the open
+fire-place giving rest to a tired house-keeper, will make one feel like
+new!" Polly said.
+
+"But, Polly, child! you must not spend your money buying _me_ such
+things!" exclaimed Mrs. Stewart.
+
+"I will if I want to! This is the first stick you've got for your room.
+And without you, I'd like to know what kind of a home we'd have. So
+don't you say another word if I want to buy other things for you."
+
+Anne objected. "Maybe this one chair is all right, Polly, but no more,
+please."
+
+"Anne, just see all the money we're saving on buying our furniture, this
+way. Why can't I use the surplus as I want to? I say I _will_--if I see
+anything I want very much to give you or your mother."
+
+Anne knew when Polly was determined to have her way, and believed the
+best plan now would be to buy what was needed for herself and her
+mother, so as to forestall Polly or Eleanor.
+
+So that afternoon Anne got two single brass beds with brand new springs
+and mattresses. The auctioneer explained that the bedding was sent in by
+the Manhattan Factory, because of an order that had been cancelled
+before delivery of goods. So Anne secured the bedding at half price.
+
+Neither of the girls suspected Anne of any secret plot when she bought
+other articles at that sale for the two bedrooms she needed to furnish;
+but when Eleanor eagerly bid on a Priscilla work-table of mahogany and
+got it for Mrs. Stewart, Anne felt annoyed.
+
+"My goodness, Anne, it was only five-fifty. Who ever saw a work-table as
+cheap as that, before? I know your mother will love to darn stockings
+for us all, now--with a nice place in which to keep her wools," argued
+Eleanor, laughingly.
+
+"Maybe mother would rather not darn stockings but let you keep the
+table, yourself," suggested Anne.
+
+Before they left the Art Gallery that day, they found they had really
+bought enough articles to start in with if they liked. They could add
+rugs, bric-a-brac, and different luxurious chairs, at any time.
+
+"But we need dishes and utensils, girls," said Mrs. Stewart.
+
+"We'll get them in a department store, and have them delivered at once,"
+replied Anne.
+
+"Let's run over and see if the painters have done anything," suggested
+Polly.
+
+"Might as well, Anne--we are right here, you see," added Eleanor.
+
+So they turned the corner and walked down the street to reach the Studio
+in time to see the painters finish the work on the ground floor.
+
+"How nice and fresh it looks. But the wallpaper looks dusty," said Mrs.
+Stewart.
+
+"It is dusty, madam. I was just sayin' to my friend here you ought to
+have someone clean it all off with bread crumbs. It is a swell paper if
+it is clean," remarked the painter.
+
+"Bread-crumbs?" ejaculated Anne.
+
+"Yes'm. Best thing known to clean fine paper. I'll get a man to do it if
+you say so. He knows his job."
+
+"I wish you would. And ask him to supply the bread, too, as we are
+stopping at a hotel where it is hard to get such things."
+
+"An' I was goin' to mention--the porcelain tubs and basins oughta be
+cleaned fer you'se. When we finish painting I will scour and polish 'em,
+if you say so."
+
+"Yes, please do! And the floors ought to be polished, too."
+
+"We'll take care of all that, if you just tell us to go ahead and clean
+up as we see fit," said the painter.
+
+"All right; but don't make us wait too long before we can move in. We
+are going to have a house-warming, here, next week," explained Eleanor,
+anxiously.
+
+"I've got an extra man comin' on to-morrow, and we'll be out of here by
+Saturday. Especially if we work Sat'aday afternoon--but that means
+double pay, you know."
+
+"Never mind that; finish the job as soon as possible, for we will save
+that much extra money in hotel bills," said Anne.
+
+"All right! We'll turn it over for you Sat'aday night!"
+
+Everything seemed to be going so well, not only with their Studio-home,
+but with furnishings and decorators, that the girls felt elated.
+
+The next day they again met Mr. Fabian at the Art Galleries, and he
+proved a very welcome member to their party, as he knew all about rugs,
+porcelains, and antiques. Having shown them and explained all about the
+few rare pieces still for sale in the auction rooms, he said:
+
+"Some day you must go with me to some of the other places. There are
+dozens of these shops in New York, and each one seems to incline to some
+particular line of furnishing. Then, too, one can see more wonderful
+antiques in these shabby little shops along the avenue, than one would
+believe possible.
+
+"I often pick up rare things in these places. They are run, mostly, by
+Hebrews who merely know when an object is antique, or in demand. But
+they seldom can tell you the period or name of many of their most
+valuable items. It was in this way that a friend of mine once discovered
+a treasure.
+
+"His wife wanted a necklace for Christmas--something odd and different
+than any that her friends had. So he came to me and said: 'Fabian, I
+can't afford Tiffany prices, but I wish I could find something unusual.
+I want to please my wife, because she has been such a good sport during
+the time I was hanging over the edge of bankruptcy. Now what would you
+suggest?'
+
+"I offered to go with him. So we sauntered out of the Studio and walked
+over here, to Fourth avenue. We stopped in every little collector's shop
+along the street, but could not find just what appealed to him. Then we
+entered that shop across the street--the one near the corner.
+
+"I knew the old Hebrew well, having often looked over his trays filled
+with every old thing conceivable. So I said upon entering: 'Got any odd
+kind of necklace or chain, Moses? Something to go around a lady's neck,
+you know?' I had to demonstrate my words as I spoke.
+
+"'Ya, ya! Shure, I got a chain. I show him you?'
+
+"It was a long antique-silver chain, the great flat links being
+beautifully filigreed. But it was not what my friend wanted, so I bought
+it for Nancy. Then the shop-keeper looked wistful.
+
+"'Ain't I got it what you like? Tell me what for you want him?'
+
+"My friend replied: 'For my wife. She goes to balls and like pearls, or
+other stones, in a necklace.'
+
+"'Ah, ha! I got yust what you like. A pearl necklace vot come in las'
+veek wid a lot of odder fine tings.' Then the old man rooted around
+under the counter until he found the tray he wanted. It was coated with
+dust from the floor, but he blew this off and carelessly placed the
+heaped-up tray before us.
+
+"Such a tangle of all kinds of jewelry I never _did_ see! Finally I got
+the string of pearls free from the snarls of ordinary glass beads and
+other trash, and handed it over to my friend. He curled a lip in scorn
+at the soiled trinket.
+
+"'Avery, drive a bargain with him for this. I honestly think those
+pearls are quite good. Let me rub one up on my sleeve, while you draw
+the fellow's attention from what I am doing,' I whispered.
+
+"While Avery tried to bargain, I cleaned up one of the gems and felt
+sure they were unusually good even for artificial pearls.
+
+"We actually bought the string for twelve dollars, but my friend feared
+lest he had been taken in. So I smiled and said: 'Leave them with me and
+I'll see that they are polished up like new by to-morrow night. I'll
+take them to an old jeweler down the street and have them washed and the
+gold links cleaned. Your wife won't know but that they came from
+Tiffany's.
+
+"Avery laughed and left them with me. So I hurried down to Union Square
+and showed them to the old jeweler I knew, there.
+
+"He puckered his brow at first, then ran for his magnifying glasses.
+After an unusually keen inspection he called to his associate. Both of
+them then examined the string most carefully, and the old man finally
+looked up.
+
+"'If I didn't know you to be an honest man I should say: "Where did you
+steal them?"--but I will ask: "How came you by these?"
+
+"I was astonished, as you may know, but I tried to appear wise, so I
+laughingly replied: 'They are not mine, my dear, sir. I only wish they
+were! I just got them from a friend to have someone, who is responsible,
+clean them nicely. I must hand them back as soon as you have finished.'
+
+"'Mr. Fabian, I can't undertake such a job. I have no bonded man to do
+such work and I dare not send them out. They may be substituted, you
+know.'
+
+"Then I couldn't help saying: 'My good man! You don't value them so
+highly as that, do you? Why, I carried them downtown in my pocket!'
+
+"'Ha, ha!' he laughed, 'I never saw a better matched string of perfect
+pearls in my life and I am nigh onto sixty. If I had to handle that
+necklace, I should instantly insure it with a broker for a hundred
+thousand dollars.'
+
+"Fancy, my friends, how I felt! My knees gave way and I had to sit down.
+I loosened my collar which seemed suddenly to grow too tight, but I
+couldn't say a word."
+
+Polly and Eleanor stood listening with eyes bulging and mouths
+half-open. Anne and her mother were also deeply interested.
+
+Mr. Fabian smiled to himself before he continued his tale, "Well, I took
+the pearls and hailed a taxi. I was taken to Tiffany's, and asked for
+the manager, at once. Of course they wanted to know why I wished to see
+him, and I said, courageously: 'To turn over a valuable pearl necklace
+and insure it for a hundred thousand.'
+
+"That brought the manager running. We went to a small private room and I
+placed the string of pearls before him. He took it carefully, examined
+it casually, then more minutely. He seemed perturbed and got up. 'Don't
+leave this room and do not allow anyone to come in and see it. I'll be
+back in a moment with our expert.'
+
+"I felt sure, then, that Avery had actually found a _real_ bargain. But
+I never dreamed of getting anything out of it for myself. The manager
+returned with, not only the gem expert, but also with the president of
+the company. He closed the door and locked it.
+
+"The gem expert used all sorts of tests on the pearls and then said in a
+trembling tone: 'M'sieur, I see like I nevair saw in my life! A string
+of perfect match pearls, each one well worth a fortune. But I see more,
+M'sieu! I will bring my acid to clean the engraved clasp set with
+diamonds. Maybe we find interesting fack.'
+
+"Everyone felt nervous during the intermission granted us, but we said
+not a word to each other. Then the Frenchman returned. He was so
+careful, almost reverent, I should say, in touching and cleaning the
+clasp, that I laughed to myself at the memory of Old Izaacs shelving the
+pearls with a heap of junk, on a tray that was shoved on the floor under
+a counter.
+
+"After many minutes of impatient waiting on our side, and as long in a
+most delicate cleansing process of the pearls on the part of the expert,
+he said: 'Ah! Now vee zee.'
+
+"He adjusted his eyeglass and studied the lettering on the clasp. Then
+he jerked forward and peered breathlessly at it again. Suddenly he
+dropped the necklace upon the pad and leaned back in the chair. 'Mon
+Dieu!' was all he could gasp.
+
+"The president then caught up the pearls and adjusted the glass and
+studied the clasp. He also gasped and turned pale. The manager took the
+string from his superior and eagerly read the lettering aloud, 'To my
+queen from Bonaparte.' And then followed the date and year in tiny
+figures."
+
+Mr. Fabian smiled as he saw the impression his story had made, and
+waited to be asked questions concerning the pearls.
+
+"Oh, do finish the story!" cried Eleanor.
+
+"Were they really that famous pearl necklace?" asked Anne.
+
+But Polly was too amazed to ask anything.
+
+"It was the famous necklace of purest pearls that had been lost for the
+past sixty years. It was worth about two hundred and fifty thousand
+dollars, at the time it disappeared. To-day it would be worth much more.
+But it belonged to the French Museum, and a reward of two hundred
+thousand francs had been offered for trace of it, or its return. So long
+ago had that reward been recorded in every civilized land, that the
+present generation had never heard of it--except in history.
+
+"Well, I took a receipt from Tiffany for its safe-keeping, and they
+assured me that they would communicate with the French Ambassador,
+without delay. Meanwhile I was to communicate with my friend Avery.
+Naturally I withheld all information as to the manner in which the
+necklace had been discovered.
+
+"I went to Avery's office, immediately, and acted very sorry as I said:
+'Avery, if I were to tell you that I lost that necklace, what would you
+do to me?'
+
+"He only laughed and said: 'I'd make you buy my wife one as good, or one
+she _might_ prefer to that greasy one!'
+
+"Then I said: 'Avery, I never had, nor do I expect to have as much money
+as that necklace is worth! Man alive, it is now in Tiffany's safe,
+insured for two hundred and fifty thousand dollars, against fire or
+theft!'
+
+"I thought Avery would faint, but when he had managed to collect his
+wits, he whispered hoarsely, 'I don't understand--were they _genuine_
+pearls?'
+
+"So I told him the story and we both rushed away to hire a taxi and then
+we drove madly to Tiffany's, again. I introduced Avery as the owner of
+the pearls, and he was treated to a sight of his little twelve-dollar
+bargain.
+
+"Well, the upshot of it was, Avery received a 'present' of a hundred
+thousand dollars from the French Government, and in return he signed a
+release for himself, his wife, his heirs, friends, acquaintances, and,
+in fact, every American citizen in the census. He was told that he would
+be held responsible, thereafter, for all claims or lawsuits instituted
+against France to recover the necklace. And he accepted the burden,
+considering he had such a price paid for the job.
+
+"One day Izaacs got a present through the mail, of a draft for a
+thousand dollars and to this day he doesn't know who the signer 'William
+Avery,' can be.
+
+"My old jeweler on Union Square got another thousand, and I--well, I
+refused everything, and Avery called me a numb-skull and an easy mark!
+So he invested half of all he received in my wife and Nancy's name, and
+that is how they went to Europe." Mr. Fabian smiled reminiscently at the
+end of the story.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V--FIRST DAYS AT SCHOOL
+
+
+Polly and her friends had moved into the Studio and were recovering from
+the orgy of the house-warming given them by the Evans and Latimers the
+previous evening, when the two boys came to say good-by.
+
+"Ah, come on, Nolla--bring Polly and see us to the train," coaxed Jim,
+watching the clock on the mantel.
+
+"But, Jim, we honestly haven't the time! If you _knew_ all we had to do
+this week!" sighed Eleanor.
+
+"Why, we could have _been_ there in the time you have taken to explain
+how busy you are," grumbled Jim.
+
+"Then get out! If I have wasted so much precious time it is because you
+stand there and make me. Good-by, old pal, now scat!" Eleanor held out
+her hand and laughed. But Jim was not so easily daunted.
+
+"Where's Ken all this time? Oh, I say, Ken! Come on!"
+
+"I think Ken and Polly went down the street while you two were out in
+the garden hunting for the grass," said Mrs. Stewart, without a smile.
+
+Jim laughed. And Eleanor caught up her hat from the divan and ran to the
+door. "If they go away like that, then you and I will, too."
+
+Having reached the corner, however, Jim and Eleanor saw Ken and Polly
+intently studying something held in the latter's palm.
+
+"Come on--we will see what it is they caught?" said Eleanor.
+
+"Oh, Nolla, see what Ken gave me for a keep-sake. We found it over at
+Old Izaac's," exclaimed Polly, holding out the strange trinket for her
+friend to admire.
+
+"Why, it's a real scarab. Isn't it a beauty," said Eleanor, then
+suddenly wishing Jim had thought of giving her a keep-sake.
+
+"That's why I wanted you to come out with me. I told Ken you girls'd
+forget about us the minute we were out of sight, unless you had
+something to remind you of us," explained Jim.
+
+"Come on, then, and let Nolla pick out what she wants," added Ken,
+laughingly.
+
+"I'll take the queen's pearl necklace!" and young hearts made merry of
+the pearls that had cost so many lives and so much misery.
+
+Eleanor selected a peculiar seal set in a strange stone. "There, I will
+use it on the first letter I write you," she said.
+
+"Now that you are here, you may as well jump on the car and take us to
+the train," begged Jim.
+
+And this time he had his way. But they did not catch the four o'clock
+express to New Haven, as it was four-ten when they reached the gates and
+found them closed.
+
+"Now we'll have to sit and talk until five," laughed Jim, exultantly.
+
+"We'll do nothing of the sort! I told you we had no time to waste on you
+boys, and we only came thus far to be polite in exchange for the
+keep-sakes. But you can have them back if you think it gives you the
+right to order me around."
+
+Eleanor held out the seal, but Jim looked forlorn. Then she laughed
+because he felt bad at her teasing.
+
+"Come now, Jimmy, say good-by like an old dear, and tell Polly and me to
+run home."
+
+"I wish you were my sister!" sighed Jim.
+
+"Your sister? What good would that do you?" asked Eleanor.
+
+"Because you'd let me kiss you good-by!" retorted he.
+
+They all laughed merrily, and Polly said: "You'd never want to kiss her
+if she was a sister. You wouldn't even have asked her to come to the
+station with you."
+
+"You're right, Poll! Now I'm going--good-by, boys!" and Eleanor held
+forth both hands--one to each boy.
+
+After many repeated good-bys, the girls left and slowly walked down the
+avenue. When they had reached the parkway that runs over the car-tunnel,
+and is known by the name of Madison avenue, Polly said: "Why wouldn't
+you wait for the train, Nolla?"
+
+"Because, Polly, I like both those boys and I don't want to lose them so
+soon. If a male thinks we females will run at beck and call for them,
+they quickly weary of such a game. It is the one who refuses to be wound
+about a finger, that always keeps the beaux on a string."
+
+Polly laughed. "You are too worldly-wise for me. Now I never should have
+dreamed of such a thing."
+
+"Well, I'm right! One reason Bob never has a beau is just because she
+shows how anxious she is for one."
+
+"Oh, no, Nolla! The reason Bob hasn't any beaux is on account of her
+disposition--you know that!"
+
+"That, too, Polly. But mostly, because she throws herself at the head of
+any eligible man. I tell you, a man won't have it so!"
+
+"Never mind, Nolla. You and I are never going to have beaux, so we
+should worry! We will marry our profession!" said Polly.
+
+The following Monday, Anne escorted her two charges to the school on
+West End avenue. It was a wonderful Autumn day and the girls pictured
+how beautiful the mountains about Pebbly Pit must look on such a clear
+day.
+
+As the Fifth avenue bus was most convenient for Polly and her
+companions, boarding it at Thirtieth street and leaving it at the corner
+of Seventy-second street where West End avenue started northward, they
+had but a short walk to reach the school.
+
+Eleanor had been most particular with Polly's, and her own appearance,
+that morning. "For," said she, "first impressions are lasting. We must
+be sure and make a favorable dent in these girls."
+
+"But we don't know one of them, Nolla," argued Polly.
+
+"All the more reason why we should take the head of the line!" retorted
+Eleanor, tossing her head.
+
+Anne laughed, and thought to herself, "They will surely take the head in
+everything, for I never saw two such live girls."
+
+But to Eleanor's chagrin the examinations classed Polly with girls of
+fifteen to sixteen, while she was placed with girls of fourteen years.
+This caused the temperamental girl to feel discouraged and she began to
+blame her ill-health for her backwardness.
+
+In every other way, Polly and she ranked equal; and not a girl in the
+whole exclusive school could boast of better or more fashionable dresses
+than these two western scholars. Eleanor was most talkative, describing
+her home in Chicago and the people the Maynards knew. Then she
+whispered, covertly, how rich Polly Brewster was--she owned a great gold
+mine all in her own rights. She spoke thrillingly of Rainbow Cliffs and
+the tons upon tons of rare stones to be found there, until every girl
+sighed in envy. But Eleanor failed to mention that the stones would have
+to be cut and polished before they would be of any use to anyone.
+
+A few stray sentences of these conversations reached Anne's ears, and
+she felt puzzled to know what was best to do. Eleanor was not bragging
+because she needed place or power in the group, but the teacher
+understood that she was exaggerating for Polly's sake. She wanted all
+the girls to look up to Polly as a subject would to a queen. She knew
+how Barbara had felt toward the simple ranch people, and these girls
+were of the same ilk--society's pets. And they could make life unhappy
+for Polly, or a dream of joy.
+
+That afternoon, as school closed, Anne overheard one of the girls
+repeating Eleanor's words, but they had not lost in the repetition. In
+fact, Anne was sure Eleanor did not say quite all that she was credited
+with. On the way to the Studio, therefore, she determined to speak to
+Eleanor about the matter.
+
+"Eleanor, you seemed to make a bushel of friends without any trouble,"
+said Anne.
+
+"I always do. It's best to have done with it, and then you can sift out
+those you don't like, afterward," laughed Eleanor.
+
+"How about you, Polly?" questioned Anne.
+
+"I was too busy with my lessons to bother about anyone, but I thought
+the girls acted rather queer this afternoon. I caught some of them
+whispering about me, and some were casting envious glances my way. I
+can't understand why they should?"
+
+Eleanor gasped. Here was a danger she had not thought of. She wouldn't
+risk Polly's peace or popularity for anything in the world, but she may
+have unconsciously done just that very thing!
+
+"I heard some of the girls talking of your gold mine and Rainbow Cliffs,
+and I wondered if you had made such close friends, so soon," ventured
+Anne, guilefully.
+
+"Oh, _I_ did that! Nothing like putting on a lot of 'dog' if you want to
+make a splash in the puddle," hastily explained Eleanor.
+
+Anne felt like laughing but she hid her face, and Polly turned pale with
+annoyance.
+
+"Why, Nolla! How could you? You know I'd rather be considered a nobody
+than stand in a false light. Now what can I do to clear this up?"
+
+"It isn't false light at all, Polly. You can't do anything now without
+making me out a fibber," retorted Eleanor.
+
+"You are acting just like your sister Bob might have done! That's the
+worst thing I can say to _you_," scorned Polly.
+
+"And I did it all for you, too!" whimpered Eleanor.
+
+"Didn't I tell you, back at Pebbly Pit, that I wanted to cut my own
+cloth? For goodness' sake, don't interfere in my private life again!"
+
+"But you've got to let folks know you're someone, or you will never
+climb to the top of the heap," argued Eleanor, stubbornly.
+
+"I have my own method of reaching the top, Eleanor, and it is not _that_
+way. I was Polly Brewster before you ever knew me and I am that same
+Polly Brewster even after having a gold mine and a mile of lava-jewels
+thrust down my throat. Don't say another word!"
+
+Polly turned her back and went to the end seat on the bus, leaving Anne
+to console poor Eleanor.
+
+"Look'a here, Anne--did I do anything so awful?"
+
+"You made a serious mistake, Nolla, when you talked to those strange
+girls about Polly. You tried to make her appear as if she approved of
+your method of bragging about the mine and money."
+
+"W-h-y, I never dreamed of such a thing! I only wanted these New York
+girls to get it straight from the start that our Polly of Pebbly Pit was
+'some punkins';" Eleanor tried to laugh.
+
+"And you succeeded in not only humiliating Polly, but me also, because I
+am responsible for both of you, to a certain degree."
+
+"Humiliate Polly and you!" gasped Eleanor.
+
+"Exactly what you did. I have been placed in command of this little
+family, and the first day at school, you deliberately thrust yourself
+forward--take my place, so to speak--and tell all the strangers there
+who Polly is, and who you and I are. In fact, you give out information
+that should come only from me."
+
+"I'm sorry, but for goodness' sake let's drop it, now."
+
+"We'd better settle the matter once for all, Nolla, before we drop it.
+If Polly and you are to continue the wonderful friendship begun this
+Summer at the ranch, you must never again say, or do anything, that
+trespasses on her rights. Remember that each one of us has an individual
+right to impart what we like about our private affairs--be it family or
+fortune. But the moment another speaks for us, then it becomes gossip
+and scandal on the part of that impertinent one.
+
+"I do not propose having my time and thoughts disturbed by any inharmony
+rising between you two girls, and if another occasion comes up, when
+Polly and you disagree as you have to-day, I'll wire to your father to
+come and take you home. If Polly is to blame, then I'll send her home.
+But, thus far, it is you who trespassed on Polly's rights.
+
+"If you'll think this over quietly, and without prejudice, I'm sure
+you'll agree that I am just and right in my stand."
+
+That evening, Eleanor apologised to Anne and Polly for her thoughtless
+impulse that day, and fervently prayed that she never be tempted to open
+her lips again.
+
+It was not Polly's nature to sulk or remember unpleasant episodes, so
+everything went along smoothly after that first day at school.
+
+Tuesday evening Mr. Fabian called, and was welcomed to his erstwhile
+fireside. During that visit, it developed that he had accepted an offer
+which several of his friends had urged upon him. He was to teach, three
+times a week, a class in art designing at Cooper Union Institute. And
+before he said good-night to the ladies, it had been suggested and
+settled, that Polly and Eleanor were to join the evening classes on the
+three nights a week that their friend taught at the school.
+
+Mrs. Stewart worried lest the girls would be wearing themselves out with
+too much study. But it was found that the work in the art classes under
+Mr. Fabian's watchful eye, was a pleasure rather than a study or work.
+
+Thus they started to build on a firm foundation, and by degrees they
+mastered the rudiments of geometrical drawing, then went on to
+ornamental designing, next taking up the study of architecture in so far
+as it applied to interior decorating, and at the end of the year they
+were drawing free hand and perspective sketches. But that was not until
+the school term was almost over.
+
+By the end of the first week at Mrs. Wellington's school, the girls had
+chosen their friends for the term. It was most interesting to Anne to
+note that a certain social element looked up to Eleanor as their natural
+leader, while the quiet persistent sort silently fell in line with
+Polly. Both girls were admired and heartily liked, by teachers as well
+as scholars, but there was one disturbing young lady who resented the
+usurping of her former undisputed sway in the school by the two
+new-comers.
+
+Elizabeth Dalken was the pretty, but vain daughter of a superficial
+society woman who thought of nothing but self-indulgence, leaving the
+training of her child to Fate. Hence, Elizabeth was the usual product:
+selfish, proud, arrogant and hypocritical. She was but fifteen, yet she
+could slyly cheat at bridge, smoke her mother's cigarettes, and flirt
+with the men who frequented her home, as cleverly as her mother could.
+
+For two previous years she had taken the reins of leadership at
+Wellington's school and she had returned the third Fall fully expecting
+to resume her authority.
+
+To learn that a western ranch-girl without a record in "Who's Who," and
+a mere _Chicago_ Miss, governed her former subjects, turned Elizabeth
+white with rage. She could say nothing about it, however, without
+starting her school friends' teasing and laughing at her downfall. And
+she could not leave the school, because her mother had deserted her
+husband. He was the cashier for all the luxuries Mrs. Dalken and her
+daughter indulged themselves in, and he had selected Wellington's school
+for the girl, and had paid the tuition fee in advance, so it stood to
+reason that he would not consent to a change, now, on account of her
+jealousy.
+
+So on that first Friday evening, upon leaving school, Elizabeth promised
+herself that she would "get square" with those "two nobodys" in short
+order! She would show those other girls at Mrs. Wellington's just who
+_she_ was, and why they should have kept her as their leader!
+
+But the western girls were not shamming their lovable characters, and as
+time went on, their companions appreciated, more and more, the sterling
+qualities in their chosen leaders. Thus Elizabeth found it no easy task
+to influence the girls against them.
+
+October passed and November began, with the girls at Mrs. Wellington's
+planning for a Thanksgiving entertainment to close their school for the
+holiday. Here Polly was discounted, as she had never taken part in
+amateur theatricals, and knew nothing about them. Had anyone asked her
+to differentiate between the Tuscan, Doric, Ionic, Corinthian or
+Composite order of classic periods of architecture, she could have
+described either, or all of them, almost as well as Mr. Fabian himself
+could do. But the scholars at Mrs. Wellington's never dreamed of Polly's
+ambition and knowledge along such lines of study.
+
+So Elizabeth found herself the one to whom everyone appealed about
+costumes, parts, and the general management of affairs. Eleanor resented
+the obvious fact that _she_ was completely ignored when the various
+important parts were distributed, but Polly never gave it a thought.
+
+"We couldn't accept a part, anyway, Nolla, with all the time we have
+planned to give to exhibitions and lectures, this month," Polly reminded
+her.
+
+"And your Daddy will be visiting New York that last week, Nolla, and you
+must devote your spare time to his entertainment--not be fussing with a
+lot of girls over a silly poem," added Anne.
+
+Thus the sharp sting was withdrawn and Eleanor forgot all about her
+injured feelings. But Elizabeth Dalken believed she was merely
+pretending that she felt no grudge against the Director of the Play. And
+it gave Elizabeth great satisfaction to believe she had actually
+offended the two popular western girls.
+
+During November afternoons, and on several evenings, Mr. Fabian took the
+three friends to the Metropolitan Museum where wonderful exhibits of
+private collections were given. Here every New Yorker was admitted free
+to see genuine antiques of furniture, paintings, tapestries and rugs,
+plate and ornaments. And with such a marvelous judge to escort them
+about and explain details that might have escaped other than his knowing
+eye, Anne and her two charges felt well repaid for their time. It proved
+not only instructive but very absorbing--these personal talks with Mr.
+Fabian about the rare and ancient articles.
+
+Valuable volumes treating on subjects which most aspirants of art are
+acquainted with, began to fill the shelves in the rooms on the first
+floor of the stable-studio; and quite often, Mr. Fabian brought in a
+"treasure" he had picked up at a second-hand book shop. He would read
+aloud in a cultivated voice, such bits as he thought would interest
+young and ambitious girls. Then, after he had bid his hostesses
+good-night, he generally left the volume behind.
+
+Perhaps the very fact that Polly and Eleanor seemed to be apart from the
+other school-girls and their pastimes, made them all the more desirable
+to court. Not but that the two western girls liked fun and frolic as
+much as anyone, but they seemed always to have engagements with people
+the school-girls had never met, nor heard of.
+
+Now and then, Mrs. Wellington took her girls to a matinee, and then
+Polly and Eleanor laughed and enjoyed the play as heartily as the
+others. But while other school-girls were foolishly mincing up and down
+the Peacock Allies of the large hotels, and sipping tea in company with
+young men, the two girl chums were eagerly listening to a lecture given
+at one of the art buildings, or admiring a private collection only open
+to the public for a few afternoons.
+
+A few days before Thanksgiving, Mr. Maynard arrived and then the routine
+of the girls' daily life suddenly changed.
+
+Eleanor insisted upon her father taking her room while she went to
+Polly's chamber to sleep upon the day-bed there. Mr. Maynard wanted to
+remain at the hotel to save the girls any inconvenience, but the girls
+would not hear of his being away from Eleanor.
+
+The school play was scheduled for the Tuesday evening before
+Thanksgiving Day. But all the ball-rooms and other auditoriums, had been
+engaged weeks before November, so Mrs. Wellington had to take what she
+could get, or postpone the date of the play. Elizabeth Dalken was
+determined to have it on the evening set, and so the poor lady started
+again, to seek for some available hall, with Elizabeth accompanying her.
+Finally they secured a small assembly hall near Central Park West, but
+it was far from being desirable for the girls.
+
+The dirty walls had to be hidden beneath flags and bunting, and the
+tarnished gas chandeliers had to be covered with crepe paper. The crude
+stage was decorated with pine branches and palms, and in places where
+the doors or windows were located, (minus the doors,) the girls grouped
+palms and evergreens, so that the hall looked quite inviting before
+evening.
+
+A bevy of happy girls superintended the decorations while butlers,
+grooms, and even the chauffeurs, did the hard work. Polly and Eleanor
+joined the merry group and instantly offered to work, but Elizabeth
+Dalken scorned their assistance.
+
+"People who live in a _stable_ can know nothing about decorating!" she
+said, insultingly.
+
+Polly sent her a glance of pity, but Eleanor retorted: "Stable! Well,
+the richest and most respected banker of Chicago is visiting us in that
+stable! And he is my very own father, too! If you were out there, now,
+I'd hate to think of what we'd do to _you_!"
+
+Elizabeth sneered and was about to reply, but Polly dragged her friend
+away, forcibly, and they were soon leaving the room.
+
+Mrs. Wellington had been thoroughly enjoying her conversation with the
+pleasant banker from Chicago, and now she smilingly said: "I can readily
+see where Eleanor gets her common sense and pleasing manners."
+
+Mr. Maynard laughed and watched the two girls hurry over to join him. A
+glance at his daughter's face, however, told him that something had gone
+wrong, but Mrs. Wellington hoped to check the complaint at that moment.
+She suddenly turned her head, seemed to hear someone call, and then
+spoke to Polly.
+
+"Come with me, dears, I believe we are wanted in the dressing rooms."
+
+Once out of ear-shot of Mr. Maynard, she whispered: "Oh, do not allow
+Eleanor to say one word to her father that will spoil everything. I will
+look into this matter myself after to-night. But so much depends on this
+play going smoothly, and how can it if some one causes an explosion?"
+
+Polly felt sorry for poor Mrs. Wellington, for she really did have a
+hard life of it, trying to keep peace continually where so many girls
+were concerned. And she promised to try and calm Eleanor's fury and
+determination to oust Elizabeth Dalken from the Wellington School for
+Young Ladies.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI--THE NIGHT OF THE PLAY
+
+
+Of the sixty odd pupils in Mrs. Wellington's school, at least fifteen of
+them were to participate in the play. There was to be a Chorus of six
+girls, and a Ballet, besides the principals who also acted the drama to
+follow. Consequently the representative scholars not appearing on the
+stage, had been asked to act as ushers, and general supervisors of
+harmony.
+
+Mr. Fabian and Mr. Maynard conducted Anne and her mother to the seats
+reserved for them, and soon the friends and families of the scholars
+filed in and took their seats. As the hall was generally used for other
+purposes, the floor was not graded, and the seats were not attached to
+the floor. They were ordinary wooden folding chairs to be piled up at
+the end of the performance.
+
+The pianist and other music teachers from school formed the orchestra,
+and their opening number was rendered so well that an encore followed.
+
+[Illustration: POLLY STAGGERED OUT OF THE DOOR CARRYING ELIZABETH ON
+HER SHOULDER.]
+
+Eleanor whispered comically to Polly, as they stood in the entrance
+door: "Maybe the friends hope to postpone the acting a little longer."
+
+When the curtain was drawn aside and the first act of the playlet began,
+individuals in the audience became interested in watching their own
+girls in the troupe. The Chorus did very well, and the Ballet danced as
+gracefully as well-taught girls should, but once the actual acting
+began, there was a slight disappointment felt by the spectators.
+
+The leading lady (the programme said it was Miss Elizabeth Dalken) was
+the whole show. She managed to keep in the lime-light even when she was
+not speaking, or acting a part. And so much of one actress, whether good
+or bad, was bound to pall on the audience.
+
+"Polly, she's spoiling the whole play! I wonder the other girls stood
+for it at the rehearsals," whispered Eleanor.
+
+"She didn't act that way, before, I'm sure. Marion King told me all
+about it. She's doing it now just to show off!"
+
+"Not to her family! because not one of her folks are here. I heard her
+tell Estelle that her mother was going to a fashionable ball, and, of
+course, her father wouldn't come because he had no invitation from
+Elizabeth."
+
+"Well," persisted Polly, feeling sorry for the girl, "she must have
+uncles or aunts or cousins, here."
+
+"She hasn't any in New York. Her father comes from upstate and his folks
+lived there. No one knows who her mother was, so she hasn't a soul,
+here, but the chauffeur. He's downstairs having refreshments."
+
+The second act ended and everyone sighed in relief because the play was
+foolish and so poorly acted, even for amateurs. Mrs. Wellington felt
+deeply hurt when she found how Elizabeth had chosen chums rather than
+actors for the principal parts in the play.
+
+The third act began, in which Elizabeth was dressed in a spangled green
+ball-gown. It was very tight about the ankles and very low about the
+neck. It was too daring, even for a young girl acting a part. The gown
+had a long swishing tail at the back that could have been graceful on a
+vampire, but not on this posing girl.
+
+Mrs. Wellington shook her head disapprovingly at sight of Elizabeth, and
+wished, more than once, that she had taken more time to review the
+actors and their costumes, before they appeared in public.
+
+The Assembly Hall building where the play was given, had four stories.
+The first floor was used for refreshments, with a kitchen at the back.
+The second was a billiard parlor for the use of private clubs. The third
+floor was given over to the Hall, and the fourth floor was turned into
+dressing-rooms, card-rooms, smoking-room, et cetera.
+
+As no late arrivals were expected after the third act had opened the
+ushers, placed at the doors, closed them to shut out the talking and
+laughing in the billiard rooms. Then they sat down at either side of the
+door, to watch the play.
+
+The third act was progressing slowly, when the ushers heard sounds of
+confusion coming from downstairs. But they merely exchanged glances and
+thought some men were quarreling over a game of billiards.
+
+Soon afterward, a faint odor and a haze of smoke penetrated through the
+chinks of the doors, and Polly jumped up quickly to investigate. The
+moment she opened a door, however, a thick cloud of smoke poured in. She
+had to cough, but she remembered to instantly slam the door again.
+
+The other girls saw the smoke and a panic might have followed, had not
+Anne immediately jumped upon the stage and shouted:
+
+"Remember--do not lose your heads! That is the only danger. We can all
+get out safely if everyone will be calm and orderly."
+
+Mr. Maynard took Mrs. Stewart with one arm, and caught Eleanor in his
+other, then called to Mr. Fabian to do the same with Anne and Polly. But
+there was such a dense mob at the only exit doors, that it was
+impossible to force a way through there, and the heavy smoke was now
+rapidly filling the hall.
+
+To add to the scene of fear and confusion, the women in the assembly
+cried, some screamed, the girls ran back and forth, and the men were
+venting their fears in calling upon Deity,--some scarcely audible, and
+others in shrill screams of excitement.
+
+Outside, one could hear the mingled calls and shouts of onlookers, the
+clanging of bells on the engines, and the yells of the people who had
+escaped and wanted to help their friends out. There were four front
+windows of the hall where the school entertainment was being given, but
+these were now jammed with women who sought that way to gain a breath of
+air, but were too timid to jump out to the street; and there were no
+fire-escapes to be found. The hallways and several doors opening to
+them, were a pitiful sight. The men, women, and children were crying,
+jostling, and stampeding each other in their vain efforts to get out and
+find the stairway in the dense smoke that kept pouring up from below.
+
+Mr. Fabian saw the panic and realized that his friends must seek a rear
+exit, or remain until the tardy firemen brought the ladders up to the
+building to help them out. So he hurried to the door back of the stage.
+It had escaped the frightened eyes of others. Having learned that this
+door opened upon an entry that ran to a rear window, he next discovered
+the usual fire-escape that ran down to the yard, and up to the roof. It
+took him but a moment to assure himself that the escape was safe, then
+he rushed back.
+
+"This way! Follow me--everyone!" he shouted to his friends.
+
+They all hurried to the window and Mr. Fabian went first, in order to
+assist the ladies out to the iron-slatted platform, and then to start
+them, sure-footed, on the upward climb of the narrow iron steps.
+
+Mrs. Stewart went first, but she was so nervous that Mr. Fabian followed
+closely behind her to steady her trembling form. Anne followed after her
+mother in climbing through the window, and Mr. Maynard followed her. The
+two girls were about to climb out on the platform when they heard a
+moan, and then a shrill cry, from the small dressing-room back of the
+stage.
+
+Anne ordered the girls to come out, but Polly turned and ran back.
+Eleanor followed, and Anne, distracted, climbed back, too.
+
+"Nolla, tie something over your mouth and nose--use your chiffon scarf,"
+commanded Polly, winding a wide silk sash about her own head.
+
+The girls groped along the entry but could not distinguish a thing in
+the thick, choking haze. Then Polly came to the dressing-room back of
+the stage. This was comparatively clear from smoke, and there the girls
+saw Elizabeth Dalken stretched upon the floor, a cut in her forehead
+attesting to the cause of her sharp scream.
+
+"Great Scott, Polly! What can we do now?" cried Eleanor, as the idea of
+trying to carry the girl up the steep ladder-way flashed across her mind
+only to be spurned. She had no idea of leaving her there to her fate,
+however.
+
+"If we only had a rope!" wailed Polly.
+
+"But we haven't! If I only knew this house better I might find a
+back-stairway. Most city houses have them and I should think this place
+would have one."
+
+"Of course! Nolla, close this door to keep out smoke. I'll look for the
+stairs."
+
+The few excited sentences were muttered through the mufflers tied over
+the girls' mouths and noses. Then both girls began groping their way to
+the rear, hunting for the back-stairs.
+
+The mass of people that had surged from the Hall had made for the wide
+front stairs, and but few remembered to seek for a back exit. And these
+had speedily found a way down. Polly and Eleanor also found the narrow
+back stairs, then Polly hastily commanded:
+
+"Run and tell Anne--she can call to your Dad and explain. Then tell her
+to come this way, with us. I'll lift Elizabeth over my shoulders and
+start down with her--Anne and you follow, at once!"
+
+In another moment, Polly was back in the dressing-room while Eleanor was
+running for the rear window to advise Anne. But she found her already
+inside tying a veil over her mouth and nose.
+
+"Nolla--where's Polly?"
+
+"All right--come on!"
+
+"I told your father--they are safe on the roof--hurry now!"
+
+Eleanor led Anne through the smoke, and just as they reached the entry,
+Polly staggered out of the stage-door with the unconscious girl hanging
+over her shoulder.
+
+"Polly! Polly! You never can carry her!" cried Anne, in a smothered
+voice through the veiling.
+
+But Polly kept her mouth closed and struggled on to the back stairs.
+Anne began to cough and choke as a reward for trying to speak, but she
+reached the stairs first and rushed on down to see if there was a safe
+passage below. Eleanor was close upon her heels, and Polly followed more
+circumspectly.
+
+They reached the kitchen of the house without trouble but the heat as
+they passed by the second floor was terrific. Once down on the ground
+floor they found the rear of the place quite free from smoke, but it
+might only be because the fire overhead was blazing upward. At any
+moment the wall or upper floors might crash down and fall upon them.
+
+"Nolla--how can we get out of this pen?" cried Anne.
+
+"If the house is anything like Chicago's, I'll show you. There must be
+an area or cellar exit to the street."
+
+The kitchen light was still burning but it looked weird in the
+smoke-laden atmosphere. Eleanor tried different doors but found that
+they opened into passages leading to closets or to the front rooms.
+Finally she opened one and caught a whiff of fresh uncontaminated air.
+
+"Thank heavens! Here it is, but I don't know where it ends."
+
+Anne and she pushed out, with Polly behind them. They were in a dark
+alley, now, and had to trust to good fortune to come out somewhere, in
+safety. Down several stone steps, and along another dark, damp area they
+went, and then Eleanor stumbled against a closed door.
+
+"Oh, mercy! Are we locked in here?" she yelled desperately, beating the
+door with her clenched fists.
+
+"Nolla--let me feel for a handle--you are hysterical!" cried Anne,
+swiftly passing her hands over the rough wood.
+
+"Hurry, hurry! I can't carry this weight a minute longer!" breathed
+Polly, hoarsely.
+
+Just at that moment, Anne's hand struck an iron bolt. In a second she
+had shot it backwards, and the heavy door swung open to give them an
+exit to the side street.
+
+All three girls ran frantically forward and Polly dropped her heavy
+burden upon a grass strip which edged the curb. Eleanor sobbed with
+relief and Anne fell upon her knees in silent thanksgiving.
+
+"I'm off, girls, to see if I can help, in front. Have a care for
+Elizabeth," cried Polly, and away she flew.
+
+That silenced Eleanor's hysteria quicker than anything else, and in
+another moment she was gone after her friend, leaving Anne to watch the
+still unconscious girl on the grass.
+
+The scene in front of the building was one of spectacular interest.
+Seeing the crowds of fashionably-dressed people grouped opposite the
+flaring house, it would seem that everyone of the guests had escaped.
+But there was a deafening mixture of cries and shouts from every
+direction. Some were crying for lost friends, some wailed for help
+because of injuries inflicted by the stampede; firemen signaled their
+associates; the old proprietor of the Hall ran madly to and fro shouting
+and gesticulating wildly to everyone; in fact, it was a scene that
+shocked Polly to witness because she thought city people had great
+presence of mind.
+
+Streams of water were pouring upon the flames that shot from the
+second-story windows, but the scaling ladders had not yet arrived, and
+the firemen were striving to enter the front door in order to carry the
+hose nozzle to a more effectual spot.
+
+The Chief had sent some men through adjacent houses to reach the roofs
+and work downwards from that vantage spot. But they had not yet appeared
+when Polly saw how she could assist.
+
+Acting upon an impulse, and doing exactly as she would do if she was
+witnessing a fire at Oak Creek, where the ranchers turn out and try to
+subdue the flames, Polly hastily dropped the clinging skirt of her
+evening dress. Having already removed the silk sash while in the Hall,
+she now dipped it in the flood of water that poured from the hydrant on
+the curb and tied it over her mouth and nose. Then she made a dash
+across the street.
+
+She caught a coil of rope from the hook where it hung on the back of the
+engine, and pushed a way through the staring men. Before anyone dreamed
+of her plan, or the firemen could restrain her she had reached the
+corner of the building and was agilely climbing the height by holding to
+the copper leader.
+
+A chorus of breathless gasps and frightened screams came from the crowd
+but Polly heard them not. She was too intent on her work. Being nimble
+and so light-weight, and thoroughly accustomed to climb up almost
+perpendicular cliffs, or along dizzy peaks, this ascent seemed like play
+to the mountain girl. But the onlookers were thrilled to silence as they
+watched her climb to the roof, and then safely crawl over the ledge.
+Instantly there was such a wild cheer from the street, that Polly
+wondered if something dreadful had happened. She never thought that the
+acclamation was meant for her.
+
+Without hesitation, she ran over to a nearby chimney and wound one end
+of the long rope about it, then lowered the other end to the street. The
+Chief saw the purpose, at once, and signaling back to the girl who was
+leaning over the edge of the roof, he had his men tie the rope ladder to
+the rope. Then Polly began hoisting it slowly, until its end came over
+the cornice.
+
+Meantime, when Eleanor found her friend halfway up the building,
+clinging to the leader and finding foothold in the crevices between the
+bricks, or on the steel bands that held the metal pipe to its moorings,
+she also ran across the street, and attempted to break through the
+cordon which had been formed to permit the men to hold out a life-net in
+case the daring climber should fall.
+
+"I want to help Polly--she is my best friend!" cried Eleanor, when the
+fireman made her turn back.
+
+Then she remembered the rear entrance from which they had escaped. She
+turned to the Chief and called hurriedly: "Send some men with me--I'll
+show them the cellar entrance where they can reach the roof and
+different floors from the back!"
+
+"Hallam! Colter! Take your equipment and follow this girl to a back
+door. You know what to do!"
+
+The men detailed for this duty, beckoned a few others, and all ran after
+Eleanor who now made for the area door. She flew past Anne who was
+holding Elizabeth's head upon her lap, but forgot to glance that way.
+Having gained the cellar door, she was about to go in but Hallam stopped
+her.
+
+"No, Miss--we dare not permit anyone to enter a burning building, you
+know."
+
+"Oh, but I want to join Polly on the roof! The only reason I showed you
+this way was to get through myself!"
+
+"I'd lose my place in the contest for prize medals, Miss, if I broke
+rules. You wouldn't want me to lose my promotion?"
+
+Eleanor felt that he had the best of the argument, so she very
+reluctantly turned and went back to the front of the house. There she
+saw that the firemen had climbed the ladder and were stationed on the
+roof and on window ledges, holding the hose from which the water poured
+in torrents upon the fire inside.
+
+Then the multitude now gathered on both streets and the corners of the
+Parkway, were treated to another thrill. The strand of rope Polly had
+taken with her, was now used by her for descent. Down the taut rope like
+a trained monkey, came she, and safely jumped to the street.
+
+Before she reached the ground however, a chorus of wild yells and
+hurrahs went forth from everyone in the crowd. The Chief called
+imperative orders to his men waiting with him, and the moment he had
+caught Polly, he forced his way across the street, carrying her in his
+arms as if she were a babe.
+
+His men began climbing the rope ladder taking a hose with them. From the
+vantage-points gained by Polly's courage, the firemen now kept steady
+streams of water playing through the open windows upon the fire beneath,
+and thus managed to subdue it before the hook-and-ladder truck wheeled
+up beside the building.
+
+The men, led by Eleanor to the back-stairs, directed their efforts from
+that side, and soon the whole second and third floors became a bed of
+wet smoldering embers. The rest of the structure was saved.
+
+It was learned, later, that the club members giving the "smoker" to
+friends, had been careless of butts and papers, and thus the fire must
+have originated.
+
+The family living in the beautiful house opposite the fire, took Polly
+in charge, and kept away the mob of curious people who wished to see and
+talk with the heroine.
+
+Polly was all right, and wondered why she should be kept indoors when
+others on the outside might need assistance. Suddenly she remembered her
+discarded skirt!
+
+"Oh, mercy me! Did I climb up that pipe looking like this?" she cried,
+blushing furiously and burying her face in the cushions of the divan.
+
+"My dear child! It was a wonderful sight! No one gave the slightest
+thought to your bloomers. But now you shall have one of Ruth's skirts,"
+returned the lady of the house, fervently.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII--MRS. WELLINGTON'S THANKSGIVING
+
+
+The moment Polly was given a skirt, she donned it gratefully and said to
+Mrs. Ashby, her hostess: "Now I must find Elizabeth and have her cared
+for. I left her with Anne."
+
+"Where--where is she? I'll send James for them. But I want you to keep
+quiet, or you'll be prostrated, dear child."
+
+Polly smiled--she prostrated! But she explained: "Anne is sitting on the
+grass on the side street around the corner, taking care of the girl who
+fainted in the back-room of the theatre."
+
+James was summoned from the front window where he had been watching the
+fight against the fire, and now took his orders eagerly. Polly pointed
+out the corner where she had left her friends and, in another moment,
+the butler was gone.
+
+"I s'pose I ought to go and hunt up my friends who escaped over the
+roofs," ventured Polly.
+
+"You'll rest here upon this divan, or your parents will sue me!"
+retorted Mrs. Ashby, trying to compel, with gentle hands, obedience to
+her command.
+
+Polly laughed softly. "My parents would sue you if you prevented me from
+doing my duty to others. Why, you-all make such a fuss over that
+pipe-climbing, and it is next to nothing for a Rocky Mountain girl. A
+day in a blizzard on the cliffs is ten times more hazardous."
+
+Mrs. Ashby was consumed with curiosity to ask this handsome girl who she
+was, and all about herself, but she controlled herself admirably, for
+she knew her guest ought to keep quiet.
+
+The door-bell rang and its echo pealed through the house, but the
+servants were out watching the exciting events of the fire, and James
+had been sent for the other girls. So Mrs. Ashby opened the door.
+
+"I just heard that Polly Brewster was here--oh! is she all right!" cried
+the excited voice of Mrs. Wellington.
+
+"Right as a trivet, dear Mrs. Wellington!" called Polly springing from
+the couch to greet the lady.
+
+"Oh--oh! Thank God! I've worried and cried over you three precious girls
+until my eyes are blinded! They told me that everyone was out of the
+place but you three!"
+
+"Did everyone manage to escape safely?" asked Polly, anxiously.
+
+"Everyone got out, but oh! such a panic! Some are torn, and battered
+black and blue, from the stampede down through those front stairs and
+hall. I don't believe a single soul got out with a whole gown! They tell
+me it was all the fault of that 'Pool Club' on the second floor; they
+gave a 'smoker' to-night, and when the fire was discovered on their
+floor, they caused the dreadful block in the front halls."
+
+"Gowns are of no account if everyone escaped with life," said Mrs.
+Ashby.
+
+"But it is most unfortunate for me, just now. The story getting into the
+newspapers, will ruin my reputation as a school principal. Folks will
+ask, 'Why did she ever choose such a place for an entertainment;' but
+they will never know that I tried everywhere else, first, and found
+everything engaged for this week. I begged the girl who started the idea
+to postpone the play until the week after Thanksgiving holiday, but she
+stubbornly refused. So I took what I could get. I dare not tell the
+reporters that it was merely to _please_ Elizabeth Dalken, and because
+Elizabeth's father pays strictly in advance and has his daughter take
+all 'extras.'
+
+"You have no idea what it means to me. I am paying off the mortgages on
+that house where the school is located, so that I might be able to take
+a deep breath before I am too old to work. But this unhappy accident
+will ruin my reputation as a careful superintendent."
+
+"Elizabeth Dalken! I know her father very well, and we think he is one
+of the finest of men. We seldom meet Mrs. Dalken or the daughter, as we
+do not belong to the same set. Since Mr. Dalken separated from his wife,
+we have not seen her at all, but he was here and dined with us, this
+very evening," said Mrs. Ashby.
+
+"If I could only explain to him just how this happened, he might not
+blame me for his daughter's injury."
+
+"Was she hurt?" exclaimed Mrs. Ashby. Then James came in, followed by
+three girls, and the adults who had escaped over the roofs.
+
+"Here we are, Polly--safe and sound," Mr. Maynard's cheery voice greeted
+the girl who jumped up at sight of them.
+
+Excited cries, and hugs, and happy laughs now followed as each one found
+the others without a hurt, Elizabeth Dalken being the only one who had
+received an injury, and that was merely a flesh-wound cut by the edge of
+the door as her head struck it.
+
+Mrs. Ashby took charge of Elizabeth, and washed her face; then placed a
+strip of court plaster over the cut to keep it clean.
+
+The fire was out and the crowd had dispersed before the firemen finished
+their work in and about the house. The Chief came to Mrs. Ashby's door
+and asked for the young lady who was such a marvellous climber. So he
+was invited in to see for himself.
+
+"Young lady, I want to make a record of this deed, as I have to report
+everything to the police department, you know. And I am proud to say,
+our records are never kept in the dark when visitors come in to see our
+engine house. It's seldom we can talk about, or show a page, with such a
+brave act as yours, written upon it."
+
+Polly smiled. "But it really wasn't anything to fuss over. It wasn't
+dangerous, you know, and for anyone who can climb as well as I can, it
+would have been cowardly to stand by and _not_ act. You needed a light,
+agile climber whose weight would not break that leader away from the
+wall; and I happened to be that one."
+
+The Chief and Mrs. Ashby exchanged glances, then laughed. "I guess it's
+no use trying to make a heroine of her--she won't have it so!" said he.
+
+Then Eleanor spoke up. "That's because she's accustomed to doing such
+great deeds out in the mountains where she comes from--walking on the
+heads of rattle-snakes, killing grizzlies and lions as if they were
+rabbits, saving a lot of tenderfeet from blizzards and landslides--these
+are but a few of the _little_ things she does out there!"
+
+The New Yorkers gasped in astonishment; even James, the butler, stood
+gaping with open mouth at a real live heroine--never seen before by him
+except on the movie screen. So intensely interested was he, that he
+failed to hear his master enter by the front door, followed by a
+gentleman. They both burst into the room and stood amazed.
+
+Then Mr. Ashby apologised for the abrupt entrance: "Dalken and I were at
+the Club when we heard of the fire so near my place. And when Dalken
+heard that it was Mrs. Wellington's school-girls who were entertaining
+on the third floor, he came with me to see if his daughter is safe. Does
+anyone know where Elizabeth is?"
+
+"Here--right here, Mr. Dalken," Mrs. Ashby quickly assured the father.
+And she beckoned Mrs. Wellington to bring the girl from the alcove where
+she had been resting.
+
+"My poor little girl!" quavered the father, taking the meek and
+broken-spirited Elizabeth in his arms. "Are you badly hurt?"
+
+She began to cry softly against his coat collar but Mrs. Ashby reassured
+Mr. Dalken. "Only a scratch. Her forehead may swell a bit and be
+discolored for a few days, but that is all. Elizabeth owes her life to
+these two girls here, Mr. Dalken. One carried her out of the building
+after she had fainted, and the other went first and found a way down the
+back stairs."
+
+"Not really!" the amazed man gasped. "Tell me about it."
+
+But Polly was a poor narrator, so Anne decided to speak. She was bound
+that Polly should not belittle this deed as she had the climbing to the
+fourth floor of the burning building.
+
+That Mr. Dalken was deeply moved, everyone could see, and when he shook
+hands with the two girls he said gravely, "I shall never forget how you
+kept me from being childless. My baby boy died three years ago to-night,
+and I could not have stood losing my little girl, too, on the
+anniversary of that sad experience."
+
+Elizabeth then remembered the date and hiding her face, ran back to the
+alcove to cry softly to herself. Mrs. Ashby and Mrs. Wellington knew the
+sad story, so they allowed her to weep alone. But Mr. Dalken,
+tender-hearted, would have gone to comfort the girl, had not Mrs. Ashby
+placed a detaining hand upon his arm and said: "No, dear friend--better
+leave her to remember and realize everything."
+
+Polly and Eleanor saw and heard and could not understand, but they
+thought it was no concern of theirs, so they forgot it.
+
+Everyone had been introduced informally to everyone else, and at last
+Mrs. Ashby said: "I have had a bit of refreshment served for you, in the
+dining room, before you go home. After such exposures and excitement, I
+think we all will need something."
+
+Mr. Fabian wished to excuse himself, but his friends would not hear of
+it. Then Mr. Dalken came over and spoke to him. "Are you Mr. Fabian, the
+artist?"
+
+"They say I am an artist, but I doubt it, myself," replied Mr. Fabian,
+humbly, but smiling at the questioner.
+
+"Then I am delighted to have met you, for I have a niece studying in
+Paris, and she writes me pages upon pages about Mrs. Fabian and the
+daughter Nancy, and how lovely they have been to take her about with
+them."
+
+His wife and daughter were Mr. Fabian's pet subject so now he seemed to
+expand marvellously, and smiled benignly upon everyone present. On the
+way to the dining-room, Mr. Dalken and the artist exchanged
+heart-to-heart ideas and were soon fast friends.
+
+But scarcely had they seated themselves ere another mad peal of the
+door-bell took James from the pleasant task of serving an impromptu
+supper. He was heard arguing with someone in the hall, then Mrs. Ashby
+turned to her husband and said: "You go and see what is the matter."
+
+After a short time, three re-entered the room--James, Mr. Ashby, and an
+ambitious-looking young man with alert bright eyes.
+
+"Representative from the Press wants us to give him all the inside news
+about the fire," explained Mr. Ashby, looking at the circle about the
+table.
+
+Mrs. Wellington turned pale and gazed beseechingly at Mr. Maynard,
+hoping he could help her out in the inevitable story that would be
+written up about her school. But Mr. Dalken saw the look and
+comprehended immediately.
+
+"Hello, Dunlap! How'd you get this assignment from the night-editor?"
+
+"Oh--it's Mr. Dalken. I'm delighted to see you, sir," returned the
+reporter, very respectfully.
+
+"Yes, these are friends of mine. Some of them are the dearest friends I
+have, so I do not wish them to be annoyed by finding a garbled story in
+the papers to-morrow morning. Consequently, I will, with the assistance
+of these friends, give you the facts, simple and straightforward, but
+see that you add nothing to them nor delete a line. Tell your boss that
+I said so!"
+
+"I sure will, Mr. Dalken, and maybe I won't be the thankful guy if you
+tell me the story! Can I say it came from you?" was the eager reply of
+the man Dunlap.
+
+"No, sir! I am not in this at all, except as one who rushed here to help
+friends. Now this is the story for your paper."
+
+Mrs. Wellington had been anxiously whispering to Mr. Fabian, and the
+latter now secured Mr. Dalken's attention. "May I have a word with you,
+in private, before the reporter takes down any notes?"
+
+Out of hearing of the others, Mr. Fabian then explained that Elizabeth
+had stubbornly refused to postpone the entertainment, and because of her
+insistence, Mrs. Wellington had taken whatever hall she could find. But
+she did not want Elizabeth to be made to bear any of the blame, so she
+wants you to touch wisely on anything that has to do with the
+theatricals.
+
+"I certainly appreciate Mrs. Wellington's thoughtfulness and I will
+remember this. I'll see what can be done with Dunlap."
+
+"Mr. Dalken is a born story-teller, Dunlap, and that is why he is so
+popular, I think," remarked Mr. Ashby, just then.
+
+"Sit down there by Fabian, Dunlap, and join our circle," cordially
+invited the story-teller, after he had frowned threateningly at his
+host.
+
+"Give Dunlap some coffee and don't let him jot down a word until I've
+done talking. Then we will pick out the notes he is to have," added Mr.
+Dalken.
+
+"Oh, you can tell it so well, do let me write as you narrate?" begged
+the reporter.
+
+"No, sir! I can't read short-hand and you may get in a word I don't want
+you to take. Here, James, remove the pencil and pad from that young
+man."
+
+Everyone laughed, and Dunlap meekly surrendered the articles mentioned.
+Directly Mr. Dalken began his story, the wily reporter had another
+pencil and pad before him. But Fabian stealthily took possession of
+these also, and the laugh went against the young man that time.
+
+While Mr. Dalken wove a veritable thriller out of the material provided
+by the fire, Mrs. Wellington wondered how it was possible to present the
+facts so well and at the same time prove, beyond doubt, that the young
+ladies of Mrs. Wellington's school were so perfectly trained and
+educated that they were a great factor in saving lives and property that
+night. At the end of the story, Mr. Dalken said that some bright
+investor might find a handsome revenue in building a fire-proof Hall
+where just such entertainments could be given--high-school girls who
+loved to give parties but could not lease one of the hotel ball-rooms,
+weeks in advance and pay exorbitant prices, and then possibly change
+their plans before the event.
+
+"You can make a separate paragraph of what I said, if you like, and
+preface it with the remark: 'When asked what he thought about the fire,
+Mr. Dalken, who viewed the blaze from a house opposite the scene, said':
+you know the rest," the famous financier saw that the reporter
+comprehended, and then he turned to the others seated about the table.
+
+"Anything to add to my story?"
+
+"It was very fine, especially about our dear Principal, but you didn't
+say enough about Polly carrying Elizabeth safely out," Eleanor said,
+eagerly.
+
+"I followed a lead given me by Mr. Fabian. We all think it best not to
+mention names, but to make the incident impersonal," explained Mr.
+Dalken.
+
+Eleanor pouted, for she wanted to have Polly given all the credit for
+what she did. But a sly look from the reporter gave her an idea, and she
+smiled back understandingly.
+
+Then the story was pieced out for Dunlap and when he had taken down all
+his notes, he jumped up and said: "I know you will excuse me for rushing
+away, but I want to get this in type at once. In case you have forgotten
+something, or wish to send me a photograph of anyone, call 10000 Greeley
+and I'll see to it, without fail."
+
+"That's all you'll get on this occasion," laughed Mr. Dalken as James
+started to show the young man to the door. But in passing Eleanor,
+Dunlap sent her a mental telegram, and she closed one eye significantly.
+
+"Oh--he left his pencils and paper!" exclaimed Eleanor, jumping up
+instantly and running with them to the front door.
+
+"Mr. Dunlap--here is your private property that Mr. Fabian had charge
+of," was what the guests in the dining-room heard. But to Dunlap she
+hurriedly whispered: "I'll 'phone you after I leave here."
+
+Before the party broke up that night, Mrs. Ashby learned that Mrs.
+Maynard was an old schoolmate of hers, and expressed a wish that Polly
+and Eleanor would visit her again and meet Ruth who was then visiting
+friends for Thanksgiving week.
+
+"I really cannot voice my gratitude to all these kind friends," said
+Mrs. Wellington, as they stood in the reception hall saying good-night.
+"Not only has dear Mr. Dalken turned harsh public condemnation from my
+doors, but the story as he told it, actually brings glory to the
+school."
+
+"And why should it not, my dear Madam? Have you not fought and struggled
+with every girl in your charge, to perfect and express just the
+qualities I have given you credit for?" said Mr. Dalken.
+
+"Oh, yes, _I_ have tried so hard, but how many people, or even parents,
+would credit me with such endeavors? Once they read it in the papers
+they will accept the statement, but it is so hard to impress folks by
+actual demonstration," sighed the thankful lady.
+
+"Thank heavens, Mrs. Wellington, that you have a whole day of peace
+before you, in which to remember that you have found a group of people,
+here, who not only appreciate your efforts but have tried to make others
+approve them," said Mrs. Ashby, earnestly.
+
+"Indeed I have! I expect to have the very best of Thanksgivings, due to
+all of you dear people. Some day I will be able to show my gratitude for
+this." And the lady's voice quavered with emotion.
+
+"And you'll find the story in the papers will not only spare you any
+criticism, but actually praise your school," added Mr. Ashby.
+
+"You may be overwhelmed with new scholars," suggested Polly, innocently.
+
+"That's so! I've always heard that discreet publicity is the finest kind
+of advertising," Eleanor declared. "This fine tale about your scholars
+ought to bring back fifty percent returns."
+
+Everyone laughed heartily at hearing so young a girl talk so
+business-like, and Mr. Dalken said: "I am interested to know just where
+you got that information?"
+
+"Isn't it true?" demanded Eleanor, turning her bright eyes on him. "You
+see, Polly and I are going into business together, pretty soon, and I
+have to take notice of all approved methods of winning success. I am to
+be the business manager while Polly is the decorator."
+
+The new acquaintances were highly amused at such talk, and Mr. Ashby
+laughingly inquired: "What profession have you chosen?"
+
+"Interior decorators. We have started, already; we go to Cooper Union
+three nights a week and Mr. Fabian takes us to all the lectures and
+exhibitions on any subject that will give us ideas and help."
+
+"Well!" exclaimed Mr. Dalken, finding the girls were really serious.
+Mrs. Ashby was deeply interested, but her husband took each of the
+prospective decorators by the hand and shaking them cordially, said:
+"Let us congratulate each other, for I am already established as a
+decorator. I want to help you onward in every possible way, my dear
+girls, so call on me whenever you want help. Just as Fabian takes you to
+these valuable exhibitions and lectures, so the four of us pulling
+together ought to arrive somewhere."
+
+Mr. Fabian was as pleased at the news as either of his protegees, and
+they left the Ashbys feeling very much at peace with the world and
+everything in it.
+
+As Eleanor ran down the shallow brown-stone steps to the sidewalk, she
+turned back and called to Mr. Ashby: "Who knows! We may end by going
+into partnership with you, some day!"
+
+He laughed, and said: "Who knows?"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII--A WEEK OF PLEASURE
+
+
+As Mr. Maynard occupied Eleanor's room at the Studio, and she used the
+couch moved into Polly's room for the time being, it seemed difficult
+for Eleanor to follow her desire to communicate with Dunlap, the
+reporter, as soon as she got home.
+
+Everyone was dog-tired from the excitement and the visit at the Ashbys
+afterward, so there was no time lost before tumbling into bed. Eleanor
+found it very hard to keep her eyes open until she could hear Polly
+sleeping heavily. Then she crept from the bed.
+
+Downstairs was the print of a photograph taken a few weeks before, of a
+group of Mrs. Wellington's scholars. Polly and herself were in this
+group, and Eleanor planned to get it into the reporter's hands for
+reproduction to print a picture of Polly in the morning's paper.
+
+She found the photograph without noise or trouble and then sat down
+before the telephone stand in the corner of the living room. "I hope to
+goodness no one upstairs will hear me talk," thought Eleanor to herself,
+as she gave the number to Central.
+
+"Hello--is this 10000 Greeley?
+
+"Give me Mr. Dunlap, please.
+
+"The lady who said she would call him about the fire.
+
+"No, you won't do! I want Dunlap!
+
+"He isn't in? I don't believe you! Get off the wire!
+
+"Hello--hello! H-e-l-lo! I want editor's desk--10000 Greeley, and be
+quick about it!" snapped Eleanor, feeling quite irritable because of the
+loss of sleep, and the strange reporter's laugh at her.
+
+"Is this the night-editor?" now asked Eleanor, eagerly.
+
+"U--um! May I speak to Mr. Dunlap--the reporter you assigned on the fire
+story uptown, to-night?
+
+"Oh--he isn't in? Well, but he said he would wait to take some important
+notes from me. I can't believe he is out.
+
+"Well, then, you may be the night-editor, but you sound exactly like
+that fresh reporter who spoke to me a moment ago. I cannot understand
+why you employ such rude youths as he is."
+
+Eleanor grinned to herself for she was quite sure she was speaking to
+the same reporter who answered the call, at first. An answering laugh
+convinced her she was right, and she hissed through the telephone: "If
+you knew who I was, you wouldn't keep me sitting in the cold like this.
+Now you can either call Dunlap or I'll give my story to your enemy
+downtown. The reporters of that paper are just dying to get my story."
+
+That proved miraculous. To prevent the downtown competitor from getting
+the story, the unknown was willing to turn it over to his opponent,
+Dunlap.
+
+Eleanor recognised Dunlap's voice the moment he took the 'phone, and she
+gave him some interesting personal facts about Polly and herself, and
+why they were now studying in New York. She talked for half-an-hour,
+praising Polly and her wonderful character, and finally began telling
+about the escape from Grizzly Peak at the time of the landslide. But
+Dunlap interrupted her with:
+
+"I can't get all of that in--we go to press very shortly."
+
+"Oh, dear! Can't you run over here and get this photo of Polly, that I
+have ready for you?"
+
+"For the morning edition?" gasped Dunlap.
+
+"Yes, to accompany the story of the fire."
+
+"My dear young lady--do you know how long it takes to make a plate for
+the paper?"
+
+"A plate? I said 'a photograph,' Mr. Dunlap."
+
+"But we have to make a reproduction of yours, then print it on a plate,
+then give it an acid bath, then etch and rout, and mount--and it all
+takes time before the plate is ready to be stereotyped for the printing
+in the paper."
+
+"Oh! I thought you just took the picture and copied it in the paper. Of
+course, I never stopped to inquire into what process it went through.
+But if you say you can't use it, I'm sorry."
+
+"So'm I. But you might bring it in early in the morning and I'll see if
+there is enough interest in the story to rake up an evening's yarn."
+
+"Very well. I'll do that."
+
+"Come in, anyway, and bring your friends. I'll show you through the
+engraving plant of the paper. You'll be interested."
+
+"Thank you--good-by."
+
+Eleanor hung up the receiver and listened intently to hear if anyone was
+stirring upstairs. All was quiet, so she placed the photograph back on
+the shelf and crept upstairs again. She jumped into bed shivering, after
+being exposed so long to the cold, downstairs. But utter weariness soon
+brought her sleep and all was forgotten until breakfast time.
+
+Mr. Maynard, speaking, woke Eleanor. She sat up and rubbed her eyes
+sleepily. "Thank goodness, we do not have to go to school for a whole
+week!" declared she, throwing a shoe at Polly's half-buried head.
+
+"Polly! Pol-le--ee! Wake up!"
+
+"Wha-foh?" grunted Polly, half-dazed.
+
+Then both girls heard Mr. Maynard call: "I'll be right back to
+breakfast, Mrs. Stewart--I'm going to the corner for the papers."
+
+Eleanor suddenly remembered her share in the telling of the story about
+the fire, and she jumped out of bed. "I'm going to hurry down and read
+what the paper says about the fire," said she.
+
+Polly turned over and stretched lazily. "I don't care what they say. I'm
+going to sleep all day."
+
+Eleanor was annoyed. "No, you won't! We've got to keep a date with Mr.
+Fabian this noon, and you've _got to_ get up!"
+
+"Oh, that's so! Mr. Fabian is going to take us to Grand Central Palace
+to show us how carpets are made. I forgot that exhibition was to-day."
+And Polly jumped up at that remembrance when other things had failed to
+move her.
+
+The girls were downstairs in time to open the front door for Mr.
+Maynard. He was grinning teasingly, as he tried to keep a great mass of
+morning papers from slipping out from under his arm. He held out an
+opened sheet for the girls to see.
+
+"Oh, what a horrid face! Who is it?" exclaimed Eleanor.
+
+"The paper states it is you, my dear," laughed her father.
+
+"What--never! Oh, what awful people these newspaper men are! Dad, can't
+you go down there and horse-whip them? I never looked like that in all
+my life!" and Eleanor stamped her foot in a fury.
+
+Polly had been gazing at the two faces printed on the front sheet of the
+morning paper, but now she laughed. "Oh, if I looked like that picture,
+I could have put out the fire by merely turning my face to it!"
+
+Anne and her mother came in when they heard Mr. Maynard's loud laughter.
+They, too, stared at the oval-framed pictures said to be "The two
+heroines of the dreadful fire at Assembly Hall."
+
+"Anne, where under the sun did the newspapers get those two pictures?"
+asked Polly, tittering every time she saw the ovals.
+
+"Every newspaper has a department known as the 'morgue,' or some such
+name. They keep, filed away, pictures of every well-known person in the
+world. In the package indexed under the proper name, are one or two
+'cuts' ready to use in case of a hurry. Then when a person dies, or is
+married, or something or other happens, the newspaper rushes to its
+files and gets out the picture, or cut, needed.
+
+"It is the same with famous buildings, or ships, or objects of any kind.
+If something comes up that brings the thing to the public attention,
+there the papers have the pictures all ready to print.
+
+"Now they keep lots of photographs, just like these two, which they buy
+from cheap photographers. They buy a hundred in a job lot, and if they
+want a picture and can't secure a legitimate one, or a snap-shot from
+the reporter's kodak, they use what they have on hand.
+
+"It would be extremely amusing to be present when these girls see their
+faces in the paper. It will prove almost as funny as seeing you two
+girls scorning these strange faces."
+
+But Mr. Maynard had been reading the article while Anne had explained
+the methods of many newspapers, and now he exclaimed: "By jove! Dalken
+never said a word about all this life-history!"
+
+"What's that, Daddy? Read it to us," begged Eleanor, eagerly.
+
+"Why--wh-y-y--the young rascal hit it right on the head, all right! But
+where did he get it?" continued Mr. Maynard.
+
+"For pity's sake--read it aloud!" commanded Eleanor, hardly able to hold
+her tongue about the story.
+
+Then Mr. Maynard read it, and it lost none of its vivid coloring by his
+reading, either. When he had almost concluded, Polly began to grow
+angry. When he finished, she was furious.
+
+"I'm going up to that office and I'll fight that reporter. He had no
+more right to print that than those other men had to use someone else's
+photographs and call them ours. So there!"
+
+Mr. Maynard had been thinking seriously, and now he nailed Eleanor with
+a penetrating look. "Nolla, did you tell that young rascal this story
+when you ran to the door with his pencil and paper last night?"
+
+"No, indeed! I did not, Daddy! You can ask the butler if I ever did! He
+stood right there when I handed Dunlap the pencil!"
+
+Eleanor's denial was so emphatic that everyone believed she was innocent
+of any such plot; so they never found out who was the guilty one.
+
+While at breakfast, the telephone rang. "This is Mr. Latimer, Anne. We
+have just read the papers and were so surprised! When we saw the
+pictures of the two heroines, we feared some dreadful thing had happened
+to distort their faces so that we failed to recognise them, and I
+hastened to inquire. Do you need Dr. Evans' services to straighten out
+those faces?"
+
+An amused laugh could be heard over the wire, and Anne laughed back.
+"No, thanks; a good night's rest has brought back their natural looks.
+The faces in the paper must have been taken by the flickering flame of
+the burning dwelling."
+
+"Jim and Ken came home late last night for the Holiday. We wanted to
+congratulate you girls on trying so hard for the Carnegie Medal, but now
+Jim wants to say 'good-morning.'"
+
+In another moment, Jim's voice was heard speaking. "Oh, good-morning,
+Anne. Have you used Pears Soap?" Then a gay laugh.
+
+"We have, but you haven't! Your father just told me you got in at
+midnight, and if you're up as early as this, I'm sure the sleep hasn't
+been washed from your eyes," retorted Anne.
+
+Polly and Eleanor crowded close and hung over the 'phone so they could
+hear what Jim had to say.
+
+"I only wanted to say, I've got tickets for the show, to-night, and the
+girls are not to go anywhere else."
+
+"Oh, tell him we're out of town on a week-end party," Eleanor whispered,
+hurriedly to Anne.
+
+"Are the tickets good for Eleanor's father and my mother, in case the
+girls go out of town?" teased Anne.
+
+"Say--you really don't mean that?" Jim's voice sounded very sad.
+
+"I cannot tell a lie--I am like George, you see, and I'll let the girls
+fib for themselves," laughed Anne, getting up from the stool and handing
+the instrument to Polly.
+
+"Oh, here, Nolla! You do it! You know I don't like this jiggery quivery
+thing!" cried Polly, quickly placing the telephone apparatus on the
+table and making room for Eleanor on the chair.
+
+Eleanor was delighted to talk with Jim, and she kept at it until a
+clicking in her ear notified her that someone wanted to get them on the
+wire, so she hurriedly rang Jim off.
+
+"Hello!" called Eleanor to the next inquirer.
+
+"Hello--1234 Madison Square?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"This is Mr. Ashby speaking. Is this one of the heroines?"
+
+"Oh, Mr. Ashby! Yes, it is Nolla. What do you think of the story in the
+paper--and the funny photographs?" laughed Eleanor.
+
+"I laughed myself sick over it at breakfast. My wife and I wondered how
+that young rascal got them, and James explained."
+
+Here Eleanor turned white, for she wondered if the butler really had
+seen her wink at Dunlap. "My, but I'm thankful I got at this wire
+instead of Anne," said she to herself.
+
+"Two of our maids had their postal-card pictures taken the other day,
+and upon rushing out of the front door to watch the fire last night,
+they laid them upon the hall table. James saw them there, later, but
+thinking the girls would soon be coming in to take them upstairs, he did
+nothing about it.
+
+"Then in the excitement of watching Miss Polly climb the front of the
+house, and have the Chief carry her over to our house, the pictures were
+completely forgotten. As the young reporter went out, James saw Miss
+Eleanor take his hat from the stand and hand it to him. But nothing was
+thought about the cards. Later, however, they were gone.
+
+"This morning the papers have the photographs of Mary, the waitress, and
+Gladys, the upstairs girl, as heroines of the fire. Maybe our maids are
+not tickled to pieces to find themselves so famous."
+
+Eleanor heard both Mr. and Mrs. Ashby laughing merrily over the mistake,
+and then she said: "Do you suppose I handed the cards to Dunlap when I
+picked up his papers and hat?"
+
+"Undoubtedly. But the joke is, he thinks you meant to do it very
+secretly, you see, so he never mentioned it but hurried the work on the
+pictures so as to have them in the morning's paper. He most likely
+believes that that was why you ran after him--to manage to give him
+those two photographs to use. I think the laugh is entirely on him,
+don't you, Eleanor?"
+
+But Eleanor did not say. She sat and studied the pattern in the rug for
+a time, refusing to answer all the questions asked. Then she decided
+that Mr. Ashby must have heard from Dunlap that morning, and was told
+how she had added many facts to Mr. Dalken's story. But this funny error
+of using the maid's photographs, was retribution on her head.
+
+The young people, with Anne to chaperone them, enjoyed the play that
+night, and then the boys outlined the programme they had made for the
+week.
+
+The next day, being Thanksgiving, the entire party was to dine at the
+Latimers'. Then they would go for an automobile drive, and in the
+evening all would enjoy an impromptu supper and dance at the Evans'.
+
+Friday morning the boys would take the girls skating at St. Nicholas
+Rink. They begged to attend Mr. Fabian and the girls in the afternoon at
+the Textile Exhibition, then dinner at the Studio, and another play at
+night.
+
+Saturday morning the girls were going to visit Mr. Ashby's famous
+decorating establishment, and get a glimpse first-hand of what a modern
+decorator must do and know to succeed. In the afternoon the boys wanted
+to take in a matinee, but the girls were invited to dinner at the
+Ashbys, and to spend the evening with their daughter Ruth. So Jim said
+nothing, but he instantly planned how to meet the Ashbys.
+
+"Now don't go and make any more dates for next week, without asking us,
+understand!" declared Jim, when he heard that Saturday was engaged and
+Sunday, partly so.
+
+"How can we help it if our parents and chaperones do it without our
+knowledge," queried Eleanor, innocently.
+
+"Well, I'll speak to them, then. Ken and I will have to be off again
+next week; so for the few days we have at home we want you girls to pass
+up all other fun. You've got all the year for other beaux, you know,"
+grumbled Jim.
+
+Polly and Eleanor laughed. "Oh, yes," said the latter, "we just keep on
+the go continually, every afternoon and evening, with a devoted swain
+each day to replace the ones of the day before."
+
+"Where do you meet them?" demanded Jim, jealously.
+
+"We-ll--the first one Polly and I snared, we 'picked up' at an art sale.
+But we have many opportunities to meet others, you know."
+
+"Yes," added Polly, entering the joke, "at night school, you know, there
+are loads of young men; and at lectures and exhibitions--and
+everywhere."
+
+"Is that why you both are so crazy to go to these dry lecture affairs?"
+jeered Kenneth, thinking himself very clever, indeed.
+
+But they failed to get the girls to break the engagement with the
+Ashbys, and Jim barely managed, through his father's kind auspices, to
+meet Mr. Dalken Saturday morning, and thus open the way to call on the
+Ashbys that evening.
+
+Mr. Dalken was young in spirit if not in years, and he enjoyed helping
+the two boys work out the little plot so as to be present with Polly and
+Eleanor at the Ashbys, that evening. But the boys never knew that their
+benefactor passed up an exciting game of chess at his club, that
+Saturday night, in order to introduce them to his friends.
+
+There were so many wonderful things to do during that Holiday Week, that
+the girls could not attend them all. Many of their school-friends were
+eager to have them at teas and parties and matinees, but all these had
+to be refused with regrets. Eleanor remarked: "Wait for school to open.
+We'll be the most popular girls there. In fact, every last girl will
+want to fag for us!"
+
+"Why?" asked Polly, wonderingly.
+
+"Because they think we are in such demand, everywhere, that we can't
+accept any invitations of theirs. Don't you suppose they have told each
+other? Lots of those girls travel around together, and they talk
+everything over. But I guess they are wondering who takes us out so
+much, and what society we travel in." Eleanor laughed.
+
+Polly looked at her with pity. "Nolla, sometimes I feel _so_ sorry for
+you! All your joy and pleasure in having others act nice or kind to you,
+is lost because of the education you've had in Bob's school. Now I don't
+believe those girls ask us just to cater to us because we are popular. I
+think they really like us and would love to have us with them. If I
+wasn't so frightfully busy with school at night, and other worth-while
+occupations, I'd jaunt about with them."
+
+Eleanor said nothing more, but she did a lot of thinking.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX--POLLY'S MUSCLE
+
+
+Mr. Maynard was delighted with Eleanor's evident improvement in health,
+and all fears of the New York climate vanished entirely, before he
+finished his visit in New York. He remained a week and then said
+good-by, reminding Mrs. Stewart that she had invited him for the
+Christmas Holidays. They all laughed because he was welcome, at all
+times, to remain as long as he could.
+
+Regular studies began again after the Thanksgiving Holiday and, with the
+reopening of the classes, the girls started in on a new line of art at
+Cooper Union. Anne Stewart used to escort the girls to and from the
+school on class-nights, but it was such a tiresome trip for her to make,
+after a hard day at school, and with lessons to go over at home, that
+the girls insisted upon her staying home.
+
+Mr. Fabian generally conducted them home after class, and then went on
+to his own rooms. As it was hardly dark by seven-thirty, in October and
+early November, it was no more hazardous for the two girls to walk or
+ride down to the Square than it would be in the daytime.
+
+But the days were becoming so much shorter after Thanksgiving, that it
+was quite dark by six o'clock. Hence Anne worried about their going
+downtown, alone, even though it was but a few blocks.
+
+The second week of class in December, found Mr. Fabian absent. He had
+taken a severe cold and thought better of risking his health in the
+bitter wind and Scotch mist that night.
+
+Polly and Eleanor did not speak of it to Anne, as she, too, felt
+wretched that day; and they would rather have stayed at home than have
+had her accompany them to night school in her state of health.
+
+"You're not to worry about us, Anne, if we do not come in as early as
+usual," said Eleanor, upon opening the door to go out.
+
+"Why--where will you be?" asked Anne, instantly.
+
+"Exams. Some of the teachers are testing us in all the work we did this
+last term, and we have to write our answers. We may be a full hour later
+than usual; but we'll come uptown, together, so there's nothing to worry
+about," explained Polly.
+
+Anne thought she meant Mr. Fabian by "we-all" but Polly meant several of
+the students who lived a few blocks north of the Square.
+
+Both girls were well bundled up in heavy storm coats, mufflers, and
+close-fitting woollen caps pulled down over their ears. Besides their
+books and other materials, they had umbrellas to carry but it was too
+windy to open them.
+
+The examination questions proved to be most interesting; and the answers
+required a great deal of careful thought, before describing the various
+types, methods and ideals of architecture and decoration.
+
+Polly described at large such questions as: "Can you describe the
+different types that go to make up the Egyptian people?" or the
+question: "How does plant-life affect Egyptian ornament--sketch two such
+plants."
+
+"What is a torus molding? Where is echinus molding used? Sketch the cyma
+recta."
+
+When Polly found the questions: "Describe a scarabaeus," and "Why did
+ancient Egyptians prepare their dead as they did, and describe a mummy
+and the methods used for its preservation," she was elated, for she had
+made a particular study of these subjects at the Metropolitan Museum
+where the collection of Egyptian antiques is unsurpassed.
+
+There were many other interesting questions, all of which Polly was
+eager to answer, but time was too limited for her to say all she wished
+to. For instance, she wanted to describe, at length, Greek art and the
+Greek nation that was characteristic for its own type of art and
+ornament.
+
+She was anxious to tell what she knew about color and its importance in
+art. Of polychromy and what it was. In fact, she needed hours in which
+to speak fully of the difference between Greek, Egyptian and Assyrian
+art and ornament.
+
+Eleanor on her part, wrote graphically of the difference between the
+Arabs and Persians, and how their modes and habits had a corresponding
+effect on art. She liked to describe the style of Romanesque art and how
+it governed all Eastern Europe at one time.
+
+Eleanor leaned to the Moorish classics and had a weakness for Turkish
+designs; she loved the warm coloring used by the Moors in their work,
+and the harsh bright colors employed by the Turks. She had no hesitation
+in selecting from samples shown, the Mohammedan designs, the Chinese,
+the Byzantine, or Arabian patterns. She was expert in stating why the
+fall of Rome affected all art in Eastern and Western Europe, and what
+was its highest development and its period of all architecture.
+
+It was more than an hour later than usual, when the two girls put away
+their work and started out for home. The scholars who lived on streets
+uptown, had gone long before, and Polly and Eleanor found that the high
+wind made it impossible for them to open their umbrellas.
+
+"It's so icy we will have to use them as props," laughed Polly.
+
+"My! But this sleet in one's face is cold, isn't it?" gasped Eleanor.
+
+"Let's take a short cut across the Plaza," suggested Polly, breaking
+into a run across the diamond that separates the streets at Third and
+Fourth avenues, and Eighth street.
+
+Having reached the small oasis about the subway station, Eleanor said:
+"Why not take the subway, here, to Twenty-eighth street, Poll?"
+
+"Oh, I hate those subways! This wonderful sleet and the quiet hissing of
+the ice on the windows and walks makes me feel as if I were home. No
+clatter of wheels, no shouting of burly men, no _nothing_ that makes a
+city so horrid. Let's walk all the way home."
+
+"All right," laughed Eleanor. "I'm game!"
+
+So they started up Fourth avenue, past Wanamakers, and were soon lost to
+their surroundings in their discussion of the examinations.
+
+"What answer did you give to the question 'Tell the basis of religions
+existing with the Persians and the Arabs: describe the differences,'
+Polly?"
+
+"I was not quite sure of that, Nolla, but I did make a good thing of
+that question 'Why did Egyptians use bright colors in art?' And also
+that question that read: 'When colors of the pattern contrast with the
+colors of the back-ground, what general rule must govern?' You know, I
+just love to ferret out these ideas."
+
+"So do I. But I never dreamed there was so much wonderful knowledge to
+be obtained in a course of this kind," said Eleanor, holding her arm
+before her face in order to speak distinctly.
+
+They had now reached Eleventh street, and were passing a saloon still
+brightly lighted, in spite of Prohibition Laws. In the doorway lounged
+three tough-looking young men; but the red-cheeked girls scarcely saw
+them--they were too interested in their conversation. An empty auto
+stood by the curb, but no other vehicle or person was in sight.
+
+When the girls came under the arc of light that reflected from the
+globes in the saloon-window, one of the flippant young men said, quite
+loud enough for Polly and Eleanor to hear: "I say! Ain't them two goils
+peaches, though!"
+
+His two companions laughed rudely, but the girls hastened on without a
+word or look. Another of the trio then said: "Betcha they'd be glad of
+comp'ny. I'll try it."
+
+Eleanor whispered anxiously to Polly: "What time do you think it is?"
+
+"It was almost eleven when we stopped writing. It must be nearly
+eleven-thirty now."
+
+"Pretty late for such a bad night. We'll take the subway at Fourteenth
+street, Polly."
+
+"Reckon we'd better. Are there no policemen about these corners?"
+
+"Not when you need one. On fine summer nights you will see them
+strolling about, maybe."
+
+The girls tittered, but instantly hushed when they heard voices directly
+behind them.
+
+"Pretty evenin' fer a walk, goils."
+
+No reply was vouchsafed to this remark but the girls kept right on with
+their customary swift gait.
+
+"Ain't che hankerin' fer comp'ny?" chuckled another tough.
+
+"Ah, come on back, fellers. What's th' use foolin' wid a coupla
+high-brows on such a nasty night!" argued one of the three.
+
+Polly and Eleanor fervently hoped they would go back, but the other
+fellow replied: "G'wan back, if yeh wants. Bill and me er goin' to have
+some fun. Come on, Bill."
+
+Polly now glanced at Eleanor and said in a low tone: "Get a good grip on
+your umbrella. Thank heavens we haven't any books or papers to carry, as
+we usually have."
+
+Then the fellow called Bill, said: "You amble up to the peacherino on
+the outside, whiles I take to the inside one, Andy."
+
+"There's the boss's car waiting fer nuttin. We kin give them a ride--a
+joy ride fer us," harshly laughed Andy.
+
+Bill joined in the suggestive laugh, and both girls unconsciously
+hastened their steps.
+
+"No hurry, my pretties. There ain't a cop twixt here an' the saloon on
+Fourteenth street. Don't we'se know this districk? Ha-ha!"
+
+"Ready for a fight, Nolla!" hissed Polly, suddenly wheeling and facing
+the accosters.
+
+Eleanor also turned, a second later, and both men were taken by
+surprise. Polly's eyes blazed and she gave the roughs such a scornful
+look that it should have withered them as they stood there.
+
+"Now you two out-laws turn-about-face and march downtown as fast as you
+know how!" commanded she.
+
+[Illustration: "NOW YOU TWO OUT-LAWS TURN-ABOUT-FACE AND MARCH!"
+COMMANDED POLLY.]
+
+"Ah, ha, Bill! I envy you your choice! She turns out to be a regerler
+sport. See them eyes shoot fire? Let me have a kiss, me pritty, afore
+Bill gits them all!" As the fellow Andy spoke insinuatingly, he stepped
+forward to take hold of Polly.
+
+At the same moment her umbrella swung back over her head and the
+muscular young arm instantly brought down the heavy metal knob upon the
+soft cap that covered the head of the ruffian. The blow was so
+unexpected, and forceful as well, that it staggered Polly's assailant.
+
+Both men cursed fluently, then, and Bill threatened: "Jus' fer dat,
+you'se is goin' to get what's comin' to yeh!"
+
+Eleanor wanted to turn and run, but she would not have deserted Polly
+for all the world, so she screamed "Help! Help!" with all her
+lung-power--and she had plenty of it.
+
+Bill hesitated to attack Eleanor as she yelled and screamed for help,
+but Andy was raging and tried to close in with Polly. The umbrella was
+flung aside, and in another minute Polly launched at his face with a
+closed fist. It struck him between the eyes and caused a howl of pain.
+
+Before he could collect himself, the daring girl had struck him another
+fearful blow under the chin. This sent him back flat upon his back, and
+while he was trying to crawl up on his knees, the amateur pugilist
+turned and sent a blow at Bill. But he had stood gaping at the amazing
+encounter with his pal, and he now dodged his own undoing.
+
+Eleanor saw her opportunity. She had no time to lift her umbrella for a
+blow, and it had no solid handle like Polly's, but she fiercely rammed
+the steel-capped end of the rod into the pit of the rascal's stomach, so
+that, instantly, he buckled up. He sank down groaning while he struggled
+to get his breath.
+
+Andy was up on his feet again by this time, but Bill was out of the
+fight, so both girls gave full attention to the second villain. He
+fought now, as slum ruffians will, but he was no match for the hard
+knuckles, steel muscles and lithe movements, of the Rocky Mountain maid
+who had grappled with wild animals and had won out.
+
+The groveling Bill now managed to reach out a hand, planning to catch
+Eleanor by the ankle and trip her. But at that moment a silent-running
+automobile slid up to the curb and, at the instant of its stopping, the
+door flew open and a gentleman leaped out. In his hand he pointed a
+revolver, and Andy immediately threw up both hands.
+
+"W-h-y--Mr. Dalken. Oh, thank goodness you came!" cried Eleanor,
+trembling nervously.
+
+The chauffeur was standing guard over Bill at the same time, so Mr.
+Dalken asked frowningly: "What are you girls doing down here at this
+hour?--all alone, too!"
+
+By this time the truant officer ran over to the group and wanted to know
+what was wrong. Mr. Dalken turned on him in just anger. "Wrong--why, you
+were not on the beat! That's what's wrong."
+
+"But I was--I got a beat bigger than any Fift' avenoo cop what only has
+to parade in front of a swell's house."
+
+"You needn't try to bull-doze me, my man. Evidently you fail to
+recognise me, but we will talk this over at the City Hall, in the
+morning. Now arrest these two foot-pads." As the officer snapped
+hand-cuffs on his prisoners, Dalken added, "By the way, why is a saloon
+open at this hour--to sell soft drinks?"
+
+The scorn in Mr. Dalken's tone silenced the policeman. "Now, girls, jump
+into the car and I will take you home," offered their rescuer. But the
+officer interfered when they would have stepped inside the car.
+
+"Your names, please, and addresses. And how do I know that you will take
+these young ladies to their home?" The tone of the man was insulting.
+
+"If it were not for the fact that I want to hurry these children to
+their family as quickly as possible, I'd take the keenest pleasure in
+answering you in a manner that you'd understand and respect. Now you go
+about your tardy business and I will see to mine. Here's my card. The
+girls do not appear in this matter at all. I am the man who caused the
+ruffians' arrest, and I will answer in Court."
+
+Mr. Dalken followed the girls into the car and the driver instantly shot
+away; in a short time the car stopped in front of the Studio. As Polly
+and Eleanor gratefully took Mr. Dalken's hand, he advised them. "Better
+not speak of this affair to anyone--leave it to me to settle. But,
+hereafter, do not dream of going about so late at night, unattended. One
+never can tell!"
+
+"But we can't expect Anne to trot about with us when she is tired out at
+night," explained Eleanor.
+
+"Then use my car on the nights you have to go to school. I'll send down
+my Sedan, after this, because the butler understands its tricks
+thoroughly. He seldom has anything to do on those evenings you go to
+school, and he can oblige us by driving that car should I need Henri for
+this car."
+
+The girls thanked him again, and then hurried indoors.
+
+"Where _have_ you been so late, dears?" cried Anne, anxiously, as they
+came in.
+
+"We told you we would be late," began Polly.
+
+"But it is past twelve, now; I was about to call up the police-station
+at Ninth street, and find out if anything had happened."
+
+The two girls laughed and Eleanor pulled Anne's ear playfully, as she
+said: "Now, silly, what could happen to us!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X--CHRISTMAS AND WHAT IT BROUGHT
+
+
+Anne never suspected that Polly and Eleanor had had a "hold-up" at any
+time, but she wondered why Mr. Dalken should be so kind as to loan his
+car to the girls on school-nights. Polly explained simply. "Why, he
+never forgot what we did for Elizabeth, and when he learned we were
+trudging back and forth alone, he just wouldn't have it."
+
+"He said he couldn't bear the thought of our even having to travel in
+the subway, alone, late at night," added Eleanor.
+
+So Anne, although she read about the two ruffians who had tried to rob a
+wealthy broker, one night, never dreamed that _her_ two girls were
+victimized before Mr. Dalken appeared to rescue them.
+
+Madam Wellington's school prospered splendidly from the publicity given
+it in the papers directly after the fire. And later, when it was learned
+that Mr. Ashby, Mr. Dalken, and two other wealthy men had purchased the
+corner which had always been disfigured by the old four-story amusement
+hall, and proposed erecting a twelve-story high-class apartment house on
+the land, the mention of the fire and the bravery of the Wellington
+School girls again appeared in the papers.
+
+Letters between Pebbly Pit and New York passed twice a week, and the
+last news from home was: "How we should love to have you spend Christmas
+with us, Polly dearest. It will not seem like a real Christmas with both
+my children away from home."
+
+The letter made Polly feel home-sick and she wrote to her mother
+immediately, saying: "I feel that I shall have to come home even if it
+takes a month out of school and delays me in my art studies, unless you
+can plan some other way that we might see each other this Christmas."
+
+Polly had a very clever plan that suddenly came to her, as she read her
+mother's words, and her reply was the first step in working out her plan
+successfully.
+
+The second step was to go downtown and call upon Mr. Latimer at his
+office. She was welcomed there and asked what good wind blew her
+downtown.
+
+Polly laughed. "It's a blizzard from the Rockies--that is why I'm here."
+Then she told him about her mother's home-sick words. "And this is what
+we must do, Mr. Latimer, or I'll have to leave school and go back home."
+
+"Dear me, I will do anything rather than lose you from New York, Polly,"
+Mr. Latimer laughingly replied.
+
+"You must find some excuse on the mining or jewel business, that needs
+Daddy's personal presence here in New York. Make it necessary for him to
+be here just before, or after Christmas. Then I will write and let them
+know that you told me about it, and insist upon having mother come East
+with father, for her Christmas. Why, even John and Paul might join us
+here without much expense or trouble."
+
+Mr. Latimer smiled. "There is no harm in trying the plan, even if your
+father _won't_ leave his ranch while it is under six feet of snow."
+
+Polly laughed at that. "Exactly! Dad doesn't have to stick there in
+winter-time, any more than I do. Especially with Jeb on hand to take
+care of everything."
+
+Then remembering a warning, she said: "But you've got to find a real
+worthy reason for his coming East, because I know my Dad!"
+
+"I'll have you approve the reason before I send it West--how will that
+do?"
+
+"I think you will do well. Because I may be able to make a
+suggestion--knowing my father as I do."
+
+Mr. Latimer laughed and patted Polly on the head. "Well, now that that
+is settled, let us talk about Jim and Ken. You know, do you not, that we
+expect them home in a few days?"
+
+"I didn't know, but I took for granted that they would soon be home for
+the Holidays. Although it seems like yesterday that they were home for
+Thanksgiving Week."
+
+"Not to Jim's mother and me. We miss him very much, as he always was
+such a lively boy at home."
+
+"I'm afraid we won't see much of him this time. He never even called us
+on the 'phone when he came from New Haven to see Ruth Ashby, two weeks
+ago Sunday," said Polly, never dreaming that his father was ignorant of
+the visit.
+
+"He didn't! Then Ken should have called on you. He did not come to see a
+girl, too, did he?"
+
+"Oh, Ken never knew Jim was coming--so Ruth told us. Jim telephoned her
+early Sunday morning and found she would be home, so he ran in Town on
+the noon train and stayed until the nine o'clock."
+
+"I'll see that Jim does not go back on his first loves quite so
+suddenly," laughed Mr. Latimer, thinking of the teasing he would give
+Jim.
+
+"But we are not 'loves' at all--Nolla and I are only good pals for the
+boys," corrected Polly, anxiously.
+
+"Whatever you call it, Jim ought to be well advised on such matters, as
+long as legal advice costs him nothing."
+
+Polly failed to follow Mr. Latimer, and he immediately changed the
+subject. "Now that you are here and it is lunch-hour, why not come with
+me. I promised to take you to the Cafe Savarin or the Lawyer's Club,
+some day, and this is the day."
+
+"Oh, it would be lovely, but I just couldn't leave Nolla out of the
+treat, you know!" exclaimed Polly, eagerly.
+
+"If Nolla is at home, we will have her down in twenty minutes. We'll
+wait for her, and meanwhile I'll dictate a letter to your father for you
+to O.K."
+
+Eleanor was moping around the house, wondering where Polly could be,
+when the telephone rang and she was invited to join her friends at
+luncheon. So in less than half-an-hour the trio were having a merry time
+in the sumptuous private restaurant on lower Broadway.
+
+The letter that Polly approved, reached Sam Brewster, and he showed it
+to his wife. "Ah have been thinking, dear, that we-all might surprise
+Polly by dropping in on her just about Christmas time, eh?"
+
+"Rather than let her come West and lose all that time from classes, I
+should say 'yes,' Sam."
+
+"We really have nothing to tie us down at the ranch for a few weeks,
+unless the snow buries us for the winter."
+
+"Sary would be in her glory could she keep house alone with Jeb for a
+time. Ever since they returned from their honeymoon in Denver, she has
+been sighing to run the house," said Mrs. Brewster, "feeding the fire"
+carefully.
+
+"Let's go! By the Great Horned Spoon, I feel like taking a vacation to
+some other part of the world--so New York will do!"
+
+Then it was quickly decided that they would start on Monday, and this
+being Friday, there was no time to lose.
+
+Sary and Jeb accepted the amazing news with smiles and exchange of
+knowing looks. But they were relieved when Mrs. Brewster herself
+suggested to Sary: "Have all the good times you want, Sary, while we are
+gone. Invite your friends, and neighbors, if they can get through the
+drifts, and have apple-parties, corn-poppers, Virginia Reels, and
+anything on earth you like!"
+
+"Would you-all keer if we-all ast as much as twenty to a time?" asked
+Sary, fearfully.
+
+"Ask forty, if you like--and if you can find them," laughed Mrs.
+Brewster, recklessly.
+
+"Only see to it that they leave the roof, Sary," ha-hawed Sam Brewster.
+"And that the sky-larkin' is all over when we return."
+
+Sary nodded understandingly. She had instantly planned how to create
+envy in the souls of her old friends at Yellow Jacket Pass, by asking
+them all to her parties.
+
+The Brewsters sent John a wire to say that they would spend a few hours
+in Chicago, and would like him to keep that time open. But when they
+reached Chicago, John was standing on the platform holding a suit-case
+in his hand. Tom Latimer and Paul Stewart stood beside him.
+
+John explained: "Paul and Tom are going, too. Some good fairy sent us
+round-trip tickets, but we don't know who it was. Not a line came with
+the tickets. So here we are--ready to help in the surprise."
+
+John then introduced Paul, and Mrs. Brewster took his hand as she looked
+into his face. "You are the image of our Anne, Paul; I would have known
+you anywhere."
+
+"That he is," added Sam Brewster, shaking Paul's hand heartily. So the
+party of five continued on the journey, smiling as they pictured the
+glad surprise to be given the family at the Studio. Little did they
+dream that the Studio family were busy preparing for a gladsome
+Christmas for them all. For Mr. Latimer had told them about the telegram
+from Pebbly Pit, and that he had heard from Tom that he and John and
+Paul were going to join the party coming East. But he did not say that
+he, incognito, had mailed the tickets.
+
+The Twentieth Century had a long line of Pullmans to take to New York
+that trip, and it was small wonder that passengers having berths in the
+last coach, should fail to meet anyone traveling in the first one. So it
+was with speechless amazement, that the Brewsters met the Maynards at
+Grand Central Station when both parties were waiting to get taxi-cabs.
+
+"Well, well, Ah believe it's Mr. Maynard!" exclaimed Sam Brewster, in
+his deep western thunder.
+
+"Brewster? so it is! Indeed I am glad to see you here. Come to cheer up
+the little girl, eh?" and Eleanor's father grasped the ranchman's big
+hands.
+
+Mrs. Brewster and her two young male companions (Tom had gone to
+telephone) were now introduced to Barbara and Mrs. Maynard. The latter
+had never met the Brewster family, and Barbara, thinking it wiser to
+assume indifference, smiled coldly.
+
+"We're stopping at the Park Hotel, Brewster--what about you folks? Might
+as well go where we do," suggested Mr. Maynard.
+
+"I wired there for accommodations; Polly mentioned it in several of her
+letters as being quite near the Studio."
+
+"Fine! Then we will go right along. Here Taxi! eight of us and baggage."
+
+"You mean seven, Mr. Maynard?" ventured John, politely.
+
+"No--didn't you know Pete was here with us? He came on another coach
+with some chums who were coming East."
+
+"I haven't seen much of Pete, this term. I've been cramming every
+moment, so as to finish and be ready to help in the mine, you see,"
+explained John, hesitatingly.
+
+Mr. Maynard saw the expression and said nothing, but he determined to
+find out why Pete had not seen much of Paul and John and Tom, that term.
+Three young men who could be of great advantage to a wild young student
+should be cultivated, he thought.
+
+When Sam Brewster did anything, he never did it by halves; consequently
+when he wired the Park Hotel for rooms, the day he left Denver, he
+engaged a whole suite. No better accommodations than he had, were to be
+found in the building, and the Maynards had to accept second-best.
+
+When Mr. Maynard found the ranchman had the very finest the hotel
+afforded, he chuckled delightedly to himself, for he had silently
+watched the manner in which Barbara received the greetings of the people
+who were so kind to her that Summer.
+
+Mrs. Maynard was furious with her husband. "My dear! what possessed you
+to come to this horrid place. Don't you know that Bob's position must be
+catered to? Even the best hotels here are rather too ordinary. She
+should be stopping at the newest and most exclusive one uptown."
+
+"When she marries that little numb-skull you've tagged to her skirts,
+she can stop where she likes. But her Dad is running this show. I'm here
+to visit Nolla, and I stop where I can call and see her, or she can run
+in to see us, without wasting time traveling on the streets."
+
+"You always did spoil Nolla--while poor Bob has to take third place in
+your affections," complained Mrs. Maynard.
+
+"Bob's mother makes up for any lack in me. That's why I have to give
+double love to Nolla and Pete--Bob has _all_ of yours."
+
+The usual ending to similar scenes might have resulted, had not Mr.
+Maynard gone out to hurry over to the Studio. But his wife and Barbara
+sulkily unpacked their trunks and made very fine toilets before they
+thought of calling at the Studio.
+
+Mr. Maynard rang at the front door of the Studio, but he had to wait a
+few moments before the door opened. From within, merry laughter and
+joyous shouting could be heard. Then in another moment, Eleanor was in
+her father's arms and was dragging him into the happy circle.
+
+The Brewsters, and Paul and Pete were already there, so that the
+newcomer's appearance added another reason for Polly and Eleanor's
+happiness.
+
+"I haven't enough china to go around for such a family!" Mrs. Stewart
+said plaintively; as she came into the room with her arms dusted with
+flour.
+
+"And only half of us here, too!" laughed Mr. Maynard.
+
+"What--more on the way?" exclaimed Anne.
+
+"Nolla's mother and Bob will be, shortly."
+
+"Mother--and Bob!" cried Eleanor, eagerly, happy that her mother and
+sister cared enough for her to come and visit her.
+
+"Now that adds to all my troubles," Mrs. Stewart declared as she dropped
+into a nearby chair.
+
+"But why--the more the merrier," laughed Mrs. Brewster.
+
+"Why--because there are only seven straight chairs in this stable. All
+the others are great cushiony things that won't do in a small
+dining-room such as ours."
+
+"Motherkins!" said Paul, laughingly picking his mother up and seating
+her upon his strong knees, "Did her think we-all would permit her to
+cook a great supper for such a mob?"
+
+"Of course--I like it, dear, but I am staggered at the
+limitations--china and chairs."
+
+"Mrs. Stewart, we are not going to eat a crumb in this house during the
+Holidays, unless it be a theatre supper or afternoon tea! That is all
+settled beforehand. Run upstairs and put on your evening dress. We
+propose making a party of it this first night," called Mr. Maynard,
+trying to make himself heard above the general din.
+
+"Is it your party, Dad?" asked Eleanor, gayly.
+
+"Yes, and to please Bob it is to be at the Ritz. To-morrow it will be
+Brewster's turn, and that's up to him to say where we go."
+
+"Oh, Daddy--I know a place!" exclaimed Polly, eagerly. "Eleanor and I
+have never been, but we've heard lots about it and this is the chance.
+We'll all go down to Chinatown, to-morrow!"
+
+A wild chorus of laughter greeted this proposal, and Polly looked
+surprised. To make matters worse, she added explanatorily: "Why, the
+girls say chop-suey is great! And at Christmas time the Chinks' stores
+are beautiful! The lovely things one can buy then are the best that are
+imported from the Orient."
+
+"We'll do Chinatown, thoroughly, Poll, but it may not be to-morrow
+night," promised John, who had hitherto been completely engaged with
+Anne's whispers and looks.
+
+Thereafter followed delight upon delight, each day filled with new plans
+and exciting fulfillments. Ken and his parents, the four Latimers, the
+Ashbys, Mr. Fabian, and even Mr. Dalken, were included in the gay whirl
+of these pleasure-seekers. Mrs. Maynard and Barbara actually enjoyed the
+wholesome fun and almost forgot to be affected or snobbish. To associate
+intimately with Mr. Dalken, whose social standing was well-known in
+Chicago, as well as in other large cities, was excuse enough to accept
+all the other friends. But added to that pleasure, the friendship and
+evident intimacy the Ashbys and Latimers entertained for Polly and
+Eleanor, made Mrs. Maynard feel there might be hope for Nolla in the
+future.
+
+Christmas fell on the Thursday after the Westerners had arrived in New
+York; and considering all the fun and gadding that had been indulged in,
+on the days preceding the twenty-fifth, that day passed quietly for all.
+Each family enjoyed its own gathering and gifts, and all assembled at
+the Ashbys in the evening, to enjoy music and dancing, and everyone
+declared it had been a fine day!
+
+Friday started anew the excitement of planning and enjoying whatever
+came in the way of the party. But Saturday night had been set aside for
+Mr. Dalken's Christmas party. Elizabeth was invited to bring her
+friends, and everyone in Polly's and Eleanor's friendship ring were
+included.
+
+Mr. Dalken lived in modest but very large rooms of a bachelor apartment
+house, downtown, and here he had an enormous tree fixed in the center of
+the living-room. No one was allowed to see that room until all had
+assembled, but when the doors were opened, there were "ahs" and "ohs"
+from everyone.
+
+The tree was so beautifully trimmed that it seemed a pity that it should
+ever be dismantled. But soon, the attractive white packages tied with
+red ribbons, filled the guests with curiosity; and once Eleanor had
+peeped at the name written on one box, there was no peace but her host
+must distribute the gifts.
+
+Mr. Dalken never spared time or money when he did anything for his
+friends, and his Christmas Party was to be one all would remember. The
+gifts were carefully selected for each individual and those for the four
+girls--Elizabeth, Ruth Ashby, Polly and Eleanor, were exquisite and
+costly. Elizabeth had craved a ring. She had it. Ruth, Polly, and
+Eleanor each had a long barpin of platinum daintily jewelled.
+
+With her usual impetuosity, Eleanor suddenly sprang up and hugged Mr.
+Dalken gratefully for her gift. Polly smiled and shyly shook hands,
+while Ruth said he must have read her thoughts, for she had asked Dad
+for a pin and had been refused. Now she had it, anyway, and from her
+second-best Dad. Elizabeth was pleased, too, but merely murmured
+"Thanks, Papa."
+
+"How do you like the jewels in the pins, girls?" asked Mr. Latimer,
+quizzically, as no one had mentioned the gems.
+
+Suddenly Polly looked up at him. She caught the twinkle in his eyes, and
+instantly wheeled to look at the other men. Each one was smiling as if
+there was a fine secret here.
+
+"I just know these are Rainbow Cliff jewels!" exclaimed Polly, joyously.
+
+"No--are they?" demanded Eleanor, holding the pin aloft to let the light
+flash over and through them.
+
+"Now I am deeply offended! I want the girls to see that I got the very
+best and finest stones in New York, and someone dares suggest that they
+may be lava!" grumbled Mr. Dalken, trying to be peevish.
+
+"I can find out by taking mine to Tiffany's, to-morrow," said Ruth,
+wisely.
+
+"No, you won't--Tiffany says his store is to be closed all day
+to-morrow," laughed Mr. Ashby.
+
+"Why--some one in his family dead?" asked Elizabeth.
+
+"No--but it is Sunday, and he is a church member."
+
+Every one laughed, as it had been forgotten the Sabbath was so near at
+hand. Then Eleanor had an idea.
+
+"Why wait for Tiffany? Maybe the box will give us a clue." So she found
+her box and examined it. Inside the silk-padded lid were the words in
+gold ink: "Rainbow Cliffs' Jewel Company."
+
+"Oh, oh! It is our lava! Polly, now you can carry a little of Pebbly Pit
+about with you!" cried Eleanor, dancing about.
+
+"Yes, it is a bit of Polly's own dear heath. These are the very first
+jewels the company perfected. And as I am one of the corporation, I
+wheedled the cutter into giving me his first output. So, girls, you not
+only have pretty pins, but also you have what may be considered a
+curiosity," explained Mr. Dalken.
+
+"Are you one of our company?" Polly asked, eagerly.
+
+"Yes, Mr. Ashby and I took stock soon after the fire, because we said
+this was going to be a big thing, some day."
+
+"I'm so _glad_, Mr. Dalken," said Polly simply, and in a voice that only
+he could hear. "I like you _so_ much, and I'm happy to know that you and
+I are members, together, in something."
+
+"Polly, dear, that is the very best Christmas gift I have had in years,"
+murmured Mr. Dalken, feelingly.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI--THE VALENTINES
+
+
+With the passing of this gay Holiday Season, the two girls began to feel
+that it would be a relief to sit down once more and spend a quiet
+evening at school. Two weeks of constant going and dissipation had
+become tiresome.
+
+The Westerners had gone home again; John, Tom, Paul and Pete back to
+Chicago, and the two boys, Ken and Jim, back at Yale; and then Mrs.
+Wellington's school reopened. Lessons went on as if there never had been
+a vacation, and on Wednesday evening of that same week, the art school
+resumed classes.
+
+This term was to be devoted to Applied Design and its uses in
+architecture and decorations of interiors. After having had such
+interesting work as Egyptian ornament, art, and symbols, it seemed
+rather dry to start out the New Year with drawing straight lines an inch
+long.
+
+Then to draw a dozen of these lines--next to connect them and make a
+design of these dozen simple lines. But the next lesson was still more
+foolish. They were told to draw a square. Then this large square of
+twenty inches each side was divided into smaller squares. And in each of
+these squares the pupils were told to draw whatever they liked, but each
+square must repeat the first one figure designed.
+
+Thus the scholars found that they had a pattern of the design. This
+began to look more promising, and Eleanor wished she had paid more
+attention to the squares so that the design would have been neater.
+
+The next lesson was on grouping certain designs. The talk given by Mr.
+Fabian that evening was on eye-measurement and judgment in lines.
+
+"Unless one has a good eye for lines in anything, it is a waste of time
+to study a profession that is based fundamentally on a true judgment of
+lines--whether of beauty, grace, or usefulness. Unless one has a true
+sense of 'line' one can never know where to build a window, a door, or a
+fire-place.
+
+"Not only does 'line' govern the size of rooms and halls, but the entire
+building is dependent upon true lines. Also, this basis line governs
+furniture and decorations in an interior.
+
+"Can you picture a room where the portieres are all of different
+lengths?--because the decorator had no sense of 'line value?' And what
+would one say if the chairs had legs of various lengths? Is not 'line
+value' to be used here, too? It is found necessary, everywhere."
+
+So the lessons and lectures continued until the girls took up the study
+of colors. This was very interesting, and soon, both Polly and Eleanor
+knew that yellow, blue and red were primary colors and they could glibly
+tell you what that meant, and how important a part the knowledge played,
+in the progressive art of decorating.
+
+When the demonstration of these lessons began in the painting, the girls
+realized that they were actually going to be able to carry home samples
+of their work. From that time on, they showed more zeal in doing
+everything as correctly and perfectly as possible. And Mr. Fabian, at
+his next monthly report to Mr. Ashby (which were quite unknown to Polly
+and Eleanor) said: "They're deeply interested in the actual art and not
+merely for the fun of some day going into business."
+
+"I am glad to hear it. There is so much of this idea of taking up
+interior decorating because it is comparatively a new field, but so few
+really ought to be in it. It should be made a matter of diplomas the
+same as other professions. Then the restriction would soon clear away
+all the quacks in the art. If these two girls but escape the snares of
+matrimony until they are finished artists, I shall be rejoiced to
+welcome them to our fold."
+
+Mr. Fabian nodded approvingly, and murmured: "I have faith in them. I'm
+sure that both these girls are sensible and not to be easily influenced
+by a good looking beau."
+
+Mr. Ashby smiled. "They're much safer in New York than if they lived in
+smaller towns. Girls in this city haven't time to find beaux or think of
+husbands."
+
+"Don't be so sure, Mr. Ashby," retorted Mr. Fabian. "If the girls are as
+pretty as my two are, and clever and rich as well, they'd find it hard
+to escape."
+
+"But you are speaking of society girls, while these two students seldom
+give that empty life a thought--I'm glad to say."
+
+Which conversation goes to show that more than one adult was watching
+the experiment these two girls were unconsciously making of their school
+days, with intense interest and a desire to aid.
+
+Polly and Eleanor were not aware of all that had been done to insure
+them perfect freedom and liberty to continue their art classes. Had they
+known the arguments Mr. Latimer had had with Jim and Ken to keep those
+boys from usurping so much of the time the girls had to devote to study!
+Then Jim had blustered and boasted of all he would do once he was at
+college: His father wouldn't know how many letters he would write, nor
+the visits to the girls, of an evening!
+
+And one reason Tom Latimer and John seldom wrote to Polly and Eleanor,
+was because of Anne's suggestion--to leave the girls to plan their spare
+time for their very own work, and not be made to feel that they had
+letters to answer, all the time.
+
+It was Tom who had begged Jim not to waste his own, or the girls' time,
+in writing silly letters or in traveling back and forth from college to
+New York. And Tom, wise big brother that he was, took Jim into his
+confidence and explained how anxious John and he were to have Polly
+climb to the top of the ladder in her art. That she had to make good in
+New York those first two years or go back home and starve her artistic
+soul on a lonesome ranch.
+
+But Valentine's Day was coming, and Jim felt that on that day he would
+be privileged to not only write to the girls, but to send each one a
+fine valentine, describing his sentiments.
+
+Polly and Eleanor could not forget Valentine's Day was at hand, for
+every shop-window they passed invited sentimental people to step in and
+see the love cards.
+
+"I'd like to send a perfect dear to Mr. Dalken, Nolla," said Polly,
+reading the verse on a card.
+
+"To Mr. Dalken! Why, Poll, he is an old married man!"
+
+"But what of that! Can't I send him a card that states how much I like
+him?"
+
+"Oh, ye-es--I suppose so; but valentines are really meant for lovers,
+you see."
+
+"It's nothing of the kind, Nolla. Dear old St. Valentine never meant all
+his notes for lovers; but for everyone he _loved!_ and that is very
+different, I think."
+
+"Well, send yours to anyone you like, but I am going to buy one for
+Jim," said Eleanor, searching over the piles of cards on the tray, but
+not finding what she sought.
+
+"Oh, Nolla," laughed Polly, teasingly. "Are you selecting Jim for your
+first love?"
+
+"First love! I should say double no! I am hunting for a _comic_ one for
+him--just because he is so sentimental and sits with moony eyes when he
+is near any pretty girl. I thought I would die with laughter that night
+he sat and gazed with soulful eyes at Ruth."
+
+Finally the girls found several very funny cards which had sarcastic
+lines under the pictures. These they were going to mail to Jim and Ken.
+Then Eleanor had an idea.
+
+"I just guess I'll mail one each to John, Tom, Pete and Paul, too. If I
+dared, I'd get Pete to re-mail one to Bob so she wouldn't know who sent
+it. Being postmarked 'Chicago' she'd break her head trying to think who
+sent it to her."
+
+"Oh, that will be fun, Nolla. Have them remailed so the boys won't know
+we sent them. Let's do that with all of ours."
+
+The need of secrecy, and the trouble of selecting appropriate lines for
+each of their friends, took time. But Eleanor wired her father to keep
+the secret and do the mailing for them, and he wired back his consent.
+So the valentines meant for the Chicago friends went to Mr. Maynard, and
+duly reached each one as had been intended.
+
+And those for Jim and Ken were handed to a porter on the train that ran
+to New Haven, with a liberal tip if he would drop them in a letter-box
+when he jumped from the train. His wide grin showed he was ready to abet
+the pranks such generous pretty young misses planned to tease their
+beaux.
+
+Elizabeth Dalken had taken a violent fancy to Jim Latimer when she met
+him at the different Christmas parties, and Valentine's Day being an
+opportunity for love-lorn misses and youths, she bought a very expensive
+Valentine, with sentiment as soft as down, and suggestive of heart-aches
+and sighs and what-not.
+
+But Elizabeth had no independence, whatever, and once she had the
+Valentine boxed and ready to post, she wished she knew someone who would
+address it. She feared to have her own cramped writing seen on it.
+
+In Mrs. Wellington's school was a clever girl who could imitate
+hand-writing to perfection, and Elizabeth presented her with a box of
+bon-bons a few days before Valentine's Day. Then the following day she
+asked a favor. Would Myrtle address a box for her?
+
+Myrtle comprehended, but the candies had been delicious so she laughed:
+"Got a valentine to send?"
+
+"Yes, but it is a joke. I want the receiver to believe Eleanor Maynard
+sent it. Can you imitate her writing?"
+
+"Easy as pie. Get me her exercise from this noon's class."
+
+And in short order the box was addressed in Eleanor's hand-writing.
+Elizabeth mailed it, and the day following the 14th, Jim mailed, what he
+considered, a lover's work of art--such ardent lines and such sentiment
+seldom entered his thoughts, but the mushy words of the valentine
+excused his letter.
+
+"W-e-ll--Jim's gone clean mad!" gasped Eleanor.
+
+"Is the thick letter from him?" asked Polly.
+
+"Yes, but read it, Poll, and tell me what ails him."
+
+Polly read, but not without giggles and many a lifted eyebrow when she
+came to the extra fine phrases of love-making.
+
+"Nolla, he sure is daffy. Can you see through it?"
+
+"Not at all. I expected a comic from him--not this."
+
+"Nolla, do you think anyone we know would send him a soft valentine and
+pretend it came from you?"
+
+"Maybe--for a joke! Now who would do it?"
+
+They asked Anne, and showed her the letter. She laughed with them, but
+when they were not present, she sat down and wrote to Jim--a nice
+sisterly letter cuttingly blunt that told him that she had her hands
+full with school and girls, and house, so that any extra care would
+drive her insane. Letters such as the one that came to Nolla, were the
+worst danger she had to ward off from the girls.
+
+By the last mail on the thirteenth and during the day of the fourteenth
+other valentines came for Polly and Eleanor; some of real merit as
+tokens of friendship; some of beauty; and many with a little line of
+love. But Polly received no vague or sentimental one during Valentine's
+day.
+
+That evening, however, the bell rang, and Mrs. Stewart asked who was
+there. The girls were already upstairs.
+
+"Messenger with a box."
+
+"Mother--wait till I get there!" called Anne, anxiously.
+
+In another moment, Anne, in a negligee, ran downstairs and opened the
+street-door which opened into a vestibule.
+
+A large long box was handed in and Anne signed the book. It was
+addressed to "Miss Polly Brewster, Studio, 1003 East Thirtieth Street,
+New York."
+
+"Polly, here's a great box of flowers from someone," Anne called,
+standing at the foot of the stairs.
+
+"For me?"
+
+"Your name is on the tag," said Anne.
+
+Instantly, Polly and Eleanor scrambled downstairs and Polly tremblingly
+tried to untie the string about the box.
+
+"Dear me--it won't even break!" said she, trying to tear the cord by
+pulling at it.
+
+"Here--take the knife!" cried Eleanor, having dashed to the dining-room
+to catch up a silver knife, and returning with it.
+
+The string was cut, the lid taken off, and several wrappers of oiled
+paper removed. Then, there, upon a bed of lace-paper rested a dozen of
+magnificent American Beauties, with stems more than a yard long. And to
+the cluster, about the middle of the stems, was attached a fine golden
+cord holding a papier mache heart. The heart had a golden arrow
+half-buried in its plump center.
+
+"What wonderful roses!" breathed Polly.
+
+"Isn't the heart cute!" giggled Eleanor.
+
+"No card, or sign, to say where they came from?" asked Anne, picking the
+heart up carefully.
+
+"Oh, there's another heart--see! On the point of the arrow at the back,"
+cried Eleanor. And there was another heart fastened to the first one by
+means of the sharp arrow.
+
+The girls sought carefully for some clue of the sender, but the sweet
+perfume wafted from the roses was all that rewarded their search.
+
+"Whoever it was, he is a dear!" said Polly, fondly touching the waxen
+stems.
+
+"And we'll try to keep them as long as possible so, whoever it was, will
+see that we appreciate the flowers," said Anne, going for water.
+
+"At last I have found a use for that tall vase I bought that first week
+of auctions," laughed Eleanor, taking the glass from under the
+window-seat.
+
+Scarcely were the roses arranged to satisfy the admiring group, when the
+bell rang again. Eleanor being nearest the door, ran out to the small
+vestibule and peeped through the window in the street-door.
+
+"Well, of all things! Another messenger. Maybe he has a valentine for
+me."
+
+The door was opened, Eleanor said "yes" to his query if Mrs. Stewart
+lived there, and having signed the book, hurried in with a tier of
+boxes. There were four in all.
+
+"Miss Anne Stewart the first on top," read Polly.
+
+The second was for Mrs. Stewart, and the third for Polly, the last being
+Eleanor's. Each box contained a beautiful spray of cut flowers but no
+card. Not even a suggestion of the sender.
+
+"Well, it beats all. Why couldn't our admirers have sent our flowers in
+the morning," laughed Anne.
+
+Again the bell pealed. "It surely can't be more flowers!" laughed Polly,
+running to the door. But it was. A card on the outside read: "Say it
+with Flowers," to Miss Anne Stewart.
+
+By this time everyone was laughing and trying to guess who could have
+sent the blossoms. And had the bell sounded again, no one would have
+been surprised. But it didn't, and after guessing of all impossible
+persons who might be the senders of the flower-valentines, Anne
+ventured: "Someone may have telegraphed to New York this morning, you
+know, to send us these flowers, at once. I've heard said, the florists
+were so rushed to-day with valentine orders that they couldn't secure
+enough flowers from the wholesale shops."
+
+"That's about it!" declared Eleanor. "John sent you this last box, and
+maybe Daddy sent us each the smaller boxes. But _who_ could have sent
+Polly a hundred dollars' worth of American Beauties?"
+
+Finally they went to bed with the great question still unsolved; and
+Polly often wondered, thereafter, if Mr. Dalken could have sent her
+those roses? Had she guessed the truth, would she have been content to
+go on so serenely with her studies of interior decorating?
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII--MR. FABIAN PLOTS FOR FACTS
+
+
+The roses kept for more than two weeks, filling the Studio rooms with
+fragrance, but keeping their secret as to who had sent them to Polly.
+She had gone to everyone she knew and tried to find out who had given
+them to her. Then she beguiled Mr. Ashby into finding out if Mr. Dalken
+was the guilty one. And when he was found innocent, she bribed Mr.
+Dalken to find out if the Latimers or the Evans sent them--but she could
+not see why anyone should spend so much money on her, and try to hide
+the fact.
+
+When Mr. Fabian was satisfied that it was not one of their old friends
+who had sent the roses, he thought of a way to find out. The box had had
+the name on its cover, of one of Fifth avenue's most fashionable
+florists, so he went there and tried to learn what he wanted to know, by
+asking the proprietor.
+
+But the man smiled and shook his head. "We are never allowed to divulge
+state secrets, Mr. Fabian."
+
+"Not even when that secret concerns a protegee of mine? I do not wish to
+use the knowledge, but merely to relieve my mind."
+
+"If I were to tell you, Mr. Fabian, I should have to also tell the six
+other individuals who begged me to tell them confidentially who ordered
+the roses."
+
+"Six others! Have others been here to ask this same question?" asked Mr.
+Fabian, amazed.
+
+The florist laughed. "Yes, that pretty miss seems to be very popular.
+Who is she, anyway?"
+
+"A little girl that attends my art class, and I am bound to keep her
+mind free from nonsense until her education is finished."
+
+"Can you keep a secret--on your oath?" asked the florist.
+
+"Yes, yes!" eagerly agreed Mr. Fabian, thinking he was now going to hear
+who sent the roses.
+
+"Well, then, this much I may tell you--just to ease your fears: the
+individual who sent those roses is as anxious as you can be, to keep the
+girl's heart and mind free from nonsense and to allow her to complete
+her art education without thoughts of beaux."
+
+"Is that all you've got to say?"
+
+"My goodness, don't you appreciate that much! You only wanted to know
+something to ease your mind, and now I have told you."
+
+"How do _you_ know what the gentleman thinks or wants?"
+
+"I was told so by the one who ordered the roses. But I did not tell you
+it was a gentleman."
+
+This was still more disconcerting to Mr. Fabian, but he never told a
+soul that he had visited the florist. He did wonder, however, if the man
+had given the others the same confidence he had imparted confidentially
+to him.
+
+Polly, the cause of all this secret concern of her friends, had
+forgotten all about the valentine, and was devoting her entire time and
+attention to the absorbing lessons at art school.
+
+Easter Week came early, and the term beginning immediately after the
+Easter Holidays, would start a course on mural decorations, and the
+study of tapestries. So interesting had their night-classes become, that
+Polly and Eleanor neglected their studies at day-school. Anne noticed
+their daily marks and worried over it. At last she consulted with Mr.
+Fabian.
+
+"You must realize, Mr. Fabian, that the girls are still young. Even if
+they were prepared to enter the profession they are proposing to follow
+they would be too young in years to make a success of it. People are not
+apt to turn over contracts for art or decorating, to girls under twenty.
+Therefore I advise you to make them drop their night school until after
+they have caught up in their day classes."
+
+Mr. Fabian was secretly pleased at the news that his two pet scholars
+preferred _his_ teachings to the dry high-school lessons. But he dared
+not express his satisfaction to Anne.
+
+"All you say is true, but there is no need for my girls to give up their
+art class. The night school closes for a two weeks' holiday at Easter,
+and then, as warm weather comes on apace, I find my pupils begin to lose
+zeal in their constant attendance at class. You will see that Polly and
+Eleanor will turn more to their day studies, then. But I would not
+advise you to cut off their pursuit in art work, now. It will only
+create deeper zest for it, and turn their thoughts completely from
+day-studies."
+
+Anne replied that this was logical, and so the girls never knew that
+they had been standing upon the danger-line of having to suspend their
+favorite studies.
+
+Mr. Fabian was roused to a more temperate art "diet" for the two girls,
+thereafter. And Polly and Eleanor found, as Spring advanced, that
+lessons in night school were simpler and not quite so absorbing to their
+time, as those of the recent weeks had been.
+
+In the mural decoration study that began with the new Spring term, the
+pupils found that, beginning with the order of antiquity, Egyptian
+first, and then Greek, Roman, Medieval, Moresque and Persian
+styles--much of their work done in the other classes now proved useful.
+In fact, the historical studies of these races of people and their
+periods of time, proved valuable in review, for the further perfection
+of mural art.
+
+So when they were given a design to do in "wave ornament" it was at once
+recognised as Egyptian art. Or should a wall decoration be required
+where geometrical forms were the principle, the pupils remembered the
+religion of the Arabs and Moors which restricted them to the use of
+natural forms which would not conflict with their worship.
+
+Thus Polly and Eleanor began to understand how important their previous
+lessons had been, and how necessary it was for every earnest student of
+art to be present at each class, that no connecting link in instruction
+might be dropped and lost.
+
+As the weeks went by, and the end of the term drew near, the night
+classes thinned out perceptibly, many of the less enthusiastic pupils
+preferring outdoor sports to close application to art pursuits. But
+Polly and Eleanor found their pleasure in hearing all Mr. Fabian had to
+say to them on various subjects.
+
+Perhaps the girls might not have been so keen for school during the warm
+evenings, had not Mr. Fabian's knowledge and fascinating descriptions of
+anything pertaining to his profession, been so freely given them at all
+times. He continued to discover exhibits, lectures, and other
+educational pastimes, to which he conducted his favorite pupils, so that
+there was no dearth of material to aid and demonstrate his teachings.
+
+As June came in, Polly found New York not nearly as cool and pleasant an
+abode as Pebbly Pit with its altitude upon the crests of the Rockies.
+And she longed for a breath of the mountain air that would renew jaded
+senses. Both Eleanor and Polly began to show the strain of the close
+application to study that they had had since October, so Anne was
+thankful that the schools would soon close for the Summer.
+
+Then the last class in Cooper Union ended, and Mr. Fabian escorted his
+girls to their home. Already, they were planning for the coming year of
+work, but their instructor smiled and interrupted.
+
+"I have refused an offer to continue my classes in the school, so I will
+not be there next year."
+
+"What!" gasped Polly.
+
+"Not teach us!" cried Eleanor.
+
+"Not teach at Cooper--no. I feel that I am not strong enough to keep up
+such arduous labors; and so many there do not seem to appreciate what I
+am sacrificing for them. I find there are some people who think that,
+because a thing is free, it is not as valuable as if they had to pay for
+it. You can see, for yourselves, how many scholars dropped out of the
+classes when other diversions offered themselves. They join an art class
+and attend it when nothing else can be had. They take my thought and
+time, and when they weary of the routine, they fail to appear. It is
+very disheartening. But it is so every year, and I am tired of trying to
+keep up the interest of such lazy leeches."
+
+Polly and Eleanor heard their dear professor's words in sorry silence.
+What would night school be without him?
+
+"But I have planned a far different school beginning with next October.
+I have chosen the faithful few who really mean business, and to these I
+shall offer my services for a small return. I feel sure that this will
+mean greater benefit to individuals in a small class, as I can devote
+much more time to each student and give better advice wherever it is
+needed. I have thought of seven scholars for my little school."
+
+"Oh, Mr. Fabian--I do hope Polly and I are among them!" exclaimed
+Eleanor, anxiously.
+
+Mr. Fabian smiled. "Perhaps it was because of Polly and you that I
+thought of this idea. You two girls really should have personal
+instruction, instead of having to waste hours in a general class waiting
+for delinquents to catch up with you.
+
+"That has always been the weak spot in any large class; there are those
+who forge ahead eagerly, and the lazy ones who miss a class every few
+nights, causing the whole body to delay and wait while they work to
+catch up on what they have missed.
+
+"When the few ambitious workers can be grouped together and not hampered
+by the leeches, one can readily see how much better it is for all
+concerned. This is what I propose doing."
+
+"Oh, it will be splendid! and I am glad, for one, to be able to look
+forward to such teachings. To know that we can ask all the questions
+freely, and not have to wait to have the easiest lesson explained to the
+thick-headed, will be a great relief," said Polly, gratefully.
+
+At the door of the Studio, Mr. Fabian said good-by. "I am planning to
+sail for Europe very soon, my dears, and I am looking forward to a good
+time with my little family. We intend visiting all the famous places of
+interest to an artist, and when I return in the Fall, I will be able to
+tell you about the great cathedrals, the wonderful collections of
+antiques, and other sights."
+
+"As for Polly and me--we won't be able to give you any such tales, as we
+are going to spend our vacation at Pebbly Pit, again. But we will bring
+back plenty of health and renewed zeal," laughed Eleanor.
+
+"Ah! That is what I need of you now, children. See that you fill out the
+hollows in your cheeks, and gather ample strength and health for another
+strenuous year in New York. I plan to put both of you on the firing-line
+next school-year."
+
+"We'll not fail you, Mr. Fabian," promised Polly, taking his hand a
+second time and patting it fondly.
+
+"Then I'll not fail _you_, dear students!" responded Mr. Fabian,
+stooping and kissing each girl affectionately on the forehead, then
+taking his leave.
+
+A few days after this the Studio was swathed in dust-covers, the windows
+locked and shuttered, the burglar alarm attached, and at last the front
+door was closed by a representative from the insurance company. The four
+tenants were on their way to Grand Central where Jim Latimer and Kenneth
+Evans were to meet them. They then were going to take the Twentieth
+Century Limited to Chicago.
+
+Jim and Ken had been engaged by Carew, to join his camp of surveyors in
+the mountains for this second season's work; and, as Polly and her
+friends were to spend the summer vacation at Pebbly Pit, it was quite
+natural that all six should journey westward, together.
+
+Mr. Dalken and the Ashbys came to see the friends off, and as the parent
+Latimers and Evans were with their boys to the last, there was a large
+merry party to accompany the travelers to the Pullman.
+
+"Don't be surprised to see me bring the Ashbys to Pebbly Pit in my
+touring car, some fine day, soon," announced Mr. Dalken.
+
+"Oh, that would be lovely!" cried Polly, eagerly.
+
+"And leave Ruth with us for the Summer?" added Eleanor.
+
+"Yes, yes, Daddy--I'd love to spend my vacation with Polly and Eleanor
+at the ranch!" exclaimed Ruth Ashby.
+
+"Where would you put us all--even if we did come?" asked Mrs. Ashby, who
+had heard of the limitations of the ranch-house.
+
+"Oh, you forget! John writes that we will be surprised to find the
+marvelous work that has gone on at the Cliffs. Not only is the great
+road down through the Devil's Causeway completed for heavy traffic, but
+rows and rows of buildings back of the Imps are ready for occupancy, the
+moment the machinery is set up for work on the lava. If the miners have
+not yet taken possession of the barracks we could invite loads of people
+to visit the ranch."
+
+Polly spoke eagerly, and her eyes shone as she beheld her friends
+enjoying the Brewster hospitality.
+
+Everyone laughed at her anxiety to have them visit her, and Mr. Dalken
+promised: "I'll do my best to bring my friends, Polly."
+
+A quizzical look in his eyes suddenly caused Polly to remember the
+valentine she had sent him. She smiled back at him, but as suddenly
+another thought flashed into her mind.
+
+"Oh, Mr. Dalken, I've wanted to ask you for the _longest_ time! Now that
+it is ancient history, you won't mind confessing, will you?"
+
+Mr. Dalken shook his head as a concession to her eager look. And Polly
+continued: "_Did_ you send me those American Beauties' valentine?"
+
+A roar greeted this question, as everyone of the grown-ups had asked the
+same question of Mr. Dalken months before. And Mr. Dalken not only
+repudiated any knowledge of the valentine but told how he had visited
+the florist and had not been able to ascertain who the Cupid really was.
+
+"Polly, I will confess, as they say that open confession is good for the
+soul. I was guilty of sending four boxes of flowers to the Studio on
+Valentine Day, to four charming friends, but I showed no partiality, I
+think, in the bouquets. I would like to know, myself, who the Cupid was
+who sent such gorgeous roses as you received."
+
+"I wonder! I'm sure it wasn't Jim," here Polly looked searchingly at the
+young student, and he shook his head laughingly.
+
+"I couldn't have, had I wanted to. My pocket money went for that
+love-sonnet that was so harshly condemned," said he.
+
+"And I'm sure Ken never dreamed of doing it. Then there is Mr. Latimer
+and the doctor--they are both innocent, I know, as they never think of
+anything other than the old patented jewel cutter."
+
+As Polly explained thus in earnest tones, everyone laughed at the two
+men so calmly criticised for their absorption in patents.
+
+"So I am inclined to believe it was my _own_ Daddy. He always did send
+me the cutest valentines each year, and I received no card from him this
+year--so that is who it was!" declared Polly.
+
+"And the only kind of a Cupid to have, these days, Polly," approved Mr.
+Dalken.
+
+But the happy circle standing on the platform of the train-shed were now
+notified that the passengers must get on as the train would leave in a
+few moments.
+
+Good-bys were said, hands shaken, kisses wafted from the girls to the
+group remaining in New York, and then the travelers were gone.
+
+Scarcely had the train slowed up in the Chicago Terminal before John and
+Tom Latimer were on board, pushing a way through the Pullmans, in search
+of familiar faces.
+
+"There they are--there comes John!" cried Polly, excitedly, jumping up
+and pointing to the other end of the coach.
+
+"Oh--!" sighed Anne, flushing joyously as her glance rested upon her
+fiance.
+
+But John had no eyes for anyone but Anne. Polly was left standing with
+hands out-stretched, her whole soul quivering with anticipation of her
+beloved brother's greeting, and now he forgot she was alive! Then Paul
+Stewart and Pete Maynard ran in.
+
+Mrs. Stewart was embraced by Paul, and Pete hugged his sister Eleanor.
+Tom Latimer stood a pace apart, his features working desperately to
+control his feelings as he saw John joyously scanning Anne's face, and
+Polly limply sitting down in the parlor chair. Then he quickly went over
+and greeted her.
+
+"Polly, and you boys"--turning to Jim and Kenneth--"we sure are happy to
+see you-all again. My, what a change New York has made in you. I see
+quite a wonderful young lady, where once I remember my little ranch pal
+with pigtails." Tom tried to laugh merrily.
+
+Kenneth suddenly launched into a silly conversation to cheer Polly. But
+Polly never could dissimulate, and she was too deeply hurt at her
+brother's neglect to pretend to be merry. John, however, now turned to
+embrace and kiss his sister, and evidently had had no thought of
+neglecting her.
+
+"Come, children, we must get out or we'll be carried to the
+round-house," suggested Jim Latimer, taking up certain bags.
+
+Once on the platform where Mr. Maynard welcomed them, Tom said: "When do
+Ken and you go on to Denver?"
+
+"On the next train, leaving here at two. That gives us an hour and a
+half with you."
+
+"Anyone want dinner, or did you eat on the train?" now asked Paul
+Stewart.
+
+"All dined, but now waiting for someone to suggest a party for Ken and
+I, as we go on in a little while," said Jim.
+
+"Here!" offered Mr. Maynard. "Pile into taxis and we'll be at the house
+in a jiffy. No place like home when there's no other place to go to."
+
+So, laughing, the entire party bundled itself into cabs, John managing
+to get Anne and her luggage to himself. Immediately, he signalled the
+driver to start off.
+
+Mr. Maynard, Paul and Mrs. Stewart got in another cab and Jim, Ken, and
+Eleanor in another. That left Polly and Tom Latimer, with the remaining
+bags, to get in the last taxi. It was all done in such noisy confusion,
+that no one dreamed how one clever manager had so manipulated matters as
+to have Polly alone in the last cab.
+
+"Well, Polly, I hear you are soaring in your ambition. Mr. Fabian wrote
+me how interested he was in Nolla and you."
+
+"Oh, did the dear man write you? I didn't know he and you corresponded."
+
+"I took a great fancy to the idealist, and having always loved art for
+itself, I told him I would consider it a great pleasure if he would
+exchange letters with me when he had the opportunity. He has done better
+for me than I had any right to expect. He writes the most interesting
+letters--just as clever as his talks on art."
+
+Having found a willing listener in Tom, Polly expanded on her private
+opinion of such a wonderful teacher as Mr. Fabian was, and before the
+taxi drew up in front of the Maynard's brown-stone mansion, Tom had the
+comforting assurance that Polly had quite forgotten her brother John's
+unintentional neglect.
+
+Jim and Ken enjoyed their hasty visit and then took their departure to
+catch their train going west. When Mrs. Maynard and Barbara dispensed
+tea, the three young men, John, Tom and Paul, had to enter into service
+for the hostess; but they would greatly have preferred to enjoy their
+time as each inclined--John alone with Anne in the conservatory, Tom and
+Polly talking art, and Paul making merry with Eleanor.
+
+Barbara, who a year ago would have resented oblivion for herself, now
+smiled contentedly and gazed upon a huge solitaire.
+
+"Bob, shall we announce it?" whispered her mother.
+
+"No, they do not know Percival, and, moreover, not one of these people
+appreciate his social standing."
+
+So the young people now gathered about Mrs. Maynard's tea-table were
+deprived (so Bob thought) of the greatest event of the past social
+season--her engagement to one of the most aristocratic and wealthiest
+eligibles on the market, Percival Weston.
+
+Barbara twirled her solitaire smilingly, nor cared that her Percival was
+bald and diminutive, past the prime in life, and not over-brilliant. Had
+he not been the catch at Newport the previous Summer? And had he not
+attached himself to her as soon as she appeared in the Adirondack Camp
+presided over by the famous society leader of New York?
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII--BACK AGAIN AT PEBBLY PIT
+
+
+"Oh, Nolla! Isn't this great after old New York?" cried Polly, as they
+were all jostled in the big ranch-wagon driven by Mr. Brewster, as it
+rumbled over the trail to Pebbly Pit.
+
+"We-all think it's great, Poll; but wait till you see what your going to
+New York did to the old Pit! No one to blame for it but yourself,"
+laughed her father.
+
+"We heard there was a row of buildings down behind the Imps, and that a
+fine roadway was constructed through the Devil's Causeway," said Polly,
+eagerly.
+
+"But no one told you how John and Tom came here as soon as college
+closed, and brought a railroad man with them to see about building a
+spur from Bear Forks to the valley at the foot of Grizzly Slide. It's
+twenty miles nearer Denver than Oak Creek, so the company agreed to risk
+the work if Pebbly Pit would guarantee a certain amount of travel and
+freight over the road."
+
+"Well--did you, Daddy?" asked Polly, eagerly.
+
+"Tom Latimer did. Agreed to put up bonds for same."
+
+"Tom? Why Tom Latimer?" asked Eleanor.
+
+"Oh, Tom is mighty ambitious, you know, and seems as if he liked this
+section better than the East. However, it is Tom we-all can thank for
+that new railroad. When you-all come home next year, you-all will be
+riding over your own tracks." Mr. Brewster chuckled.
+
+"Is Tom going to join that crew of engineers that John and he were with
+last year?" now asked Eleanor.
+
+"No, indeed! Tom and John will be right here with us this summer. We-all
+need their help in working out the problems of the mine and Rainbow
+Cliffs," responded Sam Brewster.
+
+"I don't suppose we'll see a bit of John as long as Anne and her mother
+remain in Denver, visiting their old friends," pouted Polly, jealously.
+
+Her father glanced slyly at her, and smiled. He felt sorry for his
+little girl who had always felt that her brother John was her own
+personal property. Now that someone claimed first love and attention
+from him it was mighty hard for her, as well as for Mrs. Brewster.
+
+"Ah should wonder at John if he failed in gallantry to his sweetheart,"
+was all Sam Brewster said aloud.
+
+"Oh! Everyone makes me tired! Anyone'd think Anne Stewart was a saint.
+She's only a girl the same as Nolla, or me. And no one is found going
+mad over either one of _us_!" cried Polly, pettishly.
+
+Eleanor laughed. "Give us a few years and then see!"
+
+Polly curled her lip impatiently. "A few years from now and I'll be in
+Europe with dear old Fabian, studying art. I won't want attention from
+anyone, then."
+
+"Seems to me," ventured Mr. Brewster, gently, "my little girl is
+hankering for homage or a beau--which is it?"
+
+Polly stared aghast. "Neither one! How dare you say so."
+
+"You-all were speaking of attention."
+
+"But I was only thinking of _John_. He'll have Anne for a wife all his
+life long--after next year. But he won't have _me_ after I finish
+school."
+
+In spite of the tearful tone, Mr. Brewster had to laugh. "Don't waste
+your time on John, Polly girl. Let me make up for him and be your
+devoted attendant. Ah'll always be at your beck and call!"
+
+"Oh, Dad! That reminds me!" exclaimed Polly, turning square around to
+face her father, and forgetting her recent misery over John. "_How_ did
+you ever manage about that rose valentine you sent me?"
+
+Sam Brewster let the reins dangle recklessly as he, in turn, stared at
+his daughter. "What valentine?"
+
+Polly winked roguishly and laughed. "You can't pull the wool over my
+eyes, Daddy. I've spent a whole year in New York to some advantage, you
+see. I have seen lots of such feigned innocence as yours."
+
+"But honest, Poll, Ah don't even know what you-all are talking about; Ah
+got your sweet valentine, and so did maw."
+
+Polly frowned at her father. "Didn't you wire to a florist in New York
+and order a dozen great roses for my valentine? And tie the two hearts
+pierced by a golden arrow, about the center of the flower-stems?"
+
+"Positively, this is the first word Ah've heard of it!" declared Sam
+Brewster so emphatically, that the girls believed him.
+
+"Now, Polly, the hunt is narrowing down," laughed Eleanor. "We know it
+was no one in New York, and it wasn't Jim or Ken. Your father says he
+didn't do it, so it leaves only a few more to ask."
+
+Suddenly Polly clasped her hands. Her face was radiant. "Why, of course!
+How could I forget? It was dear old John! He, too, always remembered me
+on Valentine Day." Then turning to her father, and shaking a finger at
+him, she added: "But you didn't remember me, this year, bad man."
+
+"Tell truth, Polly, there was so much to think about and so much to do,
+over the buildings and mines, that Ah clean forgot there ever was such a
+day, until I got your card. Then I felt sorry."
+
+"Well, thank goodness, John remembered!" sighed Polly. And Eleanor
+noticed that she smiled again in forgiveness of her brother's
+shortcomings.
+
+When the wagon stopped at the porch of the ranch-house, Eleanor laughed:
+"Just as we drove up last year--but oh, how different this year!"
+
+Mrs. Brewster hurried out to welcome her dear girls, and laughed at
+Eleanor's remark. "Still making Irish bulls, Nolla!"
+
+They all laughed merrily, and then Sary rushed from her kitchen, and
+clasped Polly to her ample bosom. Eleanor came in for her share of the
+maid's embrace before she had to hurry back to the dinner.
+
+"Ah'se cookin' cabbige soup, Miss Nolla," she explained.
+
+"Why, Sary, that first night we were here last summer, you had
+'cabbidge' soup, too!"
+
+"We-all has to hev it once a week reg'ler now, 'cause Jeb loves it, an'
+he is a foreman, you know." Sary's pride in her spouse's promotion was
+most evident.
+
+While Polly and her mother cozily sat together on the porch and smiled
+happily to be in each other's company, once more, Eleanor walked to the
+barns with Mr. Brewster. She had an object in view, and she never
+delayed in finding out what she wanted to know, should the opportunity
+come and offer itself to her.
+
+"Mr. Brewster, do tell me honestly--_did_ you send the roses, or do you
+know who did send them to Polly?"
+
+"Nolla, Ah never heard of them until to-day. Ah'm as curious as you, to
+know who sent them. What were they like, anyway?"
+
+"Well, you must know, Mr. Brewster, that American Beauty roses like they
+were, cost a small fortune in New York, at that time of the year. Each
+one of those roses cost not less than five or six dollars. And the
+trinket that was bound to the stems was not a cheap thing, either. In
+fact, the chain was of fine, gold-plated links, and the arrows were
+gold-plated, too. It was an imported curio."
+
+"By the Great Horned Spoon! Roses that cost like that! Why, they wilted,
+didn't they?" gasped Sam Brewster.
+
+Eleanor laughed merrily. "Sure thing! But we kept them as long as
+possible. That is just where the joy comes in of getting costly
+roses--they wilt. And anyone, who will spend that much money on one,
+must think a heap of her first--see?"
+
+Mr. Brewster stood stock-still. He caught at Eleanor's arm. "Ah've got
+it!"
+
+"What--who?" Eleanor was breathless in her eagerness.
+
+"Find the silly swain that's making eyes at my Polly, and you've caught
+the rascal who sent the roses."
+
+Eleanor screamed with laughter. "Oh, you're funny! But isn't that
+exactly what everyone's been doing?"
+
+"Oh--have they?"
+
+"Sure! I learned that Mr. Fabian tried to find out who the fellow was.
+And then Mr. Dalken wanted to know. The Latimers and Evans put Jim and
+Ken through the third degree, but no one confessed to it. Now do _you_
+believe John sent them?"
+
+"I do not!" was the positive reply.
+
+"Neither do I! Because John sent Anne a bunch of roses for _her_
+valentine but they were only seven dollars. She got a dozen, the usual
+short-stemmed Bride Roses. He wouldn't dare send his sister such
+gorgeous ones and only give his fiancee cheaper ones."
+
+Sam Brewster smiled at his companion. "Nolla, you're a wise little owl."
+
+"Anyone would be, after having had the social training that was fed to
+me from the bottle up!"
+
+Mr. Brewster laughed at this, and Eleanor then said: "Guess I'll be
+going back, now, Mr. Brewster. I wanted to know your opinion about John
+and the roses."
+
+"Wait, Nolla. Have you any answer to it yourself?"
+
+"U--m, yes--I have a sort of a suspicion. But it isn't fair to anyone to
+even hint at it. So don't ask me."
+
+"This much you might answer, however, seeing that Ah'm Polly's father
+and the most concerned in the beaux she has. Do you fancy it might have
+been your brother Pete?"
+
+"_Pete!_" The very tone made Mr. Brewster smile as he saw that Eleanor
+had never thought of him. "Anyway, Pete and Poll hardly know each
+other."
+
+"Ah wonder if it could have been Paul Stewart--he seemed dreadfully
+attentive to her that time when we-all were visiting you-all in New
+York." Mr. Brewster watched Eleanor shrewdly.
+
+"I just guess it _wasn't_ Paul! He sent me a lovely card for a
+valentine; and while we were home in Chicago, I asked him about flowers.
+He never thought to wire a florist about sending me any flowers, he
+said. So I know Paul hadn't anything to do with it."
+
+"Ah! Well, Nolla, now we know who he was, eh?" laughed Sam Brewster,
+tweaking Eleanor's ear and hastening away to the barns.
+
+Eleanor stood watching him. Then she laughed softly: "He sure did put
+one over on me, that time!"
+
+As she walked slowly back to the ranch-house she soliloquized to
+herself. "That's just who it was. Gee! It's almost as fine as having a
+romance of my very own. But Polly doesn't want it so.
+
+"All the same, when John and Tom come down here, I'm going to tease Tom
+about the wonderful roses Polly's brother sent her. Then we'll see what
+we'll see!"
+
+Eleanor could keep her own counsel as well as Sam Brewster, but the two
+exchanged wise looks, now and then, when no one was watching. Still,
+never a word was said again on the rose subject.
+
+A week after the two girls got home, the others in the party came down
+from Denver. Mrs. Stewart was to be Mrs. Brewster's guest that Summer,
+Eleanor was Polly's, and Anne said she was John's visitor. Then Tom
+Latimer laughed and said: "I'll have to be Mr. Brewster's pal."
+
+"I can promise you that you won't have your head turned by any pretty
+school-girl, Tom, if you are _my_ guest," chuckled Sam Brewster.
+
+Eleanor tittered, Tom flushed, but the others laughed at such a speech.
+
+Plans had been made to take a three-day trip up over Top Notch Trail,
+and inspect the progress on the mine, but Mrs. Brewster and her guest
+would remain at home, by preference.
+
+The merry cavalcade started out, Polly on her beloved Noddy as usual,
+and Eleanor on Choko. The others rode their horses, and Jeb led an extra
+horse with the packs.
+
+There was no planned order in riding; first one girl would have one of
+the escort, and then another would ride up and "cut in" to urge the
+other onward. Thus everyone was laughing and teasing and talking merrily
+until they reached the falls on top of the mountains. Here, where Polly
+had caught the trout, the year before, they all had dinner.
+
+"My goodness! Folks in New York never know what they miss by never
+coming to the Rockies," declared Polly, her eyes wandering to the
+far-off line of mountain-ranges.
+
+"And folks who live near these mountains are never happy until they get
+to New York," remarked Mr. Brewster.
+
+Polly laughed. "Oh, that is when one needs education. I have always had
+too _much_ mountain and not enough of other good things. But now that I
+am tasting a little of everything, I like my mountains as well as
+anything I've seen."
+
+"D'ye think you-all will stay at home after this?" eagerly asked her
+father.
+
+"Double no!" affirmed Polly, emphatically.
+
+Everyone laughed at the expressive slang, and Polly added: "At least,
+not until I have seen Europe, year after next, and tried a hand in my
+profession. Maybe--if I fall in love, some day--I'll come back to Pebbly
+Pit to raise my family."
+
+John Brewster thought this so funny that he ha-ha-haed loudly, but the
+others smiled doubtfully. Eleanor could not help sending a swift look at
+Tom Latimer to see how he received the information. But Tom was
+scrambling to his feet, so his face could not be observed. Eleanor
+glanced away from him to Sam Brewster, and saw the latter with a twinkle
+cornering his eyes as he noticed Tom's awkward movement.
+
+"U--m!" muttered Eleanor. "I've got your number, Tom Latimer!" But no
+one overheard her whispered thought.
+
+As the riders proceeded on their way, Paul Stewart said: "I don't see
+why you folks should think this such a tough trail. I consider it rather
+broad and good."
+
+"Humph! It's a highway these days, what with all the riding up and down.
+But last year you wouldn't have been able to see any thing but trees and
+rocks," Polly returned.
+
+It was as Polly said: almost as clear a trail as any woodland road. At
+Four-Mile-Blaze where the girls were well-nigh lost on their first ride
+over the trail, there now was a good but narrow bridle-path. Thence it
+was easy going up the steep side to Grizzly Slide.
+
+"W-ell! See the crowd of men working up there? And hear the sound of
+tools and machinery!" exclaimed Polly, as she rode out of the screening
+forest, and came to a man-made clearing.
+
+"Of all things! Trees chopped down and turned into huts; an army of
+workmen living here as if they belonged," added Eleanor.
+
+"We are blasting and clearing away the rubble that hides your mine. We
+had both ends working a few weeks ago, but now we are trying to drop a
+shaft from the top," said Mr. Brewster.
+
+The visitors camped at the miners' settlement, that night, and the next
+day the girls were taken about to see the great progress made according
+to the plans to mine the ore.
+
+A cable-road was being built from Choko's Cave down the steep
+mountain-side, to the valley, and this was to be used to carry the
+ore-cars up and down. As the girls stood on top of the ledge that
+overhung the cave, they could look straight down the awesome
+mountain-side, where the forest had been cleared for the cable-line.
+
+"It looks as if it all cost a heap of money," said Polly.
+
+She had been so engaged in looking at the change wrought in her beloved
+mountain, that she failed to see that the others had wandered away. But
+someone stood behind her. She felt it. As no reply came to her
+statement, she turned and found Tom Latimer waiting for her.
+
+"Oh, where are the others?"
+
+"Gone over to the other side where the underground river comes out, you
+know."
+
+"I was saying, Tom, that this must have taken a lot of money."
+
+"More than we figured on, but once we begin to get out the ore, it will
+roll back four-fold."
+
+Polly was impressed, but still wondered "Where did all the money come
+from, Tom?"
+
+"Stocks. We wanted to keep most of the Capital for you and the first
+owners, you know; but investors wouldn't put up so much money without a
+vote. So we had to sell out some of the voting shares. That's where Mr.
+Dalken came in--he bought a big block of your stock, and it is his money
+that's doing this."
+
+"I think he is the nicest man! I used to think he sent me a wonderful
+bunch of American Beauty roses for a valentine, but I only learned the
+other day that it was John! Wasn't it funny?"
+
+Tom laughed with Polly, and said: "What made you think Mr. Dalken sent
+them?"
+
+"Oh, something happened once to Nolla and me, in New York that nobody
+knows--so don't you go and tell on us, Tom!" Polly waited anxiously to
+get Tom's promise, then she proceeded.
+
+"And Mr. Dalken happened along in time to save us from the beasts. After
+that he made us use his small automobile when we went to night-school.
+We were awfully grateful to him for it.
+
+"Then when Valentine Day came along, I suggested to Nolla that we send
+him a lovely card telling him how good he was to us. I sent it, and late
+that night the roses came. I felt sure, all the time, that he sent them;
+I thought he had forgotten it was Valentine Day until after my card
+reached him. I always wondered why he didn't put Nolla's name on the
+card, too, as well as mine. But now I know he never sent them."
+
+"Does John know you've found him out?" asked Tom.
+
+"No, not yet; but some day I'll tease him about it."
+
+"Don't! let him think you are still trying to guess who sent the roses.
+It will tickle him to pieces to believe you think it is an ardent
+admirer of yours." Tom laughed merrily with Polly at the very idea.
+
+"That's just what I will! And you and I will sometimes pretend _you_
+sent the roses to me, and then we will watch John's face. Maybe he will
+up and tell the truth!" added Polly.
+
+"No, I doubt it. You see, Polly, John is a wonderful actor, and one
+never knows just what he thinks. If he managed to keep a close mouth to
+me, his best friend, all this time, it must be because he didn't want
+Anne to find out he sent you such roses."
+
+Then the two conspirators walked back to join the others, but Polly and
+Tom felt that they had a good joke between them, thereafter.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV--ANOTHER YEAR AT SCHOOL
+
+
+The summer vacation passed quickly for Polly and Eleanor, and September
+came in with wonderful Autumn weather, when riding and mountain-climbing
+were just the thing. However, all such outings ended to plan for the
+return to New York.
+
+A letter had arrived from Mr. Fabian, in which he spoke of his
+delightful visit with his wife and daughter. They had gone to various
+places in Europe and England, inspecting and studying all the famous old
+works of art, and the ancient buildings that made fitting caskets for
+these rare curios.
+
+"When I read this letter, of all Mr. Fabian has done with his Summer, I
+feel guilty," said Polly to her friend, Nolla.
+
+"Why should you? We had to rest and drop all idea of study so's to be
+fresh for this year's work. Didn't we do it?"
+
+"Yes, we rested, all right, Nolla; but it seems we might have done some
+of the work we planned to do, before we left New York. There is that
+chest with our colors, paper and other things--we never as much as
+unlocked it."
+
+"Polly, I can paint any sort of drapery you want, and in any light or
+shadow. I can paint a vase, a chair or a lamp; I can draw a hall, or a
+room, or a window. What more do you want? Why should we sit down and
+make loads of these things all summer, when we know how to do the work,
+already?"
+
+"I don't know, Nolla, except that we ought to practise!"
+
+"Pooh! I'm ready for all the work they want to pile up on me, now and
+I'm glad I've been so lazy all summer."
+
+"To tell the truth, Nolla, _I_ am more than ready to work with all my
+heart. I feel as if I would dry up if I played any more," admitted
+Polly, laughingly.
+
+With this desire to again take up their studies in New York, the girls
+left Pebbly Pit the second week in September. By the last of the month,
+they were eagerly planning with Mr. Fabian for the new year's school
+work in art and decoration.
+
+"I have a pleasant surprise for you, girls," announced Mr. Fabian, after
+greetings were exchanged. They all sat under the locust tree in the
+little yard of the Studio.
+
+"'On with the dance,'" laughed Eleanor.
+
+"As you know, I landed in New York the first week of September, and
+found most of my friends still away in the country. But Mr. Dalken was
+in evidence, as ever, eager to offer me his hospitality, until I located
+for the Winter.
+
+"We sat in the medieval library of his apartment, and I remarked,
+casually, at the unusual size of his rooms.
+
+"'Yes,' replied he. 'That's the advantage of leasing one of the
+old-fashioned apartments not so far uptown. One gets the benefit of
+being near the center of activities in the city, and at the same time
+one can have the great rooms once occupied by the old gentry of the
+town.'
+
+"'What a splendid room for gatherings,' I said, never dreaming of his
+inspiration.
+
+"'Seeing that you are looking for a suitable room in which to conduct
+your little private class of art decorators, why not use this library? I
+have all kinds of reference books in the cases and I am so seldom at
+home in the early part of the evening that you will be undisturbed.'
+
+"I was astonished, as you may imagine, and I said, 'But, Mr. Dalken, we
+couldn't think of using this room and the apartment, without some return
+for your kindness.'
+
+"He laughed. 'What do I want of rent or its equivalent? I am only too
+glad to do you and those charming students of yours a good turn. You
+see, I still owe Polly and Eleanor a great balance which can never be
+paid. Were it not for those two girls I would not have a child--even
+though I seldom see my little one.'
+
+"I felt that he was so earnest about the offer that I said we would talk
+it over with Mr. Ashby and let him judge. Not that I did not see the
+advantage of using the rooms, but I wanted an impartial friend of Mr.
+Dalken's to decide whether or no he might regret the generous offer,
+later; and then not care to tell us that we bothered him with our
+regular classes three nights a week.
+
+"So we visited the Ashbys the following evening, and to my amazement,
+Mr. Ashby was enthusiastic over the plan. He said: 'Now you've started
+out right, Dalk, and to prove how much I think of your offer, I am going
+to have Ruth join the class this year--if Mr. Fabian will take her. It
+might be rather nice to have Elizabeth join the class, also, even though
+she may not show any talent for the work.'
+
+"'Now, Ashby, you must pardon me if I speak frankly,' Mr. Dalken then
+said. 'One of the main reasons for Mr. Fabian's resignation from Cooper,
+and giving all his valuable time to a small class, is to urge those
+talented ones forward. If my little girl, who detests application to
+study of any sort, were to join this class, the basic idea would be
+ruined. The class would be held back by one delinquent. But I appreciate
+your motive in suggesting a way that I might enjoy the companionship of
+Elizabeth so often, without the tyranny and incompatibility of her
+mother's temper.'
+
+"Mr. Ashby colored, as he thought he had been diplomatic in his hint,"
+concluded Mr. Fabian. "So now it is settled that Ruth Ashby joins our
+art class, this year, and we will meet at Mr. Dalken's rooms for our
+work. That is nice for you girls, as it is only a short walk of a few
+blocks from the Studio."
+
+"_Nice_ for us--why, it is just scrumptious!" exclaimed Eleanor.
+
+"And such a wonderful environment as that library, will give us
+inspiration, too," added Polly. "I never _did_ see such a kind man as
+Mr. Dalken! If I had my way to accomplish it, I'd shower all the joys
+and successes in heaven or earth upon his generous heart."
+
+"He _is_ great and good, and it seems as if justice must be sleeping,
+when such a man must suffer alone because of a silly moth of a wife. If
+he would only hearken to his friends and seek freedom from such galling
+bonds! but he doesn't think divorce ever righted a wrong, and he still
+hopes he can bring Mrs. Dalken to a sense of her family-obligations and
+gratitude, for all she has been so unselfishly given. Poor fellow!" Mr.
+Fabian shook his head despondently over their benefactor's future.
+
+"Polly and I never knew what was the trouble in the Dalken family, Mr.
+Fabian, but what we have seen and known of our dear friend, I'm sure
+that _he_ was never to blame for it," said Eleanor, defensively.
+
+"I never care to gossip or to repeat a story, children, but now I think
+you ought to know why Mr. Dalken lives alone so much as he does. If we
+are to use his rooms, you must know what a magnificent character he is,
+and then should you hear any disagreeable gossip that can be traced to
+his wife, you will understand the situation."
+
+"Whatever you say, Mr. Fabian, will never be repeated by either Nolla or
+me," promised Polly, solemnly.
+
+"I know it, that is why I feel I ought to tell you.
+
+"Mr. Dalken, as you know, is a descendant of one of the oldest Dutch
+Settlers in America. His family, from olden times down to the present
+day, were patriotic and loyal Americans. He is as staunch an American as
+you will find, anywhere.
+
+"Mrs. Dalken was a poor girl, and not over-brilliant. But Mr. Dalken
+admired her prettiness when she was a young miss, and when he was but a
+slip of a youth. They went to entertainments together in the small town
+where they both lived, and enjoyed each other's company for two or three
+years.
+
+"Then the young man went to college and saw the world. He realized how
+superficial Amy Lathrop was, and as time went by, he would have
+forgotten her completely, had she not kept up her side of the
+correspondence. And gradually a suggestive note crept into her letters.
+
+"When his college days were over, young Dalken returned to his
+birth-place to settle the country estate that was his. Then he met Amy
+again, and she found him so chivalrous that it was an easy matter to
+give him to understand that she had waited for him these five
+years--that she had been the soul of faithfulness.
+
+"Without consulting his friends, or mentioning the matter to others in
+the town, he became engaged to her on the claim from her, that it had so
+been understood before he went to college.
+
+"Well, they were married, one day, and then our poor friend's martyrdom
+began. Amy Dalken was of no use in anything or in any way. True, she had
+two children, but it may have been much better had she never become a
+mother. She had no affection for them or the father, and only thought of
+spending money and enjoying herself to the utmost.
+
+"Dalken was wealthy before he married Amy, and his alert mind coupled
+with his unusual foresightedness in finance soon rolled up fortunes for
+him. His wife spent money like water, and was sought after by the
+vultures of society--those who fawn and fondle as long as they can get
+something out of the victim.
+
+"Mrs. Dalken's balls and bridge-parties were famous--I might say,
+notorious--for at the former the extravagance was a matter of newspaper
+comment, and at the latter, the stakes were so high that others lifted
+their eyebrows at the losses and gains.
+
+"Little Billie Dalken was eighteen months old, and the joy of our good
+friend's life, when a dreadful thing happened. Billie was a chubby,
+handsome little chap exactly like his father--the same intelligent brown
+eyes, the same fine features, and he was unusually clever and large for
+his age.
+
+"Mr. Dalken had been called to Washington on business one day, and that
+same day his wife was about to give a grand dinner and bridge, later.
+There were plenty of servants in the household, but on such an occasion
+everyone was busy with the extra work. Billie's own nurse gave him his
+supper and was about to put him to bed when she discovered a wheezing
+sound in his throat. She feared another attack of croup. She was about
+to apply the remedies she knew of, when Mrs. Dalken's maid came to the
+nursery.
+
+"'The mistress says you are to go to her at once and I am to sit with
+the baby for a while. She wants her head massaged because it aches so!'
+
+"And the nurse answered as she thought proper, 'Go and tell your
+mistress that Billie has a bad cold and I must remain to take care of
+him.'
+
+"The maid tossed her head and left the room. She hadn't any desire to
+remain with a baby, especially if it was wheezing and beginning to
+cough. So she may have exaggerated the reply somewhat. However, that did
+not excuse Mrs. Dalken from her next act. She was furious and sent the
+butler to the nursery to pay off the nurse and see that she left the
+house at once!
+
+"Then she sent the parlor-maid to sit in the nursery with the child.
+That dinner was a great success, but just before the card-party began,
+the maid sent down word that Mrs. Dalken was to come up to the nursery
+at once, and see what ailed the baby--he was so red in the face and had
+a fever, she said.
+
+"Mrs. Dalken whispered a reply: 'I'll be up as soon as I can get the
+tables started.' Then she never gave it another thought.
+
+"Three times during that evening the frightened parlor-maid sent down
+for the mother to come up. And three times the hostess smiled and nodded
+and then forgot all about the call. Before midnight, the boy began
+choking and gagging and the hysterical maid ran back and forth hoping to
+find the butler, or someone, who would help in this extremity.
+
+"Every servant in the house was busy serving drinks, cards, or
+cigarettes, and none had time to call up a doctor. Then the daring maid
+telephoned for a doctor she knew. But he lived so far uptown that it
+took half an hour to arrive at the house.
+
+"Before he got there, little Billie Dalken was sleeping in the last long
+rest. No one was with him but the parlor-maid when he strangled to
+death; but the awful contortions of his face and body showed the
+suffering he endured during the convulsions.
+
+"Mr. Dalken came home early in the morning, the Washington business
+having been successfully consummated without any loss of time. It was
+not yet seven o'clock, but everyone in the house seemed astir. The heavy
+fumes of smoke and the aftermath of a riotous night's play were evident
+throughout the first floor rooms. He smiled sardonically at it all, then
+rushed upstairs two steps at a time to peep at his beloved children.
+
+"Elizabeth was weeping fearfully in her little crib that stood in the
+room connecting with the nursery. The moment she saw her father she
+screamed with relief.
+
+"'Oh, Daddy! Billie's so twisted and queer--and he won't answer when I
+call him.'
+
+"Poor Dalken had a sudden premonition of catastrophe and rushed into the
+nursery. He almost collapsed at what he saw there. A strange woman was
+about to take up the stiff little form and do for it what a loving
+mother should reverently insist upon doing.
+
+"The father, with a broken heart, took his beloved boy and prepared him
+for his last resting-place. All through the three days elapsing after
+the night of Billie's death, Mrs. Dalken remained locked in her boudoir,
+her maid seeing that the smelling salts were handy whenever her lady
+called for them. Between the visits of condolence from her intimates,
+and the fittings of the deep mourning, the mother was kept too busy to
+meet her husband, or watch with the remains of her baby.
+
+"But after the funeral (that also buried most of Dalken's joy in living)
+he insisted upon a serious talk with his butterfly wife. She promised
+everything, even to giving up her gambling games, if he would but
+refrain from the publicity of the cause of Billie's death and the
+subsequent separation. She used her sharpest weapon to gain her
+point--Elizabeth.
+
+"So several more months went by, but the poor man was a mere
+money-machine in his own home. Even his little daughter began to believe
+that society was everything, and love or home-ties only a necessity that
+interfered with one's pet pleasures and freedom.
+
+"Without consulting her husband, Mrs. Dalken planned to visit Europe
+with a party of friends. To keep her grasp on her money-supplier she
+took Elizabeth with her. A nurse looked after the girl. She remained
+abroad for more than a year, and when she returned she went directly to
+a fashionable hotel instead of seeing that her home was reopened in New
+York.
+
+"She had ordered everything swathed and packed for the time she was
+abroad, and had left but two rooms livable for the owner and master of
+the magnificent dwelling.
+
+"Dalken lived there in gloomy sorrow for a few months and finally his
+friends insisted upon his going to the Club where he could meet cheerful
+companions and stop brooding over his irreparable loss.
+
+"Mrs. Dalken was in no hurry to reopen her home, and all that Winter she
+remained at the hotel, while her husband stopped at his club. She
+allowed him to call upon her two or three times a week, when others were
+present, and she not only accepted all the checks he offered her, but
+ran up fearful debts everywhere. He was permitted to take Elizabeth out
+at certain times, but Mrs. Dalken was clever enough to keep hold on the
+girl, as she knew it was her only hope of keeping her clutch on her
+provider.
+
+"Just after the Holidays, that season, she went to Palm Beach, but she
+entered Elizabeth in a boarding school out of the city. Dalken tried, in
+many ways, to learn where his child was, but he had no success in his
+search.
+
+"Then he wired his wife that she must turn over the girl to him while
+she was running around, or he would instantly stop her income and sue
+her for desertion. Then she came back to New York and took Elizabeth out
+of school again, but matters got worse and worse for poor Dalken.
+Finally his dear friends, who loved him for what he was and is,
+persuaded him to sue for a legal separation. They hoped Mrs. Dalken
+would turn over the girl whom she had no natural love for, to the
+father, as a hostage.
+
+"But she was a wise woman, by this time. She accepted the separation
+without demur, but refused to give up Elizabeth. It was then agreed that
+the girl might choose which one of the parents she preferred to live
+with. Having had so many years of life with her mother, the girl became
+like her--selfish, vain, and arrogant. No love or gratitude was found in
+her character.
+
+"Just at this time, Mr. Dalken was taken very ill, and his mother (who
+is a dear, you will find, when you meet her) came from England to nurse
+him. He was ill for more than a year, so Elizabeth chose to remain with
+her mother for the time being.
+
+"Mrs. Dalken, Senior, took her only child back to England with her, as
+soon as he could travel, and there she kept him well-nursed and cared
+for, in her cousin's English country-house, until he had regained his
+strength and fairly good health. Then mother and son went to the
+Continent to visit the scenes of the famous battle-fields, and then on
+to the Riviera for a month.
+
+"The wise mother knew that taking Mr. Dalken's thoughts from his own
+miserable state, and making him think of other's woes, would the sooner
+brace him up to face his life-problem. And so it was.
+
+"Elizabeth elected to remain with her frivolous mother but Mr. Dalken
+supports her handsomely, and often bribes her to spend an afternoon or
+evening with him, by having a valuable gift awaiting her coming. Mr.
+Ashby, and other friends, have advised Dalken against this pernicious
+way of baiting the inclinations of the girl, but he says they do not
+know his heart-hunger, and so cannot judge his actions."
+
+"Oh, Mr. Fabian! Our poor, dear Mr. Dalken!" sobbed Polly, when the
+speaker had ended his story.
+
+"If I ever meet that horrid woman I shall tear her hair out, I know I
+shall!" wept Eleanor, vehemently.
+
+"If only we could do something, Nolla, to make up to our dear Dalk, for
+all his sorrow," sighed Polly, drying her eyes.
+
+"You can love him the more for this story, girls, but do not refer to
+it, as he is still tender over his loss."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV--THE FOUNDLING
+
+
+The sad story told the girls, about their friend Mr. Dalken, filled them
+with love and compassion for the great-hearted man, and they wondered
+how they could do _something_ for him that would not only show their
+appreciation of his kindness to them, but at the same time give him
+pleasure or happiness. But there seemed no material thing that he
+needed, and really, nothing that one could do for him.
+
+"There must be times when he sits alone brooding over his boy and how
+different things might have been had he married a different type of
+woman," remarked Eleanor, one evening, after leaving their new
+class-room.
+
+"Yes; but it seems to me he should have been able to see through such a
+shallow thing as that woman must have been, when he returned from
+college and found her apparently waiting for him," Polly replied.
+
+"But he's so tender-hearted, you see, he couldn't bear to give her any
+pain or trouble. That must have been the only reason why he allowed her
+to get him."
+
+"I suppose so. Why, even now, he is an easy prey to the scheming people
+who know he has barrels of money, and who simply pretend to be friendly
+for what they can get out of him."
+
+"It's too bad he can't be satisfied with just Mr. Ashby and Mr. Fabian
+for man friends, and we few women for his women friends," mused Eleanor.
+"We'd love him for himself."
+
+Polly smiled. "Wouldn't you and I give him a gay time--with high-school
+keeping us employed every week-day, and art class every other night in
+the week, to say nothing of lectures, exhibitions, and other things that
+Mr. Fabian has us do, in line with our work."
+
+The two girls had crossed Madison and Fourth avenues by this time, and
+were slowly walking down the street towards the Studio. It was a
+beautiful Fall night, and the moon was almost full, hence they were in
+no hurry to reach home and go indoors.
+
+"I hear Anne singing--she must have company," said Polly as they neared
+the house.
+
+[Illustration: HE WAS A CHUBBY LITTLE FELLOW.]
+
+"Yes; the windows are open in the living-room, and I can peep under the
+shades and see Anne at the piano," whispered Eleanor.
+
+Just then the breeze wafted one of the shades back from the window, and
+the girls recognised Mrs. Evans and Mrs. Latimer as the guests of Anne.
+
+"Let's hurry in!" exclaimed Eleanor, suddenly turning from the front
+window and darting into the vestibule.
+
+The outside door was open wide, and as Eleanor ran up the one step that
+raised the tiled entrance from the sidewalk, she stumbled over a soft
+bundle that seemed pushed against the wall.
+
+By this time, Polly also reached the vestibule, but the inside door
+being closed and locked for protection, it was too dark in the vestibule
+for either of the girls to see what the huge bundle contained.
+
+"It feels like a bundle of old clothes. Maybe some servant hid it here
+for a time--she may be going to come back for it," observed Eleanor,
+prodding the bundle with her foot.
+
+But to the surprise of both girls, a little squeal issued from the roll.
+In the semi-darkness, they stood spell-bound and gazed at each other.
+
+"It's a baby--of all things!" cried Polly, hastily trying the handle of
+the door.
+
+"Ring--ring the bell like mad. I'll pick it up!" Eleanor exclaimed,
+excitably.
+
+"Open the door--Anne--hurry up! We've found a baby!" called Polly,
+leaning over the iron rail that projected over the area door, in front
+of the windows.
+
+Both girls forgot that they had latch keys, but Mrs. Evans sat nearest
+the window where Polly stood, and quickly answered her call. Eleanor,
+meanwhile, had carefully picked up the rolled-up baby and, the moment
+the door was flung open, carried it indoors.
+
+"Where did you find it?" exclaimed four amazed women.
+
+"Right at our door--in the vestibule," said Eleanor, placing her bundle
+on the divan and proceeding to open it.
+
+"Wasn't anyone in sight?" asked Mrs. Latimer, cautiously.
+
+"Not that we noticed; but, of course, we never thought to look, when we
+found what was in the bundle," explained Polly, nervously eager to
+assist Eleanor in what she was doing.
+
+Before the swaddling blankets were released from the baby, it began to
+utter baby-talk. The females, grouped closely in front of the divan,
+smiled appreciatively.
+
+Finally the last wrapper, which was of mosquito netting, came off, and
+there lay a chubby little fellow of about fifteen months. He had a fist
+in his mouth, and with the other dimpled hand he clutched at Polly's
+hair as she leaned over him.
+
+"Oh! Isn't he a darling! He must belong to a neighbor!" exclaimed Mrs.
+Stewart.
+
+"He certainly is not starved or poorly cared for," added Mrs. Evans,
+with experienced voice.
+
+"But he only has on his nightie! Not another stitch to be found," said
+Anne, carefully rolling the baby over to see if he had any clothes under
+him.
+
+"There's a note--pinned on the blanket!" cried Polly, anxiously removing
+the pin and taking the paper over to the light.
+
+"It says--just one word--'Billy.' Did you ever!" exclaimed Polly,
+glancing from one to the other of the friends who were waiting
+expectantly to hear about the boy.
+
+"Let's see!" demanded Eleanor, frowning at such a short explanation.
+
+Polly handed the slip of paper to her friend and joined Anne at the
+divan where she was divesting the boy of his nightie to see if further
+clues might be found. About his fat neck was a very fine gold chain, and
+suspended from that was a tiny flat heart-shaped locket. It did not
+open, but on the plain gold face was a monogram of three letters: B--
+D-- W--.
+
+"Now we've got something to work on! 'B' stands for Billy, of course,
+but what can 'D' and 'W' mean?" Eleanor said excitedly.
+
+"No child is christened 'Billy,'" Anne contradicted. "He would be
+'William'--and that is what the 'W' is for. Children are nicknamed
+'Billy' or 'Willy' later. Now his middle and last name must begin with
+the 'B' and 'D'--or vice versa."
+
+"Shake out the blankets carefully--perhaps another paper is pinned to
+one of them," said Polly, eagerly.
+
+But there was no other message in the blankets.
+
+"Let's take off his flannel shirt! There may be something there,"
+ventured Mrs. Stewart.
+
+In less than a minute, the pins were out and the woven shirt of Merino
+was removed, but no further information rewarded the anxious seekers. So
+the shirt was carefully replaced and the boy's nightie slipped over his
+head again.
+
+"It's all hand-made of fine linen," remarked Mrs. Latimer, as she felt
+of the hem at the bottom.
+
+"And one can see that he is no slum child," added Mrs. Evans.
+
+"_Who_ can he be? and why should anyone want to leave him?" were the
+perplexing questions Polly asked of the others.
+
+They all shook their heads and wondered. But the boy had no use for such
+condolences; he crawled over the divan and when he found not what he was
+in search of, he screwed up his dimpled face and began a lusty call.
+
+Anne instantly took him up and began to chirp to him. He smiled a
+cheerful thanks and showed eight little front teeth. That brought all
+his new friends to his feet--metaphorically speaking.
+
+"_Isn't_ he a dear!" declared Mrs. Stewart to no one in particular.
+
+"Yes, but we have to advertise him at once. It may be that a villain
+kidnapped him and ran away with him just to get a reward. He may have
+been seen, or chased by the police, and then dropped the baby in our
+vestibule," said Mrs. Latimer.
+
+Anne laughed. "Which analysis shows that one of us married a
+lawyer--Mrs. Latimer gives us good advice."
+
+"Or he may belong to a young mother who cannot longer earn a living for
+him," added Mrs. Stewart.
+
+"That's not likely, mother," returned Anne. "As the child would look
+thin and sickly if a mother found it hard to support it. I rather think
+it is a babe that belongs to some distracted mother in the neighborhood.
+He has evidently been put to bed for the night. Possibly a vindictive
+nurse-girl took him from his home to make his parents seek for him and
+then left him at the most convenient door."
+
+"Anne's reason sounds the most plausible, and we'd better 'phone the
+police-stations at once. Billy's parents may even now be wild with
+despair, for we do not know how long he was in the vestibule. All we
+know is, he was not there when we came in, about eight o'clock," said
+Mrs. Evans.
+
+So she telephoned the police-stations, near by, and also asked the
+morning papers to run a short notice under a suitable caption. Before
+she had finished this work, however, Master Billy began his complaints
+again, and now he was beginning to look as impatient as such a
+good-natured baby could.
+
+"Maybe he's hungry?" suddenly suggested Mrs. Stewart.
+
+"That's just what ails him--but we haven't any bottle!" exclaimed Mrs.
+Evans.
+
+"Perhaps he drinks from a cup--he is old enough to have been weaned, you
+know," ventured Mrs. Latimer.
+
+A cup of warmed milk was brought in short order, and Mrs. Stewart held
+it out to Anne, as she was still holding the baby. The moment Billy saw
+the cup, he almost leaped from Anne's arms, and immediately began
+gurgling for very glee.
+
+Everyone laughed at his antics, and Anne was about to hold the cup to
+his lips, when two fat hands clutched at it in a hungry endeavor to
+reach the contents. Of course, part of the milk spilled on his nightie
+but the remainder he drank greedily.
+
+"He's well-trained--whoever he is. I should say that he has had every
+attention in the past, to have him act like this at his age," said Mrs.
+Latimer.
+
+"But we don't know how old he is. He may be months older than we thought
+for," argued Mrs. Evans.
+
+"Well, he isn't more than eighteen months at the most," declared Mrs.
+Stewart.
+
+Polly and Eleanor stood silently by listening to these experienced
+mothers, but Anne smiled indulgently at them, and kept her opinions to
+herself.
+
+Dr. Evans and Mr. Latimer stopped for their wives, and when they had
+heard and been shown the fine boy, they gave their masculine opinions.
+
+"A baby who was boarded out, and the parents hadn't paid up recently. So
+the woman left him on the first door-step to get rid of him," was the
+doctor's verdict.
+
+"There spoke the doctor who knows of such cases," said Anne.
+
+"That isn't it, however," remarked Mr. Latimer. "I am of the opinion
+that this child is of wealthy parentage. He likely is a stumbling-block
+for some heirs, who wish him safely out of the way so they may claim the
+estate."
+
+Anne laughed again. "There speaks the attorney. But you should have had
+the jealous heirs remove this monogramed locket before they tried to get
+rid of all evidence of a barrier to their inheritance."
+
+"Reckon we'd better stop romancing and put Billy to bed," said Polly, in
+a matter-of-fact voice.
+
+Her common sense caused a general laugh, and Dr. Evans added: "Well,
+ladies! Come on, if we are to get home to-night."
+
+With a last look at the sleepy cherub, and a good-night to the friends
+living in the Studio, the four New Yorkers went out.
+
+"Where shall he sleep to-night?" asked Anne.
+
+"Let me have him?" cried Polly.
+
+"Oh--I found him first--let me have him," begged Eleanor.
+
+"No, girls; babies should sleep absolutely alone. I will get a drawer
+from the high-boy and rig him up a nice little bed therein. To-morrow
+night he will be in his own home, most likely," explained Mrs. Stewart.
+
+So saying, she hurried upstairs, and in a short time returned, carrying
+the drawer. Anne and the two girls helped cushion it softly, and then
+they placed Billy in it.
+
+He was asleep almost before the bed was ready, and the moment his head
+sank into the soft pillow, he closed his eyes.
+
+"He seems unusually good, Anne," ventured Mrs. Stewart, as the four
+foster mothers stood gazing down at the flushed little baby-face.
+
+"And very pretty for a young child," added Anne.
+
+"Well," sighed Polly, "I suppose we'll have to hand him back in the
+morning."
+
+"Some time during the night, most likely," grumbled Eleanor. "The police
+will tell his folks where he is, and they will be at our door ten
+minutes later."
+
+But no one called for Billy, that night, and in the morning the papers
+told the story of the foundling. A minute description of his appearance
+and clothing was given, and the telephone number of the family where he
+was to be found. Mrs. Evans had wisely refrained from giving any names
+of the tenants of the Studio.
+
+Before seven o'clock that morning, the telephone began ringing. Anne
+answered it, but described the baby left on their door-step differently
+from what the anxious mother on the other end of the wire had expected.
+
+By eight-thirty, the telephone had called Anne or Polly five times. At
+last Polly said: "My goodness! how can five mothers lose boys like ours
+in one evening? Can't they take care of them?"
+
+Eleanor then said, "Why, in Chicago, there are records of more than a
+score of babies lost every day. Most of them find their parents again,
+but lots of them don't."
+
+"What happens to the poor tots who can't find their folks again?" asked
+Polly, horrified.
+
+"They go to the orphan asylum--or the Children's Home."
+
+With a gasp, Polly glanced at their laughing little Billy. Then she
+looked anxiously at her three companions. They had all thought of the
+same thing, it seems.
+
+"I just couldn't let him go to a foundling home," Polly whimpered.
+
+"We can afford to keep him, Polly. You and I can adopt him," declared
+Eleanor.
+
+But Anne did not seem to approve of the plan. She shook her head as she
+gazed at the curly-haired boy who was banging the breakfast table with a
+teaspoon. "That would never do for you, girls."
+
+But another ring on the telephone interrupted further argument on that
+subject. Anne described Billy all over again--"Large brown eyes, very
+soft silky hair--yellow and curly. About thirty pounds weight, eight
+front teeth, aged about sixteen months."
+
+Before she had completed her description of the foundling, the
+distracted mother at the other end of the wire sighed: "He's not
+mine--thank you."
+
+"Polly and I are not going to school this morning, Anne," Eleanor now
+informed the young teacher.
+
+"I don't see why not?" demanded she.
+
+"First, your mother can't be chasing back and forth to the 'phone all
+day; and secondly, we do not propose having a stranger calling and
+stealing our baby. Unless the parents present perfectly satisfactory
+evidence that Billy is theirs, no one shall get him."
+
+Anne smiled, but seeing that it was almost nine o'clock, she consented
+to the two girls remaining home that session; furthermore, she promised
+to explain to Mrs. Wellington about the magnet that had kept them at
+home.
+
+Later in the morning, Dr. Evans stopped in to see if any one had called
+for the baby. Polly and Eleanor were in the midst of giving Billy his
+bath in the large tub. Such laughing and shouting had never been heard
+in that bathroom before. Even Mrs. Stewart laughed in sympathy, as she
+told the doctor what a fine well-behaved child Billy was.
+
+"I'll call again this evening, Mrs. Stewart. If he has not been claimed
+by that time, I will see what I can do to relieve you of his care."
+
+"Oh--he is no care whatever, doctor; and I doubt whether the girls will
+consent to your taking him to a home--for a few days, at any rate. They
+think someone will call for him."
+
+"But you haven't any clothes or other necessities for him, have you?"
+asked the doctor.
+
+"We didn't have at first, but Nolla and Polly ran to a department store
+on Fifth avenue--it's only a few blocks over, you know,--and bought him
+everything he needs. When he had his shoes on he stood up and began
+walking about while he held fast to the chairs. He certainly is a bright
+child."
+
+"Well, the girls ought not to go silly over him. Buying clothes and
+shoes and everything--until they know who he is."
+
+"If no one ever calls, Billy has to have clothes; anyway, we thought we
+ought to get them, now, instead of later."
+
+"I can see, Mrs. Stewart, that you are as foolish about the baby, as the
+two girls are themselves," laughed Dr. Evans, as he took up his hat to
+depart.
+
+Mrs. Stewart laughed, but the moment the doctor was out of the front
+door, she hurried upstairs to help dress the boy after his bath.
+
+Once he was dressed in his new clothing, and had had a full cup of warm
+milk and gruel, he cuddled down for his nap.
+
+"Now, no use talking! he is a wonder!" declared Eleanor.
+
+"We can keep him, as well as not. He isn't one mite of trouble," added
+Polly.
+
+Having waited until Billy was fast asleep, Mrs. Stewart tip-toed from
+the bedroom, beckoning the girls to follow her out.
+
+The police-department had sent their detective to get all the facts from
+Eleanor and Polly, and the press had sent to find out if there was any
+other clue or information about the boy; then, no further interruptions
+took place that day.
+
+The two girls sat out under the locust tree in the yard, because there
+they could hear the first whimper from Billy, when he awoke from his
+nap. As they sat there, they discussed his future.
+
+"If no one ever calls for him, what _shall_ we do with him?' asked
+Polly, giving Eleanor a penetrating look.
+
+"You've got something on your mind--what is it?" countered Eleanor.
+
+"Yes, I have, but I want to hear what _you_ have to say."
+
+"I'd love to keep him, Polly--at least as long as we are in New York. I
+suppose it would be impossible to take him abroad with us, next summer,"
+returned Eleanor.
+
+"Yes--impossible. And if we keep him with us, we will have to hire a
+nurse-maid, as poor Mrs. Stewart can't look after a lively youngster all
+day, while we are at school."
+
+"What was your idea, then?" wondered Eleanor.
+
+"Can't you guess, Nolla? And his name is Billy, too!"
+
+For an instant Eleanor's face looked too surprised to allow her to
+speak. Then she stammered: "Well--of all things!"
+
+"What do you make of it?" laughed Polly.
+
+"Wonderful--but what is your plan?"
+
+"Seeing his name is Billy, and his eyes are dark brown and his hair
+golden curls, and he is about sixteen months old--all of which are in
+his favor to advance my little scheme, I should say that we try to keep
+him a few weeks, right now, and see if we can add to Billy's winsome
+ways. Meanwhile, we will use every effort to find if he has any
+relatives; then should he be a veritable foundling, we will present him
+to dear Mr. Dalken for his very own."
+
+"Splendiferous! Perfectly great!" cried Eleanor, slapping her friend on
+the back in her delight.
+
+"We will quietly advertise for and select a fine elderly nurse for
+Billy, right off, and when we have him all ready to be given away, he
+will be a little wonder that no one can refuse."
+
+"Oh, Mr. Dalken won't think of refusing him, I know! He will be so happy
+to have a boy again," Eleanor said, enthusiastically.
+
+Several times during the day, the telephone rang and someone asked for a
+description of the baby. Also a number of wild looking people called at
+the address to have a look at the child, but all departed with forlorn
+hopes.
+
+As that night was not a class-evening, the girls were free to do as they
+liked with their time. Anne and her mother were amusing themselves, as
+much as the baby, by teaching him to say 'Billy.' Polly and Eleanor were
+eagerly watching results. But harshly upon this sweet scene, the
+door-bell jangled.
+
+"I'll go!" called Eleanor, and in another minute she had opened the
+door.
+
+"Oh, Mr. Fabian. Do come in and see our baby!"
+
+Then another admirer joined the circle of worshippers around Billy's
+feet. Mr. Fabian had heard the story from Dr. Evans and dropped in to
+see if the boy was still with his friends.
+
+"He is a dear little shaver, isn't he?" laughed Mr. Fabian. "But what
+will you do with him if no one claims him?"
+
+"We really haven't thought of that," said Anne.
+
+"I'm afraid, if we keep him here with us a week, or more, we won't want
+to give him up again," added Mrs. Stewart.
+
+Mr. Fabian saw, from the corner of his eye, that Polly was behind him
+trying to draw his attention. So he managed to turn his head without
+attracting Anne's or Mrs. Stewart's attention, and saw the two girls
+shake their heads wisely, meantime their fingers rested upon their lips
+in sign of keeping silence.
+
+Consequently no more was said, that evening, about Billy, and when Mr.
+Fabian was ready to leave, Polly and Eleanor said they believed they
+would walk to the corner with their old friend. The baby had been in bed
+for some time, and Anne was busy writing manuscript, so no one objected
+to the proposal. Mrs. Stewart merely remarked: "Don't go any farther
+than the corner, dearies. And hurry right back home."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI--BILLY FINDS A FATHER
+
+
+The moment the two girls had Mr. Fabian outside of the Studio, where
+they could talk in perfect freedom, they told him of their secret plan.
+
+"We are going to keep the baby for a few weeks and see that he is
+perfectly trained, then we are going to present him to dear Mr. Dalken,"
+began Polly, eagerly.
+
+"Oh, but we will try and find a sensible woman who will take all care of
+him, and Mr. Dalken can enjoy Billy when he is at home with nothing else
+to do," added Eleanor.
+
+Mr. Fabian was speechless, then he smiled. "Does our friend know about
+this?"
+
+"Mercy sakes, no! We want to surprise him. We thought it would be fine,
+if we could keep the baby that long, to leave him at Mr. Dalken's
+apartment on Thanksgiving morning," returned Polly.
+
+"Don't you think he would like that?" from Eleanor, eagerly.
+
+"Mr. Dalken is now out west on important business, so of course, he
+doesn't know a thing about Billy, unless he read about it in the New
+York papers," remarked Mr. Fabian, thoughtfully. "I don't suppose he
+will take time to glance over every news item in the papers, as he is
+too preoccupied, at present, with the financial pages."
+
+"Well, what has that to do with our plan?" asked Eleanor.
+
+"He won't know a thing about the baby, and you can easily keep the idea
+secret until Thanksgiving, if you can get the right kind of a woman to
+take daily care of the boy. Of course, you were going to do that,
+anyway, were you not?"
+
+"I suppose so--we really hadn't got as far as that in our planning,"
+admitted Polly.
+
+"But we will, Mr. Fabian, now that you have mentioned it. How shall we
+know if we have the right sort of nurse?" added Eleanor.
+
+"I'll call up Ashby. I was there for dinner to-night, and they told me
+of a woman they know well, who is compelled to earn her living, because
+of family reverses. Shall we stop in the hotel across the street and use
+the booth there?"
+
+"Oh, yes! Let's, Mr. Fabian!" exclaimed Eleanor.
+
+"No time like the present when you have any important work to do," added
+Polly.
+
+Mr. Fabian left the door of the telephone booth slightly ajar so the two
+girls could assist in the conversation. He soon had Mr. Ashby's house
+number and asked if Mr. or Mrs. Ashby were in.
+
+Shortly thereafter a man's voice was heard talking on the wire. "Is this
+Fabian--oh, yes. What can I do for you, old man?"
+
+Then Mr. Fabian replied: "Why, I called upon my girls at the Studio this
+evening, after I left you, and I found the most astonishing addition to
+their family circle. A little baby boy was left on their door-step, it
+seems. A fine little fellow, too.
+
+"So far, no one has called to claim him, and should no one come, the two
+girls have a plan to place him in a good home. They told me all about
+it, and I rather approve of the idea, too. But what they need, at once,
+is an experienced, capable woman to take care of the boy, until
+Thanksgiving Day--perhaps after that, if she is found to be
+satisfactory.
+
+"I thought, at once, of that woman that Mrs. Ashby and you were speaking
+of, at table, to-night. Do you suppose she would consider a position as
+second-mother to a baby?"
+
+The girls strained their ears to hear the reply but Mr. Ashby spoke too
+low, and they could but judge what he said by Mr. Fabian's words
+afterward.
+
+"Fine! If Mrs. Ashby will not consider it too much trouble. And she will
+bring Martha down to-morrow afternoon when the girls are home from
+school?"
+
+Polly and Eleanor smiled with relief, and Mr. Fabian said over the
+'phone, "All right! Thanks, Ashby. And thank your wife for the two
+girls, too, who are waiting here for the verdict."
+
+As the three left the hotel again, Mr. Fabian said: "Now that much is
+satisfactorily settled for you, and Billy shall have a good woman to
+look after him, if he is still unclaimed to-morrow afternoon."
+
+The girls were altogether too inexperienced to realize that it was
+curious how easily the Ashbys, Mr. Dalken's most intimate friends, and
+Mr. Fabian agreed to such a strange plan as trying to saddle a foundling
+baby on a man who lived a hermit's life when in his own home.
+
+They never questioned the readiness with which these friends accepted
+their proposition, but they were delighted at the "lucky chance" that
+brought a woman to Mrs. Ashby on the very day that they began to think
+of employing a woman-nurse for the baby.
+
+Mr. Fabian walked back to the Studio door with them, smiling at their
+dreams of future bliss for Mr. Dalken. In fact, their thoughts traveled
+so far into the future, that they saw Billy a fine young man and Mr.
+Dalken, white-haired and bent, depending on his beloved adopted son for
+everything.
+
+The four inmates of the Studio were not aware that they had been kept
+singularly free from constant annoyance from reporters and police. Nor
+did they realize that the short news article that had appeared in the
+papers, had been a wonderful story to catch the eyes of curious readers,
+but _some_one in authority had ordered it "cut" to an inch.
+
+The afternoon following Mr. Fabian's visit to the girls, they hurried
+home from school and found Mrs. Ashby's car in front of the house. They
+quickly entered the front door and greeted her with a smiling welcome.
+
+"I see you have Billy in hand, already," laughed Polly.
+
+"Yes; isn't he a friendly little fellow?" replied Mrs. Ashby.
+
+"Wonderful! We never knew babies were so easy to live with," added
+Eleanor.
+
+"Mrs. Stewart took Martha upstairs to show her how you managed for the
+baby. He may need extra things, or other conveniences," suggested Mrs.
+Ashby.
+
+Even as she spoke, the sound of steps was heard descending the front
+stairs, and soon after, Mrs. Stewart led Martha in, and introduced her
+to Polly and Eleanor. The girls liked the refined look and quiet
+sensible words and manners of the nurse-to-be.
+
+"Isn't it splendid that Martha should have been relieved, last week, of
+just such a position as we now need her for? She was in the country
+taking charge of a baby of about this boy's age, but some friends came
+and took him away, so she was free to find another position," explained
+Mrs. Ashby.
+
+Martha handled Billy as if she was an expert, and the boy crowed and
+tried to talk to her, as if he had known her all his life.
+
+"I never saw a friendlier baby than this one. He smiles and is contented
+with anybody, and that will make it fine for Martha," remarked Mrs.
+Stewart.
+
+So it was immediately decided to retain Martha during the day, but she
+would have to find a place to lodge, nearby and leave Billy with the
+girls during the night. This pleased them well, for they did not wish to
+relinquish all rights of attendance on their baby to a stranger.
+
+"I may as well remain for the rest of this afternoon, Madam," said
+Martha, speaking to Mrs. Ashby, "as I have no other place to go."
+
+"How about seeking for a room in the neighborhood and taking it to-day?
+You may not have a free half hour, like this, again," suggested Mrs.
+Ashby.
+
+Martha silently acquiesced but she cast a troubled gaze at the child;
+when Eleanor picked him up by the arms, she immediately corrected the
+mistake, by saying, "Miss, you should always hold a baby at his age,
+about the waist--a hand on each side of him. _Never_ by the arms!"
+
+Mrs. Ashby offered to drive Martha about to hunt up a furnished room, so
+the girls said good-by to their callers.
+
+That evening was school-night again, and Mr. Fabian was interested in
+hearing if Martha had proved satisfactory. Even Ruth Ashby took a
+personal interest in the baby-boy, now that Martha was to be his nurse.
+
+"Do you know Martha?" asked Polly, surprised.
+
+"Of course. Wasn't she mother's nurse, years ago?"
+
+"Oh--I thought she was a lady of means who had just lost everything,"
+remarked Eleanor.
+
+"Well, it is this way. When mother was a little mite Martha was a girl
+of about fourteen. Grandma engaged her to push mother's carriage out for
+a walk every day. Then Martha grew up and married and mother never saw
+her again, for a long time.
+
+"Her husband's nephew came to live with them, as Martha never had any
+children, but her nephew grew up and married. Then Martha's husband
+died, and she went to live with the nephew and his wife. They were
+well-to-do young people, and Martha had an easy life there.
+
+"They had a baby, and Martha took care of him, as if she was his own
+mother. Then the nephew enlisted in the war and was killed 'over there.'
+His wife pined a lot, and during the epidemic of the flu, last Winter,
+she took it and died, too.
+
+"That left Martha with the baby, but she hadn't a cent to live on,
+because there was only the money the baby ought to have had from the
+Government, because of losing his father in battle. But Martha didn't
+understand how to go about getting it, and when a friend of hers offered
+to find a good home for the baby, the poor great-aunt consented. She had
+no other choice, as she would have to work herself, and could not be
+hampered by a little boy.
+
+"Then she came to mother and that is how it all happened."
+
+"I wonder what became of her grand-nephew?" asked Polly.
+
+"Mother begged of me not to mention it, and never to refer to the past,
+when Martha was about," said Ruth, seriously.
+
+"I suppose the poor thing misses her little nephew so much!" observed
+Polly, sympathetically.
+
+"Yes, that must be the reason," agreed Ruth.
+
+Mr. Fabian listened attentively and approved of Mrs. Ashby's advice to
+her daughter.
+
+No one came to claim Billy, and the days passed swiftly for the
+self-appointed mothers of the boy. He was so merry and good-natured a
+child, that Mrs. Stewart sighed when she thought of the Studio without
+him. Before November passed, he could walk all alone and even tried to
+climb the stairs.
+
+Martha was a jewel with him. She never seemed too tired to do things for
+him. She it was, who taught him his table manners and insisted upon his
+saying "Plee" and "Tant" for anything. He could say "Dadda" and
+"Biddy"--the latter meaning himself.
+
+Polly and Eleanor spent every spare moment teaching him new
+accomplishments, so that before the middle of Thanksgiving month, the
+boy really was unusually precocious and well-behaved.
+
+Mr. Dalken returned to New York the third week in November and
+immediately sent out cards to his friends for a dinner-party. It was
+very private, only the circle acquainted with Polly and Eleanor were to
+be his guests. But they had a good time, nevertheless, and Mr. Dalken
+appeared more cheerful than of yore.
+
+"Now what do you suppose I called you together for?" said he, after the
+table had been cleared of the roast and everyone was ready to listen
+while waiting for salad.
+
+"Dear me, I hope you are not going to spring a sensational surprise on
+us!" Eleanor said, her face expressing worry.
+
+Everyone laughed, but Mr. Dalken said: "What would you call a
+sensation?"
+
+"Oh, well! in case you were married while in Chicago! That would ruin my
+hopes," interpolated Polly, anxiously.
+
+A general laugh greeted this, and Mr. Dalken retorted:
+
+"I hadn't even dreamed of such a possibility, but now that you plainly
+show me how you have been hoping I would propose to you, I may as well
+take my medicine like a man!"
+
+"Me--you--propose! What _are_ you talking of?" cried Polly, aghast.
+
+Everyone laughed teasingly, but Eleanor explained quickly. "He
+misunderstood your reason for worrying, Polly. Just like a man--they
+think one is always thinking of marriage, even when there are great
+charities being perfected."
+
+Mr. Dalken now showed his surprise, and asked what really was the cause
+of Polly's anxiety.
+
+"Oh, you'll see some day. We can't tell you now!" laughed Eleanor.
+
+"Then I may as well confess to you-all and tell you what my surprise is.
+
+"I finished my business in Chicago much sooner than I had hoped for, and
+went on to Pebbly Pit to see how things were progressing. I had a
+delightful visit at the ranch, and am able to say that work has reached
+the point, now, where the mining machines will start working next week,
+unless snow stops everything."
+
+"Oh, then you saw father and mother!" cried Polly, eagerly.
+
+"Yes, and I have all sorts of good things for you from home. A jar of
+preserves, and a dozen or more of glasses filled with jelly and other
+delectable sweets that Sary insisted that I carry to you. I did my best
+to explain that it would be cheaper and safer if she sent them by
+express or parcel post--but no! She told me 'A bird in th' hand is wuth
+two er three in a bush.'"
+
+Polly and Eleanor instantly visualized Sary as she made this remark, and
+they laughed merrily.
+
+Mr. Dalken then repeated minutest details of the work on Rainbow Cliffs,
+and the gold mine on Grizzly Slide. As everything promised so well, the
+girls felt elated at their future prospects.
+
+Mr. Ashby wanted to know if his friend had succeeded in buying any more
+stock for him, and Mr. Dalken replied: "You'll have to wait until
+Latimer issues another block. No one I know of will sell any of what
+they hold."
+
+The evening passed pleasantly with intimate matters to speak of, and at
+last Anne said: "We must be going, Mr. Dalken. The girls have one of
+their long class days, to-morrow, you know."
+
+"Yes, and Martha will want to go to bed," added Mrs. Stewart.
+
+"Who's Martha? Got a servant at last?" asked Mr. Dalken.
+
+"Why, no, Martha--" Mrs. Stewart began innocently, but the two girls
+wildly interrupted her. Polly shouted unusually loud for her, "Oh, I am
+so tired!"
+
+Eleanor had managed to wink her eyes warningly at Mrs. Stewart, and that
+lady realized that she had almost "put her foot in it." Mr. Dalken
+noticed something was disturbing the two girls, but he never dreamed
+what it was.
+
+The following evening, at art class, Mr. Fabian had news for the two
+girls. "Mr. Ashby has invited Mr. Dalken to have his Thanksgiving Dinner
+with his family, and that will give you the opportunity you need, to get
+Billy settled in his new home."
+
+"Oh, how can we part from him!" sighed Eleanor, wiping an eye, as she
+pictured the lonely rooms.
+
+"Yes--" sighed Polly, mournfully. "That's the worst of having a dog or a
+baby that you become so fond of."
+
+"But you will see Billy three nights a week, and you never could have
+kept him for yourselves, you know," said Mr. Fabian.
+
+Thanksgiving Day Martha seemed all upset. The idea of moving the baby to
+a new home, and perhaps not being welcome, made her cry softly, now and
+then. The little family at the Studio, instead of being very grateful
+for all the blessings they had had during the past year, went about
+looking forlorn and miserable.
+
+They went to the Latimers for dinner that noon, and left Martha with the
+baby. It had been planned that they would get back home by eight o'clock
+and accompany their baby-gift over to Mr. Dalken's apartment. Billy
+would be placed in bed where his new foster father would find him, and
+then would come the joy of it all.
+
+The plans worked out as expected to a certain degree. Mr. Dalken went up
+to the Ashbys for dinner, and a little after eight o'clock, a mournful
+procession wended its way from the Studio door. Martha carried Billy
+carefully. Polly and Eleanor carried the tub, chair, and other articles
+of use for the baby. Anne carried the bundles of clothing, and Mrs.
+Stewart carried the milk-warmer, the other food-equipment, and the extra
+blankets.
+
+Mr. Dalken's chauffeur opened the door to admit the visitors, but when
+he saw the burdens the ladies carried, he was speechless. Eleanor tried
+to explain that they had a new boy for Mr. Dalken, but Henri seemed not
+to appreciate the fact.
+
+Billy was gurgling and trying to get his active fists out of the quilted
+blanket, but Martha held him firmly until she had him in the bedroom
+where Mr. Dalken slept.
+
+"We are going to leave him right in the middle of this big bed, Henri,
+so his new father will find him when he comes in to-night," explained
+Eleanor, arranging the baby's bedding on the large expanse of
+bed-spread.
+
+Billy was arrayed for the night, and everyone kissed him tearfully, as
+if he was about to be placed in his coffin. Then Martha gave him a drink
+of warm milk and placed him in his blankets.
+
+Hardly had they tucked him up, before the bell at the entrance rang
+imperatively. Henri glanced distractedly at the baby and then at the
+other visitors, before he turned to answer the call. It rang a second
+time before he opened the door.
+
+"Let's turn down the light and hide behind the velour portieres,"
+whispered Anne, anxiously.
+
+The five guilty members of the surprise-party quickly hid themselves as
+best they could, but not so soon, but that they heard Henri returning.
+He was talking, and other voices were replying.
+
+"I donno why the missee's come in an' fetch a bebby. Dey say 'He a big
+surprise,' Mr. Dalken."
+
+To the amazement of the hidden ones, Mr. Dalken's voice now replied:
+"Never mind, Henri. I'll be out with my visitors, in a moment. I only
+want to get a handkerchief from the dresser."
+
+The five culprits saw him switch up the lights and they then heard Billy
+welcome the unusual privilege with a gurgle. Not a sound came from the
+man who must have heard the baby-voice and seen the occupant of his
+massive four-poster.
+
+Polly could stand it no longer. She had to peep out at what was going
+on. The first thing she saw, was Eleanor's head showing from the side of
+the other portiere. Both girls watched the scene with bated breath.
+
+Mr. Dalken stood beside the bed, looking down at the little bundle that
+made a dent in the middle of his comfortable mattress. Billy was waving
+his fists invitingly, as if to say, "Come on and fight!"
+
+As the two girls watched him, Mr. Dalken smiled and said: "So _you_ are
+Billy Martin, are you?"
+
+The two eaves-droppers glanced at each other in consternation. "How and
+why did Mr. Dalken call _their_ baby Billy Martin?"
+
+"Well, Billy, suppose we go out and see what your Daddy thinks of you.
+For my part, I say you're just about perfect." As Mr. Dalken spoke, he
+carefully lifted the willing baby from the bed and cuddled him in his
+arms. Then he went from the room.
+
+"Polly!" hissed Eleanor, anxiously, "did you hear what he said?"
+
+"S-sh! let us follow and see what's the matter. Someone came in with Mr.
+Dalken, you know," returned Polly in a low voice.
+
+Mrs. Stewart and Anne now crept from behind the heavy window curtains
+and tip-toed after Polly and Eleanor. And, last of all, Martha came from
+behind the door and followed in the wake of the other four. Then they
+heard Mr. Dalken talking.
+
+"Well, here's the boy, but how he ever got into my rooms I cannot say.
+Mrs. Ashby will have to explain that, in a minute, as she is the one who
+seemed to know where to find Martha and the baby."
+
+Martha was still in the hall and could not see who was in the
+living-room with Mr. Dalken, but the four conspirators now stood staring
+at the group in the center of the lighted room.
+
+Mr. and Mrs. Ashby were seated in comfortable armchairs, smiling happily
+at the two standing men and about to make the baby comfortable. He had
+been transferred from Mr. Dalken's arms to those of a younger man who
+was trembling with joy at beholding Billy's smiling little face.
+
+"There, now, Martin. Isn't he worth living for? You said you wanted to
+die, when you found your wife was gone. But let me tell you, my boy,
+this baby ought to make you brace up." Mr. Dalken patted the strange
+young man on the shoulder, and just then Martha burst into the room.
+
+"Jimmy! Oh, Jimmy--is it you, or is it someone who looks like my dead
+Jimmy?"
+
+"Aunt Martha--Dear Aunt Martha--it is your own Jimmy. I was a long time
+coming home, but here I am at last!"
+
+Then Polly and Eleanor learned the true story about their precious Billy
+who was, according to them, to have adopted Mr. Dalken for a father.
+
+"Girls, I appreciate your great sacrifice to try and make me happy, for
+I have heard from the Ashbys how much you wanted to keep Billy, but you
+felt that he ought to belong to me. Seeing that he came so near to being
+mine, I shall always take a great interest in him and his relatives,"
+began Mr. Dalken, while Jimmy Martin and Martha went into the other room
+to be alone with the baby.
+
+"You see, Mrs. Ashby is at the bottom of this plot and having roped in
+her husband to believe just as she did, the next step was to make the
+whole plan seem accidental.
+
+"So, when Martha was left with the baby, she called on Mrs. Ashby for
+help. Seeing that the boy had brown eyes and was named Billy, my anxious
+friend decided that he was what I ought to have to cheer me. Martha was
+boarded in a country home until I prepared to go west on my business
+trip.
+
+"Just about that time, you found an unknown babe on your door-step, but
+had we been able to look behind the scenes, I think you would have seen
+the Ashby's car down on the corner, and Martha anxiously waiting to see
+if you took Billy in, all right.
+
+"After that, Billy made his own way with you people, as he is apt to
+make it with everyone. And what was so natural, as that you should fall
+in with Mr. Fabian's well-learned lesson. The Ashbys made him memorize
+just what to say and to do it every day.
+
+"All went as had been planned, and my dear friends here were so pleased
+with themselves at the little scheme, that they planned to return home
+with me to-night and see how I liked the baby-surprise. But this is
+where an unexpected and unknown actor entered upon the stage.
+
+"James Martin was not killed in battle. He was wounded and taken
+prisoner by the Germans. He was so dangerously injured that he was left
+to die in a small town in the interior. But he managed to pull through,
+and after many months of convalescence, he worked his way from Germany
+back to Paris.
+
+"It took several months more to identify him and get a passport for him
+to America. When he went to his old home town to find his wife and
+child, he learned that one was dead and the other was taken away by the
+aunt. The shock sent him to the county hospital again, and it was
+several months before he could get out to start a hunt for his boy.
+
+"He learned where Martha had gone, and to-night, James called at the
+house to ask Mrs. Ashby if she knew anything about his boy and aunt. I
+happened to be in the hall when he came in.
+
+"So here we are, girls; you lose a protege and I lose a boy."
+
+"Oh, but James wins back his boy again!" cried Polly, delightedly.
+
+"I want to know, Mr. Dalken," demanded Eleanor, frowning, "did Ruth
+Ashby know the truth about this when she told us that yarn about
+Martha?"
+
+Mr. Dalken laughed. "No, girls. Poor Ruth is as upset about it as you
+could wish her to be. She wants me to adopt Billy, anyway, even with his
+real father on hand to claim him. I really think Mrs. Ashby is the one
+we have to put through the third degree on this whole plot."
+
+Mrs. Ashby looked up and smiled. "Well, I told the truth about the
+matter, didn't I? But I refrained from telling Ruth that Martha was the
+same woman who was aunt to Billy, and I withheld the facts that Billy
+was the same baby that you girls found on your door-step--that's all."
+
+"That's all----" laughed Mr. Dalken. "As if that was not enough! To
+deprive me of the son my two pet girls tried to place in my arms."
+
+Polly flung herself in his arms and hugged him as she said, "Nolla and I
+will have to adopt you ourselves, now."
+
+And he whispered in her ear, so only she could hear: "You haven't any
+idea how happy you girls make me. I have found something in life worth
+while, since I found all of these good friends."
+
+Then Mrs. Ashby said: "Dalk, you have been hunting for a reliable man
+and wife to take charge of your apartment, so I think it is Providence
+that sent Martha and James to you. You will have admirable help in them
+and little Billy, too."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII--POLLY AND ELEANOR LEAVE FOR EUROPE
+
+
+"I do declare! here it is the first of May, and it seems as if it were
+but yesterday that we came back to New York to study," exclaimed
+Eleanor, as Polly and she were returning from art class one evening.
+
+"And we are no more decided about what we shall do this Summer, than we
+were last Fall. If only Dad would consent to our joining the Ashbys and
+Mr. Fabian on the European trip, in June," returned Polly.
+
+"I'm glad father says _I_ may go if your father consents. Of course we
+shall have to go, some time or other, Polly, before we could settle down
+as experienced decorators; but this is a fine opportunity--to be members
+of a party of appreciative people such as is seldom offered to young
+beginners as we are."
+
+"Eleanor, have you thought of what we shall do, next year of school, if
+Anne marries John? You know, Mrs. Stewart says she is going back to
+Denver to keep house for Paul, as he will graduate with the other boys,
+next month."
+
+"Uh-huh! John and Tom will settle down at Pebbly Pit to superintend the
+mine and jewel cliffs, and Paul will join the survey crew in Denver. I
+suppose my brother Pete will be hanging about them, somewhere, doing odd
+jobs, now and then."
+
+Eleanor spoke in a half-humorous tone, but Polly was in earnest.
+
+"Well, then, if Anne is John's wife, and Mrs. Stewart in Denver, where
+do we fit in?"
+
+"I've thought it all out, Polly--never fear! You see Mr. Fabian expects
+to bring his wife and daughter back to America this year, as Nancy has
+finished her art studies abroad. If we make ourselves agreeable to them,
+and then hint gently, on the trip back home, that we have no place to
+live in, the coming winter, they'll take us right in with them. How'd
+you like that!"
+
+"Oh, it would be great, Nolla, but would it be quite the proper thing
+for us to do--to throw ourselves upon their hospitality?"
+
+"Polly, they ought to be thankful to have two such nice girls with them!
+To say nothing of our eventually becoming the greatest interior
+decorators of the present day," exclaimed Eleanor, her well-shaped
+little head rearing itself in conscious pride.
+
+Polly laughed. "Well, Nolla, we will never suffer for lack of
+self-esteem. Even if others declare we know nothing, you will be able to
+keep the family pride up to high-water mark. If we knew but one-third of
+all you _think_ we do, we could take Mr. Ashby in partnership with us,
+now."
+
+"There's another thing, Polly, that is a golden opportunity for us. The
+idea of having a successful decorator like Mr. Ashby plan to take us in
+his business when we are through school, is enough to turn anyone's
+head. But not ours, Polly--we are too sensible!"
+
+Again Polly laughed at her friend's meekness--so-called. "Mr. Ashby may
+change his mind before we are ready to accept his offer. We have two
+years still in which to study, you know."
+
+"That will fly like these past two years have. Why here we are only
+sixteen and just see all we know!"
+
+"Yes, and just see all we have yet to know!" retorted Polly.
+
+"I tell you what, those Saturday mornings we spent in Mr. Ashby's
+sales-rooms were a wonderful help, eh?"
+
+"Yes; I really believe, Nolla, that I learned as much of textiles, and
+fabrics, by simply handling and selling the materials, as if I had given
+days to the study of them."
+
+"It was not only a brilliant idea of Mr. Fabian's, to suggest to Mr.
+Ashby that Ruth and we two girls be permitted to act as clerks in his
+rooms, but it was as kind and generous of Mr. Ashby to take us. The way
+he taught us all about different factories and their best and weakest
+points in manufacture; the time he took to demonstrate differences in
+lace and silk curtains, the best style of linen for covers and
+draperies, the tapestries and carpets of modern factories--why, I can
+tell at a glance now, just whose goods I am handling."
+
+"Yes," admitted Polly. "How many decorators' assistants know the style
+of upholstery buttons that ought to be used on a French divan? Or what
+shaped button ought to go on a Turkish chair? I never dreamed that there
+was any difference, according to art, between a tufted wing-chair and
+one that was smoothly upholstered. I bet the majority of people select
+one or the other because they like the looks, but very few know that
+certain lines in a fireside chair demand tufted upholstery, and another
+period must never have buttons or fringe."
+
+"Exactly! That is what I mean, Polly, when I say I am sure we two know
+an awful lot about decorating, already. It is so."
+
+"Dear old Fabian says, this is our critical year--if we can manage to
+pass through the period between second and third years of study without
+discovering that we know it all, we may eventually hope to become
+average decorators," Polly laughed.
+
+"Pooh! We both know Mr. Fabian is a dotard about us. If anyone dares to
+hint that we are not as advanced as he says we are, he glares like a
+jealous cat over her kittens."
+
+Polly and Eleanor reached the Studio by this time and found Anne reading
+a long letter from John. She was smiling happily as she read, and
+Eleanor grinned charitably at her.
+
+Polly sat down to wait till the letter was read. Then Anne glanced over
+at the girls.
+
+"Well, dears, John has definitely settled everything. Tom Latimer and he
+are coming on to New York directly their college commencement is over.
+Polly's father and mother _may_ decide to come, but that is not yet
+certain. As soon as you two girls are off, we will all go back home and
+stay."
+
+"'And they lived happily ever after,'" quoth Eleanor, teasingly.
+
+Anne smiled. Polly seemed dissatisfied.
+
+"What do you mean 'as soon as you girls are off?'"
+
+"Why, off on the European trip. The Ashbys were here to-night and it is
+all settled. Mr. Brewster wrote a fine letter and thanked them for their
+wonderful offer to chaperone you girls."
+
+"Oh, oh!" shouted Eleanor, springing up and throwing her arms about
+Polly's neck.
+
+Anne and her mother laughed as the impulsive girl whirled Polly around
+and around, until both, exhausted, fell upon the divan. Then Polly asked
+the question Eleanor had choked in her throat.
+
+"What about John, Anne? Are you going to Denver or to Pebbly Pit?"
+
+"I expect to go to Pebbly Pit, dear," said Anne, blushing.
+
+"No need to feel embarrassed over it, Anne," laughed Eleanor. "It isn't
+as if we had never heard of your plan. Besides we are all in the family,
+now--or at least we will be."
+
+"Where does your relationship come in, Nolla?" asked Mrs. Stewart,
+quizzically.
+
+"Why, didn't you know, Mother Stewart? I propose to become Paul's bride,
+some day, but he doesn't know it, either!" and the irrepressible girl
+laughed madly as she ran upstairs to her room.
+
+Her friends in the living-room laughed also, but Polly doubted that it
+was said in fun. She rather suspected Eleanor of receiving many nice
+letters from Paul Stewart, during her second year in New York. But
+Eleanor kept her own secret.
+
+As June entered and schools were all beginning their examinations, Mrs.
+Stewart began to clear up the rooms in the home they had occupied for
+two years. Anne's and her own personal property were to be packed and
+sent to Denver. Polly and Eleanor's had to be sorted and packed and
+stored; the winter clothing in strong moth-proof chests, and the things
+they proposed taking abroad with them, in small steamer trunks.
+
+Mr. Fabian had spoken for the lease on the Studio when Mrs. Stewart's
+time expired, and until then, most of the furniture could remain as it
+was. Polly and Eleanor were to have the two small rooms and live with
+the Fabians, and Mrs. Fabian had written that she would buy back the
+things as they stood, thus saving everyone trouble and time.
+
+As the days of June passed, Anne had another letter from John, begging
+her to come to the graduation in Chicago. But Polly and Eleanor needed
+her in New York, as everything was in a panic preparing for the ocean
+voyage, and working so hard at school, too.
+
+Before the girls knew it, therefore, the westerners were with them in
+New York. Mr. and Mrs. Brewster expected to see Polly off on the
+steamer, and John said he had unexpectedly planned to have Anne marry
+him before Polly sailed.
+
+"Oh, that will be great! A wedding and a farewell party all in one,"
+cried Eleanor.
+
+But John took Polly aside and whispered: "Polly, I want my only sister
+to witness my marriage to the best girl living, so you will have to
+persuade Anne to look at it as I do."
+
+"All right, John," laughingly replied Polly. "I'll do my best to make
+her steal my only brother from me."
+
+Tom Latimer joined them at this moment, and said to Polly: "You have
+grown so tall and look such a fine young lady, that I wonder how Anne
+can steal any man from you. Now if I were John, I should never _want_ to
+be stolen from you."
+
+"Oh, Tom!" laughed Polly, greatly amused at his words. "You talk exactly
+like Winnie Trevors. He's the society pet that expects to marry
+Elizabeth Dalken. But you should see him--and hear him talk!"
+
+"Tom Latimer would never thank you for that left-handed compliment,
+Polly, if he could but see the slim little dude you compared to him,"
+said Eleanor, joining the group.
+
+"I believe I do know him, Polly--If he is the silver-haired lap-dog I
+went to grammar-school with."
+
+"Yes--he _has_ got whitish hair, Tom!" laughed Eleanor.
+
+Polly smiled but said nothing. Then Tom said, "Will you take all that
+back, Poll, or must I punish you severely, some day?"
+
+"I never take back a word I once have said--unless I can see where I can
+benefit myself. You see, Tom, I have changed woefully, since living in
+New York. I am exactly like other citizens here--I am supremely selfish,
+these days."
+
+Tom smiled. "I can offer you a bite of attractive bait. Will you
+apologise for calling me 'exactly like Winnie' if I tell you a profound
+secret?"
+
+"That depends! What do you call 'profound,' and will I be concerned in
+hearing it?" teased Polly.
+
+Eleanor had never known Polly to behave so coquettishly before, and to
+her astonishment, she beheld her little model of virtue flirt
+distractingly with Tom. Or Eleanor _thought_ Polly was flirting, when
+she sent a dazzling look at him from her wonderful eyes.
+
+"It is the secret about the Valentine Roses. At last I have managed to
+learn who really sent them to you."
+
+Eleanor perked up. Here was a delightful situation. Polly had never been
+able to find out who had sent the roses, and Tom was ready to confess.
+
+"Oh, really!" exclaimed Polly, eagerly inquisitive.
+
+Tom laughed. "Are you concerned? Is it a profound secret?"
+
+"Yes, oh, yes, Tom!" cried Eleanor, excitedly. "Do tell us what you
+know."
+
+"But Polly has to show her interest, too. If she says she is sorry for
+likening me to Winfield, I will tell her who sent the roses."
+
+"Is he nice, Tom?" asked Polly, anxiously.
+
+"I have heard people _say_ he is, and _I_ think him great!"
+
+Eleanor chuckled. This was a scene after her own heart.
+
+"Is he old--or ugly, Tom?" added Polly.
+
+"No--he is young, and not _very_ bad-looking."
+
+Polly thought seriously, then said: "Does he live in New York?"
+
+"I won't answer any more such questions, Polly, it isn't fair unless you
+do your part," laughed Tom.
+
+"Oh, well, then, please excuse me for ever mentioning you in the same
+_breath_ with Winnie," giggled Polly. "Now tell me who sent those
+roses."
+
+"I will, Polly, but not to-day. I did not promise to tell you, at
+once--so I will wait until after John's wedding."
+
+Polly stamped her foot as Tom hurried away, and Eleanor laughed merrily
+at the hoax. But there was too much going on all about them, to bother,
+now, about roses that were almost two years old.
+
+Mr. Maynard arrived from Chicago in time for the quiet little wedding at
+"The Church around the Corner," and then everyone went to the Studio for
+a reception. John and his bride left for a very short honeymoon, and
+later, all thoughts centered on Polly and Eleanor. It would be their
+turn to say good-by in a few days.
+
+Tom Latimer outdid himself during the days intervening between John's
+wedding and Polly's sailing. Jim and Ken were back from college, but
+somehow the two girls who had been such fine young pals out in the
+Rockies, and on that Coney Island trip, now seemed several years older
+than these boys. They couldn't understand it.
+
+Mr. Fabian could have explained the change. It was mostly psychological,
+due to the advanced mental training his girls had received in their
+study of a chosen high profession. They truly were far superior, now, to
+either of the two boys at Yale, although they were not aware of it at
+the time.
+
+The day for the sailing of the steamer arrived, and a gay party stood on
+the pier just before the good-bys had to be said. Mrs. Brewster gave
+Polly many warnings and advices, and Mr. Maynard begged Eleanor not to
+bankrupt him during her stay in Paris.
+
+Books, flowers, fruit and candy, had been piled up in the arms of Ruth
+Ashby, Polly and Eleanor, until they could not shake the extended hands
+of their friends when the time came to really say good-by.
+
+"Never mind your hands, we'll kiss your faces!" laughed Mr. Maynard, and
+straightway began kissing the pretty struggling girls.
+
+As everyone in the group was an old friend, each one took toll of the
+girls' cheeks, and just as Jim Latimer, the last in the line, caught a
+swift brush of Ruth's ear, Tom Latimer strolled up.
+
+"Hello, Tom! Where have you been?" called his father.
+
+"Better get your kiss, Tom, or you'll be left," added Jim.
+
+So Tom managed to get his "good-by" from Ruth and from Eleanor, but
+Polly blushed furiously, and reared her head.
+
+"If another silly man kisses me, I'll--I'll--slap him!"
+
+Of course everyone laughed uproariously at this, but the guard suddenly
+shouted, "All aboard." And the sailing party rushed up the gang-plank.
+
+Once on deck, however, Polly remembered something she had meant to ask
+Tom Latimer. She leaned over the rail and called back:
+
+"Oh, Tom! you never told me who sent the roses!"
+
+"You'll find out about it when you reach your stateroom," shouted Tom,
+making a megaphone of his hands. "I met him there, talking to the
+steward, and you will know as soon as you go down."
+
+Eleanor giggled. "That's where Tom was when Mr. Dalken dared anyone to
+take one of his girls away from him."
+
+"But who could Tom have met in our stateroom, Nolla? I thought everyone
+was on the pier with us?"
+
+The steamer had already swung down-stream, and the friends on the pier
+were mere dots, so the curious girls hurried down to see who had sent
+Polly the Valentine roses. Ruth accompanied them, as she felt she should
+have been the third in this girl relationship--like triplets, she said,
+one day, to her father.
+
+Then the door was opened, and sweet fragrance greeted the girls. There
+in a corner of the stateroom stood a dozen American Beauty roses, each
+with a stem almost four feet long. And about the stems a golden cord was
+tied, and upon this cord hung a card.
+
+The three girls stood admiring the great crimson beauties and then Ruth
+said: "See who they are from--and who for?"
+
+"Why, they're Polly's, of course. The same 'old valentine' sent them!"
+laughed Eleanor.
+
+Polly's fingers trembled as she bent forward and read what was written
+on the card: "Your Valentine that was, and is, and always will be, in
+this world, and in the next, and forever, Tom."
+
+"Oh, no! No! No! No! I won't have you so, Tom!" cried Polly, throwing
+herself in the chair and covering her face with her hands. Eleanor and
+Ruth stood perfectly still, not knowing what to do or say.
+
+Then Polly lifted her face. She was trying to smile. "Dear old Tom only
+did that to tease me. Isn't he an old plague?"
+
+"I should say he was!" exclaimed Ruth, innocently.
+
+Eleanor with the worldly wisdom learned from her mother, added
+guilefully: "He sure is. But you tricked him, Polly."
+
+"How?" eagerly inquired Polly.
+
+"He was the only one in the party who didn't get a kiss from you!"
+laughed Eleanor.
+
+"That's so!" admitted Polly, but Eleanor was not sure whether her friend
+was sorry or satisfied at the result.
+
+Then, as the days passed, Eleanor noticed that Polly never mentioned the
+roses again, but they were kept as fresh as possible, and weeks later,
+Eleanor found one of them carefully pressed with the card still tied to
+it.
+
+But this discovery, and all that happened during that Summer in Europe,
+while visiting famous places and viewing rare objects of antiquity, are
+told in another volume called "Polly and Eleanor Abroad."
+
+                                THE END
+
+
+
+
+                           _This Isn't All!_
+
+Would you like to know what became of the good friends you have made in
+this book?
+
+Would you like to read other stories continuing their adventures and
+experiences, or other books quite as entertaining by the same author?
+
+On the _reverse side_ of the wrapper which comes with this book, you
+will find a wonderful list of stories which you can buy at the same
+store where you got this book.
+
+                     _Don't throw away the Wrapper_
+
+Use it as a handy catalog of the books you want some day to have. But in
+case you do mislay it, write to the Publishers for a complete catalog.
+
+
+
+
+THE POLLY BREWSTER SERIES
+
+By LILLIAN ELIZABETH ROY
+
+Durably Bound. Illustrated. Colored Wrappers.
+
+Every Volume Complete in Itself.
+
+A delightful series for girls in which they will follow Polly and
+Eleanor through many interesting adventures and enjoyable trips to
+various places in the United States, Europe and South America.
+
+    POLLY OF PEBBLY PIT
+    POLLY AND ELEANOR
+    POLLY IN NEW YORK
+    POLLY AND HER FRIENDS ABROAD
+    POLLY'S BUSINESS VENTURE
+    POLLY'S SOUTHERN CRUISE
+    POLLY IN SOUTH AMERICA
+    POLLY IN THE SOUTHWEST
+    POLLY IN ALASKA
+
+GROSSET & DUNLAP, Publishers, NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+THE OUTDOOR GIRLS SERIES
+
+By LAURA LEE HOPE
+
+Author of the "Bobbsey Twins," "Bunny Brown" Series, Etc.
+
+Uniform Style of Binding. Individual Colored Wrappers.
+
+Every Volume Complete in Itself.
+
+These are the tales of the various adventures participated in by a group
+of bright, fun-loving, up-to-date girls who have a common bond in their
+fondness for outdoor life, camping, travel and adventure. They are clean
+and wholesome and free from sensationalism.
+
+    THE OUTDOOR GIRLS OF DEEPDALE
+    THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT RAINBOW LAKE
+    THE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN A MOTOR CAR
+    THE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN A WINTER CAMP
+    THE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN FLORIDA
+    THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT OCEAN VIEW
+    THE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN ARMY SERVICE
+    THE OUTDOOR GIRLS ON PINE ISLAND
+    THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT THE HOSTESS HOUSE
+    THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT BLUFF POINT
+    THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT WILD ROSE LODGE
+    THE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN THE SADDLE
+    THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AROUND THE CAMPFIRE
+    THE OUTDOOR GIRLS ON CAPE COD
+    THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT FOAMING FALLS
+    THE OUTDOOR GIRLS ALONG THE COAST
+    THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT SPRING HILL FARM
+
+GROSSET & DUNLAP, Publishers, NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+THE BLYTHE GIRLS BOOKS
+
+By LAURA LEE HOPE
+
+Individual Colored Wrappers and Text Illustrations by
+
+THELMA GOOCH
+
+Every Volume Complete in Itself
+
+The Blythe girls, three in number, were left alone in New York City.
+Helen, who went in for art and music, kept the little flat uptown, while
+Margy, just out of a business school, obtained a position as a private
+secretary and Rose, plain-spoken and business-like, took what she called
+a "job" in a department store.
+
+THE BLYTHE GIRLS: HELEN, MARGY AND ROSE
+
+A fascinating tale of real happenings in the great metropolis
+
+THE BLYTHE GIRLS: MARGY'S QUEER INHERITANCE
+
+The Girls had a peculiar old aunt and when she died she left an unusual
+inheritance.
+
+THE BLYTHE GIRLS: ROSE'S GREAT PROBLEM
+
+Rose, still at work in the big department store, is one day faced with
+the greatest problem of her life.
+
+THE BLYTHE GIRLS: HELEN'S STRANGE BOARDER
+
+Helen goes to the assistance of a strange girl, whose real identity is a
+puzzle. Who the girl really was comes as a tremendous surprise.
+
+THE BLYTHE GIRLS: THREE ON A VACATION
+
+The girls go to the country for two weeks--and fall in with all sorts of
+curious and exciting happenings.
+
+THE BLYTHE GIRLS: MARGY'S SECRET MISSION
+
+Of course we cannot divulge the big secret, but nevertheless the girls
+as usual have many exciting experiences.
+
+THE BLYTHE GIRLS: ROSE'S ODD DISCOVERY
+
+A very interesting story, telling how Rose aided an old man in the
+almost hopeless search for his daughter.
+
+GROSSET & DUNLAP, Publishers, NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+GIRL SCOUTS SERIES
+
+By LILLIAN ELIZABETH ROY
+
+Author of the "Polly Brewster Books"
+
+Handsomely Bound. Colored Wrappers. Illustrated
+
+Each Volume Complete in Itself.
+
+Here is a series that holds the same position for girls that the Tom
+Slade and Roy Blakeley books hold for boys. They are delightful stories
+of Girl Scout camp life amid beautiful surroundings and are filled with
+stirring adventures.
+
+GIRL SCOUTS AT DANDELION CAMP
+
+This is a story which centers around the making and the enjoying of a
+mountain camp, spiced with the fun of a lively troop of Girl Scouts. The
+charm of living in the woods, of learning woodcraft of all sorts, of
+adventuring into the unknown, combine to make a busy and an exciting
+summer for the girls.
+
+GIRL SCOUTS IN THE ADIRONDACKS
+
+New scenery, new problems of camping, association with a neighboring
+camp of Boy Scouts, and a long canoe trip with them through the Fulton
+Chain, all in the setting of the marvelous Adirondacks, bring to the
+girls enlargement of horizon, new development, and new joys.
+
+GIRL SCOUTS IN THE ROCKIES
+
+On horseback from Denver through Estes Park as far as the Continental
+Divide, climbing peaks, riding wild trails, canoeing through canyons,
+shooting rapids, encountering a landslide, a summer blizzard, a sand
+storm, wild animals, and forest fires, the girls pack the days full with
+unforgettable experiences.
+
+GIRL SCOUTS IN ARIZONA AND NEW MEXICO
+
+The Girl Scouts visit the mountains and deserts of Arizona and New
+Mexico. They travel over the old Sante Fe trail, cross the Painted
+Desert, and visit the Grand Canyon. Their exciting adventures form a
+most interesting story.
+
+GIRL SCOUTS IN THE REDWOODS
+
+The girls spend their summer in the Redwoods of California and
+incidentally find a way to induce a famous motion picture director in
+Hollywood to offer to produce a film that stars the Girl Scouts of
+America.
+
+GROSSET & DUNLAP, Publishers, NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+THE LILIAN GARIS BOOKS
+
+Attractively Bound. Illustrated. Individual Colored Wrappers.
+
+Every Volume Complete in Itself.
+
+Lilian Garis is one of the writers who always wrote. She expressed
+herself in verse from early school days and it was then predicted that
+Lilian Mack would one day become a writer. Justifying this sentiment,
+while still at high school, she took charge of the woman's page for a
+city paper and her work there attracted such favorable attention that
+she left school to take entire charge of woman's work for the largest
+daily in an important Eastern city.
+
+Mrs. Garis turned to girls' books directly after her marriage, and of
+these she has written many. She believes in girls, studies them and
+depicts them with pen both skilled and sympathetic.
+
+    CLEO'S MISTY RAINBOW
+    CLEO'S CONQUEST
+    BARBARA HALE: A DOCTOR'S DAUGHTER
+    BARBARA HALE AND COZETTE
+    GLORIA: A GIRL AND HER DAD
+    GLORIA AT BOARDING SCHOOL
+    JOAN: JUST GIRL
+    JOAN'S GARDEN OF ADVENTURE
+    CONNIE LORING'S AMBITION
+    CONNIE LORING'S DILEMMA
+
+GROSSET & DUNLAP, Publishers, NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+AMY BELL MARLOWE'S BOOKS FOR GIRLS
+
+Charming, Fresh and Original Stories
+
+Illustrated. Wrappers Printed in Colors with individual design for each
+story
+
+Miss Marlowe's books for girls are somewhat of the type of Miss Alcott
+and also Mrs. Meade; but all are thoroughly up-to-date and wholly
+American in scene and action. Good, clean absorbing tales that all girls
+thoroughly enjoy.
+
+THE OLDEST OF FOUR; Or, Natalie's Way Out.
+
+A sweet story of the struggles of a live girl to keep a family from
+want.
+
+THE GIRLS AT HILLCREST FARM; Or, The Secret of the Rocks.
+
+Relating the trials of two girls who take boarders on an old farm.
+
+A LITTLE MISS NOBODY; Or, With the Girls of Pinewood Hall.
+
+Tells of a school girl who was literally a nobody until she solved the
+mystery of her identity.
+
+THE GIRL FROM SUNSET RANCH; Or, Alone in a Great City.
+
+A ranch girl comes to New York to meet relatives she has never seen. Her
+adventures make unusually good reading.
+
+WYN'S CAMPING DAYS; Or, The Outing of the GO-AHEAD CLUB.
+
+A tale of happy days on the water and under canvas, with a touch of
+mystery and considerable excitement.
+
+FRANCES OF THE RANGES; Or, The Old Ranchman's Treasure.
+
+A vivid picture of life on the great cattle ranges of the West.
+
+THE GIRLS OF RIVERCLIFF SCHOOL; Or, Beth Baldwin's Resolve.
+
+This is one of the most entertaining stories centering about a girl's
+school that has ever been written.
+
+WHEN ORIOLE CAME TO HARBOR LIGHT.
+
+The story of a young girl, cast up by the sea, and rescued by an old
+lighthouse keeper.
+
+WHEN ORIOLE TRAVELED WESTWARD.
+
+Oriole visits the family of a rich ranchman and enjoys herself
+immensely.
+
+WHEN ORIOLE WENT TO BOARDING SCHOOL.
+
+How this brave girl bears up under the most trying experiences, makes a
+very interesting story.
+
+GROSSET & DUNLAP, Publishers, NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+CAROLYN WELLS BOOKS
+
+Attractively Bound. Illustrated. Colored Wrappers.
+
+THE MARJORIE BOOKS
+
+Marjorie is a happy little girl of twelve, up to mischief, but full of
+goodness and sincerity. In her and her friends every girl reader will
+see much of her own love of fun, play and adventure.
+
+    MARJORIE'S VACATION
+    MARJORIE'S BUSY DAYS
+    MARJORIE'S NEW FRIEND
+    MARJORIE IN COMMAND
+    MARJORIE'S MAYTIME
+    MARJORIE AT SEACOTE
+
+THE TWO LITTLE WOMEN SERIES
+
+Introducing Dorinda Fayre--a pretty blonde, sweet, serious, timid and a
+little slow, and Dorothy Rose--a sparkling brunette, quick, elf-like,
+high tempered, full of mischief and always getting into scrapes.
+
+    TWO LITTLE WOMEN
+    TWO LITTLE WOMEN AND TREASURE HOUSE
+    TWO LITTLE WOMEN ON A HOLIDAY
+
+THE DICK AND DOLLY BOOKS
+
+Dick and Dolly are brother and sister, and their games, their pranks,
+their joys and sorrows, are told in a manner which makes the stories
+"really true" to young readers.
+
+    DICK AND DOLLY
+    DICK AND DOLLY'S ADVENTURES
+
+GROSSET & DUNLAP, Publishers, NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+THE HONEY BUNCH BOOKS
+
+By HELEN LOUISE THORNDYKE
+
+Individual Colored Wrappers and Text Illustrations Drawn by
+
+WALTER S. ROGERS
+
+A new line of fascinating tales for little girls. Honey Bunch is a
+dainty, thoughtful little girl, and to know her is to take her to your
+heart at once.
+
+HONEY BUNCH: JUST A LITTLE GIRL
+
+Happy days at home, helping mamma and the washerlady. And Honey Bunch
+helped the house painters too--or thought she did.
+
+HONEY BUNCH: HER FIRST VISIT TO THE CITY
+
+What wonderful sights Honey Bunch saw when she went to visit her cousins
+in New York! And she got lost in a big hotel and wandered into a men's
+convention!
+
+HONEY BUNCH: HER FIRST DAYS ON THE FARM
+
+Can you remember how the farm looked the first time you visited it? How
+big the cows and horses were, and what a roomy place to play in the barn
+proved to be?
+
+HONEY BUNCH: HER FIRST VISIT TO THE SEASHORE
+
+Honey Bunch soon got used to the big waves and thought playing in the
+sand great fun. And she visited a merry-go-round, and took part in a
+seaside pageant.
+
+HONEY BUNCH: HER FIRST LITTLE GARDEN
+
+It was great sport to dig and to plant with one's own little garden
+tools. But best of all was when Honey Bunch won a prize at the flower
+show.
+
+HONEY BUNCH: HER FIRST DAYS IN CAMP
+
+It was a great adventure for Honey Bunch when she journeyed to Camp
+Snapdragon. It was wonderful to watch the men erect the tent, and more
+wonderful to live in it and have good times on the shore and in the
+water.
+
+GROSSET & DUNLAP, Publishers, NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+THE BOBBSEY TWINS BOOKS
+
+For Little Men and Women
+
+By LAURA LEE HOPE
+
+Author of "The Bunny Brown Series," Etc.
+
+Durably Bound. Illustrated. Uniform Style of Binding.
+
+Every Volume Complete in Itself.
+
+These books for boys and girls between the ages of three and ten stands
+among children and their parents of this generation where the books of
+Louisa May Alcott stood in former days. The haps and mishaps of this
+inimitable pair of twins, their many adventures and experiences are a
+source of keen delight to imaginative children everywhere.
+
+    THE BOBBSEY TWINS
+    THE BOBBSEY TWINS IN THE COUNTRY
+    THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT THE SEASHORE
+    THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT SCHOOL
+    THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT SNOW LODGE
+    THE BOBBSEY TWINS ON A HOUSEBOAT
+    THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT MEADOW BROOK
+    THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT HOME
+    THE BOBBSEY TWINS IN A GREAT CITY
+    THE BOBBSEY TWINS ON BLUEBERRY ISLAND
+    THE BOBBSEY TWINS ON THE DEEP BLUE SEA
+    THE BOBBSEY TWINS IN THE GREAT WEST
+    THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT CEDAR CAMP
+    THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT THE COUNTY FAIR
+    THE BOBBSEY TWINS CAMPING OUT
+    THE BOBBSEY TWINS AND BABY MAY
+    THE BOBBSEY TWINS KEEPING HOUSE
+    THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT CLOVERBANK
+
+GROSSET & DUNLAP, Publishers, NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+THE BUNNY BROWN SERIES
+
+By LAURA LEE HOPE
+
+Author of the Popular "Bobbsey Twins" Books, Etc.
+
+Durably Bound. Illustrated. Uniform Style of Binding.
+
+Every Volume Complete in Itself.
+
+These stories are eagerly welcomed by the little folks from about five
+to ten years of age. Their eyes fairly dance with delight at the lively
+doings of inquisitive little Bunny Brown and his cunning, trustful
+sister Sue.
+
+    BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE
+    BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE ON GRANDPA'S FARM
+    BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE PLAYING CIRCUS
+    BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE AT CAMP-REST-A-WHILE
+    BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE AT AUNT LU'S CITY HOME
+    BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE IN THE BIG WOODS
+    BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE ON AN AUTO TOUR
+    BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE AND THEIR SHETLAND PONY
+    BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE GIVING A SHOW
+    BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE AT CHRISTMAS TREE COVE
+    BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE IN THE SUNNY SOUTH
+    BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE KEEPING STORE
+    BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE AND THEIR TRICK DOG
+    BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE AT A SUGAR CAMP
+    BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE ON THE ROLLING OCEAN
+    BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE ON JACK FROST ISLAND
+
+GROSSET & DUNLAP, Publishers, NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+SIX LITTLE BUNKERS SERIES
+
+By LAURA LEE HOPE
+
+Author of The Bobbsey Twins Books, The Bunny Brown Series, The Blythe
+Girls Books, Etc.
+
+Durably Bound. Illustrated. Uniform Style of Binding. Every Volume
+Complete in Itself.
+
+Delightful stories for little boys and girls which sprung into immediate
+popularity. To know the six little Bunkers is to take them at once to
+your heart, they are so intensely human, so full of fun and cute
+sayings. Each story has a little plot of its own--one that can be easily
+followed--and all are written in Miss Hope's most entertaining manner.
+Clean, wholesome volumes which ought to be on the bookshelf of every
+child in the land.
+
+    SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT GRANDMA BELL'S
+    SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT AUNT JO'S
+    SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT COUSIN TOM'S
+    SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT GRANDPA FORD'S
+    SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT UNCLE FRED'S
+    SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT CAPTAIN BEN'S
+    SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT COWBOY JACK'S
+    SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT MAMMY JUNE'S
+    SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT FARMER JOEL'S
+    SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT MILLER NED'S
+    SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT INDIAN JOHN'S
+
+GROSSET & DUNLAP, Publishers, NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+THE RIDDLE CLUB BOOKS
+
+By ALICE DALE HARDY
+
+Individual Colored Wrappers. Attractively Illustrated.
+
+Every Volume Complete in Itself.
+
+Here is as ingenious a series of books for little folks as has ever
+appeared since "Alice in Wonderland." The idea of the Riddle books is a
+little group of children--three girls and three boys decide to form a
+riddle club. Each book is full of the adventures and doings of these six
+youngsters, but as an added attraction each book is filled with a lot of
+the best riddles you ever heard.
+
+THE RIDDLE CLUB AT HOME
+
+An absorbing tale that all boys and girls will enjoy reading. How the
+members of the club fixed up a clubroom in the Larue barn, and how they,
+later on, helped solve a most mysterious happening, and how one of the
+members won a valuable prize, is told in a manner to please every young
+reader.
+
+THE RIDDLE CLUB IN CAMP
+
+The club members went into camp on the edge of a beautiful lake. Here
+they had rousing good times swimming, boating and around the campfire.
+They fell in with a mysterious old man known as The Hermit of Triangle
+Island. Nobody knew his real name or where he came from until the
+propounding of a riddle solved these perplexing questions.
+
+THE RIDDLE CLUB THROUGH THE HOLIDAYS
+
+This volume takes in a great number of sports, including skating and
+sledding and the building of a huge snowman. It also gives the
+particulars of how the club treasurer lost the dues entrusted to his
+care and what the melting of the great snowman revealed.
+
+THE RIDDLE CLUB AT SUNRISE BEACH
+
+This volume tells how the club journeyed to the seashore and how they
+not only kept up their riddles but likewise had good times on the sand
+and on the water. Once they got lost in a fog and are marooned on an
+island. Here they made a discovery that greatly pleased the folks at
+home.
+
+GROSSET & DUNLAP, Publishers, NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+JERRY TODD AND POPPY OTT SERIES
+
+By LEO EDWARDS
+
+Durably Bound. Illustrated. Individual Colored Wrappers.
+
+Every Volume Complete in Itself.
+
+Hundreds of thousands of boys who laughed until their sides ached over
+the weird and wonderful adventures of Jerry Todd and his gang demanded
+that Leo Edwards, the author, give them more books like the Jerry Todd
+stories with their belt-bursting laughs and creepy shivers. So he took
+Poppy Ott, Jerry Todd's bosom chum and created the Poppy Ott Series, and
+if such a thing could be possible--they are even more full of fun and
+excitement than the Jerry Todds.
+
+    THE POPPY OTT SERIES
+      POPPY OTT AND THE STUTTERING PARROT
+      POPPY OTT AND THE SEVEN LEAGUE STILTS
+      POPPY OTT AND THE GALLOPING SNAIL
+      POPPY OTT'S PEDIGREED PICKLES
+
+    THE JERRY TODD BOOKS
+      JERRY TODD AND THE WHISPERING MUMMY
+      JERRY TODD AND THE ROSE-COLORED CAT
+      JERRY TODD AND THE OAK ISLAND TREASURE
+      JERRY TODD AND THE WALTZING HEN
+      JERRY TODD AND THE TALKING FROG
+      JERRY TODD AND THE PURRING EGG
+      JERRY TODD IN THE WHISPERING CAVE
+
+GROSSET & DUNLAP, Publishers, NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's Polly in New York, by Lillian Elizabeth Roy
+
+*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK POLLY IN NEW YORK ***
+
+***** This file should be named 37459.txt or 37459.zip *****
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