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+Project Gutenberg's Peggy Stewart: Navy Girl at Home, by Gabrielle E. Jackson
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+Title: Peggy Stewart: Navy Girl at Home
+
+Author: Gabrielle E. Jackson
+
+Release Date: May, 2004 [EBook #5729]
+[Yes, we are more than one year ahead of schedule]
+[This file was first posted on August 18, 2002]
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+Edition: 10
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+Language: English
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+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK NAVY GIRL AT HOME ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Charles Franks
+and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team.
+
+
+
+
+PEGGY STEWART
+NAVY GIRL
+AT HOME
+
+BY
+
+GABRIELLE E. JACKSON
+AUTHOR OF "SILVER HEELS," "THREE GRACES"
+SERIES, "CAPT. POLLY" SERIES, ETC.
+
+WITH FRONTISPIECE BY
+NORMAN ROCKWELL
+
+1920
+
+
+
+THIS LITTLE STORY OF ANNAPOLIS IS
+MOST AFFECTIONATELY INSCRIBED TO
+
+H.W.H.
+
+WHOSE SUNNY SOUL AND CHEERY
+VOICE HELPED TO MAKE MANY AN
+HOUR HAPPY FOR THE ONE HE CALLED
+"LITTLE MOTHER"
+
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+CHAPTER
+
+    I.  SPRINGTIDE
+   II.  THE EMPRESS
+  III.  "DADDY NEIL"
+   IV.  IN OCTOBER'S DAYS
+    V.  POLLY HOWLAND
+   VI.  A FRIENDSHIP BEGINS
+  VII.  PEGGY STEWART: CHATELAINE
+ VIII.  A SHOCKING DEMONSTRATION OF INTEMPERANCE
+   IX.  DUNMORE'S LAST CHRISTMAS
+    X.  A DOMESTIC EPISODE
+   XI.  PLAYING GOOD SAMARITAN
+  XII.  THE SPICE OF PEPPER AND SALT
+ XIII.  THE MASQUERADERS' SHOW
+  XIV.  OFF FOR NEW LONDON
+   XV.  REGATTA DAY
+  XVI.  THE RACE
+ XVII.  SHADOWS CAST BEFORE
+XVIII.  YOU'VE SPOILED THEIR TEA PARTY
+  XIX.  BACK AT SEVERNDALE
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+SPRINGTIDE
+
+
+"Peggy, Maggie, Mag, Margaret, Marguerite, Muggins. Hum! Half a dozen of
+them. Wonder if there are any more? Yes, there's Peggoty and Peg, to say
+nothing of Margaretta, Gretchen, Meta, Margarita, Keta, Madge. My
+goodness! Is there any end to my nicknames? I mistrust I'm a very
+commonplace mortal. I wonder if other girls' names can be twisted around
+into as many picture puzzles as mine can? What do YOU think about it
+Shashai!" [Footnote: Shashai. Hebrew for noble, pronounced Shash'a-ai.]
+and the girl reached up both arms to draw down into their embrace the
+silky head of a superb young colt which stood close beside her; a
+creature which would have made any horse-lover stop stock-still and
+exclaim at sight of him. He was a magnificent two-year-old Kentuckian,
+faultless as to his points, with a head to set an artist rhapsodizing
+and a-tingle to put it upon his canvas. His coat, mane and tail were
+black as midnight and glossy as satin. The great, lustrous eyes held a
+living fire, the delicate nostrils were a-quiver every moment, the
+faultlessly curved ears alert as a wild creature's. And he WAS half
+wild, for never had saddle rested upon his back, girth encircled him or
+bit fretted the sensitive mouth. A halter thus far in his career had
+been his only badge of bondage and the girl caressing him had been the
+one to put it upon him. It would have been a bad quarter of an hour for
+any other person attempting it. But she was his "familiar," though far
+from being his evil genius. On the contrary, she was his presiding
+spirit of good.
+
+Just now, as the splendid head nestled confidingly in her circling arms,
+she was whispering softly into one velvety ear, oh, so velvety! as it
+rested against her ripe, red lips, so soft, so perfect in their molding.
+The ear moved slightly back and forth, speaking its silent language. The
+nostrils emitted the faintest bubbling acknowledgment of the whispered
+words. The beautiful eyes were so expressive in their intelligent
+comprehension.
+
+"Too many cooks spoil the broth, Shashai. Too many grooms can spoil a
+colt. Too many mistresses turn a household topsy-turvy. How about too
+many names, old boy? Can they spoil a girl? But maybe I'm spoiled
+already. How about it?" and a musical laugh floated out from between the
+pretty lips.
+
+The colt raised his head, whinnied aloud as though in denial and stamped
+one deer-like, unshod fore-hoof as though to emphasize his protest; then
+he again slid his head back into the arms as if their slender roundness
+encompassed all his little world.
+
+"You old dear!" exclaimed the girl softly, adding: "Eh, but it's a
+beautiful world! A wonderful world," and broke into the lilting refrain
+of "Wonderful world" and sang it through in a voice of singularly,
+haunting sweetness. But the words were not those of the popular song.
+They had been written and set to its air by Peggy's tutor.
+
+She seemed to forget everything else, though she continued to
+mechanically run light, sensitive fingers down the velvety muzzle so
+close to her face, and semi-consciously reach forth the other hand to
+caress the head of a superb wolfhound which, upon the first sweet notes,
+had risen from where she lay not far off to listen, thrusting an
+insinuating nose under her arm. She seemed to float away with her song,
+off, off across the sloping, greening fields to the broad, blue reaches
+of Bound Bay, all a-glitter in the morning sunlight.
+
+She was seated in the crotch of a snake-fence running parallel with the
+road which ended in a curve toward the east and vanished in a thin-drawn
+perspective toward the west. There was no habitation, or sign of human
+being near. The soft March wind, with its thousand earthy odors and
+promises of a Maryland springtide, swept across the bay, stirring her
+dark hair, brushed up from her forehead in a natural, wavy pompadour,
+and secured by a barrette and a big bow of dark red ribbon, the long
+braid falling down her back tied by another bow of the same color. The
+forehead was broad and exceptionally intellectual. The eyebrows,
+matching the dark hair, perfectly penciled. The nose straight and clean-
+cut as a Greek statue's. The chin resolute as a boy's. The teeth white
+and faultless. And the eyes? Well, Peggy Stewart's eyes sometimes made
+people smile, sometimes almost weep, and invariably brought a puzzled
+frown to their foreheads. They were the oddest eyes ever seen. Peggy
+herself often laughed and said:
+
+"My eyes seem to perplex people worse than the elephant perplexed the
+'six blind men of Hindustan' who went to SEE him. No two people ever
+pronounce them the same color, yet each individual is perfectly honest
+in his belief that they are black, or dark brown, or dark blue, or deep
+gray, or SEA green. Maybe Nature designed me for a chameleon but changed
+her mind when she had completed my eyes."
+
+Peggy Stewart would hardly have been called a beautiful girl gauged by
+conventional standards. Her features were not regular enough for
+perfection, the mouth perhaps a trifle too large, but she was "mightily
+pleasin' fer to study 'bout," old Mammy insisted when the other servants
+were talking about her baby.
+
+"Oh, yes," conceded Martha Harrison, the only white woman besides Peggy
+herself upon the plantation. "Oh, yes, she's pleasing enough, but if her
+mother had lived she'd never in this world a-been allowed to run wild as
+a boy, a-getting tanned as black as a--a, darky."
+
+Martha was a most devoted soul who had come from the North with her
+mistress when that lady left her New England home to journey to Maryland
+as Commander Stewart's bride. He was only a junior lieutenant then, but
+that was nearly eighteen years before this story opens. She had not seen
+many colored people while living in the Massachusetts town in which she
+had been born and her experience with them was limited to the very few
+who, after the Civil War, had drifted into it. Of the true Southern
+negro, especially those of the ante-bellum type, she had not the
+faintest conception. It had all been a revelation to her. The devotion
+of the house servants to their "white folks," to whom so many had
+remained faithful even after liberation, was a never-ending source of
+wonder to the good soul. Nor could she understand why those old family
+retainers stigmatized the younger generations as "shiftless, no-account,
+new-issue niggers." That there could be marked social distinctions among
+these colored people never occurred to her.
+
+That generations of them had been carefully trained by master and
+mistress during the days of slavery, and that the younger generations
+had had no training whatever, was quite beyond Martha's grasp. Colored
+people were COLORED PEOPLE, and that ended it.
+
+But as the years passed, Martha learned many things. She had her own
+neatly-appointed little dining-room in her own well-ordered little wing
+of the great, rambling colonial house which Peggy Stewart called home, a
+house which could have told a wonderful history of one hundred eighty or
+more years. We will tell it later on. We have left Peggy too long
+perched upon her snake-fence with Shashai and Tzaritza.
+
+The lilting song continued to its end and the dog and horse stood as
+though hypnotized by the melody and the fingers' magnetic touch. Then
+the song ended as abruptly as it had begun and Peggy slid lightly from
+her perch to the ground, raised both arms, stretching hands and fingers
+and inclining her head in a pose which would have thrilled a teacher of
+"Esthetic Posing" in some fashionable, faddish school, though it was all
+unstudied upon the girl's part. Then she cried in a wonderfully
+modulated voice:
+
+"Oh, the joy, joy, joy of just being ALIVE on such a day as this! Of
+being out in this wonderful world and free, free, free to go and come
+and do as we want to, Shashai, Tzaritza! To feel the wind, to breathe it
+in, to smell all the new growing things, to see that water out yonder
+and the blue overhead. What is it, Dr. Llewellyn says: 'To thank the
+Lord for a life so sweet.' WE all do, don't we? _I_ can put it into
+words, or sing it, but you two? Yes, you can make God understand just as
+well. Let's all thank Him together--you as He has taught you, and I as
+He has taught me. Now:"
+
+It was a strange picture. The girl standing there in the beautiful early
+spring world, her only companions a thoroughbred, half-wild Kentucky
+colt and a Russian wolfhound, literally worth their weight in gold,
+absolutely faultless in their beauty, and each with their wonderfully
+intelligent eyes fixed upon her. At the word "Now," the colt raised his
+perfect head, drew in a deep breath and then exhaled it in a long,
+trumpet-like whinny. The dog voiced her wonderful bell-like bay; the
+note of joy sounded by her kind when victory is assured.
+
+The girl raised her head, and parting her lips gave voice to a long-
+drawn note of ecstasy, ending in a little staccato trill and the same
+upflinging of the arms.
+
+It was all a rhapsody of springtide, the semi-wild things' expression of
+intoxicating joy at being alive and their absolute mutual harmony. The
+animals felt it as the girl did, and surely God acknowledged the homage.
+Such spontaneous, sincere thanks are rare.
+
+"Let's go now."
+
+The horse's slender flanks quivered; his withers twitched with the
+nervous energy awaiting an outlet; the dog stood alert for the first
+motion.
+
+Resting one hand upon those sensitive withers the girl gave a quick
+spring, landing lightly as thistledown astride the colt's back, holding
+the halter strap in her firm, brown fingers. Her costume was admirably
+adapted to this equestrian if somewhat unusual feat for a young lady. It
+consisted of a dark blue divided riding skirt of heavy cloth, and a
+midshipman's jumper, open at the throat, a black regulation neckerchief
+knotted sailor-fashion on her well-rounded chest. Anything affording
+freer action could hardly have been designed for her sex. And a bonny
+thing she looked as she sat there, the soft wind toying with the loose
+hairs which had escaped their bonds, and bringing the faintest rose tint
+into her cheeks. It was still too early in the spring for the clear,
+dark skin to have grown "black as a darky's." "On to the end of
+nowhere!" she cried. "We'll beat you to the goal, Tzaritza. Go!"
+
+At the word the colt sprang forward with an action so true, so perfect
+that he and the girl seemed one. The dog gave a low bark like a laugh at
+the challenge and with incredibly long, graceful leaps circled around
+and around the pair, now running a little ahead, then executing a wide
+circle, and again darting forward with that derisive bark.
+
+Shashai's speed was not to be scorned--his ancestors held an
+international fame for swiftness, endurance and jumping--but no horse
+can compete with a wolfhound.
+
+On, on they sped, the happiest, maddest, merriest trio imaginable, down
+the road to the point where the perspective seemed to end it but where
+in reality it turned abruptly, leaving the one following its course the
+choice of taking a sudden dip down to the water's edge or wheeling to
+the right and leaping "brake, bracken and scaur." The girl did not
+tighten her single guiding strap, she merely bent forward to speak
+softly into one ear laid back to catch the words:
+
+"Right--turn!"
+
+Just beyond was a high fence dividing the lane where it crossed two
+estates. It was surmounted by a stile of four steps. There was no pause
+in the colt's or dog's speed. Tzaritza cleared it like a--wolfhound.
+Shashai with his rider skimmed over like a bird, landing upon the soft
+turf beyond with scarcely a sound.
+
+Oh, the beauty of it all! Then on again through a patch of woodland
+which looked as though a huge gossamer veil had been laid over it. If
+ever pastelle colors were displayed to perfection Nature here held her
+exhibition. Soft pinks, pale blues, silver grays, the tenderest greens
+with here and there a touch of the maple buds' rich mahogany reds, and
+above and about the maddest melody of bird songs from a hundred throats.
+
+As the horse swung along in his perfect gait, the great dog making
+playful leaps and feinted snaps at his beautiful muzzle with a dog's
+derisive smile and sense of humor, and if any one doubts that dogs have
+this quality they simply don't know the animal, the girl sang at the top
+of her voice.
+
+They covered the ground with incredible swiftness and presently the lane
+grew broader, giving evidence of more traffic where a wood road crossed
+it at right angles. Just a little beyond this point an old gentleman
+appeared in sight. He was walking with his hands clasped behind him and
+his head bent to examine every foot of the roadway. Evidently he was too
+absorbed to be aware of the trio bearing down upon him. He wore the
+clerical garb of the Church of England, and his face would have
+attracted attention in any part of the world, it was so pure, so
+refined, so like a cameo in its delicacy of outline, and the skin held
+the wonderful softness and clearness we sometimes see in old age. He
+must have been over seventy.
+
+Just then he became aware of the colt's light hoofbeats and looked up.
+He was tall and slight but very erect, and his face lighted up with a
+smile absolutely illuminating as he recognized his approaching friends.
+
+The girl bent forward to say:
+
+"One bell, Shashai." Whereupon her mount slackened his gait to the
+gentlest amble, but the dog went bounding on to greet the newcomer.
+First she dropped down at his feet, burying her nose in her forepaws as
+though to make obeisance, but at his words:
+
+"Ah, Tzaritza! Good Tzaritza, welcome!" she instantly sprang up, rested
+her forepaws upon his shoulders, and looked into his face with the most
+limpid pair of eyes ever seen; eyes filled with something deeper than
+human love can ever summon to human eyes, for those have human speech to
+supplement their appeal.
+
+"Tzaritza. Dear, faithful Tzaritza," said the old man in the tenderest
+tone as he caressed the magnificent, silky head now nestling against his
+face as a child's might have nestled. "Good dog. Good dog. But here are
+Peggy and Shashai. My little girl, warm greetings," he cried as Shashai
+came to an instant statue-like standstill at Peggy's one word, "Halt!"
+and she slid from his back, braced at "attention" and saluted in all
+gravity, the clergyman returning the salute with much dignity. Then in
+an instant the martial attitude and air were discarded and springing
+forward the girl slipped to his side, caught one hand and by a quick,
+graceful motion circled his arm about her waist and laid her head upon
+his shoulder just where Tzaritza's had but a moment before rested, her
+face alight with affection as she exclaimed:
+
+"To meet you 'way, 'way out here, Compadre!"
+
+"'Far from the madding crowd,' Filiola. Five miles to the good for these
+old legs of seventy-four summers. They have served me well. I have no
+fault to find with them. They are stanch friends and have carried me
+many a mile. But you, my child? You and Tzaritza and Shashai? Come
+hither, my beauty," and the free hand was extended to the colt which
+instantly advanced for the proffered caress.
+
+"Ah, thou bonny, bonny creature! Thou jewel among thy fellows. Ah, but
+you possess a masculine frailty. Ah, yes, I've detected it. Oh, Shashai,
+Shashai, is thy heart reached only through thy stomach?" for now the
+colt was nozzling most insinuatingly at one of the ample pockets of the
+old gentleman's top coat. Never had those pockets failed him since the
+days when he had ceased to be nourished by his dam's milk, and his faith
+in their bounty was not misplaced, for a slender white hand was inserted
+to be withdrawn with the lump of sugar Shashai had counted upon and held
+forth upon the palm from which the velvety lips took it as daintily as a
+young lady's fingers could have taken it.
+
+Three was the dole evidently for when three had been eaten Shashai
+gravely bowed his head three times in acknowledgment of his treat and
+then turned to nibble at the budding trees, his benefactor returning to
+Peggy.
+
+"So this is heyday and holiday, dear heart, is it? Saturday's
+emancipation from your old Dominie Exactus when you may range wood and
+field unmolested, with never a thought for his domination and tyranny."
+
+"As though you ever dominated or tyrannized over me!" protested the
+girl. "I'd do anything, ANYTHING for you--you know that, don't you?"
+There was deep reproach in her voice. Then, it changed suddenly as she
+asked:
+
+"But where is Doctor Claudius?"
+
+"In his stall, eating his fill. I wished to use my own legs today,"
+smiled her companion. "His are exceptionally good ones, but my own will
+grow stiff if I do not use them more."
+
+Just then Shashai suddenly raised his head and stood with ears alert and
+nostrils extended. Tzaritza rose from the ground where she had dropped
+down after greeting Dr. Llewellyn, and stood with ears raised, though
+neither man nor girl yet heard the faintest sound.
+
+"Some one's coming and coming in a hurry," said Peggy quietly, "or THEY
+wouldn't look like THAT."
+
+As she spoke the dull thud of hoofs pounding rapidly upon soft turf was
+borne to their ears, and a moment later a big gray horse ridden by a
+little negro boy, as tattered a specimen of his race as one might expect
+to see, came pounding into sight. With some difficulty he brought the
+big horse to a standstill in front of them and grabbing off his ragged
+cap stammered out his message:
+
+"Howdy, Massa Dominie. Sarvint, Missy Peggy, but Josh done sont me fer
+ter fin' yo' an' bring you back yon' mighty quick, kase--kase, de--de
+sor'el mar' done got mos' kilt an' lak' 'nough daid right dis minit. He
+say, please ma'am, come quick as Shazee kin fotch yo' fo' de Empress,
+she mighty bad an'--"
+
+"What has happened to her, Bud?" interrupted Peggy, turning to spring
+upon Shashai's back, but pausing to learn some particulars. The Empress
+was one of the most valuable brood mares upon the estate and her foal,
+still dependent upon her for its nourishment, was Peggy's pride and joy.
+
+"She done got outen de paddock and nigh 'bout bus' herself wide open on
+de flank on dat dummed MAS-CHINE what dey trims de hedges wid. She
+bleeged ter bleed ter death, Joshi say."
+
+Peggy turned white. "Excuse me, please--I must go as fast as I can.
+Home, Shashai, four bells and a jingle!" she cried and the colt swept
+away like a tornado, Tzaritza in the lead.
+
+"Golly, but she's one breeze, ain' she, sah?"
+
+"She is a wonderful girl and will make a magnificent woman if not
+spoiled in the next ten years," replied Dr. Llewellyn, though the words
+were more an oral expression of his own thoughts than a reply to the
+negro boy.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+THE EMPRESS
+
+
+As the half-wild colt swept up to the paddock from which the valuable
+brood mare Empress had made her escape, Peggy was met by one of the
+stable hands.
+
+"Where is she?" she asked, her dark eyes full of concern and anxiety.
+
+"Up yonder in de paster," answered the negro, pointing to a green
+upland. A touch with her heel started Shashai. A moment later she
+slipped from her mount to hurry to a little group gathered around a dark
+object lying upon the ground. With the pitiful little cry:
+
+"Oh, Empress! My beauty," Peggy was upon her knees beside the splendid
+animal.
+
+"Shelby, Shelby, how did it happen? Oh, how did it?" she cried as she
+lifted the horse's head to her lap. The panting creature looked at her
+with great appealing, terror-stricken eyes, as though imploring her to
+save the life-spark now flickering so fitfully.
+
+"God knows, miss," answered the foreman of the paddock. "We did not find
+her until a half hour ago. If I'd a-found her sooner it would never a-
+come to this. We ain't never had no such accident on the estate since
+_I_ been on it, and I'd give all I'm worth if we could a-just have
+missed THIS one. Some fool, _I_ can't find out who, left them hedge
+shears a-hanging wide open across the gate and the gate unlatched, and
+she must a run foul of 'em, 'cause we found 'em and all the signs o'
+what had happened, but we couldn't find HER for more 'n hour, and then
+THIS is what we found. I sent Bud for you and Jim for the Vet, but we've
+all come too late." The man spoke low and hurriedly, and never for a
+moment ceased his care for the mare. The veterinary who had arrived but
+a few moments before Peggy stood by helpless to do more than had already
+been done by Shelby, the veteran horse-trainer who had been on the
+estate for years, and who loved the animals as though they were his
+children. It was evident that the Empress' moments were numbered. She
+had severed one of the great veins in her flank and had nearly bled to
+death before discovered. Her little foal stood near, surprised at his
+dam's indifference to his needs, his little baby face and great round
+eyes, so like his mother's, filled with questioning doubt. As Peggy bent
+over the beautiful dying mare's head, tears streaming from her eyes, for
+she had cared for her and loved her since colthood, the little foal gave
+a low nicker and coming up behind the girl, thrust his soft muzzle over
+her shoulder and nestled his head against her face, trembling and
+quivering with a terror he could not understand. Peggy raised one arm to
+clasp it around the little creature's warm neck. The Empress tried to
+nicker an answer to her baby but the effort cost her last breath and
+heart-throb. It ended in a fluttering sigh and her head lay still and at
+rest upon Peggy's lap. The splendid animal, which had so often carried
+Peggy upon her back, the mother of Shashai, and many another splendid
+horse whose fame was widely known, lay lifeless. Her little son nestled
+closer to the one he knew and loved best as though begging her
+protection. Peggy held him close, sobbing upon his warm neck.
+
+"You'd better get up, Miss Peggy," said Shelby kindly.
+
+Peggy bent and kissed the great silky head. "Good-bye, Empress. I'll
+care for your baby," she said. Shelby lifted the splendid head from the
+girl's lap and helped her to her feet. The little colt still huddled
+close to her.
+
+"Have you any orders, miss, about her?" asked Shelby, nodding toward the
+dead mare.
+
+"She shall be buried in the circle and shall have a monument. We owe her
+much. Her foal shall be my charge."
+
+"And I reckon mine, too. If we raise him now it will be a miracle. He's
+going to miss his dam's milk."
+
+"I think I can manage," answered Peggy. "Bud, come with me. I wish you
+to go down to Annapolis with a note to Doctor Feldmeyer. He will
+understand what I wish to do. Ride in on Nancy Lee. Come, little one,"
+and with the little colt's neck beneath her circling arm Peggy walked
+slowly back to the paddock from which barely three hours before the
+splendid mare, now lying lifeless in the pasture, had dashed, leaving a
+trail of her life's blood behind her to guide those who came too late.
+It was all the outcome of one person's disregard of orders: One of the
+hands had quit his work to gossip, leaving his great hedge shears
+hanging carelessly across the gate, and the gate unfastened. The
+Empress, gamboling with her foal, had rushed upon them, cut herself
+cruelly, then maddened by the pain and terrified by the flowing blood,
+had dashed away as only a frightened horse can, running until she fell
+from exhaustion.
+
+Peggy went back to the inclosure in which the Empress, as the most
+honored of the brood mares, had lived with her foal. The little stable,
+a very model of order and appointment, stood at one end of it. She
+opened the gate, intending to leave the colt in the inclosure, but he
+huddled closer and closer to her side.
+
+"Why Roy, baby, what is it!" asked Peggy, as she would have spoken to a
+child. The little thing could only press closer and nicker its baby
+nicker. Peggy hesitated a moment, then said: "It will never do to leave
+you now. You are half starved, you poor little thing. Eight weeks are
+NOT many to have lived. Come." And as though he understood every word
+and was comforted, the baby horse nickered again and walked close by her
+side. She went straight to the house, circling the garden, rich in early
+spring blossoms, to enter a little inclosure around which the servants'
+quarters were built, one building, a trifle more pretentious than the
+rest, evidently that of some upper servant. As Peggy and her four-footed
+companion drew near, a trim little old colored woman looked out of the
+door. She was immaculate in a black and white checked gingham, a large
+white apron and a white turban, suggestive of ante-bellum days.
+Instantly noting signs of distress upon her young mistress' face she
+hurried toward her, crying softly in her melodious voice:
+
+"Baby! Honey! What's de matter? 'What's done happen? What fo' yo' bring
+Roy up hyer? Where de Empress at?"
+
+"Oh Mammy, Mammy, the Empress is dead. She--"
+
+"What dat yo' tellin' me, baby? De Empress daid? Ma Lawd, wha' Massa
+Neil gwine do to we-all when he hyar DAT? He gwine kill SOMEBODY dat's
+sartin suah. What kill her?"
+
+Peggy told the story briefly, Mammy Lucy, who had been mammy to her and
+her father before her, listening attentively, nodding her head and
+clicking her tongue in consternation. Such news was overwhelming.
+
+But Mammy Lucy had not lived on this estate for over sixty years without
+storing up some wisdom for emergencies, and before Peggy had finished
+the pitiful tale she was on her way to the great kitchen at the opposite
+end of the inclosure where Aunt Cynthia ruled as dusky goddess of the
+shining copper kettles and pans upon the wall.
+
+"Sis Cynthy, we-all in trebbilation and we gotter holp dis hyer pore
+chile. She lak fer ter breck her heart 'bout de Empress and she sho will
+if dis hyer colt come ter harm. Please, ma'am, gimme a basin o' fresh,
+warm milk. Bud he done gone down ter 'Napolis fer a nussin' bottle, but
+dat baby yonder gwine faint an' die fo' dat no 'count nigger git back
+wid dat bottle. I knows HIM, I does."
+
+"Howyo' gwine mak' dat colt drink?" asked Cynthia skeptically.
+
+"De Lawd on'y knows, but HE gwine show me how," was Mammy Lucy's pious
+answer. The next second she cried "Praise Him! _I_ got it," and ran into
+her cabin to return with a piece of snowy white flannel. Meanwhile
+Cynthia had warmed the bowlful of milk. Hastily catching up a huge
+oilcloth apron, Mammy enveloped herself in it and then hurried back to
+Peggy and her charge.
+
+From that moment Roy's artificial feeding began. Peggy raised his head
+while Mammy opened his mouth by inserting a skilful finger where later
+the bit would rest, then slipped in the milk-sopped woolen rag. After a
+few minutes the small beastie which had never known fear, understood and
+sucked away vigorously, for he had not fed for hours and the poor inner-
+colt was grumbling sorely at the long fast. The bowlful of milk soon
+disappeared, and he stood nozzling at Peggy ready for a frolic, his woes
+forgotten.
+
+"Now what yo' gwine do wid him, honey?" asked Mammy.
+
+"I'd like to put him to sleep on the piazza, but I'm afraid I can't,"
+answered Peggy, smiling sadly, for the loss of the Empress had struck
+deeply.
+
+"No, yo' suah cyant do dat," was Mammy's reply. "You'll be bleeged fer
+ter put him yonder in de paddock."
+
+"He will be so lonesome," said Peggy doubtfully. Just then the great
+wolfhound came bounding up. She thrust her nose into her mistress' hand
+and gave a low bark of delight. She was almost as tall as the colt, and
+seemed to understand his needs. She then turned to give a greeting lick
+upon the colt's nose. He jerked away, as though resenting the lady's
+familiarity, but nickered softly. He had known Tzaritza from the first
+moment he became aware of things terrestrial and they had often gamboled
+together when the Empress was disinclined for a frolic. Peggy's eyes
+brightened.
+
+"Tzaritza, attention!"
+
+The splendid hound raised her head to look into her young mistress' eyes
+with keen intelligence.
+
+"Come," and followed by the hound and colt Peggy hurried back to the
+stables. They had brought the Empress down from the pasture and laid her
+upon the soft turf of the large circular grass-plot in front of the main
+building. The men were now digging her grave.
+
+"Tzaritza, scent," commanded Peggy, stroking the Empress' neck.
+
+The hound made long, deep sniffs at the still form.
+
+"Come." Peggy then laid her hand upon the little colt's neck. The scent
+was the same. Tzaritza understood.
+
+"Guard," said Peggy.
+
+"Woof-woof," answered Tzaritza deep down in her throat.
+
+Peggy then led the way to the Empress' paddock. Roy capered through the
+gate; Tzaritza, with her newly-assumed responsibility upon her, entered
+with dignity. From that hour she scarcely left her charge, lying beside
+him when he rested in the shade of the great beeches, nestling close in
+the little stable at night, following him wherever he chose to go during
+his liberty hours of the day, for thenceforth he was rarely confined to
+the paddock.
+
+Before the Empress was laid away Bud returned with the nursing bottle.
+The rubber nipples were thrust into the Empress' mouth and thus getting
+the mother scent all else was very simple. Roy tugged away at his bottle
+like a well-conducted, well-conditioned baby, Tzaritza watching with
+keen intelligent eyes. She soon knew the feeding hours as well as Peggy
+or Mammy, and promptly to the minute led her charge to Mammy's door. If
+Mammy happened to be elsewhere she sought Cynthia, and so had the
+interest grown that there was not a man, woman or child upon the place
+who would not have dropped anything in order to minister to the needs of
+Tzaritza's charge.
+
+And so passed the early springtide, Roy waxing fat and strong, Tzaritza
+never relaxing her care, though at first it was a sore trial to her to
+remain behind with her foster-son while her beloved mistress galloped
+away upon Shashai. But that word "Guard" was sacred.
+
+In the course of a few weeks, however, Roy was well able to follow his
+half-brother, Shashai, and Tzaritza's freedom was restored. The trio was
+rarely separated and to see Peggy in her hammock on the lawn, or on the
+piazza, meant to see the colt and Tzaritza also, though Roy was rapidly
+outgrowing piazzas and lawns, and Peggy was beginning to be puzzled as
+to what was to be done with him when he could no longer come clattering
+up the steps and across the piazza after his foster-mother.
+
+With the summer came word that her father would come home on a month's
+leave and August was longed for with an eagerness he could not have
+dreamed. Everything must be in perfect order to receive him, and Peggy
+flew from house to garden, from garden to stables, from stables to
+paddock keyed to a state of excitement which infected every member of
+the household. Dr. Llewellyn smiled sympathetically. Harrison, the
+housekeeper, stalked after her, doing her best to carry out her orders,
+while announcing that: NOW, she guessed, there would be some hope of
+making Mr. Neil see the folly of letting a girl of Peggy's age run wild
+as a hawk forever and a day. She'd have one talk with him he'd do well
+to take heed to or she'd know why. Mammy Lucy said little but watched
+her young mistress' radiant face. It was eight months since Master Neil
+had been home and deep in her tender old heart she understood better
+than any one else what his coming meant to Peggy. Harrison might have a
+better idea of what was wise and best for her young charge, but Mammy's
+love taught her many things which Harrison could never learn.
+
+Meanwhile Peggy spent the greater part of her days down at the paddock,
+for Shashai must be broken to saddle and bridle in order to receive his
+master in proper style. A blanket and halter might answer for the mad
+gallops across country which they had hitherto taken, but Daddy Neil was
+coming home for a month and the horses must do the place credit.
+
+With this end in view, Peggy betook herself to the paddock one morning
+before breakfast, saddle and bridle borne behind her by Bud. Shashai
+welcomed her with his clear nicker, sweeping up to the gate in his long,
+rocking stride so like the Empress'. Tzaritza with her foster-son
+followed in Peggy's wake, Tzaritza sniffing inquiringly at the saddle,
+Roy pranking thither and yonder, rich just in the joy of being alive.
+Shashai had never quite overcome his jealousy of his young half-brother,
+and now laid back his ears in reproof of his unseemly gambols; Shashai's
+own babyhood was not far enough in the background for him to be
+tolerant.
+
+Peggy entered the paddock and Shashai at once nozzled her for his
+morning lumps of sugar. For the first time in his memory they were not
+forthcoming, and his great eyes looked their wondering reproach.
+
+"Not yet, Shashai. "We must keep them for a reward if you behave well."
+She slipped an arm over the beautifully arched neck and laid her face
+against the satiny smoothness. Shashai approved the caress but would
+have approved the sugar much more.
+
+"Give me the saddle, Bud."
+
+The little negro boy handed her the light racing saddle; a very
+featherweight of a saddle.
+
+"Steady, Shashai."
+
+The colt stood like a statue expecting the girl as usual to spring upon
+his back. Instead she placed upon it a stiff, leather affair which
+puzzled him not a little, and from which dangled two curious
+contrivances. These, however, she quickly caught up and fastened over
+the back and their metallic clicking ceased to annoy him. The buckling
+was a little strenuous. Hitherto a surcingle had served to hold the
+blanket upon his back, but this contraption had TWO surcingles and a
+stiff leather strap to boot, which Peggy's strong hands pulled tighter
+than any straps had ever before been pulled around him. He quivered
+slightly but stood the test and--a lump of sugar was held beneath his
+eager nostrils, If THAT followed it was worth while standing to have
+that ugly, stiff thing adjusted.
+
+"Now the headstall, Bud. Did you coat the bit with the melted sugar as I
+told you?"
+
+"Yes'm, missie. It's fair cracklin' wid sugar, an' onct he gits a lick
+ob dat bit he ain' never gwine let go, yo' hyar me."
+
+"Now, my bonny one, we'll see," said Peggy, as she unstrapped the bit,
+and the headstall without it was no more than the halter to which
+Shashai had been accustomed. Then very gently she held the bit toward
+him. He tried to take it as he would have taken the sugar and his look
+of surprise when his lips closed over the hard metal thing was amusing.
+Nevertheless, it tasted good and he mouthed and licked it, gradually
+getting it well within his mouth. At an opportune moment Peggy slipped
+the right buckle into place, quickly following it by the left one.
+Shashai started.
+
+"Steady, Shashai. Steady, boy," she said gently and the day was won. No
+shocks, no lashings, no harsh words to make the sight of that headstall
+throw him into a panic whenever it was produced. Dozens of horses had
+been so educated by Peggy Stewart. Shashai sucked at his queer
+mouthpiece as a child would suck a stick of candy, and while he was
+enjoying its sweetness Peggy brought forth lump number two. Four was his
+daily allowance, and as he enjoyed number two she let down the stirrups
+which had seemed likely to startle him.
+
+"Stand outside, Bud, he may be a little frightened when the saddle
+creaks." The boy left the paddock.
+
+"Stand, Shashai," commanded Peggy, resting her hand upon the colt's
+withers. He knew perfectly well what to expect, but why that strange
+groaning and creaking? The blanket had never done so. The sensitive
+nerves quivered and he sprang forward, but Peggy had caught her stirrups
+and her low voice quieted him as she swayed and adapted herself to his
+gait. Around and around the paddock they loped in perfect harmony of
+motion. She did not draw upon the bridle rein, merely holding it as she
+had been accustomed to hold her halter strap, guiding by her knees.
+Shashai tossed his head partly in nervous irritation at the creaking
+saddle, partly in the joy of motion, and joy won the day. Then Peggy
+began to draw slightly upon her reins. The colt shook his head
+impatiently as though asking: "Wherefor the need? I know exactly where
+you wish to go."
+
+"Oh, my bonny one, my bonny one, that is just it! I know that you know,
+but someday someone else won't know, and if I don't teach you now just
+what the bit means the poor mouth may pay the penalty. It may anyway, in
+spite of all I can do, but I'll do my best to make it an easy lesson. Oh
+why, why will people pull and tug as they do on a horse's mouth when
+there is nothing in this world so sensitive, or that should be so
+lightly handled. So be patient, Shashai. We only use it because we must,
+dear. Now, right, turn!" And with the words she pressed her right knee
+against the colt, at the same time drawing gently upon the right rein.
+Shashai turned because he had always done so at the words and the
+pressure, accepting the bit's superfluous hint like the gentleman he
+was.
+
+"Open the gate, Bud. We'll go for a spin," ordered Peggy as she swung
+around the paddock.
+
+"Won't yo' jump, missie?" asked Bud eagerly. The delight of his life was
+to see his young mistress take a fence.
+
+"Not this time," answered Peggy over her shoulder. Bud opened the gate
+as they came around again and as Peggy cried: "Four bells, Shashai," the
+colt sprang through, Tzaritza and Roy joining in with a happy bark and
+neigh.
+
+All so simply, so easily done by love's gentle rule.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+"DADDY NEIL"
+
+
+"Stand there, little girl. Why, why--how has it come about! When did you
+do it? I went away nine months ago leaving a little girl in Mammy Lucy's
+and Harrison's charge and I have returned to find a young lady. Peggy,
+baby, what have you done with my little girl?"
+
+Commander Stewart stood in the big living-room of Severndale, his hand
+upon Peggy's shoulder as he held her at arm's length to look at her in
+puzzled surprise. He had just experienced one of those startling
+revelations which often arouse parents to the fact that their children
+have stolen a march upon them, and sprung into very pleasing young men
+or women while they themselves have been in an unobserving somnolent
+state. It is invariably a shock and one which few parents escape.
+
+Peggy laughed, colored a rosy pink but obeyed, a little thrill of
+innocent triumph passing over her, for Daddy Neil's eyes held something
+more than surprise, and Peggy's feminine soul detected the underlying
+pride and admiration.
+
+"By the great god Neptune, you've taken a rise out of me this time,
+child. How old ARE you, anyway!"
+
+"As though you didn't know perfectly well, you tease," laughed Peggy,
+turning swiftly and nestling in his arms. The arms held her closely and
+the sun-tanned cheek rested upon her dark, silky hair. The eyes were
+singularly soft and held a suggestion of moisture. It did not seem so
+very long ago to Daddy Neil since Peggy's beautiful mother had been in
+that very room with him nestling in his arms in that same confiding
+little manner. How like her Peggy had grown in looks and a thousand
+little mannerisms. From the moment Peggy had met him at the Round Bay
+station to this one, he had lived in a sort of waking dream, partly in
+the past, partly in the present, and in the strangest possible mental
+confusion. His memory picture of Peggy as he had left her in October of
+the previous year was of the little hoyden in short skirts, laughing and
+prancing from morning till night, and leading Mammy Lucy a life of it.
+
+In nine months the little romp had blossomed into a very charming young
+girl, dainty and sweet as a wild rose in her white duck sailor suit,
+with its dark red collar, her hair braided in soft coils about her head
+and adorned with a big red bow. The embryo woman stood before him.
+
+"Yes, HOW old are you?" he insisted, looking at her with mingled,
+puzzled eyes.
+
+"Oh, Daddy, you know I was fourteen in January," she said half
+reproachfully. "You sent me such beautiful things from Japan."
+
+"Yes, but you might be eighteen now from your looks and height. And
+living here alone with the servants. Why--why, it's, it's all out of
+order; you are off your course entirely. You must have someone with you,
+or go somewhere, or--or--well SOMETHING has got to be done and right
+off, too," and poor perplexed Neil Stewart ran his hand through his
+curly, gray-tinged hair in a distracted manner. Peggy looked startled,
+then serious. Such a contingency as this incumbent upon growing up had
+never entered her head. Must the old order of things which she so loved,
+and all the precious freedom of action, give way to something entirely
+new? Harrison had more than once hinted that such would be the case when
+Daddy Neil came home and found a young lady where he expected to find a
+little girl.
+
+"Oh, Daddy, please don't talk about that now. You've only just got here
+and I've ten thousand things to tell and show you. Let's not think of
+the future just yet. It's such a joy to just live now. To have you here
+and see you and hug you, and love you hard," cried Peggy suiting her
+actions to her words. Mr. Stewart shook his head, but did not beggar his
+response to the caress. It sent a glow all through him to feel that this
+beautiful young girl was his daughter, the mistress of the home he so
+loved, but so rarely enjoyed.
+
+"We'll have a truce for a week, honey, and during that time we'll do
+nothing but enjoy each other. Then we'll take our reckoning and lay our
+course by chart, for I'm convinced that I, at least, have been running
+on dead reckoning and you--well--I guess the good Lord's been at the
+helm and taken in hand my job with a good deal of credit to Himself and
+confounded little to me. But it's my watch from now on. I wish your
+mother were here, sweetheart. You need her now," and Neil Stewart again
+drew the young girl into his strong, circling arm. "I'd resign tomorrow
+if--if--well, when I resign I want four stripes at least on my sleeve to
+leave you as a memory in the years to come. Now show me the ropes. I'm a
+stranger on board my own ship."
+
+For an hour Peggy did the honors of the beautiful home, Jerome, the old
+butler, who had been "Massa Neil's body servant" before he entered the
+Academy at eighteen, where body servants had no place, hovering around,
+solicitous of his master's comfort; Harrison making a hundred and one
+excuses to come into the room; Mammy Lucy, with the privileges of an old
+servant making no excuses at all but bobbing in and out whenever she saw
+fit.
+
+Luncheon was soon served in the wonderful old dining-room, one side of
+which was entirely of glass giving upon a broad piazza overlooking Round
+Bay. From this room the view was simply entrancing and Neil Stewart, as
+he sat at the table at which Peggy was presiding with such grace and
+dignity, felt that life was certainly worth while when one could look up
+and encounter a pair of such soft brown eyes regarding him with such
+love and joy, and see such ripe, red lips part in such carefree, happy
+smiles.
+
+"Jerome, don't forget Daddy Neil's sauce.
+
+"Yes, missie, lamb. I knows--I knows. Cynthy, she done got it made to de
+very top-notch pint," answered Jerome, hurrying away upon noiseless feet
+and in all his immaculate whiteness from the crown of his white woolly
+head to his duck uniform, for the Severndale servants wore the uniforms
+of the mess-hall rather than the usual household livery. Neil Stewart
+could not abide "cit's rigs." Moreover, in spite of the long absences of
+the master, everything about the place was kept up in ship-shape order;
+Harrison and Mammy Lucy cooperated with Jerome in looking well to this.
+
+"Now, Daddy," cried Peggy happily when luncheon ended, "come out to the
+stables and paddock; I've a hundred things to show you."
+
+"A stable and a paddock for an old salt like me," laughed her father. "I
+wonder if I shall know a horse's hock from his withers? Yet it DOES seem
+good to see them, and smell the grass and woods and know it's all mine
+and that YOU are mine," he cried, slipping his arm through hers and
+pacing off with her. "Some day," he added, "I am coming here to settle
+down with you to enjoy it all, and when I do I mean to let four legs
+carry me whenever there is the least excuse for so doing. My own have
+done enough pacing of the quarter-deck to have earned that indulgence."
+
+"And won't it be just--paradise," cried Peggy rapturously.
+
+They were now nearing the paddock. To one side was a long row of little
+cottages occupied by the stable hands' families. Mr. Stewart paused and
+smiled, for out of each popped a funny little black woolly head to catch
+a glimpse of "Massa Captain," as all the darkies on the place called
+him.
+
+"Good Lord, where DO they all come from, Peggy? Have they all been born
+since my last visit? There were not so many here then."
+
+"Not quite all," answered Peggy laughing. "Most of them were here before
+that, though there are some new arrivals either in the course of nature
+or new help. You see the business is growing, Daddy, and I've had to
+take on new hands."
+
+Neil Stewart started. "Was this little person who talked in such a
+matter-of-fact way about "taking on new hands" his little Peggy?
+
+"Yes, yes--I dare say," he answered in a sort of daze.
+
+Peggy seemed unaware of anything the least unusual and continued:
+
+"I want you to see THIS family. It is Joshua Jozadak Jubal Jones'. They
+might all be of an age, but they are not--quite. Come here, boys, and
+see Master Captain," called Peggy to the three piccaninnies who were
+peeping around the corner of the cottage. Three black, grinning little
+faces, topped by the kinkiest of woolly heads, came slowly at her
+bidding, each one glancing half-proudly, yet more or less panic-
+stricken, at the big man in white flannels.
+
+"Hello, boys. Whose sons are you? Miss Peggy tells me you are brothers."
+
+"Yas, sir. We is. We's Joshua Jozadak Jubal Jones's boys. I'se Gus--de
+ol'es. Der's nine haid o' us, but we's de oniest boys. De yethers ain'
+nothin' but gurls."
+
+"And how old are you!"
+
+"I'se nine I reckons."
+
+"And what is your name?"
+
+"My name Gus, sah."
+
+"That's only HALF a name. Your whole name is really Augustus remember."
+The "Massa Captain's" voice boomed with the sound of the sea. Augustus
+and his brothers were duly impressed. If Gus really meant Augustus, why
+Augustus he would be henceforth. The Massa Captain had said it and what
+the Massa Captain said--went, especially when he gave a bright new dime
+to enforce the order.
+
+"And YOUR name?" continued the questioner, pointing at number two.
+
+"I'se jist Jule, sah," was the shy reply.
+
+"That's a nickname too. I can't have such slipshod, no-account names for
+my hands' children. It isn't dignified. It isn't respectful. It's a
+disgrace to Miss Peggy. Do you hear?"
+
+"Yas--yas--sir. We--we hears," answered the little darkies in chorus,
+the whites of their eyes rolling and their knees fairly smiting
+together. How could they have been guilty of thus slighting their adored
+young mistress?
+
+"Please, sah, wha's his name ef taint Jule?" Augustus plucked up heart
+of grace to ask.
+
+"He is Julius, JUL-I-US, do you understand?"
+
+"Yas--sir. Yas--sir." Another dime helped the memory box.
+
+"And YOUR name?" asked the Massa Captain of quaking number three.
+
+There was a long, significant pause, then contortions as though number
+three were suffering from a violent attack of colic. At length, after
+two or three futile attempts he blurted out:
+
+"I'se--I'se Billyus, sah!"
+
+There was a terrific explosion, then Neil Stewart tossed the redoubtable
+Billyus a quarter, crying: "You win," and walked away with Peggy, his
+laughter now and again borne back to his beneficiaries.
+
+Peggy never knew where that month slipped to with its long rides on
+Shashai, Daddy Neil riding the Emperor, the magnificent sire of all the
+small fry upon the place, from those who had already gone, or were about
+to be sent out into the great world beyond the limits of Severndale, to
+Roy, the latest arrival. Neil Stewart wondered and marveled more and
+more as each day slipped by.
+
+Then, too, were the delightful paddles far up the Severn in Peggy's
+canoe, exploring unsuspected little creeks, with now and again a bag in
+the wild, lonely reaches of the river, followed by a delicious little
+supper of broiled birds, done to a turn by Aunt Cynthia. There were,
+too, moonlight sails in Peggy's little half-rater, which she handled
+with a master hand. As a rule, one of the boys accompanied her, for the
+mainsail and centerboard were pretty heavy for her to handle unaided,
+but with Daddy Neil on board--well, not much was left to be desired.
+During that month Peggy learned "how lightly falls the foot of time
+which only treads on flowers," and was appalled when she realized that
+only five more days remained of her father's leave.
+
+Neil Stewart, upon his part, was sorely perplexed, for it had come to
+him with an overwhelming force that Peggy was almost a young lady, and
+to live much longer as she had been living was simply out of the
+question. Yet how solve the problem? He and Dr. Llewellyn talked long
+and earnestly upon the subject when Peggy was not near, and fully
+concurred in their view-point; a change must be made, and made right
+speedily. Should Peggy be sent to school? If so, where? Much depended
+upon the choice in her case. Her whole life had been so entirely unlike
+the average girl's. Why she scarcely knew the meaning of companions of
+her own age of either sex. Neil Stewart actually groaned aloud as he
+thought of this.
+
+Dr. Llewellyn suggested a companion for the young girl.
+
+Mr. Stewart groaned again. Whom should he choose? So far as he knew
+there was not a relative, near or remote, to whom he could turn, and a
+hit-or-miss choice among strangers appalled him.
+
+"I give you my word, Llewellyn, I'm aground--hard and fast. I can't
+navigate that little cruiser out yonder," and he nodded toward the lawn
+where Peggy was giving his first lessons to Roy in submitting to a
+halter. It was a pretty picture, too, and one deeply imprinted upon Neil
+Stewart's memory.
+
+"We will do our best for her and leave the rest to the dear Lord,"
+answered the good Doctor, his cameo-like face turned toward the lawn to
+watch the girl whom he loved as a daughter. "He will show us the way. He
+has never yet failed to."
+
+"Well, in all reverence, I wish He'd show it before I leave, for I tell
+you I don't like the idea of going away and leaving that little girl
+utterly unprotected."
+
+"I should call her very well protected," said Dr. Llewellyn mildly.
+
+"Oh, yes, in a way. You are here off and on, and the servants all the
+time, but look at the life she leads, man. Not a girl friend. Nothing
+that other girls have. I tell you it's bad navigating and she'll run
+afoul rocks or shoals. It isn't natural. For the Lord's sake DO
+something. If I could be here a month longer I'd start something or
+burst everything wide open. It's simply got to be changed." And Neil
+Stewart got up from his big East India chair to pace impatiently up and
+down the broad piazza, now and again giving an absent-minded kick to a
+hassock, or picking up a sofa pillow to heave it upon a settee, as
+though clearing the deck for action. He was deeply perturbed.
+
+Peggy glanced toward him, and quick to notice signs of mental
+disturbance, left her charge to Tzaritza's care and came running toward
+the piazza. As she ran up the four steps giving upon the lawn she asked
+half laughingly, half seriously:
+
+"Heavy weather, Daddy Neil? Barometer falling?"
+
+Neil Stewart paused, looked at her a moment and asked abruptly:
+
+"Peggy, how would you like to go to a boarding school?"
+
+"To boarding school!" exclaimed Peggy in amazement. "Leave Severndale
+and all this and go away to a SCHOOL?" The emphasis upon the last word
+held whole volumes.
+
+Her father nodded.
+
+"I think I'd die," she said, dropping upon a settee as though the very
+suggestion had deprived her of strength.
+
+Her father's forehead puckered into a perplexed frown. If Peggy were
+sent to boarding school the choice of one would be a nice question.
+
+"Well, what SHALL I do with you?" demanded the poor man in desperation.
+
+"Leave me right where I am. Compadre will see that I'm not quite an
+ignoramus, Harrison keeps me decently clad and properly lectured, and
+Mammy looks to my feeding when I'm well and dosing when I'm not, which,
+thank goodness, isn't often. Why Daddy, I'm so happy. So perfectly
+happy. Please, please don't spoil it," and Peggy rose to slip her arm
+within her father's and "pace the deck" as he called it.
+
+"But you haven't a single companion of your own age or station," he
+protested.
+
+"Do I look the maiden all forlorn as the result?" she asked, laughing up
+at him.
+
+"You look--you look--exactly like your mother, and to me she was the
+most beautiful woman I have ever seen," and Peggy found herself in an
+embrace which threatened to smother her. She blushed with pleasure. To
+be like her mother whom she scarcely remembered, for eight years had
+passed since that beautiful mother slipped out of her life, was the
+highest praise that could have been bestowed upon her.
+
+"Daddy, will you make a truce with me?"
+
+Her father stopped to look down at her, doubtful of falling into a
+snare, for he had wakened to the fact that his little fourteen-year-old
+daughter had a pretty long head for her years. Peggy's white teeth
+gleamed behind her rosy lips and her eyes danced wickedly.
+
+"What are you hatching for your old Dad's undoing, you witch?"
+
+"Nothing but a truce. It is almost the first of September. Will you give
+me just one more year of this glorious freedom? I shall be nearly
+sixteen then, and then if you still wish it, I'll go to a finishing
+school, or any other old school you say to be polished off for society
+and to do the honors of Severndale properly when you retire. But, Daddy,
+please, please, don't send me this year. I love it all so dearly--and
+I'll be good--I truly will."
+
+At the concluding words the big dark eyes filled. Her father bent down
+to kiss away the unshed tears. His own eyes were troublesome.
+
+"I sign the truce, sweetheart, for one year, but I want a detailed
+report every week, do you understand?"
+
+"You shall have it, accurate as a ship's log."
+
+Five days later he had joined his ship and Peggy was once more alone,
+yet, even then, over yonder under the shadow of the dome of the chapel
+at the Naval Academy the future was being shaped for the young girl: a
+future so unlike one those who loved her best could possibly have
+foreseen or planned.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+IN OCTOBER'S DAYS
+
+
+September slipped by, a lonely month for Peggy as contrasted with
+August. At first she did not fully realize how lonely, but as the days
+went by she missed her father's companionship more and more. Formerly,
+after one of his brief visits she had taken up her usual occupations,
+fallen back into the old order of things, and been happy in her dumb
+companions. But this time she could not settle down to anything. She was
+restless, and as nearly unhappy as it was possible for Peggy Stewart to
+be. She could not understand it. Poor little Peggy, how could she
+analyze it? How reason out that her life, dearly as she loved it, was an
+unnatural one for a young girl, and, consequently, an unsatisfactory
+one.
+
+Dr. Llewellyn was troubled. Tender, wise and devoted to the girl, he had
+long foreseen this crisis. It was all very well for the child Peggy to
+run wild over fields and woodland, to ride, drive, paddle, sail, fish or
+do as the whim of the moment prompted, happy in her horses and her dogs.
+Mammy and Harrison were fully capable of looking to her corporal needs
+and he could look to her mental and spiritual ones, and did do so.
+
+Situated as Severndale was, remote from the other estates upon the river
+and never brought into social touch with its neighbors, Peggy was hardly
+known. When Neil Stewart came home on leave he was only too glad to get
+away from the social side of his life in the service, and the weeks
+spent with his little girl at Severndale had always been the delight of
+his life. They took him into a new world all his own in which the small
+vexations of the outer service world were entirely forgotten.
+
+And how he looked forward to those visits. He rarely spoke of them to
+his friends, mentioned Severndale to very few and hardly a dozen knew of
+Peggy's existence. It was a peculiar attitude, but Neil Stewart had
+never been reconciled to the cruel fate which had taken from him the
+beautiful wife he had loved so devotedly, and the thought of guests at
+Severndale without her there to entertain them as she had been
+accustomed to, was peculiarly abhorent to him. He became almost morbid
+on the subject and did not realize that he was growing selfish in his
+sorrow and making Peggy pay the penalty.
+
+But something in the way of an awakening had come to him during his
+recent visit, and it had shocked him. The child Peggy was a child no
+longer but a very charming young girl on the borderland of womanhood. In
+a year or two she would be a young woman and entitled to her place in
+the social world. Poor Neil Stewart, more than once upon retiring to his
+bedroom after one of his delightful evenings spent with Peggy,
+desperately ran his fingers through his curly hair and asked aloud:
+"What under the sun AM I to do? I can't leave that child vegetating here
+any longer, yet who will come to live with her or where shall I send
+her?"
+
+But the question was still unanswered when he left Severndale and now
+Peggy was beginning to experience something of her father's unrest.
+
+October came. Her work with Dr. Llewellyn was resumed. Each Sunday she
+drove into Annapolis to old St. Ann's with Harrison; a modest,
+unobtrusive little figure who attended the service and slipped away
+again almost unnoticed. Indeed, if given a thought at all she was
+vaguely supposed to be some connection of the eminently respectable
+elderly woman accompanying her. Harrison was a rather stately imposing
+body in her black taffeta, or black broadcloth, as the season demanded.
+People did not inquire. It was not their affair. The rector on one or
+two occasions had spoken to Harrison, but Harrison had been on her
+dignity. She replied politely but did not encourage intimacy and, if the
+truth must be confessed, Dr. Smith, rather piqued, decided that he had
+done his duty and would make no further advances. This had happened some
+time before the beginning of this story.
+
+In October, as usual, a number of colts were disposed of. Some were sold
+to people in the adjacent towns or counties, others sent to remote
+purchasers who had seen them in their baby days, followed their up-
+bringing and training, and waited patiently for them to arrive at the
+stipulated age, four years, before becoming their property. No colt was
+ever sold under four years of age. This was an inviolable law of
+Severndale, mutually agreed upon by Dr. Llewellyn, the business manager,
+Shelby, the foreman, and Peggy, the mistress.
+
+"Ain't going to have no half-baked stock sent off THIS place if I have
+the say-so," had been Shelby's fiat. "I've seen too many fine colts
+mined by being BRUCK too young and then sold to fools who don't seem to
+sense that a horse's backbone's like gristle 'fore he's turned three.
+Then they load him down fit to kill him, or harness him in a way no
+horse could stand, or drive him off his legs, and, when he's played out,
+they get back at the man who sold him to them, and like as not there's a
+lawsuit afoot that the price of the colt four times over couldn't
+square, to say nothing of a reputation NO stock-farm can afford to
+have."
+
+Shelby's sense was certainly very sound horse-sense and was rigidly
+abided by. Consequently, the colts which left Severndale were in the
+pride and glory of their young horsehood, and this year they were a most
+promising lot. There were eleven to be disposed of, and, thanks to
+Peggy's care and training, as fine a bunch of horseflesh as could be
+found in the land. She had trained--not broken, she could not tolerate
+that word--every one and each knew his or her name and came at Peggy's
+call as a child, loving and obeying her implicitly. Among them were two
+exceptionally beautiful creatures--a splendid chestnut with a white star
+in the middle of his forehead, and a young filly, half-sister to the
+chestnut and little Boy. The chestnut was called Silver Star, the filly
+Columbine, for the singular gentleness of her disposition. She was a
+golden bay, slender and lithe as a fawn, with great fawn-like brown eyes
+full of gentleness and love for all, and for Peggy in particular. She
+had been sold, under the usual conditions during the previous year and
+was soon to be sent to her new home.
+
+One morning, the second week in October, Peggy opened a letter which
+held unusual interest for her. It was from a lady whose home was in
+Wilmot Hall in Annapolis. Wilmot Hall was the hotel near the Naval
+Academy and mostly patronized by the officers and their families. The
+letter was from the wife of a naval officer who wished either to hire or
+purchase a riding horse for her niece who would spend the winter with
+her. She stated very explicitly that the horse must be well broken
+("Yes, broken!" fairly snorted Peggy. "Broken! I wonder if she would
+want a literally 'broken' horse? Why will they never say trained!") and
+gentle, as her niece had ridden very little. The letter then went on to
+ask if Mrs. Harold might call some day and hour agreed upon. But what
+amused Peggy most, and caused her to laugh aloud as she took a spoonful
+of luscious sliced peaches, was the manner in which the letter was
+addressed.
+
+Old Jerome who was serving her in the pretty delft breakfast-room took
+an old retainer's privilege to ask:
+
+"What 'musin' you, honey-chile?"
+
+"Didn't know I was an esquire, did you, Jerome? Well I am, because this
+letter says so. It is addressed to M. C. Stewart, Esq. As I am the only
+M. C. Stewart I must be the esquire to boot. Wonder what the lady will
+think when I sign myself Margaret C. Stewart," and Peggy's silvery laugh
+filled the room.
+
+"Don' yo' mind what dey calls yo', baby. How dey gwine know yo's our
+young mist'ess? Don' yo' let dat triflin' trebble yo' pretty haid," said
+the faithful old soul, fearful lest his mistress' pride might be
+touched, and hastening to serve the second course of her breakfast in
+his best "quality style."
+
+"It doesn't trouble me even a little bit, Jerome. It's just funny. I'm
+going to answer that letter right after breakfast, and I wish I could
+see my correspondent's face when she finds that her 'esquire' is one of
+her own sex. But I'll never dare let her guess I'm just a girl."
+
+"Jes' a gurl! Jes' a gurl," sputtered Jerome. "Kyant yo' just give her a
+hint dat yo's a yo'ng lady and we-all's mistiss?"
+
+"'Fraid not, Jerome. She will have to learn that when she comes out here
+to see Silver Star, if she really comes. I'd let her have Columbine if
+she were not sold. If that girl, who ever she is, could not ride
+Columbine she would fall out of a rocking chair. But Star is a darling
+and never cuts pranks unless Shashai sets him a bad example. I fear
+Shashai will never forget his colt tricks," and Shashai's mistress
+wagged her pretty head doubtfully.
+
+"Shas'ee's all right, Miss Peggy. Don' yo' go fer ter 'line him. When I
+sees yo' two a kitin' way over de fiel's an' de fences, I says ter ma
+sef, Gawd-a-mighty, Je'ome, yo's got one pintedly hansome yo'ng mistess
+AN' she kin ride for fair."
+
+"And that same young mistress is in a fair way to be spoiled by your
+flattery that is pretty certain," laughed Peggy, rising from the
+breakfast table and gathering up the pile of letters she had been
+reading.
+
+"Huh, Huh. Spiled nothin'," protested Jerome as she disappeared into the
+adjoining library.
+
+Seating herself at her very business-like desk she wrote in a clear,
+angular hand:
+
+Severndale, Round Bay Station.
+October 20, 19--
+
+Mrs. G. F. Harold,
+Wilmot Hall,
+Annapolis, Md.
+
+Dear Madam:
+
+Your favor of October eighteenth has been duly received and contents
+noted. In reply would say that I shall be very glad to have you call and
+inspect our stock.
+
+We have one colt, a four-year old, sired by the Emperor, dam the
+Empress, which I shall be glad to show you. There are also others, but I
+am considering pedigree, disposition and gait since you state that you
+wish a horse for an inexperienced rider.
+
+Would suggest that you run out to Round Bay Station, via B. A. Short
+Line R. R. on Saturday, October the twenty-third, 1.30 P. M. weather
+permitting, where I shall meet and convey you to Severndale.
+
+Awaiting your pleasure I am
+
+Very truly yours,
+
+Margaret C. Stewart
+
+How little it often requires to change our whole future. Little did
+Peggy guess as she wrote that letter in Dr. Llewellyn's most approved
+form, that it was destined to entirely revolutionize her life, introduce
+her to a hitherto unknown world and round out her future in a manner
+beyond the fondest hopes of "Daddy Neil."
+
+This is a big world of little things.
+
+The letter went upon its way and in the course of the morning Peggy
+almost forgot it.
+
+At ten o'clock Dr. Llewellyn came for the regular morning lessons. If
+these were a little unusual for a girl of Peggy's age she was certainly
+none the worse for her very practical knowledge of mathematics, her
+ability to conduct correctly the business side of the estate, for upon
+this, as the business manager, good Dr. Llewellyn insisted, and if that
+bonny, well-poised, level little head sometimes grew weary over
+investments, and interest, and profits and losses, and nestled down
+confidingly upon his shoulder, the subjects were none the less fully
+digested, and Peggy knew to a dollar, as he did, whence her income was
+derived and to what use it was put.
+
+Then, too, Dr. Llewellyn in his love for the classics made them a fairy
+world for the girl and the commingling of the practical with the ideal
+maintained the balance.
+
+When one o'clock came dinner was served and after that Dr. Llewellyn
+went his way and Peggy hurried off to her beloved horses.
+
+On this day Columbine was to bid good-bye to Severndale. As Peggy
+entered the big airy stable with its row upon row of scrupulously neat
+box stalls, for no other sort was permitted in Severndale, Columbine
+greeted her from one of them, as though asking: "Why am I kept mewed up
+in here while all my companions are enjoying their daily liberty out
+yonder?"
+
+Peggy opened the gate and entered the stall. The beautiful creature
+nestled to her like a petted child.
+
+"Oh, my bonny one, my bonny one, how can I send you away?" asked Peggy
+softly. "Will they be good to you out yonder? Will they understand what
+a prize they have got? Washington is far away and so big and so
+fashionable, they tell me. It would break my heart to have you misused."
+
+The filly nickered softly.
+
+"I am going to send a little message with you. If they read it they will
+surely pay heed to it."
+
+She drew from the pocket of her blouse a little package. It was not over
+an inch wide or three long, and was carefully sealed in a piece of oil
+silk. Parting the thick, luxuriant mane, she tied her missive securely
+underneath. When the silky hair fell back in place the little message
+was completely concealed. Peggy clasped her arms about the filly's neck,
+kissed the soft muzzle and said:
+
+"Good-bye, dear. I'll never forget you and I wonder if I shall ever hear
+of you or see you again?"
+
+Her eyes were full of tears as she left the stable. Two hours later
+Columbine was led from her happy home. What later befell her we will
+learn in a future volume of Peggy Stewart. Meanwhile we must follow
+Peggy's history.
+
+On the following Saturday, in the golden glow of an October afternoon,
+with the hills a glory of color and the air as soft as wine, Peggy drove
+Comet and Meteor, her splendid carriage horses, to the Bound Bay station
+to meet Mrs. Harold and her niece. Tzaritza bounded along beside the
+surrey and old Jess, the coachman of fifty years, sat beside his young
+mistress, almost bursting with pride as he watched the skill with which
+she handled the high-spirited animals, for Jess had taught her to drive
+when she was so tiny that he had to hold her upon his lap, and keep the
+little hands within the grasp of his big black ones.
+
+Leaving the horses in his care she stepped upon the little platform
+which did primitive duty as a station, to await the arrival of the
+electric car which could already be heard humming far away up the line.
+
+As her guests stepped from the car she advanced to meet them, saying as
+she extended her hand to Mrs. Harold:
+
+"This is Mrs. Harold, I reckon. I am Peggy Stewart. I am glad to meet
+you."
+
+There was not the least hesitation or self-consciousness and the frank
+smile which accompanied the words revealed all her pretty, even teeth.
+"I got your message and I am right glad to welcome you to Severndale."
+
+The lady looked a trifle bewildered. She had expected to meet the owner
+of Severndale, or, certainly, a mature woman. Her correspondence had, it
+is true, been with a Margaret C. Stewart, whom she assumed to be Mr.
+Stewart's wife or some relative. Intuitively Peggy grasped the
+situation, but kept a perfectly sober face.
+
+"I am very glad to come," said her guest, and added: "This is my niece,
+Polly Howland."
+
+"It's nice to see and know you. I don't see many girls of my own age.
+Will you come to the surrey?" and she indicated with a graceful motion
+of her hand the carriage in waiting just beyond. Mrs. Harold and her
+niece followed their guide.
+
+Old Jess made a sweeping bow. He must do the honors properly. Peggy
+helped her guests into the rear seat, then sprang lightly into the front
+one, drew on a pair of chamois gloves, and taking the reins from Jess,
+gave a low, clear whistle. Instantly Tzaritza bounded up from beneath
+some shrubbery where she had lain hidden, and cavorting to the horses'
+heads made playful snaps at their muzzles. The next second they had
+reared upon their hind legs. Mrs. Harold gave a little cry of terror and
+Polly laid hold of the side of the surrey. Peggy flashed an amused,
+dazzling smile over her shoulder at them as she said reassuringly:
+
+"Don't be frightened. Down, Tzaritza. Steady, my beauties."
+
+At her words the beautiful span settled down as quiet as lambs and swung
+into a gait which whirled the surrey along the picturesque, woodland
+road at a rate not to be despised, while Peggy drove with the master-
+hand of experience. Indeed she seemed to guide more by words than reins,
+or some perfectly understood signal to the splendid creatures which
+arched their necks, or laid back an ear to catch each low spoken word.
+
+For a time Peggy's guests were too absorbed in watching her marvelous
+skill and almost uncanny power over her horses to make any comment. Then
+the young girl broke into a perfect ecstasy of delight as she cried:
+
+"Oh, how do you do it? How beautiful they are and what a superb dog. It
+is a Russian wolfhound, isn't it?"
+
+"Yes, she is a wolfhound. But I don't quite understand. Do what?" and
+Peggy glanced back questioningly.
+
+"Why drive like that. Make them obey you so perfectly."
+
+"Oh! Why I reckon it is because I have driven all my life. I can't
+remember when I haven't, and I love and understand them so well. That is
+all there is to it, I think. They will do almost anything for me. You
+see I was here when they were born and they have known me from the very
+first. That makes a lot of difference. And I have a great deal to do
+about the paddock. I superintend it. The horses are never afraid of me
+and if they don't know the meaning of fear one can do almost anything
+with them,"
+
+How simple it was all said. Mrs. Harold was more and more puzzled. The
+drive was longer than she had expected it to be and she had ample time
+to observe her young hostess.
+
+"And your mother or aunt, whom I infer is my correspondent, shall I meet
+her at Severndale!"
+
+"My mother is not living, Mrs. Harold, and I have no own aunt; only an
+aunt by marriage, the widow of Daddy's only brother, but I have never
+seen her."
+
+"Then I am at a loss to understand with whom I have been corresponding
+about a wonderful horse called Silver Star. Someone who signs her
+letters Margaret C. Stewart, and who evidently knows what she is writing
+about, too, for she writes to the point and has told me a dozen things
+which no one but an experienced business woman would think of telling.
+Yet you tell me there is neither a Mrs. nor Miss Stewart at Severndale."
+
+"I am afraid I am the only Miss Stewart at Severndale, though I am never
+called Miss Stewart. I'm just Miss Peggy to the help, and Peggy to my
+friends. But, of course, when I write business letters I have to sign my
+full name."
+
+"You write business letters. Do you mean to tell me you wrote those
+letters'?"
+
+"I'm the only Margaret Stewart," answered Peggy, her eyes twinkling.
+"But here we are at Severndale."
+
+The span made a sharp turn and sped along a beautiful avenue over-arched
+by golden beeches and a moment later swept up to a stately old colonial
+mansion which must have looked out over the reaches of Round Bay for
+many generations.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+POLLY HOWLAND
+
+
+It must be admitted that during the drive from the station Peggy's
+curiosity concerning her guests had been fully as lively as theirs
+regarding her. She had never known girl friends; there was but one home
+within reasonable reach of her own which harbored a girl near her own
+age and during the past year even this one had been sent off to boarding
+school, her parents realizing that the place was too remote to afford
+her the advantages her age demanded. Consequently, Peggy experienced a
+little thrill when she met Polly Howland. Here was a girl of her own
+age, her own station, and, if intuition meant anything, a kindred
+spirit. The moment of their introduction had been too brief for Peggy to
+have a good look at Polly, but now that they had reached Severndale she
+meant to have it, and while Mrs. Howland and Polly were exclaiming over
+the beauty of the old place, and the former was wondering how she could
+have lived in Annapolis so long without even being aware of its
+existence, Peggy, while apparently occupied in caring for her guests'
+welfare, was scrutinizing those guests very closely.
+
+What she saw was a lady something past forty, a little above the average
+height, slight and graceful, with masses of dark brown hair coiled
+beneath a very pretty dark blue velvet toque, a face almost as fresh and
+fair as a girl's, large, dark brown expressive eyes, which held a light
+that in some mysterious manner appealed to Peggy and drew her
+irresistibly. They were smiling eyes with a twinkle suggestive of a
+sense of humor, a sympathetic understanding of the view-point of those
+of fewer years, which the mouth beneath corroborated, for the lips held
+a little curve which often betrayed the inward emotions. Her voice was
+soft and sweet and its intonation fell soothingly upon Peggy's sensitive
+ears. Taken altogether, her elder guest had already won Peggy's heart,
+though she would have found it hard to explain why.
+
+And Polly Howland?
+
+To describe Polly Howland in cold print would be impossible, for Polly
+was something of a chameleon. What Peggy saw was a young girl not quite
+as tall as herself, but slightly heavier and straight and lithe as a
+willow. Her fine head was topped with a great wavy mass of the deepest
+copper-tinted hair, perfectly wonderful hair, which glinted and flashed
+with every turn of the girl's head, and rolled back from a broad
+forehead white and clear as milk. The eyes beneath the forehead were a
+perfect cadet blue, with long lashes many shades darker than the hair.
+They were big eyes, expressive and constantly changing with Polly's
+moods, now flashing, now laughing, again growing dark, deep and tender.
+The nose had an independent little tilt, but the mouth was exquisitely
+faultless and mobile and expressive to a rare degree. Polly's eyes and
+mouth would have attracted attention anywhere.
+
+Of course Peggy did not take quite this analytical view of either of her
+guests, though in a vague way she felt it all and an odd sense of
+happiness filled her soul which she would have found it hard to explain.
+
+She led the way through the spacious hall and dining-room to the broad
+piazza from which the view was simply entrancing, and said:
+
+"Won't you and Miss Howland be seated, Mrs. Harold; I am sure you must
+be hungry after your ride through this October air. We will have some
+refreshments and then go out to the paddock to see Silver Star."
+
+Touching a little silver bell, which was promptly answered by Jerome,
+she ordered:
+
+"Something extra nice for my guests, Jerome, and please send word to
+Shelby that we will be out to the paddock in half an hour."
+
+"Yes, missie, lamb, I gwine bring yo' a dish fitten f o' a queen."
+
+Mrs. Harold dropped into one of the big East India porch chairs, saying:
+
+"This is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. Polly, dear,
+look at the wonderful reds of those wings contrasted with the foliage
+back of them. Why have we never known of Severndale? Have you lived here
+long, Miss Stewart?"
+
+"Would you mind calling me just Peggy? Miss Stewart makes me feel so old
+and grown-up," said Peggy unaffectedly.
+
+Mrs. Harold smiled approvingly and Polly cried:
+
+"Yes, doesn't it? I hate to be called Miss Howland. I'm not, anyway, for
+I have an older sister. Have you, too?"
+
+"No," answered Peggy. "I have no one in the world but Daddy Neil, and he
+is away nearly all the time. I wish he were not. I miss him terribly. He
+spent August with me and I have never before missed him as I do this
+time. I have always lived here, Mrs. Harold. I was born here," she
+concluded in reply to Mrs. Harold's question.
+
+"But your companions?" Mrs. Harold could not refrain from asking.
+
+Peggy smiled.
+
+"That was Daddy Neil's deepest concern during his last visit. He had not
+thought much about it before, I guess. I dare say you will think it odd,
+but my companions are mostly four-footed ones, though I am--what shall I
+call it? Guarded? chaperoned? cared for? by Harrison, Mammy Lucy and
+Jerome, with my legal guardian, Dr. Llewellyn to keep me within bounds.
+I dare say most people would consider it very unusual, but I am very
+happy and never lonely. Yes, Jerome, set the tray here, please," she
+ended as the butler returned bearing a large silver tray laden with a
+beautiful silver chocolate service, egg-shell cups straight from Japan,
+a plate of the most delicate, flaky biscuits, divided, buttered and
+steaming, flanked by another plate piled high with little scalloped-
+edged nut cakes, just fresh from Aunt Cynthia's oven.
+
+Taking her seat beside the table Peggy poured and Jerome served in his
+most dignified manner, while Mrs. Harold marveled more and more and
+Polly thought she had never in all her life seen a girl quite like
+Peggy.
+
+"It is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen," said Mrs.
+Harold.
+
+"I am glad you like it, for I love it. Few people know of it. I mean few
+who come to Annapolis. I have lived here so quietly since Mamma's death
+when I was six years old. Daddy comes whenever he can, but he has asked
+for sea duty since Mamma left us. He has missed her so."
+
+"In which class did your father graduate, Miss Peggy!"
+
+"In 18--, Mrs. Harold."
+
+"Why then he must have been in the Academy when Mr. Harold was there. He
+graduated two years later. I wonder if they knew each other. Mr. Harold
+would have been a youngster, and your father a first-classman, and
+first-classmen HAVE been known to notice youngsters."
+
+Peggy looked puzzled. Although she had always lived within ten miles of
+the Academy, she had never entered its gates, and knew nothing of its
+ways or rules. Polly was wiser, having spent a month with her aunt. She
+laughed as she explained:
+
+"A first-classman is a lordly being who is generally at odds with a
+second-classman, but inclined to protect a third-classman, or youngster,
+simply because the second-classman is inclined to make life a burden for
+him, just as he in turn is ready to torment the life out of a fourth-
+classman, or plebe. I am just beginning to understand it. It seemed
+perfectly ridiculous at first, but I guess some of those boys are the
+better for the running they get. I've only been here since the first of
+October, but I've learned a whole lot in four weeks. Maybe you will come
+over to see us some time and you will understand better then."
+
+"I'd love to, I am sure. But may I offer you something more? No? Then
+perhaps we would better go down to the paddock."
+
+They stepped from the piazza and walked through the beautifully kept
+garden. On either side late autumn flowers were blooming, the box hedges
+were a deep, waxen green, and gave forth a rich, aromatic odor. Polly
+cried:
+
+"I just can't believe that you--you--why that you are the mistress of
+all this. I don't believe you can be one bit older than I am."
+
+"I was fourteen last January," answered Peggy simply.
+
+"And I fifteen last August," cried Polly with the frankness of her
+years.
+
+"Then you are exactly five months older than I am, aren't you?" Peggy's
+smile was wonderfully winning.
+
+"And when I look at all this and hear you talk I feel just about five
+YEARS YOUNGER," was Polly's frank reply. "Why I've never done a single
+thing in my life.''
+
+"Not one?" asked Mrs. Harold, smiling significantly.
+
+"Oh well, nothing like all THIS," protested Polly.
+
+They had now reached a large inclosure. At the further end were a number
+of low buildings, evidently stables. Nearer at hand, outside the
+inclosure, were larger buildings--barns and offices. The inclosure was
+still soft and green in its carpeting of turf and patches of clover.
+Eight or ten horses were running at large, free and halterless. Further
+on was another inclosure in which several brood mares were grazing
+quietly or frisking about with, their colts. Some had come to the high
+paling to gaze inquiringly at the strangers.
+
+"Oh, Tanta, Tanta, just look at them," cried Polly in a rapture. "And
+which is to be mine?"
+
+"None of those spindle-legs yonder," was Peggy's amused answer. "They
+will be running at large for a long time yet. I don't even begin
+training them until they are a year old--at least not in anything but
+loving and obeying me. But most of them learn that very quickly. You
+must look in this paddock for Silver Star, Miss Polly. Shall I call
+him?"
+
+"Will he really come?" asked Polly incredulously.
+
+For answer Peggy slipped into the paddock, saying as she shot back the
+bolt:
+
+"We used to have a much simpler fastening, but they learned how to undo
+it and make their escape. For that reason we are obliged to have these
+high fences. They have a strain of hunter blood and a six-foot barrier
+doesn't mean much to some of them."
+
+How bonny the girl looked as she stood there. The horses which were in a
+little group near the buildings at the opposite end of the paddock,
+raised their heads inquiringly. The girl gave a long, clear whistle
+which was instantly answered by a chorus of loud neighs, as the group
+broke into a mad gallop and bore down upon her. It seemed to Mrs. Harold
+and Polly as though the on-rushing creatures must bear her down, but
+just when the speed was the maddest, when heads were tossing most
+wildly, and tails and manes waving like banners, Peggy cried:
+
+"Halt! Steady, my beauties!" and as one the beautiful animals came to a
+standstill their hoofs stirring up a cloud of dust, so suddenly did they
+brace their forefeet. The next second they were crowding around her,
+nuzzling her hair, her shoulders, her hands, evidently begging in silent
+eloquence for some expected dainty.
+
+Peggy carried a small linen bag. She opened it and instantly the air was
+filled with the soft, bubbling whinny with which a horse begs.
+
+"Quiet, Meteor. Be patient, Don. Wait, Queen. Oh, Shashai, will you
+never learn manners?" she cried as her pet stretched his long neck and
+catching the little bag in his teeth snatched it from her hands, then,
+with all the delight of a child who has played a clever trick, away he
+dashed across the paddock.
+
+"Shashai! Shashai, how dare you! Halt!" she called after him, but the
+graceful creature had no idea of halting.
+
+For a moment Peggy looked at her guests very much as a baffled
+schoolmistress might look in the event of her pupil's open defiance,
+then cried:
+
+"This will never, never do. If he disobeys me once I shall never be able
+to do anything with him again. Please excuse me a moment. I must catch
+him."
+
+"Are you in the habit of chasing whirlwinds?" asked Mrs. Harold
+laughing.
+
+"You must be able to run faster than most people," laughed Polly, but
+even as she spoke Peggy cried:
+
+"Star! Star! Come." And out from the group slipped a superb chestnut. He
+came close to the girl, slipping his beautiful head across her shoulder
+and nestling against her face with the affection of a child. She clasped
+her arm up around the satiny neck and said softly:
+
+"We must catch Shashai, Star," then turning like a flash, she rested one
+hand lightly upon his withers, gave a quick spring and sat astride the
+horse's back.
+
+Polly gave a little cry and clasped her hands, her eyes sparkling with
+delight at this marvelous equestrian feat. Mrs. Harold was too amazed to
+speak.
+
+"After him! Four bells, Star," cried Peggy, and away rushed the pair as
+though horse and rider were one creature, Peggy's divided cloth skirt,
+which up to that moment Mrs. Harold had not noticed, fluttering back to
+reveal the nattiest little patent leather riding boots imaginable. It
+was one of the prettiest pictures Mrs. Harold and Polly had ever beheld.
+
+But that race was not to end so quickly. Shashai boasted the same blood
+as Silver Star, and was every bit as intelligent as his older brother.
+Moreover he had no mind to give up his treasure-trove. He knew that
+little bag and its contents too well and was minded to carry it to the
+end of the paddock and there rend and tear it, until its contents were
+spilled and he could eat his companions' share as well as his own. And
+that was exactly what Peggy did not propose to permit, either for his
+well-being or in justice to the other pets.
+
+As the extraordinary game of tag ranged around the big paddock, Polly
+fairly danced up and down in excitement, crying:
+
+"Tanta, Tanta, I didn't know any one COULD ride like that girl. Why it
+is more wonderful than a circus. And isn't she beautiful? Oh, I want to
+know her better. I am sure she must be a perfect dear. Why if I could
+ever ride half as well I'd be the proudest girl in the world."
+
+"And how simply and unostentatiously she does everything. Polly, I
+suspect we shall be the richer for several things besides a handsome
+horse when we return to Wilmot."
+
+Meanwhile Peggy was bearing down upon the thief and his plunder, though
+he darted and dodged like a cat, but in an unguarded moment he gave Star
+the advantage and was cornered.
+
+"Shashai, halt! Steady. Down. My pardon."
+
+Never was human speech more perfectly understood and obeyed. The game
+was up and the superb horse stopped, dropped upon his knees and touched
+the ground with his muzzle, the bag still held in his teeth.
+
+"Up, Shashai," and the horse was again upon his feet.
+
+Peggy reached over and taking hold of his flowing forelock led him back
+to the gate. Nothing could have been more demure than the manner in
+which he minced along beside her. At the gate Peggy slipped from Star's
+back as snow slips from a sunny bank, and stretching forth her hand
+said:
+
+"Give it to me, Shashai."
+
+The mischievous colt dropped the bag into her hand.
+
+"Good boy," and a caress rewarded the reformed one.
+
+Then Polly's enthusiasm broke forth.
+
+How had she ever done it? Who had taught her to ride like that? Could
+she, Polly, ever hope to do so?
+
+Peggy laughed gaily, and explained Shelby's methods as best she could,
+giving a little outline of her life on the estate which held a peculiar
+interest for Mrs. Harold, who read more between the lines than Peggy
+guessed, and who then and there resolved to know something more of this
+unusual girl to whose home they had been so curiously led. She had been
+thrown with young people all her life and loved them dearly, and here to
+her experienced eyes was a rare specimen of young girlhood and her heart
+warmed to her.
+
+"I'd give anything to ride as you do," said Polly quite in despair of
+ever doing so.
+
+"Why I can't remember when I haven't ridden. Shelby put me on a horse
+when Mammy Lucy declared I was too tiny to sit in a chair, and oh, how I
+love it and them. It is all so easy, so free--so--I don't quite know how
+to express it. But I must not take any more of your time talking about
+myself. Please excuse me for having talked so much. I wanted you to see
+Silver Star's paces but I did not plan to show them in just this way.
+But isn't he a dear? I don't know how I can let him go away from
+Severndale, but he as well as the others must. We sent Columbine only a
+few days ago. She has the sweetest disposition of any horse I have ever
+trained. It nearly broke my heart to send her off. They are all
+relatives. Shashai and Star are half-brothers. Shashai is my very own
+and I shall never sell him. Would you like to try Star, Miss Polly? I
+can get you a riding skirt. Shall you ride cross or side? He is trained
+for both."
+
+"Not today, I think," answered Mrs. Harold for Polly. "We must make our
+arrangements for Star and then we will see about riding lessons. I wish
+you would undertake to teach Polly."
+
+"Oh, would you really let me teach her?" cried Peggy enthusiastically.
+
+"I think the obligation would be all on the other side," laughed Mrs.
+Harold. "It would be a privilege too great to claim."
+
+"There would be no obligation whatever. I'd just love to," cried Peggy
+eagerly. "Why it would be perfectly lovely to have her come out here
+every day. Please walk back to the house and let us talk it over,"
+Peggy's eyes were sparkling.
+
+"Oh, Tanta, may I?"
+
+"Slowly, Polly. My head is beginning to swim with so many ideas crowding
+into it," but Polly Howland knew from the tone that the day was as good
+as won.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+A FRIENDSHIP BEGINS
+
+
+As they walked back to the house the girls talked incessantly, Mrs.
+Harold listening intently but saying very little. She was drawing her
+own conclusions, which were usually pretty shrewd ones.
+
+Commander Harold had for the past four years been stationed either at
+the Naval Academy, or on sea duty on board the Rhode Island when she
+made her famous cruise around the world. Mrs. Harold had remained at
+Wilmot Hall during the winter of 1907 and 1908, Polly's sister Constance
+spending it with her. Later Commander Harold had duty at the Academy,
+but recently with his new commission, for he had been a commander only a
+few months, he had been given one of the new cruisers and was at sea
+once more. They had no children, their only child having died many years
+before, but Mrs. Harold, loving young people as she did, was never
+without them near her. This winter her niece, Polly Howland, would
+remain with her and she was anxious to make the winter a happy one for
+the young girl. This she had a rare opportunity of doing, for her pretty
+sitting-room in Wilmot Hall was a gathering place for the young people
+of the entire neighborhood and the midshipmen in particular, who loved
+it dearly and were devoted to its mistress, loving her with the devotion
+of sons, and invariably calling her "the Little Mother," and her
+sitting-room "Middies' Haven." And a happier little rendezvous it would
+have been hard to find, for Mrs. Harold loved her big foster-sons
+dearly, strove in every way to make the place a home for them and to
+develop all that was best in their diverse characters.
+
+It was to this home that Polly had come to pass the winter and now a new
+phase had developed, the outcome of what seemed to be chance, but it is
+to be questioned whether anything in this great world of ours is the
+outcome of chance. If so wisely ordered in some respects, why not in
+all?
+
+So it is not surprising that Mrs. Harold watched and listened with rare
+sympathy and a keen intuition as the girls walked a little ahead of her,
+talking together as freely and frankly as though they had known each
+other for years instead of hours only.
+
+"Couldn't you come out on the electric car every morning?" Peggy was
+asking. "If you could do that for about two weeks I am sure you would be
+able to ride BEAUTIFULLY at the end of them."
+
+"Not in the morning, I'm afraid. You see I am an Annapolis co-ed," Polly
+answered laughing gaily at Peggy's mystified expression. "Yes I am,
+truly. You see I came down here to spend the winter with Aunt Janet
+because she is lonely when Uncle Glenn is away. But, of course, I can't
+just sit around and do nothing, or frolic all the time. Had I remained
+at home I should have been in my last year at high school, but Tanta
+doesn't want me to go to the one down here. Oh we've had the funniest
+discussions. First she thought she'd engage a governess for me, and we
+had almost settled on that when the funniest little thing changed it
+all. Isn't it queer how just a little thing will sometimes turn your
+plans all around?"
+
+"What changed yours?" asked Peggy, more deeply interested in this new
+acquaintance and the new world she was introducing her into than she had
+ever been in anything in her life. "You'll laugh at me, I dare say, if I
+tell you, but I don't mind. Up at my own home in Montgentian, N. J., I
+had a boy chum. We have known each other since we were little tots and
+always played together. He is two years older than I am, but I was only
+a year behind him when he graduated from the high last spring. My
+goodness, how I worked to catch up, for I was ashamed to let him be so
+far ahead of me. I couldn't quite catch up, though, and he graduated a
+year ahead of me in spite of all I could do. Then he took a competitive
+examination for Annapolis and passed finely, entering the Academy last
+June. I was just tickled to death for we are just like brother and
+sister, we have been together so much. Then Tanta sent for me and I came
+back with her on September 30. One day we were over in the yard and the
+boys--men, I dare say I ought to call them, for some of them are tall as
+bean poles, only they have all been Aunt Janet's 'boys' ever since they
+entered the Academy--were teasing me, and telling me I couldn't work
+with Ralph any longer. I got mad then and said I guessed I COULD work
+with him if I saw fit, and I meant to, too. Oh, they laughed and jeered
+at me until I could have slapped every single one of them, but I then
+and there made up my mind to follow THIS year's academic course if I
+died in the attempt, and when we went home I talked it all over with
+Aunt Janet. She's such a dear, and always ready to listen to anything we
+young people have to tell her. So I really am a co-ed. Yes, I am; I knew
+you'd smile. I have an instructor, a retired captain, a friend of Aunt
+Janet's, who lives at Wilmot, and Aunt Janet has rented an extra room
+next mine for a schoolroom, and every morning at nine o'clock Captain
+Pennell and I settle down to real hard work. I have 'math' and
+mechanical drawing just exactly as Ralph has, and the same French,
+Spanish and English course, but what I love best of all is learning all
+about a boat and how to sail her, how to swim, and the gym work. And
+Captain Pennell is teaching me how to fence and to shoot with a rifle
+and a revolver. Oh, it is just heaps and heaps of fun. I didn't dream a
+girl could learn all those things, but Captain Pennell is such a dear
+and so interesting. He seems to have something new for each day. But HOW
+Aunt Janet's boys do run me and ask me when I'm coming out for cutter
+drill, or field artillery or any old thing they know I CAN'T do. But
+never mind. I know just exactly what all their old orders mean, and I am
+learning all about our splendid big ships and the guns and everything
+just as fast as ever I can. But, my goodness, I shall talk you to death.
+Mother says I never know when to stop once I get started. I beg your
+pardon," and Polly looked quite abashed as they drew near the piazza.
+
+"Why I think it is all perfectly fascinating. How I'd love to do some of
+those things. I can shoot and swim and sail my boat, but I've never been
+in a gymnasium or done any of those interesting things. I wish Compadre
+could hear all about it. They wanted to send me away to a big finishing
+school this winter but I begged so hard for one more year's freedom that
+Daddy Neil consented, but I think he would love to have me know about
+the things you are learning."
+
+"Oh, Tanta, couldn't we make some sort of a bargain? Couldn't Peggy come
+to us three days of the week and work with Captain Pennell and me, and
+then I come out three to learn to ride?"
+
+Peggy's eyes shone as she listened. She had not realized how hungry she
+had been for young companionship until this sunny-souled young girl had
+dropped into her little world.
+
+Mrs. Harold smiled sympathetically upon the enthusiastic pair.
+
+"Perhaps we can make a mutually beneficial bargain," she said. "I think
+I shall accept Silver Star upon your recommendation, Miss Peggy, and
+what I have already seen. Then if you are willing to undertake it, Polly
+shall be taught to ride by you, and you in turn must come to us at
+Wilmot to join Captain Pennell's class of fencing, gym work or whatever
+else seems wise or you wish to. But who must decide the question, dear?"
+
+How unconsciously she had dropped into the term of endearment with this
+young girl. It was so much a part of her nature to do so. Peggy's cheeks
+became rose-tinted with pleasure, and her eyes alight with happiness.
+Her smile was radiant as she slipped to Mrs. Harold's side saying: "Oh,
+if Compadre were only here to decide it right away. He is my guardian
+you know, and, of course, I must do as he wishes, but I hope--oh I HOPE,
+he will let me do this."
+
+"And what is it you so wish to do, Filiola?" asked a gentle voice within
+the room.
+
+Peggy gave a little cry of delight.
+
+"Oh, Compadre, when did you come? We have just been talking about you,"
+cried Peggy, flitting to the side of the tall, handsome old gentleman
+and slipping her arm about him as his encircled her shoulder, and he
+looked down upon her with a pair of benign dark eyes as he answered:
+
+"I have been luxuriating and feasting for the past half hour while
+waiting for a truant ward. Jerome took pity upon me and fed me to keep
+me in a good temper.
+
+"Oh, Compadre, I want you to know my new friend, Mrs. Harold and her
+niece, Polly Howland. We have been having the loveliest visit together."
+
+Dr. Llewellyn advanced to meet the guests, one arm still encircling his
+ward, the other extended to take Mrs. Harold's hand as he said:
+
+"This is a great pleasure, madam. To judge by my little girl's face she
+has found a congenial companion. I am more than delighted to meet both
+aunt and niece."
+
+"And we are ALMOST the same age! Isn't that lovely!" cried Polly.
+
+Dr. Llewellyn exchanged a significant glance with Mrs. Harold, then
+asked:
+
+"Have you imparted your peculiar power to your niece, Mrs. Harold?"
+
+Mrs. Harold looked mystified. "I am afraid I don't quite understand,"
+she smiled.
+
+"Your chaplain at the Academy is an old friend of mine. We occasionally
+hobnob over the chess board and a modest glass of wine. I hear of things
+beyond Round Bay and Severndale; I am interested in that gathering of
+young men in the Academy and often ask questions. The chaplain is deeply
+concerned for their welfare and has told me many things, among others
+something of a certain lady to whom they are devoted and who has a
+remarkable influence over them. It has interested me, too, for they are
+at the most impressionable, susceptible period of their lives and a wise
+influence can do much for them. I am glad to meet 'The Little Mother of
+Middies' Haven.'"
+
+Dr. Llewellyn's eyes twinkled as he spoke. Mrs. Harold blushed like a
+girl as she asked:
+
+"Have my sins found me out?"
+
+"It is a pity we could not find all 'sins' as salutary. I may be a
+retired old clergyman, with no greater responsibilities upon my
+shoulders than keeping one unruly little girl within bounds," he added,
+giving a tweak to Peggy's curls, "and looking after her father's estate--
+I tutored HIM when he was a lad--but I hear echoes of the doings of the
+outer world now and again. Yes--yes, now and again, and when they are
+cheering echoes I rejoice greatly. But let us be seated and hear the
+wonderful news which will cause an explosion presently unless the
+safety-valves are opened," he concluded, placing chairs for Mrs. Harold
+and Polly with courtly grace.
+
+They talked for an hour and at its end Dr. Llewellyn and Mrs. Harold had
+settled upon a plan which caused Peggy and Polly to nearly prance for
+joy.
+
+Mrs. Harold was to talk it over with Captain Pennell and phone out to
+Severndale the next morning, and if all went well, Peggy would go to
+Annapolis to take up certain branches of the work with Polly, and in the
+intervening mornings continue her work with Dr. Llewellyn, and Polly in
+return would spend three afternoons with her.
+
+Star was hired then and there for the winter, but would live at
+Severndale until Polly's horse-WOMAN-ship was a little more to be relied
+upon.
+
+Before Mrs. Harold and Polly realized where the afternoon had gone it
+was time to return to Annapolis. They were driven to the station by
+Jess, Peggy and Dr. Llewellyn riding beside the carriage on Shashai and
+Dr. Claudius, Dr. Llewellyn's big dapple-gray hunter, for the old
+clergyman was an aristocrat to his fingertips and lived the life of his
+Maryland forebears, at seventy sitting his horse as he had done in early
+manhood, and even occasionally following the hounds. It was a pretty
+sight to see him and Peggy ride, his great horse making its powerful
+strides, while Shashai flitted along like a swallow, full of all manner
+of little conceits and pranks though absolutely obedient to Peggy's low-
+spoken words, or knee-pressure, for the bridle rein was a quite
+superfluous adjunct to her riding gear, and she would have ridden
+without a saddle but for conventionalities.
+
+They bade their guests good-bye at the little station, and rode slowly
+back to Severndale in the golden glow of the late afternoon, Peggy
+talking incessantly and the good doctor occasionally asking a question
+or telling her something of the world over in the Academy of which she
+knew so little, but of which fate seemed to have ordained she should
+soon know much more.
+
+There was a quiet little talk up in Middies' Haven that evening, and
+Captain Pennell learned from Mrs. Harold of the little girl up at Round
+Bay. He was not only willing to accept Peggy as a second pupil, but
+delighted to welcome the addition to his "Co-ed Institution" as he
+called it. He had grown very fond of his pupil in the brief time she had
+worked with him, but felt sure that a little competition would lend zest
+to the work. He was deeply interested in the novel plan and wished his
+pupil to give her old chum and schoolmate a lively contest. Moreover, he
+was a lonely man whom ill-health and sorrow had left little to expect
+from life. His wife and only daughter had died in Guam soon after the
+end of the Spanish war, in which he had received the wound which had
+incapacitated him for service and forced him to retire in what should
+have been the prime of life. Since that hour he had lived only to kill
+time; the deadliest fate to which a human being can be condemned. Until
+Polly entered his lonely world it would have been hard to picture a
+duller life than he led, but her sunshiny soul seemed to have reflected
+some of its light upon him, and he was happier than he had been in
+years.
+
+It is safe to say that the description of Peggy, her home, her horses
+and all pertaining to her, lost nothing in Polly's telling and it was
+agreed that she should become a special course co-ed upon the following
+Monday.
+
+And out at Severndale an equally eager, enthusiastic little body was
+awaiting the ringing of the telephone bell, and when at nine o'clock
+Sunday morning its cheerful jingling summoned Peggy from her breakfast
+table, she was as happy as she well could be and promised faithfully to
+be at Wilmot at nine o'clock the following morning.
+
+And so began a friendship destined to last as long as the girls lived,
+and the glorious autumn days were filled with delights for them both. To
+Peggy it was a wonderful world.
+
+The Tuesday following Polly went to Severndale and her first riding
+lesson began, with more or less quaking upon her part, it must be
+confessed. She felt tremendously high up in the air when she first found
+herself upon Silver Star's back. But he behaved like a gentleman,
+seeming to realize that the usual order of things was being reversed and
+that he was teaching instead of being taught. So, in spite of Shashai's
+wicked hints for a prank, he conducted himself in a manner most
+exemplary and Polly went back to Wilmot Hall as enthusiastic as she well
+could be.
+
+Mrs. Harold had invited Peggy to spend the week-end at Wilmot. She
+wished her to meet some of Polly's friends and she, herself, wished to
+know the young girl better. So Dr. Llewellyn's permission was asked and
+promptly granted, and with his consent won that of Harrison and Mammy
+Lucy was a mere form. Nevertheless, Peggy was too wise to overlook
+asking, for Harrison fancied herself the embodiment of the law, and
+Mammy Lucy, in her own estimation at least, stood for the dignity of the
+Stewart family. And the preparations for the little week-end visit were
+undertaken with a degree of ceremony which might have warranted a trip
+to Europe. Peggy's suitcase was packed by Mammy's own hands, Harrison
+hovering near to make sure that nothing was overlooked, to Mammy's
+secret disgust, for she felt herself fully capable of attending to it.
+
+Then came the question of going in, Peggy very naturally expecting to go
+by the electric car as she had during the week. But NO! Such an
+undignified entrance into Wilmot was not to be thought of. She must be
+driven in by Jess.
+
+"But Mammy, how ridiculous," protested Peggy. "I can get a boy at the
+station to carry my suitcase to the hotel."
+
+Mammy looked at her in disdain.
+
+"Git one ob dem no 'count dirty little nigger boys what hangs round dat
+railway station to tote yo' shute case, a-tailin' long behime yo' for
+all de worl lak a tromp. What yo' 'spose yo' pa would say to we-all if
+we let yo' go a-visitin' in amy sich style as dat, an' yo' a Stewart AN'
+de daughter ob a naval officer who's gwine visit de wife ob one ob his
+'Cademy frien's! Chile, yo's cl'ar crazy. Yo' go in de proper style
+lemme tell yo', or yo' aim gwine go 'tall. Yo' hear ME?"
+
+And Peggy had to meekly submit, realizing that there were SOME laws
+which even a Stewart might not violate. So on Saturday afternoon Comet
+and Meteor tooled the surrey along by beautiful woodland and field,
+Peggy clad in her pretty autumn suit and hat, her suitcase at Jess'
+feet, and herself as properly dignified as the occasion demanded, while
+in her secret heart she resolved to enlist Mrs. Harold upon her side and
+in future make her visits with less ceremony.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+PEGGY STEWART: CHATELAINE
+
+
+Peggy had entered a new world. Plunged into one, would perhaps better
+express it, so sudden had been her entrance, and her letters to Daddy
+Neil, now on his way to Guantanamo for the fall drills, were full of an
+enthusiasm which almost bewildered him and started a new train of
+thought.
+
+As he knew most members of the personnel of the ships comprising the
+Atlantic fleet, he, of course, knew Commander Harold, though it had
+never occurred to him to associate him with Annapolis, or to make any
+inquiry regarding his home or his connections. Like many another, he was
+merely a fellow-officer. He was not a classmate, so his interest was
+less keen than it would have been had such been the case. Moreover,
+Harold was in a different division of the fleet and they very rarely
+met. But now the whole situation was changed by Peggy's letter. He would
+hunt up Mr. Harold at the first opportunity and with this common
+interest to bind them, much pleasure was in store.
+
+True to her word, Peggy sent her letter off every Sunday afternoon--a
+conscientious report of the week's happenings. Her "log," she called it,
+and it was the comfort of Daddy Neil's life.
+
+Meanwhile, she spent about half of her time with Mrs. Harold and Polly,
+and in a very short time became as good a chum of Mrs. Harold's "boys,"
+the midshipmen, as was Polly. There was always something doing over at
+the Academy, and as Mrs. Harold's guest, Peggy was naturally included.
+At present football practice was absorbing the interest of the Academic
+world and its friends, for in a few weeks the big Army-Navy game would
+take place up in Philadelphia and Mrs. Harold had already invited Peggy
+to go to it with her party. Peggy had never even seen a practice game
+until taken over to the Naval Academy field with her friends, where the
+boys teased her unmercifully because she asked why they didn't "have a
+decently shaped ROUND ball instead of a leather watermelon which
+wouldn't do a thing but flop every which way, and call it tussle-ball
+instead of football?"
+
+There was a little circle which gathered about Mrs. Harold, and which
+was always alluded to as "her big children." These were men from the
+different classes in the Academy, for there were no "class rates" in
+"Middies' Haven," as they called her sitting-room. Peggy met them all,
+though, naturally, there were some she liked better than others. Among
+the upper-classmen who would graduate in the spring were three who were
+at Middies' Haven whenever there was the slightest excuse for being
+there. These boys who seemed quite grown-up men to fourteen-year-old
+Peggy, though she soon lost her shyness with them, and learned that they
+could frolic as well as the younger ones, went by the names of Happy,
+Wheedles and Shortie, the latter so nicknamed because he was six feet,
+four inches tall, though the others' nicknames had been bestowed because
+they really fitted. There were also two or three second-classmen and
+youngsters who frequently visited Mrs. Harold, one in particular, who
+fascinated every one with whom he came in touch. His name was Durand
+Leroux, and, strange to state, he looked enough like Peggy to be her own
+brother, yet try as they would, no vestige of a relationship could be
+traced, for Peggy came of purely Southern stock while Durand claimed New
+England for his birthplace. Nevertheless, it became a good joke and they
+were often spoken of as the twins, though Durand was three years Peggy's
+senior.
+
+Polly's chum, Ralph Wilbur, was about the same age as Durand, though in
+the lowest or fourth class, having just entered the Academy, and
+consequently was counted as very small fry indeed. He was a quiet,
+undemonstrative chap but Peggy liked him from the moment she met him. He
+had mastered one important bit of knowledge: That a "plebe" does well to
+lie low, and as the result of mastering that salient fact he was well
+liked by the upper-classmen and found them ready to do him a good many
+friendly turns which a more "raty" fourth-classman would not have found
+coming his way.
+
+Altogether, Peggy found herself a member of a very delightful little
+circle and was happier than she had ever been in her life. In Mrs.
+Harold she found the love she had missed without understanding it, and
+in Polly a companion who filled her days with delight.
+
+And what busy days they were. So full of plans, duties and pleasures,
+for Mrs. Harold had been very quick to understand the barrenness of
+Peggy's life in spite of her rich supply of this world's goods, and she
+promptly set about rounding it out as it should have been.
+
+And so November with its wonderful Indian Summer slipped on, and it was
+during one of these ideal days that an absurd episode took place upon
+the well-conducted estate of Severndale, which caused Peggy to be run
+most unmercifully by the boys. But before we can tell of it a few words
+of explanation are needed.
+
+As can be readily understood, in a large institution like the Naval
+Academy, where the boys foregather from every state in the Union, there
+are all classes and all types represented.
+
+Among them are splendid, fine principled fellows, with high moral
+standards and unimpeachable characters. And there are, alas, those of
+another type also, and these are the ones who invariably make trouble
+for others and are pretty sure to disgrace themselves. Fortunately, this
+type rarely survives the four years' crucial test of character,
+efficiency and aptitude, but is pretty sure to "pack its little grip and
+fade away," as the more eligible ones express it, long before it comes
+time to receive a diploma.
+
+Unhappily, there was one man in the present first class who had managed
+to remain in the Academy in spite of conduct which would have "bilged"
+(Academy slang for the man who has to drop out) a dozen others, and who
+was the source of endless trouble for under-classmen over whom he
+contrived to exert a wholly malign influence. He seemed to be not only
+utterly devoid of principle and finer feeling, but to take a perfectly
+fiendish delight in corrupting the younger boys. His one idea of being
+"a man" seemed to lie in the infringement of every regulation of the
+Academy, and to induce others to do likewise. He had caused the
+president of his class endless trouble and mortification, and distressed
+Mrs. Harold beyond measure, for her interest in all in the Academy was
+very keen, and especially in the younger boys, whom she knew to be at
+the most susceptible period of their lives.
+
+Had his folly been confined to mere boyish nonsense it might have been
+overlooked, but it had gone on from folly to vicious conduct and his
+boast was that it was his duty to harden the plebes, his idea of
+hardening them being to get them intoxicated.
+
+Now if there is one infringement of rules more sure to bring retribution
+upon the perpetrator than any other, it is intoxication, and the guilty
+one is most summarily dealt with. This was fully known to Blue, the
+delinquent referred to, but he had by some miraculous method thus far
+managed to escape conviction if not suspicion, though more than one
+unfortunate under-classman had been forced to tender his resignation as
+the result of going the pace with Blue.
+
+So serious had the situation become that the president of the first
+class had quietly set about a little plan in cooperation with other
+members of his class which would be pretty sure to rid the Academy of
+its undesirable acquisition. It was only a question of giving Blue
+enough time to work his own undoing, and as things had begun to shape,
+this seemed pretty sure to take place. Naturally, with feeling running
+so strong, Peggy heard a good deal of it when she visited Middies'
+Haven, especially since Durand Leroux, whom she had grown to like so
+well, seemed to have been selected by Blue as his newest victim, greatly
+to Mrs. Harold's distress, for she knew Durand to be far too easily led,
+and too generous and unsuspicious to believe evil of any one. Happy-go-
+lucky, carefree and ever ready for any frolic, he was exactly the type
+to fall a victim to Blue's insidious influence, for Blue could be
+fascinating to a degree when it served his turn. Blue was debarred the
+privilege of visiting Middies' Haven, and his resentment of this
+prompted him to try to wreak his vengeance upon Mrs. Harold's boys. To
+their credit be it told that he had hitherto failed, but she had
+misgivings of Durand; he was too mercurial.
+
+Now Peggy had, as chatelaine of Severndale, been more than once obliged
+to order the dismissal of some of the temporary hands employed about the
+paddock, for Shelby was rigid upon the rule of temperance. He would have
+no bibblers near the animals under his charge. He had seen too much
+trouble caused by such worthless employees. Consequently, Peggy was wise
+beyond her years to the gravity of intemperance and had expressed
+herself pretty emphatically when Blue was discussed within the privacy
+of Middies' Haven, for what was told there was sacred. That was an
+unwritten law. And all this led to a ridiculous situation one day in the
+middle of November, for comedy and tragedy usually travel side by side
+in this world.
+
+It fell upon an ideal Saturday afternoon, a half-holiday at the Academy.
+It also happened to be Wheedles' birthday, and Mrs. Harold never let a
+birthday pass without some sort of a celebration if it were possible to
+have one. She had told Peggy about it, and Peggy had promptly invited a
+little party up to Round Bay.
+
+Now visiting for the midshipmen beyond the confines of the town of
+Annapolis is forbidden, but Mrs. Harold, as the wife of an officer, was
+at liberty to take out a party of friends in one of the Academy
+launches, so she promptly got together a congenial dozen, Ralph, Happy,
+Shortie, Wheedles and Durand, Captain Pennell and four others besides
+Polly and herself, and in the crispness of the Indian Summer afternoon,
+steamed away up the Severn to Round Bay.
+
+Peggy had asked the privilege of providing the birthday feast and
+understanding the pleasure it would give her to do so, Mrs. Harold had
+agreed most readily. So immediately after luncheon formation the party
+embarked at the foot of Maryland Avenue and a gayer one it would have
+been hard to find.
+
+Knowing the average boy's appetite and the midshipman's in particular,
+Mrs. Harold had, with commendable forethought, brought with her a big
+box of crullers, in nowise disturbed by the thought that it might spoil
+their appetites for the delayed luncheon. Breakfast is served at seven
+A.M. in Bancroft Hall, and the interval between that and twelve-thirty
+luncheon is long enough at best. If you add to that another hour and a
+half it is safe to conclude that starvation will be imminent. Hence her
+box of crullers to avoid such a calamity.
+
+The launch puffed and chugged its way up the river, running alongside
+the pretty Severndale dock sharp to the minute of four bells. Peggy
+stood ready to welcome them.
+
+"Oh, isn't this lovely. Scramble ashore as fast as you can, for Aunt
+Cynthia is crazy lest her fried chicken 'frazzle ter a cinder,'" she
+cried as she greeted her guests.
+
+"Who said fried chicken?" cried Happy.
+
+"That last cruller you warned me against eating never fazed me a bit,
+Little Mother," asserted Wheedles, as he assisted Mrs. Harold up the
+stone steps leading from the dock.
+
+"Beat you in a race to the lawn, Polly," shouted Ralph, back in
+boyhood's world now that he was beyond the bounds of Bancroft, and the
+next moment he and Polly were racing across the lawn like a pair of
+children, for it seemed so good to be away for a time from the
+unrelaxing discipline of the Academy, and Polly realized this as well as
+the others.
+
+"We are to have luncheon out under the oaks," said Peggy. "It is too
+heavenly a day to be indoors. Jerome and Mammy have everything ready so
+we have nothing to do but eat. You won't mind picnicking will you, Mrs.
+Harold."
+
+"Mind!" echoed Mrs. Harold. "Why it is simply ideal, Peggy dear. What do
+you say, sons?" she asked turning to the others.
+
+"Say! Say! Let's give the Four-N Yell right off for Peggy Stewart,
+Chatelaine of Severndale!" cried Wheedles, and out upon the clear, crisp
+autumn air rang the good old Navy cheer:
+
+    "N--n--n--n!
+     A--a--a--a!
+     V--v--v--v!
+     Y--y--y--y!
+
+    Navy!
+
+    Peggy Stewart! Peggy Stewart!
+           Peggy Stewart!"
+
+Peggy's cheeks glowed and her eyes shone. It was something to win that
+cheer from these lads, boys at heart, though just at manhood's morning,
+and sworn to the service of their flag. How she wished Daddy Neil could
+hear it. Captain Pennell, into whose life during the past month had come
+some incentive to live, joined in the yell with a will, giving his cap a
+toss into the air when the echoes of it went floating out over the
+Severn, while Mrs. Harold and Polly waved their sweaters wildly, and
+yelled with all their strength.
+
+Never had Severndale been more beautiful than upon that November
+afternoon. October's rich coloring had given place to the dull reds,
+burnt-umbers, and rich wood browns of late autumn, though the grass was
+still green underfoot, and the holly and fir trees greener by contrast.
+
+And Peggy was in her element.
+
+Never in all her short life had she been so happy. All the instincts of
+her Stewart ancestors with their Southern hospitality was finding
+expression as she led the way to a grove of mighty oaks, tinged by night
+frosts to the richest maroon, and literally kings of their surroundings,
+for the deep umber tones of the beeches only served to emphasize their
+coloring. Beneath them was spread a long table fairly groaning with
+suggestions of the feast to come, and near it, flanked by Jerome and
+Mammy, stood Dr. Llewellyn.
+
+As the party came laughing, scrambling or walking toward it he advanced
+to welcome Mrs. Harold, saying:
+
+"Did you realize that there would be thirteen at the feast unless a
+fourteenth could be pressed into service? Consider me as merely a
+necessary adjunct, please, and don't let the young people regard me as a
+kill-joy because I wear a long coat buttoned straight up to my chin. The
+only difference really is that I have to keep mine buttoned whereas they
+have to HOOK THEIR collars," and the good doctor laughed. Introductions
+followed and then no time was lost in seating the luncheon party.
+
+Then came a moment's pause. Peggy understood and Mrs. Harold's intuition
+served her. She nodded to Dr. Llewellyn, and none there ever forgot the
+light which illumined the fine old face as he bowed his head and said
+softly in his beautifully modulated voice as though speaking to a loved
+companion.
+
+"Father, for a world so beautiful, for a day so perfect, for the joy and
+privilege of association with these young people, and the new life which
+they infuse into ours, we older ones thank Thee. Bring into their lives
+all that is finest, truest, purest and best--true manhood and womanhood.
+Amen."
+
+Not a boy or girl but felt the beauty of those simple words and
+remembered them for many a day.
+
+The grove was not far enough from the house to chance the ruin of any of
+Aunt Cynthia's dainties. A grassy path led straight to it from her
+kitchen and at the conclusion of Dr. Llewellyn's grace Peggy nodded
+slightly to Jerome who in turn nodded to Mammy Lucy, who passed the nod
+along to some invisible individual, the series of nods bringing about a
+result which nearly wrecked the dignity of the entire party, for out
+from behind the long brick building in which Aunt Cynthia ruled supreme,
+filed a row of little darkies each burdened with a dish, each bare-
+footed, each immaculate in little white shirt and trousers, each
+solemnly rolling eyes, the whites of which rivaled his shirt, and each
+under Cynthia's dire threat of having his "haid busted wide open if he
+done tripped or spilled a thing," walking as though treading upon eggs.
+
+Along they came, their eyes fixed upon Jerome, for literally they were
+"between the devil and the deep sea," Jerome and Cynthia being at the
+beginning and end of that path. Jerome and Mammy received and placed
+each steaming dish, the very personification of dignity, and in nowise
+disconcerted by the titter, which soon broke into a full-lunged shout,
+at the piccaninnies' solemn faces.
+
+It was all too much for good Captain Pennell and the boys, and any "ice"
+which might possibly have congealed the party, was then and there
+smashed to smithereens.
+
+"Great! Great!" shouted Captain Pennell, clapping his hands like a boy.
+
+"Eh, this is going some," cried Happy.
+
+"Bully for Chatelaine Peggy!" was Wheedles' outburst.
+
+"Who says Severndale isn't all right?" echoed Ralph.
+
+"Peggy, this is simply delicious," praised Mrs. Harold.
+
+Peggy glowed and Jerome and Mammy beamed, while the little darkies beat
+a grinning retreat to confide excitedly to Aunt Cynthia:
+
+"Dem gemmens an' ladies yonder in de grove was so mighty pleased dat dey
+jist nachally bleiged fer ter holler and laugh."
+
+Far from proving drawbacks to the feast the captain and the doctor
+entered heart and soul into the frolic, the doctor as host, slyly
+nodding to the ever alert Jerome or Mammy to replenish plates, the
+captain waxing reminiscent and telling many an amusing tale, and Mrs.
+Harold beaming happily upon all, while to and from Cynthia's realm ran
+the little darkies full of enthusiasm for "dem midshipmen mens who suah
+could eat fried chicken, corn fritters, glazed sweet 'taters, and
+waffles nuff fer ter bust most mens."
+
+Certainly, Aunt Cynthia knew her business and if ever a picnic feast was
+appreciated, that one was.
+
+But the climax came with the dessert.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+A SHOCKING DEMONSTRATION OF INTEMPERANCE
+
+
+The merrymaking was at its height. The festive board had been cleared
+for dessert.
+
+"Cleared for action," Captain Pennell said.
+
+"Not heavy fire I hope," sighed Shortie. "Peggy, will you excuse me, but
+I have surely got to let out a reef if anything more is coming," and
+Shortie let out a hole or two in the leather belt which encircled the
+region into which innumerable waffles had disappeared.
+
+"There are others; yes there are CERTAINLY others," laughed the captain.
+"Peggy, my child, to play Circe and still smile is absolutely cruel. The
+ancient Circe frowned upon her victims."
+
+"And how can I swallow another morsel," was Polly's wail. "Peggy
+Stewart, why will you have so many good things all at once? Couldn't you
+have spread it out over several meals and let us have it on the
+instalment plan?"
+
+"Wheedles couldn't have his birthday that way," laughed Peggy,
+unwittingly letting a cat escape from a bag, for woe upon the midshipman
+whose birthday is known. Thus far Wheedles had kept it a profound
+secret, and Mrs. Harold and Polly, who were wise to what was likely to
+happen to him if it were known, had kept mum. But, alack, they had
+forgotten to warn Peggy and her words touched off the mine.
+
+"Eh? What? Never! Something doing? You're a sly one. Thought you'd get
+off scot-free, did you? Not on your sweet life! Let's give him what for.
+Excuse this digression, Peggy; it's a ceremony never omitted. It would
+have been attended to earlier in the day had we suspected, and it can't
+be delayed any longer. Besides we MUST shake down that which has gone
+before if more is to follow. Beg pardon, Little Mother, but you know the
+traditions. Make our peace with Dr. Llewellyn for this little side-
+show," and the next second Wheedles was in full flight with all his
+chums hotfoot upon his trail.
+
+How in the world those boys could run as they did after such a feast
+without apoplexy following, must remain a mystery to all excepting those
+who have lived in their midst.
+
+Over the lawn, dodging behind the oaks, vaulting the fence into the
+adjoining field, to the consternation of half a dozen sleek, sedate
+Alderney cows, tore Wheedles, his pursuers determined to overhand him
+and administer the drubbing incident to the iniquity of having a
+birthday.
+
+Dr. Llewellyn and Captain Pennell rose to their feet, one shouting, the
+other yelling with the rest of the mob, while Mrs. Harold and the girls
+could only sit and laugh helplessly.
+
+It was Shortie's long legs which overtook the quarry, both coming to the
+ground with a crash which would have killed outright any one but a
+football tackle and a basket-ball captain. In a second the whole bunch
+had the laughing, helpless victim.
+
+"Look the other way please, people," called Shortie, promptly placing
+Wheedles across his knee--two men holding his arms, two more his kicking
+legs--while Shortie properly and deliberately administered twenty
+sounding spanks. Then releasing him he said to the others who were
+nothing loath:
+
+"Finish the job. I've done my part and I've had one corking big feed."
+
+And they finished it by holding poor Wheedles by his shoulders and feet
+and bumping him upon the grass until he must have seen stars--AND THE
+DINNER WAS WELL SHAKEN DOWN.
+
+"NOW will you try to get away from us?" they demanded, putting him upon
+his feet.
+
+"It's all over but the shouting, Little Mother, and we'll be good," they
+laughed as they trooped back to the table, settling blouses, and giving
+hasty pats to their dishevelled pates, for Wheedles had certainly given
+them a run for their money.
+
+Meanwhile, Jerome and Mammy had looked on half in consternation, half in
+glee, for where is your pure-blooded African, old or young, who doesn't
+sympathize with monkey-shines? As the administrators of justice were in
+the midst of their self-imposed duties, the half-dozen little darky
+servitors appeared around the corner of the house bearing the dessert,
+and there is no telling what might have happened to it had not Aunt
+Cynthia, hearing the uproar, and "cravin' fer ter know ef de rown' worl'
+was a-comin' to an end," followed close behind her satellites. That
+great mold of ice cream, mound of golden wine jelly, dishes of cakes
+galore would certainly have met total destruction but for her prompt and
+emphatic command:
+
+"Yo' chillern 'tend to yo' bisness an' nemmine what gwine on over
+yander." That saved the feast, for the little darkies were convinced
+that "one ob dose young mens liked ter be kill fer suah."
+
+Had it been mid-July instead of a Maryland November that ice cream could
+not have vanished more quickly, and in the process of its disappearance,
+Jerome vanished also. This was not noticed by Peggy's guests, but his
+return was hailed with first a spontaneous shout and then a:
+
+"Rah! Rah! Hoohrah! Hoohrah! Navy Hoohrah!" and "Oh that's some cake!"
+"Nothing the matter with THAT edifice." "Who said we couldn't eat any
+more?" For with the dignity of a majordomo Jerome bore upon its frilled
+paper doily a huge chocolate layer cake, ornately decorated with yellow
+icing, and twenty dark blue candles, their yellow flames barely
+flickering in the still air, while behind him walked his little
+trenchermen, one bearing a big glass pitcher of amber cider, another,
+dishes of nuts, and another a tray of Mammy Lucy's home-made candies.
+
+If ever a birthday cake was enjoyed and appreciated, certainly that one
+was, and there is no telling how long the merry party would have
+lingered over the nuts, candies and cider had not a startling
+interruption taken place.
+
+The afternoon was well advanced. Mrs. Harold, the captain and Dr.
+Llewellyn had reached the limit of their appetites and were now watching
+and listening to the merry chatter of the young people who sat sipping
+the cider--they had long since passed beyond the DRINKING point--and
+eating the black walnuts and hickory nuts which had been gathered upon
+the estate, for Severndale was famous for its cider and nuts. The cider
+was made from a brand of apples which had been grown in the days of
+Peggy's great-grandfather and carefully cultivated for years. They
+ripened late, and needed a touch of frost to perfect them. The
+ciderhouse and press stood just beyond the meadow in which the
+Severndale cows led a luxurious life of it, and the odor of the rich
+fruit invariably drew a line of them to the dividing fence, where they
+sniffed and peered longingly at "forbidden fruit." But if every dog, as
+we are told, has his day, certainly a cow may hope to have hers some
+time. That it should have happened to be Wheedles' day also was merely
+accidental.
+
+As in most respectable communities there is almost invariably an
+individual or two whose conduct is open to criticism, so in Severndale's
+eminently irreproachable herd of sleek kine there was one obstreperous
+creature and her offspring. They were possessed to do the things their
+more well conducted sisters never thought of doing. The cow had a strain
+of distinctly plebian blood which, transmitted to her calf, probably
+accounted for their eccentricities. If ever a fence was broken through,
+if ever a brimming pail of milk was overturned, if a stable towel was
+chewed to ribbons, a feed bin rifled, it could invariably be traced to
+Betsy Brindle and her incorrigible daughter Sally Simple, and this
+afternoon they surpassed themselves. As Peggy's guests sat in that
+blissful state of mind and body resulting from being "serenely full, the
+epicure would say," they were startled by an altogether rowdy, abandoned
+"Moo-oo-oo-oo," echoed in a higher key, and over the lawn came two as
+disreputable-looking animals as one could picture, for Betsy Brindle and
+her daughter, a pretty little year-old heifer, were unquestionably,
+undeniably, hopelessly intoxicated. Betsy was swaying and staggering
+from side to side, wagging her head foolishly and mooing in the most
+maudlin manner, while Sally, whose potations affected her quite
+differently, was cavorting madly thither and yonder, one moment almost
+standing upon her head, with hind legs and tail waving wildly in mid-
+air, the next with the order reversed and pawing frantically at the
+clouds.
+
+Behind the arrant ones in mad chase and consternation came the young
+negro lad whose duty it was to see that the cattle were properly housed
+at nightfall. He had gone to the meadow for his charges only to find
+these incorrigibles, as upon many another occasion, missing. How long
+they had been at large he could not guess. At last, after long search,
+he discovered them in the inclosure where the barreled apples were kept
+and two whole barrels rifled. When this had taken place his African mind
+did not analyze, though a scientist could have told him almost to an
+hour and explained also that in the cows' double stomachs the apples had
+promptly fermented and become highly intoxicating, with the present
+result. But poor Cicero was petrified. His young mistress entertaining
+"de quality" and his unruly charges scandalizing her by tearing into
+their very midst.
+
+"Moo--o--moo, e--moooo--" bellowed Betsy, making snake tracks across the
+lawn.
+
+"Moo, Moo, Moo, Moo, Mooee--" echoed Sally in lively staccato, doing a
+wild Highland fling with quite original steps.
+
+"Hi dar! Come 'long away. Get off en dat lawn. Come away from dat 'ar
+pa'ty," screamed Cicero. "Ma Lawd-a-mighty, dem cows gwine 'grace me an'
+ruin me fer evah," and it would doubtless have proved true had not the
+boys sprung to their feet to join in the cowherd's duties, only too
+ready for any prank which presented an outlet for their fun-loving
+souls. Shortie promptly took command of the defending forces, and
+crying:
+
+"Come on, fellows, head the old lady off before she knocks the table
+endwise," was off with a rush, the others hotfoot after him, waving arms
+and shouting until poor old Betsy Brindle's addled head must have
+thought all the imps of the lower regions turned loose upon her.
+Circling wide, the boys made a complete barrier beyond which the poor
+tipsy cow dared not force her way. So with a hopelessly pathetic "moo"
+and a look at her adversaries which might have done credit to the mock
+turtle of Lewis Carrol's creation, she surrendered forthwith, and
+promptly flopped down in the middle of the lawn.
+
+Not so her daughter. Not a bit of it! SHE had not finished her fling and
+never did madder chase ensue than the one which at length ended in
+effectually cornering the flighty one.
+
+"Lemme tote her home. Fer de Lawd's sake, sah, lemme tote her home
+quick, 'fore Unc' Jess an' Missie Peggy kill me daid," begged Cicero.
+
+"You tote her home, you spindly little shaver! She'd part her cable and
+go adrift in half a minute after you got under way. Come on, boys, we've
+got to convoy this craft into her home port. Make fast," and with the
+experience of three years' training in seamanship, Shortie and his
+companions proceeded to make fast the recalcitrate Sally, and amidst
+hoots and yells calculated to sober up the most hopeless inebriate, they
+led her to her barn where Cicero read her the riot act as he fastened
+her in her stall. Meanwhile Betsy had succumbed to slumber and at Dr.
+Llewellyn's suggestion was left to sleep off the effects of her over-
+indulgence. When the boys got back from the barn poor Peggy was run
+unmercifully.
+
+"And we thought Severndale a model home. A well-conducted establishment.
+Yet the very first time we come out here we find even the COWS with a
+jag on that a confirmed toper couldn't equal if he tried, and yet you
+pose as a model young woman, Peggy Stewart, and are accepted in all good
+faith as our Captain Polly's friend. Watch out, Little Mother. Watch
+out. We can't let our little Captain visit where even the COWS give way
+to such disgraceful performances."
+
+Poor Peggy was incapable of defending herself for she and Polly had
+laughed until they were weak, and for many a long day after Peggy heard
+of her tipsy cows.
+
+When peace once more descended upon the land it was almost time for the
+visitors to return to Annapolis, but before departing they visited the
+paddock, the stables, and the beautiful old colonial house. And so ended
+Wheedles' birthday, and the next excitement was caused by the Army-Navy
+game to which Peggy went with Mrs. Harold's party, enjoying the outing
+as only a girl whose experiences have been limited, and who is ready for
+new impressions, can enjoy. And with the passing of the game November
+passed also and before she knew it Christmas was upon her, and Christmas
+hitherto for Peggy had meant merely gifts from Daddy Neil and a
+merrymaking for the servants. Without manifesting undue curiosity Mrs.
+Harold had learned a good deal concerning Peggy's life and nothing she
+had learned had touched her so deeply as the loneliness of the holiday
+season for the young girl. It seemed to her the most unnatural she had
+ever heard of, and something like resentment filled her heart when she
+thought of Neil Stewart's unconscious neglect of his little daughter.
+She argued that his failing to appreciate that he was neglectful did not
+excuse the fact, and she resolved that this year Peggy should spend the
+holidays with her and Polly at Wilmot, and the servants at Severndale
+could look to their own well-being. Nevertheless, Peggy laid her plans
+for the pleasure of the Severndale help and saw to it that they would
+have a happy time under Harrison's supervision. Then Peggy betook
+herself to Wilmot for the happiest Christmastide she had ever known.
+
+The holiday season at the Academy is always a merry one, but until very
+recently, there has been no Christmas recess and the midshipmen had to
+find amusement right in the little old town of Annapolis, or within the
+Academy's limits. The frolicking begins with the Christmas eve hop given
+by the midshipmen.
+
+Mrs. Harold had not allowed Polly to attend the hops given earlier in
+the winter, for she was a wise woman and felt that social diversions of
+that nature were best reserved for later years, when school-days were
+ended. But she made an exception at the Christmas season, when Polly in
+common with other girls, had a holiday, and Peggy and Polly would go to
+the hop.
+
+Unless one has seen a hop given at the Academy it is difficult to
+understand the beauty of the scene, and to Peggy it seemed a veritable
+fairy-land, with its lights, its banners, its lovely girls, uniformed
+laddies and music "which would make a wooden image dance," she confided
+to Mrs. Harold, and added: "And do you know, I used to rebel and be so
+cranky when Miss Arnaud came to give me dancing-lessons when I was a
+little thing. I just HATED it, and how she ever made me learn I just
+don't know. But I had to do as she said, and maybe I'm not glad that I
+DID. Why, Little Mother, suppose I HADN'T learned. Wouldn't I have been
+ashamed of myself now?"
+
+Mrs. Harold pulled a love-lock as she answered: "You train your colts,
+girlie, and they are the better for their training, aren't they?"
+
+Peggy gave a quick glance of comprehension, and her lips curved in a
+smile as she said:
+
+"But they never behave half as badly as I used to with Miss Arnaud."
+
+And so the Christmas eve was danced away.
+
+Christmas morning was the merriest Peggy had ever known. Long before
+daylight she was wakened by Polly shaking her and crying:
+
+"Peggy, wake up! Wake up! What do you think? Aunt Janet has filled
+stockings and hung them on the foot of the bed. She must have slipped in
+while we were sound asleep, and oh, I don't wonder we slept after that
+dance, do you?" rattled on Polly, scrambling around to close the window
+and turn on the steam, for the morning was a snappy one.
+
+"Whow! Ooo!" yawned Peggy, to whom late hours were a novelty and who
+felt as though she had dropped asleep only ten minutes before. "Why,
+Polly Howland, it's pitch dark, and midnight! I know it is," she
+protested. "How do you know there are stockings there, anyway?"
+
+"I was shivering and when I reached over to get the puff cover my hand
+touched something bumpy. I've felt of it and I KNOW it's a stocking. I
+never thought of having one, for I thought all those things were way
+back in little girl days. But turn on the electric lights quick--they're
+on your side of the bed--and we'll see what's in them; the stockings, I
+mean."
+
+Peggy turned the button and the lights flashed up.
+
+"Goodness, isn't it freezing cold," she cried. "Let's put the puff cover
+around us," and rolled up in the big down coverlet the girls dove into
+their bumpy stockings, exclaiming or laughing over the contents, for
+evidently the boys had been in the secret, for out of Peggy's came a
+little bronze cow and calf labeled "C. and S."
+
+"Now what in the world does C. and S. stand for, I wonder?" she said.
+
+"Oh, Peggy, those are the initials for 'Clean and Sober,' the report the
+officer-of-the-deck makes when the enlisted men come aboard after being
+on liberty. If they are intoxicated and untidy they check them up D. and
+D.--which means Drunk and Dirty. You'll never hear the last of Betsy
+Brindle's caper."
+
+"Well look and see what they've run you about, for you won't escape,
+I'll wager," laughed Peggy as merrily as though it were broad daylight
+instead of five A.M.
+
+Polly dove into her stocking to fish out a tiny rocking horse with a
+doll riding astride it. The horse was to all intents and purposes on a
+mad gallop, for his rider's hair, DYED A VIVID RED, was streaming out
+behind, her collar was flying loose, her feet were out of the stirrups
+and one shoe was gone. The mad rider bore the legend:
+
+"Lady Gilpin."
+
+A dozen other nonsensical things followed, but down in the toe of each
+was a beautiful 19-- class pin for each of the girls, with "Co-ed 19--"
+engraved on them and cards saying "with the compliments of the bunch."
+
+By the time the stockings' contents were investigated it was time to
+dress and go with Mrs. Harold to see the Christmas Parade, always given
+before breakfast in Bancroft Hall and through the Yard. Mrs. Harold
+tapped upon the girls' door and was greeted with "Merry Christmas! Merry
+Christmas!" She entered, taking them in her arms and saying:
+
+"Dozens and dozens for each of you, my little foster-daughters. I am so
+glad to have you with me, for Christmas isn't Christmas without young
+people to enjoy it, and I think I've got some of the very sweetest and
+best to be had--both daughters and sons. There are no more children like
+my foster-children. I am one lucky old lady."
+
+"Old!" cried Peggy indignantly, "Why you'll never, never seem old to us,
+for you just think, and see, and feel every single thing as we do."
+
+"That's a pretty compliment," replied Mrs. Harold, sealing her words
+with a kiss which was returned with earnest warmth, for Peggy was
+learning to love this friend very dearly.
+
+The Christmas Parade was funny enough, for the midshipmen had sent to
+Philadelphia for their costumes and every living thing, from Fiji
+Islanders, to priests, bears, lions, ballet girls or convicts raced
+through the Yard to the music of "Tommy's band" as they called the
+ridiculous collection of wind instruments over which one of the
+midshipmen waved his baton as bandmaster.
+
+When this great show ended, all hurried away to dress for breakfast
+formation, for many were the invitations to breakfast with friends out
+in town, legal holidays being the only days upon which such privileges
+were allowed. Mrs. Harold had a party of five beside Polly and Peggy and
+the griddle cakes which vanished that morning rivaled the number of
+waffles which had disappeared at Severndale. When breakfast ended Mrs.
+Harold said:
+
+"Can you young people give me about two hours out of your day? Polly and
+I have laid a little plan for someone's pleasure, which we know will be
+enhanced if you boys cooperate with us."
+
+"Count on us, Little Mother."
+
+"We'll do anything we can for you, for you do enough for us."
+
+"Sure thing," were the hearty replies, while Peggy slipped to her side
+to whisper: "I'd almost be willing to give up my 'Co-ed' class pin if
+you asked me to."
+
+"No such sacrifice as that, honey. But let's all go up to Middies' Haven
+where I'll tell you all about it."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+DUNMORE'S LAST CHRISTMAS
+
+
+When Mrs. Harold's little breakfast party returned to her sitting-room,
+she dropped into her favorite chair before the blazing log fire,
+motioning to the others to gather about her. Polly and Peggy promptly
+perched upon the arms of her chair, nestling close; Durand squatted,
+Turk-fashion, upon a big cushion at her feet. Wheedles leaned with
+unstudied grace against the mantel-shelf, while Happy, Ralph, and
+Shortie seated themselves upon the big couch whose capacity seemed to be
+something like the magic tent of the Arabian Nights' tale, and capable
+of indefinite expansion.
+
+"What is it, Little Mother?" asked Wheedles, while Durand glanced up
+with his deep, dark eyes, and a slight quiver of the sensitive mouth.
+
+"Just a little plan I have for Dunmore's happiness today" she answered,
+alluding to a second-classman who had been severely injured upon the
+football field late in October, and who had been paralyzed ever since.
+His people lived far away and it was difficult for them to reach him,
+and the day would have been a sad one but for his chums in the Academy
+and his many friends.
+
+Among these latter none were more devoted than Mrs. Harold and Polly,
+for Lewis Dunmore had been one of the Little Mother's boys since he
+first entered the Academy and she was nearly heart-broken at the serious
+outcome of his accident, as no hope was entertained of his recovery.
+
+All knew this, and the tenderest sympathy went out to the sick lad who
+had never for a moment ceased to hope for ultimate recovery and whose
+patience, courage and cheerfulness under conditions so terrible, filled
+with admiration the hearts of all who knew him.
+
+Polly had been untiring in her devotion to him, and "the little foster-
+sister," as he called her, spent many an hour in the hospital, reading,
+talking, or whistling like a bird, for whistling was Polly's sole
+accomplishment. Peggy often went with her, for she loved to make others
+happy, and many a weary hour was made less weary for him by the two
+girls, and Peggy had sent many a dainty dish from Severndale, or the
+fruit and flowers for which it was noted. She knew Polly and Mrs.
+Howland had planned something for Christmas day, but waited for them to
+tell her, feeling delicate about asking questions. She had sent over
+every dainty she could think of and great bunches of mistletoe.
+
+Mrs. Harold smiled upon the young faces she loved so dearly and said
+
+"Yesterday morning Polly and I sent up a lot of Christmas greens and a
+tree for Lewis, and later went up to dress it, arranging with the nurses
+to put it in his room when he was sleeping that it might be the first
+thing his eyes fell upon when he wakened this morning. He has probably
+been looking at it many an hour, but we told the nurses we would come up
+about ten-thirty to give him the presents. We wanted to make it a merry
+hour for him, and so a lot of nonsensical things were put on for his
+friends also, among them you boys and some others to whom I have
+written, and who will meet us there. Can you join us?"
+
+"Can we! Well why not? Sure! Poor old chap!" were some of the hearty
+responses.
+
+"I knew I could count upon you, so let us start at once. Go get ready,
+girls."
+
+The girls flew to their room and a moment later came back coated and
+furred, for the walk up to the hospital on the hill was a bleak one. The
+boys were inured to all sorts of weather, and their heavy overcoats were
+a safe protection against it. It was a merry, frolicking party which set
+forth, and as they crossed the athletic field a lively snowballing took
+place, for a light snow had fallen the day before, turning the Yard into
+a beautiful white world.
+
+Mrs. Harold was not to be outdone by any of her young people, but
+catching up handfuls of snow in her woolen-gloved hands tossed snowballs
+with the best of them.
+
+The contrast from the joy, the vigorous health of the group entering
+Dunmore's room to the still, helpless figure lying upon the cot was
+pathetic. The invalid could not move his head, but his great brown eyes,
+and fine mouth smiled his welcome to his friends, and he said:
+
+"Oh, it was great! Great! I saw it the first thing when I woke up. And
+the holly and mistletoe up here over my bed. I don't see how they got it
+hung there without my knowing when they did it."
+
+"That was our secret," cried Polly. "And Peggy sent over the mistletoe
+from Severndale, though she didn't know we were to have the tree."
+
+"Peggy, you are all right," was Dunmore's hearty praise. "But that tree
+is the prettiest thing ever. I'm as crazy as a kid about it. I sort of
+dreaded Christmas, but you people have fixed it up all right and I'm no
+end grateful. It's a great day after all."
+
+Peggy who was standing where Dunmore could not see her glanced at Polly.
+Polly nodded in quick understanding. "The day all right," and the poor
+lad helpless as some lifeless thing. The girls' eyes filled with quick
+tears which they hastened to wink away, for not for worlds would they
+have saddened what both knew to be the last Christmas Lewis could pass
+in this world, and Polly cried:
+
+"Now, Tanta, let us have the presents!" For an hour the room was the
+scene of a happy merrymaking, as Shortie, because he was "built on lines
+to reach the top-gallants," they said, distributed the gifts, funny or
+dainty, and Lewis' bed looked like a stand in a bazaar. Mrs. Harold had
+given him a downy bathrobe; Peggy had made him a hop pillow; Polly had
+made up a nonsense jingle for each day for a month, sealing each in an
+envelope and labelling it with dire penalties if read before the date
+named.
+
+But best of all, the class had sent him his class-ring and when it was
+slipped upon his finger by his roommate, the poor lad broke down
+completely.
+
+Mrs. Harold hastened to the bedside and the others did their best to
+relieve the situation.
+
+The class-ring is never worn by a second-classman until the last exam is
+passed by the first class. Then the new class-rings blossom forth in all
+their glory, for this ring is peculiarly significant: It is looked
+forward to as one of the greatest events in the class' history, and is a
+badge of union forever.
+
+Realizing that Dunmore could not be with them when the time came for
+them to put on their own, his classmates had unanimously voted to give
+him his as a Christmas gift, and nothing they could have done could
+possibly have meant so much to him. He was prouder than he had ever been
+before in his life, but--with the gift came the faint premonition of the
+inevitable; the first doubt of future recovery; the first hint that
+perhaps he had been harboring false hopes, and it almost overwhelmed
+him, and Mrs. Harold read it all in a flash. But Peggy saved the day.
+Slipping to his side she said:
+
+"Aren't you proud to be the very first to wear it? They wanted to give
+you a Christmas present, but couldn't think of a single thing you'd
+enjoy while you were so ill. Then they thought of the ring. Of course
+you could enjoy THAT, and there was no reason in the world that you
+shouldn't either, and the other boys will be happy seeing you wear it
+and count the days before they can put theirs on. And it is such a
+beauty, isn't it? We are all so glad you've got it. You can just wiggle
+your finger and crow over the others every time they come to visit you."
+
+Lewis looked up at her and smiled. He understood better than she guessed
+why she had talked so fast, and was grateful, but the pang was beneath
+the smile nevertheless.
+
+Then dinner-hour drawing near the white-capped nurse came in as a gentle
+hint that her patient had had about all the excitement he could stand,
+and Mrs. Harold suggested their departure. Their last glance showed them
+Lewis Dunmore looking at his class-ring, for he could move that arm just
+enough to enable him to raise the hand within his range of vision.
+
+The week following was a happy one for all. Each afternoon an informal
+dance was given in the gymnasium and the girls pranced to their hearts'
+content. As the week drew to an end the weather grew colder and colder
+until with Saturday came a temperature which froze College Creek solid.
+This was most unusual for the season, but was hailed with wild
+rejoicings by the boys and girls, for skating is a rare novelty in
+Annapolis.
+
+Saturday dawned an ideal winter day, clear, cold, and white.
+
+"Can you skate, Peggy?" asked Polly, diving into her closet for a pair
+of skates which she had brought South with her, though with small hope
+of using them.
+
+"Y--e--s," answered Peggy, doubtfully. "I can skate--after a fashion,
+but I'm afraid my skating will not show to very great advantage beside
+yours, you Northern lassie."
+
+"Nonsense. I'll wager one of Aunt Cynthia's cookies that you can skate
+as well as I can, though you never would admit it."
+
+There had not been much chance for stirring exercise for the girls since
+the snow fell and really cold weather set in, for there was not much
+pleasure in riding under such conditions, and they had both missed the
+healthy outdoor sport. But the prospect of skating set them both a-
+tingle to get upon the ice and they were eagerly awaiting the official
+order from the Academy, for no one is allowed upon the ice until it is
+pronounced entirely safe by the authorities, and the Commandant gives
+permission. Of course, this does not apply to the townspeople or to that
+section of the creek beyond the limits of the Academy, but it is very
+rigidly enforced within it. As the girls were eager to learn whether the
+brigade would have permission that afternoon, they went over to hear the
+orders read at luncheon formation, and came back nearly wild with
+delight to inform Mrs. Harold that not only was permission granted but
+that the band would play at the edge of the creek from four until six
+o'clock.
+
+"And if THAT won't be ideal I'd like to know what can be," cried Polly,
+and scarcely had she spoken when the telephone rang.
+
+"Hello. Yes, it's Polly. Of course we can. What time! To the very
+minute. Yes, Peggy's right here beside me and fairly dancing up and down
+to know what we are talking about. No, don't come out for us; we will
+meet you at the gate at three-thirty sharp. Good-bye," and snapping the
+receiver into its socket, Polly whirled about to catch Peggy in a
+regular bear hug and cry:
+
+"It was Happy. He and the others want us ALL to come over at three-
+thirty. Aunt Janet, too. They have an ice-chair for her; they borrowed
+it from someone. Oh, won't it be fun!"
+
+Peggy's dark eyes sparkled, then she said: "But my skates. They are 'way
+out at Severndale."
+
+Without a word Mrs. Harold walked to the telephone and a moment later
+was talking with Harrison. The skates would be sent in by the two
+o'clock car. Promptly at three-thirty the girls and Mrs. Harold entered
+the Maryland Avenue gate where they were met by Shortie, Wheedles,
+Happy, Durand and Ralph; Durand promptly appropriating Peggy, while
+Ralph, cried:
+
+"Come on, Polly, this is going to be like old times up at Montgentian."
+
+It would have been hard to picture a prettier sight than the skaters
+presented that afternoon, the boys in their heavy reefers and woolen
+watch-caps; the girls in toboggan caps and sweaters. Over in the west
+the sky was a rich rosy glow, for the sun sinks behind the hills by
+four-thirty during the short winter afternoons. The Naval Academy band
+stationed at the edge of the broad expanse of the ice-bound creek was
+sending its inspiring strains out across the keen, frosty air which
+seemed to hold and toy with each note as though reluctant to let it die
+away.
+
+The boys took turns in pushing Mrs. Harold's chair, spinning it along
+over the smooth surface of the ice in the wake of Peggy, Polly and the
+others, who now and again joined hands to "snap-the-whip," "run-the-
+train," or go through some pretty figure. Polly and Ralph were clever at
+this and very soon Peggy caught the trick. The creek was crowded, for
+nearly half the town as well as the people from the Yard were enjoying
+the rare treat.
+
+The band had just finished a beautiful waltz to which all had swung
+across the creek in perfect rhythm, when one of the several enlisted
+men, stationed along the margin of the creek, and equipped with stout
+ropes and heavy planks in the event of accident, sounded "attention" on
+a bugle. Instantly, every midshipman, officer, or those in any way
+connected with the Academy, halted and stood at attention to hear the
+order.
+
+"No one will be allowed to go below the bridge. Ice is not safe," rang
+out the order.
+
+Nearly every one heard and to hear was, of course, to obey for all in
+the Academy, but there are always heedless ones, or stupid ones in this
+world, and in the numbers gathered upon the ice that afternoon there
+were plenty of that sort, and it sometimes seems as though they were
+sent into this world to get sensible people into difficulties. Of course
+the heedless ones were too busy with their own concerns to pay heed to
+the warning. A group of young girls from the town were skating together
+close to the lower bridge. Durand and Peggy were near the Marine
+Barracks shore, when they became aware of their reckless venturing upon
+the dangerous ice.
+
+"Durand, look," cried Peggy. "Those girls must be crazy to go out there
+after hearing that order."
+
+"They probably never heard it at all. Some of those cits make me tired.
+They seem to have so little sense. Now I'll bet my sweater that every
+last person connected with the Yard heard it, but, I'd bet TWO sweaters
+that not half the people from the town did, yet there was no reason they
+shouldn't. It was read for their benefit just exactly as much as ours,
+but they act as though we belonged to some other world and the orders
+were for our benefit, but their undoing."
+
+"Not quite so bad as all that, I hope," laughed Peggy, as they joined
+hands and swung away. A moment later she gave a sharp cry. Durand had
+turned and was skating backward with Peggy "in tow." He spun around just
+in time to see a little girl about ten years of age throw up her hands
+and crash through the rotten ice. Peggy had seen her as she laughingly
+broke away from the group of older girls to dart beneath the bridge.
+
+"Quick! Beat it for help," shouted Durand, flinging off his reefer and
+striking out for the screaming girls. He had not made ten strides when a
+second girl in rushing to her friend's assistance, went through too, the
+others darting back to safer ice and shrieking for help. Durand now had
+a proposition on hand in short order, but Peggy's wits worked rapidly:
+If she left Durand to go for help he would have his hands more than
+full. Moreover, the alarm had already been sounded and the Jackies were
+coming on a run. So she did exactly as Durand was doing: laid flat upon
+the ice and worked her way toward the second struggling victim. Durand
+had caught the child and was doing his best to keep her afloat and
+himself from being dragged into the freezing water, but Peggy's victim
+was older and heavier.
+
+"Oh, save me! Save me!" she screamed.
+
+"Hush. Keep still and we'll get you out," commanded Peggy, doing her
+utmost to keep free of the wildly thrashing arms, while holding on to
+the girl's coat with all the strength of desperation. It would have gone
+ill with the girl and Peggy, however, had not help come from the bridge
+where the Jackies had acted as such men invariably do: promptly and
+without fuss. In far less time than seemed possible, two of them, with
+ropes firmly bound about their bodies, were in the water, while two more
+pulled them and their struggling charges to safety, and two more in the
+perfect order of their discipline drew Peggy and Durand from their
+perilous situation, and just then Mrs. Harold's party came rushing up,
+she and Polly white with terror.
+
+"Peggy, Peggy, my little girl! If anything had happened to you," cried
+Mrs. Harold, gathering her into her arms.
+
+"But there hasn't. Not a single thing, Little Mother. I'm not hurt a
+bit, and only a little wet and that won't hurt me because my clothes are
+so thick." But the girl's voice shook and she trembled in spite of her
+words, for the last few minutes had taxed both strength and courage.
+
+Meantime the boys had gathered about Durand, but boy-like made light of
+the episode though down in their hearts they knew it had required pluck
+and steady nerve to do as he had done, and their admiration found
+expression in hauling off their reefers to force them upon him, or in
+giving him a clip upon the back and telling him he was "all right," and
+to "come on back to Bancroft for a rub-down after his bath." But no one
+underrated the courage of either and they were hurried home to be cared
+for, though it was many hours before Mrs. Harold could throw off the
+horror of what might have happened, and Peggy was a heroine for many a
+day to her intense annoyance.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+A DOMESTIC EPISODE
+
+
+In spite of the scare all had received the previous Saturday, the New
+Year's eve hop was thoroughly enjoyed, for neither Durand nor Peggy was
+the worse for the experience, and the old year was danced out upon
+light, happy toes, only one shadow resting upon the joyous evening.
+
+For over a year, there had been an officer stationed at the Academy who
+had been a source of discord among his fellow-officers, and a martinet
+with the midshipmen. He was small, petty, unjust, and not above
+resorting to methods despised by his confreres. He was loathed by the
+midshipmen because they could never count upon what they termed "a
+square deal," and consequently never knew just where they stood.
+
+There were several who seemed to have incurred his especial animosity,
+and Durand in particular he hated: hated because the boy's quick wits
+invariably got him out of the scrapes which his mischievous spirit
+prompted, and "Gumshoes," as the boys had dubbed the officer, owing to
+his habit of sneaking about "looking for trouble," was not clever enough
+to catch him.
+
+And thus it came about that, being once more circumvented by Durand on
+New Year's eve in a trivial matter at which any other officer would have
+laughed, he resorted to ways and means which a man with a finer sense of
+honor would have despised and--again he failed. But his chance came on
+New Year's day, when Durand, led into one of the worst scrapes of his
+life by Blue, fell into his clutches and the outcome was so serious that
+the entire brigade was restricted to the Yard's limits for three months,
+and gloom descended not only upon the Academy but upon all its friends.
+
+Naturally, with her boys debarred from Middies' Haven, Mrs. Harold could
+do little for the girls, and their only sources of pleasure lay in such
+amusements as the town afforded and these were extremely limited. So
+much time was spent at Severndale with Peggy, and it was during one of
+these visits that Mrs. Harold figured in one of the domestic episodes of
+Severndale. They were not new to Peggy for she was Southern-born and
+used to the vagaries and childlike outbreaks of the colored people. But
+even though Mrs. Harold had lived among them a great deal, and thought
+she understood them pretty thoroughly, she had yet to learn some of the
+African's eccentricities.
+
+January dragged on, the girls working with Captain Pennell and Dr.
+Llewellyn. During the month, one of the hands, Joshua Jozadak Jubal
+Jones, by the way, fell ill with typhoid fever, and was removed to the
+hospital. From the first his chances of recovery seemed doubtful, and
+"Minervy" his wife, as strapping, robust a specimen of her race as poor
+Joshua was tiny and, as she expressed it, "pore and pindlin'," was in a
+most emotional frame of mind. Again and again she came up to the great
+house to "crave consolatiom" from Miss Peggy, or Mammy Lucy, though,
+truth to tell, Mammy's sympathies were not very deeply enlisted. Minervy
+Jones did not move in the same SOCIAL SET in which Mammy held a
+dignified position: Mammy was "an emerged Baptis'"; Minervy a "Shoutin'
+Mefodist," and a strong feeling existed between the two little colored
+churches. Peggy visited the hospital daily and saw that Joshua lacked
+for nothing. Mrs. Harold was deeply concerned for Peggy's sake, for
+Peggy looked to the well-being of all the help upon the estate with the
+deep interest which generations of her ancestors had manifested, indeed
+regarded as incumbent upon them and part of their obligation to their
+dependents.
+
+Days passed and poor Joshua grew no better, Minervy meanwhile spending
+most of her time in Aunt Cynthia's kitchen where she could sustain the
+inner woman with many a tidbit from the white folks' table, and
+speculate upon what was likely to become of them if her "pore lil
+chillern were left widderless orphans." It need hardly be added that the
+prospective "widderless orphans" were left to shift largely for
+themselves while she was accepting both mental and physical sustenance.
+
+It was upon one of these visits, so indefinitely prolonged that Mammy's
+patience was at the snapping point, that she decided to give a needed
+hint. Entering the kitchen she said to Aunt Cynthia:
+
+"'Pears ter me yo' must have powerful lot o' time on han', Sis' Cynthy."
+
+"Well'm I AIN'T. No ma'am, not me," was Cynthia's prompt reply, for to
+tell the truth she was beginning to weary of doling out religious
+consolation and bodily sustenance, yet hospitality demanded something.
+
+"Well, I reckons Miss Peggy's cravin' fer her luncheon, an' it's high
+time she done got it, too. Is yo' know de time?"
+
+"Cou'se I knows de time," brindled Cynthia, "but 'pears lak time don'
+count wid some folks. Kin YO' see de clock, Mis' Jones?"
+
+The question was sprung so suddenly that Minerva jumped.
+
+"Yas'm, yas'm, Mis' Johnson, I kin see hit; yis, I kin," answered
+Minervy, craning her neck for a pretended better view.
+
+"Well, den, please, ma'am, tell me just 'zactly what it IS."
+
+This was a poser. Minervy knew no more of telling time than one of her
+own children, but rising from her chair, she said:
+
+"I 'clar ter goodness, I'se done shed so many tears in ma sorrer and
+grief over Joshua dat I sho' is a-loosin' ma eyesight." She then went
+close to the clock, looked long and carefully at it, but shook her head
+doubtfully. At length a bright idea struck her and turning to Cynthia
+she announced:
+
+"Why, Sis' Cynthia, I believes yo' tryin' ter projec' wid me; dat clock
+don' STRIKE 'TALL. But I 'clar I mus' be a-humpin' masef todes dera
+chillern. I shore mus'."
+
+"Yes, I'd 'vise it pintedly," asserted Cynthia, while Mammy Lucy added:
+
+"It's sprisin' how some folks juties slips dey min's."
+
+Three days later word came to Severndale that Joshua could hardly
+survive the day and Peggy, as she felt duty bound, went over to
+Minervy's cabin. She found her sitting before her fire absolutely idle.
+
+"Minervy," she began, "I have had word from the hospital and Joshua is
+not so well. I think you would better go right over."
+
+"Yas'm, yas'm, Miss Peggy, I spec's yo' sees it dat-a-way, honey, but--
+but yo' sees de chillern dey are gwine car'y on scan'lus if I leaves
+'em. My juty sho' do lie right hyer, yas'm it sho' do."
+
+"But Minervy, Joshua cannot live."
+
+"Yas'm, but he ain' in his min' an' wouldn't know me no how, but dese
+hyer chillerns is ALL got dey min's cl'ar, an' dey STUMMICKS empty.
+No'm, I knows yo' means it kindly an' so I teks hit, but I knows ma
+juty," and nothing Peggy could say had any effect.
+
+That night Joshua died. The word came to Severndale early the following
+morning.
+
+"Well," said Mrs. Harold, "from her philosophical resignation to the
+situation yesterday, I don't imagine she will be greatly overcome by the
+news."
+
+"Mh--um," was Mammy's non-committal lip-murmur, and Peggy wagged her
+head. Mrs. Harold and Polly were spending the week at Severndale, and
+were dressing for breakfast. Their rooms communicated with Peggy's and
+they had been laughing and talking together when the 'phone message
+came.
+
+"Mammy," called Peggy. "Please send word right down to Minervy."
+
+"Yas, baby, I sends it, and den yo' watch out," warned Mammy.
+
+"What for?" asked Peggy.
+
+"Fo' dat 'oman. She gwine mak one fuss DIS time ef she never do again."
+
+"Nonsense, Mammy, I don't believe she cares one straw anyway. She is the
+most unfeeling creature I've ever seen."
+
+"She may be ONfeelin' but she ain' ON-doin', yo' mark me," and Mammy
+went off to do as she was bidden.
+
+Perhaps twenty minutes had passed when the quiet of the lower floor was
+torn by wild shrieks and on-rushing footsteps, with voices vainly
+commanding silence and decorum: commands all unheeded. Then came a final
+rush up the stairs and Minervy distraught and dishevelled burst into
+Mrs. Harold's room, and without pausing to see whom she was falling
+upon, flung her arms about that startled woman, shrieking:
+
+"He's daid! He's daid! Dem pore chillern is all widderless orphans. I
+felt it a-comin'! Who' gwine feed an' clothe and shelter dose pore
+lambs? Ma heart's done bruck! Done bruck!"
+
+"Minervy! Minervy! Do you know what you are doing! Let go of Mrs. Harold
+this instant," ordered Peggy, nearly overcome with mortification that
+her guest should meet with such an experience at Severndale. "Do you
+hear me? Control yourself at once."
+
+She strove to drag the hysterical creature from Mrs. Harold, but she
+might as well have tried to drag away a wild animal. Minervy continued
+to shriek and howl, while Mammy, scandalized beyond expression, scolded
+and stormed, and Jerome called from the hall below.
+
+Then Mrs. Harold's sense of humor came to her rescue and she had an
+inspiration, for she promptly decided that there was no element of grief
+in Minervy's emotions.
+
+"Minerva, Minerva, HAVE you ordered your mourning? You knew Joshua could
+not live," she cried.
+
+Had she felled the woman with a blow the effect could not have been more
+startling. Instantly the shrieks ceased and releasing her hold Minervy
+struck an attitude:
+
+"No'm, I HASN'T! I cyant think how I could a-been so careless-like, an'
+knowin' all de endurin' time dat I boun' fer ter be a widder. How could
+I a-been so light-minded?"
+
+"Well, you have certainly got to have some black clothes right off. It
+would be dreadful not to have proper mourning for Joshua."
+
+Meanwhile Peggy and Polly had fled into the next room.
+
+"I sho' mus', ma'am. How could I a-been so 'crastinatin' an' po' Joshua
+a-dyin' all dese hyer weeks. I am' been 'spectful to his chillern; dat I
+ain't. Lemme go right-way an' tink what I's needin'. But please ma'am,
+is YO' a widder 'oman? Case ef yo' is yo's had spurrience an' kin tell
+me bes' what I needs."
+
+It was with difficulty that Mrs. Harold controlled her risibles, so
+utterly absurd rather than pathetic was the whole situation, for not one
+atom of real grief for Joshua lay in poor, shallow Minervy's heart. Then
+Mrs. Harold replied:
+
+"No, Minervy. I am not a widow; at least I am only a GRASS widow, and
+they do not wear mourning, you know."
+
+"No'm, no'm, I spec's not. But what mus' I git for masef an' does po'
+orphans!"
+
+"Well, you have a black skirt, but have you a waist and hat? And you
+would better buy a black veil; not crape, it is too perishable; get
+nun's veiling, and--"
+
+"Nun's veilin'? Nun's veilin'?" hesitated Minervy. "But I ain' NO NUN,
+mistiss, I'se a WIDDER. I ain' got no kind er use fer dem nunses wha'
+don' never mahry. I'se been a mahryin' 'oman, _I_ is."
+
+"Well you must choose your own veil then," Mrs. Harold managed to reply.
+
+"Yas'm, I guesses I better, an' I reckons I better git me a belt an'
+some shoes, 'case if I gotter be oneasy in ma min' dars no sort o'
+reason fer ma bein' uneasy in ma FOOTS too, ner dem chillern neither.
+Dey ain' never is had shoes all 'roun' ter onct, but I reckons dey
+better he fitted out right fer dey daddy's funeral. Dey can't tend it
+hut onct in all dey life-times no how. And 'sides, I done had his life
+assured 'gainst dis occasiom, an' I belongs ter de sassiety wha' burys
+folks in style wid regalions. Dey all wears purple velvet scaffses ober
+dey shoulders an' ma'ches side de hearse. Dar ain' nothin' cheap an' no
+'count bout DAT sassiety. No ma'am! An' I reckons I better git right
+long and look arter it all," and Minervy, still wiping her eyes, hurried
+from the room, Mammy's snort of outrage unheeded, and her words:
+
+"NOW what I done tole yo', baby? I tells yo' dat 'oman ain' mo'n ha'f
+human if she IS one ob ma own color. _I_'S a cullured person, but she's
+jist pure nigger, yo' hyar me?" and Mammy flounced from the room.
+
+Polly and Peggy reentered Mrs. Harold's room. She had collapsed upon the
+divan, almost hysterical, and Polly looked as though someone had dashed
+cold water in her face. Peggy was the only one who accepted the
+situation philosophically. With a resigned expression she said:
+
+"THAT'S Minervy Jones. She is one type of her race. Mammy is another.
+Now we'll see what she'll buy. I'll venture to say that every penny she
+gets from Joshua's life-insurance will be spent upon clothes for herself
+and those children."
+
+"And _I_ started the idea," deplored Mrs. Harold.
+
+"Oh, no, you did not. She would have thought of it as soon as she was
+over her screaming, only you stopped the screaming a little sooner, for
+which we ought to be grateful to you. She is only one of many more
+exactly like her."
+
+"Do you mean to tell me that there are many as heedless and foolish as
+she is?" demanded Mrs. Harold.
+
+"Dozens. Ask Harrison about some of them."
+
+"Well, I never saw anything like her," cried Polly, indignantly. "I
+think she is perfectly heartless."
+
+"Oh, no, she isn't. She simply can't hold more than one idea at a time.
+Just now it's the display she can make with her insurance money. They
+insure each other and everything insurable, and go half naked in order
+to do so. The system is perfectly dreadful, but no one can stop them.
+Probably every man and woman on the place knows exactly what she will
+receive and half a dozen will come forward with money to lend her, sure
+of being paid back by this insurance company. It all makes me positively
+sick, but there is no use trying to control them in that direction. I
+don't wonder Daddy Neil often says they were better off in the old days
+when a master looked after their well-being."
+
+An hour later Minervy was driving into Annapolis, three of her boon
+companions going with her, the "widderless orphans" being left to get on
+as best they could. She spent the entire morning in town, returning
+about three o'clock with a wagonful of purchases. Poor Joshua's remains
+were being looked after by the Society and would later come to
+Severndale.
+
+Mrs. Harold and the girls were sitting in the charming living-room when
+Jerome came to ask if Miss Peggy would speak with Minervy a moment.
+
+"Oh, DO bring her in here," begged Mrs. Harold.
+
+Peggy looked doubtful, but consented, and Jerome went to fetch the
+widow.
+
+When she entered the room Mrs. Harold and the girls were sorely put to
+it to keep sober faces, for Minervy had certainly outdone herself; not
+only Minervy, but her entire brood which followed silently and
+sheepishly behind her. Can Minervy's "mourning" be described? Upon her
+head rested a huge felt hat of the "Merry Widow" order, and encircling
+it was a veil of some sort of stiff material, more like crinoline than
+crape. There were YARDS of it, and so stiff that it stuck straight out
+behind her like a horse's tail. Under the brim was a white WIDOW'S
+ruche. Her waist was a black silk one adorned with cheap embroidery, and
+a broad belt displayed a silver buckle at least four inches in diameter,
+ornamented with a huge glass carbuncle at least half the buckle's size.
+On her own huge feet were a pair of shining patent-leather shoes
+sporting big gilt buckles, and each child wore PATENT-LEATHER DANCING
+POMPS.
+
+"Why, Minervy," cried Peggy, really distressed, "How COULD you?"
+
+"Why'm, ain' we jist right? I thought I done got bargains wha' jist
+nachally mak' dat odder widow 'oman tek a back seat AN' sit down. SHE
+didn't git no sich style when James up an died," answered Minervy,
+reproach in her tone and eyes.
+
+"But, Minervy," interposed Mrs. Harold. "That bright red stone in the
+buckle; how can you consider THAT MOURNING? And your veil shouldn't
+stick--I mean it ought to hang down properly."
+
+Minervy looked deeply perturbed. Shifting from one patent-leather-shod
+foot to the other, she answered:
+
+"Well'm, well'm, I dare say you's had more spurrience in dese hyer
+t'ings 'n I is, but dat ston certain'y did strike ma heart. But ef yo'
+say 'taint right why, pleas ma'am git a pair o' scissors an' prize it
+out, tho' I done brought de belt fer de sake ob dat buckle. Well,
+nemmine. I reckons I kin keep it, an' if I ever marhrys agin it sho will
+come in handy."
+
+The combined efforts of Mrs. Harold, Peggy and Polly eventually got
+Minervy passably presentable as to raiment, but there they gave up the
+obligation.
+
+On the following Sunday the funeral was held with all the ceremony and
+display dear to the African heart, but "Sis Cynthia, Mammy Lucy and
+Jerome were too occupied with domestic duties to attend." "I holds masef
+clar 'bove sich goin's-on," was Mammy's dictum. "When _I_ dies, I
+'spects ter be bur'rid quiet an' dignumfied by ma MISTISS, an' no sich
+crazy goin's on as dem yonder."
+
+Later Minervy and her "nine haid ob chillern" betook themselves into the
+town of Annapolis where matrimonial opportunities were greater, and,
+sure enough, before two months were gone by she presented herself to
+Peggy, smiling and coy, to ask:
+
+"Please, ma'am, is yo' got any ol' white stuff wha' I could use fer a
+bridal veil?"
+
+"A BRIDAL veil?" repeated Peggy, horrified at this new development.
+
+"Yas'm, dat's what I askin' fer. Yo' see, Miss Peggy, dat haid waiter
+man at de Central Hotel, he done fall in love wid ma nine haid o' po'
+orphanless chillern an' crave fer ter be a daddy to 'em. An' Miss Peggy,
+honey, Johanna she gwine be ma bride's maid, an' does yo' reckon yo's
+got any ole finery what yo' kin giv' her? She's jist 'bout yo' size,
+ma'am."
+
+Johanna was Minervy's eldest daughter.
+
+"Yes. I'll get exactly what you want," cried Peggy, her lips set and her
+eyes snapping, for her patience was exhausted.
+
+Going to her storeroom Peggy brought to light about three yards of white
+cotton net and a pistachio green mull gown, long since discarded. It was
+made with short white lace sleeves and low cut neck.
+
+"Here you are," she said, handing them to Minervy who was thrown into a
+state of ecstacy. "But wait a moment; it lacks completeness," and she
+ran to her room for a huge pink satin bow. "There, tell Johanna to pin
+THAT on her head and the harlequin ice will be complete."
+
+But her sarcasm missed its mark. Then Peggy went to her greenhouses and
+gathering a bunch of Killarney roses walked out to the little burial lot
+where the Severndale help slept and laying them upon Joshua's grave said
+softly:
+
+"YOU were good and true and faithful, and followed your light."
+
+[Footnote: NOTE--The author would like to state that this episode
+actually did take place upon the estate of a friend.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+PLAYING GOOD SAMARITAN
+
+
+February had passed and March was again rushing upon Severndale. A cold,
+wild March, too. Perhaps because it was coming in like a lion it would
+go out like a lamb. It is nearly a year since we first saw Peggy Stewart
+seated in the crotch of the snake-fence talking with Shashai and
+Tzaritza, and in that year her whole outlook upon life has changed. True
+it was then later in the month and spring filled the air, but a few
+weeks make vast changes in a Maryland springtide. And Daddy Neil was
+coming home soon! Coming in time for an alumni meeting during June week
+at the Academy, and Mr. Harold was coming also. These facts threw every
+one at Severndale, as well as Mrs. Harold and Polly into a flutter of
+anticipation. But several weeks--yes, three whole months in fact--must
+elapse before they would arrive, for the ships were only just leaving
+Guantanamo for Hampton Roads and then would follow target practice off
+the Virginia Capes.
+
+Mrs. Harold and Polly were going to run down to Hampton Roads for a
+week, to meet Mr. Harold, but Commander Stewart's cruiser would not be
+there. He was ordered to Nicaragua where one of the periodical
+insurrections was taking place and Uncle Sam's sailor boys' presence
+would probably prove salutary. At any rate, Neil Stewart could not be at
+Hampton Roads, and consequently Peggy decided not to go down with her
+friends, though urged to join them. Meanwhile she worked away with
+Compadre and as March slipped by acquired for Severndale a most valuable
+addition to its paddock.
+
+It all came about in a very simple manner, as such things usually do.
+
+All through Maryland are many small farms, some prosperous, some so
+slack and forlorn that one wonders how the owners subsist at all. It
+often depends upon the energy and industry of the individual. These
+farmers drive into Annapolis with their produce, and when one sees the
+animals driven, and vehicles to which they are harnessed, one often
+wonders how the poor beasts have had strength to make the journey even
+if the vehicle has managed to hold together. Often there is a lively
+"swapping" of horses at the market-place and a horse may change owners
+three or four times in the course of a morning.
+
+It so happened that Peggy had driven into Annapolis upon one of these
+market days, and having driven down to the dock to make inquiry for some
+delayed freight, was on her way back when she noticed a pair of flea-
+bitten gray horses harnessed to a ramshackle farm wagon. The wagon
+wheels were inches thick with dry mud, for the wagon had probably never
+been washed since it had become its present owner's property. The
+harness was tied in a dozen places with bits of twine, and the horses
+were so thin and apparently half-starved that Peggy's heart ached to see
+them. Pulling up her own span she said to Jess:
+
+"Oh, Jess, how CAN any one treat them so? They seem almost too weak to
+stand, but they have splendid points. Those horses have seen better days
+or I'm much mistaken and they come of good stock too."
+
+"Dey sho' does, missie," answered Jess, pleased as Punch to see his
+young mistress' quick eye for fine horseflesh, though it must be
+admitted that the fine qualities of these horses were well disguised,
+and only a connoisseur could have detected them.
+
+As they stood looking at the horses the owner came up accompanied by
+another man. They were in earnest conversation, the owner evidently
+protesting and his companion expostulating. Something impelled Peggy to
+tarry, and without seeming to do so, to listen. She soon grasped the
+situation: The horses' owner owed the other man some money which he was
+unable to pay. The argument grew heated. Peggy was unheeded. The upshot
+was the transfer of ownership of one of the span of horses to the other
+man, the new owner helping unharness the one chosen, its mate looking on
+with surprised, questioning eyes, as though asking why he, too, was not
+being unharnessed. The new owner did not seem over-pleased with his
+bargain either (he lacked Peggy's discernment) and vented his ill-temper
+upon the poor horse. Presently he led him away, the mate whinnying and
+calling after his companion in a manner truly pathetic.
+
+"Quick, Jess," ordered Peggy, "go and find out who that man is and where
+he is taking that horse, but don't let him suspect why."
+
+Jess scrambled out of the surrey, saying: "Yo' count on ME, Miss Peggy.
+I's wise, I is; I ketches on all right."
+
+Peggy continued to watch. The man sat down upon an upturned box near his
+wagon, buried his face in his hands and seemed oblivious of all taking
+place around him. Presently the horse turned toward him and nickered
+questioningly. The man looked up and reaching out a work-hardened hand,
+stroked the poor beast's nose, saying:
+
+"'Taint no use, Pepper; he's done gone fer good. Everythin's gone, and I
+wisht ter Gawd I was done gone too, fer 'taint no use. The fight's too
+hard for us."
+
+Just then he caught the eye of the young girl watching him. There was
+something in her expression which seemed to spell hope: he felt utterly
+hopeless. She smiled and beckoned to him. She was so used to being
+obeyed that his response was as a matter of course to her. He moved
+slowly toward the surrey, resting his hand upon the wheel and looking up
+at her with listless eyes. "You want me, miss?" he asked.
+
+Peggy said gently:
+
+"I couldn't help seeing what happened; I was right here. Please don't
+think me inquisitive, but would you mind telling me something about your
+horses? I love them so, and--and--and--I think yours have good blood."
+
+The furrowed, weatherbeaten face seemed transformed as he answered:
+
+"Some of the best in the land, miss. Some of the best. How did ye guess
+it?"
+
+"I did not guess it; I knew it. I raise horses."
+
+"Then you're Miss Stewart from Severndale, ain't ye?"
+
+"Yes, and you?"
+
+"I'm jist Jim Bolivar. I live 'bout five mile this side of Severndale.
+Lived there nigh on ter twenty year, but YO' wouldn't never know me, o'
+course, though I sometimes drives over to yo' place."
+
+"But how do you expect to drive back all that distance with only one
+horse? Did you sell the other, or only lend him?"
+
+For a moment the man hesitated. Then looking into the clear, tender eyes
+he said:
+
+"He had ter go, miss. Everything's gone ag'in me for over a year; I owed
+Steinberger fifty dollars; I couldn't pay him; I'd given Salt fer
+s'curity."
+
+"Salt?" repeated Peggy in perplexity.
+
+"Yes'm, Pepper's mate. I named 'em Pepper 'n Salt when they was young
+colts," and a faint smile curved the speaker's lips. Peggy nodded and
+said:
+
+"Oh, I see. That was clever. They DO look like pepper and salt."
+
+"Did," corrected the man. "There ain't but one now. But Salt were worth
+more 'n fifty dollars; yes, he were."
+
+ "He certainly was," acquiesced Peggy. "Do you want to sell Pepper too?"
+
+"I'd sell my HEART, miss, if I could get things fer Nell."
+
+"Who is Nell?"
+
+"My girl, miss. Nigh 'bout yo' age, I reckons, but not big an' healthy
+an' spry like yo'. She's ailin' most o' the time, but we's mighty po,'
+miss, mighty po'. We ain't allers been, but things have gone agin us
+pretty steady. Last year the hail spoilt the crops, an' oh well, yo'
+don't want ter hear 'bout my troubles."
+
+"I want to hear about any one's troubles if I can help them. How shall
+you get back to your place?"
+
+"Reckon I'll have ter onhitch an' ride Pepper back, on'y I jist
+natchelly hate ter see Nell's face when I get thar 'thout Salt. She set
+sich store by them horses, an' they'd foiler her anywheres. I sort ter
+hate ter start, miss."
+
+"Listen to me," said Peggy. "What does Nell most need?"
+
+"Huh! MOST need? Most need? Well if I started in fer ter tell what she
+MOST needs I reckon you'd be scart nigh ter death. She needs everythin'
+an' seems like I can't git nothin'."
+
+"Well what did you hope to get for her?" asked Peggy, making a random
+shot.
+
+"Why she needs some shoes pretty bad, an' the doctor said she ought ter
+have nourishin' things ter eat, but, somehow, we can't seem ter git many
+extras."
+
+"Will you go into the market and get what you'd like from Mr. Bodwell?
+Here, give him this and tell him Miss Stewart sent you," and hastily
+taking a card from her case, Peggy wrote upon it:
+
+"Please give bearer what is needed," and signed her name. "Get a good
+thick steak and anything else Nell would like."
+
+The man hesitated. "But I ain't askin' charity, miss."
+
+"This is for NELL, and maybe I'll buy Pepper--if SHE will sell him,"
+flashed Peggy, with a radiant smile.
+
+"I'll do as yo' tell me, miss. Mebbe it's Providence. Nell always says:
+'The good Lord'll tell us how, Dad,' an' mebbe she's right, mebbe she
+is," and worn, weary, discouraged Jim Bolivar went toward the market.
+During his absence Jess returned.
+
+"Dat man's a no' 'count dead beat, Miss Peggy. Yas'm, he is fer a fac',
+an' he gwine treat dat hawse scan'lous."
+
+Peggy's eyes grew dark. "We'll see," was all she said, but Jess
+chuckled. Most of the help at Severndale knew that look. "Jess,
+unharness that horse and tie him behind the surrey," was her next
+astonishing order.
+
+"Fo' de Lawd's sake, Miss Peggy, what yo' bown' fer ter do? Yo' gwine
+start hawsestealin'?" Jess didn't know whether to laugh or take it
+seriously. When Jim Bolivar returned Pepper was trying to reason out the
+wherefor of being hitched behind such a handsome vehicle as Peggy's
+surrey, and Jess was protesting:
+
+"But--but--butter," stammered Jess, "Miss Peggy, yo' am' never in de
+roun' worl' gwine ter drive from de town an' clar out ter Severndale wid
+dat disrep'u'ble ol' hawse towin' 'long behime WE ALL?"
+
+"I certainly am, and what is more, Jim Bolivar is going to sit on the
+back seat and hold the leader. He has got to get HOME and he can't
+without help. Mr. Bolivar, please do as I say," Peggy's voice held a
+merry note but her little nod of authority meant "business."
+
+"But look at me, miss," protested Bolivar. "I ain't fit ter ride with
+yo', no how."
+
+"I am not afraid of criticism," replied Peggy, with the little up-
+tilting of the head which told of her Stewart ancestry. "When I know a
+thing is right I DO it. Steady, Comet. Quiet, Meteor," for the horses
+had been standing some time and seemed inclined to proceed upon two legs
+instead of four. "We'll stop at Brooks' for the shoes, then we'll go
+around to Dove's; I've a little commission for him."
+
+"Yas'm, yas'm," nodded Jess.
+
+The shoes were bought, Peggy selecting them and giving them to Bolivar
+with the words: "It will soon be Easter and this is my Easter gift to
+Nellie, with my love," she added with a smile which made the shoes a
+hundred-fold more valuable.
+
+Then off to the livery stable.
+
+"Mr. Dove, do you know a man named Steinberger?"
+
+"I know an old skinflint by that name," corrected Dove.
+
+"Well, you are to buy a horse from him. Seventy-five dollars OUGHT to be
+the price, but a hundred is available if necessary. But do your best.
+The horse's name is Salt--yes--that is right," as Dove looked
+incredulous, "and he is a flea-bitten gray--mate to this one behind us.
+Steinberger bought him today, and I want you to beat him at his own game
+if you can, for he has certainly beaten a better man."
+
+"You count on me, Miss Stewart, you count on me. Whatever YOU say goes
+with me."
+
+"Thank you, I'll wait and see what happens."
+
+Their homeward progress was slower than usual, for poor half-starved
+Pepper could not keep pace with Comet and Meteor. About four miles from
+Annapolis Bolivar directed them into a by-road which led to an isolated
+farm, as poor, forlorn a specimen as one could find. But in spite of its
+disrepair there was something of home in its atmosphere and the dooryard
+was carefully brushed. Turkey red curtains at the lower windows gave an
+air of cheeriness to the lonely place. As they drew near a hound came
+bounding out to greet them with a deep-throated bark, and a moment later
+a girl about Peggy's age appeared at the door. Peggy thought she had
+never seen a sweeter or a sadder face. She was fair to transparency with
+great questioning blue eyes, masses of golden hair waving softly back
+from her face and gathered into a thick braid. She walked with a slight
+limp, and looked in surprise at the strange visitors, and her big blue
+eyes were full of a vague doubt.
+
+"It's all right, honey. It's all right," called Bolivar. "'Aint nothin'
+but Providence a-workin' out, I reckon, jist like yo' say.
+
+"We have brought your father and Pepper home. Salt is all right, Nelly.
+You will see him again pretty soon."
+
+"Oh, has anything happened to Salt, Dad?" asked the girl quickly.
+
+"Well, not anything, so-to-speak. Jist let Miss Stewart, here, run it
+and it'll come out all right. I'm bankin' on that, judgin' from the way
+she's done so far. She's got a head a mile long, honey, she has, an' has
+mine beat ter a frazzle. Mine's kind o' wore out I reckon, an' no
+'count, no more. Come long out an' say howdy."
+
+Nelly Bolivar came to the surrey and smiling up into Peggy's face, said:
+
+"Of course I know who you are, everybody does, but I never expected to
+really, truly know you, and I'm a right proud girl to shake hands with
+you," and a thin hand, showing marks of toil, was held to Peggy. There
+was a sweet dignity in the act and words.
+
+Peggy took it in her gloved one, saying:
+
+"I didn't suspect I was so well known. For a quiet girl I'm beginning to
+know a lot of people. But I must go now, it is getting very late. Your
+father is going to bring Pepper over to see me soon and maybe he will
+bring you, too. He has such a lot to tell you that I'll not delay it a
+bit longer. Good-bye, and remember a lot of pleasant things are going to
+happen," and with the smile which won all who knew her, Peggy drove
+away.
+
+If people's right ears burn when others are speaking kindly of them,
+Peggy's should have burned hard that evening, for Nelly Bolivar listened
+eagerly as her father told of the afternoon's experiences and Peggy's
+part in them.
+
+Two days later Salt was delivered at Severndale. Dove had been as good
+as his word. Shelby gave him one glance and said:
+
+"Well, if some men knew a HOSS as quick as that thar girl does, there'd
+be fewer no 'count beasts in the world. Put him in a stall and tell Jim
+Jarvis I want him to take care of him as if he was the Emperor. I know
+what I'm sayin', an' Miss Peggy knows what she's a-doin', an' that's
+more 'n I kin say for MOST women-folks."
+
+So Salt found himself in the lap of luxury and one week of it so
+transformed him that at the end of it poor Pepper would hardly have
+known his mate. Yet with all the care bestowed upon him the poor horse
+grieved for his mate, and never did hoof-beat fall upon the ground
+without his questioning neigh.
+
+Peggy visited him every day and was touched by his response to her
+petting; it showed what Nelly had done for him. But she was quick to
+understand the poor creature's nervous watching for his lost mate, and
+evident loneliness. At length she had him turned into the paddock with
+the other horses, but even this failed to console him. He stood at the
+paling looking down the road, again and again neighing his call for the
+companion which failed to answer. Peggy began to wonder what had become
+of Jim Bolivar. Two more weeks passed. Mrs. Harold and Polly had
+returned from Old Point and upon a beautiful April afternoon Polly and
+Peggy were out on the little training track where Polly, mounted upon
+Silver Star, was taking her first lesson in hurdles; a branch of her
+equestrian education which thus far had not been taken up.
+
+Star was beautifully trained, and took the low hurdles like a lapwing,
+though it must be confessed that Polly felt as though her head had
+snapped off short the first time he rose and landed.
+
+"My gracious, Peggy, do you nearly break your neck every time you take a
+fence?" she cried, settling her hat which had flopped down over her
+face.
+
+"Not quite," laughed Peggy, skimming over a five-barred hurdle as though
+it were five inches. "But, oh, Polly, look at Salt! Look at him! He acts
+as though he'd gone crazy," she cried, for the horse had come to the
+fence which divided his field from the track and was neighing and pawing
+in the most excited manner, now and again making feints of springing
+over.
+
+"Why I believe he would jump if he only knew how," answered Polly
+eagerly.
+
+"And I believe he DOES know how already," and Peggy slipped from Shashai
+to go to the fence. Just then, however, the sound of an approaching
+vehicle caught her ears, and the next instant Salt was tearing away
+across the field like a wild thing, neighing loudly with every bound,
+and from the roadway came the answering neigh for which he had waited so
+long, and Pepper came plodding along, striving his best to hasten toward
+the call he knew and loved. But Pepper had not been full-fed with oats,
+corn and bran-mashes, doctored by a skilled hand, or groomed by Jim
+Jarvis, as Salt had been for nearly four blissful weeks, and an empty
+stomach is a poor spur. But he could come to the fence and rub noses
+with Salt, and Peggy and Polly nearly fell into each other's arms with
+delight.
+
+"Oh, doesn't it make you just want to cry to see them?" said Polly, half
+tearfully.
+
+"They shan't be separated again," was Peggy's positive assertion. "How
+do you do, Mr. Bolivar? Why, Nelly, have you been ill?" for the girl
+looked almost too sick to sit up.
+
+"Yes, Miss Peggy, that's why Dad couldn't come sooner. He had to take
+care of me. He has fretted terribly over it too, because--"
+
+"Now, now! Tut, tut, honey. Never mind, Miss Peggy don't want to hear
+nothin' 'bout--"
+
+"Yes she does, too, and Nelly will tell us, She is coming right up to
+the house with us--this is my friend Miss Polly Howland, Nelly--Nelly
+Bolivar, Polly--and while you go find Shelby, Mr. Bolivar, and tell him
+I say to take--oh, here you are, Shelby. This is Mr. Bolivar. Please
+take him up to your cottage and take GOOD care of him, and give Pepper
+the very best feed he ever had. Then turn him out in the pasture with
+Salt. "We will be back again in an hour to talk horse just as fast as we
+can, and DON'T FORGET WHAT I TOLD YOU ABOUT PEPPER'S POINTS."
+
+"I won't, Miss Peggy, but I ain't got to open more'n HALF an eye no
+how."
+
+Peggy laughed, then slipping her arm through Nelly's, said:
+
+"Come up to the house with us. Mammy will know what you need to make you
+feel stronger, and you are going to be Polly's and my girl this
+afternoon."
+
+Quick to understand, Polly slipped to Nelly's other side, and the two
+strong, robust girls, upon whom fortune and Nature had smiled so kindly,
+led their less fortunate little sister to the great house.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+
+THE SPICE OF PEPPER AND SALT
+
+
+About an hour later the girls were back at the paddock, Nelly's face
+alight with joy, for it had not taken good old Mammy long to see that
+the chief cause of Nelly's lack of strength was lack of proper
+nourishment, and her skilled old hands were soon busy with sherry and
+raw eggs as a preliminary, to be followed by one of Aunt Cynthia's
+dainty little luncheons; a luncheon composed of what Mammy hinted "mus'
+be somethin' wha' gwine fer ter stick ter dat po' chile's ribs, 'case
+she jist nachelly half-starved."
+
+Consequently, the half-hour spent in partaking of it did more to put new
+life in little Nelly Bolivar than many days had done before, and there
+was physical strength and mental spirit also to sustain her.
+
+The old carryall still stood near the training track and saying:
+
+"Now you sit in there and rest while Polly and I do stunts for your
+amusement," Peggy helped Nelly into the seat.
+
+"I feel just like a real company lady," said Nelly happily, as she
+settled herself to watch the girls whom she admired with all the ardor
+of her starved little soul.
+
+"You ARE a real company lady," answered Peggy and Polly, "and we are
+going to entertain you with a sure-enough circus. All you've got to do
+is to applaud vigorously no matter how poor the show. Come on, Polly,"
+and springing upon their horses, which had mean-time been patiently
+waiting in the care of Bud, off they raced around the track, Nelly
+watching with fascinated gaze.
+
+Meanwhile Pepper and Salt had been rejoicing in their reunion, Salt full
+of spirit and pranks as the result of his good care, and poor Pepper,
+for once full-fed, wonderfully "chirkered" up in consequence, though in
+sharp contrast to his mate.
+
+As Peggy and Polly cavorted around the track, racing, jumping and
+cutting all manner of pranks, Salt's attention to his mate seemed to be
+diverted. The antics of Star and Shashai, unhampered, happy and free as
+wild things, seemed to excite him past control. Again and again he ran
+snorting toward the paling, turning to whinny an invitation to Pepper,
+but, even with his poor, half-starved stomach for once well-filled,
+Pepper could not enthuse as his mate did; ONE square meal a year cannot
+compensate for so many others missed, and bring about miracles.
+
+Around and around the track swept the girls, taking hurdles, and cutting
+a dozen antics. At length Peggy, who had been watching Salt, stopped,
+and saying to Polly:
+
+"I'm going to try an experiment," she slipped from Shashai's back. Going
+to the fence she vaulted the four-foot barrier as easily as Shashai
+would have skimmed over six. Salt came to her at once, but Pepper
+hesitated. It was only momentary, for soon both heads were nestling
+confidingly to her. She was never without her little bag of sugar and a
+lump or two were eagerly accepted. Then going to Salt's side she crooned
+into his ear some of her mysterious "nightmare talk," as Shelby called
+it. It was a curious power the girl exercised over animals--almost
+hypnotic. Salt nozzled and fussed over her. Then saying:
+
+"Steady, boy. Steady." She gave one of her sudden springs and landed
+astride his back, saddleless and halterless. He gave a startled snort
+and tore away around the paddock. Polly was now used to any new
+departure, but Nelly gave a little shriek and clasped her hands. "She is
+all right, don't be frightened," smiled Polly. "She can do anything with
+a horse; I sometimes think she must have been a horse herself once upon
+a time." Nelly looked puzzled, but Polly laughed. Meanwhile Peggy was
+talking to her unusual mount. He seemed a trifle bewildered, but
+presently struck into a long, sweeping run--the perfect stride of the
+racer. Peggy gave a quick little nod of understanding as she felt the
+long, gliding motion she knew so well. As she came around to her friends
+she reached forward and laying hold of a strand of the silvery mane,
+said softly: "Who--ooa. Steady." What was it in the girl's voice which
+commanded obedience? Salt stopped close to his mate and began to rub
+noses with him as though confiding a secret.
+
+"Bud," commanded Peggy, "go to the stable and fetch me a snaffle
+bridle." The bridle was brought and carefully adjusted.
+
+"Come, Salt, NOW we will put it to the test; those flank muscles mean
+something unless I'm mistaken."
+
+During all this Shelby and Bolivar had come up to the paddock and stood
+watching the girl.
+
+"Ain't she jist one fair clipper?" asked Shelby, proudly. "Lord, but
+that girl's worth about a dozen of your ornery kind. She's a
+thoroughbred all through, she is."
+
+"Well, I ain't never seen nothin' like that, fer a fact, I ain't. I
+knowed them was good horses, but, well, I didn't know they was SADDLE
+horses."
+
+"They've more'n SADDLE horses, man, an' I'm bettin' a month's wages your
+eyes'll fair pop out inside five minutes. I know HER ways. I larned 'em
+to her, some on 'em, at least--but most was born in her. They HAS ter
+be. There's some things can't be L'ARNT, man."
+
+Once more Peggy started, this time her mount showing greater confidence
+in her. At first they loped lightly around the paddock, poor old Pepper
+alternately following, then stopping to look at his mate, apparently
+trying to reason it all out. Gradually the pace increased until once
+more Salt swept along in the stride which from time immemorial has
+distinguished racing blood. The fifth time around the broad field, Peggy
+turned him suddenly and making straight for the paling, cried in a
+ringing voice:
+
+"On! On! Up--Over!"
+
+The horse quivered, his muscles grew tense, then there was a gathering
+together of the best in him and the fence was taken as only running
+blood takes an obstacle.
+
+Then HER surprise came:
+
+Pepper meantime seemed to have lost his wits. As Salt neared the fence,
+the mate who for years had plodded beside him began to tear around and
+around the field, snorting, whinnying and giving way to the wildest
+excitement. As Salt skimmed over the fence Pepper's decorum fled, and
+with a loud neigh he tore after him, made a wild leap and cleared the
+barrier by a foot, then startled and shaken from his unwonted exertion,
+he stood with legs wide apart, trembling and quivering.
+
+In an instant Peggy had wheeled her mount and was beside the poor
+frightened creature; frightened because his blood had asserted itself
+and he had literally outdone himself. Slipping from Salt's back she
+tossed her bridle to Shelby who had hurried toward her, and taking
+Pepper's head in her arms petted and caressed him as she would have
+petted and caressed a child which had made a superhuman effort to
+perform some seemingly impossible act.
+
+"Nelly, Nelly, come here. Come. He will know your voice so much better
+than mine," she called, and Nelly scrambled out of the wagon as quickly
+as possible, crying:
+
+"Why, Miss Stewart, HOW did you do it. Why we never knew they were so
+wonderful. Oh, Dad, did you know they could jump and run like that?"
+
+"I knew they come o' stock that HAD run, an' jumped like that, but I
+didn't know all that ginger was in 'em. No I did NOT. It took Miss
+Stewart fer ter find THAT out, an' she sure has found it. Why, Pepper,
+old hoss," he added, stroking the horse's neck, "you've sartin' done
+yo'self proud this day."
+
+Pepper nozzled and nickered over him, evidently trying to tell him that
+the act had been partly inspired by the call of the blood, and partly by
+his love for his mate. Perhaps Bolivar did not interpret it just that
+way, but PEGGY DID.
+
+"Mr. Bolivar, I know Nelly loves Pepper and Salt, but I'd like to make
+you an offer for those horses just the same. I knew when I first saw
+them that they had splendid possibilities and only needed half a chance.
+You need two strong, able work-horses for your farm--these horses are
+both too high-bred for such work, that you know as well as I do--so I
+propose that we make a sensible bargain right now. We have a span of
+bays; good, stout fellows six years old, which we have used on the
+estate. They shall be yours for this pair with one hundred and twenty-
+five dollars to boot. Salt and Pepper are worth six hundred dollars
+right now, and in a little while, and under proper care and training,
+will be worth a good deal more. Shelby will bear me out in that, won't
+you?"
+
+"I'd be a plumb fool if I didn't, miss," was Shelby's reply, and Peggy
+nodded and resumed: "I have paid seventy-five dollars for Salt, adding
+to that the one-twenty-five and the span, which I value at four hundred,
+would make it a square deal, don't you think so?"
+
+Bolivar looked at the girl as though he thought she had taken leave of
+her wits. "One hundred and twenty-five dollars, and a span worth four
+hundred for a pair of horses which a month before he would have found it
+hard to sell for seventy-five each?--well, Miss Stewart must certainly
+be crazy." Peggy laughed at his bewilderment.
+
+"I'm perfectly serious, Mr. Bolivar," she said.
+
+"Yas'm, yas'm, but, my Lord, miss, I ain't seen THAT much money in two
+year, and your horses--I ain't seen 'em, and I don't want ter; if YOU
+say they're worth it that goes, but--but--well, well, things has been
+sort o' tough--sort o' tough," and poor, tired, discouraged Jim Bolivar
+leaned upon the fence and wept from sheer bodily weakness and nervous
+exhaustion.
+
+Nelly ran to his side to clasp her arms about him and cry:
+
+"Dad! Dad! Poor Dad. Don't! Don't! It's all right, Dad. We won't worry
+about things. God has taken care of us so far and He isn't going to
+stop."
+
+"That ain't it, honey. That ain't it," said poor Bolivar, slipping a
+trembling arm about her. "It's--it's--oh, I can't jist rightly say what
+'tis."
+
+"Wall by all that's great, _I_ know, then," exclaimed Shelby, clapping
+him on the shoulder. "_I_ know, 'cause I've BEEN there: It's bein' jist
+down, out an' discouraged with everythin' and not a blame soul fer ter
+give a man a boost when he needs it. I lived all through that kind o'
+thing afore I came ter Severndale, an' 'taint a picter I like fer ter
+dwell upon. No it ain't, an' we're goin' ter bust yours ter smithereens
+right now. You don't want fer ter look at it no longer."
+
+"No I don't, I don't fer a fact," answered Bolivar, striving manfully to
+pull himself together and dashing from his eyes the tears which he felt
+had disgraced him.
+
+Peggy drew near. Her eyes were soft and tender as a doe's, and the
+pretty lips quivered as she said:
+
+"Mr. Bolivar, please don't try to go home tonight. Shelby can put you
+up, and Nelly shall stay with me. You are tired and worn out and the
+change will do you good. Then you can see the horses and talk it all
+over with Shelby, and by tomorrow things will look a lot brighter. And
+Nelly and I will have a little talk together too."
+
+"I can't thank ye, miss. No, I can't. There ain't no words big nor grand
+enough fer ter do that. I ain't never seen nothin' like it, an' yo've
+made a kind o' heaven fer Nelly. Yes, go 'long with Miss Peggy, honey.
+Ye ain't never been so looked after since yo' ma went on ter Kingdom
+Come." He kissed the delicate little face and turning to Shelby, said:
+
+"Now come on an' I'll quit actin' like a fool."
+
+"There's other kinds o' fools in this world," was Shelby's cryptic
+reply. "Jim," he called, "look after them horses," indicating Pepper and
+Salt, and once more united, the two were led away to the big stable
+where their future was destined to bring fame to Severndale.
+
+Bolivar went with Shelby to his quarters, and their interest in riding
+having given way to the greater one in Nelly, the girls told Bud to take
+their horses back to the stable. From that moment, Nelly Bolivar's life
+was transformed. The following day she and her father went back to the
+little farm behind the well conditioned span from Severndale, and a good
+supply of provisions for all, for Shelby had insisted upon giving them
+what he called, "a good send off" on his own account, and enough oats
+and corn went with Tom and Jerry, as the new horses were named, to keep
+them well provisioned for many a day.
+
+"Jist give 'em half a show an' they'll earn their keep," advised Shelby.
+"I'll stop over before long and lend a hand gettin' things ship-shape. I
+know they're boun' ter get out o' kilter when yo' don't have anybody ter
+help. One pair o' hands kin only do jist so much no matter how hard they
+work. Good luck."
+
+From that hour Nelly was Peggy's protege. The little motherless girl
+living so close to Severndale, her home, her circumstances in such
+contrast to her own, wakened in Peggy an understanding of what lay
+almost at her door, and so many trips were made to the little farm-house
+that spring that Shashai and Tzaritza often started in that direction of
+their own accord when Peggy set forth upon one of her outings.
+
+And meanwhile, over in the hospital, Dunmore was growing weaker and
+weaker as the advancing springtide was bringing to Nelly Bolivar renewed
+health and strength, so strangely are things ordered in this world, and
+with Easter the brave spirit took its flight, leaving many to mourn the
+lad whom all had so loved. For some time the shadow of his passing lay
+upon the Academy, then spring athletics absorbed every one's interest
+and Ralph made the crew, to Polly's intense delight. In May he rowed on
+the plebe crew against a high school crew and beat them "to a
+standstill." Then came rehearsal for the show to be given by the
+Masqueraders, the midshipmen's dramatic association, and at this
+occurred something which would have been pronounced utterly impossible
+had the world's opinion been asked. The show was to be given the last
+week in May.
+
+Mr. Harold and Mr. Stewart would arrive a few days before, each on a
+month's leave. As Happy was one of the moving spirits of the show, he
+was up to his eyes in business. Clever in everything he undertook, he
+was especially talented in music, playing well and composing in no
+mediocre manner. He had written practically all the score of the musical
+comedy to be given by the Masqueraders, and among other features, a
+whistling chorus.
+
+Now if there was one thing Polly could do it was whistle. Indeed, she
+insisted that it was her only accomplishment and many a happy little
+impromptu concert was given in Middies' Haven with Happy's guitar,
+Shortie's mandolin and Durand's violin.
+
+Of course, all the characters in the play were taken by the boys, many
+of them making perfectly fascinating girls, but when the whistling
+chorus was written by Happy, Polly was no small aid to him, and again
+and again this chorus was rehearsed in Middies' Haven, sometimes by a
+few of the number who would compose it, and again by the entire number;
+the star performer being a little chap from Ralph's class whose voice
+still held its boyish treble and whose whistle was like a bird's notes.
+Naturally, Polly had learned the entire score, for one afternoon during
+the past autumn while the girls were riding through the beautiful
+woodlands near Severndale, Polly had whistled an answer to a bob-white's
+call. So perfect had been her mimicry that the bird had been completely
+deceived and answering repeatedly, had walked almost up to Silver Star's
+feet. Peggy was enraptured, and then learned that Polly could mimic many
+bird calls, and whistle as sweetly as the birds themselves. Peggy had
+lost no time in making this known to the boys, much to Polly's
+embarrassment, but the outcome had been the delightful little concerts,
+and Happy had made the various bird notes the theme of his bird chorus.
+It was a wonderfully pretty thing and bound to make a big hit, so all
+agreed. Consequently, little Van Nostrand had been drilled until he
+declared he woke himself up in the night whistling, and so the days sped
+away. Mr. Harold and Daddy Neil had arrived and the morning of the
+Masqueraders' show dawned. In less than twelve hours the bird chorus
+would be on the stage whistling Polly's bird notes. Then Wharton Van
+Nostrand fell ill with tonsilitis and was packed off to the hospital!
+
+Happy was desperate. Who under the sun would take his part? There was
+not another man whose voice was like Wharton's. Happy flew about like a
+distracted hen, at length rushing to Mrs. Harold and begging her to give
+him just TEN minutes private interview.
+
+"Why, what under the sun do you want, Happy?" she asked, going into her
+own room and debarring all the others whose curiosity was at the
+snapping point. When they emerged Happy's face was brimful of glee, but
+Mrs. Harold warned:
+
+"Mind the promise is only conditional: If Polly says 'yes' well and
+good, but if you let the secret out you and I will be enemies
+forevermore."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+
+THE MASQUERADERS' SHOW
+
+
+It was the night of the Masqueraders' Show. The auditorium was packed,
+for Annapolis was thronged with the relatives of the graduating class as
+well as hundreds of visitors.
+
+Among others were Polly Howland's mother, her married sister Constance,
+and her brother-in-law, Harry Hunter, now an ensign. They had been
+married at Polly's home in Montgentian, N.J., almost a year ago. Harry
+Hunter had graduated from the Academy the year Happy and his class were
+plebes, and had been the two-striper of the company of which Wheedles
+was now the two-striper. His return to Annapolis with his lovely young
+wife was the signal for all manner of festive doings, and it need hardly
+be added that Mrs. Harold's party had a row of seats which commanded
+every corner of the stage. Mr. Stewart and Peggy were of the party, of
+course, and anything radiating more perfect happiness than Peggy's face
+that night it would have been hard to find. Was not Daddy Neil beside
+her, and in her private opinion the finest looking officer present?
+Again and again as she sat next him she slipped her hand into his to
+give it a rapturous little squeeze. Nor was "Daddy Neil" lacking in
+appreciation of the favors of the gods. The young girl sitting at his
+side, in spite of her modesty and utter lack of self-consciousness, was
+quite charming enough to make any parent's heart thrill with pride. With
+her exceptional tact, Mrs. Harold had won Harrison's favor, Harrison
+pronouncing her: "A real, born lady, more like your own ma than any one
+you've met up with since you lost her; SHE was one perfect lady if one
+ever lived."
+
+It had been rather a delicate position for Mrs. Harold to assume, that
+of unauthorized guardian and counsellor to this young girl who had come
+into her life by such an odd chance, but Mrs. Harold seemed to be born
+to mother all the world, and subtly Harrison recognized the fact that
+Peggy was growing beyond her care and guidance, and the thousand little
+amenities of the social world in which she would so soon move and have
+her being. For more than a year this knowledge had been a source of
+disquietude to the good soul who for eight years had guarded her little
+charge so faithfully, and she had often confided to Mammy Lucy:
+
+"That child is getting clear beyond ME. She's growin' up that fast it
+fair takes my breath away, and she knows more right now in five minutes
+than I ever knew in my whole life, though 'twouldn't never in this world
+do to let her suspicion it."
+
+Consequently, once having sized up Mrs. Harold, and fully decided as the
+months rolled by that she "weren't no meddlesome busybody, a-trying to
+run things," she was only too glad to ask her advice in many instances,
+and Peggy's toilet this evening was one of them. Poor old Harrison had
+begun to find the intricacies of a young girl's toilet a trifle too
+complex for her, and had gone to Mrs. Harold for advice. The manner in
+which it was given removed any lingering vestige of doubt remaining in
+Harrison's soul, and tonight Peggy was a vision of girlish loveliness in
+a soft pink crepe meteor made with a baby waist, the round neck frilled
+with the softest lace, the little puffed sleeves edged with it, and a
+"Madam Butterfly" sash and bow of the crepe encircling her lithe waist.
+Her hair was drawn loosely back and tied a la pompadour with a bow of
+pink satin ribbon, another gathering in the rich, soft abundance of it
+just below the neck.
+
+By chance she sat between Mrs. Howland and her father, Mrs. Harold was
+next Mrs. Howland, with Mr. Harold, Constance and Snap just beyond, and
+Polly at the very end of the seat, though why she had slipped there Mrs.
+Howland could not understand.
+
+Peggy had instantly been attracted to Mrs. Howland and had fallen in
+love with Constance as only a young girl can give way to her admiration
+for another several years her senior. But there was nothing of the
+foolish "crush" in her attitude: it was the wholesome admiration of a
+normal girl, and Constance was quick to feel it. Mrs. Howland was
+smaller and daintier than Mrs. Harold, though in other ways there was a
+striking resemblance between these two sisters. Mrs. Harold, largely as
+the result of having lived among people in the service, was prompt,
+decisive of action, and rather commanding in manner, though possessing a
+most tender, sympathetic heart. Mrs. Howland, whose whole life had been
+spent in her home, with the exception of the trips taken with her
+husband and children when they were young, for she had been a widow many
+years, had a rather retiring manner, gentle and lovable, and, as Peggy
+thought, altogether adorable, for her manner with Polly was tenderness
+itself, and Polly's love for her mother was constantly manifested in a
+thousand little affectionate acts. She had a little trick of running up
+to her and half crying, half crooning:
+
+"Let me play cooney-kitten and get close," and then nestling her sunny
+head into her mother's neck, where the darker head invariably snuggled
+down against it and a caressing hand stroked the spun gold as a gentle
+voice said:
+
+"Mother's sun-child. The little daughter who helps fill her world with
+light." Polly loved to hear those words and Peggy thought how dear it
+must be to have some claim to such a tender love and know that one meant
+so much to the joy and happiness of another.
+
+Mrs. Harold had written a great deal of Peggy's history to this sister,
+so Mrs. Howland felt by no means a stranger to the young girl beside
+her, and her heart was full of sympathy when she thought of her lonely
+life in spite of all this world had given her of worldly goods.
+
+Meantime the little opera opened with a dashing chorus, a ballet
+composed, apparently, of about fifty fetching young girls, gowned in the
+most up-to-date costumes, wearing large picture hats which were the envy
+of many a real feminine heart in the audience, and carrying green
+parsols with long sticks and fascinating tassles. Oh, the costumer knew
+his business and those dainty high-heeled French slippers seemed at
+least five sizes smaller than they really were as they tripped so
+lightly through the mazes of the ballet. But alack! the illusion was
+just a TRIFLE dispelled when the ballet-girls broke into a rollicking
+chorus, for some of those voices boomed across the auditorium with an
+undoubtable masculine power.
+
+Nevertheless, the ballet was encored until the poor dancers were mopping
+rouge-tinged perspiration from their faces. One scene followed another
+in rapid order, all going off without a hitch until the curtain fell
+upon the first act, and during the interval and general bustle of friend
+greeting friend Polly and Mrs. Harold disappeared. At first, Mrs.
+Howland was not aware of their absence, then becoming alive to it she
+asked:
+
+"Connie, dear, what has become of Aunt Janet and Polly?"
+
+"I am sure I don't know, mother. They were here only a moment ago,"
+answered Constance.
+
+"I saw them go off with Happy, beating it for all they were worth toward
+the wings, Carissima," answered Snap, using for Mrs. Howland the name he
+had given her when he first met her, for this splendid big son-in-law
+loved her as though she were his own mother, and that love was returned
+in full.
+
+"Peggy, dear, can you enlighten us?" asked Mrs. Howland looking at the
+girl beside her, for her lips were twitching and her eyes a-twinkle.
+
+Peggy laughed outright, then cried contritely:
+
+"Oh, I beg your pardon, Mrs. Howland, I did not mean to be rude, but it
+is a secret, and such a funny one, too; I'd tell if I dared but I've
+promised not to breathe it."
+
+"Run out an extra cable then, daughter," laughed Commander Stewart.
+
+"I think this one will hold," was Mrs. Howland's prompt answer, with a
+little pat upon Peggy's soft arm. "She's a staunch little craft, I
+fancy. I won't ask a single question if I must not." A moment later the
+lights were lowered and the curtains were rung back. The scene drew
+instant applause. It was a pretty woodland with a stream flowing in the
+background. Grouped upon the stage in picturesque attitudes were about
+forty figures costumed to represent various birds, and in their midst
+was a charming little maiden, evidently the only human being in this
+bird-world, and presently it was disclosed to the audience that she was
+held as a hostage to these bird-beings, until the prince of their
+enchanted world should be released from bondage in the land of human
+beings and restored to them.
+
+"Why who in this world can that little chap be?"
+
+"I didn't know there was such a tiny midshipman in the whole brigade."
+
+"Doesn't he make a perfectly darling girl, though?"
+
+"Perfectly lovable, hugable and adorable," were the laughing comments.
+
+In the dim light Peggy buried her head in Daddy Neil's lap, trying to
+smother her laughter.
+
+"You--you little conspirator," he whispered. "I believe I've caught on."
+
+"Oh, don't whisper it. Don't!" instantly begged Peggy. "Polly would
+never forgive me for letting out the secret."
+
+"You haven't. I just did a little Yankee guessing, and I reckon I'm not
+far from the mark."
+
+"Hush, and listen. Isn't it pretty?"
+
+It was, indeed, pretty. The captive princess, captured because she had
+learned the secret of the bird language, began a little plaintive
+whistling call, soft, sweet, musical as a flute; the perfect notes of
+the hermit thrush. This was evidently the theme to be elaborated upon
+and the chorus took it up, led so easily, so harmoniously and so
+faultlessly by the dainty little figure with its bird-like notes. From
+the hermit-thrush's note to the liquid call of the wood-thrush, the
+wood-peewee, the cardinal's cheery song, the whip-poor-will's insistent
+questioning, on through the gamut of cat-birds, warblers, bob-whites and
+a dozen others, ran the pretty chorus, with its variations, the little
+princess' and her jailor birds' dancing and whistling completing the
+clever theme. When it ended the house went mad clapping, calling,
+shouting: "Encore! Encore!"
+
+And before it could be satisfied the obliging actors had given their
+chorus and ballet five times, and the whistlers' throats were dry as
+powder. As they left the stage for the last time the little princess
+flung HERself into Mrs. Harold's arms, gasping.
+
+"I know my whistle is smashed, destroyed, and mined beyond repair, Aunt
+Janet, but oh, wasn't it perfectly splendid to do it for the boys and
+hear that house applaud them."
+
+"Them?" cried a feathered creature coming up to give Polly a clap upon
+the back as he would have given a classmate. "Them! And where the
+mischief do YOU come in on this show-down? There listen to that. Do you
+know what it means? It means come out there in front of that curtain and
+get what's coming to you. Come on."
+
+"Oh, I can't! I can't! They'd recognize me and I wouldn't have them for
+worlds. Not for worlds! It would be perfectly awful," and Polly shrank
+back abashed.
+
+"Recognized! Awful nothing! You've got to come out. It's part of the
+performance," and hand in hand with Happy and Wheedles the abashed
+little princess was led before the foot-lights to receive an ovation and
+enough American beauty roses to hide her in a good-sized bower. As she
+started back she let fall some of her posies. Instantly, Wheedles was
+upon his knees, his hand pressed to his heart, and his eyes dancing with
+fun, as he handed her the roses. Shouts and renewed applause went up
+from the auditorium.
+
+"I KNOW that is a girl. I am positive of it. But WHO can she be?" was
+the comment of one of the ladies behind Mrs. Howland.
+
+"Well I have an idea _I_ might tell her name if I chose," said Mrs.
+Howland under her breath to Peggy.
+
+"Didn't she do it beautifully?" whispered Peggy, squeezing Mrs.
+Howland's hand in a rapture. "But please don't tell. Please don't."
+
+Mrs. Howland smiled down upon the eager face upraised to hers. "Do you
+think I am likely to?" she asked.
+
+Peggy nodded her head in negative, but before she could say more Polly
+and another girl came walking down the aisle. Even Peggy looked in
+surprise at the newcomer, then she gave a little gasp. The girl was much
+taller than Polly, and rather broad shouldered for a girl, but strange
+to relate, looked enough like Peggy to be her twin. Mr. Stewart gave a
+startled exclamation and seemed about to rise from his seat. Peggy laid
+a detaining hand upon his and whispered: "Don't." Her father looked at
+her as though he did not know whether his wits or hers were departing.
+The play was again in progress so Polly and her companion took their
+seats next Mrs. Harold who had returned some minutes before. Polly was
+doing her best to control her laughter, but the girl with her was the
+very personification of decorum.
+
+"In heaven's name who IS that girl?" Peggy's father asked in a low
+voice.
+
+"He's--he's--" and Peggy broke down.
+
+"What?"
+
+"Yes--I'll tell you later, but isn't it too funny for words?"
+
+"Why child she--he-ahem--that PERSON is enough like you to be your
+sister. Who--" and poor puzzled Neil Stewart was too bewildered to
+complete his sentence or follow the play.
+
+"Yes; I've known that from the first and it is perfectly absurd,"
+answered Peggy, "but I never realized HOW like me until this minute. But
+he will catch the very mischief if he is found out. But WHERE did he get
+those clothes? They aren't a part of the costumes so far as I know."
+
+But there is just where Peggy's calculations fell down, for the dainty
+lingerie gown, with its exquisite Charlotte Corday hat had been added to
+the costumes to substitute others which had been ordered but could not
+be supplied. Consequently Peggy had not happened to see it.
+
+And the handsome girl? Well she certainly WAS a beauty with her dark
+hair, perfect eyebrows, flashing dark eyes and faultless teeth. Her skin
+was dark but the cheeks were mantled with a wonderful color. As the play
+was still in progress, she could not, of course, enter into conversation
+with Polly's friends, but her smile was fascinating to a rare degree.
+
+At length the second act ended, and Neil Stewart could stand it no
+longer.
+
+"Peggy, introduce me to that girl right off. Why---why, she might be
+you," and Peggy's father fairly mopped his brow in perturbation.
+
+Peggy beckoned to the new arrival who managed to slip around the aisle
+and come to her end of the seat. If she minced with a rather affected
+step it was not commented upon. Most people were too fascinated by her
+beauty to criticise her walk. The look which the two exchanged puzzled
+Mr. Stewart more than ever. Peggy's lips were quivering as she said:
+
+"Miss--er, Miss Leroux, I want you to know Mrs. Howland and my father."
+
+"So delighted to," replied "Miss" Leroux, but at the words Mrs. Rowland
+gave a little gasp and Mr. Stewart who had risen to meet Peggy's friend,
+started as though some one had struck him, for the voice, even with
+Durand's best attempts to disguise it to a feminine pitch, held a
+quality which no girl's voice ever held.
+
+"Well I'll be--I'll be--why you unqualified scamp, who ARE you, and what
+do you mean by looking so exactly like my girl here that I don't know
+whether I've one daughter or two?" Then Durand fled, laughing as only
+Durand could--with eyes, lips and an indescribable expression which made
+both the laugh and himself absolutely irresistible.
+
+The following week sped away and before any one quite knew where it had
+gone the great June ball was a thing of the past and the morning had
+come which would mean the dividing of the ways for many.
+
+Happy, Wheedles, and Shortie had graduated and would have a month's
+leave. Durand was now a second-classman, Ralph a youngster, and about to
+start upon the summer practice cruise.
+
+The ships were to run down to Hampton Roads and then up to New London,
+where Mrs. Harold and all her party were to meet them, she and Mrs.
+Howland having taken rooms at the Griswold for the period the ships
+would be at New London.
+
+They had asked Peggy to go with them and when "Daddy Neil" arrived he
+was included in the invitation.
+
+But Daddy Neil had a plan or two of his own, and these plans he was not
+long in turning over with Mr. Harold to the satisfaction of all
+concerned, and they all decided that they "beat the first ones out of
+sight."
+
+As Daddy Neil was a man of prompt action he was not long in carrying
+them into effect, and they were nothing more nor less than a big house
+party in New London rather than the hotel life which had been planned.
+So telegraph wires were kept busy, and in no time one of the Griswold
+cottages was at the disposal of the entire party.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV
+
+OFF FOR NEW LONDON
+
+
+"Now I'm going to run THIS show, Harold, and you may just as well pipe
+down," rumbled Neil Stewart in his deep, wholesome voice. "Besides, I'm
+your ranking officer and here's where I prove it," he added, forcing Mr.
+Harold into his pet Morris chair and towering above him, his genial
+laugh filling the room.
+
+It was the Sunday afternoon following graduation. Many, indeed the
+greater portion of the graduates, had left for their homes, or to pay
+visits to friends before joining their ships at the end of their month's
+leave, though some still lingered, their plans as yet unformed.
+
+Wilmot Hall was practically deserted, for the scattering which takes
+place after graduation is hard to understand unless one is upon the
+scene to witness it.
+
+Mr. and Mrs. Harold, with Mr. Stewart, Peggy, Mrs. Howland, Constance,
+Snap, Polly, Shortie, Wheedles and Happy were gathered in Middies'
+Haven, and Neil Stewart had the floor. Since his return to Severndale he
+had spent more than half the time at Wilmot where his lodestar, Peggy,
+was staying with those she had grown to love so dearly, and where she
+was so entirely happy. Mr. Stewart had taken a room for June week in
+order to be near her, feeling reluctant to take her away from the
+friends who had done so much for her; more, a vast deal, he felt, than
+he could ever repay. It did not take him long to see the change which
+nine months had made in this little girl of his.
+
+Always lovable and exceptionally capable, there was now the added charm
+which association with a girl of her own age had developed in
+spontaneity, and her attitude toward Mrs. Harold--the pretty little
+affectionate demonstrations so unconsciously made--revealed to her
+father what Peggy had lacked for nearly nine years, and he began to
+waken to the fact to which Mrs. Harold had been alive for some time:
+that without meaning to be selfish in his sorrow for Peggy's mother, he
+had been wholly self-absorbed, leaving Peggy to live her life in a
+little world of her own creation.
+
+During the past two weeks HE had been put through a pretty severe
+scrutiny by Mrs. Harold, and in spite of her prejudices she began to see
+how circumstances had conspired to evolve the unusual order of things
+for both father and daughter, and her heart softened toward the big man
+who, while so complete a master of every situation on board his own
+ship, was so helpless to cope with this domestic problem. Nor could she
+see her way clear to remedy it further than she had already done. It
+seemed to be one of life's handicaps. But we can not understand the
+"why" of all things in this world, and must leave a great deal of it to
+the Father of all. Just now it seemed as though Neil Stewart was the
+instrument of that ordering.
+
+Mr. Harold looked up at him and joined in the laugh.
+
+"Maybe you think I'm going to give these fellows a demonstration of
+insubordination the very first clip. Not on your life. Fire away. You
+have the deck."
+
+"Well, I've got my cottage up there in New London--a good one too, if I
+can judge by all the hot air that has escaped concerning it. Jerome and
+Mammy are packed off to open it up and make it habitable against our
+arrival, and everything's all skee and shipshape so far as THAT part of
+the plan is blocked out. The ship's in commission but now comes the
+question of her personnel. You, Harold, and your wife have been good
+enough to act as second and third in command but we must have junior
+officers. Thus far the detail foots up only five; just a trifle shy on
+numbers, and I want it to number, let me see, at least eleven," and he
+nodded toward the others seated about the room. Some looked at him in
+doubt. Then Happy said:
+
+"But, Mr. Stewart. I'm afraid I've got to beat it for home, sir."
+
+"Where is home?"
+
+"Up the Hudson, sir."
+
+"That's all right. And yours?" indicating Shortie.
+
+"Vermont, sir."
+
+"And yours?"
+
+"Near Philadelphia, sir," said Wheedles.
+
+"All within twelve hours of New London, aren't they?"
+
+"Yes sir."
+
+"Very well; that settles it. You give us ten days at least, and we'll do
+the Regatta at New London and any other old thing worth doing. Will you
+wire your people that you're going with us? 'Orders from your superior
+officer.' Who knows but you may all hit my ship and in that case you may
+as well fall in at once."
+
+"Well you better believe there'll be no kick--I beg your pardon sir--I
+mean, I'll be delighted," stammered Happy.
+
+"That Western Union wire is going to fuse, sir," was Wheedles'
+characteristic response.
+
+"I said last time I was up at New London that I'd be singed and sizzled
+if I ever went again, sir, and that just goes to show 'what fools we
+mortals be'," was Shortie's quizzical answer.
+
+"Orders received and promptly obeyed. So far so good," was the hearty
+response. "Now to the next. Mrs. Howland, what about you and your plans!
+We've got this little girl in tow all tight and fast, but you haven't
+put out a signal."
+
+"It all sounds most enticing, but do you know I have another girl to
+think about? She is up at Smith College and will graduate in one week. I
+must be there for THAT if I never do another thing. It is an event in
+her life and mine."
+
+"Hum; yes; I see; of course. We've got to get around that, haven't we?
+And I dare say YOU two think you've got to be on deck also," he added,
+nodding at Constance and Snap, who in return nodded their reply in a
+very positive manner.
+
+"Are you going to jump ship too, little captain?" he asked, turning
+suddenly to Polly.
+
+"Oh please don't. We need you so much," pleaded Peggy.
+
+"I'd like to see Gail graduate, but oh, I do want to go to New London
+just dreadfully," cried Polly.
+
+"You would better go, dear," said Mrs. Howland, deciding the question
+for her. "You would have but three days at Northampton and they would
+hardly mean as much to you as the same number at New London. Constance,
+Snap and I will go up, and then perhaps we will come on to New London. I
+must first learn Gail's plans."
+
+"You will ALL come up. Every last one of you, Gail too; and if Gail
+bears even a passing resemblance to the rest of her family she isn't
+going to disgrace it."
+
+"She's perfectly lovely, Mr. Stewart," was Polly's emphatic praise of
+her pretty, twenty-year-old sister.
+
+"Your word goes, captain," answered Mr. Stewart, crossing the room to
+where the girls sat upon the couch. "Gangway, please," he said,
+motioning them apart and seating himself between them. "My, but these
+are pretty snug quarters," he added, placing an arm around each and
+drawing them close to him. Peggy promptly nestled her head upon his
+shoulder.
+
+"My other shoulder feels lonesome," said Mr. Stewart, smiling into
+Polly's face. The next second the bronze head was cuddled down also.
+"That's pretty nice. Best game of rouge et noir ever invented," nodded
+Neil Stewart, a happy smile upon his strong face. "Now to proceed: There
+are, thus far, eleven of us. When we capture Gail we shall have twelve.
+A round dozen. Good! Now how to get up there is the next question. I've
+hit it! Let's make an auto trip of it.''
+
+"An auto trip," chorused the others.
+
+"Sure thing! Why not? Look here, people, this is my holiday. Such a
+holiday as I haven't had in years, and at the end of it is something
+else for me. Harold knows, but he's been too wise to give it away. I
+didn't know it myself until I came through Washington, but--well--it's
+pretty good news. I didn't mean to blurt it out, but this is sort of a
+family conclave and I needn't ask you all to keep it in the family; but
+up there in the Boston Navy Yard is an old fighting machine of which I
+am to be captain when I get back in harness--"
+
+"What! Oh, Daddy! Daddy! How splendid!" cried Peggy. "Oh, I've just got
+to hug you hard,'' and she smothered him in a regular bear hug.
+
+"That's better than the promotion," he said, his eyes shining, and his
+thoughts harking back to another impulsive young girl who had clasped
+her arms about him when he received his commission as lieutenant. How
+like her Peggy was growing. It would have meant a good deal to her could
+she have lived to see him attain his captaincy. He always recalled her
+as a young girl. It was almost impossible for him to realize that were
+she now alive she would be Mrs. Harold's age, though she was
+considerably younger than himself when they had married.
+
+And so it was settled. Neil Stewart was to engage a couple of large
+touring cars for a month and in these the party was to make the trip to
+New London. A man of prompt action, he lost no time in putting his plan
+into effect, and the following Wednesday a merry party set out from
+Wilmot Hall. Each car carried six comfortably in addition to the
+chauffeur.
+
+Each was provided with everything necessary for the long trip which they
+calculated would take about three days, and the pairing off was arranged
+to every one's satisfaction, an arrangement known to have exceptions.
+Mr. and Mrs. Harold, Happy, Shortie and Polly and Peggy were in one car,
+Mr. Stewart, Mrs. Howland, Snap, Constance and Wheedles in the other,
+the extra seat, Mr. Stewart said was to be held in reserve for Gail when
+Mrs. Howland should bring her to New London.
+
+None of the party ever forgot that auto ride through Maryland,
+Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York and Connecticut. The weather was
+ideal, and for the men just ashore after months of sea-duty, and the
+midshipmen, just emancipated from four years of the strictest discipline
+and a most limited horizon, it was a most wonderful world of green
+things, and an endless panorama of beauty.
+
+One night was spent in Philadelphia where all stopped at the Aldine and
+went to see "The Balkan Princess." Another night in New York at the
+Astor with "Excuse Me" to throw every one into hysterics of laughter.
+
+And what a revelation it all was to Peggy. What a new world she had
+entered.
+
+"I didn't know there could be anything like it," she confided to Polly,
+"and oh, isn't it splendid. But HOW I wish I could just share it with
+everybody."
+
+"It seems to me you are sharing it with a good many bodies, Peggy
+Stewart. What do you call ten people besides yourself?"
+
+"Oh, I mean people who never have or see anything like it. Like Nelly,
+for instance, and--and--oh just dozens of people who seem to go all
+their lives and never have any of the things which so many other people
+have. I wonder why it IS so, Polly? It doesn't seem just right, does
+it?"
+
+"I wonder if you know how many people you make happy in the course of a
+year, Peggy Stewart. I don't believe you have the least idea, but it's a
+pity a few of them couldn't lift up their voices and make it known."
+
+"Well, I'm right thankful they can't. It would be awful."
+
+It was a glorious June afternoon when the two big touring cars swept
+under the porte-cochere of the Griswold Hotel at New London, and
+attendants hurried out to assist the new arrivals from them. Mr. Stewart
+waved them aside and saying to his guests:
+
+"Wait here until I find out where that shack of ours is located and then
+we'll go right over to it and get fixed tip as soon as possible," he
+disappeared into the hotel to return a moment later with a clerk.
+
+"This man will direct us," and presently the cars were rolling down
+toward the shore road. In five minutes they had stopped before a large
+bungalow situated far out on one of the rocky points commanding the
+entire sweep of the bay, and before them riding at anchor was the
+practice squadron, the good old flagship Olympia, on which Commodore
+Dewey had fought the battle of Manila Bay, standing bravely out from
+among her sister ships the Chicago, the Tonopah and the old frigate
+Hartford anchored along the roadstead.
+
+"Oh, Peggy! Peggy! See them! See them! Don't you love them, every inch
+of them, from the fighting top to the very anchor chains? I do."
+
+"I ought to," assented Peggy, "for Dad! loves his ship next to me I
+believe."
+
+"How could he help it?"
+
+They were now hurrying into the cottage where Jerome and Mammy were
+waiting to welcome them. A couple of servants had been sent over from
+the Griswold to complete the menage with Mammy and Jerome as
+commanders-in-chief.
+
+It was a pretty cottage with a broad veranda running around three sides
+of it and built far out over the water on the front; an ideal spot for a
+month's outing.
+
+Launches were darting to and from the ships with liberty parties, often
+with two or three cutters in tow filled with laughing, skylarking
+midshipmen. On the opposite shore where the old Pequoit House had once
+stood, was another landing at which many of the ships' boats, or shore
+boats, were also making landings with parties which had been out to
+visit the ships. The ships wore a festive air with awnings stretched
+above their quarter-decks and altogether it was an enchanting picture.
+
+Mammy welcomed her family with enthusiasm, and Jerome with the ceremony
+he never omitted, and in less time than seemed possible all were settled
+in their spacious, airy rooms. Mr. and Mrs. Harold had a room looking
+out over the river, with the two girls next them, while Mrs. Howland,
+Mr. Stewart, Snap and Constance had rooms just beyond, the three boys
+being quartered on the floor above.
+
+"Oh, Peggy, isn't it the dearest place you ever saw?" cried Polly,
+running out on the balcony upon which their room gave. "And there's the
+dear old flat-iron," the "flat-iron" being the name bestowed by the boys
+upon the monitor Tonopah because she set so low in the water and was
+shaped not unlike one, her turrets sticking up like bumpy handles.
+
+"Look, Polly! Look! Some one is wigwagging on the bridge of the Olympia.
+Oh, Daddy Neil, Daddy Neil, come quickly and tell us what they are
+saying," she called into the next room.
+
+Neil Stewart hurried out to the balcony, slightly lowering his eyelids
+as he would have done at sea, a little trick acquired by most men who
+look across the water.
+
+"Why they are signalling US," he exclaimed. "That's Boynton on the
+bridge," mentioning an officer whom he knew, "and the chap signalling
+is--YOU--no, no I don't mean that, I mean it's the chap who ought to be
+you, that Devon, Deroux, no--Leroux--isn't that his name? The fellow who
+rigged up in girl's clothes and fooled me to a frazzle. He's saying--
+what's that? Hold on--Yes! 'Welcome to New London' and--'Coming on
+board.' THAT means that a whole bunch will descend upon us tonight I'll
+bet all I'm worth. Well, let 'em come! Let 'em come! The more the
+merrier for there's nothing amiss with the commissary department. Here,
+Happy, Happy, come and answer that signal out yonder. I'm rusty, but you
+ought to have it down pat."
+
+"Aye, aye, sir," answered Happy, appearing at the window overhead and by
+some miraculous means scrambling through it and letting himself drop to
+the balcony where Mr. Stewart and the girls were standing.
+
+"Give me a towel, quick, Peggy."
+
+Peggy rushed for a towel and a moment later the funny wigwag was
+answering:
+
+"Come along. Delighted."
+
+And that night the bungalow was filled to overflowing, for not only did
+the boys come, but several officers who had known Mr. Stewart and Mr.
+Harold for years were eager to renew their acquaintance, and talk over
+old days.
+
+"And you've come just in time for the regatta. Going to be a big race
+this year. The men are up at Gales ferry now and look fit to a finish.
+How are you planning to see it?" asked the captain of the Olympia.
+
+"Haven't planned a thing yet. Why we've only just struck our holding
+ground, man."
+
+"Good, I'm glad of it. That fixes it all right. You are all to be my
+guests that day--yes--no protests. Rockhill has gone to Europe and left
+his launch at my service and she's a jim-dandy, let me tell you. She's a
+sixty-footer and goes through the water like a knife blade. You'll all
+come with me and we'll see the show from a private box."
+
+"Can you carry ALL OF US?" asked Peggy incredulously.
+
+"Every last one, little girl, and a dozen more if you like. So fly to
+the east and fly to the west and then invite the very one whom you love
+best," answered Captain Boynton, pinching Peggy's velvety cheek.
+
+"Oh, there are so many we love best," she laughed, "that we'd never dare
+ask them all, would we, Polly?"
+
+"Let's ask all who are here tonight," was Polly's diplomatic answer,
+"then no one can feel hurt."
+
+"Hoopla!" rose from the other end of the porch where Durand, Ralph, and
+three of the other boys from the ships were sitting around a big bamboo
+table drinking lemonade.
+
+And so the party was then and there arranged for New London's big day.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV
+
+REGATTA DAY
+
+
+Peggy and Polly scrambled out of bed the morning of the Yale-Harvard
+crew race, to find all the world sparkling and cool with a stiff breeze
+from the Sound. It was a wonderful day and already the sight presented
+in the bay was enough to thrill the dullest soul. During the five days
+in which "Navy Bungalow," as it had been promptly named by the young
+people, had been occupied by the congenial party from Annapolis, old
+friendships had strengthened and new ones ripened, and a happier
+gathering of people beneath one roof it would have been hard to find.
+Perfect freedom was accorded every one, and the boys who had just
+graduated soon found their places with the older officers, for the
+transition, once the diploma is won, is a swift one. As passed
+midshipmen and "sure enough" junior officers, they had an established
+position impossible during their student days in the Academy.
+
+The boys on the practice cruise also felt a greater degree of liberty,
+and the fact that they were the proteges of Commander Harold and Captain
+Stewart gave them an entree everywhere.
+
+To Durand the experience was not a new one, for he had the faculty of
+winning an entree almost anywhere, but to Ralph and his roommate, Jean
+Paul Nicholas, as bright, merry a chap as ever looked frankly into one's
+face with a pair of the clearest, snappiest blue eyes ever seen, the
+world was an entirely new one and fairly overflowing with delightful
+experiences. Then, too, they were now youngsters instead of plebes, and
+this fact alone would have been almost enough to fill their cups with
+joy. The other boys who came from the ships had been second-classmen
+during the past year, but were now in all the glory of first-classmen,
+and doing their best to make good during the cruise in order to carry
+off some of the stripes waiting to be bestowed upon the efficient ones
+during the coming October.
+
+In the two weeks spent with Mrs. Harold at Annapolis, Mrs. Howland had
+learned to love Peggy Stewart very dearly and Mrs. Harold said:
+
+"Madeline, you have won more from Peggy Stewart than you realize. She
+has a rarely sweet character, though I am forced to admit that she seems
+to have been navigating uncharted waters. I have never known a girl of
+her age to live such an extraordinary life and why she is half as
+lovable, charming and possessed of so much character, is a problem I
+have been trying all winter to solve. But I rather dread the next few
+years for her unless some one both wise and affectionate takes that
+little clipper ship's helm. She is entirely beyond Harrison and Mammy
+now, and her father hasn't even a passing acquaintance with his only
+child. He THINKS he has, and he loves her devotedly, but there's more to
+Peggy Stewart in one hour than Neil Stewart will discover in years at
+the rate of two months out of twelve spent with her. I think the world
+of the child, but Polly is MY girl, and has slipped into Constance's
+place. I want you to let her stay with me, too. I have been so happy
+this winter, and she with me, but I wish there was someone to be in
+Peggy's home, or she could be sent to a good school for a year or two.
+Sometimes I think that would be the best arrangement in the long run."
+
+Meanwhile Peggy was entirely unaware of the manner in which her future
+was being discussed and she and Polly were looking forward to regatta
+day with the liveliest anticipation.
+
+As Peggy and Polly looked out over the bay and up the river that perfect
+morning Peggy cried:
+
+"Oh, Polly COULD anything be lovelier than this day? The sky is like a
+blue canopy, not a cloud to be seen, the air just sets one nearly crazy,
+and that blue, sparkling water makes me long to dive head-first into
+it."
+
+"Well, why not?" asked Polly. "It is only half past six and loads of
+time for a dip before breakfast. Let's get into our bathing suits, bang
+on the ceiling to wake up Happy, Shortie and Wheedles and make them
+stick their heads out of the window."
+
+It did not take five minutes to carry the suggestion into effect and a
+golf stick thumping "reveille" under Wheedles' bed effectually brought
+him back from dreams of Annapolis. Rousing out the other two he stuck a
+tousled head out of his window to be hailed by two bonny little figures
+prancing excitedly upon the balcony beneath him.
+
+"Hello, great god Sumnus," cried Polly, "Wake up! Oh, but you do look
+sleepy. Stir up the others. Peggy and I are going down for a dip before
+breakfast and to judge by your eyes they need the sand washed out of
+them."
+
+"Awh! Whow! Oh," yawned Wheedles, striving vainly to keep his mouth
+closed and to get his eyes opened. Just then two other heads appeared.
+
+"What's doing? House afire?" they asked.
+
+"No, it's the other element--water," laughed Peggy. "Come and get into
+it. That's what we are going to do. You may think those pink and blue
+JACKETS you're wearing are the prettiest things in the world--WE know
+they are part of your graduation "trousseau," but bathing suits are in
+order just now. So put them on and hurry down."
+
+"Bet your life," was chorused as the three tousled heads vanished.
+
+The average midshipman's "shift" requires as a rule, about two minutes,
+and passed-middies are no exception. Before it seemed possible three
+bath-robed figures joined the girls, who had put their raincoats over
+their bathing suits, and all slipped down to the little beach in front
+of the cottage and struck out for the float anchored about fifty feet
+off shore.
+
+What a sight the bay and river presented that morning. Hundreds of
+beautiful yachts, foregathered from every part of the world, for New
+London makes a wonderful showing Regatta week, and flying the flags of
+innumerable yacht clubs, were crowding the roadstead. A more inspiring
+sight it would be difficult to imagine. Just beyond the float, and lying
+between the Olympia and Navy Bungalow, the pretty little naptha launch
+on which Captain Stewart's party were to be Captain Boynton's guests,
+rode lightly at anchor, her bright work reflecting the sunlight, her
+awning a-flutter, her signal pennant waving bravely.
+
+"I've GOT to play I'm a porpoise. I've simply GOT to. Come on, Wheedles,
+nothing else will work off my pent-up excitement," cried Polly, diving
+off the float to tumble and turn over and over in the water very like
+the fish she named, for Polly's training with Captain Pennell during the
+winter had made her almost as much at home in the water as on land and
+Peggy swam equally well.
+
+While the young people were splashing about Mrs. Harold and Mrs. Howland
+came out on the piazza to enjoy the sight.
+
+For half an hour the five splashed, dove, and gamboled as carefree as
+five young seals, and with as much freedom, then all hurried into the
+bathhouses where Mammy and Jerome had already anticipated their needs by
+hurrying down with a supply of necessary wearing apparel; a trifling
+matter quite overlooked by the bathers themselves.
+
+A gayer, heartier, more glowing group of young people than those
+gathered at the breakfast table could not have been found in New London
+or anywhere else; certainly not at the Griswold where the majority of
+them were either satiated society girls whose winters had been spent in
+a mad social whirl, or the blase city youths who at nineteen had already
+found life "such a beastly bore."
+
+"Gad," cried Neil Stewart, slapping Shortie's broad shoulders, "but it's
+refreshing to find fellows of your age who can still show up such a glow
+in their cheeks, and such a light in their eyes, and an enthusiasm so
+infectious that it sets a-tingle every drop of blood in an old
+kerfoozalem like me. Hang fast to it like grim death, for you'll never
+get it back if you once lose it. That old school down there turns out
+chaps who can get more out of the simple life than any bunch I know of.
+It may be the simple life in some respects, but it's got a confounded
+lot of hard work in it all the same, and when you've finished that
+you're ready to take your fun, and you take it just as hard as you take
+your work, and I don't want to see a better bunch of men than that
+system shows. I was over at the hotel last night, talking with four or
+five chaps, younger than you fellows here, and I swear it made me sick:
+Bored to extinction doing nothing. I'd like to take 'em on board for
+just about one month and if they didn't find something doing in a watch
+or two I'd know why. Keep right on having your fun, you and the girls--
+yes, GIRLS, not a lot of kids playing at being nerve-racked society
+women."
+
+"Hear! Hear!" cried Glenn Harold. "What's stirred you up, old man?"
+
+"That bunch over yonder. Keep a little girl as long as you can Peggy,
+and you, Polly, hold your present course. Who ever charted it for you
+knew navigation all right."
+
+"I guess mother began it and then turned the job over to Aunt Janet,
+sir," answered Polly.
+
+"Well, she knew her business all right. I'm mighty sorry she can't be
+here today to see the race, but when she comes back from Northampton
+she'll bring that other girl I'm so anxious to know too. By George, the
+Rowland crowd puts up a good showing, and they seem to know how to
+choose their messmates too, if I can judge by Hunter."
+
+"Isn't he the dearest brother a girl ever had?" asked Polly
+enthusiastically, for her love for her brother-in-law was a subject of
+pleasurable comment to all who knew her.
+
+"One of the best ever, as I hear on all sides," was Captain Stewart's
+satisfactory answer. "But here comes Boynton. Ahoy! Olympia Ahoy!" he
+shouted, hurrying out upon the piazza as a launch from the Olympia came
+boiling "four bells" toward Navy Bungalow's dock, the white clad Jackies
+looking particularly festive and Captain Boynton of the Olympia with
+Commander Star of the Chicago sitting aft. They waved their caps gaily
+and shouted in return.
+
+"Glorious day! Great, isn't it?" as the launch ran alongside the dock
+and friends hurried down to meet friends.
+
+"We came over to see how early you could be ready. We must get up the
+course in good season this afternoon in order to secure a vantage point.
+Mrs. Boynton wants you all--yes--the whole bunch, to come over to the
+Griswold for an early luncheon. Mrs. Star will be with her and we'll
+shove off right afterward. Now NO protests," as Captain Stewart seemed
+inclined to demur.
+
+"All right. Your word goes. "We'll report for duty. What's the hour?"
+
+"Twelve sharp. There's going to be an all-fired jam in that hotel but
+Mrs. B. has a private dining-room ready for us and has bribed the head
+waiter to a degree that has nearly proved my ruin. But never mind. We
+can't see the Yale-Harvard race every day, and a month hence we'll be up
+in Maine with all this fun behind us."
+
+That luncheon was a jolly one. Captain Boynton had a daughter a little
+younger than Peggy and Mr. Star a little girl of eight.
+
+Promptly at two the party went down to the Griswold dock, gay with
+excitement and a holiday crowd embarking in every sort of craft, all
+bound for the course up the river. The naptha launch had been run
+alongside the long Griswold pier and it did not take long for Captain
+Boynton's party to scramble aboard. Captain Boynton, Captain Stewart and
+the girls went forward, some of the boys making for the bow where the
+outlook was enough to stir older and far more staid souls than any the
+Frolic carried that day.
+
+They cast off, and soon were making their fussy way in and out among the
+hundreds of launches, yachts and craft of every known description.
+
+The crew of the Frolic was a picked one, the coxswain, an experienced
+hand, as was certainly required THAT day. The pretty launch was dressed
+in all her bunting, and flying the flag of her club.
+
+Through the mass of festive shipping the launch worked her way, guided
+by the steady hand of the man at her wheel, his gray eyes alert for
+every move on port or starboard.
+
+Peggy and Polly were close beside him. Captain Stewart and Captain
+Boynton stood a little behind watching the girls, whose eager eyes noted
+every turn of the wheel. An odd light came into Captain Boynton's eyes
+as he watched them. Presently he asked Peggy:
+
+"Do you think you could handle a launch, little girl?"
+
+"Why--perhaps I could--a little," answered Peggy modestly.
+
+"Why, Peggy Stewart, there isn't a girl in Annapolis who can handle a
+launch or a sailboat as YOU do," cried Polly, aroused to emphatic
+protest.
+
+Peggy blushed, and laughingly replied: "Only Polly Howland, the
+Annapolis Co-Ed."
+
+"Eh? What's that?" asked Captain Boynton.
+
+"Oh, Polly has had a regular course in seamanship, Captain Boynton, and
+knows just everything."
+
+"Any more than YOU do, miss?" demanded Polly.
+
+"Yes, lots," insisted Peggy.
+
+"Well, I'll wager anything you could take this launch up the river as
+easily as the coxswain is doing it," was Polly's excited statement.
+
+"How's that, Stewart? Have you been teaching your girl navigation?"
+
+"I hadn't a thing to do with it. It's all due to the good friends who
+have been looking after her while I'VE been shooting up targets. But
+Polly's right. She CAN handle a craft and so can this little redhead,"
+laughed Captain Stewart, pulling a lock of Polly's hair which the
+frolicsome wind had loosened.
+
+"By Jove, let's test it. Not many girls can do that trick. Coxswain,
+turn over the wheel to this young lady, but stand by in case you're
+needed."
+
+The coxswain looked a little doubtful, but answered: "Aye, aye, sir."
+
+"Oh, ought I?" asked Peggy.
+
+"Get busy, messmate," said Captain Boynton.
+
+The next second the girl was transformed. Tossing her big hat aside and
+giving her hair a quick brush, she laid firm hold upon the wheel and
+instantly forgot all else. Her eyes narrowed to a focus which nothing
+escaped, and Stewart gave a little nod of gratified pride and stepped
+back a trifle to watch her. Captain Boynton's face showed his
+appreciation and Polly's was radiant. The old coxswain muttered: "Well,
+well, you get on to the trick of that, lassie. You might have served on
+a man-o-war."
+
+They were now well out in the river and making straight for the railway
+bridge. Peggy alert and absorbed was watching the current as it swirled
+beneath the arches. "How does the tide set in that middle arch,
+coxswain?" she asked.
+
+"Keep well to starboard, miss," he answered.
+
+Peggy nodded, and gave an impatient little gesture as a lumbering power
+boat, outward bound seemed inclined to cut across her course. "What ails
+that blunderbuss? I have the right of way. Why doesn't he head inshore?"
+and she signalled sharply on her siren to the landlubber evidently bent
+upon running down everything in sight, and wrecking the tub he was
+navigating. Then with a quick motion she flicked over her wheel and
+rushed by, making as pretty a circle around him as the coxswain himself
+could have made. "Holy smoke, but ye have given him the go-by in better
+shape than I could myself. Whoever taught ye?"
+
+"A navy captain down at Annapolis," answered Peggy, as she shot the
+launch beneath the bridge.
+
+"Well, he did the job all right, all right, and I may as well go back
+and sit down. Faith, I thought we were as good as stove in when I handed
+over the wheel to ye, but I'm thinking I can learn a fancy touch or two
+myself."
+
+"Oh, no, don't go. I don't know the river, you know, though I want to do
+my best just to make Daddy proud of me," answered Peggy modestly.
+
+"Well then he should be a-yellin' like them crazy loons yonder on the
+observation train--that's what he should," nodded the coxswain.
+
+Neil Stewart was not yelling, but he wasn't missing a thing, and
+presently Peggy ran the launch into a clear bit of water near the three-
+mile flag.
+
+Bringing her around, she issued her orders, her mind too intent upon the
+business in hand to be conscious that all on the launch had been
+watching her with absorbing interest. Anchors were thrown over fore and
+aft in order to hold the launch steady against the current, then turning
+the wheel over to the admiring coxswain, Peggy wiped her hands upon her
+handkerchief and holding out her right one to Captain Boynton, said:
+
+"Thank you so much for letting me try. It was perfectly glorious to feel
+her respond to every touch and thread her way through all that ruck."
+
+"Thank me? Great Scott, child, you've done more for the whole outfit
+than you guess. Stewart, my congratulations."
+
+Poor Peggy was overcome, but the boys and Polly were alternately running
+and praising her, every last one of them as proud as possible to call
+Peggy Stewart chum.
+
+But out yonder the shells were already in the water and the electric
+spark of excitement had flashed from end to end of that long line of
+gayly bedecked expectant yachts and launches, as down to them floated
+the strains of the Yale boating song as it is never sung at any other
+time, and thousands of eager eyes were peering along the course watching
+for the first glimpse of the dots which would flash by to victory or
+defeat.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI
+
+THE RACE
+
+
+The shells had now gotten away and were maneuvering to get into a good
+position at their stake boats, far beyond the sight of the gay company
+on hoard the Frolic, which could only guess how things were progressing
+by the rocketing cheers all along the line of anxiously waiting
+spectators.
+
+Along the course the launches of the committee were darting thither and
+yonder like water-bugs in their efforts to keep the course clear.
+Presently arose the cries:
+
+"They are off! They are off! They are coming! They are coming," and far
+up the line the puffing of the observation train could be heard with now
+and again an excited, hysterical tooting of the engine's whistle, as
+though in the midst of so much excitement it had to give vent to its
+own.
+
+Presently two dots were visible, looking little more than huge water-
+bugs in the perspective, the foreshortening changing the long sixty-foot
+shells into spidery creatures with spreading legs.
+
+The observation train following along the shore presented an animated,
+vari-colored spectacle, with its long chain of cars filled with
+beautifully gowned women and girls, and men in all the bravery of summer
+serges and white flannels. Banners were waving and voices cheering, to
+be caught up and flung back in answering cheers from the craft upon the
+river.
+
+Peggy and Polly stood as girls so often do in stress of excitement, with
+arms clasped about each others' waists. The boys stood in characteristic
+attitudes: Durand with his hands upon his hips--lithe and straight as an
+arrow, but intent upon the onrushing crews; Shortie with his arm thrown
+over Wheedles' shoulder subconsciously demonstrating the affection he
+felt for this chum from whom he would so soon be separated and for how
+long he could not tell. The friendships formed at the Academy are
+exceptionally firm ones, but with graduation comes a dividing of the
+ways sometimes for years, sometimes forever. It is a special provision
+of Providence that youth rarely dwells upon this fact, and the feeling
+is invariably expressed by:
+
+"So long! See you later, old man." Captain Stewart and Commander Harold
+were a striking evidence of this fact. They had not met until years had
+elapsed and the common tie of daughter and niece had re-united their
+interests. But, another strange feature; they had as much in common
+today as though their ways had divided only the week before.
+
+They now stood watching the approaching crews with powerful glasses,
+their terse comments enlightening their friends as to what was taking
+place beyond their unaided range of vision. Peggy and Polly were fairly
+dancing up and down in their eagerness.
+
+On came the shells growing every second more defined in outline,
+although from their distance from the Frolic their progress seemed slow,
+only the flashing of the blades in and out of the water indicating that
+the men were not out for a pleasure pull, and the blue ripples astern
+telling that sixteen twelve-foot sweeps were pushing that water behind
+them for all they were worth.
+
+Thus far Harvard was in the lead by half a length, and holding her own
+as she drew near the three-mile flag, where the Frolic swung and tugged
+at her anchors. But it must be admitted that the sympathies and hopes of
+all in the Frolic centered in the Yale shell; a Yale coach had drilled
+and scolded and "cussed" and petted the Navy boys to victory only a few
+weeks before, and Ralph, if no one else, felt that all his future rested
+in the ability of that Yale coach "to knock some rowing sense into his
+block."
+
+"Daddy Neil! Daddy Neil, yell at them! Yell!" screamed Peggy, breaking
+away from Polly to run to her father's side and literally shake him, as
+the crews drew nearer and nearer.
+
+"I AM yelling, honey. Can't you hear me?"
+
+"I mean yell something that will make those Yale men put--put oh,
+something into their stroke which will overhaul the red blades."
+
+"Ginger? You mean ginger? To make 'em pull like the very--ahem. Like the
+very dickens? Hi! Shortie, whoop up the Siren--there are only about a
+dozen of us here but give it hard. Give it for all you're worth when the
+Yale crew crosses our bow. You girls know it and so do the older women,
+and the crew can make a try at it. Now be ready. Whoop it up!"
+
+Shortie sprang into position as cheer-leader pro-tem and if wild
+gyrations and a deep voice lent inspiration certainly nothing more was
+needed, for as the shells came rushing on
+
+"Hoo--oo--oo--oo--oooo!
+ Hoo--oo--oo--oo--oooo!
+ Hoo--oo--oo--oo--oooo!
+ Hoo--oo--oo--oo--oooo!
+ Navy! Navy! Navy!
+ Yale! Yale! Yale!"
+
+was wailed out over the water, and as upon many another occasion back
+yonder on the old Severn it had acted as a match to gunpowder to a
+losing cause with the Navy boys, so it now startled the men in the Yale
+boat, for they had many friends in the Navy School and had heard that
+yell too often when they were in the lead in some sport not to know the
+full significance of it. It meant to the losing people: "Get after the
+other fellows and beat them in spite of all the imps of the lower
+regions!"
+
+The Yale men had no time to acknowledge the cheer; all their thoughts
+and energies must center upon the O-n-e, T-w-o, T-h-r-e-e, F-o-u-r, F-i-
+v-e, etc. of the coxswain and his "Stroke! Stroke! Stroke!" But that
+yell had done what Peggy hoped and secretly prayed it would:
+
+The long blades flashed in and out of the water quicker and cleaner,
+cutting down Harvard's lead, until just as they swept by the Frolic that
+discouraging discrepancy was closed and the two shell's noses were even.
+Yale had made a gallant spurt.
+
+"Up anchor and after them," ordered Captain Boynton and the crew sprang
+to obey orders, eagerness to see the finish lending phenomenal speed to
+their fingers, and the Frolic was soon in hot pursuit of the shells,
+Yale now pulling a trifle ahead of her adversary in that last fateful
+mile.
+
+How those eight bare backs swayed back and forth. Harvard's beautiful,
+long, clean sweep was doing pretty work, but that Siren Yell seemed to
+have supplied the "ginger" necessary to spur on the Yale men.
+
+"Give 'em another! Give 'em another!" shouted Captain Stewart, as the
+Frolic came abreast of the Yale crew, and fairly shaking Captain Harold
+in his excitement.
+
+"Avast there! Give way, man! Do you want to yank me out of my coat?" he
+laughed.
+
+"I'll yank somebody out of something if those Yale boys don't pull a
+length ahead of those Johnny Harvards," sputtered Neil Stewart.
+
+"Whoop it up fellows--AND friends. The four N Yell for old Yale," bawled
+Shortie in order to make himself heard above the din and pandemonium of
+screaming sirens and the yelling, and in spite of it all the Yale crew
+heard
+
+"N--n--n--n!
+ A--a--a--a!
+ V--v--v--v!
+ Y--y--y--y!
+ Yale! Yale! Yale!"
+
+and laid their strength to their sweeps. Chests were heaving and breath
+coming in panting gasps, but the coxswain of the Yale crew was abreast
+of number three in the Harvard shell, and inch by inch the space was
+lengthening in favor of the blue-tipped blades.
+
+"Yale! Yale! Yale!"
+
+yelled the crowd as only such a crowd can yell. Then clear water showed
+between the shells and the four-mile flag fluttered like a blur as the
+Yale crew rushed by it. Slower plied the blades, shoulders which had
+swayed backward and forward in such perfect rhythm drooped, and one or
+two faces, gray from exhaustion, fell forward upon heaving chests. Then
+the rowing ceased, the long oars trailed over the water, as Harvard's
+crew slid by and came to a standstill. Friends flocked to the shells to
+bring them alongside the floats where, nerve-force coming to the rescue
+of physical exhaustion, the big fellows managed to scramble to the
+floats and fairly hug each other as they did an elephantine dance in
+feet from which some stockings were sagging, and some gone altogether.
+But who cared whether legs were bare or covered!
+
+The Frolic came boiling up to the float at a rate calculated to smash
+things to smithereens if she did not slow down at short order, everybody
+yelling, everybody shouting like bedlamites.
+
+"Best ever! Best ever! The Siren started it and the Four N. did the
+trick!" shouted Captain Stewart, while all the others cheered and
+congratulated in chorus.
+
+"Give 'em again. Give 'em again. By Jove, I'm going to get up a race of
+my own and all you fellows will have to come to yell for us," cried
+Captain Boynton, and again the Navy Yell sent a thrill through those
+weary bodies upon the float. Then gathering together all the "sand" left
+in them they gave the old Eli Yell for their friends of the Navy with
+more spirit than seemed possible after such a terrific ordeal as they
+had just undergone.
+
+And all those months of training, all that endless grind of hard work,
+for a test which had lasted but a few minutes, ending in a certain
+victory for one shell and a certain defeat for the other, since victory
+surely could not possibly result for both.
+
+"See you all at the Griswold tonight," called Captain Boynton, as the
+launch shoved off and got under way.
+
+"Sure thing! Have our second wind by that time we hope," were the cheery
+answers.
+
+"Take the helm again, little skipper," ordered Captain Boynton. "Your
+Daddy is just dying to have you but modesty forbids him to even look a
+hint of it."
+
+"May I really?" asked Peggy.
+
+"Get busy," and Peggy laughed delightedly as she took the wheel from the
+coxswain who handed it over with:
+
+"Now I'll take a lesson from a man-o-war's lassie."
+
+Shortie, Happy and Wheedles had now gone aft to "be luxurious" they
+said, for wicker chairs there invited relaxation and the ladies were
+more than comfortable. Ralph, Durand and Jean had gone forward to the
+wheel to watch the little pilot's work, Durand's expressive face full of
+admiration for this young girl who had grown to be his good comrade.
+
+Durand was not a "fusser," but he admired Peggy Stewart more than any
+girl he had ever known, and the friendship held no element of silly
+sentimentality.
+
+How bonny they both looked, and how strikingly alike. Could there, after
+all, have been any kindred drop of blood in their ancestry? It did not
+seem possible, yet how COULD two people look so alike and not have some
+kinship to account for it?
+
+Peggy was not conscious of Durand's close scrutiny. She was too intent
+upon taking the Frolic back to the Griswold's dock without being stove
+in, for in the homeward rush of the sightseers, there seemed a very good
+chance of such a disaster.
+
+Nevertheless, there always seems to be a special Providence watching
+over fools, and to judge by the manner in which some of those launches
+were being handled, that same Providence had all it could handle that
+afternoon.
+
+They had gone about half the distance, and Peggy was having all she
+wanted to do to keep clear of one particularly erratic navigator, her
+face betokening her contempt for the wooden-headed youth at the helm.
+
+The badly handled launch was about thirty feet long, and carrying a
+heavier load than was entirely safe. She was yawing about erratically,
+now this way, now that.
+
+"Well, that gink at the helm is a mess and no mistake," was Durand's
+scornful comment. "What the mischief is he trying to do with that tub
+anyhow?"
+
+"Wreck it, ruin a better one, and drown his passengers, I reckon,"
+answered Peggy.
+
+"And look at that little child. Haven't they any better sense than to
+let her clamber up on that rail?" exclaimed Polly, for just as the
+launch in question was executing some of its wildest stunts, a little
+girl, probably six years of age, had scrambled up astern and was trying
+to reach over and dabble her hands in the water.
+
+"They must be seven kinds of fools," cried Durand. "Say, Peggy, there's
+going to be trouble there if they don't watch out."
+
+But Peggy had already grown wise to the folly--yes, rank heedlessness--
+on board the other launch. If any one had the guardianship of that child
+she was certainly not alive to the duty.
+
+"I'm going to slow down a trifle and drop a little astern," she said
+quietly to Durand. "Don't say a word to any one else but stand by in
+case that baby falls overboard; they are not taking any more notice of
+her than if she didn't belong to them. I never knew anything so
+outrageous. What sort of people can they be, any way?"
+
+"Fool people," was Durand's terse rejoinder and his remark seemed well
+merited, for the three ladies on board were chatteringly oblivious of
+the child's peril, and the men were not displaying any greater degree of
+sense.
+
+Peggy kept her launch about a hundred feet astern. They had passed the
+bridge and were nearing the broader reaches of the river where ferry
+boats were crossing to and fro, and the larger excursion boats which had
+brought throngs of sightseers to New London were making the navigation
+of the stream a problem for even more experienced hands, much less the
+callow youth who was putting up a bluff at steering the "wash tub," as
+Ralph called it.
+
+The older people in the Frolic were not aware of what was happening up
+ahead. The race was ended, they had been tinder a pretty high stress of
+excitement for some time, and were glad to settle down comfortably and
+leave the homeward trip to Peggy and the coxswain who was close at hand.
+Never a thought of disaster entered their minds.
+
+Then it came like a flash of lightning:
+
+There was a child's pathetic cry of terror; a woman's wild, hysterical
+shriek and shouts of horror from the near-by craft.
+
+In an instant Durand was out of his white service jacket, his shoes were
+kicked off and before a wholesome pulse could beat ten he was overside,
+shouting to Peggy as he took the plunge:
+
+"Follow close!"
+
+"I'm after you," was the ringing answer.
+
+"Heaven save us!" cried Captain Stewart, springing to his feet, while
+the others started from their chairs.
+
+"Trust him. He is all right, Daddy. I've seen him do this sort of thing
+before," called Peggy, keeping her head and handling her launch in a
+manner to bring cheers from the other boats also rushing to the rescue.
+
+It was only the work of a moment for Durand swimming as he could swim,
+and the next second he had grasped the child and was making for the
+Frolic, clear-headed enough to doubt the chance of aid being rendered by
+the people on the launch from which the child had fallen, but absolutely
+sure of Peggy's cooperation, for he had tested it under similar
+conditions once before when a couple of inexperienced plebes had been
+capsized from a canoe on the Severn, and Peggy, who had been out in her
+sailboat at the time, had sped to their rescue. A boat-hook was promptly
+held out to the swimmer and he and his burden were both safe on board
+the Frolic a moment later, neither much the worse for their dip, though
+the child was screaming with terror, answering screams from one of the
+women in the other launch indicating that she had some claim to the
+unfortunate one.
+
+"She's all right. Not a hair harmed. Keep cool and we'll come
+alongside," ordered Captain Stewart. "Not the least harm done in the
+world."
+
+But the woman continued to shriek and rave until Mrs. Harold said:
+
+"I would like to shake her soundly. If she had been paying any attention
+to the child the accident never could have happened."
+
+The dripping baby was transferred to her mother, Captain Harold had
+clapped Durand on the back and cried: "Boy, you're a trump of the first
+water," and the rest of the party were telling Peggy that she was "a
+brick" and "a first-class sport," and "a darling," according to the
+vocabulary or sex of the individual, when the second feminine occupant
+of the launch which had been the cause of all the excitement,
+electrified every one on the Frolic by exclaiming:
+
+"Why, Neil! Neil Stewart! Is it possible after all these years? Don't
+you know me? Don't you know Katherine? Peyton's wife!"
+
+For a moment Neil Stewart looked nonplussed. His only brother had
+married years before. Neil had attended the wedding, meeting the bride
+then, and only twice afterward, for his brother had died two years after
+his marriage and Neil had never since laid eyes upon Peyton's wife. If
+the truth must be told he had not been eager to, for she was not the
+type of woman who attracted him in the least. Yet here she was before
+him. By this time the launches had been run up to one of the docks upon
+the West shore of the Thames. Naturally, both consolation for the
+emotional mother of the child as well as introductions were now in
+order, Mrs. Harold and Captain Stewart offering their services. These,
+however, were declined, but Mrs. Peyton Stewart embraced the opportunity
+to rhapsodize over "that darling child who had handled the launch with
+such marvelous skill and been instrumental in saving sweet little
+Clare's life." Durand, drying off in the launch, seemed to be quite out
+of her consideration in the scheme of things, for which Durand was duly
+thankful, for he had taken one of his swift, inexplicable aversions to
+her. But Madam continued to gash over poor Peggy until that modest
+little girl was well-nigh beside herself.
+
+"And to think you are right here and I have not been aware of it. Oh, I
+must know that darling child of whose existence I have actually been
+ignorant. I shall never, never cease to reproach myself."
+
+Neil Stewart did not inquire upon what score, but as soon as it could be
+done with any semblance of grace, bade his undesirable relative
+farewell, promising to "give himself the pleasure of calling the
+following day."
+
+"And be sure _I_ shall not lose sight of THAT darling girl again," Mrs.
+Peyton Stewart assured him.
+
+"I'm betting my hat she won't either," was Durand's comment to Wheedles,
+"and I'd also bet there's trouble in store for Peggy Stewart if THAT
+femme once gets her clutches on her. Ugh! She's a piece of work.
+
+"A rotten, bad piece, I'd call it," answered Wheedles under his breath.
+
+When Mr. and Mrs. Harold, Captain Stewart and Peggy returned to the
+launch one might have thought that they, instead of Durand, had been
+plunged overboard. They seemed dazed, and the run across to the Griswold
+dock was less joyous than the earlier portion of the day had been.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII
+
+SHADOWS CAST BEFORE
+
+
+Captain Boynton as host entertained the launch party at dinner at the
+Griswold that evening, and later all attended the dance given in honor
+of the winning crew.
+
+Many of the Yale and Harvard men were old friends of the midshipmen,
+having been to Annapolis a number of times either to witness or
+participate in some form of athletics. So old friendships were renewed,
+and new ones made, though, in some way Peggy and Polly felt less at home
+with the college men than with "our boys," as they both called all from
+Annapolis, notwithstanding the fact that "our boys" were in some
+instances the seniors of the college men. But the Academy life is
+peculiar in that respect, and tends to extremes. Where the collegian
+from the very beginning of his career is permitted to go and come almost
+at will, and as a result of that freedom of action attains a liberty
+which, alack, has been known to degenerate into license, the midshipman
+must conform to the strictest discipline, his outgoings limited, with
+the exception of one month out of the twelve, to the environs of a
+little, undeveloped town, and with every single hour of the twenty-four
+accounted for. Yet, on the other hand he must at once shoulder
+responsibilities which would make the average collegian think twice
+before he bound himself to assume them.
+
+And the result is an exceptional development: they are boys at heart,
+but men in their ability to face an issue. Ready to frolic, have "a
+rough house," and set things humming at the slightest provocation, but
+equal to meet a crisis when one must be met and--with very rare
+exceptions--gentlemen in word and deed.
+
+Peggy's and Polly's chums during the winter just past had been chosen
+from the best in the Academy, and it was no wonder they drew very sharp,
+very critical comparisons when brought in touch with other lads. In
+Peggy's case it was all a novelty, though Polly had known boys all her
+life.
+
+Nevertheless, the ball given at the Griswold would have been joy
+unalloyed but for one fly in the pot of ointment: A most insistent,
+buzzing fly, too, in the form of Mrs. Peyton Stewart.
+
+Perhaps while all the world is a-tiptoe in the packed ballroom, or
+crowding the broad piazzas of the hotel, this will be an opportune
+moment in which to drop a word regarding Mrs. Peyton Stewart.
+
+As lads, Neil Stewart and his brother had been devotedly attached to
+each other. Peyton was five years Neil's junior, and Neil fairly adored
+the bright little lad. Naturally, Neil had entered the Naval Academy
+while Peyton was still a small boy at boarding-school. Then Peyton went
+to college and at the ripe age of twenty-two, married.
+
+Had the marriage been a wise one, or one likely to help make a man of
+the heedless, harum-scarum Peyton, his family, and his brother, would
+probably have accepted the situation with as good a grace as possible.
+But it was NOT wise: it was the very essence of folly, for the girl was
+nearer Neil's age than Peyton's, and came of a family which could never
+have had anything in common with Peyton Stewart's. She was also entirely
+frivolous, if not actually designing. Neil was the only member of his
+family who attended the wedding, which took place in a small New Jersey
+town, and, as has been stated, had seen his undesirable sister-in-law
+only twice after her wedding-day. Upon one occasion by accident, and
+upon the last at his brother's death, only two years after the marriage,
+and had then and there resolved never to see her again if he could
+possibly help it, for never had one person rubbed another the wrong way
+as had Mrs. Peyton rubbed her brother-in-law.
+
+Naturally, Peyton had received his share of his inheritance upon the
+death of his parents, but Neil had inherited Severndale, so while Madam
+Peyton Stewart was not by any means lacking in worldly goods, she had
+nothing like the income her brother-in-law enjoyed. But she was by no
+means short-sighted, and like a flash several thoughts had entered her
+head when chance brought her in touch with him. She had never been of
+the type which lets a good opportunity slip for lack of prompt action,
+so in spite of her hostess' rather excited frame of mind as the result
+of the afternoon's accident, she persuaded her to attend the ball at the
+Griswold that evening.
+
+She must have something to divert her thoughts from the horror of that
+precious child's disaster and miraculous rescue from death, she urged,
+that same child, as a matter of fact, being as gay and chipper as though
+a header from the stern of a crowded launch into a more crowded river
+was a mere daily incident in her life.
+
+So there sat Madam, gorgeous in white satin and silver, plying her fan
+and her tongue with equal energy.
+
+Presently Peggy danced by with Durand, not a few eyes following the
+beautiful young girl and handsome boy, and to an individual those who
+saw them decided that they were brother and sister. This was Mrs.
+Stewart's opportunity and she made the most of it: Turning to a lady
+beside her she gurgled:
+
+"Oh, that darling child. She is my only niece though I have never met
+her until this very afternoon. Isn't she a beauty? THINK what a
+sensation she will be sure to create a year or two hence when she comes
+out. Don't you envy me? for, of course, there is no one else to
+introduce her to society. Her mother died years ago."
+
+"And the young man with her?" questioned the lady, wondering why the
+darling niece had not figured more prominently in the aunt's life
+hitherto. "Is he her brother?"
+
+"No. He is the hero of the day. The young naval cadet [save the mark!]
+who so nobly sprang overboard after sweet little Clare and saved her
+under such harrowing circumstances. Isn't he simply stunning! Have you
+ever seen a more magnificent figure? I think he is the handsomest thing
+I've ever laid my eyes upon. And so devoted to dear Peggy. And they say
+he has a fortune in his own right. But, that is a minor consideration;
+the dear child is an heiress herself. Magnificent old home in Maryland
+and, and, oh, all that, don't you know."
+
+Madam's information concerning her niece's affairs seemed to have grown
+amazingly since that chance encounter during the afternoon.
+
+At that moment the dance came to an end and by evil chance Peggy and
+Durand were not ten feet from Mrs. Stewart. She beckoned to them and, of
+course, there was nothing to do but respond. They at once walked over to
+her.
+
+"Oh, Mrs. Latimer, let me present my dear niece Miss Stewart to you, and
+Peggy darling, I MUST know this young hero. You dear, dear boy, weren't
+you simply petrified when you saw that darling child plunge overboard?
+You are a wonder. A perfect wonder of heroism. Of course the girls are
+just raving over you. How could they help it? Uniforms, brass buttons,
+the gallant rescuer and--now turn your head the other way because you
+are not supposed to hear this--all the gifts and graces of the gods. Ah,
+Peggy, I suspect you have rare discrimination even at YOUR age, and
+well--Mr. Leroux--YOU have not made any mistake, I can assure you."
+
+Perhaps two individuals who have suddenly stepped into a hornet's nest
+may have some conception of Peggy's and Durand's sensations. Peggy
+looked absolutely, hopelessly blank at this volley. Durand's face was
+first a thunder-cloud and then became crimson, but not on his own
+account: Durand was no fool to the ways of foolish women; his
+mortification was for Peggy's sake; he loathed the very thought of
+having her brought in touch with such shallowness, exposed to such
+vulgarity, and the charm of their rarely frank intercourse invaded by
+suggestions of silly sentimentality. Thus far there had never been a
+hint, nor the faintest suggestion of it; only the most loyal good
+fellowship; and his own attitude toward Peggy Stewart was one of the
+highest esteem for a fine, well-bred girl and the tenderest sense of
+protection for her lonely, almost orphaned position. He looked at Mrs.
+Peyton Stewart with eyes which fairly blazed contempt and she had the
+grace to color tinder his gaze, boy of barely nineteen that he was.
+
+"And you are going to let me know you better, aren't you, dear?"
+persisted Mrs. Stewart. "I am coming to see you. Do ask father to come
+and talk with me. There are a thousand questions I must ask him, and
+innumerable incidents of old times to discuss."
+
+"Captain Stewart is just across the room. I will tell him you are
+anxious to see him, Mrs. Stewart, and then I must take you to Mrs.
+Harold, Peggy, or the other fellows will never find you in this jam,"
+and away fled Durand, quick to find a loophole of escape. Whether Neil
+Stewart appreciated his zeal in serving the family cause is open to
+speculations, but it served the turn for the moment. Neil Stewart was
+obliged to cross the room and talk to his sister-in-law, said sister-in-
+law taking the initiative to rise at his approach, place her hand upon
+his arm, and say:
+
+"Dear Neil, what a delight after all these years. But pray take me
+outside. It is insufferably oppressive in here and I have so much I wish
+to say to you."
+
+Just what "dear Neil's" innermost thoughts were need not be conjectured.
+He escorted the lady from the big ballroom, and Durand whisked Peggy
+away to Mrs. Harold, though he said nothing to the girl--he was raging
+too fiercely inwardly, and felt sure if he said anything he would say
+too much. Nor was Peggy her usual self. She seemed obsessed by a
+forewarning of evil days ahead. Durand handed her over to the partner
+who was waiting for her, and saw her glide away with him, then slipping
+into a vacant chair behind Mrs. Harold, who for the moment happened to
+be alone, he said:
+
+"Little Mother, have you ever been so rip-snorting mad that you have
+wanted to smash somebody and cut loose for fair, and felt as if you'd
+burst if you couldn't?"
+
+The words were spoken in a half-laughing tone, but Mrs. Harold turned to
+look straight into the dark eyes so near her own.
+
+"What has happened, son?" she asked in the quiet voice which always
+soothed his perturbed spirit. He repeated the conversation just heard,
+punctuating it with a few terse comments which revealed volumes to Mrs.
+Harold. Her face was troubled as she said:
+
+"I don't like it. I don't like it even a little bit. I'm afraid trouble
+is ahead for that little girl. Oh, if her father could only be with her
+all the time. Outsiders can do so little because their authority is so
+limited and those who HAVE the authority are either too guileless or
+debarred by their stations. Dr. Llewellyn, Harrison and Mammy are the
+only ones who have the least right to say one word, and--"
+
+Mrs. Harold ceased and shrugged her shoulders in a manner which might
+have been copied from Durand himself.
+
+"Yes, I know who you mean. And Peggy is one out of a thousand. She and
+Polly too. Great Scott, there isn't an ounce of nonsense in their heads,
+and if that old fool--I beg your pardon," cried Durand, fussed at his
+break, but Mrs. Harold nodded and said:
+
+"There are times when it is excusable to call a spade a spade."
+
+"Well," continued Durand, "if that femme starts in to talk such rot to
+Peggy it's going to spoil everything. Why, you never heard such
+confounded foolishness in all your life."
+
+"Come and walk on the terrace with me, laddie, and cool off both
+mentally and physically. I know just how you feel and I wish I could see
+the way to ward off the inevitable--at least that which intuition hints
+to be inevitable--
+
+"And that is?" asked Durand anxiously.
+
+"Child, you have been like a son to me for two years. Peggy has grown
+almost as dear to me as Polly. I long to see that rare little girl
+blossom into a fine woman and she will if wisely guided, but with such a
+person as her aunt--"
+
+"You don't for a moment think she will go and camp down at Severndale?"
+demanded Durand, stopping stock-still in consternation at the picture
+the words conjured up.
+
+"I don't KNOW a thing! Not one single thing, but I am gifted with an
+intuition which is positively painful at times," and Mrs. Harold resumed
+her walk with a petulant little stamp.
+
+Nor was her intuition at fault in the present instance. In some respects
+Neil Stewart was as guileless and unsuspicious as a child, but Madam
+Stewart was far from guileless. She was clever and designing to a
+degree, and before that conversation upon the Griswold piazza, ended she
+had so cleverly maneuvered that she had been invited to spend the month
+of September at Severndale, and that was all she wanted: once her
+entering wedge was placed she was sure of her plans. At least she always
+HAD been, and she saw no reason to anticipate failure now.
+
+But she did not know Peggy Stewart. She thought she had read at a glance
+the straightforward, modest little girl, but the real Peggy was not to
+be understood in the brief period of four hours.
+
+Meanwhile, Peggy was blissfully unaware of her impending fate, and had
+almost dismissed Mrs. Stewart's very existence from her thoughts. She
+and Polly were dancing away the hours in all the joy of fifteen summers,
+and rumors of a wonderful plan were afloat for the following day. This
+was no more nor less than a cutter race between the midshipmen of the
+Olympia and the Chicago. For days the two crews had been practising and
+were only waiting for the big day to come and pass before holding their
+own contest.
+
+The Chicago really had the picked men, most of them being the regular
+crew men, and while pulling in a cutter is a far cry from pulling in a
+shell, nevertheless, the work of trained men usually counts in the long
+run, and the boys and the Jackies had bet everything they owned, from
+their best shoes to a month's pay, upon the victory of the Chicago's
+crew.
+
+But the Olympia boys "were lyin' low, an' playin' sly." They had but one
+crew man in their cutter, but he was "a jim dandy," being no less than
+Lowell, the stroke oar of the Navy crew, and a man who could "put more
+ginger into a boatload of fellows than any other in the outfit," so his
+chums averred.
+
+Durand was on the Olympia's crew, and Durand's shoulders were worth
+considerable to any crew.
+
+Nicholas was on the "Old Chi," Ralph on the Olympia, so the forces were
+about equally divided, and the girls were nearly distracted over the
+issue, for if they could have had the decision both would have been
+victorious.
+
+The following morning dawned as sparkling and clear as the previous one.
+"Regular Harold weather," the boys pronounced it, owing to the fact that
+rarely had Mrs. Harold planned a frolic of any sort back yonder in
+Annapolis without the weather clerk smiling upon it.
+
+When "Colors" came singing across the water at eight o'clock, up went
+the squadron's bunting in honor of the day, and a pretty picture the
+ships presented dressed from stem to stern in their gay, varicolored
+flags.
+
+The race would take place at three o'clock in the afternoon but a
+preliminary pull over the course was in order for the morning, and
+Captain Boynton of the Olympia and Captain Star of the Chicago were as
+eager to have all conditions favorable, and the lads "fit to a finish,"
+as though their ages, like those of the contestants were within the
+first score of life's journey. So their launches were ordered out to
+watch that morning practice and they ran and jeered each other like a
+couple of schoolboys out for a lark, and that attitude did more to put
+spirit in the boys, to establish good feeling and the determination to
+"Put up a showing for the Old Chi" or "that fighting machine of the old
+man's," the "old man" being their term of affection for Admiral Dewey,
+than all the "cussing out" in the English vocabulary could have done.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII
+
+YOU'VE SPOILED THEIR TEA PARTY
+
+
+So absolutely confident of winning were the people, officers, midshipmen
+and crew on board the Chicago that they had made all their plans for the
+elaborate tea and dance to be given on board the ship of the winning
+crew.
+
+Boatloads of Jackies had been sent ashore for evergreens, and a force of
+men had been put to work decorating the quarter-deck, the wardroom and
+the steerage until the ship presented a wonderful picture. The dance was
+to be held on the quarter-deck of the ship of the victorious crew
+immediately after the race, so the preparations were elaborate and hopes
+more than sanguine. Already the Chicago's officers mentally pictured the
+gay gathering upon her tastefully decorated decks; saw the handsomely
+gowned chaperones and the daintily clad girls in all the bravery of
+summer gowns dancing to the strains of the ship's band. Oh, it was the
+prettiest mental vision imaginable!
+
+And on the old Olympia? That stately veteran of Manila Bay upon whose
+bridge his loyal, devoted admirers had outlined in brass-headed nails
+the very spot where Commodore Dewey's feet had rested as he spoke the
+memorable words:
+
+"When you are ready you may fire, Gridley."
+
+And the Olympia's personnel? The admiral of the fleet, the captain and
+the officers straight down to the very stokers? Well, THEY had an idea
+of what the Olympia's men were worth when it came to the scratch and a
+few things were privately moving forward which might have made the
+Chicago's personnel sit up and take notice had they found time to do so.
+
+There were no EVERGREENS brought over the side, it is true, but launches
+had been darting to and fro with systematic regularity, and each time
+they came from New London significant-looking boxes, important junior
+officers, and odd freight came, too, but no one was the wiser. Not only
+were awnings spread fore and aft, but they were hung in such a way that
+passing craft, however curious the occupants, could not see what might
+be taking place on board.
+
+But with five bells came a revelation. A steady line of launches put off
+to the shore, some to the east, some to the west, to return with a gay
+freight, and as they came up the starboard gangway the festive
+femininity broke into rapturous exclamations, for on every side were
+roses! Red roses, white roses, pink roses, pale yellow roses, begged,
+bought or--hush!--from every farmhouse within a radius of five miles,
+and every nook and corner of the deck was made snug and attractive with
+bunting, or rug-covered--well, if not chairs, improvised seats which
+served the purpose equally well and from which "the get-away" could be
+clearly seen, the course being a triangular one, starting on the port
+side of the Olympia and ending on the starboard bow. The Chicago, with
+all her bravery, lacked the position held by the Olympia.
+
+Captain Stewart's party were the guests of the Olympia and had come
+aboard early.
+
+Peggy and Polly were wild with excitement. At least Polly was; Peggy
+took her pleasures with less demonstration.
+
+The cutter crews were already in their boats and ready to pull out to
+the starter's launch which bobbed gaily within easy range of the
+quarter-deck.
+
+Peggy and Polly hung over the rail calling cheery farewells to Durand
+and Lowell and telling the others that they would never forgive them if
+they did not win the trophy.
+
+"Win! Win! Fill up that tin cup right now and have it ready to hand over
+when we come back the proud victors of the day, for we'll be thirsty and
+you can just bet we're going to come back in that fascinating guise--
+winners, we mean. What? Let those lobsters from the 'Chi' beat us out?
+Not on your life! You just watch us play with them, and pull all around
+them," shouted Lowell as the cutter shoved off at the coxswain's word.
+
+Meanwhile the Chicago's cutter had taken. her berth and was ready for
+the send-off from the committee's launch.
+
+Now a cutter race is no holiday pastime but a long pull and a strong
+pull from start to finish, for a cutter weighs something over and above
+a racing shell, to say nothing of her lines being designed for service
+in stress rather than for a holiday fete. Add to the weight of the boat
+herself her freight of twelve men, and all pretty husky fellows, and
+you've got some pulling ahead in order to push that boat through a given
+distance of water.
+
+If all the civil world had been on the alert during the previous day's
+contest, certainly all the little Navy world assembled at New London was
+on the alert that afternoon. The decks of the Chicago and Olympia were
+crowded with friends. The ships' launches were darting about like
+distracted water-bugs, and innumerable "shore boats" were bringing
+guests from every direction.
+
+Presently, however, the course was cleared, the signals given and the
+heavy oars took the water as only "man-o-war's men's" oars ever take it:
+as though one brain controlled the actions of the entire crew.
+
+The start was pretty even, the huge sweeps dipping into the water
+simultaneously and cleanly. Then the Chicago's men began to pull slowly
+away from the Olympia's, the coxswain right at the outset hitting up the
+stroke faster than the Olympia's coxswain considered good judgment so
+early in the race, for that triangle had three sides, as is the rule of
+triangles, and each side presented a pretty good distance.
+
+But the people on the Chicago were cheering and yelling like bedlamites,
+pleased to the very limit to see their men putting up such a showing,
+and confident of their ability to hold it to the finish. They did not
+pause to reason that they had begun at a stroke which meant just a
+degree more endurance than most men are equal to, but they were sanguine
+that their ship was to hold a function in their honor.
+
+Just astern the Chicago's boat the Olympia's coxswain was keeping up his
+steady "Stroke! Stroke! Stroke! Stroke!" which sent the boat boiling
+through the water as though propelled by a gasoline engine. The
+Olympia's men were holding their own if not breaking a record.
+
+"Hold her steady. Keep the stroke. We won't try to set the Thames afire
+--not YET," were the coach's significant words from his launch.
+
+Lowell nodded quick understanding but kept his steady weight against the
+oar which was setting the stroke for the men behind him, and Durand's
+eyes hardly left the sway and swing of that splendid broad back just in
+front of him as on they rushed to the first flag-boat, making the turn
+of the triangle just a length astern of the Chicago's men, and amidst
+the cries of:
+
+"Hit it up, Olympia! Overhaul 'em! Pull down that lead!" from the launch
+following, in which several officers were yelling like Comanches.
+
+"Takes better men. You didn't know how to pick 'em," were the taunting
+cries from the Chicago's launch on their starboard beam.
+
+"Wait till they round the next stake-boat. They're only playing with you
+now."
+
+"Playing OUT? They've got to do better than this to overhaul US. We are
+rowing some," were the laughing answers.
+
+"Now we'll play for fair. Hit her up to thirty-six," was the order of
+the Olympia's coxswain, and the oars flashed response to the order, the
+cutter seeming to fly.
+
+There was a quick exclamation from the coxswain of the Chicago's cutter,
+a sharp command, and the stroke jumped to thirty-eight which sent the
+boat boiling forward. Another command on the Olympia's as the second
+stake boat was neared and the Olympia's crew was holding it at forty, a
+slip to tell, and the boats rounded the second stake-boat bows even.
+
+Then came the home stretch; the last telling, racking effort of the two-
+mile triangle. The Chicago was still pulling a splendid thirty-eight as
+they swept by the stake-boat, but once the turn was made oars flashed up
+to forty-two, for the Olympia's nose had forged half a length ahead
+after that turn.
+
+Meantime pandemonium had cut loose in the launches as well as on board
+the ships, and if yelling, hooting, or calls through megaphones could
+put power into a stroke, certainly no inspiration was wanting.
+
+Half the last stretch was covered, the lads rowing in splendid form when
+the Chicago's men started in to break the record and their launch went
+mad as they spurted to forty-six to overhaul their rival's lead. But a
+forty-six stroke is just a trifle more than can be held in a heavy
+cutter with twelve, fourteen and sixteen-foot oars weighing many pounds
+each; it simply could not be held.
+
+"Give 'em forty-two for a finish, fellows," bawled the Olympia's
+coxswain through his megaphone, literally pro bono publico. And forty-
+two did the trick, for forty-six could not be held, and the Olympia's
+cutter swept past the stake-boat a length in the lead, while Captain
+Boynton on the bridge beside the admiral of the fleet fairly jumped up
+and down.
+
+Alas, and alack for the dance on board the Chicago and the tea to be
+served to her admiring guests!
+
+One of the conditions of that tea and dance was victory with a capital V
+for the hosts.
+
+"Bring 'em aboard! Bring 'em aboard! Pass the order," rumbled the
+admiral.
+
+"Just as they are!" questioned Boynton, not quite sure that he
+understood aright.
+
+"Yes! Yes! Bring 'em aboard!"
+
+"What will the ladies say?" gasped Boynton. "These rowing togs are
+rather sketchy."
+
+"Hang their clothes! Get 'em some. Pass the word, man. Bring them up the
+STARBOARD GANGWAY. Bring 'em up, I say, and get down there to welcome
+them! They own the ship and everything on board!"
+
+Boynton lost no time in passing the word and hurrying down to greet the
+winning crew and it seemed as though the whole personnel of the old
+Olympia had gone stark mad.
+
+But to see and hear was to obey and the Olympia's lads, clad in raiment
+conspicuous principally for its limitations, came piling up the sacred
+starboard gangway to be met by Captain Boynton who grasped each hand in
+turn as he shouted:
+
+"You're a bunch worth while! You spoiled their tea party! You busted up
+their dance, confound you, you scamps! You did 'em up in shape and WE'RE
+the whole show! Now go below and get fit to be seen, then come back and
+let the ladies feed you and make fools of you, for they'll DO it all
+right."
+
+And they were fed! They were ready to be. A pull over such a course
+means an appetite, but whether these level-headed chaps were made fools
+of is open to question.
+
+It was long after dark before that frolic ended, and the ships were a
+fairy spectacle of electric lights, the band's strains floating across
+the water as light feet tripped to the inspiring strains of waltz or
+two-step.
+
+That was one of the happiest afternoons and evenings Peggy and Polly had
+ever known, and so passed many another, for Neil Stewart meant that
+month to be a memorable one for Peggy, little guessing how soon a less
+happy one would dawn for her, or how unwittingly he had laid the train
+for it.
+
+For two weeks there were lawn fetes at Navy Bungalow, long auto trips
+through the beautiful surrounding country and the delightfully cosy
+family gatherings which all so loved.
+
+After Gail's graduation Mrs. Howland returned bringing that golden-
+haired lassie with her, Snap and Constance coming too.
+
+Gail's introduction to the circle was a funny one:
+
+Captain Stewart had been curious to see whether "Howland number four
+would uphold the showing of the family," as he teasingly told Polly, and
+Polly who was immensely proud of her pretty sister had brindled and
+protested that: "Gail was the very best looking one of the family."
+
+"Then she must be going some," he insisted.
+
+She was a sunny, bonny sight in spite of a dusty ride down from
+Northampton, and Captain Stewart was at the steps to help her from the
+auto which had been sent up to the New London station to meet her. She
+stepped out after her mother and Constance, but before Mrs. Howland had
+a chance to present her Captain Stewart laid a pair of kindly hands upon
+her shoulders, held her from him a moment, peering at her from under his
+thick eyebrows in a manner which made a pretty color mantle her cheeks,
+then said with seeming irrelevance:
+
+"No, the Howland family doesn't lie, but on the other hand they don't
+invariably convey the whole truth. You'll pass, little girl. Yes, you'll
+pass, and you don't look a day older than Polly and Peggy even if you
+are hiding away a sheepskin somewhere in that suitcase yonder. Yes, I'll
+adopt you as my girl, and by crackey I'm going to seal it," and with
+that he took the bonny face in both hands and kissed each rosy cheek.
+
+Poor Gail, if the skies had dropped she couldn't have been more
+nonplussed. She had heard a good deal of the people she was to visit but
+had never pictured THIS reception, and for once the girl who had been
+president of her class and carried off a dozen other honors, was as
+fussed as a schoolgirl.
+
+Peggy came to her rescue.
+
+Running up to her she slipped her arms about her and cried:
+
+"Don't mind Daddy Neil. We are all wild to know you and we're just BOUND
+to love you. How could we help it? You belong to us now, you know. Come
+with me. You are to have the room right next ours--Polly's and mine, I
+mean--and everything will be perfectly lovely."
+
+Within three days after Gail's arrival Happy, Wheedles and Shortie had
+to leave for their own homes, as their families were clamoring for some
+of their society during that brief month's leave before they joined
+their ships. But fortune favored them in one respect, for Happy and
+Wheedles were ordered to the Connecticut, the flag-ship of the Atlantic
+fleet, and Shortie to Snap's ship, the Rhode Island in the same fleet.
+So, contrary to the usual order of things where men in the Academy have
+been such chums, their ways would not wholly divide.
+
+Two weeks later the practice ships weighed anchor for Newport, and the
+party at Navy Bungalow was broken up. Mrs. Howland, Constance, Gail and
+Snap returned to Montgentian. Captain Stewart and Captain Harold were
+obliged to rejoin their ships, Mrs. Harold, with Polly and Peggy, going
+on to Newport, thence along the coast, following the practice squadron
+until its return to Annapolis the last day of August when all midshipmen
+go on a month's leave and the Academy is deserted.
+
+Mrs. Harold was to spend September with her sister, a pleasure upon
+which she had long counted. Peggy was invited to join her, but alas!
+Captain Stewart had rendered THAT impossible by asking his sister-in-law
+to pass September at Severndale.
+
+Of this Peggy had not learned at once, but was bitterly disappointed
+when she did, though she strove to conceal it from her father, when, too
+late, he awakened to what he had done.
+
+Mrs. Stewart had contrived to spend as many hours as possible at Navy
+Bungalow, but she had certainly not succeeded in winning the friendship
+of its inmates, and Neil Stewart bitterly regretted the impulse which
+had prompted him to invite her to Severndale. When too late he realized
+that he had fallen into a cleverly planned trap, dragging Peggy with
+him. And what was still worse, that there would be no one at hand to
+help her out of the situation into which his short-sightedness had
+involved her. As a last resort he wrote to Dr. Llewellyn:
+
+"I've been seven kinds of a fool. Watch out for Peggy. She's up against
+it, I am afraid, and it is all my doing. I'll write you at length later.
+Meanwhile, I'm afraid there'll be ructions."
+
+Poor Dr. Llewellyn was hopelessly bewildered by that letter and prepared
+for almost anything.
+
+Mrs. Harold and Polly bade Peggy good-bye at New York. Jerome and Mammy
+acting as her body-guard upon the homeward journey.
+
+It was a hard wrench, and the two girls who had been such close
+companions for so long felt the separation keenly.
+
+"But you know we'll meet in October and have all next winter before us,"
+were Polly's optimistic parting words, little guessing how the coming
+winter would be changed for both her and Peggy.
+
+It had been arranged that Mrs. Stewart should arrive at Severndale on
+the fifth of September. Peggy reached there on the second and in a half-
+hearted way went about her preparations for receiving her aunt.
+
+Nor were Mammy and Jerome more enthusiastic. They had pretty thoroughly
+sized up their expected guest while at New London.
+
+Nevertheless, noblesse oblige was the watchword at Severndale.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX
+
+BACK AT SEVERNDALE
+
+
+The first two days of Peggy's return to Severndale were almost
+overwhelming for the girl. True, Dr. Llewellyn met and welcomed her, and
+strove in his gentle, kindly manner to make the lonely home-coming a
+little less lonely. It was all so different from what she had
+anticipated. That he was there to welcome her at all was a mere chance.
+He had planned a trip north and completed all his arrangements, when an
+old, and lifelong friend fell desperately ill. Deferring his trip for
+the friend's sake, Neil Stewart's letter caught him before his
+departure, and after reading that his own pleasures and wishes were set
+aside. Duty, which had ever been his watchword, held him at Severndale.
+
+"When questioned by him--circumspectly it is true--Peggy's answers
+conveyed no idea of pending trouble, nor did they alter his charitable
+view of the world or his fellow beings.
+
+"Why, Filiola, I think it must be the very happiest solution of the
+situation here: I am getting too old and prosy to make life interesting
+for you; your father will not be retired for several years yet, so there
+is little hope of your claiming his companionship; Mrs. Harold is a most
+devoted friend, but friendships in the service must so often be broken
+by the exigencies of the duties; she may be compelled to leave Annapolis
+at almost any time, and if she is, your friend Polly will be obliged to
+leave also. Why, little one, it seems to me quite providential that you
+should have met your aunt in New London and that she will visit you
+here," and good Dr. Llewellyn stroked with gentle touch the pretty brown
+hair resting against his shoulder, and looked smilingly down upon the
+troubled young face.
+
+"Yes, Compadre, I know you think it will be quite for the best and I'm
+sure it would if--if--"
+
+Peggy paused. She hated to say anything uncomplimentary of the person
+whom the law said she must regard as her aunt.
+
+"Are you prejudiced, my dear?"
+
+There was mild reproof in Dr. Llewellyn's tone.
+
+"I am afraid I am. You see I have been with the 'Little Mother,' and I
+do love her so, and Polly's mother, too, and oh, Compadre, she is
+lovely. Perfectly lovely. If you could only see Polly with her. There is
+something--something in their attitude toward each other which makes me
+understand just what Mamma and I might have been to each other had she
+lived. I never guessed what it meant until last winter, or felt it as I
+did up there in New London. Daddy Neil is dear and precious but Mamma
+and I would have been just what Polly and HER mother are to each other;
+I know it."
+
+"Will it not be possible for you and your aunt to grow very deeply
+attached to one another? She, I understand, is quite alone in the world,
+and you should mean a great deal to each other."
+
+Peggy's slight form shuddered ever so little in his circling arm. That
+little shudder conveyed more to Dr. Llewellyn than a volume of words
+could have done. He knew the sensitive, high-strung girl too well not to
+comprehend that there must be something in Mrs. Peyton Stewart's
+personality which grated harshly upon her, and concluded that it would
+be wiser not to pursue the subject.
+
+"Go for a spin upon Shashai's silky back, and let Tzaritza's long leaps
+carry yon into a world of gladness. Nelly has been asking for you and
+the five-mile ride to her home will put things straighter."
+
+"I'll go," answered Peggy, and left him to get into her linen riding
+skirt, for it was still very warm in Maryland.
+
+From the moment of her return Tzaritza had never left Peggy's side, and
+her horses, especially Shashai, Roy and Star had greeted her with every
+demonstration of affection. She now made her way to the paddock
+intending to take out her favorite, but when she called him the other
+two came bounding toward her, nozzling, whinnying, begging for her
+caresses.
+
+"What SHALL I do with all three of you?" cried Peggy. "I can't ride
+three at once."
+
+"You'll be having one grand time to git shet o' the other two whichever
+one you DO take; they've been consoling themselves for your absence by
+stickin' together as thick as thieves: Where one goes, there goes
+'tothers," laughed Shelby, who had gone down to the paddock with her.
+
+"Then let them come along if they want to," and Peggy joined in the
+laugh.
+
+"You couldn't lose 'em if you tried; first they love you, and then
+they're so stuck on each other you'd think it was one body with a dozen
+legs."
+
+Without another word Peggy sprang to Shashai's back. Then with the clear
+whistle her pets knew so well, was off down the road. That was a mad,
+wild gallop but when she came to Nelly's home her cheeks were glowing
+and her eyes shining as of old.
+
+"Oh, HAVE you seen Pepper and Salt?" was almost the first question Nelly
+asked.
+
+"Well, I guess I have, and aren't they wonders? Oh, I'm so glad I saw
+them that day. Do you know they are to be entered in the horse-show and
+the steeple-chase this fall? Well, they are. Shelby has made them such
+beauties. But now tell me all about yourself. I'm going to write to
+Polly tonight and she will never forgive me if I don't tell her just
+everything. You are looking perfectly fine. And how is the knee?"
+
+"Just as well as its mate. I wouldn't know I had ever been lame. Your
+doctor is a wonder, Miss Peggy, and he was so kind. He said you told him
+you had adopted me and he was bound to take extra good care of me
+because I was YOUR girl now. I didn't know you had told him to attend me
+until after you had gone away and I can't thank you enough, but father
+is so worried because he thinks he will never be able to pay such a bill
+as Doctor Kendall's ought to be for curing me. But I tell him it will
+come out all right, just as it always has before, for things are looking
+up right smart on the farm now. Tom and Jerry certainly do earn their
+keep, as Mr. Shelby said they would, and they are so splendid and big
+and round and roly-poly, and strong enough to pull up a tree, father
+says. Don't you want to come and see them?"
+
+"Indeed I do," and following the beaming, healthy girl whose once pale
+cheeks were now rounded and rosy, Peggy walked to the stump lot just
+beyond the little cottage where she was heartily greeted by Jim Bolivar,
+who said:
+
+"Well, if it ain't a sight fit ter chirker up a dead man ter see ye back
+again, Miss Peggy. Will you shake hands with me, miss? It's a kind o'
+dirty and hard hand but it wants ter hold your little one jist a minute
+ter try ter show ye how much the man it belongs ter thinks of ye."
+
+Peggy laid her own pretty little hand in Jim Bolivar's, saying:
+
+"I wish I could make you understand how glad I am to shake hands with
+you, and it always makes me so happy to have people like me. It hurts if
+they don't, you know."
+
+"Well, you ain't likely ter be hurt none ter speak of; no, you ain't,
+little girl, an' that's a fact. God bless ye! And look at Nelly. Ain't
+she a clipper? My, things is jist a hummin' on the little old farm now,
+an' 'fore ye know it we'll be buildin' a piazzy. Now come 'long an' see
+Tom and Jerry."
+
+And so from one to another went the little chatelaine of Severndale,
+welcomed at every turn, cheery, helpful, sunny, beloved yet, oh, so
+lonely in her young girlhood.
+
+And thus passed the first days of Peggy's return to Severndale. Then the
+eventful one of Mrs. Stewart's arrival dawned. It was a gloriously sunny
+one; cool from a shower during the previous night. Mrs. Stewart would
+arrive at five in the afternoon. All morning Peggy had been busy looking
+to the preparations for her aunt's reception. Harrison had followed out
+her young mistress' orders to the letter, for somehow of late, Harrison
+had grown to defer more and more to "Miss Peggy," though secretly, she
+was not in the least favorably inclined toward the prospective addition
+to the household: Mammy's report had not tended to pre-dispose her in
+the lady's favor.
+
+Nevertheless, she was a guest, and a guest at Severndale stood for more
+than a mere word of five letters.
+
+Peggy ordered the surrey to meet the five P. M. car but chose to ride
+Shashai, and when Jess set forth with the perfectly appointed carriage
+and span, Peggy, in her pretty khaki habit fox-trotted beside Comet and
+Meteor, Tzaritza, as usual, bounding on ahead.
+
+They had gone possibly half the distance when a mad clatter of hoof-
+beats caused her to exclaim:
+
+"Oh, Jess, they have leaped the paddock fence!"
+
+"Dey sho' has, honey-chile. Dey sho' has," chuckled Jess. "Dat lady
+what's a-comin' gwine get a 'ception at 'tention what mak' her open her
+eyes."
+
+"Oh, but I did not want her to have such a welcome. She will think we
+are all crazy down here," protested Peggy.
+
+"Well, if she think FIVE thoroughbreds tu'ned out fer ter welcome her
+stan fer crazy folks she gwine start out wid a mistake. Dem hawses gwine
+mind yo' an' mak' a showin' she ain' gwine see eve'y day of her life
+lemme tell yo'."
+
+But there was no time to discuss the point further, for Silver Star and
+Roy came bounding up on a dead run, manes and tails waving, and with the
+maddest demonstrations of joy at having won out in their determination
+NOT to be left behind. They rushed to Peggy's side, whinnying their
+"Hello! How are you?" to Shashai, who answered with quite as much
+abandon. And then came the transformation: At a word from Peggy they
+fell into stride beside her and finished the journey to the little depot
+in as orderly a manner as perfectly trained dogs. When they reached it
+Peggy stationed them in line, and slipping from Shashai's back ordered
+Tzaritza to "guard." Then she stepped upon the platform to meet the
+incoming car, just as little less than a year before she had stepped
+upon it to welcome the ones whom during that year she had learned to
+love so dearly, and who had so completely altered her outlook upon life,
+and who were destined to change and--yes--save her future, just as
+surely as the one now momentarily drawing nearer and nearer was destined
+to bring a crisis into it.
+
+The car came buzzing up to the station. There was a flutter of drapery,
+as a lady with a white French poodle, snapping and snarling at the world
+at large, and the brakeman in particular, into whose arms it was thrust,
+descended from the steps.
+
+"Handle Toinette carefully. Dear me, you are crushing her, the poor
+darling. Here, porter, take this suitcase," were the commands issued.
+
+"I ain't no po'tah," retorted the negro who had been singled out by
+Madam. Then he turned and walked off.
+
+"Insolent creature," was the sharp retort, which might have been
+followed by other comments had not Peggy at that moment advanced to meet
+her aunt. When the negro saw that the new arrival was a friend of the
+little lady of Severndale his whole attitude changed in a flash. Doffing
+his cap he ran toward her saying:
+
+"I looks after it fo' YO', Miss Peggy." The accent upon the pronoun was
+significant.
+
+"Thank you, Sam," was the quick, smiling answer. Then:
+
+"How do you do, Aunt Katharine? Welcome to Severndale," and her hand was
+extended to welcome her relative, for Peggy's instincts were rarely at
+fault.
+
+But her aunt was too occupied in receiving Toinette into her protecting
+embrace to see her niece's hand, and Peggy did not force the greeting.
+"Will you come to the carriage?" she asked, "I hope you are not very
+tired from the journey."
+
+"On the contrary, I am positively exhausted. I don't see how you can
+endure those horrid, smelly little cars. We would not consent to ride a
+mile in them at home. Is this your carriage? Hold my dog, coachman,
+while I am getting in," and Toinette was thrust into Jess' hand which
+she promptly bit, and very nearly had her small ribs crushed for her
+indiscretion, her yelp producing a cry from her doting mistress.
+
+"Be careful, you stupid man. You can't handle that delicate little thing
+as though she were one of your great horses. Now put the suitcase by the
+driver and leave room here beside me for my niece," were the further
+commands issued to "Sam."
+
+Sam did as ordered, but when a dime was proffered answered:
+
+"Keep yo' cash, lady. I done DAT job fer ma little quality lady hyer,
+an' SHE pays wid somethin' bettah."
+
+Mrs. Stewart was evidently NOT in her amiable guise, but turning to
+Peggy she strove to force a smile and say:
+
+"Ignorant creatures, aren't they, dear? But come. I've a thousand
+questions to ask."
+
+"Thank you, Aunt Katharine, but I rode over on my saddle horse, and
+shall have to ask you to excuse me."
+
+Not until that moment did Mrs. Stewart notice the three horses standing
+like statues just beyond the carriage with the splendid dog lying upon
+the ground in front of them.
+
+Peggy crossed the intervening space and with the one word "Up," to
+Tzaritza, set her escort in motion. They reached forward long, slim
+necks to greet her, Tzaritza bounding up to rest her forepaws upon her
+shoulders and nestle her silky head against Peggy's face, sure of the
+solicited caress. Then Peggy bounded to Shashai's back, and the little
+group, wheeling like a flash, led the way from the depot.
+
+"Good heavens and earth! It is quite time someone came down here to look
+after that child. I had no idea she was leading the life of a wild
+western cowboy," was the exclamation from the rear seat of the surrey,
+plainly overheard by Jess, and, later duly reported.
+
+"Huh, Um," he muttered.
+
+The ride to Severndale held no charm for Madam Stewart. She was too
+intent upon "that child's mad, hoydenish riding. Good heavens, if such
+were ever seen in New York," New York with its automaton figures jigging
+up and down in the English fashion through Central Park being her
+criterion for the world in general.
+
+Presently beautiful Severndale was reached. Dr. Llewellyn was waiting
+upon the terrace to greet his ward's aunt, which he did in his stately,
+courtly manner, but before ten words were spoken he comprehended all
+Neil Stewart meant in his letter by the words:
+
+"Stand by Peggy. I've landed her up against it," and as the young girl
+led her aunt into the house, with Mammy, all immaculate dignity
+following in their wake, he mentally commented: "I fear he HAS made a
+grave mistake; a very grave one, but Providence ordereth all things and
+we see darkly. It may be one of the 'wondrous ways.' We must not form
+our conclusions too hastily. No, not too hastily."
+
+And just here we must leave Peggy Stewart upon the threshold of a new
+world the entrance to which is certainly not enticing. What the
+experiences of that month were, and the revelations which came into
+Peggy's life during it; how the perplexing problem was solved and who
+helped to solve it, must be told in the story of Peggy Stewart at
+School. But just now we must leave her doing her best to make "Aunt
+Katharine" comfortable; to smooth out some of the kinks already making a
+snarl of the usually evenly ordered household, for Mammy had not changed
+her opinion one particle, and when Harrison went back to her own
+undisputed realm of the big house she was overheard to remark:
+
+"Well, Neil Stewart is a man, so OF COURSE, he's bound to do some fool
+things, but unless I miss MY guess, he's played his trump card THIS
+time."
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Peggy Stewart: Navy Girl at Home
+by Gabrielle E. Jackson
+
+*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK NAVY GIRL AT HOME ***
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