CHAPTER IXWHILE GOBLINS DANCED
Although in little sympathy with frivolous forms of entertainment, Miss Woodhull did condescend to a Hallowe’en Masquerade each year, and two nights after Beverly’s John Gilpin performance the girls were preparing for the dance in the big gymnasium.
A collection had been taken up among the sixty girls constituting the academic grades and a couple of musicians engaged for the occasion. They came from an adjacent town where they formed part of a colored orchestra of more than local fame, which was in great demand for miles around. Consequently, the girls would have good music for their frolic and as Mrs. Bonnell looked to the refreshments, everything was satisfactory excepting Miss Woodhull’s veto upon “the absurd practices of Hallowe’en:” meaning the love tests of fate andfortune usually made that night. Those were debarred, though many a one was indulged in in secret of which that practical lady little kenned.
As a hostess and chaperone were deemed absolutely indispensable upon any occasion, however informal, Mrs. Bonnell was always eagerly sought after by the girls to act in the former capacity and Miss Dalton the gym instructor in the latter. Miss Dalton seemed just like a girl herself, and was, in fact, not many years her pupils’ senior. She was in her twenty-fourth year, but looked about nineteen, a jolly, chummy, lovable woman, though no instructor maintained better discipline, or was more willingly obeyed. She and Mrs. Bonnell worked in perfect harmony when their duties brought them together.
Now it is only reasonable to surmise that Beverly and the boys had made the very utmost of the fifteen minutes spent in Athol’s room the previous Wednesday, and some lightening-like communications had been interchanged. On the way back to Leslie Manor, Beverly, Sally and Aileen had kept somewhat in the rear, Petty andHope (by the latter’s finesse) contriving to keep Jefferson between them. This had not been difficult because Jefferson simplyhadto have someone to talk to.
What the three in the rear discussed will be seen later. Those leading were needlessly trying to convince Jefferson of the folly of making any reference whatsoever to the unexpected route taken that afternoon.
Had they only known it, he was as anxious as they were to keep the affair from headquarters, his chief misgivings resting in the possibility of the report coming from Kilton Hall. As a matter of fact, it never occurred to either Dr. or Mrs. Kilton to report it. It was a mere incident which had ended rather pleasantly than otherwise, and, as a matter of fact, the relations between the two schools were not over cordial. Dr. and Mrs. Kilton had made very gracious overtures to Miss Woodhull when she first opened Leslie Manor, but desiring to keep distantly at arm’s length all relations with a school that harbored boys, her response had been as frigid as her New England coast line in February. This was rather fortunate in the presentcase. Dr. and Mrs. Kilton not only requested the instructors not to give needless publicity to the affair, or anxiety to Miss Woodhull by permitting any report of the runaway to become circulated, but also warned the servants and forbade the boys discussing it abroad. And the boys were wise enough to put two and two together. So a discreet silence was maintained, and Miss Woodhull spared a nerve shock.
At seven-thirty o’clock on Hallowe’en, suite Number 10 buzzed like a bee-hive. The three occupants were dressing, two or three girls were assisting at the robing, and two or three more who were already costumed were acting as spectators.
Beverly was going as Tweedle-dum, her costume consisting of funny little ruffled trousers, a Lord Fauntleroy shirt, jacket and collar, her hair braided and tucked inside her waist and her head covered by a huge Glengarry bonnet. Tiny patent-leather pumps and little blue socks completed the funny makeup. She was as bonny a little lad as one could find, her name being plainly printed upon her big collar. Who would complete the pair by being Tweedle-deeno one had been able to coax from her. Her reply to all the girl’s importunities being:
“Just wait and see if we don’t match well.”
Sally was to be Will-o’-the-Wisp, and a plump, spooky sprite she made with dabs of phosphorus upon her fluttering black cambric costume, and funny peaked cap, which glowed uncannily when the room was darkened. She carried a little electric bulb lantern which unexpectedly flashed its blinding rays into people’s faces.
Aileen chose to be the evening star and very lovely she looked in her costume made of several silver-spangled scarfs draped over one of her dainty “nighties,” which, of course, fell straight from her shoulders. Her hair was caught up with every rhinestone pin or buckle she owned or could borrow, and Mrs. Bonnell had supplied from the properties kept for private theatricals the glittering star she wore above her forehead.
Aileen moved a goddess and she looked a queen, for she was a very stately, lovely young girl.
At the stroke of eight all were ready and a general rush was made for the gym, the girlslaughing, talking, jostling each other and in most hilarious mood, but, when they reached that gaily decorated room Tweedle-dum was not among them.
The gym presented a pretty picture that night lighted by pumpkin Jack o’ Lanterns in which electric bulbs had been hidden, and by grotesque paper lanterns representing bats, owls and all sorts of flying nocturnal creatures. The side walls had been covered with gorgeous autumn foliage, palms and potted rubber plants stood all about, and last, but by no means least, there was a long table laden with goodies and more pumpkin decorations. The room was a fitting scene for goblin’s revels.
A barn dance had just begun, when down through the gym pranced Tweedle-dumandTweedle-dee, and so identical were the figures that no mortal being could have told one from the other had they chanced to become separated. But this they seemed to have no intention of doing. Together they went through the figures of the pretty fancy dance, prancing, twirling, advancing, retreating; arms clasped or held above each other’s heads, feet twinklingin perfect time, heads nodding, eyes dancing through the peepers of their little black half-masks, lips smiling to reveal faultless teeth.
In two minutes everybody was asking:
“Whoisit? Whoarethey? Howcanthey look so exactly alike? We didn’t know there were two girls in the school who matched so well, and who could do everything so exactly alike.”
But neither Tweedle-dum nor Tweedle-dee enlightened the questioners. Indeed, neither spoke one word, signs having to answer to all queries.
Presently the musicians struck up a hornpipe, when away they went in the jolliest dance eyes ever looked upon, and would have absorbed all attention had not a new diversion been created just then.
During their prancing, Sally, in her Will-o’-the-Wisp costume, had been darting in and out between the tall potted plants and bowers constructed of Autumn leaves, her luminous tatters fluttering and her dancing light blinding every dancer into whose face she flashed it.
Just as Tweedle-dum and Tweedle-dee werein the height of their performance she darted from her bosky nook and flitted down the room, closely followed by a tall Jack o’ Lantern with his pumpkin light. No one in the room was so tall. Who could it be? There was just one person in the school who might look as tall if so disguised and that was Miss Stetson, but even the liveliest imagination could hardly fancy Miss Stetson in that guise. Moreover, Miss Stetson could never have pranced with such supple grace as this dancing Jack was prancing after the Will-o’-the-Wisp. No, it could not be Miss Stetson.
Towering above the nimble little Will, Jack cavorted, swung his lantern and by signs indicated his desire to imitate Tweedle-dum’s and Tweedle-dee’s performances, to which Will promptly acceded and the quartette hornpipe was on.
Now it was Miss Woodhull’s custom to grace all festive occasions by her presence just prior to the stroke of nine-thirty when refreshments were served. The revelers were to unmask before partaking of the feast. After the feast they were at liberty to dance until ten-thirty but not a moment later.
The fun was at its height, Tweedle-dum and Tweedle-dee had danced with every other goblin, the evening star included, though it must be confessed that Tweedle-dee had been unanimously pronounced the better leader by his partners, and Jack “almost as good as a boy; she was so strong and danced so divinely,” though none had as yet guessed the identity of either. Then Miss Woodhull, escorted by Miss Baylis, entered the gym. Had it been possible to suddenly reduce the temperature of the room and thus congeal the dancers the effect produced could hardly have been more chilling.
From the merriest, most hilarious frolicing, the gayest, cheeriest bantering and laughter, to the utmost decorum was the transformation effected in two minutes after Miss Woodhull’s and Miss Baylis’ entrance. With the exception of Tweedle-dum, Tweedle-dee, Will-o’-the-Wisp and Jack o’ Lantern, the girls ceased dancing and stood in groups and even the musicians played more softly.
There was not the vestige of a smile on Miss Woodhull’s face as she looked upon the four dancers. She tolerated such frivolity; she was compelledto do so; her school would have been unpopular had she not done so; other schools approved of them.
Raising her lorgnettes, she looked sharply at the four dancing figures. Then turning to Mrs. Bonnell, who had crossed from the table to receive her, she asked:
“Who is that strikingly tall figure in the Jack o’ Lantern costume. I did not know we had so tall a girl in the school.”
“I am sure I do not know, Miss Woodhull. She came in after the dancing began. She sustains the character well, doesn’t she?”
“I wish to knowwhoshe is. Send someone for her if you please,” answered the principal, ignoring the question. She was a little doubtful of that tall girl. In times gone by some of her pupils had been guilty of indiscretions. If this were a repetition it must be nipped in the bud.
Mrs. Bonnell beckoned to one of the masqueraders, a jolly little Tam o’ Shanta, and bade him bring Jack.
He nodded and instantly darted off in pursuit of him. As well have tried to capture the original of the character!
The mad chase lasted perhaps five minutes. Miss Woodhull was powerless. How could she accuse Jack of disrespect to her or disregard of her commands when he could not possibly have known them? He was only acting his part to perfection any way. Besides Tam never had caught the goblins: The shoe had been on the other foot. But at that second Jack tripped over a ring set in the floor of the gym and went sprawling, his pumpkin lantern flying out of his hand and breaking into a dozen fragments. Tam was almost upon him, but before he could lay hold Jack was up again, had made a spring, caught one of the flying rings which dangled high above his head, swung like a monkey from that to the next, and so on down the line until he was in range of the gallery, at which he hurled himself bodily, landed upon the railing, balanced a half-second and was safe upon the gallery floor, to the boundless amazement of the onlookers and absolute banishment of their suspicions regarding the identity of Miss Stetson. That spring settled his fate with Miss Woodhull: No girl in Leslie Manor could have performed such a feat, and all the dancers werestaring speechless. It was the ominous silence before the storm.
“That masquerader is not a girl, Miss Bonnell! It is some boy! Who has perpetrated this outrage? Miss Baylis, order all the outer doors closed and guarded and a thorough search made. This matter shall be sifted to the very bottom. No, you will all remain in this room and immediately unmask under Mrs. Bonnell’s eyes. I shall superintend the search,” and Miss Woodhull sailed majestically from the room.
CHAPTER XTHE SEARCH
“We’re in for it,” whispered Tweedle-dee to Tweedle-dum, as the two comical figures drew unobtrusively into the rear of the group of girls now removing their masks under Mrs. Bonnell’s half-amused, half-serious eyes, for she began to suspect that some sort of innocent prank had been played which, like many another would have harmlessly played itself out if let alone. She had always been opposed to the rigorous ban placed upon boys and their visits to Leslie Manor by Miss Woodhull, believing and justifiably too, that such arbitrary rules only led to a livelier desire in the girls to meet said boys by hook or by crook.
“Hush!” whispered Tweedle-dum “and come behind this rubber plant. Now get down on your hands and knees and follow me.”
Tweedle-dee promptly obeyed orders and thenext moment was in front of the spiral stairway which led to the gallery.
“Make yourself as small as possible and crawl on yourstomachup this staircase. At the other end of the gallery is a door leading into our wing. I can’t tell you another thing. Just use your wits,” and Tweedle-dum flitted back to be swallowed up in the crowd of girls who, once more restored to an equable frame of mind were laughing merrily, everyone asking everyone else if she knew who the Jack o’ Lantern really was. This very fact was sufficient reassurance for Mrs. Bonnell. She knew girls better than Miss Woodhull knew them in spite of havingknown nothingelse for more than forty years, but she resolved then and there not to ask too many questions, which fact made two girls her slaves for life. The discipline department was not her province nor was it one which anything could have induced her to undertake. If Will-o’-the-Wisp was aware of the name of her partner in the quartette hornpipe, or Tweedle-dum knew Tweedle-dee’s surname Miss Woodhull was the one to find it out, not she. So smiling upon the group before her she asked:
“Are you now all visible to the naked eye and all accounted for? If so, let us to the feast, for time is speeding.” No urging was needed and lots were promptly drawn for the privilege of cutting the fate cake. Mrs. Bonnell had not considered it necessary to mention the fact that she had ordered Aunt Sally, the cook, to bake one for the occasion, and while good fellowship and hilarity reign below let us follow two less fortunate mortals whom the witches seemed to have marked for their sport that night.
Agreeable with Miss Woodhull’s orders, Miss Baylis, who was only too delighted to shine so advantageously in her superior’s eyes, had scuttled away, issuing as she went, the order to closeallouter doors and guard them, allowing no one to pass through. Guileless souls both hers and Miss Woodhull’s, though another adjective might possibly be more apt. The house had a few windows as well as doors.
Meeting Miss Stetson on the stairs she found in her a militant coadjutor, and wireless could not have flashed the orders more quickly. Servants went a-running until one might have suspected the presence of a criminal in Leslie Manor rather than a mere boy.
Meanwhile, what of Jack o’ Lantern and Tweedle-dee? Jack, it must be admitted, had the greater advantage in having made a quicker get-away, but Leslie Manor had many bewildering turns and corners, and when one has been an inmate of a house less than—well, we won’t specify the length of time—one cannot be blamed for growing confused. Jack had made for the very door Tweedle-dum had advised Tweedle-dee to make for and darted through it muttering as he paused a second to listen: “Gee, I wish I wasn’t so confoundedly long legged!”
No sound coming to his ears from any of the rooms opening upon the corridor into which he had darted, he sprinted down its length until it terminated suddenly in a flight of stairs leading to the lower hall. He had descended about half way when a babel of voices sent him scuttling back again, and a moment later a voice commanded.
“Wesley, hurry up to the south wing. Whoever is in the house certainly tried to make an escape from that quarter.”
“Yas’m. I catches ’em ef dey ’re up dar,” blustered Wesley Watts Mather, hurrying upthe stairs and almost whistling to keep his courage up, for your true darkie finds All Saint’s Night an awesome one, and not to be regarded lightly. Moreover, nearly all the electric lights were turned off, only those necessary to light the halls being left on, and this fact made the rooms seem the darker.
Now Jack o’ Lantern’s costume, like Will-o’-the-Wisp’s, had been liberally daubed with phosphorus and he still grasped the electric flash-light which had illuminated his shattered pumpkin. There was no time to stand upon ceremony for Wesley was almost at the top of the stairs. A door stood open at hand and he darted through it into the room, overturning a chair in the darkness.
“Hi, you! I done got you!” shouted his dusky pursuer and burst into the room in hot chase. The next instant the exaltant shout changed to a howl of terror, for in the middle of that room stood a towering motionless figure from which radiated sheets of lightning, one blinding flash darting straight into the terrified darkie’s eyes. “A flash ob lightenin’ what cl’ar par’lyzed me an’ helt ma feet fast to de floo’! Den,befo’ I could get ’em loosen’ dat hant jist lif’ his hoof—yas ma’am, dat was a hoof, not no man’s foot—an’ I ’clar cross ma heart he done hist me froo dat do’ an’ cl’ar down dem stairs. He want noman. He de debbil hissef. No siree, yo’ ain’ gettin’ me back updemstairs twell some white folks gwinefust. Notme. I knows when ter lie low, I does.” (Goal kicking develops a fellow’s muscles.)
Nor could any amount of urging or scolding prevail, and Miss Stetson, the strong-minded, was obliged to go up to investigate. But though every room was searched there was no sign of mortal being. All the window sashes in Leslie Manor had been rehung in the most approved modern methods and could be raised and lowered without a sound. A porch roof and a slender column are quite as available as flying rings to a born acrobat.
As she was returning from her fruitless search she encountered Miss Woodhull.
“Well?” queried that lady.
“It isnotwell. If there really was any one in that wing, which I am compelled to doubt, he has made a most amazing escape.”
“Doubt?” repeated Miss Woodhull with no little asperity. “You will hardly doubt the evidence of my own eyesight, will you Miss Stetson? Isawthat person cross the gallery and enter the south wing. Be good enough to go down to the gymnasium and call the roll. I desire to know if all the girls are accounted for.”
To judge by Miss Stetson’s expression she was none too well pleased by the principal’s tone. Nevertheless, she repaired to the gym and ignoring Mrs. Bonnell’s assurance that no girls were missing proceeded to call the roll. Of course all responded.
Meanwhile, Miss Woodhull had summoned Jefferson, who if no less superstitious, was backed up by her august presence, and together they mounted the stairs and made a room-to-room inspection, peering into every closet or any possible hiding place. Not a sign of human being was found until they came to the study of Suite 10, then a faint sound was audible in bedroom A beyond.
Quicker than it would seem possible for a person of her proportions to move, Miss Woodhullentered the study, reached the electric switch and turned on the lights, calling at the same moment:
“Who is in that room?”
There was no reply, and the irate lady, speedily covering the distance between the electric switch and the bedroom door, turned on the light in that room also.
There stood Tweedle-dee.
He had removed his mask and was about to don a long gray automobile coat.
“What are you doing here, Beverly, when I gave explicit orders that no one should leave the gymnasium?” demanded Miss Woodhull, frowning portentously upon the delinquent.
“My costume is so thin I was cold. I came up after my coat, Miss Woodhull,” was the smiling answer, spoken quite softly enough to turn away wrath.
“You came in direct disobedience to my orders? You may now remain here for the rest of the evening.”
“Oh please, Miss Woodhull, let me go back. They are to have a reel,” begged her victim.
“No, I have spoken. You will remain in your room.”
Without more ado the defrauded one hurled herself into the middle of the bed, buried her head in the immaculate pillows and burst into a paroxysm of sobs.
“You have brought this upon yourself. Had you obeyed me there would have been no occasion for this punishment.”
“I was freezing! I just won’t stay stived up here while all the girls are having such fun in the gym. It isn’t fair. I haven’t done a single thing but get this coat,” was sobbed from the bed, as a vigorous kick sent the eiderdown cover flying almost in Miss Woodhull’s face. A little more energy would have compassed it.
Miss Woodhull deigned no reply, but turning swept from the room locking the door behind her. She could deal summarily with rebellious pupils. Then the search was resumed under her eagle eye, but without results. Not a creature was to be found, and dismissing her followers she returned to the gym to get Miss Stetson’s report.
“Areallthe older pupils present?” she asked.
“They are,” replied Miss Stetson somewhat icily.
“Excepting Beverly Ashby, of course.”
“Beverly Ashby is here. She is standing in the group near the table,” corrected Miss Stetson with some satisfaction.
“Impossible. I have just this moment locked her in her room for disobedience and insolence. You are mistaken.”
“Hardly, as you may convince yourself by merely looking.”
Miss Woodhull did look and for a moment felt as though caught in the spell of that mystic night. Beverly Ashby stood laughing and talking with Sally Conant, Aileen and Mrs. Bonnell, as merry a little Tweedle-dum as one could picture. Miss Woodhull caught her eye and motioned her to approach.
“Ye gods and little fishes,” whispered Beverly to Sally as she left the group and went toward Miss Woodhull. That lady’s expression was most forbidding.
“Why are you here?” she demanded icily.
Beverly looked at her innocently as she answered: “I don’t think I quite understand you, Miss Woodhull.”
“Not understand me? Is your intellect impaired?Did I not order you to remain in your room for the remainder of this evening?”
“No, Miss Woodhull.”
Miss Woodhull turned crimson. Such barefaced audacity was unheard of.
“How did you manage to leave the room, may I inquire?”
“I have not left the room since I entered it at eight o’clock, Miss Woodhull.”
“Mrs. Bonnell,” called the now thoroughly exasperated principal, “did you see Beverly Ashby return to this gymnasium less than ten minutes ago?”
“Beverly has not beenoutof it, Miss Woodhull. She has been enjoying her refreshments with the other pupils.”
“Ridiculous! Miss Stetson, perhapsyouhave a clearer idea of facts since I requested you to return to the gymnasium and call the roll. Was Beverly present when you did so?”
“She was standing not ten feet from me, Miss Woodhull. Of this I am positive, because her cap fell from her head as she replied and delayed the response of the girl next on the roll, who stopped to pick it up.”
“I believe you are all irresponsible! These silly Hallowe’en customs have turned your heads. I have never approved such inane proceedings. Why you may as well try to convince me that I, myself, did not enter Suite 10, and that I did not speak to Beverly Ashby in it not ten minutes ago, and leave her there in the middle of her bed weeping and conducting herself like a spoiled child because she could not participate in the closing Virginia Reel. Utter nonsense! Utter nonsense! But we will have no more hoodwinking, rest assured. There has been quite enough already. You may all go to your rooms reels or no reels. I have experienced enough folly for one night—if not much worse.”
For a second there was profound silence, then a general cry of protest arose. To be defrauded of their Virginia Reel for no justifiable reason, and sent to bed before ten o’clock like a lot of naughty children when they really had not done a single thing, was too much.
Petty wept openly. Petty’s griefs, sorrow or joys could invariably find prompt relief in tears or giggles. She existed in a perpetual state of emotion of some sort.
Aileen murmured:
“Look at Miss Stetson’s face. She doesn’t know whether to frown or smile. She will lose her reason presently.”
“Oh, why need the Empress have come in at all. We were having such fun and—” Sally paused significantly.
Beverly nodded a quick comprehension of what the conclusion of Sally’s sentence would have been, and said, under cover of the babel of voices, for even the Empress, stalking along ahead of her rebellious ones could not entirely subdue their protests:
“And I am wondering what we shall find up in Number 10, and especially in bedroom A.” And in spite of those possibilities she laughed softly.
“And not a single mouthful of that delicious spread after those ten miles. I call it a perfect outrage,” muttered Sally like a distant thunder-storm.
Beverly flashed one quizzical, tantalizing glance at her. “Don’t letthatworry you,” she said.
“What?” whispered Sally eagerly.
“Hush. Listen to the Empress. Oh, isn’t this the richest you ever heard?”
CHAPTER XI“DE HANTS DONE GOT DIS HYER HOUSE SURE”
They had now reached the south corridor, Miss Woodhull in the full force of her convictions, again heading straight for Suite 10, and bedroom A, in order to substantiate her statement of having within the past twenty minutes locked Beverly in.
She was affirming in no doubtful voice to Miss Stetson: “There is no reason that I should try to justify myself or endeavor to prove that my faculties are unimpaired, unless I choose to do so, but I prefer to convince both you and Mrs. Bonnell that I generally know what I am talking about. You will find that door securely locked!”
They needed no urging, but the door opened at a touch, locks nevertheless and notwithstanding. The light was switched on instanter. The room was absolutely undisturbed, likewise the bed. The puff cover, so lately hurtlingthrough space and straight for Miss Woodhull’s august head, lay neatly folded in a triangle across the foot of the bed. The pillow case did not show a line or crease. The spread was absolutely unrumpled. In short, not one single thing was out of place or tumbled. The room might not have been occupied for twenty-four hours so far as any sign of disturbance was evident.
Miss Stetson looked just a trifle skeptical. Mrs. Bonnell’s lips twitched a bit at the corners though her face was most respectfully sober.
With one withering glance at Beverly, the teachers, and all concerned, Miss Woodhull remarked scathingly: “If you were capable of such expedition in worthier causes you would lead the school,” and glancing neither to the right nor left, swept from the room.
“You are to retire at once and no noise, young ladies,” ordered Miss Stetson, divided between satisfaction at having proved her statement regarding Beverly’s presence in the gym and her resentment at being doubted at the outset.
Mrs. Bonnell had already retreated to her special sanctum, there to have a quiet laugh overthe whole absurd situation. She had guessed, of course, who Tweedle-dee and Jack o’ Lantern were and in spite of rules to the contrary, thought it a rather good joke than otherwise. Presently she would send the servants into the gym to clear away the remains of the feast, but she would have her laugh first.
Miss Baylis, whose room was in the main building with the seniors had repaired thither to enforce compliance with Miss Woodhull’s commands. No easy task, for some of the girls were long past baby days and resented baby treatment. The other teachers also had their hands full. Consequently the south wing was left entirely to Miss Stetson’s supervision, and the south wing was a pretty sizable building and naturally under existing circumstances, it did not simmer down as promptly as under ordinary conditions. Miss Stetson was compelled to go from room to room.
“Girls, be quick! Get undressed as fast as you can and put out your light,” urged Beverly.
“What’s up?” demanded Sally, who was inclined to dawdle from very perversity.
“Springing another one on us, Bev?” askedAileen, laughing softly but hastily complying with orders.
Beverly vouchsafed no answer beyond a significant little jerk of her head.
In five minutes the lights were out in A, B, and C and Study 10 was in darkness also. Miss Stetson, ever suspicious, tiptoed back to peep in but found nothing amiss. Then a new outbreak far down the corridor summoned her to that end and Number 10 was for the time being left in peace. This was the cue. Beverly let about five minutes pass, then slipped out of bed and into her bathrobe and bedroom slippers in a jiffy. Sally and Aileen needed no hint to follow suit.
“Come quick,” whispered Beverly.
Number 10 was fortunately, (or unfortunately) nearer the door leading to the gym gallery than some other suites. The corridor was now conveniently dark, the lights having been extinguished by Miss Stetson. Only the patches of moonlight shining through the windows showed the prowlers which way to turn. In two seconds the gallery door was reached and the three were upon the gym side of it.
Now Miss Woodhull’s pet economy was lights, and woe betide the luckless inmate of Leslie Manor who needlessly used electricity. The girls often said that if the house ever caught fire Miss Woodhull would pause in rushing from it to switch off any electric bulb left burning. From sheer force of habit she had switched off the lights in the gym as she hurried from it, a key happening to be at the side of the door through which she led her brood. That the tail-end of the crowd might have stumbled over something was a trifling consideration.
Beverly’s quick wits which had grasped many details of Miss Woodhull’s idiosyncrasies, had taken in this one. It served her turn now. The gym was lighted only by moonlight, and silent as silence itself. The girls tittered.
“Isn’t the joke on you, Bev?” asked Aileen.
“Oh look! Quick!” whispered Sally.
Beverly merely nodded.
At the further end of the room something glowed uncannily. Then two figures stole into a patch of moonlight, one tall and tattered; the other enveloped in a long garment which resembled a girl’s coat, and from out the darkness came a sepulchral whisper:
“Where the dickens did you say that key was?”
“Under the last side-horse,” Beverly whispered back. “Can’t you find it?”
“Ah, I looked under the first one,” was the disgusted answer.
“Did you get the box?”
“Yes, I’ve got it all O. K.,” replied the taller figure, “and now we’re going to beat it. Good-night. Did you get ragged again?”
“Nothing stirring, but we wanted to be sure you got the eats. They’re great. Good-night,” whispered Beverly.
“So long,” and spook number one having evidently found the key in question made for a door which gave upon the rear terrace. Just as he was about to insert the key the door was opened from the outside and Wesley’s wooley head was outlined in the moonlight. The spooks darted behind the refreshment table and the three watchers dropped into inconspicuous heaps upon the gallery floor.
Wesley had entered with his pass key in compliance with Mrs. Bonnell’s orders. The maids who were to help him had lingered to get theirtrays. Wesley would have given a good deal could the clearing up have been deferred until the light of day, but he was obliged to obey Mrs. Bonnell.
“Whar dose fool gals at wid dey trays?” he muttered, “Seem lak gals ain’ never whar yo’ want ’emwhenyo’ want ’em, an’ pintedly dar when yo’ don’. Ma Lawd, whar’ dat ’lectric switch at,” he ended as he clawed about the dark wall at the side of the door for the duplicate of the switch Miss Woodhull had so carefully turned off.
As he found it a groan just behind him caused him to swing sharply about.
Unless one has heard a darkie’s howl of terror at what he believes to be an apparition it is utterly impossible to convey any idea of its weirdness.
Wesley tried to reach the door. So did the tall spook. The result was a collision which sent Wesley heels over head, and before he could scramble to his feet again two spooks instead of one had vanished.
With a second howl the darkie shot across the gym and out of the door which led into the mainbuilding, where his cries speedily brought an audience to which he protested that:
“De hants done got dis house, suah!” and so successfully drew attention to the main floor that the three girls had no difficulty in slipping back to Number 10 and raising a window to listen to the thud of hoofbeats down the driveway.
So ended All Saint’s Eve, though Wesley Watts Mather long retained his horror of that gymnasium after nightfall.
Then for a time all moved serenely at Leslie Manor. Thanksgiving recess was drawing nigh and the girls were planning for their holiday, which would begin on the afternoon of the day before and last until the following Monday morning.
Beverly was, of course, going to Woodbine, the boys to be her escort from Front Royal, to which junction she would be duly escorted by Miss Stetson, in company with Sally and Aileen, who were also going home.
Petty Gaylord was to join her doting mamma in Washington and proceed from that city to Annapolis to attend the Thanksgiving hop atthe Naval Academy with the idol of her affections and also go up to the Army-Navy game in Philadelphia upon the Saturday following, and Petty was a very geyser of gurgling giggles at the prospect.
Beverly’s five days at home with the boys seemed only to emphasize the separation of the past two months and make the ensuing ones harder to contemplate.
The Sunday evening before she must go back to school she was nestling upon the arm of the Admiral’s big chair, her arm about his neck, her dark head resting lovingly against his white one as she “confessed her sins.”
From baby days this had been a Sunday night custom, and more passed between these two in those twilight hours than anyone else ever kenned.
The Admiral’s study was one of those rooms which seem full to the very ceiling of wonderful memories, and was also one of the homiest rooms at Woodbine.
It was the hour before tea time. Across the big hall could be heard Earl Queen’s mellow tenor as he softly intoned: “Swing low, sweetchariot,” while laying the table for the evening meal, the little clink of silver and glass betraying his occupation.
Mrs. Ashby had gone upstairs with Athol to unearth some treasures he wished to take back to school with him. The big house was very silent, a peaceful, restful spirit pervading it.
Upon the hearth in the study the logs blazed brightly, filling the big room with a rich, red glow and the sweet odor of burning spruce.
For some time neither Beverly nor her uncle had spoken. He was thinking intently of the confessions just made as he gazed at the darting flames and absently stroked the hand she had slipped into his, her other one gently patting his shoulder. Now and again she kissed the thick, silvery curls which crowned the dear old head.
Presently he said abruptly:
“And now that you’ve gotten your load of sins off your shoulders and bundled onto mine do you feel better?”
“No, I can’t say that I do, but I had to unload all the same. There is no one at the school to unload upon, you see. Besides, it could neverbe like you, any way. You always let things sort of percolate, before you let off steam, but it’s mostly all steam, orhot air, at Leslie Manor.”
“Reckon you can supply your share of the latter, can’t you?” was the half serious, half-bantering retort.
“Somehow, I haven’t felt exactly hot-airy since I’ve been there. It makes me feel more steamy; as though I’d blow up sometimes. It seems so sort of—of—oh, I don’t know just how to tell you. I’dliketo like Miss Woodhull but she’d freeze a polar bear, and I believe she just hates girls even though she keeps a girl’s school. And Miss Stetson must have been fed on vinegar when she was a baby, and Miss Baylis is thelimit, and Miss Forsdyke lives in Rome.”
“Is anybody just right?” asked the Admiral, quizzically.
“Some of them would be all right if they had half a chance or dared. Mrs. Bonnel is a dear. Miss Dalton’s lovely, but has no chance to prove it. Miss Powell is the most loveable girl you ever knew and the little kindergarteners adore her. Miss Forsdyke would be lovely if she wasn’t scared to death of Miss Woodhull andMiss Atwell would be sort of nice if she wasn’t so silly. Oh, Uncle Athol if you onlycouldsee her pose and make us do stunts! And she’s just like a jelly fish; all floppy and tumble-a-party. I feel just exactly as though I hadn’t a bone in my body after two hours flopping ’round under her instructions.”
“What in thunder do they waste time on such nonsense for?” blurted out the Admiral.
“To make us supple and graceful. Am I stiff, Uncle Athol? I’ve always felt ten times more supple after a rattling good gallop with Ath and Archie, or half a dozen games of tennis, than after I’ve turned and twisted myself into bowline-knots with Miss Atwell. Oh,howI miss the old good times, Uncle Athol! Why can’t Ath come to see me or I go to see him sometimes? If they’d only let me I’d never think of running away as I did that day.”
“Good Lord how can I tell the workings of an old maid’s mind?” exploded Admiral Seldon. “It’s too big a question for me to answer. I’ve always had an idea that it was a good thing for boys and girls to grow up together, and so has your mother, I reckon, or she’d never haveallowed you to romp ’round with Athol and Archie as long as you have. And I can’t for the life of me see that you’re any the worse for it. But maybe that’s just exactly the difference between an old maid’s and an old bach’s viewpoint. Can’t you wheedle her as you wheedleme. Seems to me if you went at it like this you might make her believe that the port and starboard lights were black and white instead of red and green. Try it.”
“CuddleMiss Woodhull! Uncle Athol wouldyoulike to cuddle Miss Woodhull?” demanded Beverly tragically.
“God bless my soul, No! I’d as soon cuddle that statue of Diana yonder on the lawn.”
“So wouldI,” was the prompt reply. “I reckon I’d rather. She isn’t half so cold. Wheedle? Hum. Wouldn’t it be funny if I could? I’ll think about it. But if she were as cuddable as you it would be—de-li-cious,” she ended with a bear hug.
“Here’s Queen to announce tea. Come along you artful huzzy. I never have an atom of justice or logic in me when I talk to you.”
Nevertheless, he kissed her very tenderly ashe untwined her circling arms. The past two months had been very lonely ones for him without her.
“Will you try to make Miss Woodhull let us see each other?” she begged.
“I’ll think about it. I’ll think about it. And do you do some thinking too lest you disgrace Woodbine.
“I’mgoingto think.Hard,” she added, as together they entered the cheerful dining room.