I have nothing new to tell you about Pebbly Pit, because you know as well as I do that I have been in New York too long to be able to speak of what may be taking place out on the ranch. But one thing I can speak of, and even that is not yours or my business, I suppose, and that is the queer triangle on board the White Crest do you get me?
A triangle! No, I do not get you, Tom. What is it?
Well, then, I know just as well as if you had told me, that Nolla and you are match-making between Dalky and Mrs. Courtney. And I might add, that I can advise you to watch your step, but of course, you will throw back your head and give me a glance of disdain, hence I will not warn you. This much I can say, nevertheless, and that is: Look out for Elizabeth Dalken, if you think Nolla and you can pull little Cupids bow and arrows to suit yourselves. Youve got the third angle of the proposition when you have Elizabeth with whom to reckon. She is worldly wise and she wont hesitate to use every bit of knowledge she possesses to thwart such a scheme for her father.
Polly looked serious. Did you really guess that much? How did you do it, when Nolla and I have been models of discretion? Not even Dalky or Mrs. Courtney, or the Fabians dream of the match.
Maybe it is because I am so miserably in love
myself, that I intuitively feel for any one else who may be in the same boat.
Toms tone and hopeless manner caused Polly intense amusement though she managed to hide the fact from him. However, she was in earnest now, regarding this matter about the matchmaking, and she wanted to get Toms valuable suggestions on the matter.
Well, returned Tom to her anxious questioning, one always gets into hot water when matchmaking between two persons, especially if those two have had a taste of matrimonial troubles. But I know Nolla and you well enough to see that you will not give up a pet plan until you are driven to desperation over its failure. With Elizabeth Dalken to frustrate every tête-à-tête, or other plans to throw these two mature hoped-for lovers together, what will you do? Either come out boldly and show your cards, or call that girls bluff, or in some way be the means of shipping her back home.
Well, how can we call her bluff when she wont admit us to her confidence? asked Polly, eagerly.
Watch opportunities! But it will be easier to ship her back home, if you can get her deeply interested in an objective in going north and allowing you-all to continue your voyage.
Show me the objective and Ill do it! Shes getting on everybodys nerves, as it is. And I verily believe that Dalky is heartily sorry he had her come, declared Polly.
One objective would be to induce her to remain at Palm Beach, now that she is here with friends, and get her father to give her a sufficient inducement in cash to tear herself away from the yacht and the prospective voyage. Another objective might be Jack Baxter. She knows he is enormously wealthy, and it is her sole aim and ambition to marry a fortune and a good family name. She would get both in Baxter, but I doubt if Jack would fall for her. However, if he could be induced to pose as a cavalier, and cut short his trip to South America, Im sure the girl would follow providing she had a satisfactory chaperone to give the entire proceeding Mother Grundys approval.
Polly frowned down both of the propositions. She wont remain at Palm Beach because she has been here too often to have it afford her any novelty now. On the other hand we cant expect Jack Baxter to place his head upon the block for execution, just to please us in ridding ourselves of the girl. Why, Elizabeth might claim Jack as a suitor, and then drive poor Jack to desperate steps in order to show he is a gentleman!
While they were discussing such weighty matters the two had turned and were walking back again in the direction of the hotel. Neither one had seen the moonlight on the sea, nor had they realized that they had strolled across the hard beach and back again so full of plans were they over the little plot for happiness for their two good friends. Now they came to the Palm Walk again.
Where have you two been? demanded Eleanor, impatiently.
Weve spent half an hour looking for you. Dalky wants us to find Elizabeth and start back for the yacht, added Nancy Fabian.
We will have no trouble in starting for the yacht, but to find Elizabeth is quite a different matter, laughed Tom.
John Brewster now came over to Tom and spoke. Anne and I are going to pack our bags and come back on shore to-night, as Dalken says the Captain wishes to resume the voyage early in the morning. I thought you would want to get your bag, too, and come back with us. If you prefer remaining here, Anne says she can pack the suitcase and spare you the trip.
No, thank you! Ill go with you and see as much of Polly as I can, before leaving her to sail away with no certain future for me in it! exclaimed Tom, positively. John smiled.
The bell-boys having sought about quickly in every direction of the hotel and gardens returned, one by one, with the reply that Miss Elizabeth Dalken failed to respond to their calls. Mr. Dalken tipped each page as he reported to him, and then turned to his friends. Theres nothing for it, but that I hunt her up myself, and permit you to go on to the yacht alone. Ill come as soon as I locate my daughter.