In the group eagerly waiting for the last arrivals the unit composed of Mr. and Mrs. Fabian and
Nancy, Polly and Eleanor, were to be seen our old friends Mr. and Mrs. Latimer and Tom. Tom had come all the way from the mine at Pebbly Pit in order to see Polly, and hold her hand just once before having her go so far away. There, too, were Dr. and Mrs. Evans and Kenneth; John Baxter and Mrs. Courtney. Evidently the owner of the yacht and his daughter Elizabeth were already on board, as a shout, to attract Pollys attention to the beautiful craft, came from a number of young persons who were talking in the prow of the yacht.
Look, Nolla! Isnt that Paul Stewart and Pete Maynard up there with Elizabeth Dalken? whispered Polly hurriedly, as she tried to see who were the individual members in the group.
Well! If that doesnt beat all! Come on, Poll lets run in and shake hands. I havent had a word with Paul for so long that my tongue cleaves to the roof of my mouth. And Eleanor ran.
Polly was forcibly detained at the moment she started to follow Eleanor. Tom Latimer had caught hold of her coat sleeve and was saying: Arent you going to wait here to see John and Anne when they arrive?
Oh! Arent we all going on board? Why not visit with John and Anne, and all the rest of you, while on the yacht? asked Polly.
Tom always became humble when in Pollys presence, and this occasion was no exception to the rule. He meekly followed at Pollys heels as she led the way up the steps of the wharf to the gangplank. In another moment Polly was surrounded by her young friends and dragged to the luxurious lounging room on the deck, where wicker chairs and tables and divans invited one to sit and enjoy life.
A few moments after seating herself in one of the wide-armed chairs chosen in order to compel Tom to select another chair and not try to squeeze close to her side as he would have done had she seated herself on the divan Polly saw Mr. Dalken hurrying to join the group of young friends.
Oh, Polly! I had a phone message from John he says Anne and he just got in at Grand Central and would hurry here in a taxi. He must be almost here by this time, I judge, so you keep on the look-out for them, will you? I have so many other things to attend to, was Mr. Dalkens request.
All right, Dalky! Go on and do your duty, but dont kill yourself working for others as you always do, laughed Polly, waving a hand at him.
There, Polly! Now youd better come with me and stand at the rail to watch for your brother and Anne, advised Tom, anxiously.
Yes? and have you stand there and talk nonsense to me, eh, laughed Polly, softly, in order that others might not hear.
Tom bit his lip. Polly knew she was uncharitable, but she rebelled at Toms constant tagging her when she wanted to enjoy the company of other friends, too, and she generally spoke impulsively and regretted it later.
At this crisis between the two conditional lovers, Eleanor unconsciously played the good fairy by drawing Pollys attention to a little side-play between Elizabeth and Pete Maynard. They had quietly withdrawn from the group of young people and were now enjoying a tête-à-tête back of the funnel which acted as a partial screen for them.
I just wanted to say that Elizabeths mother has trained her carefully to encourage only such young men as can show an attractive bank-roll. Totty never deigned to notice Ken and Paul, but quickly attached herself to Pete. Well, Pete is playing the same game as Elizabeths mother plays, and Dad knows too much to let Pete use his money for fortune hunters! was Eleanors sarcastic remark.
But you must remember, Nolla, Totty isnt what one might call a fortune-hunter, any more than Pete is. Mr. Dalken has no other heir to his wealth, and some day Elizabeth will have more than she can use, remonstrated Polly.
Pooh! Mr. Dalken is a handsome youngish man, Polly, and our Mrs. Courtney is a fascinating, lonely youngish woman there!
At such frank match-making between the two girls, Tom Latimer gasped. The girls laughed at his shocked expression, and Eleanor added in a whisper: Tom, old dear, why do you think Elizabeths mother sent her on this cruise with the father who is so heartily detested by the social moth, and has been completely ignored for years?
W-e-ell, stammered Tom, innocently, Im sure I dont know. Now that you mention it, I think I can see a little light.
Eleanor laughed as she patted Tom on the back. Thats a good boy! Go to the head of the class!
Just as a taxi drove recklessly up to the wharf, the whistle on the yacht blew a terrific blast. Every one glanced apprehensively at the pilot house to see what this meant. Surely the Captain had no intentions of leaving then and there! Mr. Dalken was seen to hurry to the Captains room to inquire
into the unexpected signal.
John and Anne hurried on board and were soon surrounded by welcoming friends, Polly the center of the group. All concern over the whistle was forgotten in the gossip about the gold mine and all the doings at Pebbly Pit Ranch. Anne had many packages to deliver to Polly from her mother, and John had advices galore from her father.