CHAPTER XIX
ALICIA'S SECRET
The time seemed fairly to fly. Each of the four girls had some last fewerrands to do, each wanted some little souvenirs for herself, or forher people at home, and so busy were they that there was not so muchmutual conversation among them as usual.
They were to go home on Saturday. And already it was Friday afternoon.They had finished luncheon, Alicia and Bernice had gone to their room,and Dolly was about to go upstairs, when she remembered that she hadplanned to run in and say good-bye to old Joe and his parrot.
Dolly felt she owed a debt of gratitude to Polly, and she had bought alittle toy for him.
"I'm going to run in next door a minute," she said to Mrs. Berry.
"Very well, my dear. Here's a cracker for Polly."
Dolly took it laughingly, and went out to the hall.
"Put your coat round you," called out Mrs. Berry. "It's only a step, Iknow, but it's a very cold day."
"Oh, Dot just took my coat upstairs, with her own. Well, here'sAlicia's hanging on the hall rack. I'll throw this round me."
She did so, and ran out of the front door and up the steps of the nexthouse.
Old Joe answered her ring at the bell.
"Just ran over to say good-bye," laughed Dolly, "and to bring a crackerand a toy for Polly."
"Thank you, Miss," and Joe smiled at her. "I'll bring the bird down toyou, Ma'am, to save your going upstairs."
"All right," said Dolly, a little absent-mindedly, for she was thinkingof a lot of things at once.
Still absentmindedly, she put her hand in her coat pocket for ahandkerchief. There was none there, and she drew out a letter instead.Then she suddenly remembered she had on Alicia's coat, and with aglance at the envelope, she thrust the letter back in the pocket. Butthat one glance sufficed to show her it was in Marly Turner'shandwriting.
She had had a note from him a day or two ago, inviting her to someparty or other, and his striking, sprawling penmanship wasunmistakable. The letter had been opened, and Dolly remembered thatAlicia had had several letters in the mail that morning.
It all recalled to her the talk she had overheard the night before. Allthat morning Alicia had seemed preoccupied, and twice she had gone offby herself to telephone in a booth, which the girls rarely used, forthey had no secrets from one another.
Dolly thought over the situation between Alicia and young Turner. Shehad not told Dotty yet. She had two minds about doing so. It seemed toher one minute that she had no right to interfere in Alicia's affairsand then again, it seemed as if she ought to tell Mr. Forbes what wasgoing on.
She had heard Alicia say to Marly that they would elope that verynight, and she felt sure they meant to do so.
They were all going to Muriel Brown's party, that being Alicia's ownchoice of the "celebrations." Would she elope from the party, or returnhome first? The latter, probably, for they had mentioned a rope ladder,and that seemed as if Alicia meant to go late at night when all theothers were asleep. If she ran away from the party there would be noneed of a rope ladder.
Dolly had asked Bernice if Alicia's mother had eloped, and Bernice hadsaid she thought she had, though she had never heard any of theparticulars.
And then Joe came down with the parrot, and Dolly forgot Alicia and herelopement for the moment.
Polly showed great delight over his gifts, and after a few words ofgood-bye to the bird and to old Joe, Dolly ran back again.
In the hall she took off Alicia's coat and hung it on the rack just asAlicia herself appeared on the stairs.
"Where you been?" she called out gaily.
"Next door," said Dolly, "to say a fond farewell to Polly Mortimer. Andas my coat was upstairs, I took the liberty of wearing yours."
"That's all right," laughed Alicia, "you're welcome to it, I'm sure.Oh, I say, Dolly, there's a letter in the pocket of it! I hope youdidn't read it!"
"Alicia Steele! You ought to be ashamed of yourself to hint at such athing!"
"There, there, don't flare up over nothing! I only said I hoped youdidn't. Did you?"
"I consider that question insulting!"
"Yes, people often get out of answering, that way! Now, you haven'tanswered me yet. Did you or did you NOT read that letter that's in thepocket of my coat?"
"I did NOT! But I've my opinion of a girl who could even think I'd dosuch a thing!"
"Well, you had plenty of time, and when you were in next door, wouldhave been a good opportunity. I'm not sure I believe you even yet.You're blushing like fury!"
"Who wouldn't, at being insulted like that! I don't think you can havemuch sense of honour yourself, to think anybody decent would readanother person's letter!"
"Now, don't get huffy, little goldilocks!" and Alicia laughed at her."I had to be sure, you see, because it's a most important matter, and Iwouldn't have anybody know for the world,--until I get ready to tell,myself."
"And when will you be ready to tell?" Dolly tried to speak lightly, butthe words nearly choked her.
"I dunno. Maybe you'll know about it to-morrow."
"Oh, Alicia--" Dolly meant to speak a word of warning or of pleading,indeed she didn't quite know what she WAS going to say, but just then,Dotty and Bernice came down stairs, and proposed they all go for amotor ride, and a last visit to the pretty tearoom.
Dolly agreed, but Alicia didn't seem quite willing.
"I'm expecting a telephone message," she said, at last. "You girls goon, and leave me at home. I shan't mind."
"Oh, no," said Dotty, "we four can't be together after to-day. Wemustn't be separated this last day of all. Come on, 'Licia."
"But it's an important message," and Alicia looked anxious.
"Can I be of help?" said Mrs. Berry, coming toward them.
"Yes," cried Dotty, "let Mrs. Berry take the message, and tell her whatanswer to make."
"No answer," said Alicia, slowly, and a pink flush rose to her cheeks."But just take the message, if you please, dear Mrs. Berry. It will beshort, I know. Jot it down, lest you forget the exact wording."
Mrs. Berry promised and the four ran away to get ready for their lastafternoon together.
"Dress up pretty, girls," Alicia called from her room. "No telling whomwe might meet at the tearoom."
"That's so," said Dotty; "put on your Dresden silk, Doll."
Dolly laughingly agreed, and the four dressed-up young ladies startedoff.
A few calls at various shops, a few stops to look once more at certainpoints of interest they admired, and then for a long drive through theparks, and finally to the tearoom.
"How short the time has been," said Bernice, as they flew along.
"Yes," assented Alicia, "it doesn't seem possible we've been here aslong as we have. Oh, I don't want to go home. I wish I could live inNew York, I just love it!"
"I like it," said Dolly, "but I don't want to live here. I'd LIKE tocome here oftener than I do, though."
At the tearoom they found Janet Knapp and Corinne Bell, two girls whomthey had come to know very pleasantly.
"Sit here with us," called out Janet, as they entered. "We haven'tordered yet,--what do you girls want?"
"Cafe frappe for me," said Dotty, "and waffles."
"Thick chocolate and whipped cream for mine," said Alicia. "Oh, whenshall I ever get these lovely things again? Think of going back toboarding-school diet!"
"Don't you have good things to eat at that nice school?" asked Dolly.
"Oh, good enough, but not lovely, fancy things like these."
"I'd like to go to boarding-school," said Janet, "but mother doesn'twant me away from home. She thinks girls get no home training at thosefashionable schools."
"We don't, and that's a fact," admitted Alicia. "We're taught mannersand, oh, well, I s'pose it's up to the girl herself, as to what shelearns. Maybe I won't go back to school, after all."
"Oh, Alicia," cried Bernice, "what do you mean?"
"Oh, nothing," and Alicia smiled as she tossed her head. "I
've got asecret. I can't tell you now. Maybe you'll know soon."
Dolly looked at Alicia, in bewilderment. Could she be referring to herintended elopement with Marly Turner?
"Good gracious! What do you mean?" and Janet laughed.
"Never mind," returned Alicia, airily, "don't ask me any questions. Youknow they call me 'that awful Alicia!' So be prepared for anything."
Dolly grew thoughtful. Only she and Geordie Knapp held the secret ofAlicia's strange remarks, and she couldn't decide whether it was herduty to tell anyone of her knowledge or not. She made up her mind totell Mrs. Berry, as soon as she went home, and then she hadcompunctions about that, for Dolly was very conscientious and shereally didn't know what was right to do.
"I go to an awfully nice school," Corinne Bell said. "It's quite nearmy house and I can go alone every day. We have such interestingteachers, and such a jolly lot of girls. You'd love it, Alicia."
"Yes, I'd love it, but how could I go there? It isn't a boardingschool, is it?"
"No; but couldn't you board somewhere in New York?"
"Alone! No, I should say not! You know I live out in the western wilds,at least the middle western wilds, and I think they're wilder than thefar west. This little New York visit is all poor Alicia will see of theglittering metropolis for,--oh, well, it may be for years and it may beforever!"
"What do you do in vacation time?" asked Janet.
"Oh, Dad and I go to summery places. Couldn't come to New York then,you know. But when I get married, I'm going to live in New York, youcan bet on that!"
"You're not thinking of marrying soon, I hope," and Janet laughed.
"Never can tell!" said Alicia, smiling saucily. "I have all sorts ofwonderful schemes in my noodle. Some of 'em materialise,--some don't.But trust little Alicia to do something big! Oh, girls, my secret isjust TOO splendid!"
"Is it--is it all right?" and Dolly stammered, as she looked at Aliciawith a doubtful glance.
"Is it all right! You little sanctimonious-eyed prude! You bet it's allright! Maybe we'll meet again, Janet. You can't 'most always sometimestell."
"I hope you'll come to Berwick to visit me, Alicia," said Bernice; "Ithink as we're cousins we ought to see more of each other."
"I'd love to, Bernie. Maybe I'll come this summer."
"We could have a sort of reunion at our house," went on Bernice;"Muriel and you girls could come for a few days, and the two D's and Iwould be there, and we'd scare up a lot of fun."
"'Deed we would! I'll surely come if it can be arranged. But I neverknow Dad's plans from one day to the next," Alicia said.
"Hello, girls," sang out a boyish voice, and in came Geordie Knapp withhalf a dozen comrades. "We just sorter, kinder thought we'd see a bunchof peaches here about this time o' day! Hello, everybody!"
Marly Turner was not among the group, and Dolly looked anxiously atGeordie, as if to ask him what he knew concerning him.
"What is it, Dolly?" asked Geordie, with a blank look.
"Secret!" laughed Dolly, "come over here and whisper to me."
"Oh, how rude!" cried Alicia; "even out West we don't whisper in politesociety!"
"But this is a special case," and Dolly smiled and dimpled, as if aboutto discuss the most trivial subject with Geordie.
The boy looked surprised when Dolly spoke to him about what they hadoverheard the night before.
"Why," he said, "I never gave it another thought! I don't believe theyreally meant what we thought they did."
"Yes, they did," asserted Dolly. "All day, Alicia has been keyed up tosome great excitement. She had a letter from Marly this morning, andshe expects a telephone from him. Also, she said things that could onlymean that they really are going to elope to-night."
"Such as what?"
"She said maybe she'd live in New York soon, and said she had a big,wonderful secret and we'd know it to-morrow,--why, she even said sheexpects to live in New York after she's married!"
"Whew! that's going some! Still, Dolly, I don't just see what we cando."
"I think I ought to tell Mr. Forbes, don't you?"
"I don't know. I do hate tell other people's secrets."
"Yes; so do I. Perhaps I'll just tell Mrs. Berry."
"I say, I've an idea! Suppose I get hold of Turner, and get him to gohome and spend the evening with me. I'll insist upon it, you know, andif he objects, I'll ask him what's up."
"Oh, yes, Geordie, that will be fine! You do that, will you?"
"Yes; suppose I telephone him now, and ask him."
"Go ahead, and then tell me what he says."
Geordie excused himself and went off to the telephone booth.
"You seem to have a lot of secrets, too, Dolly," said Alicia.
"Yes, I have," and Dolly looked demure. "Can't let you have all thefun, 'Licia."
"Nothing doing," Geordie reported to Dolly, as he came back, and hisface looked more serious. He made an opportunity to speak to her aloneagain, and he said, "I got him all right, and he said he couldn't seeme this evening, for he's awful busy. Said he was busy with his father."
"His father! Why, Mr. Turner is an actor, isn't he?"
"Sure he is, one of the best."
"Then how can Marly be with him? Isn't Mr. Turner acting?"
"Not just now. He's rehearsing, I think."
"Well, I believe Marly made that up. He's planning the elopement."
"I'm afraid he is. He was sort of queer and didn't answer asstraightforwardly as he usually does. Oh, what a silly performance tocut up! Why, they're just a couple of kids!"
"I know it. I never was mixed up in a thing like this before."
"You're not mixed up in this."
"No; not unless I mix in purposely. And I believe I shall have to. Yousee, I'm only a country girl, and I don't know what's right to do inthis case. But I'm going to follow my instinct, and tell either Mr.Forbes or Mrs. Berry. I don't think I'll tell Dot or Bernice, forthey'd have no more knowledge of what's right to do, than I havemyself."
"You're a good deal of a trump, Dolly Fayre. But I think you're in ahard place. I wish I could help you, and I'll do anything you say."
"Couldn't you go to Mr. Turner?"
"I'd hate to. Yer see, us fellows don't tell on each other,--it isn'tdone--" "I know. Well, let's hope we're mistaken."
"But I don't see how we can be,---after what we heard."
"Neither do I. I've a mind to speak straight out to Alicia about it."
"Do, if you think best."
"Well, I'll see."
CHAPTER XX
UNCLE JEFF'S FOUR FRIENDS
Still uncertain what she'd do, Dolly went home with the rest of thequartette.
Alicia was in high spirits, constantly exclaiming, "Oh, if you onlyknew what I know!" or "I'm terribly excited over my secret! Just youwait till to-morrow!" or some such speech.
And as they entered the Forbes house she flew to Mrs. Berry demandingto know if a telephone message had arrived for her.
"Yes," replied the good-natured housekeeper. "Marly Turner called up,and he asked me to tell you that everything was all right, and he'dpull it off to-night, sure."
"Oh, goody!" cried Alicia, "are you sure that's just what he said?"
"Yes," asseverated Mrs. Berry, "see, I wrote it down, so I shouldn'tforget."
Dolly had to eavesdrop a little to overhear this conversation, asAlicia had drawn Mrs. Berry aside, to make her inquiries. And it waswith a heavy heart that Dolly went upstairs to lay off her wraps.
"Oh, girls, I'm so happy!" cried Alicia, as she flung herself into achair. "But don't ask me why, for I refuse to tell you. Now, do wedress for to-night's party before dinner or after?"
"Before, please," said Mrs. Berry, who had followed the girls to theirrooms. "Mr. Forbes asked me to tell you that he wants an interview inthe drawing-room before you go to Muriel's, and so you'd better bedressed."
"Ah, those drawing-room interviews!" exclaimed Bernice. "How theyfrightened me at first; then they rather b
ored me; but in the last fewdays I've come to like them!"
"So have I," said Dotty. "I like Mr. Forbes himself a whole lot betterthan I did at first. He's so much more get-at-able."
"He ought to be," laughed Alicia, "with four girls to train him up inthe way he should go! What frocks, ladies? Our very bestest?"
"Yes, indeed," said Bernice. "This is our last night, and we must 'goout in a blaze of glory'! And scoot, you two D's. We've none too muchtime to dress."
Dolly and Dotty went to their room, and it was rather a silent Dollywho sat down to the dressing-table to brush her golden locks.
"Whatamatter, Dollums?" said her chum. "Sad at thoughts of going home?"
"Oh, no; really, Dot, I'm glad to go home. We've had a magnificent timehere, but I'm--well, I s'pect I'm homesick."
"So'm I, a little, now that you mention it. But we've enough toremember and think over for a long time, haven't we?"
"Of course. My but I'm glad that earring was found! Oh, Dot, wouldn'tit have been awful if we had gone home with that doubt hanging over us?"
"It would, indeed, old girl. And, now if you'll proceed to do up thattaffy-coloured mass on top of your head, I'll accept the dressingmirror for a while."
Dolly twisted up her golden mop, and decorated it with a ribbon band,and then gave over her place to Dotty.
And, shortly, four very much dressed-up girls went down to the extraelaborate dinner that was served in honour of the last night of theirvisit.
The chat at table was far more gay and spontaneous than it had been onthe night of their arrival, for all had become used to each other'sways, and had grown to like each other very much. Mr. Forbes, too, hadchanged from a stiff, somewhat embarrassed host to a genial, even gaycomrade. He asked all about their doings of the day, and they told him,with gay stories of funny episodes.
Dolly watched Alicia, but except that her eyes were unusually brightand her laughter very frequent, the Western girl showed no especialexcitement.
After dinner they all went to the drawing-room, and it was with afeeling of real sadness that Dolly realised it was for the last time.
Mr. Forbes walked up and down the room as he often did, and then pausedin front of the group of girls who were standing by the piano.
"Sit down, girlies," he said; "Alicia and Bernice, sit on that sofa,please,--you two D's on that one."
Uncle Jeff was smiling, but still, there seemed to be an undercurrentof seriousness in his tone, that implied a special talk.
"Did it ever occur to any of you," he began, "that I invited you herefor something beside a mere desire to give you young people somepleasure?"
"Why, you've practically said so to us, Uncle Jeff," laughed Alicia;"are you going to tell us your reason?"
"Yes, I am. And I'm going to tell you now."
Mr. Forbes sat down in an easy chair, in such a position that he couldlook straight at all the girls, but his gaze rested on his two nieces.
"My reason," he said, slowly, "is, I admit, a selfish one. If you girlshave enjoyed your visit, I'm very glad, but what I wanted, was to studyyou."
"I knew it!" exclaimed Bernice. "I thought you were studying us--ourcharacters."
"Yes, just that. And I wanted to study the characters of my two nieces.Now you know you can't judge much of girls, unless you see them withtheir comrades, their chums; or at least with other girls of their ownage. So I asked you each to bring a girl friend with you. As ithappened, Bernie brought two, and Alicia none, but that didn't matter.And I'm exceedingly glad to have met and known the two D's."
The courteous old gentleman bowed to Dotty and Dolly who smiled andbowed in return.
"Well," Uncle Jeff went on, "here's the reason I wanted to study my twonieces. Because I want to take one of them to live with me, and toinherit, eventually, my house and the greater part of my fortune."
There was a silence, as each of his hearers thought over what thiswould mean.
Either Bernice or Alicia was to be chosen to live in that big cityhouse, practically to be mistress of it, to have a life of wealth andluxury and at last to inherit Mr. Forbes' great fortune, and all hisvaluable collections and belongings.
Dotty broke the silence. "It's great!" she exclaimed, "just great! Andwhich one are you going to choose?"
"I have chosen," said Mr. Forbes, slowly, "it remains to be seenwhether the one I have selected will accept. But now, you all can seewhy I was so alarmed and anxious over the episode of the lost earring.I HAD to find out if any of you girls had yielded to temptation. And ifso, if it was one of my nieces, or one of their friends."
"And if it had been one of your nieces, you would have chosen theother!" cried Bernice.
"No, my child," returned her uncle. "Quite the contrary. If either youor Alicia had taken that gem, with a wrong intent, I should have askedthe wrong-doer to come and live with me, hoping I could teach her theerror of her ways. But that's neither here nor there. For none of youDID take the jewel, nor indeed, ever thought of such a thing. But mydecision, which I have made, is not entirely based on worthiness, oreven on desirability. And I'll tell you frankly, had I tried to choosemy favourite between Bernie and 'Licia, I should have had a hard time!For I have come to love both girls very dearly, and would have not theslightest objection to adopting them both."
"And us two also?" asked Dotty, mischievously.
"Yes, and you two also! Bless my soul! From a lonely, somewhatmisanthropic old man, you young people have turned me into a real humanbeing! I like young voices round me, and young folks's pleasures goingon in my house. Well, my dears, are you interested to know my choice?"
"ARE we?" cried Dotty, while Dolly fairly held her breath.
"I have chosen Alicia," Mr. Forbes announced, and there was a deepsilence.
Bernice looked a little bewildered, but not at all disappointed. Alicialooked simply stunned, and the two D's just listened for furtherdevelopments.
"But don't you for one minute think," said Mr. Forbes, "that I considerAlicia in any way superior to Bernice; nor, on the other hand, do Ithink Bernie better than Alicia. I love my nieces equally, and thething that settled the question in my mind was a letter I receivedto-day from Alicia's father."
"I know!" cried Alicia, "I had one, too. I didn't say anything aboutit, because Dad asked me not to. You tell, Uncle Jeff."
"It's this," said Mr. Forbes. "Alicia's father is to be married soon.As you know, Alicia's mother, my dear sister died many years ago, and Iknow Mr. Steele but slightly. However, now that he is about to remarry,I hope that it will please both him and his new wife if Alicia comes tolive with me. Also, I hope it will please Alicia."
"Oh, Uncle Jeff!" and Alicia flew over to him, and flung her arms roundhis neck, "indeed it does please me! Why, only to-day I was saying howI'd LOVE to live in New York, and how I HATED to go back to that oldschool! But I never dreamed of such a thing as this!"
"Oh, it's just fine!" exclaimed Bernice. "I couldn't think of leavingfather, and I'd rather live in the country anyhow--"
"I discovered that, Bernie, girl," said her uncle, seriously. "That'swhy I had you girls here, so I could see for myself what your tastesand traits really are. I've learned that Bernice prefers her own homeand too that she doesn't want to leave her father alone though my planwould have been if I asked Bernice to come here to have her father livehere, too. However, I also discovered that Alicia is unhappy in herschool life, that she does not care much about returning to her Westernhome to live with a stepmother, and that she adores New York City! So,I wrote to her father asking his opinion, and he leaves the settlementof the question to Alicia, herself."
"And I settle it! Yes! oh, I certainly DO!" and the girl gave her kinduncle another big embrace.
"Isn't it funny you should have been saying to-day that perhaps youmight live in New York?" said Bernice.
"Yes," replied Alicia, and her face changed, "but I didn't mean THIS!"
Dolly spoke impulsively. In fact, it seemed as if she couldn't keepstill.
>
"Suppose you tell your uncle just what you DID mean," she said, lookingstraight at Alicia with an unmistakably meaning gaze.
Alicia turned on her with a sudden expression of anger.
"You DID read that note in my coat pocket!" she cried, "you DID readit, Dolly Fayre! and you pretended you were too honourable to do such athing!"
"Why, Alicia, I did not! You take that back!"
"Bless my soul! Are you two quarrelling? What IS the matter?"
"Dolly read my note!" cried Alicia, "she--"
"I did not!" interrupted Dolly, her blue eyes blazing. "Alicia has asecret, and I think she ought to tell it!"
"I've got a right to have a secret if I like,--Dolly Fayre!"
"But it isn't a nice secret! You wouldn't want Uncle Forbes to know it!It's--it's shocking!"
"How do YOU know?"
"I know all about it,--at least I know something about it. I heard youand Marly Turner--"
"Oh, pshaw! you little blue-eyed goose! You only think it's shocking,because you're so prim and straight-laced! I'll tell Uncle Jeff,myself, and I'll tell him right now!"
"All right, Alicia," and Dolly drew a big sigh of relief. If Aliciawould tell her own secret, it would take all responsibility from hershoulders.
But Alicia hesitated. She began to speak once or twice, and stammeredand paused.
At last she said, "I hate to tell, it sounds so--so grown-up andambitious."
"I should think it DID!" cried Dolly, who began to wonder if Aliciawere crazy.
"You tell him, Dolly," and Alicia suddenly looked very shy andembarrassed.
"Do you MEAN it? Do you want ME to tell him?"
"Yes, I honestly wish you would. Though how you found out about it, Idon't see!"
"We weren't intending to listen, Alicia, but Geordie Knapp and I heardyou and Marly Turner, in the little reception-room last night."
"Oh, that explains it! Yes, we did talk pretty loud. Well, what did youthink of it, Dolly?"
"If you say so, I'll tell the rest, and see what they think of it."
"All right, go ahead! Spare my blushes, good people, but I am fearfullyembarrassed!"
Everybody looked uncomprehending, and Dolly began.
She couldn't see how Alicia could treat the matter so lightly, but wasfervently thankful that she did so.
"It's this," said Dolly, solemnly, "Alicia is planning to elope withMarly Turner."
There were four astonished faces that greeted this announcement, butnone showed such blank amazement as Alicia's own.
"Oh, Dolly!" she cried. "Oh, Dolly Fayre! You will be the death of meyet! Go on, tell them more!"
"That's about all I know. They planned it last night and it justhappened that Geordie and I heard them. Marly coaxed her, and Aliciahesitated and then consented. She said her mother eloped, and she woulddo the same. They were going to have a rope ladder."
"Oh, Dolly! Oh, Uncle Jeff! Oh, Dollyrinda!"
"Well, Alicia, suppose you stop yelling, oh, and tell me about thisinteresting performance," Mr. Forbes spoke, severely.
But Alicia had thrown herself into a big chair and was screaming withlaughter. Every time she essayed to speak, she went off inuncontrollable spasms of mirth and when she wiped her eyes andendeavoured to speak, she giggled again.
Dolly realised there was some misunderstanding somewhere and waited forthe explanation.
At last it came.
"No, Uncle Jeff," and Alicia managed to speak intelligibly, "I'm notgoing to elope with Marly or anybody else. I'm going to live here withyou."
"But you were!" said Dolly. "You planned to!"
"No, my child," and Alicia laughed again. "I'll have to tell my storymyself. I've written a play, Uncle, and in it, the heroine elopes withthe handsome hero. I was awfully shy about showing it to anybody, butMarly said he'd try to persuade his father to read it over and see ifit showed any promise. You know it's a great thing to have Mr. Turnerread your play, and I was delighted. Well, last night, Marly and I wentover the elopement scene, that's the strong act of the play, and that'swhat Dolly heard, and she thought we were talking ourselves! Oh, Dolly,if people plan to elope they don't do it at the top of their lungs!Marly and I read the various character parts to see how it would soundin different voices. Well, then, he said he'd try to get his father toread it to-night, so I'd know before I went away to-morrow. And hetelephoned that he'd pull it off,--he meant he'd get his father to readit. That's my secret. And, you know, Uncle Jeff, my mother DID elope,because her father didn't want her to marry Jim Steele. And I'd heardthe story of her elopement so often, and it was so dramatic, that I putit in my play. Oh, Dolly, what a little innocent you are!"
"I don't care if I am," returned Dolly, and her pretty face beamed withsmiles. "I think your secret is lovely, Alicia, and I think UncleForbes' secret is too."
"So do I," said Dotty, "and I'm glad and proud that Dollyrinda and Iare chums of two such talented and distinguished girls."
"And _I_'m glad, Alicia," said her uncle, "that you have a taste forwriting. I shall be glad to help you cultivate it and I've no doubtthat Mr. Turner can give you valuable advice. Of course your earlyefforts can't amount to much, but if you care to keep at it, you mayyet do good work. Well, then, do I understand, that you accept myinvitation to live with me?"
"Yes, indeed, you dear, darling old uncle! I'll live with thee, and bethy love! as the poet sings."
"Then run away to your party now, and we'll settle all further detailsto-morrow."
"And you'll forgive me, Alicia, for misjudging you?" said Dolly, stillsmiling at her funny mistake.
"Yes, indeed, you blue-eyed angel! And you'll forgive me for thinkingyou read my note. In it, Marly said he thought he could get his fatherto read my manuscript and I was SO excited over it. But of course Iknow you wouldn't touch my letter only I was so upset over it, I hardlyknew what I said."
"Oh, that's all right. And, girls, won't we have the great times havingAlicia come to Berwick to see us all?"
"Yes, and having you all come here to visit me!" returned Alicia.
"We'll always be chums," said Dotty. "These days together have made usinseparable friends."
"The Forbes quartette," said Dolly. "Only Bernice is named Forbes, butI mean Uncle Forbes' quartette."
"Yes," said Jefferson Forbes, "my four friends, my Rosebud Garland ofGirls."
THE END
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