CHAPTER XXV
It was with a considerably lighter heart that Bryce returned to themill-office, from which he lost no time in summoning Buck Ogilvy bytelephone.
"Thanks so much for the invitation," Ogilvy murmured gratefully. "I'llbe down in a pig's whisper." And he was. "Bryce, you look like thedevil," he declared the moment he entered the latter's private office.
"I ought to, Buck. I've just raised the devil and spilled the beans onthe N. C. O."
"To whom, when, and where?"
"To Pennington's niece, over the telephone about two hours ago."
Buck Ogilvy smote his left palm with his right fist. "And you've waitedtwo hours to confess your crime? Zounds, man, this is bad."
"I know. Curse me, Buck. I've probably talked you out of a good job."
"Oh, say not so, old settler. We may still have an out. How did you letthe cat out of the bag?"
"That remarkable girl called me up, and accused you of being a merescreen for me and amazed me so I admitted it."
Ogilvy dropped his red head in simulated agony and moaned. Presently heraised it and said: "Well, it might have been worse. Think of whatmight have happened had she called in person. She would have picked yourpocket for the corporate seal, the combination of the safe, and the listof stockholders, and probably ended up by gagging you and binding you inyour own swivel-chair."
"Don't, Buck. Comfort and not abuse is what I need now."
"All right. I'll conclude my remarks by stating that I regard you asa lovable fat-head devoid of sufficient mental energy to pound theproverbial sand into the proverbial rat-hole. Now, then, what do youwant me to do to save the day?"
"Deliver to me by six o'clock Thursday night a temporary franchise fromthe city council, granting the N. C. O. the right to run a railroad fromour drying-yard across Water Street at its intersection with B Streetand out Front Street."
"Certainly. By all means! Easiest thing I do! Sure you don't want me toarrange to borrow a star or two to make a ta-ra-ra for the lady that'smade a monkey out of you? No? All right, old dear! I'm on my way todo my damnedest, which angels can't do no more. Nevertheless, for yoursins, you shall do me a favour before my heart breaks after falling downon this contract you've just given me."
"Granted, Buck. Name it."
"I'm giving a nice little private, specially cooked dinner to MissMcTavish to-night. We're going to pull it off in one of those privatescreened corrals in that highly decorated Chink restauraw on ThirdStreet. Moira--that is, Miss McTavish--is bringing a chaperon, one MissShirley Sumner. Your job is to be my chaperon and entertain Miss Sumner,who from all accounts is most brilliant and fascinating."
"Nothing doing!" Bryce almost roared. "Why, she's the girl that bluffedthe secret of the N. C. O. out of me!"
"Do you hate her for it?"
"No, I hate myself."
"Then you'll come. You promised in advance, and no excuses go now. Thenews will be all over town by Friday morning; so why bother to keep upappearances any longer. Meet me at the Canton at seven and check dullcare at the entrance."
And before Bryce could protest, Ogilvy had thrown open the office doorand called the glad tidings to Moira, who was working in the next room;whereupon Moira's wonderful eyes shone with that strange lambent flame.She clasped her hands joyously. "Oh, how wonderful!" she exclaimed "I'vealways wanted Miss Shirley to meet Mr. Bryce."
Again Bryce was moved to protest, but Buck Ogilvy reached around thehalf-opened door and kicked him in the shins. "Don't crab my game, youmiserable snarley-yow. Detract one speck from that girl's pleasure, andyou'll never see that temporary franchise," he threatened. "I will notwork for a quitter--so, there!" And with his bright smile he set outimmediately upon the trail of the city council, leaving Bryce Cardigana prey to many conflicting emotions, the chief of which, for all thathe strove to suppress it, was riotous joy in the knowledge that while hehad fought against it, fate had decreed that he should bask once more inthe radiance of Shirley Sumner's adorable presence. Presently, forthe first time in many weeks, Moira heard him whistling "Turkey in theStraw."