CHAPTER II
PEGGY DESCENDS
Elizabeth, Dalton and Leslie Secrest were intelligent young people ofsome culture and background, though that impression might not always begiven when Dalton or Leslie fell into the modern school vernacular.Elizabeth, two years out of college, was more careful, inasmuch as shewas teaching drawing and other lines of school art to children and wasalso the head of their little family.
It had all happened very suddenly, the death of the parents and theplunge into partial self-support. Interest from the invested lifeinsurance furnished part of their income, and what Elizabeth called her"munificent salary" the rest. Dalton earned enough outside of schoolhours to help considerably. Elizabeth had insisted that he must finishhigh school and now thought that he should take enough of theirprincipal to see him through college. This was a subject of argumentbetween them, for Dalton considered that out of the question. He hadjust been graduated from high school and had prevailed upon his sisterto take the money for this adventure, particularly with the purpose offinding out how valuable the property was for a possible sale.
Plans were all a little vague, but when the doctor ordered Bethsomewhere for change and rest, Leslie and Dalton executed the wholeaffair, with Beth's advice and assistance. Enthusiasm had grown whenthey came upon a letter outlining their father's plans for building whathe called the "Eyrie" and now that they were here, seeing upon the spottheir few but beautiful acres, and the limitless sea by which they lay,values went up, mentally at least.
Beth of the "burnished locks," was not beautiful, but her golden-brownhair crowned a delicate face with fairly regular features, steady blueeyes, dreamy when they had a chance to dream, and a sensitive mouth. Shewas slight and of medium height, twenty-three at her next birthday.
Dalton, eighteen on the day of his graduation, was most fortunately atall, strong lad, with a very practical turn. Vocational training hadfostered this and young as he was, Dalton expected, with some help, tobuild a very respectable log cabin from the timber on the place. Hislast two vacations had been spent in helping a carpenter and smallcontractor. While his experience might not apply to handling logs, itwould help.
Leslie, like Dalton, was more of the brunette type, though not dark.Brown hair and lashes, grey eyes, good features with a pleasing mouth,laughing or firm as circumstances might demand, were her assets. She wastaller at not quite sixteen than her older sister, and according to herown statement could not "draw a crooked line"; but she could play onukelele or guitar as well as on the piano at home, and she and Saritaknew all the songs, old and new, that their generation afforded.
Sarita, brown-haired, brown-eyed, demure, pretty, half a head shorterthan Leslie and a few months younger, was the fortunate one of the partyin having a father. An easy-going step-mother let Sarita do very much asshe pleased, a delightful, though not altogether safe method ofmanagement. But Sarita's pleasures were always harmless ones andincluded those of her chum Leslie. Both girls were active, energetic andcapable, with many an enthusiastic scheme or ambition originating intheir fertile minds. Dalton sometimes called them the "self-starters."
After a trip with Dalton to view the little lake and to help him bringwater from the spring, the girls spent the morning of the second day inarranging their camp quarters. Elizabeth, when challenged to bring forthher curtains for their "dresser," surprised Leslie and Sarita byproducing them, deep ruffles that had once graced some home-madedressing table. "They were in a trunk in the attic," Beth explained,"and I thought that we could use them here in the Eyrie, if it ever getsbuilt."
The cots, trunks and the beruffled box took up most of the room in thelarger tent, but some perishable supplies were stored there; and Daltonset about making what the girls called a chicken coop, to keep theirboxes of food stuffs from harm, all to be covered with a huge piece ofwaterproofing.
While he was doing this, he had an opportunity to tell Leslie and Saritaabout his inquisitive visitor of the evening before. He described theman and gave details of the conversation.
"What do you suppose he meant, Dal?" asked Sarita in some excitement,her brown eyes growing larger. Leslie, too, was alert, scenting somesecret.
"Oh, I imagine that there is a bit of rum-running, perhaps," repliedDalton, driving another nail. "We'd probably better take his adviceabout minding our own business, though I will admit that it made me hotto have a chap like that laying down the law. I'll make a few inquiriesamong the fishermen. I've got to see about getting a boat, too. Iwouldn't do this, but we have to make our stuff safe from rain or littleforagers. What a waste of time it is to work here, Sarita."
"Yes, it is. Poor you, Dal--let's not have an Eyrie."
"Oh, I'll like building that, when I get at it. It isn't going to takeso long, when the materials come and the man who is to help me comeswith his helpers. I'm going through the woods some time to-day to markthe trees that I want."
"Don't take the big lovely ones, Dal," said Leslie.
"No, I'll not. I shall select the trees with less symmetrical limbs orplaced where thinning out will be good."
"Do you know all about old-fashioned 'log-raising,' Dal?" Sarita asked.
"No, I don't know 'all' about anything, Sairey, but this man helps buildthe new-fangled log houses that they have in the north woods, so I havehopes. There! That's finished!"
"Look, Dal," suddenly Leslie said in a low voice, and Dalton turned tosee a gentleman riding among the trees and coming toward them.
The little camp had been placed back a short distance in the grove,where a more open space occurred, with smaller trees and bushes. It hadpleased Elizabeth here, though she said that she was being cut off froma view of the sea. But it was better so, more retired, and the smallertrees were, safer neighbors in a storm than the tall ones. Lovely ferns,vines entwining the trees, and wild flowers grew about them.
Beth was in the tent, still straightening and unpacking but the threeoutside watched the pretty horse and its straight rider. The gentlemandismounted, fastened the horse to a tree, and walked toward them.
"Good morning," he said, and the young people returned the greeting.Everything was in perfect taste about the riding costume, Leslienoticed. The gentleman rather nervously flexed a small whip in hisgloved hands and looked sharply with keen black eyes from one toanother, addressing Dalton in particular. "I am told that you havepurchased this place and are about to build a house of some sort uponit."
"Yes, sir. My father bought the ground something over two years ago."
"Are you sure that the purchase was completed?"
"Yes, sir. We hold the deed and I preserved the check that my fathergave for the land, when we came across it in going through his papers."
"Where is the deed?" The gentleman spoke a little abruptly, Lesliethought. Who in the world could he be?
"The deed is in the bank at home, but I suppose if you want to assureyourself of our right here, you could consult the records here. I'm notsure just where the place is where the deed was recorded, but my sisterwill know. Leslie, please ask Beth to come."
"That is not necessary," impatiently their caller said. "I am sorry totell you, but I am quite sure that your title is not clear. I understoodthat this land belonged to me. It is certainly included in thedescription upon the deed that I hold."
"It is very strange," said Dalton. "I think that you must be mistaken.When did you purchase the land to which you refer?"
Leslie was proud of Dalton. He talked just like Father and was sodignified and nice without being "mad."
The gentleman hesitated. "It is part of a tract which I acquired sometime ago. If I were, you I would not go on building, for I shouldcertainly not sell this land on the bay. It is too bad, but why can younot look up a camp at some other place upon the coast? I know of severalexcellent places to be purchased at a low price. Indeed, considering thematter from your standpoint, I might part with a strip of land someforty miles from here for merely a
nominal price."
The man was almost fascinating when he smiled in this persuasive way,Sarita was thinking, but why so suave and urgent?
Dalton smiled. "If I have to prove that I own it, so do you," he said,"and I think that I will not consider anything else just now. Perhaps itwould be just as well not to go on with the building, though I havealready ordered some material. If this should prove to be your land, Iwill pay you for occupancy, but we'll just continue to camp here. Myolder sister is very tired after her teaching and likes this place. Myfather's plans were all made and we expect to carry them out in part.But we will not destroy anything, and I will not cut down the trees thatI intended until we look into the matter at the courthouse."
That this did not please the gentleman was quite evident. He frowned. "Ishould like you to leave at once," he said at last.
"I do not intend to leave at once, sir," sharply said Dalton. "May I askyour name?"
"Yes. I am the owner of Steeple Rocks and have my summer home there. Ishould advise you to leave. My name is Ives. I am wondering if you areyet of age. I understand that your father is not living?"
"No, I am not of age, and it is true that my father is not living."
"Who, then, is the executor of your estate?"
"My sister is executrix, the older one. We have a friend, though, who isour lawyer whenever we need one. If necessary, I can write to consulthim about this; but you can easily find out whether or not our deed isrecorded."
"That is not the question, young man. The question is whether the man ofwhom your father bought the land had any right to it. You will avoidtrouble if you leave the place. My lawyer will look into the matter. Afew days, of course, will make no difference. There is a truck on myplace which I should be willing to lend you for the transfer."
With a business-like air, Mr. Ives took a card from his pocket and wrotesomething upon it with a shining gold pencil. Dalton, Leslie and Saritawatched him with various expressions. Dalton's face was firm and sober.Leslie's eyes were contracted a little as if she were sizing up asuspicious character. Sarita wore a look of bright interest. This was anadventure.
Handing the card to Dalton, Mr. Ives said, "That is the name of thelittle village where I can permit you to camp, or can offer you landwith a clear title. One reason that we like this place is itscomparative isolation and we want to keep our holding large and intact.But you would doubtless enjoy more companionship and that you will findin the other community. The homes are scattered, however, and the beachand views are beyond criticism. As I said, in view of yourdisappointment about this, I can afford to be generous."
Dalton glanced at the address on Mr. Ives' personal and listened to whatwas said. "I see your point, Mr. Ives," he replied, "but none of usintend in any way to disturb the quiet of Steeple Rocks. We, too, likethe wildness of the place, as well as the feeling that we are on landthat our father admired. My sister is an artist and rocks and woodsappeal to her. Thank you for the offer of the truck, but we'll not bemoving till we find out definitely the facts in the case."
"If you will call, I will give you such information as you want about myownership," Mr. Ives said, in the tone of speaking to an obstinate boy.Quickly he turned away, and a silent group watched him until hedisappeared among the trees. Then Sarita dropped to the ground and satholding her knees. "Well, what do you think of that!" she cried, "Goingto tell Beth, Dal?"
"No; not a word, please, girls. Beth is too happy to have her funspoiled and her sleep disturbed by a new problem." Dalton sat down on anold stump and Leslie dropped beside Sarita.
"She got out her pencils and paints and things a little while ago," saidLeslie, "and she was unpacking her easel when I left the tent. Thataccounts, perhaps for her not coming out. I wonder she didn't hear Mr.Ives. There she comes, now."
"Let me handle it, please, Les," said her brother in a low voice."Hello, Beth, getting ready to paint up the place?"
"Yes, I'm taking my easel out on the rocks. I must get a sketch rightaway of the bay and Cathedral Rocks. I thought I heard another voice outhere, but I was too lazy and busy with my traps to come out."
"You don't want to see anybody, do you, Beth? Well, this was only theman that lives across the bay, or around the bay, as you like, the manof Steeple Rocks. I imagine that he wouldn't mind your sketching them.What do you think, girls?"
Dalton's voice was so sarcastic that Beth laughed. "You didn't like him,that's certain. I'm glad that I didn't come out. He can't help mysketching his rocks, however. Oh, isn't it too glorious here! I thoughtthat you were going to take a swim as soon as the tide was right."
"The girls are, I guess, and I'm tempted, too; but Beth, I think thatI'd be more sensible to hike out and see about our building affairs andone thing and another. I may get a horse in the village and ride to thestation, too, to see about the other junk that's to come. You won't beafraid without me, will you, girls?"
"No, indeed," Leslie declared. "Besides, Sarita and I are going to putup our target and practice a little. Bail us out if we get arrested forshooting, Dal. But if they hear it at the village at all, it may warnanybody of 'hostile intent.'"
"I don't like to hear you speak in that way, Leslie," said Beth, withdecision. "It is right for you to learn, I think, but use the greatestcare, please. Load just before you try for the target and be sure thatall your cartridges have been exploded. If you never get reckless orcareless it is all right. You'd better fix your target in front of therocks, too. Then there will be no possibility of someone's comingthrough the trees to get shot."
"My, Beth, you think of everything don't you? We'll not do it at all, ifit makes you nervous, and I promise you, up and down and 'cross myheart,' that no 'weepon' is going to be left loaded. In case of anattack by Indians, we shall have cartridges handy anyhow."
"In case of a _large_ band of Indians," grinned Dalton, rising from thestump, "there are plenty of cartridges in my tent."
"Just think," said Sarita, looking around at the spruces and ferns,"once there were Indians all over this place. I 'spect they liked it,too."
"I 'spect they did," returned Dalton, "and I 'spect that they and thewhite men had a great time trying to drive each other off." With hisback to Beth, Dalton winked at Leslie. "Girls," he added in a new tone,"whatever happens, I'm going to take one dip with you. Come on.Everybody into bathing suits!"
Beth was already strolling toward her rocks, but one more unusualadventure was in store for the others. It was not quite as convenient asif their property sloped directly to the beach, but the trail was notlong to a descent whose footing was not too impossible.
Presently they were on their way, Dalton running ahead, with hisbathrobe over his arm, the girls in their coats over their bathingsuits, for the breeze was a little cool. Yet the sun was warm, and thelapping waves of a smooth sea invited them.
"Dal says," Leslie was saying, "that he is going to find out where thedeed is recorded and he may be able to get into touch with the man ofwhom Father bought the place. He doesn't know when he'll be back. Let'sget Beth to bed early to-night. It will be easy, because she is orderedto do it, you know. Then she won't know if Dalton doesn't get back. Willyou be afraid?"
"Very likely, but it has to be done. Mr. Ives looked rich. Don't yousuppose that he could even get the records fixed up if he wanted to?"
"I don't know. I should imagine that we'd have some account of therecording, some receipt, or something. I don't know much about suchthings, but Dal will find out, and Beth, too, if we have to tell her.Oh, if Beth can have only a few weeks of rest, it will be enough! Mercy,what's that?"
The girls looked back along the narrow, weed-grown trail. A loudclattering on the rocky way announced the coming of a horse at somespeed. The girls drew off among some bushes. They were startled to see agreat black horse dashing over the uneven ground and a frightened girlclinging to reins and saddle, with no control of the animal. A whiteface and tight-set lips flashed by, as the horse swerved suddenly,almost unseating its rider. Then it dash
ed on.
"It shied at us," said Sarita. "Look. She's trying to shake loose fromthe stirrups--to jump, I suppose. My! There's that pretty nearlystraight-up-and-down place just beyond where we go down to the beach!"
Leslie set her teeth together and shivered. "Poor girl! But perhaps thehorse won't fall. At that pace I'm afraid it will kill her to jump."
Both girls started to run forward, as a turn in the cliff and the trailtook the horse and its rider out of sight for a few moments, behind aclump of wind-blown pines and some bushes. But the girls hurried aroundto where they could see the road again, and they wondered where Daltonmight be. "If Dal has gotten to the beach," said Leslie, "we'll have tocall him to help, in case of a bad accident."
"It is pretty level after that one place," Sarita answered, "and perhapssomeone at the village will catch--"
But they heard a frightened scream. Now they could see the sceneclearly. What was the girl doing? And there stood Dalton at the side ofthe trail opposite the cliff's edge. His feet were apart, bracing hisbody, for his arms were outstretched to catch the girl. There went aflying, falling figure,--and Dalton, under the impact, fell too. What acrash among the bushes!