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The Come Back * * * * *CAROLYN WELLS
* * * * * BY CAROLYN WELLS * * * * * THE COME BACK IN THE ONYX LOBBY THE MAN WHO FELL THROUGH THE EARTH THE ROOM WITH THE TASSELS FAULKNER'S FOLLY THE BRIDE OF A MOMENT DORIS OF DOBBS' FERRY THE BOOK OF HUMOROUS VERSE SUCH NONSENSE! _An Anthology_ * * * * * NEW YORK GEORGE H. DORAN COMPANY
* * * * *
THE COME BACK
BYCAROLYN WELLS
_Author of "In the Onyx Lobby," "The ManWho Fell Through the Earth," Etc._
NEW YORKGEORGE H. DORAN COMPANY
COPYRIGHT, 1921,BY GEORGE H. DORAN COMPANY
CONTENTS
CHAPTER PAGE
I THE PROPHECY 9
II THE LABRADOR WILD 24
III THE SNOWSTORM 39
IV THE PROPHECY RECALLED 55
V MADAMS PARLATO 71
VI STRANGE REVELATIONS 87
VII THE TOBACCO POUCH 102
VIII BLAIR KNOWS 117
IX INVESTIGATION 132
X EVIDENCE 148
XI CARLOTTA AND THE BOARD 163
XII WISE AND ZIZI 179
XIII "LABRADOR LUCK" 194
XIV A PROPHECY FULFILLED 209
XV AN INTERVIEW 225
XVI ZIZI'S OPPORTUNITY 241
XVII THE HEART HELPER 257
XVIII THE CONFESSION 273
THE COME BACK
CHAPTER I
The Prophecy
Even when Peter Crane was a baby boy, with eyes the color of the chicoryflowers that grow by the wayside along New England roads, and hair thatrivaled the Blessed Damosel's in being "yellow like ripe corn," he wasof an adventurous disposition.
His innocent face was never so devoid of guile, his winning smile neverso cherubic as when he remarked that he would "jes' run froo the frontgate a minyit," and the next instant he was out of sight. Far afield hisroving spirit led him, and much scurrying was needed on the part ofnurse or mother to bring him back.
At four he achieved a pair of most wonderful russet-topped boots,--aye,even with straps to lift himself over a fence, if a fence came his way.And these so accentuated and emphasized his world-faring inclinationsthat he came to be known as Peter Boots.
The name stuck, for Peter was always ready to boot it, and all throughhis school and college days he led his willing mates wherever he listed.He stalked forth and they followed; and, as he stopped not for brake andstayed not for stone, the boys who eagerly trailed Peter Boots becamesturdy fellows.
And now, at twenty-seven, Peter Boots was more than sturdy. He was talland big and strong, and the love of adventure, the dare-devil spirit ofexploration still shone in his chicory blue eyes, and his indomitablewill power was evident in his straight fine mouth and firm jaw.
He had traveled some, even before the war, and now, comfortably settledin his chosen niche and civilly engineering his way through the world,he grasped at vacation seasons because they offered him a chance to donhis boots and be off.
This year he had a grand plan,--its objective point being nothing shortof Labrador.
He had read many books of the North lands, but a delightful chancemeeting with a doctor who lived up there gave him a sudden impetus to goand explore a little for himself. His decision to start wasinstantaneous, and there remained but to make the necessaryarrangements.
For Peter Boots these arrangements consisted merely in getting twocongenial companions, and to them he left all minor details ofparaphernalia and equipment. Not that Peter was lazy or inclined toshift his burdens to others' shoulders, but he was so engrossed with theitinerary and calculations of distance, climate and season that he hadno time to engage guides or buy camp outfits.
But the two men he picked,--and who jumped at the chance,--were morethan willing and perfectly capable of all this, and so all details ofthe expedition were carefully looked after.
There had been opposition, of course. Peter's parents were emphaticallyunwilling to let their only son run dangers, all the more fearsomebecause only vaguely apprehended.
But their big boy smiled genially at them and went on with hiscalculations.
His sister, too, pretty Julie, besought him not to go. "You'll get lostin the ice," she wailed, "and never come back to me--and Carly."
Now Carly,--otherwise Miss Carlotta Harper--was a disturbing element inthe even tenor of Peter's life, and of late her disturbance had attainedsuch importance that tucked away in a corner of his big, happy heart wasa cozy, cuddly little notion that when he came back from Labrador hewould take her to embark with him on a certain Great Adventure.
Perhaps her womanly intuition sensed danger, for Carly joined withPeter's sister in her entreaties that he spend his vacation nearer home.
"But I don't want to," stated Peter, with the air of one giving a fullexplanation.
"That settles it," sighed Julie; "what Peter Boots wants is law in thishouse."
"Autocrat! Tyrant! Oppressor!" and Carlotta wrinkled her little nose inan effort to express scornful disdain.
"Yes," Peter agreed, with his benignant smile, "despot, demagogue,dictator, oligarch, lord of the roost and cock of the walk! It's a greatthing to be monarch of all one surveys!"
"To the surveyor," flouted Carlotta, "but if you knew what the surveyedthink of you!"
"I'd be all puffed up with pride and vanity, I suppose," Peter noddedhis still golden head, though Time's caressing fingers had burnished theyellow to a deeper bronze.
"You'll break mother's heart," suggested Julie, but in a hopelesslyresigned tone.
"Only the same old break, sister, and it's been cracked and mended somany times, I'm sure it'll stand another smash."
"Oh, he's going, and that's all there is about it," said Carlotta withthe air of a fatalist.
"I'm going," Peter assented, "but that isn't all there is about it. I'mcoming back!" and he looked at the girl with unmistakable intent.
"Maybe and maybe not," she returned, with crushing carelessness, whetherreal or assumed.
"Yes, indeed, maybe and maybe not!" put in Julie. "You don't know aboutthe prophecy, Carly! Shall I tell her, Peter?"
"Tell me, of course," and Miss Harper looked eagerly interested. "Whoprophesied what? and when?"
"Oh, it was years ago," Julie began, "we met a lot of gypsies, andmother would have them tell the family fortunes. And one of them saidthat Peter would go off on a long journey and that he would die aterrible death and never come home."
"Oh," Carly shuddered, "don't tell me any more!"
"But the more is the best part of it," said Peter, smiling; "you see,mother was so upset by this direful news, that another gypsy took pityon her and amended my cruel fate. The seco
nd seeress declared that Imust meet the destiny number one had dealt me, but that to mitigate thefamily grief, I would return afterwards."
"As a spook?" cried Carlotta, "how interesting!"
"Perhaps; but it doesn't interest me at present You see, this trip isnot the fatal one----"
"How do you know?" from Julie.
"Oh, it's too soon. That old prophecy isn't fairly ripe yet. Moreover,I'm not ready for it. I'm going to Labrador,--and I'm coming back,--andthen, if all goes well, perhaps I'll never want to go away again. And ifnot,----" he looked at Carly, "I may be glad to take the last and finaltrip! But if I go on with the program and return as my own ghost, I'lllead you girls a dance! I'll haunt you in season and out of season!"
"Pooh, I'm not afraid," Carly tossed her head; "I've no faith in any ofthis spiritist foolery."
"Don't call it foolery, my child," said a serious voice, as Peter'sfather came into the room.
Benjamin Crane gave the impression of power and gentleness, a finecombination and rarely seen in its perfection. A man of sixty, he lookedolder, for his thick hair was white and his smoothly shaven face waslined with deep furrows.
He joined the group of young people, and it was indicative of his naturethat there was no pause in the conversation or appearance of constraintof any sort.
"But it is foolery, Mr. Crane," Carlotta defended, "I've tried the OuijaBoard myself, and it's a silly business."
"Not so silly as to condemn something you know little or nothing about,"Mr. Crane said, in his serious, kindly way. "My dear Carlotta, eventhough you don't 'believe in' the supernatural, do try to realize thatyour lack of belief doesn't bar the rest of us from having faith inrevelation."
"Oh, that's all right, Mr. Crane," Carly wasn't a bit offended, "don'tmind me! Believe all you want to. But, do you believe in this 'Gypsy'sWarning' about Peter? That's different, you know, from the usualclaptrap."
"It's not exactly a question of belief," Mr. Crane said, slowly. "Youwill, I am sure, agree that Peter may be killed on some of these wildand dangerous adventures in which his soul delights. Let us hope theday is far off, if it must come at all. And as to his spirit'sreturn,--that is, of course, possible,--to my mind, at least."
"If possible, then extremely probable," declared Peter, laughing; "I'vejust told the girls, Dad, that I'll haunt them like a continuousperformance, if conditions allow. Want me to appear to you, too?"
"Don't be so flippant, Son. If you die while away from us, and if yourspirit can return and communicate with me, I shall, indeed, be glad toreceive such messages, no matter through what medium."
"Oh, goodness, gracious!" exclaimed Carlotta; "not through a medium, Ibeg of you, Peter! I don't want spook messages that way! I don't mind anice little Ouija or Planchette, but a common, blowsy, untidy mediumperson,--and they're all like that,--I can't stand for!"
"Why, you little rascal, what do _you_ know about mediums?" Peter Bootsfrowned at her.
"I went to a _seance_ once,--but, wow! never again!"
"I should hope not! You stay away from such places, or I won't come hometo you at all,--dead or alive! How would you like that?"
"Not at all, oh, despot, oligarch, Grand Panjandrum,--or whatever youcall yourself. Please come back, and all will be forgiven."
It was tea time in the Crane home, and though the home was only a summercottage, up Westchester way, yet the big living room, with itshospitable easy chairs and occasional tables, its willow and chintz,gave an impression of an English household. It was late in July and,though warm, it was not sultry, and the breeze coming in at the bigwindows was crisp and fresh.
Mrs. Crane drifted into the room almost at the same moment two menappeared from outdoors.
A happy complacency was the chief attribute of Peter's mother, and thisspoke from every smile of her amiable face and every movement of herplump but still graceful form.
As Peter adjusted the cushions she took a low willow chair and smiled agreeting at all, including the newcomers.
These were Kit Shelby and Gilbert Blair, the two companions of theLabrador trip.
They were good-looking, well set-up chaps, quite evidently unable totalk of anything save the plans for the momentous journey.
"Got a wonder for a guide," began Shelby, as soon as decent greetingshad been made. "He's just been let loose by Sir Somebody of Somewhere,and I nailed him. Name o' Joshua,--but we can stand that. He reallyknows it all,--without continually proclaiming the fact."
"I'm thankful that you've a fine guide," murmured Mrs. Crane, in hersatisfied way. "It means so much to me to know that."
"You're right, Lady Crane," assented young Blair. "And old Peter willhave to obey him, too."
"Of course I shall," put in Peter. "I always bow to authority, when it'sgreater than my own. Oh, won't it all be great! I'm crazy to start.Think of it, Dad,--we three fellows sitting around a camp fire, smokingour pipes and spinning yarns of an evening, after a long day's hike overthe ice and snow!"
"Thought you were going in a canoe," said his sister.
"Part of the way,--but, later, we abandon the craft and hoof it."
"Maybe and maybe not," said Shelby. "It all depends on the weatherconditions. But the season is just right, and we'll have good going, oneway or another, I'm sure."
"You're the surest thing I know, Kit," Gilbert Blair said; "now with nohint of pessimism, I own up I look for pretty hard lines a good bit ofthe time."
"Calamity Howler!" returned Shelby; "why damp our enthusiasm like that?"
"Can't damp mine," and Peter beamed with glad anticipation. "Let thehard lines come if they like. I'm expecting them and expecting to enjoythem along with the rest."
"Pollyanna Peter!" chaffed Carlotta; "shan't you mind it if the blizzardblows down your tent and the dogs run away with your dinner and yourfeets give out?"
"Nixy! I'll set up the tent again, get some more dinner from the larderand rest my feet for a spell."
"That's right, boy," said his father, "that's the spirit. But do takeenough provisions and, if they run low, make a dash for home."
"Just my idea, Dad, exactly. And as Shelby's looking after thecommissariat, and Blair attending to the tents and cooking outfit,something tells me they'll be top hole. Maybe not such traps asthese----" and Peter nodded toward the elaborate tea service beingbrought in and arranged before Mrs. Crane, who was in her element ashostess.
"No, you poor boys," she said, "I suppose you'll drink out of horriblethick china----"
"Not china at all, ma'am," corrected Blair; "lovely white enamel,though, with blue edges----"
"I know!" cried Carlotta, "like our motor lunch-box."
"Yes, that sort, and not bad, either. Oh, we'll rough it more or less,but it won't be absolutely primitive,--not by a long shot!"
"It'll be absolutely perfect," said Peter, dreamily gazing off intospace, and seeing in his mind great white stretches of snowy landscape,or black, gurgling holes in ice-bound rivers.
"You are so ridiculous!" declared his sister. "You're a regular Sybariteat home. You love easy chairs and pillows and fresh flowers all about,and all that,--then you want to go off where you'll have nothing nice atall,--not even a laundry!"
"Right you are, Sis. The Human warious is hard to understand. Comealong, Carly, take me for a walk."
Rather slowly the girl rose, and the two sauntered forth, across thewide veranda, across the lawn and down a garden path. Neither spokeuntil, coming to a marble bench, they sat down and turned to look intoeach other's eyes.
"Going to say yes before I go, Carly, or after I come back?"
"After you come back," was the prompt response.
"Oh, good! You promise to say it _then_?"
"Well, I don't say how _soon_ after."
"I'll decide on the soonness. Then I take it we're engaged?"
"You take it nothing of the sort! You know, Peter Crane, you can't bossme as you do your own family!"
"Heaven forbid! Why, dear, I want you to boss me! Our life
together willbe one grand boss,--and you can be it!"
"Don't be silly, I'm in earnest. I couldn't be happy with a dominating,domineering man."
"Of course you couldn't. But I assure you I'm not one. You see, I onlydictate in my own family because they like to have me to do so. Motherwould be awfully upset if I didn't tell her what to do. Dad thesame,--although I'm not sure the old dear knows it himself. And as forJulie,--why she just depends on me. So I naturally gravitate to theplace of Grand Mogul, because I can't help it. But with you, it'sdifferent. You're a whole heap wiser, better and more fit to rule thanI. And if you'll rule me, I'll be greatly obliged,--honest, I will."
"Oh, you're so absurd, Peter! I don't want to rule, either. I want us tobe equally interested in everything, and have equal say in any matter."
"All right,--equality goes. I'll race you to see which can be theequalest. Now, are we engaged?"
"No, Peter, not till you come back."
"But I want to kiss you, and I can't, I suppose, until we are engaged.Oh, can I?"
"Of course not! Take your hand off my hand."
"Lordy, can't I even touch your hand?"
"Not with that ownership grasp! I am afraid of your possessivequalities, Peter."
"Meaning just what?"
"Oh, that if I do give myself to you, you'll own me so--soemphatically."
"I sure shall! And then some. Don't imagine, my child, that I'll acceptyou with any reservations. You'll be 'mine to the core of your heart, mybeauty'! Bank on that!"
"I do,--and if I'm yours at all,--it _will_ be that way. But wait tillyou come back. There's time enough. I suppose there's no chance forletters?"
"No; not after the first few days. We'll be out of reach of mail verysoon."
"And you're returning?"
"I want to be home for Christmas. Kit thinks we'll make it, but Blairis some doubtful. So, look for me when you see me."
"Alive or dead?"
"Carly! What made you say that?"
"I don't know." The girl shuddered and her eyes stared into Peter's. "Iseemed to say it without any volition,--the words just came----"
"Well, don't let them come again. I don't like it a little bit. I'mcoming home alive, very much alive,--and I'm coming home to claimyou,--remember that."
"Unless either of us falls in love with some one else. Those girls ofthe far North are beautiful, I hear."
"An Eskimo with a nose ring? No, thank you! My heart is true to Poll!But don't you go and set your somewhat fickle heart on another man,'cause if you do, I shall have to kill him, much as I'd regret such anecessity."
"My heart isn't fickle! What do you mean?"
"Just what I say. I think it is. I think my little black-eyed,rosy-cheeked Carly is quite capable of being on with a new love whethershe's off with the old or not."
"Oh, Peter," and the black eyes showed moisture, "how cruel you are!"
"Isn't it so, Carly? Tell me it isn't,--I'll be so glad!"
But the coquettish glance that answered him was not entirelyreassuring.
"Anyway," Peter pleaded on, "tell me you like me better than Kit orGilbert. Tell me that if I'm a prey to green-eyed jealousy up there inthe camp, at least, I needn't envy either of those chaps."
"Of course not!"
"Oh, you torment! Your words are all right,--but your emphasis is alittle too strong. Carly, look me straight in the eyes and tell me youdon't care for either of them!"
"Either of your eyes?"
"Silly! Well, yes, then, tell me that!"
The chicory flower eyes looked into the great, dark ones, and for amoment there was silence. The blue eyes were sweet and true, and theyburned with a strong, deep lovelight. The eyes that gazed into them fella little and seemed unable to meet them squarely.
"What is it, Carly? What is it, dear?" he begged.
"Nothing," she said, lightly. "I do l-like you, Peter,--better than anyman I know----"
"Better than Kit Shelby?"
"Yes."
"Better than Gil Blair?"
"Yes."
"They're the ones I most feared. And mostly because I didn't want to goon a trip with a man I'm jealous of! That would be a fine kettle offish!"
"Well, you won't do that. Don't worry about them,--or any one else."
"Oh, you blessed little girl! Carly, dearest, why can't you say yes,now? Won't you, Carly,--please."
The caressing voice was low and gentle, the pleading blue eyes were veryearnest, but Carlotta still shook her head.
"When you come back," she repeated.
"All right, then," and Peter's face showed one of its masterful looks."I'll accept your decree,--as I can't very well help myself, but just assure as you're sitting there, Carly Harper, I'm going to kiss you!"
And he did; gathering her into his arms with a gentle insistence andkissing her squarely on her surprised red lips.
"There!" he said, "I guess you'll remember now that you belong tome,--whether you call yourself engaged or not! Mad?"
"Yes," she responded, but the one swift glance she gave him belied herwords.
"You'll get over it," he said, cheerfully. "I'd like to kiss you again,though. May I?"
"When you come back," she said, and Peter waited.