CHAPTER III
THE COOLIDGE HOME
For an instant West was absolutely helpless to assert himself. The calmassurance of the girl's voice in this unexpected introduction left hisbrain paralysed with bewilderment. Yet his features did not betray hiscondition, nor did he entirely lose control over himself. His fingers metthe outstretched hand of the Judge, and he seemed to gaze calmly into thelatter's searching eyes. Fortunately he was not compelled to speak, asCable voiced his own surprise fluently.
"Well, well," he exclaimed. "This is certainly startling, Natalie. I am,indeed, bereft of words, yet I congratulate you, sir. Captain--CaptainWest, I think was the name? You are then in the service, sir?"
"Discharged from the Engineers."
"Ah, exactly. I can hardly adjust myself. Friends, come forward. I haveto make an announcement extraordinary. It seems this sly minx hasarranged a surprise for all of us. Perchance this was the purpose of ourlittle dinner party?"
"Oh, no, Judge," protested Miss Coolidge, her cheeks flushed, yetotherwise perfectly cool and self-possessed. West ventured to glanceaside into her face, surprised at the quietness of her voice. "Really,this was unexpected, even to myself. I was not so much as aware thatCaptain West was in the city until a very short time ago. I am sure hewill bear me out in this statement."
"I could not do otherwise, and be truthful," West felt compelled toadmit. "The announcement was quite unexpected."
"But what is this all about?" asked a female voice eagerly. "Remember wehave not heard, Judge Cable."
"It is my pleasure then," he said gallantly, bowing, and at onceinstituting himself as master of ceremonies, "to introduce to you, MissNatalie's fiance, Captain West--Mrs. Lonsdale, Professor Scott, MissMargaret Willis, Colonel LeFranc, Mrs. Wilber Somers. Possibly there maybe no necessity of my presenting the next gentleman--Mr. PercivalCoolidge."
"Oh, but there is," the last mentioned interposed, a tall rather portlyman, with grey hair and moustache, "I must confess this is as much asurprise to me as to any one present. However," he grasped West's handwith apparent cordiality, "I hasten to add my congratulations, and towish Natalie all the happiness possible."
The group slowly broke up, the members still discussing the undoubtedsurprise of this announcement, Miss Coolidge talking animatedly with Mrs.Lonsdale, and seemingly having forgotten West's presence in the room. Hewas utterly unable to even catch her eye, and finally found himselfconfronting Colonel LeFranc and Percival Coolidge, the latter instantlyengaging him in conversation, evidently seeking more definiteinformation.
"This engagement with my niece," he said uneasily, "must have been rathersudden? Even your name is quite unfamiliar to me."
"It was, indeed," admitted West, who had now completely recoveredhis nerve, and even begun to enjoy the situation. "Since my returnfrom abroad."
"You were with the army in France?"
"In an Engineer Regiment. I have been in America only two weeks."
"Ah, indeed. And this is your home?"
Realizing that the elder Coolidge was diligently searching forinformation, West decided the best method would be a full confession.
"Oh, no," he said candidly, "I am from the South--Atlanta, Georgia. Myfather is a District Judge, Robert Peel West, quite widely known, and mymother belonged to the Bullock family. I am a graduate of the Universityof Virginia, and also of the Massachusetts Polytechnic. Before the war Iwas connected for a short time, with a well-known firm of Engineers inthis city, but, since my return, I have not resumed professional work.Having been wounded in France, I have felt entitled to a little restafter my return."
"Quite interesting, I am sure," Coolidge turned to the Colonel. "You areSouthern also, I believe?"
"Very much so," was the quick response. "And I chance to know the nameof Judge West rather well. I congratulate your niece on her choice of alife companion. There is no better blood in Georgia. I would be verypleased to hear more of your father, Captain West. I have not met himfor several years."
West, by this time, thoroughly impressed with the spirit of the occasion,passed the ensuing evening rather pleasantly, although obliged to bealways on his guard against any incautious remark, and keenly interestedin all that was occurring about him. He found the company rather pleasantand entertaining, although not quite able to gauge the real feelings ofMr. Percival Coolidge, who he imagined was not altogether satisfied withthe state of affairs just revealed. The gentleman was outwardly cordialenough, yet his manner continued distinctively reserved, and somewhatcold. West, however, attributed this largely to the nature of the man,and finally dismissed the thought from his mind altogether. The personwho continued to puzzle him most was Natalie Coolidge, nor was he able toapproach her in any way so as to obtain a whispered private word ofguidance. The girl unquestionably avoided him, easily able to accomplishthis by devoting her entire attention to the other guests.
She appeared in excellent humour, and there was laughter, and brilliantconversation wherever she paused, but not once could he encounter herglance, or find her for a moment alone. Nor dare he ask questions ofthose he conversed with, so as to gain any fresh insight into thismystery. He ventured upon thin ice once or twice most carefully, but theinformation obtained was infinitesimal, although it bore to some extenton the problem confronting him. The Colonel innocently lifted the veilslightly, permitting him to learn that this was a week-end party, andthat Miss Coolidge was the mistress of the place, her parents having beendead for two years. Percival Coolidge, her father's brother, and amanufacturer in the city, was her guardian, and the affairs of the estatewere not yet entirely liquidated. West drew the impression that ColonelLeFranc possessed a rather low opinion of the uncle, although he wascareful to choose his words. Beyond this he apparently knew nothing ofthe family history, which he felt at liberty to communicate. As West hada delicacy in asking questions, the subject was pursued no further.
He was assigned to escort Miss Willis, a tall willowy blonde, and quitetalkative, in to dinner, but her conversation ran largely to thetheatrical offerings in town, and he found it impossible to change hertrend of thought into other channels. The hostess sat nearly opposite,where she could easily overhear the young lady, whose voice was decidedlypenetrating, so West made no serious attempt to be otherwise thancomplacent. Once the smiling Natalie appealed to him, familiarlycalling him "Matt" across the table, and he responded with equalintimacy, yet her eyes avoided his, and it was plainly evident to hisself-consciousness, that her remark was merely part of the play. Moreand more her actions mystified and perplexed; he could not discover thekey to her hidden motive, or guess at her purpose in this masquerade.Nothing remained but for him to go quietly forward, playing the partassigned. He had pledged himself blindly to her, and could only wait forthe future to reveal the object of it all. Sometime he would succeed ingetting the girl alone once more, and then he would compel a fullconfession.
But this was not destined to take place that evening. She coolly anddeliberately defeated every effort he made to get her alone, and yet thiswas accomplished in a manner so as not to attract the attention ofothers. Even Percival Coolidge, who, West felt, was watching them bothshrewdly, never suspected the quiet game of hide and seek being playedunder his very eyes. Nevertheless, it was this growing suspicion of theman which prevented West from indulging in more rigorous methods. As theevening progressed he became almost convinced that her principal objectwas to deceive this gentleman; that she really cared nothing for what theothers might think, or say. And she did her part to perfection, beingwith West often, although never alone, speaking to him intimately, andrequesting of him little acts of service most natural under thecircumstances. He played opposite her in a fourhanded game of bridge; heturned the leaves of her music when she sang, and her arm rested withinhis as they all stood on the porch watching the moon rise. It was all amasterpiece of acting, so exceedingly well done, as to finally convincethe young man that she was greatly in earnest as to its success. Shedesired Percival Coolidge
to have no lingering doubt of her engagement.And, finding all opportunity of explanation denied him, he yielded to theinevitable, and, for the evening at least, silently accepted his fate.
Nor did circumstances favour him when the company finally broke up, andretired for the night. He had thought this moment might be propitious,but she calmly outgeneraled him again, suddenly bidding the men remainand smoke as long as they pleased, and, disappearing herself up thestairway with Miss Willis, without so much as a glance backward,indicative of any lingering interest. West, convinced that her retirementwas final, and early wearying of the rather drowsy conversation abouthim, soon sought his own room. It was eleven o'clock of a bright,moonlight night, and, feeling in no degree sleepy, West seated himselfat the window to finish his cigar. He heard the others pass along thehall on their way to the rooms assigned them, and finally all becamequiet, even the servants apparently having retired. Outside was likewisenoiseless, the moon revealing the scene almost as clearly as though itwas day, yet leaving weird shadows to confuse the eye. Occasionally abelated motor car passed along the road, invisible because of the trees.Again and again his mind reviewed the strange events of the evening,unable to arrive at any definite conclusion. The harder he sought todelve into the mystery, the more obscure it became. The young womanherself thoroughly baffled him. If this was merely a test, it wascertainly a most unusual one, and he hoped he had met the requirements toher entire satisfaction. He already frankly acknowledged to himself, atleast, that she had become of personal interest to him. He fell apeculiar desire to be of service; but this desire was now permeated witha firm determination to know the whole truth. He would no longer remainignorant of her object, for what purpose he was being used. She musttrust him, and tell him frankly, if he was to continue to play a part. Hewould know whether this was tragedy or comedy, first of all.
He had, indeed, reached some conclusions already. These might not becorrect, yet they were already implanted in his mind. The guests of thenight were mere puppets, having no real connection with the game beingplayed, utterly ignorant of what was going on behind the scenes. The onlyone present having any real part was Percival Coolidge, and West hadtaken an instinctive dislike to this man. Moreover, he had some reason tobelieve this feeling was warmly reciprocated; that the latter alreadysuspected and watched him. Only one explanation flashed into his mind toaccount for Miss Coolidge's unexpected announcement of an engagementbetween them--this would excuse any future intimacy; would enable them tomeet alone freely without arousing comment. She had deliberately chosenthis course to disarm suspicion, and had failed to warn him in advancethat she might test his nerve and discretion. This appealed to him as themost reasonable explanation of the situation. But beyond this vagueguess, it was impossible to delve. He possessed no facts, no knowledge;he could only keep faith in her, and wait the time of explanation.
Tired by the uselessness of such thinking West finally sought the bed,and must have slept, although scarcely aware that he had closed his eyes.
Some slight noise aroused him. The door leading into the hall, which hehad failed to lock, stood partially ajar, and his eyes caught the vagueglimpse of a figure gliding swiftly through the opening. With one boundhe was upon his feet, springing recklessly forward. The hall was dark,but for a patch of moonlight at the further end. Against this he caughtan instant, flitting glimpse of the intruder. It was a woman, yet evenas his eyes told him this, she seemed to vanish into thin air--the hallwas empty.