CHAPTER VI
"My Own Will Come to Me"
Whether consciously or unconsciously, the thing we most desire in thisworld will come to us in the end.
Rather precipitately Sally and Gerry climbed down the side of the cliffto the beach. The way was steep and now and then Sally had to beencouraged and assisted until both girls finally arrived on the sands alittle out of breath.
The beach stretched on further than one could see, a pale golden carpetnow that the mists were clearing. It was divided at this point by anarrow gully. On one side of the gully were uneven platforms of rocksand between these rocks ran little streams of salt water from the ocean,creating tiny tidal lakes and rivulets.
Up and down these rocks, sometimes disappearing inside the water, atothers clinging perilously above its edge, or hiding behind sprays ofsea lichen or fern, were innumerable small sea monsters. At times thesides of the rocks were alive with hundreds, even thousands, of tinycrabs; then one single unexpected noise and off they scuttled like anarmy, not in dignified retreat but in utter rout.
The girls having descended the cliff, rested for a few moments and thenwandered along these ledges. They were not of a dangerous character, formost of the stones were flat and not too far apart to be safely crossed.
Yet they walked slowly. Occasionally they stopped to watch two fishermenat work. The men were Japanese divers, and it was fascinating to seethem swim with quiet, even strokes out into the deep water and then divedown heads first to remain under a terrifying length of time. Yet aseach man rose again usually he had secured one or more of the largeabalone shells.
In spite of their interest, Sally Ashton pleaded that they remain at asafe distance from the two men. As a matter of fact, Sally frequentlysuffered from the small timidities which belonged to her particulartype of intensely feminine character. Although not in the least timidherself, Gerry agreed, it being a wise custom of hers to give way to hercompanion in unimportant matters. Moreover, she really intended workingseriously for a few hours. Now that she and Sally were both weary, thissheltered place along the beach would be as suitable as any other tobegin her painting.
Finding a comfortable surface of clean sand on a broad ledge of rock,with other rocks in the background, Gerry sat down. Here there was lesswind than in other places and sufficient room for Sally to lie closebeside her.
At about the correct distance away, a small boat moored to some hiddenanchor moved back and forth with the movement of the waves.
This boat appeared a suitable subject to Gerry for her sketch. She hadno idea of making a success of so ambitious a subject, but since allthat Mrs. Burton asked of her was industry and not high artistry, Gerrywas willing to work now and then. She really did wish to please her CampFire guardian, and if her motives were a little mixed and not all ofthem of the noblest character, well, there are others of us in thisworld who have mixed motives beside Gerry Williams!
After the first few moments of settling down to her task, Gerry began tofeel mildly interested in her effort.
Her surroundings were in themselves an inspiration.
Nearby, and using her friend's crimson sweater as a pillow, Sally Ashtonhad curled herself up in the sunshine. She was wearing her own blue onefor warmth. There was but little breeze stirring and the sun had grownsuddenly hot, but Sally had a passionate affection for warmth. She hadalso an endless capacity for sleeping when there was nothing of interestin life to make wakefulness worth while.
For a few moments she watched Gerry at work, thinking she had never seenher look so pretty or labor so industriously. Then Sally viewed thesmall boat whose continuous movement impressed her like the sleepyswaying of a cradle. Afterwards she fell into a state of semi-consciousdreaming.
But Gerry kept on with her sketching certainly for more than an hour.By the end of that time she was surprised to find what a lovely sketchshe had made. In spite of the fact that her boat was out of drawing, thecolor in her sky line was beautiful and the waves of the sea suggestedreal water and a real ocean.
After gazing at her painting with wholly unexpected admiration, Gerryput it carefully away in her sketch book. She was feeling a littletired, but her act was inspired more by discretion than weariness. Towork upon her sketch any longer would probably destroy the value it atpresent possessed and Mrs. Burton would be pleased by her success.
Believing Sally to be fast asleep and not wishing to disturb her for atime, Gerry, leaning forward and resting her chin on her two foldedhands, fell to dreaming.
For the past ten days or more, ever since her arrival in southernCalifornia, it seemed to Gerry Williams that never had her dreams andher desires been so insistent. She did not know that this was theinfluence of the semi-tropical climate upon her physical and spiritualdevelopment.
In truth, Gerry's past life had been a trying one and there was noreason why she should have been content with it, or why she should nothope for a happier future.
These summers in Arcady with Mrs. Burton--for they had been as summersin Arcady to the Sunrise Hill Camp Fire girls--had been the fairestexperiences in Gerry's history. Yet she professed no ardent love for theoutdoors as the other girls did. Neither was she so young as some ofthem, since within a few weeks she would be eighteen.
There would be other summers to come, Gerry realized, when she would notbe Mrs. Burton's guest. Indeed, the Camp Fire guardian had franklystated that if the war continued they would not be able to have theirholidays together. In the future she must devote her money, her time andher energy to war service.
So today, looking out over the water, but now that her sketching wasover, no longer interested in the view, Gerry faced what seemed to heran interminable number of lonely summers and winters and springs andautumns. In her earlier acquaintance with Mrs. Burton, when the greatlady had revealed an unexpected interest in her, Gerry, as she hadlately confessed to Sally Ashton, had dreamed impossible dreams. Inthose days she had imagined herself as Mrs. Burton's ward, living in herhome, or traveling about with her over the world meeting rich and famouspeople.
Then at the last Gerry's vision had always been a wealthy marriage. Afoolish dream perhaps, and yet not original or uncommon!
She did not think of her marriage as bringing her love or spiritualhappiness, only wealth and social prominence. But at this time in herlife Gerry of course believed that the last two possessions representedthe character of happiness she sought.
Having awakened to reality with regard to Mrs. Burton's attitude,appreciating that she felt for her only a kindly interest and a moderateaffection, Gerry was the more intent upon discovering some immediatesolution for her own future.
From this summer in California she had hoped a great deal. She hadthought through Mrs. Burton's prominence that it might be possible tomake wealthy and worth-while friends. Now it appeared that the Camp Fireguardian intended to have her group of girls spend a secluded summer,deriving their entertainment from their life together outdoors in thisbeautiful place.
In consequence Gerry was deeply disappointed. Today she felt that theprospect ahead was dreary and dissatisfying. Mrs. Burton expected her towork and had no notion of assisting her toward any other fate. She hadmade her own way in the world and believed that work brought one thefinest satisfaction. But Gerry recognized her own commonplaceness andunderstood that unconsciously Mrs. Burton was not altogether fair. Ofcourse, if one possessed great talent, then work lifted you abovedullness and routine, brought you beauty and joy. Yet she could onlypicture herself pursuing some stupid task, since she had neithereducation nor especial ability in any direction. Her only gifts,prettiness and her desire for the refinements of life which always hadbeen denied her, little in truth to offer when there was no one tohelp!
Then, intending to banish her attack of blues, Gerry jumped uphurriedly. As she did so she noticed the two Japanese divers. They hadleft their work and had come softly over the sands until at the presentmoment they were only a few feet off. They were talking in excitedvoices, holding up
the deep-bowled abalone shells, now polished andshining, and evidently trying to attract attention.
For an instant Gerry was puzzled. Then, before she could speak or evenstir again, Sally, startled from sleep, also leaped to her feet. She mayhave been frightened by Gerry's sudden movement and now, catching sightof the Japanese fishermen, may have been under the impression that theyhad frightened Gerry. Whatever the cause, with an exclamation of terror,she started running, uttering funny little cries of alarm.
First Gerry merely called out reassuringly, then, perceiving that Sallywould not stop, she ran after her.
Sally was awkward; she kept stumbling and sliding over the ledges ofrock, making no effort to be sure of her foothold or to choose theeasiest way. In the beginning Gerry was amused, then she grew a littlenervous. Sally was always the least athletic of the Camp Fire girls.
"Do be careful; the men are only trying to sell us their shells. Theyhave no idea of frightening you," Gerry expostulated.
She expected to reach Sally in time to keep her from injuring herself.But suddenly Sally gave an exclamation both of fright and pain; havingmade a false estimate of the space between two ledges of rock, she foundherself falling into a small ravine.
The ravine was not deep; nevertheless Sally's rescue was not simple,since she would not help herself. Finally Gerry had to summon to herassistance the two Japanese, who had innocently caused the catastrophe.At last a bruised and tearful Sally was deposited upon a comfortableresting place. But here Sally declared she must remain indefinitely, asshe was "far too seriously hurt ever to walk again."
The situation was trying, and Gerry was at her wits' end till one smallinspiration came to her. Since food had ever a reviving effect uponSally, they could have their luncheon and perhaps afterwards she wouldfeel stronger.
But although her appetite remained unaffected by her accident, theafternoon wore on with Sally still insisting that she could not stir onestep. Moreover, any suggestion of Gerry's leaving to find help alwaysreduced her to tears.
Yet something must be done!
Long ago the little Japanese fishermen had returned to their tasks.Sitting cross-legged on the sand at some distance off, Gerry could seethem patiently at work cleaning and polishing their shells. Sheremembered that they had seemed to understand what she had said,although speaking only a few English words.
Walking over to them Gerry as simply as possible presented theirpredicament.
When she had finished speaking the small bright-eyed men glanced at eachother and nodded.
"Alle-ight," one of them answered for both.
Then off they trotted, this time disappearing inside their small hut.Next moment they returned carrying on their shoulders a flat strawbasket set upon two long poles. It was scarcely a basket, so much as awoven straw mat, which the divers probably used at odd times fortransporting their sea merchandise.
Ultimately Sally was persuaded to allow herself to be hoisted upon thismat, which was fairly strong since it suffered her weight. Then the twolittle men bore her off, swinging easily between them. They ran lightlyfrom rock to rock until climbing up the cliff they reached the road atthe summit, with Gerry following as swiftly as possible.
They had arranged not to attempt to carry Sally to camp but to someplace nearer at hand, where she could receive aid.
Originally when they had made this plan it appeared to Gerry as areasonable one and not one to cause anxiety. Now as she pursued the twostrange little men, who were carrying Sally with such ease and quicknessto a perfectly unknown destination she had a curious sensation more ofbewilderment than fear.
However, one had to keep moving so rapidly that there was smallopportunity for clear thinking.
Leaving the main road, the little men struck into another, which wentfirst up a bare brown hill and then down again. The second hill wasgreen with a crop of the ever-present beans.
Finally they climbed to the top of a mesa and brought Sally to a restingplace before a clump of dusty, gray-green pepper trees.
On their left was a hedge of untrimmed shrubs and in front an opencourt. Beyond stood an old Spanish ranch house.
After whispering together, one of the little men rang a bell, which hungon a stand outside this court.
A few moments later a Japanese servant appeared and the three men spoketo one another in Japanese. Then the servant turned away.
It was all very unusual and puzzling. Before Sally and Gerry could beoverwhelmed by uneasiness, to their relief they observed an older manand two young men approaching. They were obviously gentlemen, and one ofthem Gerry thought the most attractive fellow she had ever seen in herlife. Yet he did not look like an American, but what her imagination hadpictured as a Spaniard. He must have been about twenty-two or three andpossessed unusually dark hair and eyes and skin.
When Gerry had explained their difficulty and apologized for theirintrusion, their host led the way through the outer court into theenclosed one.
Their Host Led the Way Through the Outer Court into theEnclosed One]
Sally continued to be borne aloft like a foreign princess upon theshoulders of her faithful Caryatids.
The inside court was a miniature fairyland.
Like all really old Spanish ranch houses, this house was built in theform of a square with the garden in the center. It was of one story withthe veranda also on the inside and running the entire length of thehouse.
In days long past this veranda would have been filled with people, forwhen the Spanish ranch houses were the center of California's sociallife all the play and work of the Spanish families, their friends andservants took place outdoors.
Now the two Camp Fire girls saw no one save their hosts and the one manservant; there was no faintest suggestion of the presence of a woman.
The place looked old and ramshackle, as if its owners had preferred toenjoy life rather than to improve their estate. Even the enclosedgarden, notwithstanding it was a sheer glory of flowers, showed neglect.A bougainvillea vine had been allowed to grow so large that it coveredone-third of the veranda, hanging like a flowery canopy above oneportion of the garden. Along the paths oleanders were set out inunpainted wooden tubs and the rose bushes had gone so long untrimmedthat they were now of great size and covered with tiny white and yellowflowers.
Once this garden had been carefully planned and cared for, yet, perhaps,at present it held an even deeper charm.
Naturally, soon after their arrival their host, Mr. Philip Morris, hadintroduced himself and his younger companions, and Gerry Williams hadgiven her own and Sally's name. Gerry also had explained thecircumstances of Sally's accident and the fact that they were members ofa camping party who were spending the summer on the California coast.
The young man who had originally attracted her attention proved to bethe son of Mr. Morris. In introducing him the father accorded theSpanish pronunciation to his name, "Felipe," which he had not used withhis own.
Later it developed that Felipe's mother had been Spanish and the oldranch the property of her family from the days when California was aprovince of Spain. But as she was dead it was true that at present nowoman was a member of their household.
The other young fellow, Merton Anderson, was the son of a neighbor and aguest. As he had ridden over to the Morris ranch on horseback he offeredto take back any message Sally and Gerry might care to send theirfriends, for Mr. Morris insisted that Sally must not be moved againuntil she had seen a physician.
At last Gerry wrote a note to Mrs. Burton explaining what had occurredand asking advice. If it were possible would she not drive over to theranch in her automobile and bear Sally safely back to camp?