Julia K. Duncan

“ A smile, a bit wavering and uncertain, flickered about the crippled girl’s mouth, as she listened to these two young girls, dressed in white, smiling happily, and the sunlight touching their hair with gold.
“Won’t you talk to us, dear?” asked Kitty, moving closer toward the bedside.
“Yes, dearie,” urged Doris. “Tell us about yourself. We want to be your friends, and we want to make you happy.”
“You must be an angel,” she whispered in a tense voice. “Can you make me well? Can you give me new limbs?”
Gently Doris stroked the little hand and pushed the tangled hair from her face. ”

“ Doris and Kitty were at their wits’ end. In every manner possible they had tried to convince the Misses Gates of their innocence, but they realized that no matter how strong was the case against Ronald Trent, the ladies would give him the benefit of the doubt. Only positive proof would shake their faith in him, for in their minds they had built up a dream man. It was difficult for them to see Ronald in his true colors.
Realizing this, it seemed to Doris that the best thing the girls could do would be to leave the mansion at once. ”

“ Azalea and Iris looked doubtfully at each other, and the Sullys, observing their indecision, began to plead for their freedom.
“We didn’t mean to steal,” Cora said tearfully. “You’ve always been so good and kind to us. For the sake of little Etta—”
“It seems to me you haven’t considered her yourself until now,” Azalea interrupted. “However, we are not without sympathy even for those who have plotted against us. Cora, I feel that you have allowed your husband to lead you astray. Your mother worked for us a number of years and I promised her that I would try to see that you never came to grief. ”

“ Doris moved aside to permit her chum to peep through the keyhole. One glance was sufficient for Kitty.
“Oh, how dreadful!” she whispered. “Who can she be?”
“I thought she might be a daughter of the Sullys.”
“There is a marked facial resemblance,” Kitty agreed. “Do you suppose the Misses Gates know she is here?”
“Why, they must. They come up here nearly every day ostensibly to read their Bibles. They probably come to see this crippled child.”
“Poor thing,” Kitty murmured, “I feel so sorry for her. Dare we go in?”
“I don’t see why we shouldn’t. She’s likely dying of lonesomeness.” ”

“ While the steak was sizzling over the red hot fire, the girls spread the table cloth and unwrapped the various packages. They were appalled at the outlay of food. “Enough for an army!” Doris groaned. Always an excellent cook, Mrs. Mallow had quite outdone herself on this occasion. Salads crisp and inviting in nests of lettuce, pie, gigantic cream puffs with Marshmallow’s favorite chocolate filling, baked beans, deviled eggs and lemonade were but a suggestion of all the good things with which the cloth was loaded. ”

“ Those who were not in the grandstand scattered in all directions, and timid women screamed in terror. Doris and Dave had instinctively arisen, but no sound escaped them. It appeared almost certain that the plane would hit a group of parked cars near the fence.
Just at the critical moment, however, the pilot managed to turn the monoplane enough to miss the row of cars. As a wild cheer of admiration and relief arose from the spectators, he brought the craft to rest without mishap. ”

“ Cora and Henry paled as Doris reminded Azalea and Iris of the suitcase. The housekeeper trembled and clung to her husband for support.
“Just look at them,” Ronald declared. “They’re crushed at the accusation against their good names. Here they have served long and faithfully and now these girls try to brand them as thieves!”
“Oh, Ronald, we aren’t branding any one,” Iris said at the point of tears. “We only want to get at the truth.” ”

“ The Misses Gates escorted Ronald Trent to the living room, forgetting in their excitement that supper had not been finished. Doris and Kitty were too polite to mention that they had not had their dessert.
“You girlies get prettier every day,” the man gushed, playfully straightening Iris’s lace collar and slyly giving Azalea’s hand a squeeze.
Iris giggled, and her sister cast down her eyes in confusion. Ronald Trent winked at Doris and Kitty as much as to say: “How easy they fall!” ”

“ Doris cried. “We’ll sift it to the bottom right now.”
“And the easiest way is to look in Henry’s suitcase,” Kitty added. “You’ll find the papers there!”
A less clever man than Ronald Trent would have lost his temper, for well he knew that he was treading upon dangerous ground. Realizing that the Misses Gates would judge him as much by his manner as by his words, he faced the girls with the calm and dignity of a judge.
“You are only trying to shield yourselves,” he told them sternly. “Your entire story has been a series of lies!” ”

“ Iris murmured in relief. “Ronald is leaving tomorrow and we must have the money ready for him or lose the inheritance.”
“I see,” murmured Doris thoughtfully.
“We probably won’t have his company much longer, then,” surmised Kitty, winking coyly at Doris.
[186]
Azalea stroked her forehead as if perplexed and perhaps a bit worried.
“I never dreamed that money need cause us such concern. We cannot afford to lose this inheritance now. I have so much faith in the son of John Trent. I want him to go away happy and satisfied that we have not failed him.” ”

“ As a climax to the meet the master of ceremonies announced that an intrepid young flier would entertain the crowd with daring stunts. Doris and Dave saw a brilliant red monoplane take off from the field and climb to an altitude of several thousand feet. Then, in quick succession, the red plane went through barrel-rolls, loops, dives, falling leaves, and wing-overs. ”

“ After considerable discussion it was decided that the reward money should be divided between Doris, Kitty, the Misses Gates and Jake. The Misses Gates declared at first that they would accept no share, but Doris and her friends, realizing how badly they needed ready money, insisted that they take it. At last they gave in.
“We didn’t do a thing to help bring Ronald—I mean Joe Jeffery to justice,” Azalea murmured. “We even hindered you, Doris, thinking you were prejudiced against him. It doesn’t seem fair that we take anything.” ”

“ Azalea sent word by Cora that she was ill with a headache and preferred to be alone; Iris offered no excuse. Kitty and Doris knew that they were still upset over the finding of the ruby ring.
“I almost wish Wags hadn’t dug it up,” Doris remarked dolefully. “It’s making the poor ladies feel so unhappy.”
The girls ate a rather forlorn meal in the big dining room. Cora waited on them in a more slipshod manner than usual and took no pains to conceal her dislike. Shortly after luncheon, they saw her leave the premises by the back gate. ”

“ Once they had accustomed themselves to the quiet life of the mansion, they found it very enjoyable. They spent their mornings romping in the garden with Wags and their afternoons reading or sewing. Azalea and Iris left them alone a great deal, no doubt thinking the girls would have a better time by themselves. However, Kitty and Doris observed that the Misses Gates spent an hour of each day on the third floor, and as the ladies always took their Bible with them, they assumed that they were reading it there. ”

“ As they undressed, the girls continued to discuss Ronald Trent and to make disparaging remarks. Then Kitty jumped into bed and Doris put out the light. Snuggling down into the covers, they shivered a bit as the wind rattled the window pane. They could almost imagine that in the pitch dark room someone was slowly creeping toward them.
“I’d hate to stay here very long,” Kitty whispered. “Folks are so funny. Even Henry and Cora.” ”

“ We knew her a great many years ago, and now after many years of heartache over her older brother, John, we find a most unusual circumstance has arisen. Could you come to Rumson and visit our home in order to acquaint yourself with the present affairs pertaining to John Trent, your uncle? Very truly yours, Azalea and Iris Gates.’”
“You never told me you had an uncle by that name, Doris.”
“I didn’t know it myself, Marshmallow! This is all news to me!”
“Sort of queer they invite you down to their place at Rumson, isn’t it? A fellow would think they could write anything they wanted to tell you.” ”

“ Ronald Trent laughed suggestively. This made Doris’s cheeks burn with embarrassment as he said, “Gee, that bunch of flowers smell good to me! I love the ladies, especially the pretty girlies, Henry. I’m not so hard to be friends with,” the egotist mused. “I’m a swell dresser, too, everything the dames like.” ”

“ Being hampered by no sentimental attachments themselves, the girls each tried on the ring. It was too large for Kitty but it fit Doris’s third finger.
“The setting is certainly old fashioned,” Kitty commented, “but can’t you imagine how gorgeous it would look in a modern one! I think the Misses Gates are foolish not to want it.”
“The question is, what shall we do with it? We can’t very well wear it around in front of them. They’re so sensitive. And the ring doesn’t belong to us.”
“It doesn’t belong to any one,” Kitty declared. “The poor thing is an orphan! ”

“ The attic was something of a disappointment, for it was very clean and tidy. A number of boxes lined the walls, but each was plainly labeled as to its contents. Flashing the lantern about, the girls saw that they contained blankets, woolens, old clothing, and numerous other articles.
“Nothing very exciting here,” Kitty said. “It isn’t any fun poking into boxes when they’re all labeled. I wish the Misses Gates weren’t such good housekeepers.”
Doris had found the croquet set and, with Kitty’s help, dragged it out into the light. ”

“ Doris said hastily. “It’s one of those cheap places that cater to folks with perverted tastes.”
They were about to pass on without a glance at the advertisements when they noticed a familiar figure. Of one accord they paused and pretended to be looking at the window display of a candy shop adjoining the theater.
“It’s Cora Sully!” Kitty whispered to her chum. “She’s buying a ticket.”
Without glancing in their direction, the woman entered the moving picture house.
“Aren’t they a pair!” Doris exclaimed in disgust. “Henry half drunk in a gambling place and Cora here at this cheap movie! ”

“ Leaving the monoplane to the care of an attendant, the two young men escorted the girls to a taxicab and took seats beside them.
“You know, I was thinking perhaps we could get up a picnic one of these days,” Dave suggested as they drove toward the mansion. “Marshmallow has been hinting that he wants to be included.”
“I think a picnic would be lots of fun,” Doris declared, “and by all means let’s have Marshmallow. He always brings the best things to eat! Of course that isn’t my reason for wanting him,” she added hastily, as the others began to laugh. ”

“ Wags, sensing that she was an enemy to be avoided, whisked past her and leaped upon the bed. Cora began to tear viciously at the blankets in an effort to capture him.
By this time Kitty’s arms had closed protectingly upon the little dog, and Doris had jumped out of bed.
“We’ll take him downstairs just as soon as we get dressed,” she declared. “Wags hasn’t done any harm. Please don’t get so excited about it!”
“I’ll show you who’s excited!” Cora muttered.
She had completely lost control of her temper and as Kitty rolled out on the opposite side of the bed, she made another dive for Wags. ”

“ Marshmallow declared after a little search. “It can’t be more than fifty miles away. You take the Center Ridge road. It’s just a small town. You’d have a heck of a summer there.”
“It’s out in the direction Dave lives,” Doris remarked absently.
“Oh, sure, I forgot that!” Marshmallow drawled teasingly. “You’ll have a peach of a time.”
“And there’s an aviation field near Rumson,” Doris went on, scarcely noticing what her companion had said.
“That means Dave can fly down to see you every day or so. No wonder girls fall for fellows that are aviators!” ”

“ Azalea said. “We have nothing of value we can sell except this mansion, and we are too old to leave it after having lived here all these years.
[105]
“Ronald has been so impatient at our reluctance to do anything. Dear boy! One scarcely can blame him, for his fortune, too, is at stake, and he does not understand how low our funds are.” Iris hesitated as she finished lamely, “And so, after hours of debate, we decided that for the sake of your own uncle, Doris, we would ask you for money.”
“Of course you understand we intend to will everything to you at our death,” Azalea added hastily. ”