The Wishing Well

by Mildred A. Wirt

  CHAPTER 20 _RHODA'S PROBLEM_

  Rhoda allowed herself to be dissuaded, but not without misgiving. As shelunched with Penny at the Dolman Cafe, she painted a gloomy picture ofwhat lay before her.

  "You don't understand how it is," she said, slowly stirring a cup of hotchocolate. "I really haven't a good reason for refusing to consent to theadoption. If I had one scrap of evidence against Mr. Coaten it would bedifferent."

  "Can't you write to Texas and inquire about him and his friend?"

  "I did," Rhoda admitted. "The answer came back that Mr. Coaten wasunknown at the address he gave the Breens."

  "I should think that would be sufficient reason for distrusting him."

  "Oh, Mr. Coaten explained it by saying that his family just moved to anew house, and that he inadvertently had given me the wrong address."

  "Did you ask for the second one, Rhoda?"

  "Yes, he gave it to me. So far I've not had time for a reply."

  "My advice is to stall for time," Penny said. "If we have even a few daysmore we may dig up some information. However, I'll confess I haven't anidea at the moment."

  "Mr. Coaten will be furious because I didn't keep the appointment," Rhodasighed. "He's certain to come to the trailer camp tonight and demand anexplanation."

  "Just tell him you changed your mind and refuse to say anything more. Iwish I could talk to him."

  "So do I," declared Rhoda with emphasis. "Why not take dinner with ustonight--if you can stand our brand of hospitality."

  "Well, I don't know," Penny hesitated. "Louise and I plan to go to Mrs.Marborough's place directly after school--"

  "Oh, I wish I could go with you!" Rhoda declared impulsively. "I neverhave had an opportunity to finish my sketch. Mrs. Marborough is such aninteresting character, too."

  "You don't know the half of it," laughed Penny. "You're welcome to comealong. I think Mrs. Marborough will be willing to share our secret withyou."

  "Secret?"

  "No questions now, please," Penny requested, capturing both luncheonchecks. "We must hurry or we'll be late for school."

  Having assured Mrs. Marborough that she would disclose nothing about thelost pearl necklace, she could not honorably share the adventure with herfriend. However, it was her hope and belief that the widow would bewilling to allow Rhoda to aid in the exciting search of the premises.

  Penny's surmise proved entirely correct. Later that afternoon when thethree girls called at Rose Acres, Mrs. Marborough scarcely noticed thatRhoda was an uninvited member of the party. At once she began talking ofthe missing pearls, which to the satisfaction of Louise and Penny,necessitated a complete explanation.

  "Imagine finding a tunnel leading from the old wishing well to thehouse!" Rhoda cried in delight. "Take me through it! Show me everything!"

  "Perhaps you can find the pearls," Penny laughed. "So far Louise and Ihave failed."

  "They're supposed to be hidden somewhere near the old wishing well,"Louise contributed. "That's the only real clue we have."

  "I suppose you looked under the flagstones?"

  "I did that many days ago," answered Mrs. Marborough. "In fact, I don'tthink there's a single place I haven't searched."

  "The roof of the well?" Rhoda suggested.

  "We never once thought of that place!" Louise exclaimed. "But how couldthe necklace be secreted there?" She frowned as she stared at thesteep-pitched, shingled covering which formed a protection over the well.

  "It's worth looking at anyhow!" Penny declared. "I'll get a ladder if Ican find one."

  "In the woodshed," directed Mrs. Marborough.

  Penny soon returned carrying a dust-laden step-ladder which had not seenservice in many years. Bracing it against the well, she mounted and beganto inspect the roof.

  "Find anything?" inquired Rhoda impatiently.

  "Two birds' nests. There seems to be a hole under the edge of theroofing--"

  Penny broke off as she ran her hand into the narrow opening.

  "Yes, there is something here!" she exclaimed a moment later. "It feelslike a tiny box!"

  Mrs. Marborough and the two girls waited tensely, hardly daring to hope.Penny withdrew her hand from the hole, triumphantly holding up a smallleather case.

  "This isn't it?" she asked.

  "Oh, yes, yes!" Mrs. Marborough cried. "It is the old jewel case. Thepearls must be inside!"

  In her haste to climb down from the ladder, Penny missed one of thesteps. Rhoda seized her arm saving her from a hard fall. Recovering herbreath, Penny politely offered the jewel case to Mrs. Marborough.

  With the three girls clustered about her, the mistress of Rose Acresceremoniously opened the lid. In a nest of yellowed silk lay a string ofmatched pearls, so beautiful and lustrous that no one could find words toadmire it.

  "The famous Marborough pearls," the widow murmured at last. "Thisnecklace brought only unhappiness to our family. Now, however, they shallserve a useful purpose!"

  The girls gazed at Mrs. Marborough expectantly, waiting for her tocontinue:

  "I shall sell the pearls," she said quietly. "They represent a smallfortune, and by disposing of them I'll be well-provided for in my oldage. It won't be necessary for me to pinch and skrimp. I'll be able tohold my head up in society--live like a human being again instead of arecluse."

  Realizing that she was revealing a great deal, Mrs. Marborough snappedshut the jewel case and smiled at the girls.

  "I never should have found the pearls by myself. To tell you that I amgrateful scarcely expresses my feelings. You've saved me from poverty."

  "Rhoda did it," Penny declared, giving full credit to the trailer-campgirl. "Louise and I never would have thought of searching the roof of thewell."

  "Do come inside," Mrs. Marborough invited gaily. "We'll have tea in mykitchen. It's not much to offer, but I did bake a little sponge cake thismorning."

  No longer ashamed of the barren condition of the old mansion, the widowled the girls through the great empty rooms. By daylight, notwithstandingthe stained condition of the walls, the house seemed more elegant thanever. There was a large fan-shaped window of stained glass which Pennyhad not noticed before, and dozens of candle holders attached to thewalls.

  "How gorgeous this place would look if all the candles could be lightedat one time," she remarked admiringly.

  "And if the house had a little furniture in it," added Mrs. Marborough."You know, a few days ago I did a very foolish thing."

  Louise glanced quickly at Penny but said nothing.

  "I was a bit hard pressed for money," the widow resumed. "On an impulse Isold all my furniture to Mr. Butterworth. Do you suppose he will sell itback to me?"

  "He should," declared Penny.

  "I like Riverview for I was born here," Mrs. Marborough went on, talkingas if to herself. "By selling the pearls I can refurnish the house, havethe grounds restored to their original beauty, and live as I formerlydid!"

  "Oh, I do hope you decide to stay here," Penny said eagerly.

  Mrs. Marborough started a fire in the kitchen stove and put a kettle ofwater on to boil. Soon the tea was ready, and was served with generousslices of yellow sponge cake.

  "I suppose everyone in Riverview considers me a crotchety old woman,"Mrs. Marborough remarked presently. "I haven't been very friendly becauseI didn't want folks to know I had sold my furniture. Some days ago agroup of women came to see me about opening the house for some sort ofFestival--"

  "Pilgrimage Week," Penny supplied.

  "I turned them down, not because I wasn't eager to help, but because Icouldn't let folks know all my furniture was gone. I wonder if they wouldstill care to include Rose Acres in the tour of houses?"

  "Oh, Mrs. Marborough, it would practically save the Festival!" Pennycried. "A cheap Indian show is coming to town the same week. I know for afact that the Festival tickets aren't selling very well."

  "Everyone wants to
see Rose Acres," Louise added enthusiastically.

  "If I can re-purchase my furniture, I'll be glad to open the house to thepublic," Mrs. Marborough said, her eyes twinkling as she gazed directlyat Penny. "That was the wish you made at the well, I believe?"

  "Oh, it was! And you'll make it come true!"

  "It's little enough to do in return for the favor you have bestowed uponme."

  "Nothing will please me more than to see this old house in all itsglory!" Penny declared enthusiastically. "May we light all the candles atone time?"

  "If you like."

  "And wouldn't it be fun to hold a grand ball here with everyone dressedin colonial costume!" Penny went on. "Can't you just see the place withbeaux and their ladies dancing a quadrille?"

  "I'll talk to the members of the Festival Committee tomorrow," Mrs.Marborough promised. "My first call, however, will be upon Mr.Butterworth."

  Long shadows were falling, and the girls soon arose to depart. During thewalk into Riverview, Rhoda became rather sober and Penny shrewdly guessedthat she had forgotten about the Marborough pearls and was thinking ofthe dreaded interview with Mr. Coaten.

  "You're really afraid to meet that man aren't you?" she asked curiously.

  "Not exactly afraid," Rhoda responded. "He'll be waiting though, I'msure. I just don't know what to tell him."

  "Will it be easier for you if I go with you to the camp?"

  "Oh, I wish you would, Penny!" Rhoda said gratefully.

  Louise soon parted with her friends, and the two girls went on to thetrailer camp. Mrs. Breen immediately informed them that Mr. Coaten hadcalled earlier in the afternoon and expected to return again.

  "I hope you didn't make trouble about signing the papers," she saidseverely. "He acted quite upset."

  "I broke our appointment," Rhoda responded briefly. "So far I've not madeup my mind what to do."

  There followed a lengthy argument in which Mrs. Breen assured the girlthat she was making a serious mistake by antagonizing such a kind,generous man as Mr. Coaten. Penny took no part in the conversation,although she readily could see how difficult had become Rhoda's position.

  "You'll have to stay to dinner now," Rhoda whispered to her. "Mr. Coatenis certain to come, and I can't stand against them all."

  Penny had no desire to remain for a meal, but feeling that she shouldsupport her friend, accepted the invitation. Ted soon came home fromworking at Judge Harlan's office, and he too expressed displeasurebecause his sister had broken the appointment with Mr. Coaten.

  During dinner the subject was studiously avoided. Somewhat to Penny'sdisapproval, Rhoda began to tell the Breens about everything that hadoccurred at Rose Acres. At mention of the pearl necklace, Ted's forkclattered against his plate and he forgot to eat.

  "You actually found a string of pearls?" he asked incredulously. "Realones?"

  "They must be worth many thousand dollars," Rhoda assured him. "Mrs.Marborough intends to sell them and use the money to remodel her place."

  Ted was about to ask another question, then seemed to reconsider.

  "More stew?" Mrs. Breen asked as an awkward silence fell.

  "No thanks, Mom," he answered. "If you'll excuse me, I'll skip out. Ihave a date uptown with a fellow."

  Mrs. Breen made no reply and the boy left the trailer. Penny thought thatshe too should be leaving, but before she could speak, there came a lighttap on the door. Mr. Breen thrust his head out the open window.

  "It's Mr. Coaten," he announced in a hoarse whisper. "What are you goingto tell him Rhoda?"

  "I don't know," she answered, gazing helplessly at Penny.