Produced by Roger Frank and Sue Clark
"YOU GET IN THAT SEAT IN DOUBLE QUICK TIME!" SAID POLLY.]
POLLY'S SOUTHERN CRUISE BY LILLIAN ELIZABETH ROY Author of POLLY OF PEBBLY PIT, POLLY AND ELEANOR, POLLY IN NEW YORK, POLLY AND HER FRIENDS ABROAD, POLLY'S BUSINESS VENTURE ILLUSTRATED BY H. S. BARBOUR NEW YORK GROSSET & DUNLAP PUBLISHERS Made in the United States of America
COPYRIGHT, 1923, BY GROSSET & DUNLAP
CONTENTS CHAPTER I--THE PERFECTED PLANS CHAPTER II--"THEY'RE OFF!" CHAPTER III--THE FIRST NIGHT OUT CHAPTER IV--THE SECOND DAY OUT CHAPTER V--TOUCHING AT PALM BEACH CHAPTER VI--MR. DALKEN'S PATERNAL TRAINING CHAPTER VII--THE HAVANA RACE COURSE CHAPTER VIII--LOST IN KINGSTON CHAPTER IX--THE SIGHTS OF JAMAICA CHAPTER X--SPORTS AT JAMAICA CHAPTER XI--MEETING OLD FRIENDS IN PANAMA CHAPTER XII--THE TALE TOLD BY THE BELGIAN CHAPTER XIII--HIGH LIFE AT THE CANAL CHAPTER XIV--IN AND ABOUT PANAMA
POLLY'S SOUTHERN CRUISE
CHAPTER I--THE PERFECTED PLANS
"Well, now, that's settled!" declared Polly Brewster, as she leaned backin a comfortable arm-chair and scanned her friend who sat hunched overthe papers scattered upon the table.
"Settled--but only between us. It remains to be seen how our suggestionswill be received by Dalky and Mrs. Courtney," returned Eleanor Maynard,the young lady just addressed.
"To tell the truth, Nolla," began Polly in a lowered tone, "I'd muchrather sail the seas with Dalky, in his yacht, than venture in a rentedcraft supervised by Mrs. Courtney--even though she is the dearest thing Iever had for a chaperone!"
Nolla was the nickname given Eleanor, and Dalky was the pet namebestowed upon Mr. Dalken by these two girls--his staunch admirers. As yetthey had not discovered an appropriate title to use for their firstcustomer and intimate friend Mrs. Courtney.
"Well, Nolla, seeing we've used up carloads of good paper in outliningthis itinerary, and worn out the patience of all the clerks in thevarious Tour Offices, let us act upon our last decision: Propose theplans for our ocean picnic at the general meeting of our friendsto-night."
"It is such a radical change from the trip suggested by Mrs. Courtney,and the outlined voyage desired by Dalky, that I fear we'll be vetoed inthe final ballot," ventured Eleanor.
"They can only say no to us!" exclaimed Polly, getting up from her chairand gathering in all the now useless sheets of paper which showed wherearduous ideas had been expressed upon their white surfaces. But onesheet was left safely at the end of the table. This single sheet waspicked up by Eleanor and carefully placed within her script case. Thediscarded sheets were torn up and thrown into the waste basket.
"We may as well go home and try out the plans on the Fabians," saidPolly, after rearranging the desk-table.
"And see that we look our best for the conquest to-night," laughedEleanor, looking about for her hat and coat.
* * * * *
Are you acquainted with Polly and Eleanor? If not, you should be. Theyare the two friends who were introduced to us several years ago atPebbly Pit Ranch. Remember? At our first meeting with them these twogirls were barely past fourteen; but we founded a firm friendship withthem and their immediate companions, at the great Colorado ranch, andthis friendship has lasted all through the interesting, and many timesthrilling, adventures these girls experienced. To you, who have beendenied this friendship, we will introduce our girls.
Polly Brewster, born and reared on her home ranch in the Rockies ofColorado, first met and established a friendship with Eleanor Maynard ofChicago, when Eleanor, attended by her elder sister Barbara and AnneStewart, spent the summer with the Brewsters at Pebbly Pit Ranch. Duringthat visit the girls, while on a mountain ride, discovered the vein ofgold which later developed such amazing phases of interest and troublefor all concerned in its products.
The summer ending, the two young girls, now firm friends, won theconsent of their parents to allow them to accompany Anne Stewart to NewYork City, where Anne was engaged to teach a very high-grade, youngladies' school. Polly and Eleanor planned to enter this school, and takeup interior decorating as an extra study.
Having been admitted to a course at Cooper Union Night Classes, the twogirl friends found Mr. Fabian, the lecturer, a most valuable friend.Through Mr. Fabian the girls were enabled to attend many privateexhibitions of art goods and antiques, also to go to lectures, visitgatherings where interior decorating was the subject of discussion, andin other ways reap the benefit of the many years' experience of thisgentleman.
During their school years in New York Polly and Eleanor becameacquainted with a staunch friend, a Mr. Dalken; and met and becameintimate friends with the Ashbys--the Ashby of the famous Ashby Shops onFifth Avenue, where one may find any rare or antique object known tohome-makers or decorators.
Through the acquaintances thus formed the two girls were invited to jointhe touring party about to start for Europe the year that Polly andEleanor finished their schooling. After a summer abroad visitinginteresting places and seeing all that was worth viewing, the group ofAmericans returned home.
That fall the two girls decided to enter business in an humble way. Theysecured desk-room in Mr. Ashby's business house and ventured forth tofind and purchase antiques, in order to sell them again at a reasonableprofit. The amusing incidents experienced while in search of odd and oldobjects constitute several chapters of the book called "Polly's BusinessVenture." At the ending of that book the reader is introduced to Mrs.Courtney, who interested herself in the two young business girls andeventually invited them to accompany her on a cruise to the SouthernSeas. Before any plan could be perfected, however, Mr. Dalken hinted athis plan to go on an extended yachting cruise to the Orient. Naturally,he wished a party of his old friends to accompany him; and Polly andEleanor considered themselves part of that group.
Thus it happened that about the time the present story opens Polly andEleanor had been planning various itineraries to place before theirfriends--Mr. Dalken and Mrs. Courtney. It mattered not so much to thegirls whether they sailed to the Orient as the guests of Mr. Dalken, orwent on a long cruise to the South Sea Islands with Mrs. Courtney, aslong as they _went_ somewhere! From this state of mind the reader cangather that the Wanderlust had implanted its germ in the consciousnessof each of these girls.
Having gathered their papers together the girls left the pretty privateoffice where they were supposed to attend to their business affairs, andstarted homeward to the Fabian's domicile where they lived. It was toolate, upon their arrival at the house, to discuss the tour with eitherMr. or Mrs. Fabian, hence they went directly to their rooms and dressedas becomingly as possible, knowing, as they well did, that appearancesplay an important part in any business, be it pleasure, financial,political or just simple family matters.
Just as Polly had added a huge velvet rose to the girdle of the Parisiandress she had chosen to wear, Nancy Fabian called from the hallway:
"Girls! Are you almost ready? Daddy has been cooling his impatience inthe library for the last ten minutes; and mother and I are ready to godown."
"Coming, Nan!" called Polly in answer. "Find out if Nolla is ready,please."
"I'm here--no need to call me," laughed Eleanor, coming from her room asshe spoke.
"Dear me!" exclaimed Nancy Fabian. "Why all the fine feathers on ourbird, Nolla?"
Mrs. Fabian and Nancy looked at Eleanor's handsome dinner dress with
admiration, and Eleanor laughed as she replied to Nancy's query:
"As long as this bird has no wish to be plucked at the argument that iscertain to be started on the subject of the sea-trip, she donned herfinest feathers to help her win out with Dalky."
At this moment Polly appeared at her room door. She, too, caused Nancyto catch her breath. "Goodness me! I didn't stop to floss up as if wewere going to a Court Reception! Why didn't you girls tell me you weregoing to put on your best?"
"Nancy, dear, don't worry," was Polly's consoling reply. "You haven'tthe diplomatic work cut out for yourself that Nolla and I have. We haveto win Dalky over to a very important agreement to-night, hence thesefine togs!"
Mrs. Fabian had been descending the stairs, but she heard what had justbeen said and she laughed lightly. Soon all four had reached the fronthall where Mr. Fabian paced the floor.
"My dear girls! You know how I dislike being late to a host's dinnerparty! Here it is ten minutes past the time we were to present ourselvesat Dalky's apartment." As he spoke Mr. Fabian took his watch from hispocket and displayed its face to the tardy young ladies. But they neverstopped to glance at it.
"Daddy, dear, stop scolding, and hurry out to the car," said Nancy,giving her father a loving push towards the front door.
"There's one consolation in knowing we won't be the last guests atDalky's dinner to-night," remarked Eleanor, as they settled themselvesin the limousine which Mr. Dalken had sent for their use that evening.
"Why--what do you mean?" asked Mrs. Fabian, wonderingly.
"Mrs. Courtney! She'll be ten minutes later than this unit," repliedEleanor.
"How do you know that?" asked Nancy.
"Just before we left the office she called us on the telephone to ask ifwe had decided upon a plan for our cruise, and we replied that we had itall outlined. Then she told us she might be detained downtown where shewas then, and that we were to tell Mr. Dalken not to wait dinner forher. She would come in as soon as she could, but even at that she mightbe half an hour after the time he mentioned in his note to her."
As Mr. Dalken's bachelor apartment was but a short drive from theFabian's residence, the chauffeur soon stopped before the door and thegirls prepared to get out. A few minutes later they were being welcomedby their smiling host. Then he scolded.
"Late as usual! Not that I would include Mr. Fabian in that rebuke,because a man is _never_ late--especially when it is a dinner. But theladies! Ah me! So many valuable hours wasted before a mirror, and whofor--tell me that! For a number of old fogies like Ashby, Fabian andmyself."
But the ladies laughed his scolding to silence. They knew their host! Hewas the pink of neatness himself, and he always noticed the gowns andgeneral appearances of his lady guests.
"Who's coming to-night, Dalky?" asked Polly, not waiting to answer hisrebuke about being late.
"Oh, the Ashbys are already here; then there will be Mrs. Courtney, whowill be late, of course, and my daughter Elizabeth. She ought to havebeen here before this."
As he spoke he threw open the door of the guestroom and ushered hisfriends in; but taking Mr. Fabian by the arm to show him into his ownsuite of rooms.
As soon as the door of the guestroom was closed Polly glanced at herthree companions who were silently exchanging looks with each other.Then Eleanor whispered her opinion:
"Elizabeth! Of all the world she is the last I should have expected hereto-night. I just know her mother sent her to pry into Dalky's plans forthis cruise. Naturally, such a woman would have heard about herex-husband's plans for the next few months."
Polly frowned at this declaration, but Mrs. Fabian, always anxious togive a person the benefit of a doubt, remarked kindly: "We must rememberthat Elizabeth is her father's only child. Perhaps she is dining herethis evening by accident--not by planning."
But Eleanor flared up in defence of her friend Dalky. "If you knew thatgirl as well as Polly and I understand her from school days, you'd nottake this generous view of her and her mother's schemes. I only hopeDalky hasn't any idea of inviting her to go with us on his yachtingcruise. She'd just spoil all the fun for me!"
"With Elizabeth present at the table I'd feel embarrassed in speaking ofour plan, Nolla; or of saying a word about any cruise," added Polly,seriously.
"Yes, that's just it: Elizabeth is a kill-joy for every one wherever shegoes," was Eleanor's angry retort.
"Well, girls, let us not excite ourselves before we know why Elizabethis present to-night. Plenty of time to talk over her lack of amiabilitywhen we discover she will be a member of Dalky's party," advised Mrs.Fabian, moving towards the door of the dressing room.
As she opened it the four friends who were ready to leave fell backbecause the object of their criticism stood upon the threshold.
"Oh, dear!" cried the girl with a pretty pretence of feeling surprise,as she quickly placed her hands over her heart. "I was told to leave mywraps in Daddy's guestroom, but I was not aware that it was occupied.I'm sorry if I startled you as I have been."
Elizabeth Dalken was the fashionable product of New York's ultrasociety--at least she and her mother liked to believe they were embracedupon that clannish upper-plane. But it is doubtful if one of the FourHundred even dreamed of there being such aspirants to recognition.
The girl was very pretty, in an appealing ingenue way, her type being ofthe clinging order. Her features were regular enough, but lacked allsigns of confidence or character. Her hair was beautiful, being of thewavy, fluffy, gold shade of blonde. Were it not for her stylish apparel,and the lines produced by the highest-priced tailor and mantua-maker inthe country, Elizabeth's figure might have been termed awkward, and hernatural carriage ungainly. But style hides a multitude of short-comings!
The Fabians, as well as Polly and Eleanor, were acquainted withElizabeth Dalken, so, after a few words of greeting, they left the roomto the new guest. Needless to add that Elizabeth found it necessary toremain in the room for four times the length of time the other fourguests had occupied it. But they had not felt the need of touching uptheir lips, or relining their brows with a pencil, nor, indeed, to add arosy hue to their healthy complexions. Elizabeth was about to send alast glance at the long mirror to see that her gown was faultless, whenthe bell summoned Mr. Dalken to his entrance door. This time the newcomer called forth a chorus of merry welcomes from the group of guestsin the living room, the archway of which offered a good view of thefront door and the reception hall.
"Welcome, Mrs. Courtney! Glad you found it possible to get here beforedinner is announced," said Mr. Dalken, smiling upon his guest.
"Oh! I am glad, too! I thought you would be through the first course, asit is really half an hour past the time you said," remarked Mrs.Courtney, releasing her small gloved hand from the unconscious hold ofher host's warm clasp. He had been appraising her beauty and appearanceand forgot he held her hand.
"Come to the guestroom, Mrs. Courtney. My little girl Elizabeth is stillthere, and she will be delighted to meet you and render any littleservice you may need. You see, a confirmed bachelor as I am, fails toprovide a maid or other necessities for ladies when they deign to dineat his rooms." As he spoke, Mr. Dalken ushered Mrs. Courtney to theguestroom door. Then he paused and knocked upon the panel.
Elizabeth threw the door open, appearing as a radiant vision to herfather, who said: "Ah, Tots! Here is a friend of mine. In the absence ofa maid, I know you will be happy to assist in any way. Mrs. Courtney, mydaughter Elizabeth; Totty, Mrs. Courtney."
Without waiting to see if this meeting proved to be harmonious, Mr.Dalken closed the door upon Mrs. Courtney, and hurried to his valet-cookto say that the last guest expected had just arrived. Karl nodded hishead silently, and proceeded to instruct the Japanese servant to turn upthe lights in the diningroom.
At the closing of the guestroom door Elizabeth turned and purred sweetlyupon the lady to whom she had just been introduced. She seemedover-eager to assist in removing the handsome evening wrap, and shestood hovering near whil
e Mrs. Courtney stood before the dressing mirrorto arrange her crushed hair. The girl babbled of many things, but withall her babbling she never lost sight of one detail of the lady'scostume and make-up, and of the possible valuation of the magnificentdiamonds and pearls which adorned her person. The jewelry caused pangsof envy in Elizabeth's soul, for she was mad over jewels.
Out in the living-room, the waiting guests amused themselves.
"Before we prepare any further arguments to win our case before thetribunal of the higher authorities, we'd better sit back and watchwhether this will be a proper evening to throw the bomb," remarkedPolly, dryly, to her chum Eleanor.
"But this is the reason we are all assembled at dinner to-night!"exclaimed Eleanor, impatiently. "Dalky wants to get away from New Yorkwithout further delay, you know."
"Well, I don't know! Only do be circumspect, Nolla, in the presence ofElizabeth. We know her, and we do not know what she might say or do tomake trouble for our dear Dalky, if she once finds that he plans to takeus all on a long cruise."
"She can't say or make any trouble for him, that I can see!" retortedEleanor. "That woman got her divorce, all right, and is married hard andfast to that awful suitor, so what other trouble can be started afterthat?"
Polly did not reply, but she shook her head sympathetically. Thesympathy, Eleanor understood, was all for "Poor Dalky!"
Mrs. Courtney and Elizabeth now came from the guest-room, Elizabethsmiling sweetly, and Mrs. Courtney with her well-set head held a triflehigher than was her wont, and with two bright spots of crimson touchingher cheeks with the hue of restrained blood which must be dancing in herveins. Her eyes, when she looked at Polly, were shooting sparks, butthese soon disappeared after she shook hands with her friends who wereglad to see her.
"See that!" whispered Eleanor quickly to Polly. "That sweet little wasphas stung Mrs. Courtney with something she has said, or hinted at!"
"So it seems. I wish I knew what to do," mused Polly.
"Just wait and keep your eyes and ears wide open. We'll catch Elizabethin any little plot she or her mother may have planned," declaredEleanor.
At this moment the Japanese attendant came to the door and announceddinner. The friendly party, being so informal, grouped itself about Mr.Dalken and all moved slowly towards the dining-room--all but ElizabethDalken. While all her companions walked from the living-room to thediningroom, listening to her father's account of a wonderful catch offish in the Maine streams, she had managed to get away unseen and enterthe guestroom. Behind the closed door of the room she found what she hadplanned to secure. Information.
Mr. Dalken designated their seats to his friends, and turning to Mrs.Courtney said, politely: "As you are a guest in my home for the firsttime I have assigned the seat of honor to you--at my right. Of course, Ihad to beg permission of Polly and Nolla before daring to trespass upontheir rights,--they generally fight for this place."
Polly smiled and tossed her head, but Eleanor vehemently denied any suchweakness, while the adults in the party laughed at their host's teasingways. Mr. Dalken, meantime, had been searching for his daughterElizabeth. She was not to be seen.
"Why! This is strange; did not Elizabeth come to the diningroom justnow?" asked he in amazement of his guests.
The guests looked from one to another in surprise. They all believed thegirl to have been present with them. Before Mr. Dalken had time to sendthe servant to find the missing daughter, however, she ran from thedressingroom and hurried to the diningroom.
"Pardon my absence, Daddy," was her call before he had time to ask whatwas wrong. "I just _had_ to dab my nose a bit, you know." She laughedlightly as though it would be understood how important a deed was thepowdering of a nose.
Mr. Dalken patted the fluffy yellow head as Elizabeth slid into herchair. Then the servant was signalled to serve. Polly prodded Eleanor,who sat next her at the table, with her foot under cover of the longdamask cloth. And Eleanor glanced at her friend to see what she meant toconvey to her.
In a very low voice Polly said: "Don't you say a word, hear me, Nolla?Wait till we know what Elizabeth wants to know."
Eleanor winked knowingly. At the same time Mr. Dalken tossed theconversational ball into the arena for all to catch.
"Friends and fellow-countrymen," began he, clearing his throatimpressively, "we are assembled together this evening in order that theimportant event of taking a trip around the world may be duly discussed.After the arguments for and against the cruise in my yacht are heard,the chairman--that is myself--will allow two minutes to the argument foror against the acceptance of Mrs. Courtney's offer to sail to the SouthSeas in her craft. The meeting is now open for all members of thisparty."
Mr. Dalken then rubbed his hands vigorously as if to say he was washingthem of all trouble henceforth. If the members in the party came toblows over their debate it would be nothing to him! His guests,understanding his action, laughed at him and bade him sit down.
"At least, Mr. Chairman, you might tell us the names of the speakers weare supposed to hear from this evening," laughed Mr. Fabian.
"The first speaker to be heard from this evening, is our capableglobe-trotter Mr. Fabian," retorted Mr. Dalken without hesitation. Alaugh greeted this introduction, but the servant was placing the firstcourse before the hungry guests and it was silently agreed to give thefirst attention to the most important matter of food.
During the next three courses there were many suggestions, and merryarguments from the friends about that board, but Elizabeth Dalken, nevermissing a word or look of those who were concerned in the cruiseplanned, kept silence. She felt that she could work better and safer bygetting the viewpoints of others and not showing her cards.
With the fourth course, however, Mr. Dalken seemed to feel certain ofhis own cruise being the accepted one. He turned to gloat politely overMrs. Courtney's defeat, when Mr. Ashby spoke.
"The only reason I feel inclined to vote for the Orient in Dalken'syacht, is a selfish one: I would like immensely to be one of the partyon this merry voyage, but I would not dare go on board a yacht that isdestined for the South Seas. I would have no jumping-off place, in orderto get me back to New York for the busy season. Now, should you allchoose Dalky's plan to go to Japan, I can remain with you until we reachHawaii, there I can catch a fast steamship back to San Francisco, thencespeed home to New York. Them's my sentiments, fren's!" concluded Mr.Ashby.
By the time the salad was served every one but Polly, Eleanor andElizabeth had been drawn into the discussion. It took great self-controlfor the two girl-partners to keep silence in this vital and interestingdebate.
Finally, Mr. Dalken turned to Eleanor and said: "In all my experience,this is the first time I have not heard Nolla have a say after everyother orator. Either she has nothing _to_ say, or she is waiting to dropa bomb upon our heads when we have said all we know."
Eleanor laughed. "That's just it! When you all are through I'll say mylittle piece, and I'm sure it will take away your breath."
The friends laughed, for they understood Eleanor and liked to urge herto discuss her egotistical opinions--often they were well worth hearing,too. Polly could not help sending Elizabeth a glance. The girl kept hereyes fixed upon her plate, defying Polly's scrutiny.
Mr. Dalken held up a hand as he commanded: "Silence in this Court. Ourwise Judge will now render an opinion!"
Eleanor instantly took up his line of chaff, and, midst the laughter,bowing politely, said in a dignified manner: "I thank you, Mr. Sheriff.As the Honorable Judge of this trial at Court I wish to give my opinion,and possibly a verdict. Has the prisoner at the bar anything more to sayin behalf of her plan to sail the South Seas?"
A condescending bow to Mrs. Courtney told those at the table that shemust be the prisoner who committed the crime of planning an impossiblevoyage. Mrs. Courtney smiled and shook her head to signify she had hadher say.
"Ahem!" began Eleanor; then remembering that Polly had the papers uponwhich they had outlined the cruise as t
hey wished to have it, she turnedand bowed in her direction. "Will the Counsel for the State kindly readthe evidence in the case under argument?"
Polly laughed, but Mr. Dalken said: "What a pity I missed having such awise judge at court in the days when I tried my cases. I am sure I mighthave won every case I argued."
This brought forth a general laugh at Eleanor's expense but little caredshe, because she had an axe to grind and such an insignificant matter asa laugh cost her nothing.
Polly now opened the typewritten page she had taken from the girdle ofher gown and glanced at the opening words. Then she explained: "This isa plan worked out by Nolla and myself. Before I mention the very goodreasons for choosing this plan, I wish to outline the plan itself. ThenNolla will say why we selected this cruise, and tell you the points infavor of choosing it."
Polly now read: "We decide upon Dalky's yacht, because it is cheaperthan leasing a craft; it is more luxurious than any hired boat couldever be; it is claimed to be absolutely safe to sail the most dangerousseas; and, best of all, Dalky is our sworn ally and gives Nolla and meour own way in almost everything. That's that!"
The reasons for taking Mr. Dalken's yacht caused a hearty laugh at hisexpense; but Polly continued reading without a pause, and the laugh washushed soon in order that the audience might not lose one word of herplans.
"We agree with Dalky in choosing a voyage which will take us to the WestIndies where we can visit many interesting points generally visited byother tourists; we also agree with him that a trip through the PanamaCanal will be not only most instructive to us all but it will also proveto be a short cut for my plan of the continued cruise. Thus far,--that isuntil we reach the Pacific Ocean--we have agreed to follow Dalky'soutline of the trip.
"But once having reached the Pacific, we begin to see a fascination insailing south--not to the Cannibal Islands, but southward as far as Peru.To those who have never visited Peru it might be told, that here is asight worth seeing: the famous land that gave birth to the tubers knownto us as potatoes; also the land of the Incas."
Polly interrupted herself at this point to say: "Friends, you may_think_ I copied all this from the travelogue issued by the SouthAmerican Steamship Line, but I assure you I did _not_! The circulargiven the public by that steamship company never mentions the fact thatPeru was the motherland that first produced the potato to the world atthe time when Pizarro found himself ship-wrecked upon its shores. Hencethis is original information discovered by Nolla and myself at the timeof the War Famine of potatoes in this country." Then Polly turned herattention to the reading of the paper.
"Well, having visited all the novel places to be seen in Peru, andhaving eaten our fill of Peruvian Bark, we resume our cruise and nextstop at Valparaiso. At this point Dalky orders his Captain to take theyacht around Cape Horn, then northwards to Buenos Aires, where he mightdock and wait for us to join him. We will take the Trans-Andean tripacross the continental divide and thus reach Argentina. As an inducementto Dalky to agree with us to take this trip, we can offer him many fineinvestments at Buenos Aires--investments which promise the financier areturn of a thousand per cent in six months' time. It's so, because Iread it in a column of a South American newspaper!"
Mr. Dalken was well known to be a daring gambler in the stock market,hence this thrust caused his guests to laugh heartily at his weakness.But Elizabeth frowned at what she termed insolence on the part of Polly.
Mr. Dalken now interpolated: "From Buenos Aires we will sail to Rio deJaneiro, and remain there to visit the great Fair. Having spent fiveyears' allowance in seeing the buildings and going to all the bazaars atthe Fair, we return to the yacht too bankrupt to tip the natives whocrowd about us for pennies."
"No, no, Dalky! There you are wrong. With Nolla and me to act as bankersthere will be no danger of bankruptcy," laughed Polly.
"All right then! As long as you agree to keep us out of bankruptcy inorder that we may safely return to New York," retorted Mr. Dalken.
"What was your next point of interest on the route?"
"Well, after doing the Fair we decided to coast along the shores ofBrazil and eventually touch at Guiana, then continue to the Barbados.Thence back to little old New York!"
The guests, and Mr. Dalken as well, listened with intense interest tosuch a cruise, and finally, having discussed the plan from every pointof view, it was unanimously agreed that such a voyage would offer themost interesting sights, and prove to be admirable in every other way.Those who wished to remain on the yacht for a short time only, couldleave the tourists at Havana, Panama, or any other port where steamshipsare constantly sailing to New York. Those who found it impossible toleave New York as soon as the party wished to sail, could reach Havanaor Panama by rail and board the yacht at the time it touched at thoseports. Thus it was decided that Polly and Eleanor's plan had been thebest yet offered.
The evening had been well spent, thought Polly and Eleanor, when it wasall but agreed upon that the South American cruise should be the onechosen for the Dalken party. But Elizabeth Dalken had kept absolutelysilent during the discussion of the trip. Finally, her father turned andsmiled upon her, and said: "Well, little girl! Do you thrill at such awonderful voyage?"
Elizabeth shrugged her shoulders in the French way she had acquired fromher mother, and remarked in a colorless tone: "It will prove to be sucha bore at the Fair in Rio--this mixing with common people from all overthe world! I hear the railroads and the majority of southern steamshiplines are offering cheap excursions there and back to inducetrades-people to take the trip. I would rather take a trip to Japan andleave South America to such a time as the common folk need not be met."
Mr. Dalken flushed painfully. He was a genuine democrat in everythingbut politics, hence this attitude of his daughter's, an attitudefostered by her society mother, hurt his feelings. However, the friendsgathered with him that evening, understood perfectly why Elizabethrendered such poor judgment, and they quickly consoled their host forthe humiliation he had endured.
"Dalky, it is your privilege to decide as you please for this cruise. Asinvited guests we accept, without a word of condemnation ordissatisfaction, whatever you do. We firmly believe that your societyand the wonderful offer of taking us with you on the cruise, no matterwhere it be, will reward us for any personal or selfish desire to sailelsewhere." Thus said Mr. Ashby, the best and closest friend of Mr.Dalken.
Mr. Fabian added instantly: "And the association with such a man as weknow you to be, Dalken, will soon wear away any sense of being thrownwith common folk, even though we meet a few samples of ordinarytradesmen while in Rio de Janeiro. We have to suffer them in New York,more than at any other place in the world, you know. I doubt if theywill cause us to regret this cruise." As Mr. Fabian included Elizabethin this speech to her father, it was manifest to all present that it wasmeant for a mild rebuke to her arrogance.
"Well, we will mull over the plan and render our verdict at an earlyday," remarked Mr. Dalken, hoping to placate his daughter and win herapproval for the cruise, but Elizabeth refused to be pleased, andannounced with impatience: "I must be going home, now, Daddy. I promisedMother that I'd leave here before ten."
Without another word, she crossed the living room and hurried to theguest-room for her wraps. Her father followed with an uncertain mien.Polly instantly jumped up and followed after Elizabeth. As she passedthe host she remarked: "I'll attend to Elizabeth, Dalky."
But the girl refused to accept any attention from Polly, and soon aftershe had donned her hat and wrap she came forth and said good-night tothe assembled guests. Mr. Dalken accompanied her to the elevator, mildlypersuading her to change her mind. The lift arrived at the door, andElizabeth pecked at her father's chin, then left as if she had neverheard one word of his persuasion.
Eleanor leaned close to Polly's ear and murmured: "From all forecastsfrom the weather bureau, I should judge that we are in for nasty weatheron this cruise; I am surprised that Dalky could be so short-sighted asthis."
&nb
sp; And Polly replied in the same subdued tone: "It looks most suspicious tome, Nolla. Perhaps that mother of Elizabeth's heard of a certainhandsome woman whom I might mention, and fears, should Dalky marryagain, that Elizabeth might not get her father's fortune. You know howtender hearted is Dalky where anything concerns his daughter. If sheasked him to take her to the North Pole he would try and obey her wish."
"Then you believe that she got Dalky to invite her on this cruise?"wondered Eleanor.
"From all I heard and saw to-night, I certainly do! I think Dalky waspleased that she wished to go with him, and agreed instantly withoutstopping to think how such an addition might give the entire party theodd member who opposes whatever is suggested for the mutual enjoyment ofall."
"I believe you are right, Polly," said Eleanor. "And if it turns outthat Elizabeth Dalken becomes a member of our cruising party, it willbehoove us to protect Mrs. Courtney from her thrusts, and spare her asmany bites from the sharp tongue which we know Elizabeth wags as ispossible for us to do."
With Elizabeth gone the others in the group gathered at Mr. Dalken'sapartment felt freer to talk over plans and propositions for theyachting trip the host so magnanimously offered. Before they saidgood-night and departed from Mr. Dalken's that evening, it was agreed totry out the plan presented by Polly and Eleanor. Should they find itdisagreeable, by the time they reached Panama, they could continue thecruise to Japan from that point.
Polly's Southern Cruise Page 1
