“Oh, Mrs. Marborough, it would practically save the Festival!” Penny cried. “A cheap Indian show is coming to town the same week. I know for a fact 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 the public,” Mrs. Marborough said, her eyes twinkling as she gazed directly at 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 upon me.”
“Nothing will please me more than to see this old house in all its glory!” Penny declared enthusiastically. “May we light all the candles at one time?”
“If you like.”
“And wouldn’t it be fun to hold a grand ball here with everyone dressed in colonial costume!” Penny went on. “Can’t you just see the place with beaux 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 the walk into Riverview, Rhoda became rather sober and Penny shrewdly guessed that she had forgotten about the Marborough pearls and was thinking of the 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’m sure. 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 the trailer camp. Mrs. Breen immediately informed them that Mr. Coaten had called earlier in the afternoon and expected to return again.
“I hope you didn’t make trouble about signing the papers,” she said severely. “He acted quite upset.”
“I broke our appointment,” Rhoda responded briefly. “So far I’ve not made up my mind what to do.”
There followed a lengthy argument in which Mrs. Breen assured the girl that 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. Coaten is certain to come, and I can’t stand against them all.”
Penny had no desire to remain for a meal, but feeling that she should support her friend, accepted the invitation. Ted soon came home from working at Judge Harlan’s office, and he too expressed displeasure because his sister had broken the appointment with Mr. Coaten.
During dinner the subject was studiously avoided. Somewhat to Penny’s disapproval, Rhoda began to tell the Breens about everything that had occurred at Rose Acres. At mention of the pearl necklace, Ted’s fork clattered against his plate and he forgot to eat.
“You actually found a string of pearls?” he asked incredulously. “Real ones?”
“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. I have a date uptown with a fellow.”
Mrs. Breen made no reply and the boy left the trailer. Penny thought that she too should be leaving, but before she could speak, there came a light tap 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 going to tell him Rhoda?”
“I don’t know,” she answered, gazing helplessly at Penny.
CHAPTER 21
MRS. MARBOROUGH’S LOSS
Mrs. Breen hastily removed her apron and opened the door to admit the caller.
“Good evening,” said Mr. Coaten. His gaze roved from one person to another in the crowded little room, coming to rest upon Rhoda.
“I’m sorry I couldn’t keep our appointment this afternoon,” she said stiffly. “The truth is, I’ve changed my mind about signing that paper.”
“I’ve tried to talk sense into her,” Mrs. Breen broke in. “I don’t know what’s come over the girl lately.”
Mr. Coaten seated himself on the day bed, smiling at Rhoda in a friendly way.
“I understand how you feel,” he said. “You are afraid you don’t know me well enough to agree to the adoption.”
“I never heard of you until you came to Riverview.”
“Rhoda, that’s no way to talk!” Mrs. Breen reprimanded. “What would we have done without Mr. Coaten? He’s given us money, bought groceries, and made everything much easier.”
“I appreciate everything. It’s just that—well, I don’t care to be adopted. I like things as they are.”
Mrs. Breen’s kindly face tightened into hard lines.
“Rhoda,” she said firmly, “this is an opportunity for you, and you ought to be smart enough to realize it. Mr. Coaten will give you good clothes and schooling. Pop and I can’t do it.”
“You’ve given me too much now,” Rhoda murmured, her gaze on the linoleum rug.
“I’ve been patient with you, but now I’m going to have my say. We can’t keep you any more.”
“You’re telling me to go?” Rhoda gasped, scarcely believing that she had heard correctly.
“I’m asking you to sign whatever it is that Mr. Coaten wants you to.”
Rhoda gazed at Penny, her lips trembling. There seemed but one course open to her, for she had no money and no relatives. Fully aware of her predicament, Mr. Coaten smiled triumphantly. From his pocket he whipped out a fountain pen and a folded, neatly-typed paper.
“Rhoda, don’t sign unless you really wish to,” Penny said quietly.
“But I’ll have no home—”
“You may stay with me. I’ll find a place for you.”
Directing her gaze upon Mr. Coaten, Penny resumed:
“May I ask why you are so eager to obtain a guardianship over Ted and Rhoda? What do you expect to gain by it?”
“My dear young lady—” Mr. Coaten’s voice was soft but his eyes glinted angrily. “I expect to gain nothing.”
“I gathered a different impression when I heard you and your friend talking a night or so ago at the Marborough place.”
At first Mr. Coaten did not appear to understand, then as Penny’s meaning dawned upon him, he arose from the couch.
“I have no wish to discuss this matter with you—a stranger,” he said coldly. “For some reason you are prejudiced against me, and have deliberately influenced Rhoda to go against Mrs. Breen’s desires.”
“It’s a question for our own family to settle,” Mrs. Breen added.
“I’ll go at once,” said Penny. She gazed questioningly at Rhoda.
“Do you really think you could take me in at your place?” the girl asked.
“Of course. My offer holds.”
“Then I’ll come with you!” Darting to a wardrobe closet, Rhoda began to toss garments into a suitcase.
“Rhoda, you can’t go like this!” Mrs. Breen cried in protest. “Why won’t you listen to reason?”
“Let her go!” Mr. Coaten said harshly. “She’ll come back in a day or two glad to accept my offer.”
Rhoda paid no heed to the conversation which flowed about her. Swiftly she packed her suitcase and told Penny that she was ready to leave.
“Mrs. Breen,” she said, squeezing the woman’s hand in parting, “you and Pop have been wonderful to Ted and me. I’ll never forget it—never. Someday I’ll repay you, too.”
> “This is the way you do it,” Mrs. Breen retorted bitterly. “By defying my wishes.”
There was nothing more to be said. Penny and Rhoda quickly left the trailer, carrying the suitcase between them.
“I shouldn’t have done it,” the girl murmured contritely. “I don’t know how I’ll ever manage to make a living. Ted likely will side against me, too.”
“Don’t think of anything tonight,” Penny advised, although she too was worried. “We’ll find something for you. Dad may have an opening on the Star.”
Mrs. Weems long ago had ceased to be surprised by anything that Penny did, and so, when the two girls arrived at the Parker home, she did not ask many questions. Rhoda was comfortably established in the guest room and made to feel that she was welcome. However, ultimately learning what had occurred, the housekeeper was not at all certain that Penny had done right by helping the girl to leave home. Nor was Mr. Parker encouraging about the prospects of finding employment.
“Can she type or take shorthand?” he asked bluntly.
“I don’t think so,” Penny admitted.
“The Star can’t be made a catch-all for your unemployed friends,” Mr. Parker resumed severely. “My advice is to send her back to the Breens.”
“I can’t do that, Dad. You don’t understand.”
“Well, let it ride for a few days,” her father replied, frowning. “I’ll see what I can do.”
Penny tried to keep Rhoda from realizing that her presence in the household had created a problem. In the morning the girls went to school together, returned for lunch, and then attended the afternoon session. Rhoda became increasingly gloomy.
“Penny, this can’t go on indefinitely,” she protested. “I’ll have to get a job somehow.”
“Let me worry about that.”
“Ted hasn’t come to see me either,” Rhoda went on nervously. “I—I’m beginning to think I should go back and sign that paper.”
“Don’t even consider it,” Penny said firmly. “You need diversion to keep your mind off the problem. Let’s hike out to the Marborough place!”
Carrying their books, the girls set off for Rose Acres. Several windows on the lower floor of the house had been opened to admit fresh air and the blinds no longer were drawn. For the first time since Mrs. Marborough’s return, the old mansion actually had a“lived in” appearance. However, although Penny knocked many times, the widow did not come to the door.
“She can’t be here,” Rhoda remarked at last.
“The windows are open,” Penny said thoughtfully. “I doubt that Mrs. Marborough would go very far away without closing them.”
The girls wandered to the wishing well, and then made a complete tour of the grounds. Mrs. Marborough was nowhere in the yard.
“Shall we go?” Rhoda asked.
“I’ll knock on the door just once more,” Penny said. “I can’t help feeling that she is here.”
Circling the house to the side entrance, the girls again rapped and waited.
“Listen!” commanded Penny suddenly.
“I don’t hear anything,” declared Rhoda, startled by the manner in which her companion had given the command.
“I thought someone called or groaned—the sound came from inside the house.”
“You must have imagined it.”
“Maybe I did,” Penny acknowledged, “but I don’t think so.”
Testing the door, she found it unlocked. As it swung back a tiny crack, she called loudly: “Oh, Mrs. Marborough, are you at home?”
Distinctly, both girls heard an answering cry, but the words were unintelligible. The sound had come from the direction of the kitchen.
“Mrs. Marborough must be ill!” Penny gasped, for the voice had been very weak.
Hesitating no longer, she entered the house, and with Rhoda trailing close behind, ran to the kitchen. Mrs. Marborough, still garbed in night clothing, lay on the daybed, her face ashen. The woman breathed with the greatest of difficulty, and both girls knew at once that she was seriously ill.
“My heart—” Mrs. Marborough whispered. “An attack—last night.”
“Rhoda, run as fast as you can and get Doctor Hamilton,” Penny said tersely. “I’ll stay here.”
As soon as her friend had gone, she busied herself trying to make Mrs. Marborough comfortable. She rearranged the disordered blankets, and fanned air toward the woman, making it easier for her to breathe.
“My pearls,” Mrs. Marborough whispered after a moment. “They’re gone.”
Penny thought little of the remark, deciding that the widow was not entirely rational.
“Oh, you have the necklace,” she said soothingly. “Don’t you remember? We found it yesterday.”
“Gone—” Mrs. Marborough repeated. “It gave me such a shock—I had hidden the pearls in the teapot. This morning—”
Penny bent closer, suddenly realizing that the old lady was in possession of her faculties and was trying to disclose something of great importance.
“I went there this morning,” Mrs. Marborough completed with difficulty. “The pearls were gone. They’ve been stolen. Now I have nothing.”
CHAPTER 22
THE MISSING NECKLACE
Penny tried to quiet the old lady by assuring her that the pearl necklace must be somewhere in the house.
“No—no, it is gone,” Mrs. Marborough insisted. “A thief entered the house during the night. The shock of it brought on this attack.”
Spent by the effort required to speak, the widow closed her eyes, and relaxed. Thinking that she had gone to sleep, Penny left the bedside for a moment. A quick glance assured her that the kitchen window was open, and far more alarming, the screen had been neatly cut from its frame. An empty China teapot stood on the kitchen table.
“It must be true!” Penny thought with a sinking heart. “The pearls have been stolen, and the shock of it nearly killed Mrs. Marborough! But who could have known that she had the necklace here in the house?”
Louise and Rhoda were beyond suspicion, and for a moment she could think of no others who had knowledge of the pearls. Then, with a start, it came to her that the story had been told the previous night at the Breens.
“Ted knew about it and he was interested!” she thought. “But I can’t believe he would do such a contemptible thing—even if he did once steal a chicken.”
Penny’s unhappy reflections were broken by the arrival of Rhoda with Doctor Hamilton. For the next half hour the girls were kept more than busy carrying out his instructions.
“Mrs. Marborough, in a way you have been very fortunate,” the doctor said as he finally prepared to leave the house. “Your attack has been a light one and with proper care you should be on your feet again within a week or two. I’ll arrange to have you taken to the hospital at once.”
The widow tried to raise up in bed. “I won’t go!” she announced. “Hospitals cost money—more than I have to spend.”
“It won’t cost you anything, Mrs. Marborough. I’ll arrange everything.”
“I refuse to be a charity patient,” the widow declared defiantly. “I’ll die first! Go away and take your pills with you!”
“Then if you refuse hospital care, I must arrange for a nurse.”
“I can’t afford that either,” the old lady snapped. “Just go away and I’ll get along by myself. I’m feeling better. If I could only have a cup of tea—”
“I’ll make it for you,” Rhoda offered eagerly.
Penny signaled to the doctor, indicating that she wished him to follow her into another room. Once beyond the hearing of the old lady, she outlined a plan.
“Mrs. Marborough likes Rhoda very much,” she said to the doctor. “I think she might be perfectly satisfied to be looked after by her.”
“The girl seems sensible and efficient,” Doctor Hamilton replied. “But would she be willing to stay?”
“I think she might for she has no home of her own.”
Relieved to have the problem solved
so easily, the doctor declared that the plan could be tried for a few days at least.
“I’ll drop in again late tonight,” he promised, picking up his bag.
Consulted by Penny, Rhoda said at once that she would be happy indeed to remain with Mrs. Marborough as long as her services were required. The widow too seemed pleased by the arrangement.
“It’s very good of you,” she murmured to Rhoda. “I can’t pay you though. Not unless my pearls are recovered.”
“Your pearls?” the girl echoed in astonishment.
Penny drew her friend aside, explaining what had occurred. Rhoda was shocked to learn that the necklace had been stolen.
“How dreadful!” she gasped. “Who could have taken the pearls?”
Apparently it did not occur to her that her own brother Ted might be regarded with suspicion. Penny was much too kind to drop such a hint, and kept her thoughts strictly to herself.
However, later in the day, with Mrs. Marborough’s permission, she made a full report of the theft to local police. An officer visited Rose Acres, but aside from establishing exactly how the house had been entered, obtained few useful clues. Questioned at considerable length, Penny disclosed that so far as she knew only Louise Sidell, the trailer camp family, Ted, Rhoda and herself had known that the pearls were in the mansion.
“We’ll keep that Breen family under surveillance,” the officer promised. “I’ll let you know if anything develops.”
Another problem immediately confronted Penny. An inspection of the cupboards of the Marborough home had revealed that there was barely enough food to last a day.
“Buy whatever you need,” the widow instructed. “You’ll find money in the top bureau drawer.”
By diligent search, the girls found four dollars and twenty-four cents which they felt certain was all the money the old lady possessed.
“Why, the medicines Doctor Hamilton ordered will take almost this much!” Penny said in dismay. “Something must be done.”
Both girls respected Mrs. Marborough’s desire for secrecy, but they knew it would not be possible to help her and, at the same time, prevent the townspeople from learning of her dire poverty. Deeply troubled, Penny placed the problem in Mrs. Weems’ hands.
The Penny Parker Megapack: 15 Complete Novels Page 79
