Part 16 (1/2)

XVII

ON THE NARROW-GAUGE

For a certain breath-cutting minute after he had made good his grasp on the hand-rails of the rear car, Brockway was too angry to congratulate himself. A blow, even though it be given by a senior, and that senior the father of the young woman with whom one chances to be in love, is not to be borne patiently save by a philosopher or a craven, and Brockway was far enough from being either the one or the other.

But, fortunately for his own peace of mind, the young man reckoned a quick temper among his compensations. By the time he had recovered his breath, some subtle essence of the clean, crisp morning air had gotten into his veins, and the insult dwindled in the perspective until it became less incendiary. Nay, more; before the engineer whistled for Argo, Brockway was beginning to find excuses for the exasperated father.

He a.s.sumed that Gertrude was on the train with the Burtons--Mrs.

Burton's message could mean no less--and Mr. Francis Vennor had doubtless been at some pains to arrange the little plan of separation.

And to find it falling to pieces at the last moment was certainly very exasperating. Brockway admitted it cheerfully, and when he had laughed aloud at the President's discomfiture until the sore spot under his right collar-bone ached again, he thought he was fit to venture among the Tadmorians. Accordingly, he made his way forward through the two observation-cars to the coach set apart for the thirty-odd.

His appearance was the signal for a salvo of exclamatory inquiry from the members of the party, but Brockway had his eyes on the occupants of a double seat in the middle of the coach, and he a.s.sured himself that explanations to the thirty-odd might well wait. A moment later he was shaking hands with Mrs. Burton and Miss Vennor.

”Dear me!” said the proxy chaperon, with shameless disingenuousness; ”I was really beginning to be afraid you were left. Where have you been all the time?”

”Out on the rear platform, taking in the scenery,” Brockway replied, calmly, sitting down beside Gertrude. ”Didn't you see me when I got on?”

Mrs. Burton had seen the little incident on the station platform out of the tail of her eye as the train was getting under way, so she was barely within truthful limits when she said ”No.” But she looked very hard at Brockway and succeeded in making him understand that Gertrude was not to know anything about the plot or its marring. The young man telegraphed acquiescence, though his leaning was rather toward straight forwardness.

”Did you rest well after your spin on the engine last night?” he asked of Gertrude.

”Quite well, thank you. Have you ever ridden on an engine, Mrs. Burton?”

”Many times,” replied the marplot; and then she made small-talk desperately, while she tried to think of some way of warning her husband not to be surprised at the sudden change in Brockway's itinerary for the day. Nothing better suggesting, she struck hands with temerity when Burton appeared at the forward door with the conductor, and ordered Brockway to take Gertrude back to the observation-car.

”It's a shame that Miss Vennor should be missing the scenery,” she said.

”Go along with her and make yourself useful. We will take care of your ancients.”

The small plotter breathed freer when they were gone. She knew she had a little duel to fight with her conservative husband, and she preferred to fight it without seconds. Her premonition became a reality as soon as he reached her.

”How is this?” he began; ”did you know Fred had changed his plans?”

She shook her head. ”He didn't take me into his confidence.”

”Well, what did he say for himself?”

”About changing his mind? Nothing.”

”He didn't? that's pretty cool! What does he mean by running us off up here on a wild-goose chase?”

”How should I know, when he didn't tell me?”

”Well, I'll just go and find out,” Burton declared, with growing displeasure.

But his wife detained him. ”Sit down and think about it for a few minutes, first,” she said, coolly. ”You are angry now, and you mustn't forget that he's with Miss Vennor.”

”By Jove! that is the very thing I'm not forgetting. I believe you were more than half-right in your guess, yesterday; but we mustn't let them make fools of themselves--anyway, not while we are responsible.”