Part 26 (2/2)
But when Miss Royanna began to sing, Whyn forgot everything else.
There were various kinds of songs, both humorous and pathetic, but all simple and familiar, which appealed to the hearts of the listeners.
Last of all she sang ”My Little Lad, G.o.d Bless Him!” and then went back into the building, followed by the clapping and cheering of the a.s.sembled people.
Whyn paid little attention to the excitement outside. She leaned back in her chair, closed her eyes, and listened once again to the sweet singer. How distinctly she could hear that voice, and the words of the last song. What a treat this would be to her for months to come. She must write at once to her mother and Douglas and tell them of the great joy which had come into her life.
She was aroused by voices outside the door. Opening her eyes, great was her surprise to see the famous singer standing before her. Parson Dan was there, too, as well as Mr. and Mrs. Markham, while Rod brought up in the rear as bodyguard. But Whyn had eyes only for one person, and her glad look of welcome went at once to Miss Royanna's heart.
Stepping quickly forward, she stooped and kissed the invalid girl.
”We do not need any introduction,” she said. ”We are old friends, are we not? Rod has told me about you.”
For once in her life Whyn found it impossible to reply. Her eyes were moist as she lifted them to the singer's face in mute admiration.
”What a lovely room,” the woman continued, noting Whyn's embarra.s.sment.
”And you were able to see everything from the window. How nice.”
”And I heard you sing, too,” Whyn replied. ”Oh, it was great, and so good of you to come. I can never thank you enough.”
”Don't try,” and the woman smiled. ”The enjoyment has been all on my side. It is the best time I have had in years.”
For about half an hour Miss Royanna stayed, but it seemed only a few minutes to the invalid girl. The rest went out and left them alone.
It appeared to Whyn as if heaven had suddenly opened, and an angel in the form of this singer had come down. She felt perfectly at ease now, and talked freely, telling about herself and her mother. It was only natural, however, that Rod should form the princ.i.p.al object of conversation. In fact, Miss Royanna led the girl on to talk about him, and the mother's heart was made happy as Whyn told how kind Rod was to her, and what a fine boy he really was.
”Will you write to me, dear?” the singer asked, as she bade the girl good-bye.
”Oh, may I?” and Whyn's face glowed with pleasure. ”But you will not care to hear about our uninteresting affairs in Hillcrest.”
”Indeed I shall. Tell me everything, and especially about Rod. You see, I know him better than the rest.”
”Will you come to see me again?” Whyn enquired.
”Yes, just as soon as I can. I want to spend several weeks here in this lovely place. Then I shall be right near you, and find out all about the scouts.”
”Oh, how nice!” and Whyn clasped her hands together. ”I shall look forward to your coming. It will be something more to live for now.”
All the people on the grounds crowded around the car as the singer stepped on board. Rod was standing right by the door, watching her face with great interest. How she longed to stoop, fold him in her arms, kiss mm, and proclaim that he was her own boy. But, no, not now.
She must wait. Waving her hand to the crowd, she was borne swiftly away, leaving the people with a great and new topic of conversation, which would last them for many a day.
CHAPTER XX
THE ISLAND ADVENTURE
Next morning the scouts met at the Anchorage to find out how much money they had made. Great was their delight to learn that they had taken in fifty dollars and seventy cents. It seemed too good to be true, and the only way they could account for the large sum was the money contributed by several men who had come in autos. They had paid a dollar apiece for their tickets, and had spent money liberally upon ice-cream, cake, and candy. No refreshments were left over, and but for the timely a.s.sistance of Miss Arabella there would not have been enough.
It was in Whyn's room where this meeting took place. Captain Josh said very little at first, for he was satisfied to let the rest do the talking. He was happy at the way the affair had turned out, and he wished to do something to celebrate the occasion.
”Boys,” he at last began, after they had thoroughly discussed the entertainment and the singer, ”we've had a great success, more than we ever expected, I feel now like doin' something desperate jist to relieve my feelings. Suppose we make a trip to the island, and camp there all night. We've been talkin' about this fer some time, and as I have to go over to look after some nets I left there, it might as well be now as at any time. You boys have never spent a night in the open, and it'll do yez good to learn how to camp and cook. All scouts must know something about sich things.”
”Shall we go to-day?” Rod eagerly enquired. The big island had always been a fascinating place to him, and he longed to go there. He had heard many stories about it, and how much treasure had been buried there long ago by Captain Kidd.
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