Part 7 (2/2)
The following morning the party of four set off for Was.h.i.+ngton, Polly sorely divided in her mind regarding her own wishes. To have Peggy elsewhere than at Severndale was a possibility which had never entered into her calculations. How would it seem to have no Severndale to run out to? No Peggy to pop into Middie's Haven? No boon companion to ride, walk, drive, skate with, or lead the old life which they had both so loved? Polly did some serious thinking on the way to the big city, and wore such a sober face as they drew near the end of their journey that Captain Stewart asked, as he tweaked a stray lock which had escaped bonds:
”What's going on inside this red pate? You look as solemn as an ostracized owl.”
”I'm trying to think how it is going to seem without Peggy this winter and I don't like the picture even a little bit,” and Polly wagged the ”red pate” dubiously.
”Better make up your mind to come along with your running-mate. By Jove, that's a brain throb, Peggy! How about it? Can't you persuade this girl of ours to give up the co-ed plan back yonder in Annapolis,--she knows all the seamans.h.i.+p and nav. that's good for her already,--and you'll need a room-mate up here at Columbia Heights School if we settle upon it,” and Captain Stewart looked at Polly half longingly, half teasingly.
Polly had grown very dear to the bluff, sincere man during her companions.h.i.+p with Peggy, and had crept into a corner of his heart he had never felt it possible for anyone but Peggy herself to fill.
Somehow, latterly when thinking and planning for Peggy's well-being or pleasure, visions of Polly's tawny head invariably rose before him, and Polly's happy, sunny face was always beside the one he loved best of all. The two young girls had become inseparable in his thoughts as well as in reality.
”Oh, Polly, will you? Will you?” begged Peggy, instantly fired with the wildest desire to have Polly enter the school which it had been decided she should enter if at closer inspection it proved to be all the catalogues, letters and dozens of pamphlets sent to Mrs. Harold represented it to be.
”If I go to the Columbia Heights School what will Ralph say? And all the others, too? They'll say I've backed down on my co-ed plan and will run me half to death. Besides, Ralph needs me right there to let him know I'm keeping a lookout.”
”He doesn't need you half as much as this girl of mine needs you. You just let Ralph do a little navigating for himself and learn that it's up to him to make good on his own account. He's man enough to; all he needs now is to find it out. Will you let him do so by coming down here with Peggy?”
CHAPTER VII
COLUMBIA HEIGHTS SCHOOL
As Captain Stewart asked the question which ended the last chapter the W. B. & A. electric car came to a standstill in the heart of Was.h.i.+ngton and as he a.s.sisted his charges to descend the steps, Polly was the last.
As she placed her hand in his she looked straight into his kind eyes and said:
”I'm just ready to fly all to bits. I love Peggy and want to be with her; I love Aunt Janet and old Crabtown and everything connected with it; I've always kept neck-and-neck with Ralph in his work and I hate the thought of dropping out of it, but, oh, I do want to be with Peggy.”
”Come along out to the school and see what you think of it before you decide one way or the other; then talk it all over with your aunt and you won't go far amiss if you follow _her_ advice, little girl.”
”I'll do it,” answered Polly, with an emphatic wag of her head, and Peggy who overheard her words nearly pranced with joy.
Hailing a taxicab Captain Stewart directed the chauffeur to drive them to an address in the outskirts of the city and away they sped. It was only a short run in that whirring machine over Was.h.i.+ngton's beautiful streets and when the school was reached both Peggy and Polly exclaimed over the beauty of its situation, for Columbia Heights School was in the midst of s.p.a.cious grounds, the buildings were substantial and attractive, giving the impression of ample s.p.a.ce, all the fresh air needed by vigorous, rapidly developing bodies, and the suns.h.i.+ne upon which they thrive. Beautiful walks and drives led in every direction and not far off lovely Stony Brook Park lay in all the beauty of its golden October glow.
Mrs. Harold and Captain Stewart were graciously welcomed by its charming princ.i.p.al who promptly led the way to her study, a great room giving upon a broad piazza, where green wicker furniture, potted plants and palms suggesting a tropical garden. When Polly's eyes fell upon it she forgot all else, and cried impulsively:
”Oh, how lovely! Can't we go right out there?” And then colored crimson.
Mrs. Vincent smiled as she slipped an arm across Polly's shoulder and asked:
”Are you to be my newest girl? If so, I think we would find something in common.”
Polly raised her big eyes to the sweet, strong face smiling upon her and answered:
”I hadn't even thought of coming until an hour ago. It was all planned for Peggy, but, oh, dear, if I _only_ could be twins! How am I ever to be a co-ed in Annapolis and a pupil here at the same time? Yet I want dreadfully to be both, I'm so fond of Peggy.”
”I fear we cannot solve that problem even in Columbia Heights School, though we try pretty hard to solve a good many knotty ones. Suppose I talk it over with the grown-ups and meantime arrange for your entertainment by two or three of the girls. We think they are rather nice girls too,” and Mrs. Vincent pressed an electric b.u.t.ton which promptly brought a neat maid to the door.
”Hilda, ask Miss Natalie and Miss Marjorie to step to my study.”
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