Part 6 (2/2)
Thus Veronica found them when she returned with her love offerings. She halted in the doorway, her face alight with tenderness for these three who had succeeded more nearly than any other persons she had ever known in living the ideal family life.
In her hand Ronny held two small black leather cases. The one contained a ring of pure gold, artistically chased with a running vine, and set with one large, perfect sapphire. This was intended for Marjorie. For Mrs. Dean she had bought a gold and pearl pin of ancient Peruvian handiwork. Both pieces of jewelry were from an old Spanish collection.
She had bought them at a private sale in San Leandro for her friends and now delighted to add her tribute to Marjorie's happiness.
Standing very still in the doorway, her eyes meditatively sought the cases in her hand. Then she turned and stole noiselessly away from the little scene of adoration. Ronny knew that Marjorie was taking her real farewell of her general and captain.
CHAPTER VIII.-THE FIVE TRAVELERS.
”Hamilton, did you say? Lead me to it.” Jerry Macy opened her eyes and peered through the car window with revived interest. For an hour or more she had been leaning back against the high green plush car seat dozing lightly. It was now five o'clock in the afternoon and active Jerry was feeling the strain of sitting still, hour after hour.
”No; I didn't say Hamilton.” Muriel gently tweaked Jerry's ear. ”Wake up, sleepy head. That station we just pa.s.sed was Harcourt Hill. What comes next?” Muriel opened a time table and frowningly perused it. ”It's hard to remember the names of these little stations. Now where was I at?
Oh, yes; Harcourt Hill. Next comes Palmer; then Tresholme. After that, West Hamilton, and then Hamilton. Hamilton is the first stop this express makes, thank goodness!”
”Muriel, you have really been invaluable to us on this journey. Allow me to decorate you.” Ronny leaned forward and pinned a huge lace-paper rosette on the obliging Lookout. ”Wear this for my sake.”
While Muriel had been industriously engaged in calling out the stations, Ronny had hastily ripped a piece of decorative lace-paper from a half emptied box of candied fruit, which the travelers had shared, and busied herself with it. The result of her effort she now generously tendered Muriel.
”I will-not.” Muriel intercepted the rosette before it found a place on the lapel of her brown taffeta traveling coat and crumpled it in her hand. ”No such decorations for me when I'm so near Hamilton. Suppose I forgot about it and wore it off the train. Some college wag would be sure to see it and post me in the grind book. Freshmen are good material for grinds. Remember that and keep your old rosettes out of sight.”
”What would be written about you?” asked Lucy Warner curiously. ”I can't see anything in that to write about.”
”Don't think for a minute that enough couldn't be found in one foolish old paper rosette to make me feel silly for a half term, at least. I don't know what the method of teasing me would be. I do know that I am not going to give strange students a chance to try it.”
”Then I shall hardly dare answer anyone, even if I am first addressed.”
Lucy fixed her green eyes on Muriel with an expression of alarm.
Muriel burst out laughing as she met the steady stare. She had never taken prim Lucy seriously. Lucy's austere solemnity always had an hilarious effect on keen-witted Muriel. Coupled with a direct stare from those peculiar greenish eyes, Muriel invariably felt a strong desire to laugh when in her presence. As a result, there was no strain between the two, as was the case with the majority of the Lookouts and Lucy.
”You had better be very, _very_ careful,” warned Muriel with simulated cautiousness.
”I intend to be. I may not even speak to you, once I am on the campus,”
was the retort.
”Oh, it will be safe to speak to me,” Muriel a.s.sured. ”You may even speak to others when you are spoken to and be safe. You are not strictly of the information-bureau type. Don't worry about being afraid of the Hamiltonites. They will probably stand in awe of you.”
”What is all this advice you are giving Lucy?” From across the aisle Marjorie leaned toward the quartette in the double seat. ”Since it was my turn to be exiled across the aisle, I've lost a lot of pearls of speech.”
As only four could occupy the double seat, the five girls had arranged on entraining, to take turns sitting in the seat opposite their own.
This was somewhat lonely for the fifth member of the party. The exclusive isolation of the chair car had not found favor with them. They preferred the more democratic day coach where they could be together.
While Marjorie could catch little of Muriel's remarks to Lucy, she knew by the half-amused smile on Lucy's face that she was being chaffed and enjoying it.
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