Part 42 (1/2)

”I'm in the laces,” said Ida May. ”But Hoskin & Marl sell lots besides dry goods.”

”Oh, yes! Annabel did say something about automobiles and--and plasters; didn't she, Ira?”

”Goodness knows,” rejoined her husband with a groan. ”Annabel Coffin said so much the last time she was here that my head buzzes now when I think of her.”

”Now, you hes.h.!.+” said Prudence. ”Never can interest a man in such things. So you sold laces, did you, my dear? Oh, Ida May!” she exclaimed suddenly to Sheila, sitting on the other side of the table. ”Ida May, what did you say you sold in that store? You worked for Hoskin & Marl, didn't you?”

”Ye-es. I--I was in the silverware and jewelry department,”

stammered Sheila, the question coming so unexpectedly that she could not exercise consideration before making answer.

”Now, is that so?” cried Prudence. ”That must have been nice. To handle all them pretty things. But lace is pretty, too,” she added, turning quickly to the guest again. ”I expect you find it so.”

The old woman was startled into silence by the expression she saw upon Ida May's face. The latter was glaring across the table at Sheila. No other word could so express the intense and malevolent look in those greenish-brown eyes and on that sharp countenance.

Sheila's gaze was enthralled as well by Ida May's sudden emotion.

She half rose from her chair. But her strength left her limbs again, and she fell back into the seat.

”What's the matter, Ida May?” demanded Cap'n Ira, in wonder and alarm.

The real Ida May sprang up with a shriek. She shook her hand at Sheila and for a moment could not articulate. Then she said:

”I know her now! I knew I'd seen that creature before and I thought I'd remember what and who she is. And she dares come down here and sneak her way into honest people's houses! The gall of her!”

CHAPTER XXVIII

GONE

”Looker here, girl!” exclaimed Cap'n Ira sternly. Putting his hand upon Ida May's shoulder, he forced her down into her chair again.

His own eyes gleamed angrily, and his countenance expressed his wrath. ”What was you told on coming here? Didn't you promise to keep a taut line on all that foolishness? I won't stand for it. No, Prudence!” he exclaimed, as his wife tried to interfere. ”I won't stand for it. She must either keep away from that business, or I'll put her right out of the house. Leastways, it being night, I'll send her to her room.”

”Do you think you can boss me like that?” cried Ida May hotly, so angry herself that she forgot her fear of him. ”I'm not your slave, nor your hired help, like that creature.” She pointed scornfully at Sheila. ”And you'll just listen to something I've got to say. If you don't, I'll go out to-morrow and tell everybody in this hick town.

I'll hire a hall to tell 'em in!”

”Won't--won't you be good, deary?” begged Prudence, before her husband could make any rejoinder to this defiance. ”You know you promised Elder Minnett you would be if we let you come here.”

”I don't want to stay here. I've seen enough of this place and you all! And I would be ashamed to stay any longer than I can help with folks that take in such a girl as she is.”

Again Ida May's little claw indicated Sheila, who stared, speechless, helpless, at least for the time being. The hara.s.sed girl could fight for herself no longer. She knew that she was on the verge of betrayal. She could not stem the tide of Ida May's venom.

The latter must make the revelation which had threatened ever since she had come to Wreckers' Head. There was no way of longer smothering the truth. It would come out!

”Look here,” Cap'n Ira said, his curiosity finally aroused, ”the elder says you ain't crazy! But it looks to me--”

”I'm not crazy, I can tell you,” snapped Ida May, taking him up short. ”But I guess you and Aunt Prue must be. Why, you don't even know the name of this girl you took in instead of me--in my rightful place. But I can tell you who she is--and what she's done. I remember her now. I knew I'd seen her before--the hussy!”

”Belay that!” exclaimed Cap'n Ira.

But he said it faintly. He was looking at the other girl now, and something in her expression and in her att.i.tude made him lose confidence. His voice died in his throat. Ida May Bostwick had the upper hand at last--and she kept it.