Part 29 (1/2)
The capture of Bilby in connection with the smugglers and Chinese runners delighted the motion picture producer.
”That will settle the controversy, I believe,” Mr. Hammond said to the two girls. ”Bilby's attempt to annoy us must fall through now. We will get Totantora and Wonota back from Canada and finish the picture properly. But, believe me! I have had all the experience I want with freak stars. The expense and trouble I have been put to regarding Wonota has taught me a lesson. I'd sell my contract with Wonota to-morrow--or after the picture is done--for a song.”
Ruth looked at him steadily for a moment.
”Do you mean that, Mr. Hammond?” she asked quietly.
”Yes, I do.”
Helen laughed. ”I guess Ruth is thinking of singing that song. Ruth believes in Wonota.”
”If I could carry the tune,” her chum said, more lightly. ”We'll talk of that later, Mr. Hammond.”
”Oh, I would give you first chance, Miss Ruth,” said the producer. ”By the way,” and he turned to his desk. ”I brought mail from the town. Here are several letters for you, Miss Ruth, and one for Miss Cameron.”
The girls began to open their letters as soon as they reached their room.
But it was Helen's single epistle that created the most excitement.
”It's from Carrie Perrin,” she said to Ruth. Then, in a moment, she uttered a cry that drew Ruth's full attention. ”Listen to this! What do you know about this, Ruth?”
”What is it, my dear?” asked her chum, in her usual composed manner.
”Just think of that!” cried Helen, in tears. ”And I have treated him so hatefully. He'll never forgive me in this world, I suppose. It is about Chess,” she sobbed, and handed her chum the letter.
CHAPTER XXV
THE HEART'S DESIRE
”And what do you think of this, Nell? I've wormed out of Bill Kenmore the truth about that mean joke the boys played on us last spring when we were all at Jennie Stone's. Excuse! I suppose I should say Madame Marchand's.
To think of Heavy Stone being an old married woman now!
”Well, Bill Kenmore always did have a crazy streak--and he wasn't sh.e.l.l-shocked in France, either. You remember the time you went away down town in answer to a telegram, thinking it was somebody who needed you very much, and you walked into that place and found the boys all dressed up and ready to give you the 'ha, ha!'?
”I know it got you awfully mad--and I don't blame you. Chess was there, I know. But he didn't even know what the row was all about. Bill engineered the whole thing, and he thinks still that it was an awfully good joke.
His ideas of humor must have originated in the Stone Age.
”I made him tell me all about it, he thinking I would be amused. Then I turned him right out of our parlor and told him not to call again. I hear that he thinks I am a regular cat!
”But who wouldn't be cattish with a fellow who has no more sense? Anyhow, we know the truth now. Perhaps Chess Copley is not very sharp, but I couldn't think of his doing anything really mean. So now you know. If Chess is up there at the Thousand Islands you can tell him from me, at least, that 'all is forgiven.' Sounds like a newspaper personal, doesn't it?”
Ruth stopped reading there, and looked brightly at her chum.
”What do you think of that?” asked the latter, wiping her eyes.
”Well, my dear, I shouldn't cry about it,” said Ruth. ”I think it is an occasion to be joyful.”
”But, Chess--”