It was natural for Mary Louise to want to see these newspaper notices and, in seeing the papers, it was almost inevitable that she should run across something about the possibility of the Spokane’s being in distress, perhaps lost. Up to that time there had been nothing said about Danny Dexter’s being on the ill-starred vessel, as it was not known generally to the newspaper world. His old friend, Bob Dulaney, the one who had figured so largely in the capture of Felix Markle on Danny and Mary Louise’s wedding day, of course, knew all about Danny but, at the instigation of Irene Macfarlane he had promised not only to keep his own paper from mentioning Danny’s name in connection with the Spokane but also to use his influence to keep the news concerning Danny out of the other papers. All of Mary Louise’s friends agreed that she should be allowed to recover from the shock of her grandfather’s death before anything should be told her of the possibility of Danny’s ship being lost.
“What shall we do about the newspapers when she asks for them?” wailed Irene, who had come to the Higgledy Piggledy for advice. “While Danny’s name is not mentioned, we are never sure when the Spokane will appear in the telegrams from the Pacific coast. She is sure to want to see everything that is written about Colonel Hathaway.”
“Use the clipping bureau,” suggested Josie. “What are we for but to save readers the trouble of going over the whole paper to see what is said about them?”
“Of course!” cried Elizabeth. “I’ll get busy immediately.” She accordingly grabbed up her long shears and began clipping items concerning Grandpa Jim and then neatly pasting them on the little printed slips in which the clipping bureau had seen fit to indulge to give a prosperous air to the business.
“I don’t believe for an instant that Danny Dexter is dead,” declared Josie stoutly. “It is simply unbelievable.”
“But don’t you think Mary Louise should know the Spokane is reported lost?” asked Irene.
“Of course! We have no right to keep it from her much longer. Mary Louise is no child although somehow she seems one. She is so young and so gentle and there is a look to her now that makes me feel as though I should like to take her in my lap and hold her like a little baby.”
Elizabeth and Irene could not help smiling at the picture of Josie holding Mary Louise in her lap, since Mary Louise was a good half head taller than Josie but they all agreed that Mary Louise seemed like a child.
“Matrimony doesn’t seem to have aged her a single bit,” said Elizabeth.
“Her grandfather’s death has hit her terribly hard and she is looking as pale as a ghost, but somehow like a little child ghost,” sighed Irene.