“I am saying it all the time,” was Stokes’s reply, as he passed on to his work.
Every day a boy was sent to Samona for news, and when at last Paul’s telegram, “She is better,” flashed across the continent and was carried to the camp a loud huzza went up from the miners, the tough leading the yell and getting drunker that night than he had ever been before in his life by way of celebrating Elithe’s recovery. Mr. Pennington did not return from Helena for a week or more, consequently he knew nothing of Elithe’s illness until the worst was over and Paul’s telegrams came every day, signed sometimes Paul Ralston and sometimes P. R.
“He is awful good to take so much interest in Elithe, isn’t he?” Rob said to Mr. Pennington, when communicating the last telegram to him. “I wonder who he is.”
There was no reply, but Mr. Pennington’s face was dark, as he turned away with something akin to jealousy stirring in his heart and a half resolve to start at once for Oak City and assert his claim to Elithe against all the world.
CHAPTER XVII.
GETTING ACQUAINTED.
After the disease left her, if there had been any disease, Elithe’s recovery was rapid. Of her illness she remembered nothing, except a feeling that she was having a delicious rest and a dream of Mr. Pennington and the diamond ring. Where was her dress and the box, she wondered, and was about to inquire, when, as if guessing her thoughts, her aunt said to her, “I’ve washed your things, dress and all. There was a box in the pocket. I don’t know what was in it, if anything, but I put it in your trunk.”
At first Elithe thought to tell her aunt about the ring and ask her what to do with it. Her father had written that Mr. Pennington had again left Samona and it was uncertain when he would return. She could not send the ring direct to him, and she decided that her better way was to keep it until she went home, and then give it to her father, who would return it to Mr. Pennington. With her aunt she did not feel quite at ease, but the acquaintance progressed rapidly during the days of convalescence, when she sat in the large easy chair in the pleasant front room, looking out upon the sea and the passers-by. Every day Paul Ralston came in for a few moments, and Elithe found herself looking forward to his coming with a good deal of interest. Clarice had not called, nor did she intend to. Paul had given her Miss Hansford’s message, and several times had suggested going with her after Elithe was able to see people, but she always had some reason for not going, and at last said pettishly, “Don’t bother me any more, please. The fact is, I am not specially interested in Miss Hansford or her niece, and I have more acquaintances now than I can do justice to.”
After that Paul said no more on the subject, but went oftener himself to make amends for Clarice’s neglect. This was the reason he gave to himself, and at first it was partially true. But he could not see Elithe day after day and not get interested in her, she was so sweet and unaffected, and her eyes welcomed him so gladly when he came, and she was so pretty in her short hair and white negligee jackets which her aunt had bought for her. Paul carried a picture of her with him when he left her and insensibly found himself looking forward to the next day when he could see her again. In this he had no thought of disloyalty to Clarice. She was the rare rose which belonged to him, while Elithe was the simple wild flower, whose perfume he could inhale with no harm to him or any one. Every day he spent hours with Clarice. They went in bathing together; they rode on wheels together on the smooth asphalt pavement, and in the afternoon he took her to drive with his tandem team, the first in Oak City, and greatly admired in consequence. Elithe had seen him go by on his wheel with Clarice and made no comment, except to wonder if she could learn to ride and how much a wheel would cost. Her aunt did not reply and set her lips together in a way which Elithe had learned meant disapprobation. Evidently, Miss Hansford did not believe in wheels.
The next day the tandem turnout went by, with Clarice driving and Paul sitting by her side, radiant with happiness and content. Clarice was handling the reins skillfully and looking very handsome as she sat beside him. He saw Elithe in the door and touched his hat to her, but Clarice’s attention was centered on the fleet horses, which required all her strength to keep well in hand.
“Miss Percy drives a good deal with Mr. Ralston. They must be great friends,” Elithe said.