CAPTAIN POLAND CONFESSES
When LeGrand Blossom had taken his departure, carrying with him the books and papers, he left behind two very disconsolate persons.
"It's terrible!" exclaimed Mr.Carwell's sister."To think that poor Horace could be so careless! I knew his sporting life would bring trouble, but I never dreamed of this.""We must face it, terrible as it is," said Viola."Nothing would matter if he - if he were only left to us.I'm sure he never meant to spend so much money.It was just because - he didn't think.""That always was a fault of his," sighed Miss Mary, "even when a boy.It's terrible!""It's terrible to have him gone and to think of the terrible way he was taken," sighed Viola."But any one is likely to lose money."She no more approved of many of her late father's sporting proclivities than did her aunt, and there were many rather startling stories and rumors that came to Viola as mere whispers to which she turned a deaf ear.Since her mother's death her father had, it was common knowledge, associated with a fast set, and he had been seen in company with persons of both sexes who were rather notorious for their excesses.
"Well, Mr.Blossom will do the best he can, I suppose," said Miss Carwell, with rather an intimation that the head clerk's best would be very bad indeed.
"I'm sure he will," assented Viola."He knows all the details of poor father's affairs, and he alone can straighten them out.Oh, if we had only known of this before, we might have stopped it.""But your father was always very close about his matters," said his sister."He resented even your mother knowing how much money he made, and how.I think she felt that, too, for she liked to have a share in all he did.He was kindness itself to her, but she wanted more than that.She wanted to have a part in his success, and he kept her out - or she felt that he did.Well, I'm sure I hope all mistakes are straightened out inHeaven.It's certain they aren't here."
Viola pondered rather long and deeply on what LeGrand Blossom had told her.She made it a point to go for a drive the next afternoon with Jean Forette in the small car, taking a maid with her on a pretense of doing some shopping.And Viola closely observed the conduct of the chauffeur.
On her return, the girl could not help admitting that the Frenchman was all a careful car driver should be.He had shown skill and foresight in guiding the car through the summer-crowded traffic of Lakeside, and had been cheerful and polite.
"I am sorry you are going to leave us, Jean," she said, when he had brought her back to The Haven.
"I, too, am regretful," he said in his careful English."But your father had other ideas, and I - I am really afraid of that big new car.It is not a machine, mademoiselle, it is - pardon - it is a devil! It will be the death of some one yet.I could never drive it.""But if we sold that car, Jean, as we are going to do - ""I could not stay, Miss Viola.I have a new place, and to that I go in two weeks.I am sorry, for I liked it here, though - Oh, well, of what use?" and he shrugged his shoulders.
"Was there something you did not like? Did my father not treat you well?" asked Viola quickly.
"Oh, as to that, mademoiselle, I should not speak.I liked your father.We, at times, did have difference; as who has not? But he was a friend to me.What would you have? I am sorry!" And he touched his hat and drove around to the garage.
As Viola was about to enter the house she chanced to look down the street and saw Minnie Webb approaching.She looked so thoroughly downcast that Viola was surprised.
"Hello, Minnie!" she exclaimed pleasantly."Anything new or startling?""Nothing," was the somewhat listless reply."Is there anything new here?" and Minnie Webb's face showed a momentary interest.
"I can't say that there is," returned Viola.She paused for a moment."Won't you come in?""I don't think so-not to-day," stammered the other girl.And then as she looked at Viola her face began to flush."I - I don't feel very well.I have a terrible headache.I think I'll go home and lie down," and she hurried on without another word.
"There is certainly something wrong with Minnie," speculated Viola, as she looked after her friend."I wonder if it is on account of LeGrand Blossom."She did not know how much Minnie Webb was in love with the man who had been her father's confidential clerk and who was now in charge of Mr.Carwell's business affairs, and, not knowing this, she could, of course, not realize under what a strain Minnie was now living with so many suspicions against Blossom.
Divesting herself of her street dress for a more simple gown, Viola inquired of the maid whether Colonel Ashley was in the house.When informed that he had gone fishing with Shag, the girl, with a little gesture of impatience, took her seat near a window to look over some mail that had come during her absence.
As she glanced up after reading a belated letter of sympathy she saw, alighting from his car which had stopped in front of The Haven, Captain Gerry Poland.He caught sight of her, and waved his hand.
"Oh, dear!" exclaimed Viola."If he hadn't seen me I could have said I was not at home, but now - "She heard his ring at the door and resigned herself to meeting him, but if the captain had not been so much in love with Viola Carwell he could not have helped noticing her rather cold greeting.
