Now, 'tis an odd thing, but one of my superstitions, that when we wish

much and fervently and cleanly for any certain thing, one day that

thing is ours. Some day, some time, some hour or instant, our dear

desire, our coveted thing, our wish, comes and flutters and alights at

our side; if really we have deserved it and have wished long and

deeply and honestly and purposefully. You ask proof? Well, then,

hardly had we three, Black Bart, Jean Lafitte and Henri L'Olonnois,

seated ourselves at table for luncheon that day before I became

sensible of a faint shadow at the saloon stair. I saw a trim boot and

a substantial ankle which I knew belonged to Aunt Lucinda; and then I

looked up and saw on the deck Helena also, stooped, her clean-cut

head, with its blown dark hair, visible against the blue sky.

"May I come in?" she asked gaily enough. And I reached up next to her

to hand her down, and smooth down her skirt for her at the rather

awkward narrow stair.

"You are always invited," said I, and perhaps I flushed in my

pleasure. "John," I called down the tube, "two more--the ladies." And

I heard his calm "All lite."

My young gentlemen had risen, politely, but Helena gently pushed them

down into their places. "Be seated here, ladies," said I. "These

places are, as you see, always spread for you. Your covers wait. And

all the ship's silver shall see duty now. L'Olonnois, my hearty, you

and I shall serve, eh? I am, indeed, delighted--greatly delighted--I

shall not inquire, I shall only hope."

"Well," boomed the deep voice of Auntie Lucinda, "we came because we

did not like the look of things."

"To be sure, things are not looking bully," I assented vaguely.

"I mean the weather. It's getting black, and it's colder. And after

what you told me about the storms, and that lighthouse being blown

down----"

"My dear Mrs. Daniver," said I, helping her to her chair while

L'Olonnois served his Auntie Helena in like fashion, "you really must

not take one too seriously. That lighthouse fell over of its own

weight--the contractor's work was done shamefully."

"But you said it blew," ventured Helena.

"It blows, a little, now and then, to be sure, but never very much,

only enough to enable the oyster boats and shrimpers to get in. How

could we have oysters without a sailing breeze?"

"It's more than a breeze," said Aunt Lucinda. "My neuralgia tells

me----"

"It is fortunate that you honored us, my dear Mrs. Daniver," said I,

"for I have here in the cooler a bottle of ninety-three. I had an

inspiration. I knew you would come, for nothing in the world could

have pleased me so much."

I was looking at Helena, whose eyes were cast down. I observed now

that she was in somewhat elegant morning costume, her bridge coat of

Vienna lace, caught with a wide bar of plain gold, covering some soft

and shimmering under-bodice which fitted closely enough to be formal.

And I saw she had on many rings, and that her throat sparkled under a

circlet of gems.




readonlinefreebook.com Copyright 2016 - 2024