Читать книгу The Broken O - Carolyn Wells - Страница 5

Table of Contents

Malcolm and Bob came home soon, and Mr. Lovell handed over his wife's instructions about getting to bed early.

"Suits me all right," Malcolm said. "I feel like the dickens, I'd no idea setting married meant such a lot of fuss. Got any aspirin, Dad? I feel a nervous headache coming on, and I want to be right, for to-morrow."

"There's some upstairs, son; I'll give it to you when we go up, and I think we'll go now."

"Don't take aspirin, you old back number," advised Gaskell. "I've a much better dose. Made up for me by an A-one doctor, who knows his business."

"Sure it's all right?" asked Malcolm.

"Quite sure! Famous doctor's prescription and well-known chemist's make-up." Tony took a small phial from his pocket. "I always have 'em handy. Subject to nervous sleeplessness myself. I'll take mine now."

He took a small white tablet from the bottle, and swallowed it, with a sip of water.

"Give me one, will you?" said Mr. Lovell. "Just what I want."

"All right, sir. Help yourself. I want you to have one, Corey."

He handed one to Malden, and passed him a glass of water.

Mr. Lovell scrutinised the label. "Oh, I know these people, doctor and chemist both. Whatever they put out is all right. Give me one for Mrs. Lovell, will you?"

"Take the bottle, sir. I can easily get the prescription filled again."

"Thank you, Tony, you are surely a capable best man. I'm sure it will do Ellen good. Now I'm going upstairs, and I advise you to follow pretty soon."

Malcolm took a tablet, remarking that the house seemed like a sanatarium.

"Hurry along," said Tony. "We don't want to enact the seven sleepers to-morrow morning."

They all went upstairs then, and to their rooms. Malden and Gaskell shared the large double-bedded room, for which Mrs. Lovell had apologised, saying she had not expected Malcolm's two friends to stay overnight.

Next morning no one overslept.

Gaskell, opening his eyes, found that the prospective bridegrom was already up and in possession of the bathroom.

"Take your time, old top," he called through the closed door, "and wake me up when you come out."

Malden soon appeared and gave his sleeping comrade a shake.

Tony opened his eyes and looked at him. "To think," he said, "that I've full charge of you for nearly a whole day. You've got to come when I say cometh, and go when I say get out! How're you feeling?"

"Fine, couldn't be better. Your little pellet worked like a charm."

Corey Malden went downstairs slowly. He was a thoughtful sort, and the fact that it was his wedding day impressed him more sentimentally than it would many. Thought of the ceremony was a bugbear, but it would soon be over, and he and Perilla would go away together to find their own life happiness.

Most of the men were at the breakfast table, but the girls did not appear.

"How is Mrs. Lovell?" Tony inquired, and her husband replied, "Fine. She took one of your pellets, and she slept like a cherub all night. She'll be down soon. You youngsters better eat your breakfast now."

Just as they finished, the caterers arrived and the group at the table rose and scattered, Malcolm grumbling that there ought to be a law against anybody's sister getting married. The men went out on the screened porch, and drifted off to different pursuits.

"All right about the will?" asked Tony as he and the bridegroom strolled down the garden path.

"Yes, I fixed it with my lawyer to be in Philadelphia to-morrow morning and meet me there. It's all ready but the signatures, and he'll have witnesses so I shan't need you for that. But look after any mail that comes for me here, and forward it. Here's a list of the addresses. The first lot, send to Richmond; we'll be there a few days. With mother, you know. And she'll invite the whole town to see Corey's bride. She'll adore Perilla, as who doesn't? I'll write you from there any further directions."

"How long shall you be away?"

"Haven't a notion. Just as long as Perilla enjoys motoring about the South. We may go to some of the gay resorts, if she wants to. She's the captain."

"All right, old man. And I won't put it in words, but you know, after our years of friendship, that I wish you and her all the happiness in the whole big world."

Malden made no reply, but his handclasp spoke better than words. "Now," Tony said, resuming, his generalship, "you'd better begin to assume the royal garmints. You march, sir, to the robing room, instanter."

And at the same time, Hilda and Jane were trying to get Perilla into her bridal garb. A coiffeuse came and did her hair, and Miss Perilla promptly shook it down and twisted up her curly locks in her usual careless fashion, which, incidentally, was far more becoming.

She was ready in good time, and a fairer, lovelier bride the sun never looked upon.

Noon came; noon went, and Perilla Fairfax was now Mrs. Corey Malden.

Congratulations over, breakfast was served. James Lovell was only a stepfather, but no real father could have put more affection and tenderness in his voice when he proposed the health of the new married pair.

An orchestra gave delightful music and soon the guests were dancing and hilarity ruled. Perhaps Mrs. Lovell enjoyed the scene more than anyone else. Her husband was what is called well off, but their income was as naught compared to the Malden fortune. And the fact that Perilla had married the owner of those millions was as balm to the mother's soul. Not that she was a fortune-hunter, but few women would not be glad to see their daughters so fortunately settled for life.

Moreover, Corey was a charming man. Older than Perilla, to be sure, but in looks and behaviour often younger than his years. And a man of delightful manners, Scion of one of the first families of Richmond, how could he be otherwise Thus ran Ellen Lovell's thoughts, when Tony came and sat beside her.

"It's about time to bid your baby good-by," he said, gently. "Do you want to take her into some other room?"

Almost at the same moment, Bob Coles appeared.

"Mrs. Lovell," he said, "Perilla wants to see you alone, before she goes, and the time is flying."

"Thank you, Bob, I'll go to her at once. No, Tony, you bring her to me, in my little sewing room."

Mrs. Lovell went off, and Gaskell found Perilla and asked her to follow her mother.

The girl looked at him pleadingly, but as Tony had no idea of what she wanted, if anything, he merely escorted her to the staircase and she went upstairs alone. She found her mother awaiting her, and Mrs. Lovell was astounded to find Perilla with tear-filled eyes.

"What is the matter, child?" she asked, restraining her anxiety. "There's nothing wrong, is there? Just a bit sad at leaving the old home, aren't you?"

"Yes—that's it," but Perilla spoke brokenly and Ellen Lovell knew the words were not true.

"Well, brace up now. You must he getting dressed. And remember, dear, I'll write you every day, and you write me whenever you feel like it. Come, dear, don't spoil things at the last minute."

"It isn't that, Mummy; you're on the wrong track. I'm not afraid of Corey, or lonesome for you. It's—it's Bob—"

"Bob Coles! What do you mean? Has he been teasing you?"

"More than teasing. He just now whispered to me to remember that he once told me that if I married anyone except him, he would kill either the bridegroom, or me, or himself."

"Good heavens, child, he didn't mean that. You must know he didn't."

"I didn't think he did at the time, but to-day, a few moments ago, he reminded me of it, and he was—oh, he looked dreadful."

"Well, come along, dear, and get off with Corey, and forget the very fact that Bobby is in existence."

Ellen thought little of Perilla's fears; she felt sure it was a natural nervousness, and that Bob had been merely chaffing her. That he loved Perilla, she knew, and he had often begged her to marry him, but Perilla was a one-man girl, and ever since she had known Corey she had cared for him.

"It isn't imagination, dear," Perilla said earnestly to her mother. "Bob has been queer and frightening all day, and last evening, too. Ask Malcolm, he noticed it. Now, I'll forget him and go away, but I want you and Dad to keep an eye on him, will you?"

"Of course we will. Now, will you be good?"

They went to Perilla's own room, and changed her beautiful white gown for a russet brown knitted silk and a modish hat.

The great hall was crowded with the guests eager for a last glimpse of the now flushed and smiling bride. Halfway down she threw her bouquet. It was caught by Hilda, which was not really surprising, as Perilla threw it directly at her, and Tony Gaskell assisted it a bit on its course.

The car was waiting, and Corey himself helped his wife in. At the wheel was Boynton, skilled chauffeur and mechanician, who could, as well, act as Corey's valet. With him in front was Sarah, one time nurse, and now maid of her beloved Perilla.

As Corey got in, he paused a moment for a last word with Tony, when Bob Coles took the opportunity to jump on the running board on the other side and give Perilla a long, deep kiss, not at all the sort of kiss to bestow in public.

The girl turned white, but preserved her poise, and calling out a gay good-bye to all, clasped Corey's arm as a signal to start.

"Home, James!" Malden shouted, and fluttering handkerchiefs and scarves waved a farewell.