Читать книгу Beverly Gray's Quest - Clair Blank - Страница 4

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“How long does it take to drive to California?” Shirley asked musingly, putting down her newspaper.

“Oh—about a week, I guess,” Lenora returned. Then, hopefully: “Why?”

“I was just wondering,” Shirley said, retreating behind her paper.

“Are you by any chance reading the travel advertisements?” Lenora inquired. “All about the sunny beaches and starlit nights, the tall, whispering redwoods and old mission bells in the moonlight——”

“The sparkling blue Pacific,” mused Shirley.

“Stop! You’re breaking my heart!” Lois cried. “I couldn’t possibly get off to go with you——”

“Who’s going?” Shirley demanded. “I merely asked——”

“But Lenora spent all morning picking out clothes and she said——” Lois began.

“Quiet!” Lenora shouted. At Shirley’s glance she murmured, “I only thought we might go with Beverly.”

“Beverly isn’t sure that she is going,” Shirley pointed out.

“Here she comes. We’ll ask her,” Lois declared. She left the kitchen where she had been setting the table for their evening meal and went into the living room to greet her friend as the front door slammed.

“Beverly, come out and settle the question. Are you or are you not going to California?”

“At this point it looks as though I am,” Beverly laughed. “Why?”

“By some strange coincidence Shirley and I are going too,” Lenora said.

“You are?”

“We feel that a jaunt across the country is just what we need,” Lenora continued. “Shirley has been trying to persuade me to go in her car——”

“I didn’t say a word,” Shirley protested with a laugh, “but it is a good idea.”

“And I was afraid I would have to go alone,” Beverly sighed. “It’s wonderful.”

“We can see the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone Park and Boulder Dam and——”

“They are not in California—in case you are interested,” Lois pointed out.

“They are on the way,” Lenora returned. “Gosh, I can hardly believe we are really going. What will Larry do while you are gone, Bev?”

“He is flying to South America with a friend of his on an exploring expedition.”

“Exploring? You mean like Columbus?” Lenora wanted to know. “What do they expect to find?”

“A fortune,” Beverly laughed. “But they won’t be too disappointed if they don’t find it. They want adventure more than anything else.”

“Hm. Maybe I would rather go with them,” Lenora said thoughtfully. “Who is Larry’s friend?”

“His name is Michael McKay,” Beverly replied. “He was Larry’s roommate in college.”

“South America is beginning to call more loudly,” Lenora murmured. “Has he by any chance dark eyes and curly hair?”

“He has,” Beverly laughed.

“Lenora!” Shirley exclaimed. “You have been talking California for days. If you back out now——”

“I won’t,” Lenora laughed. “I was just asking.”

“We know you,” put in Lois. “I can see that Terry should never have gone to England.”

“Let’s have dinner,” Lenora said abruptly. The subject of Terry and his departure to fight for his country was one she refused to discuss, and the other girls believed it to be because his going had meant more to her than she cared to have anyone know.

“If we really intend to drive out to the coast we’ll have to start making plans,” Shirley said. “We’ll have to leave soon because in a month or so Lonesome Lady is reopening and I’ll have to be back for rehearsals.”

“Don’t you think it is dangerous?” Lois asked.

“Why?” Lenora shot at her.

“Well, three girls alone—driving all that way——”

“Tush! Haven’t you heard? There aren’t any more wild Indians,” Lenora said.

“I’m almost afraid to ask Charlie Blaine for a leave of absence,” Beverly mused.

“He will probably have a fit,” Lenora giggled.

“Unless you could convince him it is a great chance for some feature articles for his paper,” Lois said.

“My chum, that is a priceless idea!” Lenora exclaimed. “Why didn’t I think of it? Beverly could write stories about the things we see and I could take pictures.”

“A sort of diary,” added Shirley.

“It might work,” Beverly agreed slowly.

“Let’s go down and talk to him,” Lenora proposed.

“Tonight?”

“Certainly. What say, Bev?” Lenora replied brightly.

“All right,” Beverly agreed, “but I think we’ll have a hard time convincing him.”

Lenora and Beverly departed for the Tribune office immediately after dinner. Charlie Blaine was looking over proof sheets and another man was hovering in the background when the girls entered the office.

“May we talk to you for a few minutes, Mr. Blaine?” Beverly asked.

“We have a great idea,” added Lenora.

“Whatever it is—no!” Blaine said, frowning. He handed the proof sheets to the man waiting and turned back to his desk. “I’m busy.”

“This is important,” Lenora insisted. “It is about our cross-country diary.”

“Your what? Is this another one of your ideas like counting the hairs in a rabbit’s tail or digging for sunken treasure in the Hudson River?”

Lenora and Beverly laughed together. It was true that Lenora had approached the editor before with enthusiastic plans which, after more careful consideration, had proved impractical. It was small wonder then that he viewed this latest development with suspicion.

“We are going to California,” Lenora explained, “and we thought——”

“California!” Blaine echoed. He turned to the other girl. “Beverly, what is all this?”

Beverly showed him the telegram she had received and explained the situation. Because he had always been interested in her writing career, even before her graduation from Vernon College, he heartily commended her now.

“It is an opportunity that might lead to a great number of things,” he said at last. “I think you should go.”

“Mr. Blaine,” Lenora said, eyes dancing with mischief, “I could kiss you. We knew you would understand.”

“He has always understood,” Beverly said gratefully. “He gave me a chance when I had no experience and taught me everything I know.”

“Bosh!” said Blaine crisply, but the girls knew that he was pleased. “No one can bring out something that isn’t there. You’ve a talent for writing, Beverly. It will drive you and possess you—might even make you unhappy sometimes, but don’t let anything stop you. Then, some day, I can say I knew you when.” He turned back to his desk. “Now go away. I’m busy.”

As they were going out the door he called:

“Those stories and pictures had better be good or don’t bother to come to the office when you get back.”

“He is as bristly as a porcupine on the outside but he has a heart of gold,” Lenora declared as they left the Tribune building. “Just think, Bev, we are on our way to California!”