Briarwood Girls Part 6

"Mrs. Marshall's son and another boy; I don't know his name. At least, they told us, but I can't remember."

Miss Harland felt relieved. Rosalind's replies bore the stamp of truth.

In fact, as Miss Harland knew, she was too simple and straightforward to be other than truthful. Her mind did not work fast enough to concoct a falsehood; she was silly and easily led, but when it came to the point, she would blunder out the truth. Marcia, on the other hand, was extremely secretive, and would rather weave a tangled web of evasions than give a clear and truthful answer. Miss Harland felt that there was some confusion somewhere. Mrs. Marshall was a good friend of her. She could be sure that she would not have countenanced any underhand dealing. Why, then, did Marcia wish to conceal the fact of the invitation? She was puzzled, but relieved that the affair was no worse than a schoolgirl's natural love of a secret adventure. But it would not do to pa.s.s it over lightly.

"And so you thought to deceive me, and slipped out without my permission. Don't you see, Marcia, that _there_ is where the harm lies?

I must not pa.s.s over such an infringement of the school regulations, and so I must punish you both. You will be restricted for one month, or until after Christmas. And the next time you wish to go out, come to me frankly and ask permission. If possible, I will grant it; and if I do not see fit, I shall expect you to submit cheerfully to my decision in the matter. Now you may go to your cla.s.ses."

Marcia left the room without a word, looking like a thunder cloud.

Rosalind lingered, sobbing, to speak the words of contrition for which Miss Harland had been waiting.

"Please forgive me, Miss Harland. I'm sorry--so sorry, truly. I'll never do it again. It wasn't a bit of fun, anyway, for I didn't like going without leave, and I was scared all the time that somebody would recognize us. I don't like doing things in that underhand way; it frightens me. I knew all the time it was wrong, but I let Marcia persuade me. It was my own fault, and I'm sorry. Forgive me."

The pretty face was very pleading as Rosalind looked up with blue eyes drowned in tears. Miss Harland's kiss of forgiveness was ready, as she put her arm around the repentant sinner and drew her close into her kind arms.

"I forgive you, Rosalind, but there is Another whose pardon you must ask," she said tenderly.

"You mean G.o.d. I will, indeed, Miss Harland. I have already, and I will again," promised Rosalind.

CHAPTER IX

ADVENTURE OF THE LAMP

Late one afternoon, a few days later, five of the Kindred Spirits gathered in Kathy's room to talk things over, for the excitement over the recent happenings in the school still ran high. Evelyn, Polly and Joan sat on the bed, Rachel in the window seat, and Kathy on a low velvet stool, known as the "Stool of Repentance." A light snow was falling outside, making a pleasant contrast with the warmth and comfort within.

The girls were all talking at once, yet, mysteriously, each hearing what all the others said. In the midst of the Babel the door was pushed quietly open, and Rosalind slipped in, looking ashamed and sorry and confused all at once; doubtful of her welcome, yet anxious to be back in her old place among them.

"May I come? I knocked, but you were all talking so hard, you didn't hear me."

"Of course you may. Here, sit down beside me on the 'stool of repentance,'" said Kathy, making room for her.

"It's the right place for me, I know," said Rosalind meekly. "I've been horrid lately, girls, but I'm one of the 'K. S.' still, unless you've turned me out."

"We haven't. You deserted us," said Polly the blunt. "But we are glad to see you back, Rosy," she added, frankly.

"I'm dreadfully glad to be back, if you've all forgiven me. I've missed you terribly. I don't exactly know how it happened. But I'm sorry. What were you all talking about when I came in?" asked Rosalind, as completely one of the group as if she had never left it.

"Why, of these odd things that have been happening lately," explained Joan. "You know, the disappearance of Kathy's ring and necklace, and----"

"But I found the necklace this morning," interrupted Kathy. "I meant to tell you, but you haven't given me a chance."

"Why, Kathy!" "Where?" "How?" A chorus arose.

"When I moved my trunk out from the wall to sweep behind it," explained Kathy, "I found a little parcel wrapped in tissue paper. I opened it, thinking I might have dropped something there, and inside was my necklace, all crushed together into a ball, and the clasp broken. If anyone knows anything about it, explanations will be in order."

The girls, silent in sheer amaze, looked at each other and then at Rosalind, who gazed blankly at them in return.

"I didn't put it there, girls, indeed. I don't know in the least how it got there--"

"But do you know anything about it?" asked Kathy.

"No, I don't. It looks like the one Marcia wore the night of that party, but I thought it was hers, and it may have been."

"She said nothing about it to you?"

"Not a word. Please believe me, girls."

"Of course we believe _you_," said Joan, with an emphasis on the last word.

"Well, at any rate, the necklace is found, and I am very glad. I will have it mended, and take better care of it," said Kathy gravely. "I haven't found my ring yet, nor has Rachel's pencil case been discovered."

"That is what I came about," said Rosalind, gathering courage. She opened the handkerchief which she had held crumpled in her hand, and showed the two missing articles under discussion, a locket and chain and one or two other small articles. "I found them in my dresser drawer just now, in a little box. Honestly, I don't know anything about them, or how they got there."

"How did it happen that you didn't find them before?" asked Rachel, reclaiming her property.

"I haven't cleared out my drawer lately, and the box was at the back, under a pile of handkerchiefs and things. The drawer was in an awful mess, and I was hunting for a collar," confessed Rosalind with a shame-faced grin, for her untidiness was a proverb. "I brought it to you as soon as I found it," she added, and there was truth in her face and voice. The girls believed her.

"But what does it mean?" asked Joan. "Don't cry, Rosy, we know you didn't take them. You are silly enough sometimes, but you wouldn't steal."

The others a.s.sented readily. They all knew that, while Rosalind might be led away for a time by folly and vanity, yet her nature was true and sound, and she had a conscience. She knew quite well that she had been led astray by her love of pleasure, and her penitence was sincere.

"I can't understand it a bit," she began, when the door was opened again--abruptly, and Alison appeared--a pale and dismayed Alison with wide frightened eyes.

"Girls--have you hidden it on purpose, just to frighten me? Please don't tease me, but tell me it is just a joke. I know you only meant to frighten me!"

"Why, Alison, what can you mean? We haven't done a thing," said Kathy, speaking for them all.

Alison flung herself across the bed, already sufficiently occupied by three substantial girls. Joan caught her and pulled her into her lap.

"Here," she said, shaking Alison roughly by the shoulder. "No hysterics, or I'll slap you. Just tell us what is the matter."

Thus importuned, Alison checked her sobs and raised a tragic face. "My lamp! I'll never see it again!"

"Nonsense. How could you never see it again? Tell us. Is it broken?"

"It's gone!"

"Gone! Not your beautiful Aladdin lamp, Alison? Why, it _couldn't_ be lost. What do you mean?"

Alison pulled herself together and tried to speak collectedly.

"I've been down in the library all the afternoon, taking notes for my English; I came up to my room a few minutes ago, and as I looked round I missed the lamp. You all know where it always stands, on my table. Well, it wasn't there. And I thought--I hoped--that some of you might have hidden it for a joke. If you didn't, then I don't know what to think."

"What a ridiculous idea," said Polly indignantly. "A fine joke it would be. What do you take us for?"