Dorothy Dale's Great Secret Part 17

Tavia and Nat always got along so well together. Each seemed to be an inspiration of mirth to the other.

But Tavia!

Nat seemed quiet, and even serious as they speeded along the lonely country roads. His brother was not slow to notice the unusual look of concern and attempted to "jolly" it away.

"Cheer up, Nat," he said. "The worst is yet to come," and he made a wry face. "You know we expect to find your little friend somewhere out this way. I really wouldn't want a corner on happiness. I do feel, somehow, that Cologne will be my fate, but that is no reason why you and Doro shouldn't hitch on to the band wagon. Let me see, Doro, you say she has brown eyes and blue hair-"

"Ned! You must not make fun of Cologne-"

"Fun of her! As soon bite my own tongue. I said it sideways by mistake.

It should have read blue eyes and brown hair. Wasn't that it?"

"Yes, that's more like it," admitted Dorothy. "And she has the most adorable little mouth-"

"Oh, here, Nat! Get hold of this wheel. I really must have a chance to think that over. Say it again, Dorothy, please," and the lad went through a series of queer antics, that seem so very funny when the right boy attempts to be funny, but so very flat when one tries to either describe them or imitate the original.

"And isn't there a brother in this visit to Buffalo?" asked Nat drolly.

In spite of herself the color flew to Dorothy's cheeks. Of course Rose-Mary had a brother, two years older than herself. But Dorothy had never met him, although Rose-Mary talked so much at school of Jack, that Dorothy almost felt acquainted with the youth. But now she would certainly meet the family for they were all together at the Buffalo hotel.

"Oh, yes," chimed in Ned. "Isn't there a brother?"

"Yes," answered Dorothy. "I believe there is."

"Now I call that real jolly," went on Ned. "Just one apiece-if Nat finds Tavia, of course."

A few hours later the Fire Bird swung up to the portico of a leading Buffalo hotel, and, scarcely had the puffing machine come to a stop than a girl in lavender, with blue eyes and brown hair, had Dorothy in her arms.

"Oh, you dear, old sweetheart!" exclaimed Rose-Mary, as she embraced Dorothy with that effusion of delight peculiar to schoolgirls and babies, as Nat remarked in a whisper to Ned.

"And you were so good to think of me," Dorothy tried to say, from the midst of the embrace.

"Think of you! As if I ever forgot you for one single moment!" Then Rose-Mary turned to the two boys in the auto and paused.

"These are my cousins," began Dorothy. "This is Mr. Edward White and the other one,"-with a little laugh,-"is his brother Nathaniel."

The boys bowed and made what were probably intended for complimentary acknowledgments of the introduction, but which were mere murmurs.

Rose-Mary, however with the usual advantage of girls over boys in such matters, showed no embarra.s.sment.

"There is one real nice thing about Dorothy," spoke Nat when he had, in a measure recovered his composure. "She always makes Ned my brother. That counts."

The girls laughed merrily and then a tall young man, the "very image of Rose-Mary only taller," according to Dorothy, stepped down to the curb.

"Jack!" called Rose-Mary. "Come here instanter and get acquainted with Dorothy."

Jack looked at the group. His eyes plainly said "only with Dorothy?"

"Oh, help yourself! Help yourself!" cried Ned, laughing at the confusion Cologne's speech had caused. "We will be 'among those present' if you like."

"Now you know very well what I mean!" and Rose-Mary shot a challenging look at Ned. "I want you all to be the very best of friends-"

"Thanks, thanks!" exclaimed Nat, as he and his brother bowed in mock deference. "We promise, I a.s.sure. We'll do our best."

"Oh, boys are all just alike," stammered Dorothy's host. "A pack of teases! Come along Dorothy. Mother is waiting to welcome you. Jack, perhaps you will tell Dorothy's cousins what to do with their machine. I guess you know how to get acquainted with them without any more introductions."

This last was said with a defiant look at Ned, who returned it with just the suspicion of a smile. In effect his look said:

"Miss Lavender, you have met a boy who may be like other boys, but he is particularly himself-Ned White-and he just loves to tease girls-like you!"

Rose-Mary was leading Dorothy up the broad steps to the hotel entrance.

She turned to see what the boys were doing.

"Well I declare!" she exclaimed. "There they've all gone for a ride! I'm sure they'll have a jolly time. What nice boys your cousins are. Oh, I'm so glad you could come!"

The hotel veranda was thronged with persons enjoying the approach of twilight, for the auto party had not made a hurried trip, having stopped for lunch on the way. It seemed to Dorothy that the chairs were mostly filled with stout ladies with blond hair. She had never before seen so many blonds in one group.

Rose-Mary led the way into the parlor and escorted Dorothy up to a smiling, pretty woman, with such beautiful white hair-the kind that goes with brown eyes and seems to add to their sparkle.

"Mother, dear, this is Dorothy," said Rose-Mary. "She must be tired after her long, dusty ride. Shall we go upstairs?"

"I'm so glad to meet you, my dear," declared Mrs. Markin, warmly.

"Daughter talks so much about you. Yes, Rosie, do take Dorothy upstairs and let her refresh herself. It must be a very long ride from North Birchland."

"But I'm not the least tired," protested the visitor. "So don't go upstairs, if you were enjoying the air."

"Air indeed!" echoed Rose-Mary, slipping her arm through Dorothy's.

"Mother, will you come?"

"No, dear," replied Mrs. Markin. "I'll let you have Dorothy all to yourself for awhile. I just know how many things you will want to talk about. Later, after dinner, I'll claim you both. But I'm going to improve this time to write a few belated letters. The desk is clear so I can do them down here."

Rose-Mary left Dorothy while she made a place for her mother at the little private desk in the ladies' sitting room, then the two girls took the elevator, in the broad hall, and soon Dorothy found herself in a cozy room, with a dainty white bed, and pretty flouncings-Rose-Mary's apartment of course, which she had surrendered to her guest for the visit, while Cologne would share her mother's room.

"Now make yourself comfortable," began Rose-Mary, a.s.sisting Dorothy to lay aside her auto wraps. "Perhaps you want to wash. Here are the things," and she pulled open a little door, disclosing a bathroom.

"Isn't it charming here," Dorothy said as she at once began to make herself presentable for dinner. "I have a blue dress in my bag,"

indicating one the porter had brought up.

"Drag it out," commanded her companion. "You must wear blue. I have told Jack how heavenly you look in blue."

"And I have whispered to Ned how angelic you look in-lavender,"

interrupted Dorothy, not to be outdone in bestowing compliments. "Isn't Ned a lovely-boy!"

"Very saucy, I should say," and Cologne laughed mischievously. "But I'll try to be nice to him on your account."

"And I hope I'll not say anything to hurt Jack's feelings," spoke Dorothy, still keeping in with her friend's humor.

"Couldn't! He hasn't any," declared Rose-Mary. "He drives me frantic when I really want to make him mad."

"But you do look lovely in that lavender gown," insisted Dorothy, with unmistakable admiration. "I believe you have grown prettier-"