The Amazing Inheritance Page 12

  XII

  Mr. Kingley decided to give a banquet to the employees of the Evergreenin honor of their former associate, who had been made Queen of theSunshine Islands by Fate--and her Uncle Pete. Mrs. Kingley lookedunutterable words when she heard his plan.

  "Bill can run down and ask Miss Gilfooly if it will be all right forThursday evening," went on Mr. Kingley, much pleased with his idea.

  "Bill!" Mrs. Kingley's voice was full of disgust and indignation, aboutfifty per cent, of each, perhaps. "Do you want Bill to marry MissGilfooly?" she asked caustically.

  "Marry!" It was Mr. Kingley's turn to stare, and he did it with bulging,questioning eyes. "I don't know as that would be such a bad thing," hemuttered after a moment's intensive thought. "I believe it would be amighty good plan!" he decided emphatically, when he had given it asecond moment's thought.

  "William Kingley! Your only son--our only son!" Mrs. Kingley angrilyclaimed a share of Mr. Bill. "And a clerk!" It was quite clear that Mrs.Kingley believed that her only son and the clerks dwelt on vastlydifferent planes, and equally clear that she did not want them on thesame plane.

  "The Queen of the Sunshine Islands," corrected Mr. Kingley. "A queen isnot the same as a clerk, my dear. I believe that such a marriage wouldbe a good thing for the Evergreen. You have no idea," he went onhurriedly as she gave a little snap of scorn, "how the story of QueenTeresa has helped sales. We were feeling the pinch of the businessdepression, which has been so general, when we found this little queenin our basement. I made the most of the incident, and the papers carriedthe story all over the country. We have had requests for samples fromChicago and New York and even Denver, Colorado, already. If Bill shouldmarry Miss Gilfooly," he went on thoughtfully, "I actually believe wewould have to increase our mail order department. I am sure that itwould be an excellent thing for the store."

  Mrs. Kingley was so angry at the thought of her only son marrying MissGilfooly that she could scarcely speak. Her anger painted her face anunbecoming scarlet, and her eyes flashed furiously. "You think ofnothing but the store!" she managed to stammer at last. The words werenot at all what she had meant to say. She had meant to wither him withher scorn--and she could only stammer.

  Mr. Kingley regarded her with surprise. Of course he thought of thestore. "It feeds, clothes and shelters you," he reminded her. "Andmighty good food, clothes and shelter," he decided as he looked aroundthe spacious room, so attractively furnished, and at her smart dinnergown, and remembered the excellent dinner he had just eaten. "Mightygood food, clothes and shelter!" he repeated firmly.

  "William Kingley!" She towered above him. "You--you--" She stopped andglared at him for a full second. "There is such a thing as a telephone,"she finally controlled herself to say majestically. "You could talk toyour ex-clerk yourself, instead of sending your only son into danger!"And she sailed from the room to find Ethel and ask her if she ever knewany one as unreasonable and one-idead as her father.

  "What's Dad done now?" asked Ethel, who knew of several things herfather might have done. "Oh that!" she exclaimed carelessly, when shewas told that her father thought it would be a good thing for theEvergreen should her brother and Queen Teresa marry. "I expect he isright. It would be a good thing for the store."

  "Ethel! Ethel Kingley!" sputtered Mrs. Kingley. Her voice hadseventy-five per cent of disgust in it now. "How can you! Bill and aclerk! an ex-clerk!"

  "She seems a nice little thing," went on Ethel, as if she were lookingat Tessie and actually saw that she was a nice little thing. "I daresay she would make Bill a good wife, and really, Mother, Bill should beallowed to choose his own wife. I know I mean to choose my own husband!"

  "Oh, you!" But Mrs. Kingley was not interested in Ethel's husband. Shewas still too disturbed over Mr. Bill's wife.

  "I dare say Miss Gilfooly will be quite crazy over Dad's banquet," wenton Ethel, before she returned to her book, a story of married life whichher mother declared no girl should read, but which every girl wasreading.

  Miss Gilfooly was pleased when she was told of the banquet. She thoughtit was quite too sweet of Mr. Kingley. She was a bit awed when she wastold also that she would have to sit at Mr. Kingley's right hand duringthe banquet.

  "I wish I could sit beside you," she was bold enough to say to Mr. Bill."I'm scared to death of your father."

  "Pooh!" exclaimed Mr. Bill, who could not imagine why any one should bescared of his father. Why, his father was just an old man chockfull ofold-fashioned ideas and prejudices. "Dad's probably scared of you. Hehasn't met many queens in the course of his straight and upright fiftyyears. And even if he had, he has never met a queen like you!" hedeclared with unrestrained admiration.

  But still Tessie looked dissatisfied. "In what way," she asked quickly,"am I different from other queens?"

  Mr. Bill looked at her. Didn't she know? "Glance at them!" he saidscornfully. "Just glance at the old frumps and then look in your ownmirror. You won't need any one to tell you the answer. The difference,as you will quickly see, is entirely in your favor!"

  "Oh!" murmured Tessie, all dimples and blushes, so that she looked lessthan ever like Mary of England or Marie of Roumania, or even Victoria ofSpain.

  In spite of Mr. Bill's declaration that old Mr. Kingley, which was theway Tessie always spoke of her former employer, was afraid of her,Tessie did feel a little timid, and a thrill ran down her spine when Mr.Kingley took her hand to lead her into the big tea-room which had beenrearranged and elaborately decorated in honor of the banquet for QueenTeresa. An army of men and women had been at work in the room ever sincethe last luncheon patron had been hurriedly served.

  Tessie had a new frock which she had bought at the Evergreen. It was ofcream lace and net with silvery blue ribbons and pink roses. The man whodesigned it must have thought of a young queen or a young princess whenhe conceived it. It really was an adorable frock, and Tessie lookedadorable in it as she smiled shyly at Mr. Kingley. Her blue eyessparkled, her cheeks were pink, and her red lips were parted in atremulous smile. But adorable as she looked, Mr. Kingley shook his head.She did not satisfy him.

  "Where's your crown?" he demanded abruptly. "I thought queens worecrowns."

  "Not until after their coronation," suggested Mr. Bill, who could findno flaws in Tessie at all. From her head to her heels, she was perfectto his admiring eyes. It was just as well that his mother could not seehim as he stood gazing at his father's ex-clerk. Mr. Bill looked veryhandsome himself in his dinner coat. Tessie was sure he was thehandsomest man in the world.

  "I don't think they wear crowns at all in the Sunshine Islands," sheventured to say shyly. "I think they wear only this." And she touchedthe jewel which hung from her neck, the royal jewel of the SunshineIslands.

  Mr. Kingley grunted. The royal jewel was not enough, not when there wereto be reporters from all the newspapers at the banquet, and a movingpicture man as well. His queen must look like a queen. He turned to thestore superintendent.

  "Julius, isn't there a crown of some kind down in the jewelrydepartment? I'm sure I saw one the other day. It was high in front anddwindled down to nothing in the back." He showed them with his pudgyhands how the crown he had seen ran from high to low.

  "You mean a tiara," suggested Julius with a little superiority in hisvoice, because he knew a tiara when he saw it and his employer didn't."Yes, Miss Luckins has a couple of tiaras in stock. They are onlyimitation--paste--you know." He was apologetic because he did not have acrown of real diamonds to offer Mr. Kingley. "We really have no sale forreal crowns in Waloo. But this tiara is a very good imitation. Not onein twenty would know it wasn't real," he boasted.

  "It will be better than nothing. Go and get it. We can't go in without acrown." And he delayed the banquet until Mr. Julius could find MissLuckins, go down to the jewelry department and bring back the mostelaborate paste tiara which Miss Luckins herself fastened in Tessie'shair.

  "There!" Miss Luckins stepped back to get the effect.

  "That's better! A lot b
etter!" grunted Mr. Kingley. "Far more royal, youknow. Any one can see now that you are a queen. Tell the orchestra we'recoming. Everybody ready?" He looked back at Granny and Mr. Bill, whowere to follow him when he led the queen. "Don't let that native withthe ax stumble against me," he hissed with a shake of his head atKa-kee-ta, who stood behind his queen. "Allow me, Your Majesty!" And hesmiled proudly as he offered his hand to Tessie.

  The doors into the banquet-room were thrown wide open, the storeorchestra began to play "Hail, the Conquering Hero Comes." Every onejumped up to look at Queen Teresa as she walked in led by Mr. Kingley.Hands were clapped, and there were many cheers. Several of thedepartment buyers called loudly "_Vive la reine!_" to show that they hadbeen in Paris and knew what was what. The color deepened in Tessie'scheeks, and the tears flew to her eyes. She did hope that she wouldn'tcry, but she was woefully afraid she would. It was so sweet of every oneto be so kind to her. Never, not if she were crowned a hundred times,would she know as proud a moment as this.

  She stood blushing beside Mr. Kingley at the big table on the dais,which ran across the end of the room, and faced them all, trembling withexcitement. There they were, her former associates of the Evergreen. Theemployment manager, who had hired her; Miss Murphy, who had snapped ather when she asked for help in making out a sales-slip; Mr. Walker, whowas always nagging at her for something. And there was Joe Cary besideNorah Lee at the table with the advertising staff and--How funny!--Hewas frowning at her. Every one else was smiling and Joe's frown stoodout like a black thundercloud in a clear blue sky. She smiled and wavedher hand to him, and he nodded coldly, but he did not wave back. Sheshrugged her shoulders impatiently. Why did Joe have to have a grouchto-night of all nights? She wouldn't look at him again. He could frownas much as he pleased, but she would only look at the smiling faces.There were plenty of them.

  "Well?" She became conscious that Mr. Bill was murmuring in her leftear, and she turned to him. Mr. Bill was not frowning. His face wore aradiant smile. "Well," he repeated, as Ka-kee-ta took his place behindhis queen much to the annoyance of the waitresses. "We're all set."

  "Oh!" Tessie's heart was thumping so fast it was difficult for her tospeak. "How grand to have you beside me!"

  If Tessie looked down on her former associates with frank delight, theylooked up at her with open or secret envy. Miss Allen of the gowns toldher neighbors in a whisper how much the cream lace frock had cost, andMr. Swenson of the boots and shoes murmured the price of the silverslippers, and Miss Bartle of the hosiery laughed indulgently when shesaid that the silk stockings the queen wore had cost not less than ninedollars a pair.

  "Not a cent less, and cheap at that. Every thread silk!"

  No wonder they were pleased with Tessie. She was their queen. They hadclothed her. And if there was more envy in their hearts than there wasadmiration in their eyes, it was not strange. It was only natural forthem to wish to be in Tessie's silver slippers with a frizzle-headednative in blue denim to hold a shining ax behind them. It was romance,their share--not Tessie's--that they wanted, and every one has a rightto a full portion of romance. A birthright into this big world includesa full portion of romance.

  The chef had spent a sleepless night preparing a royal menu. He hadransacked the store encyclopedia for names which would honor Tessie'skingdom, and then had to fall back on the good old French menu. Therewas _potage a la Sunshine_, there was _poisson a la Pacific_, there was_poulet a la reine_, and goodness knows what else. It was all verydelicious, although Tessie was so excited to find herself between oldMr. Kingley and young Mr. Kingley, and facing all the Evergreenemployees and a moving picture machine, that she could scarcely eat amouthful. Granny peered at her around Mr. Bill and told her she must eatsomething, that it would be a shame to waste good food.

  "And this is good!" she said, pleased that Mr. Kingley had not skimpedthe menu for the banquet in honor of her granddaughter.

  At last the ice cream and cake had been eaten, the tables cleared, andevery glass filled with sparkling ginger ale. The waitresses and thecooks gathered in a corner with glasses of ginger ale in their hands.Mr. Kingley rose to his feet and made a speech, in which he extolledTessie and the Evergreen and the Sunshine Islands, and the Evergreen--;and when he was all tangled up in the Evergreen, and Mr. Bill reachedbehind Tessie and pulled his dinner coat, he asked every one to drinkthe toast to their former associate: "Our little queen, Her Majesty ofthe Sunshine Islands!"

  The band broke into the stirring strains of "For He's a Jolly GoodFellow." There were cheers and much hand-clapping as the toast was drunkwith hearty good will.

  "You'll have to respond," Mr. Kingley, flushed and important, toldTessie. "You'll have to say something!"

  "A speech! I couldn't!" Tessie shrank back appalled at the mere thoughtof making a speech before Mr. Kingley and the department managers. Shecould not do it.

  But the clamor on the floor would not subside, and at last she rose upand stood looking at them. How kind they were! How dear! Involuntarilyshe stretched out her arms as if she would embrace them all.

  "You dear, dear folks!" she cried, and her voice quivered with emotion."I love you every one!"

  There was more applause, a perfect fury, and then suddenly the lightswent out, and the room was plunged in darkness.

  "What--what the devil's this?" spluttered Mr. Kingley. "Where's theelectrician? I wouldn't have had this happen for a million dollars!What's the matter?" For there was the sound of a scuffle, a mutteredcurse behind him. He could not see a thing, but he could feel somethingbrush by him. "Bring a light!" he shouted, pale with fright as hethought of what might happen if Ka-kee-ta should use his ax in thedarkness. "Can't some one bring a light?"

  It was really only a couple of moments, although it seemed hours, beforesome one found the buttons and turned on the light. When every oneblinked and turned to smile reassuringly at Tessie to let her know thatit was all right--just a little vagary of the electricity--there werestartled shrieks from several hundred throats, for Tessie haddisappeared. The place between old Mr. Kingley and young Mr. Kingley wasvacant.

  "Why--why--" stammered old Mr. Kingley, who had arranged many banquets,but had never lost his guest of honor before.

  "Where's Tessie?" shouted Granny. "Where's my granddaughter, the Queen?"

  "Where's Tessie?" demanded Joe Cary, who found himself at the royaltable, staring into the purple face of old Mr. Kingley.

  "I'm here, Granny!" And there she was, behind her big bodyguardclutching the Tear of God which hung about her neck. "Ka-kee-ta snatchedme and made me stand behind him. What was the matter, Mr. Kingley? Didsome one really try to choke me?" She rubbed her neck with her fingersas if to feel if some one had tried to choke her.

  "Matter!" exclaimed Mr. Bill. He caught her hand and held it tight toassure himself that she was there beside him again. "Look at that!" Hepointed to Ka-kee-ta's left hand, from which hung a black string tie. Itdangled limply from the yellow-brown fingers. Mr. Bill lookedsuspiciously around the room. "Has any man lost a tie?" he askedsharply.

  There was an uncomfortable pause in which every man raised a hand tomake sure that his tie at least was around his neck. One of the maids bythe door stepped forward.

  "I think the man who lost his tie has gone," she said in much confusion."At least some one pushed by me and ran out of the door."

  "Why didn't you hold him?" demanded Mr. Bill.

  "I thought he was the electrician," stammered the maid. "I thought hewas going to see about the lights, and anyway I couldn't have held him.It isn't fair to blame me!" She burst into tears.

  "Dear, dear!" fussed Mr. Kingley, too confused by the unexpected numberon the banquet program to be considerate of weeping maids. "I hope thewatchman holds him. I'm sorry," he turned to Tessie. "I wouldn't havehad this happen for a million dollars! I should have said you would beperfectly safe here among so many friends, but a man can learn that hedoesn't know everything about his own store. I suppose it was thatcrown--tiara, I mean. Some one th
ought it was real, and tried to stealit. It looks real!"

  "It wasn't the tiara that they tried to steal," guessed Mr. Bill grimly."It was the Queen!"

  "It was the Tear of God!" contradicted Joe Cary, who had moved up untilhe stood beside Tessie. "Those Sunshine Island rebels don't want Tessie.They want the royal jewel!"

  "Bless me!" murmured Mr. Kingley, turning the back of his dinner coat toJoe; for what could Joe Cary, an artist in the advertising department,know? "I'm glad you weren't stolen!" he told Tessie fervently.

  "I'm glad, too," ventured Tessie, tearfully tremulous, and she clungtight to Joe's hand. "It might have spoiled the party," she addedpolitely.

  "But if the watchman gets the thief what publicity it will make!"gloated Mr. Kingley, true to form. The Evergreen was getting wonderfulpublicity every day, thanks to Tessie, and the store was thronged as itnever had been before a queen was found in its basement. "So long asyou are safe, we have nothing to regret. We can leave the rest to thewatchman and the store detectives. They will find the thief. I am surehe was not one of our own men. He must have been some miscreant whoforced himself in. We will not think of him again. Have you finishedyour speech?" he asked courteously.

  "Long ago!" exclaimed Tessie, taking her fingers from Joe and givingthem to Granny to hold.

  "Well!" Granny drew a long, long breath. "I'm glad now we have Ka-kee-taand his ax, even if they do make me nervous. If you had been kidnaped,Tessie Gilfooly, I should never have forgiven myself!"

  "I'd have found her!" declared Joe. "No matter where she was hidden, I'dhave found her for you, Granny Gilfooly!"

  Tessie, listening eagerly to Mr. Bill's plans for catching the miscreantwho had dared to interrupt the banquet, never heard him. But Grannyheard him, and she smiled at him kindly.

  "I believe you would, Joe, I believe you would. You're a good friend tolittle Tessie."

  "You bet I am!" Joe cried eagerly. "And I'm going to look after her! I'mnot going to have her fooled by any one!" And he looked indignantly atMr. Kingley.