The Orchard Secret Part 16

Sim's face was a study in many expressions as she faintly replied:

"Yes, I guess there is--now. Everything would have been all right if I hadn't been so forgetful!" Sim was close to tears, and the sight of her mother's dear college friend (both ladies had graduated at Cedar Ridge) caused Sim almost to break down.

"Come in, Sim!" greeted Mrs. Newman, sensing, as she hastened into the hall, that something was wrong. "Have you had anything to eat? I thought not. Come into the dining room. Marie can get you some tea and sandwiches, at least. Then you can tell us all about it while you eat, and you'll feel better. It isn't serious, is it?" This last prompted by a look at Sim's face.

"Well, it isn't going to be very pleasant, I'm afraid." On the way to and in the dining room, while a hasty lunch was made ready, Sim blurted out the whole story.

"And so you see," she finished, "I must get word to Arden or Terry as quickly as possible, and it must be managed so that I'm not found out as missing or I shall probably be expelled. I'm away without leave. I must get back tonight."

"Go back tonight? Impossible, my dear! Can't you stay with us until morning?"

"I think not. If I can slip back all may yet be well. But if I have to explain to the dean----No, it couldn't be done. There must be a train back tonight, isn't there?"

She turned questioning eyes on Mr. Newman.

He looked at some time-tables, of which he had several in his smoking room, and announced:

"You'd never get back until late--very late--by train. But if you feel you must be back in college before morning----"

"I do. Oh, yes, I do, Mr. Newman!"

"Then the only thing is for me to drive you there. We can make good time at night. I know the roads."

"Oh, Mr. Newman! I couldn't dream of----"

"Tut, tut, Sim! It's the only way. I don't mind. It will be a little diversion for me. I'll have the chauffeur get the car out now. He can do the driving. I'll sit and talk to you, and the way won't seem so long."

"Oh, Mr. Newman, you're wonderful! Now I must phone Arden at once to be watching for me. Luckily our room is on the front of the dorm. How long do you think it will take?" Sim, getting up from the table, at the session of which she had much improved in spirits, was planning rapidly now. Perhaps all would yet be well.

"About three hours, I should say," Mr. Newman answered. "It will be slow going from here until we get into New Jersey, and then we can make time.

You ought to be back _at_ college around midnight, though whether you can get _in_----"

"That's why I must phone Arden or Terry. Oh, what a lot of trouble I'm causing!" Sim's eyes filled with tears, but she blinked them back.

"There, now, my dear, never mind!" soothed Mrs. Newman. "We'll help you all we can."

"That's the kind of people they are," Sim told Arden, later. "They haven't forgotten what it is to be young."

It took some little time to get a telephone connection through to Cedar Ridge, and Sim lived years in moments, she thought, while waiting for Arden to come to the phone. Finally the voice came to her.

"h.e.l.lo, Arden? Yes, I'm all right. I'm up at Larchmont with friends of Dad's. Did they find out about me? No? Good! Listen! Here's my plan. I'll tell you all how it happened later. Someone might hear us if I talked too long now. I'm driving back--yes, driving. I'll get there about midnight.

Don't fall asleep. When we get to the entrance--the outside gate, I mean--we'll toot the horn three times. You and Terry slip down and let me in. Do you understand? Fine! I'm leaving right away. Good-bye, darling!

I'll explain everything later. I'm quite all right, and nothing has happened. Good-bye!"

She hung up and turned to her friends, murmuring:

"That's over, thank goodness!"

"Well, let's get going, Sim!" Mr. Newman was now almost as much excited as was Sim herself.

"Try to sleep on the way out, Sim dear," advised Mrs. Newman. "I'm having robes and a soft cushion put in the car. You can snuggle up in a corner of the sedan."

"I thought she was going to talk to me!" chuckled Mr. Newman.

"Of course I will--if I can find anything to talk about."

"No, you mustn't," decided his wife. "Sim must try to get some sleep. You will, won't you, my dear?"

"Yes, I will. Luckily tomorrow will be Sunday, and I can sleep late in my room--if I get there. Thank you both--so much! I'll never forget this--never!"

Sim put her arms about Mrs. Newman's neck and kissed her affectionately.

"Oh, my poor dear! I know just how you feel. You meant it all for the best, and there is really no harm done."

"Not yet," said Sim a trifle grimly as she followed Mr. Newman out to the big sedan that was waiting, with the chauffeur at the door, on the drive.

CHAPTER XII Midnight Mishap

Arden's slippered feet pad-padded up the dark stairs like small, softened trip-hammers as she hurried away from the telephone to inform Terry of the good news that Sim was safe and on her way.

She pushed open the door of 513 and shut it quickly behind her, panting and excited from her swift upward flight.

"Terry! Terry!" she began breathlessly. "It was Sim--on the phone. I talked to her!"

"Oh--good! Is she--all right?"

"Yes. She didn't have time to talk much. She was 'way up in Larchmont.

Said she'd explain everything later. She is coming back around midnight, and she wants us to watch for her and let her in."

"What was she doing in Larchmont?" the practical Terry wanted to know.

"I can't guess," replied Arden. "We'll have to wait until we see her. She said she was all right and nothing had happened. I can hardly wait until she gets here."

"Midnight," murmured Terry. "We'll have to stand our turns at watch as they do aboard ships. Now that I know Sim is safe, I'm suddenly very sleepy. How is she coming--train?"

"No. She's driving. We'll have to listen for a car. She thought she'd better walk in from the entrance instead of having the car drive right up, so no one would hear. They'll toot the horn so we'll know." Arden went to the window and gazed at the black scene below.

"It's absolutely dark out," she continued. "I hope we'll be able to see the lights of the car as it comes up the road. We'd better get undressed in case anyone comes in."

"All right," Terry agreed. "I'll take the first watch. Let's make them an hour each. You sleep until I call you. I'll sit here on the window seat.

If I go to sleep I'll probably fall off, and that will wake me up."

Quickly they got into their pajamas. Terry put on a robe and slippers and curled herself on the window seat.

"I never remember a blacker or stiller night," she remarked. "I'm glad Sim isn't alone. She's with friends of her father's."