“Another reward!” Doris gasped. “One is sufficient.”
“We don’t refer to money,” Iris said. “This is just a token of our appreciation.” She hesitated, and then went on with a brave smile. “Azalea and I would like you to have the ruby ring.”
“To keep?” Doris questioned in amazement.
“Yes,” Iris returned quietly. “You understand why we cannot wear it ourselves and you admire it so much.”
“I never dreamed of owning such a lovely ring!” Doris gasped in delight. “Why, I am sure it is very valuable, too. I really don’t like to take it.”
“Please do,” the twins begged. “We have no wish to keep it in the house, now that—well, you understand.”
Doris became aware that Kitty was nudging her vigorously in the back and recognized it as a hint that her chum hoped she would accept the gift. She debated an instant and then smiled.
“I can’t begin to thank you for it,” she told the Misses Gates gratefully. “It will serve to remind me always of our thrilling adventure here at Locked Gates. And if ever the time should come when you want it back—”
Azalea shook her head.
“That time will never come, my dear. It is yours with no strings attached. Beautiful jewels were meant for young girls.”
“The ring is so beautiful I’ll be afraid of losing it.”
“You can have it reset,” Azalea suggested.
It was some time before Doris thought about asking Jake if he had brought the money which she had requested.
“No, I didn’t,” he confessed. “When I received your message, I thought something was wrong, so I just left the money in the bank and brought Marshmallow and Dave instead.”
“I’m glad you used your own judgment,” Doris assured him, “although I never would have lent that man my money when it came right down to it. Now my bank account is still intact, and I’ll have another thousand to add to it. I guess Uncle Wardell will think I have the makings of a business woman!”
Doris and Kitty planned to return home with Jake and their friends, but the Misses Gates would not hear of them departing until after luncheon. After the excitement had died down and all questions had been satisfactorily answered, the girls escorted Jake and the young men about the grounds. Kitty and Marshmallow made excellent use of the opportunity to strengthen their acquaintance.
At one o’clock the Misses Gates served a delightful meal in the garden. Since Cora and Henry Sully had departed in great haste, the twins had been forced to prepare it with their own hands, but this they insisted was an honor and a pleasure. In spite of all that had transpired, it seemed to Doris and Kitty that Azalea and Iris were far happier than they had been a few days before.
Doris had not forgotten Etta Sully and wondered what was to become of her. She intended to bring up the subject but, before she could do so, Azalea mentioned it.
“Iris and I have been talking it over,” she said to the group after luncheon was over, “and it seems to us that Etta should be sent to a special home for cripples. She will need medical attention and of course her education has been sadly neglected. We have decided to use the reward money for that purpose.”
“That will be lovely of you,” Doris declared.
The girls insisted upon helping with the dishes and, as Marshmallow and Dave volunteered as “second assistants,” the work was dispatched with rapidity and a great deal of fun.
“I declare, I feel ten years younger with so many young people around,” Iris laughed. “We’ll hate to see you leave, Doris.”
“You will come back often, won’t you?” Azalea pleaded.
“Oh, Kitty and I shall be driving this way often, I’m sure,” Doris returned.
Not until late in the afternoon did the party take leave of the Misses Gates. The twins accompanied them to the car which was to take them back to Chilton, and waved until they rounded a corner and were lost to view.
“You know, after you accustom yourself to a place, it doesn’t seem so spooky,” Kitty commented as they rode slowly along the street. “I can honestly say I’ve learned to like Locked Gates.”
“It’s like olives,” Doris laughed. “The first taste is rather unpleasant.”
“I guess you didn’t know what you were getting into when you went there, did you?” Marshmallow asked. “Doris, your Uncle Ward will certainly be surprised when you tell him all that has happened to you.”
“And won’t he be delighted to see me coming home with reward money!” Doris exclaimed. “He was a little afraid this trip would prove an expensive one. As a matter of fact, it’s turned out to be an investment.”
“It was certainly the most exciting three weeks I ever spent,” Kitty said with a blissful sigh. “I enjoyed every minute of it.”
“So did I,” Doris agreed. “From now on, we won’t be always wondering why the mansion gates are locked, either.”
“Hardly,” Dave grinned. “You’ve unraveled all the mysteries and unearthed all the secrets.”
“Not quite all,” Doris corrected. “I must find out about my Uncle John Trent’s estate, and something tells me it may offer difficulties.”
“It may offer more than that,” Dave replied soberly. “Doris Force, when you go to Cloudy Cove, you may discover you’ve inherited a fortune!”
DORIS FORCE AT CLOUDY COVE, by Julia K. Duncan
CHAPTER I
A New Automobile
Doris Force laid aside the book she had been reading and smiled at her chum, Kitty Norris, who was stretched out comfortably on the davenport.
“Don’t you wish something exciting would happen, Kit?” she asked. “Saturday afternoon is always so dull.”
Kitty yawned indolently.
“I don’t mind a little quiet for a change. It seems to me thrilling things have been happening ever since I came to visit you here at Chilton.”
“We did get mixed up in strange adventures at Locked Gates,” Doris admitted, carelessly rumpling her curly red bob. “Just think what’s still ahead!”
Kitty gazed at her chum rather enviously.
“In another month you may be an honest-to-goodness heiress,” she said impressively. “Doris, why do you muss up your hair that way? If I had a wave, I wouldn’t try to discourage it!”
“If you had mine, you couldn’t,” Doris laughed.
She had naturally curly hair which fell softly about her face. It was deep red in color, and though she could never take the time to brush it properly, it had lost none of its sheen.
“I can’t imagine myself an heiress!” Doris glanced meditatively into the full-length mirror and winked at her own reflection. “There must be a catch somewhere. Do you suppose Uncle John Trent really did leave me his money?”
“How should I know?” Kitty had already answered this question at least a dozen times. “You’ll soon find out, when we get to Cloudy Cove.”
“I think that’s what makes me so restless—I’m impatient to be off. Ever since I learned about the inheritance, I’ve been dying to find out all the details. Of course, I promised Azalea and Iris Gates I’d settle up the estate.”
“By the way, when do we start for Cloudy Cove?” Kitty asked curiously.
“I was talking to Mrs. Mallow this morning about it.