The daughter, Eleanor, was a year or two younger than Betty, and the girls were friendly, though of widely differing tastes; the brothers Varian were much alike; but the two matrons were as opposite as it is possible for two women to be. Mrs Herbert was a strong character, almost strong-minded. She had no patience with her sister-in-laws nerves or hysterical tendencies. It would indeed be awkward if the Herberts were to arrive in the midst of one of Mrs Fredericks exhibitions of temperamental disturbance.
Wonderful place! exclaimed Herbert Varian as they ascended the steps to the verandah. Great, old boy! I never saw anything like it.
Reminds me of the Prisoner of Chillon or the Castle of Otranto or said Mrs Herbert.
Climbing that steep path reminded me of the Solitary Horseman, Herbert interrupted his wife. Whew! let me sit down! Im too weighty a person to visit your castled crag of Drachenfels very often! Whew!
Poor Uncle Herbert, cooed Betty; its an awful long, steep pull, isnt it? Get your breath, and Ill get you some nice, cool fruit punch. Come on, Eleanor, help me; the servants are gone to the circus, every last one of em
Oh, I thought you were having a party here this afternoon, Eleanor said, as she went with Betty.
Not a party, a picnic. Theyre the proper caper up here. And only a little one. The baskets are all ready, and the men carry them, then we go to a lovely picnic place, not very far, and we all help get the supper. You see, up here, if you dont let the servants go off skylarking every so often, they leave.
I should think they would! exclaimed Eleanor, earnestly; Im ready to leave now! How do you stand it, Betty? I think its fearful!
Oh, it isnt the sort of thing youd like, I know. Put those glasses on that tray, will you, Nell? But I love this wild, craggy place, its like an eagles eyrie, and I adore the solitude, especially as there are plenty of people, and a golf club and an artist colony and all sorts of nice things in easy distance.
You mean that little village or settlement we came through on the way from the station?
Yes; and a few of their choicest inhabitants are coming up this afternoon for our picnic.
That sounds better, Eleanor sighed, but Id never want to stay here. Is Rod Grannis here? Is that why you came?
Hush, Nell. Dont mention Rods name, at least, not before Father. You see, Dads down on him.
Down on Rod! Why for?
Only because hes too fond of little Betty.
Who is? Rod or your father?
Betty laughed. Both of em! But, I mean, Dad is down on any young man whos specially interested in me.
Oh, I know. So is my father. I dont let it bother me. Fathers are all like that. Most of the girls I know say so.
Yes, I know its a fatherly failing; but Dad is especially rabid on the subject. There you take the basket of cakes and Ill carry the tray.
It was nearly five oclock when the picnic party was finally ready to start for its junketing.
Mrs Blackwood had arrived, bringing her two promised young men, Ted Landon and John Clark.
Rearrayed in picnic garb, the house guests were ready for the fun, and the Frederick Varians were getting together and looking over the baskets of supper.
If we could only have kept one helper by us, bemoaned Minna Varian, her speech accompanied by her usual wringing of her distressed hands. I begged Kelly to stay but he wouldnt.
The circus is here only one day, you know, Mrs Varian, Landon told her, and I fancy every servant in Headland Harbor has gone to it. But command me
Indeed, we will, put in Betty; carry this, please, and, Uncle Herbert, you take this coffee paraphernalia.
Divided among the willing hands, the luggage was not too burdensome, and the cavalcade prepared to start.
No fear of burglars, I take it, said Herbert, as his brother closed the front door and shook it to be sure it was fastened.
Not a bit, and Frederick Varian took up his own baskets. No one can possibly reach this house, save through that gate down by the lodge. And that is locked. Also the windows and doors of the house are all fastened. So if you people have left jewelry on your dressing tables, dont be alarmed, youll find it there on your return.
All aboard! shouted Landon, and they started, by twos or threes, but in a moment were obliged to walk single file down the steep and narrow path.
Oh, my heavens! cried Betty, suddenly, I must go back! Ive forgotten my camera. Let me take your key, Father, Ill run and get it in a minute!
Ill go and get it for you, Betty, said Varian, setting down his burden.
No, Dad, you cant; its in a closet, behind a lot of other things, and youd upset the whole lot into a dreadful mess. I know you!
Let me go, Miss Varian, offered several of the others, but Betty was insistent.
No one can get it but myself, at least, not without a lot of delay and trouble. Give me the key, Father, Ill be right back.
But, Betty
Oh, give her the key, Fred! exclaimed his wife; dont torment the child! I believe you enjoy teasing her! There, take the key, Betty, and run along. Hurry, do, for its annoying to have to wait for you.
Let me go with you, asked John Clark, but Betty smiled a refusal and ran off alone.
Most of them watched the lithe, slight figure, as she bounded up the rugged, irregular steps, sometimes two of them at a time, and at last they saw her fitting the key into the front door.
She called back a few words, but the distance was too great for them to hear her clearly, although they could see her.
She called back a few words, but the distance was too great for them to hear her clearly, although they could see her.
She waved her hand, smilingly, and disappeared inside the house, leaving the door wide open behind her.
Extraordinary place! Herbert Varian said, taking in the marvelous crag from this new viewpoint.
You must see it from the clubhouse, said Landon; cant you all come here tomorrow afternoon, on my invite?
Well see, Mrs Varian smiled at him, for it was impossible not to like this frank, good-looking youth.
The conversation was entirely of the wonders and beauties of Headland House, until at last, Mrs Blackwood said, Isnt that child gone a long while? I could have found half a dozen cameras by this time!
She is a long time, Frederick Varian said, frowning; I was just thinking that myself. I think Ill go after her.
No, dont, said his wife, nervously, youll get into an argument with her, and never get back! Let her alone, shell be here in a minute.
But the minutes went by, and Betty didnt reappear in the open doorway.
I know what shes up to, and Frederick Varian shook his head, in annoyance.
Whereupon Mrs Frederick began to cry.
Now, Fred, stop, she said; Herbert, you go up to the house and tell Betty to come along. If she cant find her camera, tell her to come without it. I wish we had a megaphone so we could call her. Go on, Herbert.
Stay where you are, Herbert, said his brother. I shall go. Its all right, Minna, I wont tease the child, I promise you. Its all right, dear.
He kissed his wife lightly on the brow, and started off at a swinging pace up the rocky flight of steps.
Ill fetch her, he called back, as he proceeded beyond hearing distance. Chirk up, Minna, Janet; tell her I shant abuse Betty.
What does he mean by that? asked Mrs Herbert of Mrs Frederick, as she repeated the message.
Oh, nothing, and Mrs Frederick clasped her hands resignedly. Only you know how Betty and her father are always more or less at odds. I dont know why it is, theyre devoted to each other, yet theyre always quarreling.
They dont mean anything, and her sister-in-law smiled. I know them both, and theyre an ideal father and daughter.
CHAPTER III
The Tragedy
Doctor Herbert Varian stood slightly apart from the rest of the group, his observant eyes taking in all the details of the peculiar situation of his brothers house. His eye traversed back over the short distance they had already come, and he saw a narrow, winding and exceedingly steep path. At intervals it was a succession of broken, irregular steps, rocky and sharp-edged. Again, it would be a fairly easy, though stony footway. But it led to the house, and had no branch or side track in any direction.
Everything and everybody that comes to this house has to come by this path? he demanded.
Yes, said Minna Varian, and added, complainingly, a most disagreeable arrangement. All the servants and tradespeople have to use it as well as ourselves and our guests.
That could be remedied, suggested Varian, a branch, say
Well never do it, said Minna, sharply. I dont like the place well enough to buy it, though that is what Fred has in mind
No, dont buy it, advised her brother-in-law. I see nothing in its favor except its wonderful beauty and strange, weird charm. Thats a good deal, I admit, but not enough for a comfortable summer home.
He turned and gazed out over the open sea. From the high headland the view was unsurpassable. The few nearby boats seemed lost in the great expanse of waters. Some chugging motor boats and a dozen or so sailing craft ventured not very far from shore. North, along the Maine coast, he saw only more rocky promontories and rockbound inlets.
Turning slowly toward the South, he saw the graceful curve of Headland Harbor, with its grouped village houses and spreading array of summer cottages.
I never saw anything finer, he declared. I almost think, Minna, after all, you would be wise to buy the place, and then, arrange to make it more getatable. A continuous flight of strong wooden steps
Would spoil the whole thing! exclaimed Claire Blackwood. Oh, Doctor Varian, dont propose anything like that! We Harborers love this place, just as it is, and we would defend it against any such innovations. I think theres a law about defacing natural scenery.
Dont bother, said Minna, carelessly; well never do anything of the sort. I wont agree to it.
Thats right, said her sister-in-law. This is no place to bring up Betty. The girl has no real society here, no advantages, no scope. Shell become a savage
Not Betty, Minna Varian laughed. Shes outdoor-loving and all that, but she has nothing of the barbarian in her. I think shed like to go to a far gayer resort. But her father