Aunt Jane's Nieces and Uncle John Read online

  CHAPTER IV

  AN INTERESTING PROTEGE

  A young physician was appointed by the management to attend any guestwho might require his services, and Uncle John had a talk with him andsent him to Myrtle's room to give her a thorough examination. This hedid, and reported that the girl's present condition was due largely tomismanagement of her case at the time she was injured. With care shewould get better and stronger rapidly, but the hip joint was out ofits socket and only a skillful operation would serve to permanentlyrelieve her of lameness.

  "What she needs just now," continued the doctor, "is a pair ofcrutches, so she can get around better and be in the fresh air andsunshine as much as possible. She is a very frail little woman atpresent and must build up her health and strength before submittingto the operation I have mentioned. Then, if it is properly done, sheought to recover completely and be as good as new."

  "I must inform you," said Uncle John, "that Myrtle Dean is just alittle waif whom my nieces picked up on the train. I believe she iswithout friends or money. Such being the circumstances, what would youadvise?"

  The doctor shook his head gravely.

  "Poor thing!" he said. "She ought to be rich, at this juncture,instead of poor, for the conditions facing her are serious. Theoperation I speak of is always an expensive one, and meantime thechild must go to some charitable institution or wear out her feeblestrength in trying to earn enough to keep the soul in her body. Sheseems to have a brave and beautiful nature, sir, and were she educatedand cared for would some day make a splendid woman. But the world isfull of these sad cases. I'm poor myself, Mr. Merrick, but this childinterests me, and after you have gone I shall do all in my power toassist her."

  "Thank you," said Uncle John, thoughtfully nodding his bald head."I'll think it over and see you again, doctor, before I leave."

  An hour later Myrtle was fitted with crutches of the best sortobtainable, and was overjoyed to find how greatly they assisted her.The Major, a kindly man, decided to take Myrtle out for a drive, andwhile they were gone Uncle John had a long conversation with Beth andPatsy.

  "Here is a case," said he, "where my dreadful money can do some good.I am anxious to help Myrtle Dean, for I believe she is deserving ofmy best offices. But I don't exactly know what to do. She is really_your_ protege, my dears, and I am going to put the affair in yourhands for settlement. Just tell me what to do, and I'll do it. Spendmy money as freely upon Myrtle as you please."

  The girls faced the problem with enthusiasm.

  "She's a dear little thing," remarked Patsy, "and seems very gratefulfor the least kindness shown her. I am sure she has never been treatedvery nicely by that stony-hearted old aunt of hers."

  "In all my experience," said Beth, speaking as if her years weredoubled, "I have never known anyone so utterly helpless. She is veryyoung and inexperienced, with no friends, no money, and scarcelyrecovered from an accident. It is clearly our duty to do something forMyrtle, and aside from the humane obligation I feel that already Ilove the child, having known her only a day."

  "Admitting all this, Beth," returned her uncle, "you are not answeringmy question. What shall we do for Myrtle? How can we best assist her?"

  "Why not take her to California with us?" inquired Patsy, with suddeninspiration. "The sunshine and roses would make a new girl of her in afew weeks."

  "Could she ride so far in an automobile?" asked Beth, doubtfully.

  "Why not? The fresh air would be just the thing for her. You'll get abig touring car, won't you, Uncle John?"

  "I've bought one already--a seven-seated 'Autocrat'--and there will beplenty of room in it for Myrtle," he said.

  "Good gracious! Where did you find the thing so suddenly?" criedPatsy.

  "I made the purchase this morning, bright and early, before you wereup," replied Mr. Merrick, smilingly. "It is a fine new car, and assoon as I saw it I knew it was what I wanted. It is now being fittedup for our use."

  "Fitted up?"

  "Yes. I've an idea in my head to make it a movable hotel. If we'regoing to cross the plains and the mountains and the deserts, and allthat sort of thing, we must be prepared for any emergencies. I've alsosent for a chauffeur who is highly recommended. He knows the routewe're going to take; can make all repairs necessary in case ofaccident, and is an experienced driver. I expect him here any minute.His name is Wampus."

  "But about Myrtle,"' said Beth. "Can we make her comfortable on a longride?"

  "Certainly," asserted Uncle John. "We are not going to travel day andnight, my dear, for as soon as we get away from this frozen country wecan take our time and journey by short stages. My notion is that wewill have more fun on the way than we will in California."

  "Myrtle hasn't any proper clothes," observed Patsy, reflectively."We'll have to shop for her, Beth, while Uncle is getting the carready."

  "Are you sure to leave to-morrow, Uncle John?" inquired Beth.

  "To-morrow or the next day. There's no use leaving before the'Autocrat' is ready to ship."

  "Oh; we're not going to ride in it, then?"

  "Not just yet. We shall take the train south to Santa Fe, and perhapsto Albuquerque. I'll talk to Wampus about that. When we reach a goodclimate we'll begin the journey overland--and not before."

  "Then," said Patsy, "I'm sure we shall have time to fit out Myrtlevery nicely."

  Mr. Wampus was announced just then, and while Uncle John conferredwith the chauffeur his two nieces went to their room to talk overMyrtle Dean's outfit and await the return of the girl from her ride.

  "They tell me," said Mr. Merrick, "that you are an experiencedchauffeur."

  "I am celebrate," replied Wampus. "Not as chauffeur, but as expertautomobilist."

  He was a little man and quite thin. His legs were short and his armslong. He had expressionless light gray eyes and sandy hair croppedclose to his scalp. His mouth was wide and good-humored, his chin longand broad, his ears enormous in size and set at right angles withhis head. His cheek bones were as high and prominent as those of anIndian, and after a critical examination of the man Uncle John wasimpelled to ask his nationality.

  "I am born in Canada, at Quebec Province," he answered. "My fatherhe trapper; my mother squaw. For me, I American, sir, and my namecelebrate over all the world for knowing automobile like father knowshis son." He paused, and added impressively: "I am Wampus!"

  "Have you ever driven an 'Autocrat' car?" asked Mr. Merrick.

  "'Autocrat?' I can take him apart blindfold, an' put him togetheragain."

  "Have you ever been overland to California?"

  "Three time."

  "Then you know the country?"

  "In the dark. I am Wampus."

  "Very good, Wampus. You seem to be the man I want, for I am goingto California in an 'Autocrat' car, by way of the Santa Fe Trailand--and--"

  "No matter. We find way. I am--"

  "I know. Now tell me, Wampus: if I employ you will you be faithful andcareful? I have two girls in my party--three girls, in fact--and fromthe moment you enter my service I shall expect you to watch over ourwelfare and guide us with skill and intelligence. Will you do this?"

  The man seemed somewhat offended by the question.

  "When you have Wampus, what more you want?" he inquired. "Maybe younot know Wampus. You come from far East. All right. You go out and askautomobile man about Wampus. Ask ever'body. When you have inquire youfeel more happy. I come again."

  He started to go, but Mr. Merrick restrained him.

  "You have been highly recommended already," said he. "But you cannotexpect me to have as high an opinion of you as you have of yourself;at least, until I know you better. Would you like to undertake thisengagement?"

  "Yes. Just now I free. My business is expert automobilist. I amWampus. But perhaps you want cheap man. My price high."

  "What is your price?"

  "Fifty dollar week. You eat me an' sleep me."

  "I do not object to your price. Come out with me to the garage and Iwill show you m
y car and explain what is being done to it."

  Although all the automobile men seemed to defer most respectfully toWampus, Mr. Merrick did not neglect to make proper inquiries in regardto the man. Locally he really was "celebrate" and Uncle John wasassured on all sides that he was fortunate to get so intelligent andexperienced a chauffeur as this same Wampus.

  "He seems to have instinctive knowledge of all machinery," said oneinformant, "and can handle perfectly any car that is made. The onlytrouble with the fellow is that he is conceited."

  "I've noticed that," returned Mr. Merrick.

  "Another thing," said the gentleman; "don't believe implicitly allthat Wampus tells you. He has a habit of imagining things. But he is afaithful, honest fellow, for all that, and will handle your car betterthan any other man you could get in Denver--or anywhere in the West, Iimagine."

  So Wampus was engaged, and putting the man's references andindorsements all together Mr. Merrick felt that he had gained a prize.

  When the big Major, returning from his drive, escorted Myrtle Dean tothe elevator, the girl was joyously using her new crutches. Patsy andBeth met her and said they had important news to communicate. Notuntil she was in her own room, seated in a comfortable chair andgazing at them anxiously, did they tell the poor waif of the goodfortune in store for her.

  "Uncle John," announced Patsy, "has invited you to join our party andgo to California with us."

  Myrtle stared a moment, as if trying to realize what that meant. Thetiny Mumbles, sitting beside the chair with his head cocked to oneside, suddenly made a prodigious leap and landed in Myrtle's lap,where he began licking her chin and wagging his stumpy tail as ifseconding the invitation. As the girl stroked his soft hair her eyesfilled with tears.

  "Oh, you are all so kind to me!" she sobbed, losing her composure."But I can't go! Of course I can't go."

  "Why not?" asked Beth, smiling.

  "It would be an--impersition!" Poor Myrtle sometimes stumbled over bigwords. "I know that. I can't let you burden your happy party with apoor cripple, just because your hearts are kind and you pity me!"

  "Nonsense!" said Beth. "You're not a cripple, dear; you're just aninvalid, and will soon be as strong as any of us. We have invited you,Myrtle, because we all like you, and shall soon learn to love you. Weare selfish enough to want your companionship. It isn't pity, at all,you see."

  "I'm mighty glad," added Patsy, "your Uncle Anson ran away fromLeadville. If he hadn't done that we should have had to give youup; but now we may keep you as long as we wish, for you haven't anyparticular engagement to interfere with our plans."

  All this was said so frankly and unaffectedly that little Myrtle wasled to abandon her suspicion and grew radiant with delight. Indeed,she hugged and squeezed the squirming Mumbles until he resented suchstrenuous fondling and escaped to Patsy's more moderate embraces.Myrtle had never yet ridden in an automobile, and the prospect ofa long journey across the country in a big touring car, withCalifornia's roses and sunshine at the end of it, was certainlyalluring enough to intoxicate one far more accustomed to pleasure thanthis friendless, impoverished girl.

  After the cousins had explained all their plans to Myrtle and assuredher she was to be their cherished guest for a long time--until she waswell and strong again, at the least--they broached the subject ofher outfit. The poor child flushed painfully while admitting themeagerness of her wardrobe. All her possessions were contained in onesmall canvas "hold-all," and she lacked many necessities which hercallous aunt had suggested that Uncle Anson might be induced to buyfor her once she had joined him in Leadville. Uncle John's nieces grewmore and more indignant as they discovered the details of this selfishwoman's crime--for Patsy declared it was nothing less than a crime tosend a helpless child far into the West to search for an unknown unclewhose whereabouts were only conjectural.

  That very afternoon Beth and Patsy began shopping for Myrtle, andpresently all sorts of parcels, big and little, began to arrive fortheir new protege. Myrtle was amazed and awed by the splendor of hernew apparel, and could scarcely believe her good fortune. It seemedlike a fairy tale to her, and she imagined herself a Cinderella withtwo fairy godmothers who were young and pretty girls possessing thepurse of Fortunatus and the generosity of Glinda the Good. At night,when she was supposed to be asleep, Myrtle crept from her bed, turnedon the electric light and gloated over her treasures, which she hadalmost feared might vanish into thin air and leave her as desolate asbefore.

  Next morning, as soon as breakfast was over, the girls took Myrtle outwith them to some of the shops, fitting her to shoes and gloves andhaving her try on some ready-made gowns so that they might be quicklyaltered for her use. Patsy also bought her a set of soft and prettyfurs, thinking she might need them on the journey if the weathercontinued cool, and this seemed to cap the climax of Myrtle'shappiness.

  "What 'stonishes me most," gasped the child, trying to get her breathbetween the surprises she experienced, "is how you can think of somany things to do for me. Of course I know you are rich; but I'venever before heard of rich people being so very generous to poorones."

  "Once," said Beth, gravely, "we were poor ourselves, Patsy and I, andhad to work hard for our living. That was before our Uncle John cameand gave us a share of his money, together with his love and sympathy.Isn't it natural, my dear, that we should now be eager to share ourgood fortune with you, since we have more money than we can useotherwise, and you are to be our little friend and companion?"

  "Perhaps so," replied Myrtle, smiling gaily and much comforted by theexplanation. "But, oh dear! I'm so glad you found me!"

  "We are glad, too," said Patsy. "But here it is, time for luncheon,and we've wasted the whole morning in shopping. I'm sure the Majorwill be cross if we do not hurry back to the hotel."