CHAPTER XXIII
THE COLLAPSE
ELLEN hurried downstairs. She was mistress of her emotions, but she shrank from the sight of their love-meeting. She sat down quietly beside her window in the bright sunlight. The last cloud had cleared from the skies and the snow mantle flashed in unearthly brilliance.
Her quick mind had determined the action of the drama to its final detail. She would give them half an hour alone, call a clergyman, pack Rose’s trunk, marry them on the spot, and send them off together for the South. They probably would not leave Lakewood. He would be well and happy in two weeks.
She called a clergyman on the telephone.
“You can perform a marriage ceremony at three o’clock, Dr. Davis?” she inquired.
“Certainly,” was the quick response; “that’s one of the joys of my busy life.”
“You make out the records yourself, I believe?”
“Yes; in New York a clergyman is the officer of the law charged with full authority and he makes out all the papers. I’ll bring them.”
“Thank you. Promptly at three, Doctor.”
“Promptly at three!”
She hung up the telephone receiver as Manning and Rose entered the library.
She heard the swish of a skirt and the girl leaped into her arms.
“Auntie, darling, you’re my honey, fairy-Godmother!”
“My girlie,” she murmured.
“He loves me, honey! He loves me--he loves me. I’m the happiest, craziest little fool on earth, and I owe it all to you! You gave me my home--you introduced him to me--you gave me the chance to know and love him--you brought him back to me when he was sick and discouraged--you’re an angel!”
Ellen’s lips moved without words--only the half articulate crooning of a mother over a babe was heard.
Manning stood at the window watching the street cleaners shoveling the snow. Ellen led Rose to his side and placed her hand in his.
“Well, Mr. Man, I’m going to see that you have it all your own way to-day! I’ve sent for a clergyman. You are to be married here at three o’clock!”
“What!” he gasped.
Rose gave a cry of wonder and joy.
“Yes, it’s all arranged. Rose can pack in an hour. There’s no need for a fuss. It will be the best medicine you can take, my boy. There’s no use to argue. I’ve the habit of having my way, you know. It happens that my way is yours, this time!”
Rose’s hand was gripping Manning’s with joyous excitement.
“It’s all right; I can be ready in a minute!”
“Of course, if she says so; we’ll have to do as she says,” Manning agreed.
He smiled at Ellen.
She turned to him in a quick, business-like way.
“Run along now, Mr. Man, to your apartment; have your valet get everything ready and be back here with him for a witness with Dora at exactly ten minutes to three.”
She hustled him off and helped Rose pack as best she could between the paroxysm of kisses and bear hugs.
It was not until she said good-bye to the bride and groom at the Pennsylvania station that her nerves began to snap.
She felt a sudden nausea and turned to her maid.
“Give me your hand, Dora; I’ve--been--in--such a rush I feel dizzy.”
Dora threw her a look of anxiety.
“Yes’m; we git a cab.”
“Just a minute--I must send a telegram.” She got to the telegraph booth, seized a blank and sent a message to her father.
CAPTAIN BURKE WEST, Annapolis, Maryland.
Come to New York immediately.
ELLEN.
By a desperate effort she kept on her feet until she reached her apartment.
When the old Captain hurried into her room next morning her fever was a hundred and four and she was delirious.