Part 29 (1/2)

But it was because of the operator's personal kindness that Janice submitted to the ”interview.” Nelson Haley entered into the spirit of the affair and wrote down Janice's personal history to date, just as briefly and clearly as the girl gave it under the operator's questioning. Young Haley added a few notes of his own, which he explained in the operator's ear before the latter tapped out his message to New York.

It was only when Janice saw the paper a few days later that she realized what, between them, the school-teacher and the telegraph operator had done. There, spread broadcast by the types, was the story of how Janice had come to Poketown alone, a brief picture of her loneliness without her father, something of the free reading-room Janice had been the means of establis.h.i.+ng, and a description of the flight down the lake on the _Fly-by-Night_ on Christmas morning, that she might gain further particulars of her father's fate.

It was the sort of human-interest story that newspaper readers enjoy; but Janice was almost ashamed to appear in public for several days thereafter!

However, this is ahead of our story.

The wait for further messages from the border was not so tedious, because of these incidents. By and by an answer came from the American consular agent at Cida, relayed from Juarez by Mr. Buchanan. The agent stated his doubt of the entire truth of John Makepiece's story. The man was notoriously a reckless character. It was believed that he himself had served with the Const.i.tutionalist army in Mexico some months. Since appearing in Cida and telling his story to the a.s.sociated Press man, he had become intoxicated and was still in that state, so could not be interviewed for further particulars.

A posse had started for Granadas the day before, to see what was the condition of affairs around the mining property of which Mr. Day had had charge. It was a fact that the guerrilla, Raphele, had overrun that district and had controlled it for some months; but his command was now scattered, and the more peacefully-inclined inhabitants of Granadas were stealing back to their homes.

”Have requested consular agent at Cida to wire you direct to Popham Landing, report of returning posse now overdue,” was how Mr. Buchanan concluded the message.

”And that report may be along any time, now,” declared the operator, encouragingly. ”You people haven't got to start back up the lake yet awhile?”

”We'll stay as long as Miss Day wants to,” said Nelson Haley, quickly.

”Sure we'll stay,” cried Marty. ”Miss Maltby told me to come back by and by, and finish that mince pie I couldn't manage at dinner time.

There ain't no hurry to get back to Poketown, is there?”

Janice and Nelson were much amused by this frank statement of the boy; but the girl was only too glad to have the others bear out her own desire to remain within reach of the telegraph wires for a while longer. Mr. Buchanan's messages had eased her heart greatly.

Janice cried a little by herself--the first tears she had shed since the night before. But even Marty respected them and did not make fun of his cousin.

”Everybody is so good to me!” she cried again, when she had wiped her eyes and could smile at Marty and Nelson Haley. ”And I believe it's all coming out right. This long day is going to be a _real_ Christmas Day, after all!”

CHAPTER XX

THE TROUBLE WITH NELSON HALEY

From that time on Janice refused longer to be in what she called ”the dumps.” It was not her way to mope about; usually she cheered other people and did not herself stand in need of cheering.

She made the operator go home to his family to spend Christmas afternoon. When his call came Marty was to run over after him. This kept the trio of friends from Poketown close to the railroad station all the afternoon; but the interval was spent quite pleasantly.

Mrs. Maltby and her daughter came over, through the snow, to visit a while with Janice--and to bring Marty the pie!--and several other villagers dropped in. News of Janice's reason for being at Popham Landing had been spread abroad, and the people who came were more than curious--they were sympathetic.

The pastor of one of the churches, who was well acquainted with Mr.

Middler, left his own family for half an hour and came to the station to ask if he could do anything of practical use for Janice. Had it been wise the trio from Poketown could have accepted half a dozen invitations for supper and evening entertainment.

”People are _so_ good!” Janice cried again to Haley and Marty. ”I never realized that mere strangers could be so very, very nice to one.”

”Huh!” grunted Marty. ”Ain't you always nice to folks--an' doing something for 'em? How do you like it yourself?” which remark made Janice and Nelson Haley laugh very heartily.

So, after all, it _was_ a real Christmas, as Janice said. It was an odd one, perhaps, but there were some very enjoyable things about it.

For instance, Janice and the young school-teacher got far better acquainted than they had ever been before--and Janice had always liked Nelson Haley.

In this present situation, Nelson stood out well. He was generous, sympathetic, and helpful. The fact that he was inclined to pursue the way of least resistance, and considered it right to ”let well enough alone,” did not impress one so deeply at the present moment.