The Mystery of the Sycamore

“I do.”

“Only as a last chance to free father and me. Mother it’s an awful situation. Worse, far worse than you know anything about. Won’t you trust me to do what I know to be right – and when I tell you I must marry Mr. Keefe, won’t you believe me? And not only believe me but help me. Help me in every way you can – for God knows I need help.”

“What can I do, darling,” asked Sara Wheeler, awed by the look of utter hopelessness on Maida’s face.

“Stand by me, mother. Urge father not to oppose this marriage. Help me to tell Jeffrey – you tell him, can’t you, mother? I can’t – oh, I can’t!”

Again Sara Wheeler broke out into protestations against this sacrifice of her loved daughter, and again Maida had to reaffirm her decision, until, both worn out, they separated, Sara promising to do just as Maida wished in all things.

And in fulfillment of this promise, Sara told young Allen.

As she expected, he was stunned by the news, but where she had supposed he would show anger or rage, he showed only a deep sympathy for Maida.

“Poor little girl,” he said, the quick tears springing to his eyes; “what dreadful thing can that man have held over her to force her to this? And what is the best way for me to go about remedying the situation? You know, Mrs. Wheeler, Maida wouldn’t talk like that unless she had arrived at a very desperate crisis – ”

“If she killed Mr. Appleby – ”

“She never did! No power on earth can make me believe that! Why, when Maida’s own confession doesn’t convince me, what else could? No; there’s some deep mystery behind that murder. I mean something far deeper and more mysterious than any of us yet realize. I think Mr. Stone is on track of the solution, but he cannot have made much progress – or, if he has, he hasn’t told of it yet. But, I’m not a detective – nor is any needed when Mr. Stone is on the case, but I am out to protect and clear my Maida – my darling. Poor child, how she is suffering! Where is she?”

“Don’t go to her, Jeff. At least, not just now. She begged that you wouldn’t – ”

“But I must – I’ve got to!”

“No; for her sake – Jeffrey dear, for our Maida’s sake, leave her alone for the present. She is so worried and anxious, so wrought up to the very verge of collapse, that if you try to talk to her she will go all to pieces.”

“But that’s all wrong. I ought to soothe her, to comfort her – not make her more troubled!”

“You ought to, I know, but you wouldn’t. Oh, it isn’t your fault – it isn’t that you don’t love her enough – not that she doesn’t love you enough – in fact, that’s just the trouble. Try to see it, Jeff. Maida is in the clutch of circumstances. I don’t know the facts, you don’t; but it is true that the kindest thing we can do for her just now is to leave her alone. She will do right – ”

“As she sees it, yes! But she sees wrong, I know she does! The child has always been overconscientious – and I’m positive that whatever she is up to, it’s something to save her father!”

“Oh, Jeff – then you believe he is – ”

“Why, Mrs. Wheeler, don’t you know whether your husband killed Mr. Appleby or not?”

“I don’t know! Heaven help me – how can I know? The two of them, shielding each other – ”

“Wait a minute, if they are shielding each other – they’re both innocent!”

“But it isn’t that way. Mr. Wheeler said to me, at first: ‘Of course, either Maida or I did it. We both know which one did it, but if we don’t tell, no one else can know.’”

“I see that point; but I should think, knowing both so closely as you do, you could discern the truth – and” – he gazed at her steadily – “you have.”

“Yes – I have. Of course, as you say, in such intimacy as we three are, it would be impossible for me not to know.”

“And – it was Maida?”

“Yes, Jeffrey.”

“How are you certain?”

“Her father saw her.”

“Saw her shoot?”

“Yes.”

“Then, I’m glad you told me. I’m going to marry her at once, and have all rights of her protection through the trial – if it comes to that. Nothing else could have convinced me of her act! Poor, dear little Maida. I’ve known her capability for sudden, impulsive action but – oh, well, if Mr. Wheeler saw her – that’s all there is to be said. Now, dear Mrs. Wheeler, you must let me go to my Maida!”

“But, Jeffrey, I only told you that to persuade you to let her alone. Let her have her own way. She says that to marry Curtis Keefe will save her from prosecution – even from suspicion. She says he can free her from all implication in the matter.”

“By a fraud?”

“I don’t know – ”

“I won’t have it! If Maida did that shooting she had ample excuse – motive, rather. Not a man on a jury would convict her. And I’d rather she’d stand trial and – ”

“Oh, no, Jeffrey, don’t talk like that! I’d consent to anything to save that girl from a trial – oh, you can’t mean you want her tried!”

“Rather than to see her married to any man but me, I’d – ”

“Wait, Jeff. We mustn’t be selfish. I’m her mother, and much as I’d hate to see her marry Keefe, I’d far prefer it – for her sake, than – ”

“No! a thousand times, no! Why, I won’t give her up! Keefe is a fine man – I’ve nothing against him – but she’s my Maida – my own little sweetheart – ”

“And for that reason – for your own sake – you’re going to claim her?”

“It isn’t only for my own sake” – Jeff spoke more humbly; “but I know – I know how she loves me. To let her marry another would be to do her a grievous wrong – ”

“Not if she wants to – look there!”

Mrs. Wheeler pointed from the window, and they saw Maida walking across the lawn in deep and earnest conversation with Curtis Keefe. He was tall and handsome and the deferential air and courteous attitude all spoke in his favor. Maida was apparently listening with interest to his talk, and they went on slowly toward the old sycamore and sat down on the bench beneath it.

“Our trysting-place!” Jeffrey murmured, his eyes fastened on the pair.

It did not require over-close observation to see that Maida was listening willingly to Keefe. Nor was there room for doubt that he was saying something that pleased her. She was brighter and more cheerful than she had been for days.

“You see,” said Sara Wheeler, sadly. “And he is a worth-while man. Mr. Appleby thought very highly of him.”

“I don’t!” said Allen, briefly, and unable to stand any more, he left the room.

He went straight to the two who were sitting under the big tree, and spoke directly:

“What does this mean, Maida? Your mother tells me you – ”

“Let me answer,” spoke up Keefe, gaily; “it means that Miss Wheeler has promised to marry me. And we ask your congratulations.”

“Are you not aware,” Jeff’s face was white but his voice was controlled and steady, “that Miss Wheeler is my fiancée?”