The two found themselves smiling at each other. The atmosphere was lightened, and the brougham drew up at the clubhouse.
Mr. Evringham handed out the girl, gave Zeke the order to return for them, and they went up the steps.
"I would drive back with him, grandfather, only that mother would wonder, and ask questions," said Eloise. "Don't let me detain you in any way. I'll just sit here on the piazza."
"Not play? Nonsense!" returned Mr. Evringham brusquely.
"Please don't feel obliged"--Eloise began humbly.
"But I can't help being obliged if you'll play with me," interrupted her companion.
Some men observed the confidential attitude of the broker and the beautiful girl. "What's doing over there?" asked one. "Is Evringham beginning to take notice?"
"Why, don't you know?" returned the other. "That's his granddaughter."
"His daughter, do you mean? Didn't know he had one."
"Not a bit of it. She's Lawrence's stepdaughter."
The other shook his head. "That's too involved for me. She's a queen, anyway."
"That so? Then I won't go up and fall on Evringham's neck. My bank book isn't in Ballard's class. She can play, too," as he observed Eloise make a drive while she waited the reappearance of her companion from the clubhouse. "Isn't that a bird!--and say, there's young Lochinvar himself!" for here a light automobile whizzed briskly up to the clubhouse.
Dr. Ballard sprang out, for he had recognized the figure at the first teeing ground.
"You gave me the slip!" he cried as he approached.
"Oh, I just went with a handsomer man," returned Eloise, smiling, as they shook hands.
"I didn't know I could come until the last minute, then I went to the house for you and found I had missed you."
Mr. Evringham and the caddy approached. "I cut you out for once, Ballard," he said. "Well, we're off, Eloise. I saw you drive. I doubt if he catches us."
Jewel's eyes questioned Eloise that evening when she reached home, and she received the smiling, significant nod her cousin gave her with satisfaction.
It was an apparently united family party that gathered about the dinner table. Mr. Evringham and Eloise discussed their game, while Mrs. Evringham fairly rustled with complacence.
As Jewel clung to her grandfather's neck that evening in bidding him good-night, she whispered:--