CHAPTER XVII PATTY AND BILL
Watching from the window, Patty saw him coming and in a moment the bigman had gathered the dainty little figure into his arms.
“Blossom Girl,” he whispered, “my own Patty Precious, are you glad to be_here_?”
“Well, I just am!” and Patty drew back to look in his eyes, and thenflung her arms round his neck in a burst of joyous gladness. “But you’reso high up, Little Billee,—I can’t reach.”
“Going up!” said Bill, and he swung her from the floor up into his closeembrace.
“There!” he said, after a series of kisses, “now, will you be good!”
Patty, laughing and breathless, was deposited on the sofa, and Bill satdown beside her.
“You blessed angel,” he said, looking at her as if he could never lookhis fill, “I wish I could just talk love nonsense to you, instead oftelling you what I must.”
“Is it very bad, dear?” and Patty’s smile faded at the serious look inher lover’s eyes.
“Pretty bad, Patty-Pet, but a soldier’s life is not a lazy one. To putit as briefly as possible, I’m ordered to France.”
“Bill-lee! Me, too?”
“’Fraid not, Sweetheart, it’s a special mission and a hurry call, andall sorts of disagreeable stipulations.”
“What are you going for?”
“For my country’s good, I hope.”
“I mean what are you going to do?”
“Dearest, it would take too long to explain, and you couldn’t altogetherunderstand it, anyway, but in a few words, it’s to look after somemining operations. You see, my plans for investigating a certain coalmine district in France have been approved by the Powers That Be. Itseems that there has been a ghastly destruction of the mines by theenemy and the coal supply for the railroads is imperilled and all sortsof troubles are toward. So re-construction is necessary, if they are toget coal for the Allies’ use in the Northeast part of Fair France. Myexperience in re-building wrecked mines in Colorado counts for a lot,and so I’m picked for duty.”
“You wonderful man!” and Patty’s eyes gleamed with admiration as shelooked at the eager, fine face, full of efficiency and enthusiasm. “Oh,and Billee, dear, that reminds me, Lieutenant Herron said to tell you towatch out for a certain wire-puller in Washington——”
“Wait a minute, Patty, can we be overheard?”
“No; but I’ll close this door.”
“I’ll close it, but remember, dear, you must never tell secrets whereany servant or any one at all can by chance learn of them.”
“All right. Well, Mr. Herron said to watch out for this person, for heis trying to sidetrack you into the Searchlight gang,—whatever that is.”
“Herron said this? Did he tell you the name?”
“He said it began with S and ended with s, and that you’d know fromthat——”
“Whew! Did Herron say that! Why, Patty,—are you sure?”
“Yes, sure; and he said you’d be surprised but you’d be glad of theinformation.”
“I should say so! Why, Patty, you’ve no idea of the enormous importanceof that warning! Him! Well, well!”
“I’m so glad to help you, Billee——”
“How did Herron happen to tell you?”
Patty hesitated. “Well,” she said, blushingly, “Lieutenant Herron did methe honour to make love to me——”
“What! what do you mean by ‘make love’?”
“Nothing! Please don’t bite my head off! I only mean he seemed to admireme,—or said he did,—and I sent him flying.”
“I should say so! The scoundrel——”
“Oh, come, now, Little Billee, he may be a scoundrel,—I’m told he isone,—but not because he admired me! A cat may look at a king.”
“But no cat or king or scrubby little lieutenant may look at my PattyBlossom!”
“Oh, he didn’t! The Miss Fairfield he looked at is a very differentpersonage from your Patty Blossom.”
“How, different?”
“Well,” and Patty sprang up, “this is the lady he saw.”
She stood, with a most dignified air, and a coldly courteous expression,looking a little bored, and exceedingly formal.
Then she broke into a happy smile, and holding out her arms in a lovelygesture of welcome came toward Farnsworth, her blue eyes beaming withlove and happiness, saying, “and _this_ is your Patty Blossom!”
Farnsworth jumped for her in an ecstasy of gladness, and Herron’spresumptuous intrusion was forgotten.
“And just when do you go to France?” asked Patty, after a time.
“Dunno. I’m awaiting orders.”
“And you’ll stay here till you go?” She nestled comfortably in his arms,and smiled up into his loving face.
“Nay, nay, my lady fair. I’m even now on my way to Springfield.”
“Springfield! Whatever for?”
“Making some tests for the Government.”
“Tests of what?”
“Honey-girl, you can’t understand,—but it’s a test of the water- ormoisture-resisting qualities of certain explosives used in the settingoff of blasts——”
“Oh, Little Billee, you’ll be blown up!”
“Well, we’ll hope not.”
“Why can’t the people who make the explosives do their own testing?”
“You see, it has to be a Government test,—to decide between variouscompetitors.”
“You’re not the Government.”
“Yes, I am, in so far as they entrust these things to me.”
“Oh, Little Billee,—Captain, my Captain, I’m _so_ proud of you! I dobelieve you’re the biggest man in the Service,—and I don’t meanphysically, now.”
“Hardly that, Blossom, but I do have responsibilities.”
“Do they wear on you?”
“They do, indeed! So, for just a few moments I’m going to forget themutterly, and only remember the touch of your pink blossom fingers andthe sweetness of your flower-face.”
“Dear Big Little Billee! For such a strong person you are very gentle.”
“To you how could I be otherwise? Now, Pattibelle, what about it? Canyou make our wedding-day an earlier date, and go along with me?”
“You said I couldn’t go!”
“You can, if you’ll marry me in time. But I just ’most know you won’t.”
“Oh, I couldn’t, dear. Why, you may go any day, now.”
“Yes, but—can’t,—won’t you go, too?”
The wistfulness in the earnest face touched Patty’s heart, but shecouldn’t quite say yes to this question.
“How long do you expect to be over there?”
“I’ve no idea. It may be for years and it may be forever——”
“What?”
“Oh, I don’t mean that literally——”
“You won’t be at the front?”
“Oh, no; unless some emergency calls for it.”
“Well,” and Patty sighed, “I see I’ll have to be sensible for us both.In the first place, dear, you’d be hampered with a bride——”
“Hampered! Oh, Patty!”
“You wouldn’t,—but your work would. I see it more clearly than you do.All you think of is to get me to go with you. But you don’t realise howit would bother you to have me along. Why, I doubt if you’d be allowedto take me, anyway.”
“Maybe I wouldn’t,” and Farnsworth frowned. “But, then, how can I leaveyou? Oh, my little Posy Face, you don’t know yet what you mean to me!And,—after I’m gone,—you’d—Patty! you’d flirt,—you know you would!”
“Oh, no! _no!_” and the big blue eyes were full of mock horror. “Oh, no,I’d take the veil and do nothing but weep until you came back.”
“You little rascal,—how you do love to tease me!”
And as a matter of fact, Patty did. Whole-hearted, single-hearted, herlove was all Farnsworth’s—once and forever, but her gay nature made herlove to p
lay on his big, honest sensitive heart as on a lute.
“I do,” she said, calmly, as she twined her little pink fingers into hisbig, strong ones, “because you take teasing so beautifully!”
“Scallywag! I think I’ll just grab you up and carry youoff,—willy-nilly!”
“I never did know what willy-nilly means, and I’d love to find out.”
“You’ll find out when you’re my wife! I expect you to obey my lightestword! I shall be a regular caveman!”
“You’re big enough, but you’ve got about as much of the ‘caveman’temperament as a kitten!”
Farnsworth laughed, well knowing that the soft, gentle personality ofthe girl he loved would never be cowed or coerced by his will. He knewhe could persuade her through love, where harsher means would beuseless.
Big Bill Farnsworth perfectly understood Patty’s nature, and her littleinconsistencies and whimsicalities bothered him not a whit.
He was most desirous to take her to France with him, but he knew too,that her commonsense view of that matter was the right one. He knewthat, even were he allowed to take a wife with him, there would be manyrude experiences, even dangers, which Patty must face, and yet he shrankfrom the thought of leaving her for an indefinite, perhaps for a verylong time.
Farnsworth went on to Springfield with the question still unsettled.
At least, to his satisfaction, Patty declared that it was settled. Shebravely accepted the fact of his necessary absence because it was hisduty to his country, and Patty was patriotic first, last and all thetime.
“Don’t you _care_?” asked Helen, curiously; “what are you made of,Patty, that you can let him go?”
Patty’s eyes filled with tears.
“I suppose it does look strange to you, Bumble,” she said; “but youdon’t understand, dear. I know Billee would do better work and get alongwith less care and anxiety without me than with me. I know I should be ahindrance and I _daren’t_ go. I mustn’t put a straw in the way of hissplendid career,—I mustn’t be the least mite of a millstone about hisneck. It is because my love for him is so complete, soall-enveloping,—that I know I _must_ sacrifice myself to it—and to him.”
“But, Patty, he’ll think you don’t want to go.”
“I know that, Helen. And that I have to bear, too. If he knew how I wantto go,—how I long to go,—how it seems as if I _must_ go,—he never wouldgo off without me! I have to bid him good-bye, smilingly,—even though myheart breaks after he is gone.”
“Forgive me, Patty, I did misjudge you. You are bigger than I am. Ishould be too selfish to look at it as you do.”
“Perfect love casts out selfishness, Helen, even as it casts out fear. Iknow I am right. I’ve thought it all out for myself. It is my duty tostay at home, and to send my Billee away, with only words of cheer andGodspeed. It is my duty not to let him know my real feelings,—I mean thedepth of sorrow and grief that I feel at his going. It is my duty tomake it as easy for him to go as I possibly can,—and that can only bedone by a light, even seemingly careless attitude on my part. I knowwhat I’m talking about, dear, and I know that if he knew what is reallyin my heart for him,—he would take me with him—or,—stay at home! Oh, Idon’t dare, Bumble, I don’t _dare_ let him know!”
Patty’s earnestness carried conviction, and Helen saw at last thatPatty’s sacrifice was because of the greatness of her love, not the lackof it.
“But this is between you and me, Helen. You are to tell no one, not evenNan, that I feel more deeply than I show. If Billee learns of my—oh,Helen,——” Patty burst into agonised tears, “if he should know,—andshould coax me to go,—I couldn’t refuse him! I’d give in,—and I mustn’t,Bumble, I _mustn’t_!”
The little hands clenched and the white teeth fairly gritted in thedesperation of Patty’s resolve.
And Helen at last understood that there is a love that is aboveconsideration of self, and sacrifices personal happiness for the welfareof the loved one.
The date of Farnsworth’s trip to France was imminent, yet uncertain, andwhen Patty received an unexpected invitation from a school friend tomake a little visit in Washington, she accepted gladly. It would giveher a chance to be near Little Billee, and her friend, Rose Barrett,would, she knew, be most kind and sympathetic.
Helen was to go with Patty as far as Wilmington, where she, too, was tovisit a friend.
“I shall take you to your friend’s very house!” Patty declared, “or elseyou’ll bring up in some alien household again!”
“Nonsense,” returned Bumble, “I can find the place by myself.”
But Patty insisted, and when the two girls reached Wilmington, they wenttogether to the house where Helen was to stay.
Philip Van Reypen was there to greet them, for he was a friend ofBumble’s hostess, and knew of the girls’ coming.
And then, nothing would do, but that Patty must stay there over nightand go to the Aviation Field next morning to see the stunts there.
Quite willing, Patty agreed, and telephoned to Rose Barrett not toexpect her till the following day.
The trip to the Aviation Field was full of novelty and pleasure.Fascinated, Patty watched the great machines as they swept and swervedand was interested in all the details and wonders of the whole place.
A gay young Lieutenant by the name of Breen was introduced and Pattyfound him a most pleasant and intelligent guide. With him she wentabout, seeing things, while Van Reypen escorted Helen.
“Wouldn’t you like to go for a little fly, Miss Fairfield?” asked Breen,presently.
“I’d love to,” said Patty, her eyes sparkling at the thought, “I’m justcrazy to, but I can’t, thank you.”
“Why not?”
“I promised not to,—promised somebody to whom I always keep mypromises.”
“Ah, a man?”
“Yes, a man, though I usually keep my promises to women, too.”
“A bad promise is better broken than kept,” Breen said, laughingly;“come on in,—the air’s fine!”
“Fie, fie, Lieutenant, to tempt me to break my promises! I’m ashamed ofyou!”
“But you’d like to go?”
“If I hadn’t promised—yes.”
“Oh, all right, I won’t tempt you. I know just how you feel. We all haveto keep promises sometimes that we wish we didn’t.”
The jolly young man continued to keep her interested in the sights andat last he said, “Suppose you just get in here, and see how it seems, Idon’t mean to fly, you know, but just have the experience of getting inand out again.”
Patty consented to this, and took her seat as directed.
Just how it all came about, she never quite knew, but soon she foundherself gently rising from the ground.
“We’re going!” she exclaimed. “Oh, let me out!”
“Steady!” said Breen, his eyes on his machinery; “don’t speak to me.Yes, we’re going for a tiny spin, and you can have it out with meafterward.”
Patty was aghast, but she realised with her quick common-sense that shemust not speak to Breen, or distract his attention in any way.
But she said quietly, “Please put me out as soon as you can.”
A light laugh was his reply, and they soared higher.
Finding herself utterly unable to prevent the trip, and knowing not atall how long it would last or where it would terminate, Patty, with herusual adjustment to circumstances, allowed herself to enjoy it. The daywas perfect, the air cold and clear, and the sensation of the strangemotion wonderfully exhilarating.
After a short time her tense muscles relaxed a bit, and she breathedmore freely. She didn’t feel afraid, but felt a strong nervous tension,and an intense desire to get down again. She tried to speak to Breen, inspite of his warning, but the noise of the motor drowned her voice.
She looked about, or tried to, when suddenly she became aware that astrand of her hair had loosened and was caught in something.
Terribly frightened, and feeling sure that to move her head wou
ldprecipitate some awful disaster, Patty put her wits to work.
Her hair was caught in a piston at the side of the machine, and anygentle movement failed to loosen it. A stronger jerk would tear her hairout by the roots, and Patty wondered if this were not what she ought todo to avert worse disaster.
She bethought herself of a tiny pair of scissors in her little handbagand wondered if she could get them. It was a difficult process, but shemanaged it at last, only by getting them with one hand and being obligedto drop the bag overboard in the process. It contained money and somesmall valuables, but all Patty thought of now, was to release her headfrom that ever increasing pull.
Cautiously she raised her hand, calculating the direction withdifficulty.
But she managed to accomplish her aim, and with several short steadyclips she severed the strand of hair and liberated her strained head.
Quite unconsciously she clung to the scissors, and though she realisedthe great danger was over, she felt faint with the reaction.
After what seemed an interminable time, they reached the ground again,having really made a very short flight.
“There, Miss Fairfield,” said Lieutenant Breen, gaily, “you’ve had afly, and yet you’ve kept your promise! For you certainly did not go ofyour own volition! Why,—what’s the matter?”
Patty looked at him with such reproach and scorn that the boy,—for hewas little more,—was overcome with dismay.
“How could you?” she stormed, “have you any idea how offended I am?”
“No, ma’am, I haven’t!” he said, dumfoundedly; “I—I thought you’d likeit.”
Suddenly Patty realised that he thought she was a giddy girl who wouldlove the lark as he planned it, and who was only kept from givingconsent by a foolish promise. He had no idea her promise was to her asacred rite, and to break it was her horror. Moreover, he knew nothingof the danger she had been through. When she showed him her clipped lockof hair, he was even more distressed than she.
“Oh, I am so sorry! Can you _ever_ forgive me! What pluck! MissFairfield, you are a heroine!”
And indeed Patty was. She was praised and exploited and complimented onher bravery and cleverness until she was positively embarrassed.
And the Lieutenant told her that if Captain Farnsworth had anypunishment in store for him, he would submit to it without a murmur.
“But,” he grinned, “it’s something to tell of all my life! Cut off herhair on the fly! Gee whiz!”
CHAPTER XVIII PATTY’S WEDDING
“And I went up in an aeroplane,” Patty said, looking squarely intoBill’s blue eyes.
They stood in the pretty little drawing-room at Rose Barrett’s.Farnsworth had just come, hastening to see Patty, on her arrival inWashington.
He held Patty’s two hands in his own, and after a deep gaze into thetroubled eyes lifted to his, he said:
“Who tricked you into it?”
“Oh, Little Billee, how _did_ you know that was the way it happened?”
“Why, it couldn’t happen any other way. You promised me you wouldn’t,and so you must have been coerced or tricked into it.”
“Just what I was!” and Patty described the whole performance.
Farnsworth shuddered as she told of her hair getting caught in thepiston, and drew her closely to him.
“Oh, my darling,—my blessed little girl, how _can_ I go off and leaveyou? In these times nobody is safe from dangers! But you’ll _never_ evenrun such a chance again, will you?”
“Of course not. I’ve had my lesson!”
“And a severe one. Why, the shock might have made you ill.”
“It did, nearly. But I had to stay on deck till I could see you, andtell you about it. And then, I didn’t have to tell you! You knewyourself! How did you understand so perfectly and so quickly?”
“Patty, you and I are—well, I can’t think of the perfect English word.The French would say _en rapport_, the Italians would say _simpatica_.But we are—at one, is perhaps the best phrase. We shall always be so.It’s utter trust, you know, and absolute faith in each other. Isn’t it,my girl?”
“Yes, dear,” and Patty laid her hand caressingly on the khaki-cladshoulder of the big man, as she gave him a smile of perfect confidence.“Oh, my Little Billee, I don’t want you to go away from me. I’ve justbegun to realise what losing you will mean to me.”
“Perhaps it won’t be for long, dearest. Things look a little as if I maymake only a short trip, and return soon with my reports.”
“Ahem!” said a voice loudly and repeatedly outside the half-closed door.“May I come in?”
“Come along, Rose,” laughed Patty. “I’ll share my last interview withyou!”
“Oh, Captain Farnsworth isn’t going right off, is he?”
“No, not today,” returned Bill. “But of course, there’s no telling howsoon it may be.”
“I want you tonight for a little party,” Rose went on. “I find I can getLieutenant Van Reypen and Helen Barlow over and I’m asking a few more. Ithink in these days of unrest we must have a bit of relaxation when wecan.”
“I’m with you,” said Farnsworth, heartily; “I can come, I’m sure, unlesssomething sudden and unexpected turns up. Count on me, Mrs. Barrett. ButI must run away now, for I’ve an immediate appointment.”
“Isn’t he a darling!” Rose exclaimed, as she and Patty watched themilitary figure stride down the street.
“Oh, he is! Sometimes I fear I’m not grateful enough for the love anddevotion of such a wonderful man!”
“Naughty girl! ‘Down on your knees, and thank Heaven, fasting, for agood man’s love,’ as Friend Shakespeare puts it. Now, run away and get abeauty-nap, so you’ll be chipper tonight. I’m going to have quite aparty, I can tell you!”
Rose Barrett’s husband was in a position to be informed regardingcertain matters, and Rose knew, though Patty didn’t, that in allprobability Farnsworth would sail the next day for France.
And by way of farewell and also, by way of introducing Patty to somefriends, Rose planned rather an elaborate reception.
Helen Barlow came before dinner.
“Oh, Patsy!” she cried, in ecstasy, “I am having the grandest time! Waris awful, of course, but somehow everybody who isn’t fighting, is sokind, and we’ve had wonderful experiences. I’ve been flying twice and Ididn’t have to cut off my raving tresses, either! What _did_ Bill say toscold you for going up?”
“Well, he didn’t break off our engagement,” Patty returned, smiling.“How’s Phil? Is he coming over, tonight?”
“Of course he is,—he goes wherever——” Helen stopped, blushing crimson.
“Goes wherever you do? Of course he does! How you do lead him on!”
“I don’t either! He has eyes only for you, Patty Fairfield!”
“Used to have, you mean. But that was before my enchanting cousin cameon the scene.”
“Rubbish! Philip’s crazy about you, still. Your being engaged to LittleBillee doesn’t prevent that.”
“It means nothing to me,” declared Patty; “my sweetheart hath my heartand I have his, so, Phil may come and Phil may go, but we go onforever!”
“You’re poetic today! I hear Bill sails soon.”
“Dunno. That’s as may be. Oh, Bumble, don’t let’s think of it!”
Patty’s eyes filled with tears, and Helen regretted her chance allusion.
“Never mind, Pattikins, you must remember what it means to be asoldier’s sweetheart, and bid him good-bye, with
‘Colours flying for Victory, For the Flag and the Girl back home!’
That’s the way to look at it!”
“Yes, that’s all very well for you,—you’re not the Girl.”
“And then, he’ll return with colours still flying, to the Girl backhome, and then it will be June and the wedding bells will ring, and thebirds will sing and the orange bloomers bloom and the khaki on the groomand the veil on Patty-Pat, and I?
??ll wear a posy hat——”
“Oh, Helen, hush!” cried Patty laughing at the foolish chatter as Bumbledanced about the room, waving her arms as she sang.
“But, truly, Patsy, you won’t have more’n time to get your gewgaws fixedup and your monogramming done, before Bill will be back again, and itwill be June. Oh, soon! It will be June! and to this tune,—Tum, tum,te-tum!”
Helen sang the first strains of the wedding march, and Patty ran out ofthe room laughing, as Rose called her to the telephone.
It was Farnsworth speaking.
“Angel child,” he said, “can you leave whatever you’re doing and do alittle errand for your own true Loved One?”
“_Can_ I!” returned Patty. “Your word is my law!”
“Goody girl! Well, then, go with all possible secrecy,—with bated breathand muffled tread, and all that, to my rooms at Mrs. Richards’——”
“What!”
“Even so. Don’t faint, but remember you’re a soldier’s bride,—or will besome day,—and defying conventions go to said rooms on an errand for me.Will you, Patty?”
Bill’s tone changed to a serious note, and Patty knew at once it was oneof those important matters with which she was sometimes entrusted.
“Of course I will. Tell me exactly what to do.”
“Go there, as soon as you can, and tell Mrs. Richards who you are. Shewill take you to my rooms, and from the top drawer of my chiffonier geta large white envelope,—not the blue one,—that’s tucked half under apile of handkerchiefs. Take it back to Rose’s with you, and I’ll sendthere for it. See?”
“Yes, my liege lord, and I fly to obey. Oh, I just love to do suchthings for you, Billy-Boy!”
“Cut along, then, and don’t let the grass grow under your tiny buckledslippers. Bye-bye.”
So Patty “cut along,” Mrs. Barrett being more than willing to lend hercar, and soon the house was reached.
Mrs. Richards heard Patty’s request and at once took her up toFarnsworth’s rooms.
“There you are, Miss Fairfield,” she said, “there’s the chiffonier. Helpyourself. My, but there’s a lot of secret errand work going on. I don’tknow how Captain Farnsworth gets into a day’s work all he has to do! Ishould think he’d be worn out, and I rather think he is.”
While the lady rattled on, Patty opened the designated drawer andquickly found the envelope in question. About to close the drawer again,her eye was caught by a packet of letters tied with blue ribbon. Struckby the sight of such unofficial-looking documents in Bill’s possession,she glanced curiously at the outside one. It had no envelope and in afeminine handwriting she saw the words, “Oh, you dear, splendid bighero, how I do love you!”
Hastily realising what she was doing, she pushed the drawer shut anddeclared herself ready to go.
“Got what you want?” asked Mrs. Richards, pleasantly. “Sorry Lena isn’thome. My daughter, you know. She’d so love to see you, she’s just crazyto meet Captain Farnsworth’s lady-love. Lena’s a bit jealous of you,too! She thinks the Captain’s about the most wonderful man on earth!Mind the steps. This hall’s a bit dark.”
Soon Patty was rolling off toward the Barrett house. Her heart was in aturmoil. What did that packet of blue-tied letters mean? They were nogovernment documents, of that she was sure. They might be cipher lettersor code affairs, and really be of military matters after all.
She tried to think this, but circumstantial evidence was too strong. Thegirlish writing, the words addressed to the big hero, the blueribbon,—all seemed to say that Bill had had letters from somebody,—andpoor Patty fell a victim to the green-eyed monster, and jealousy gnawedat her heartstrings.
The messenger came and Patty gave him the important envelope, feeling apride in her ability to help, yet still downcast about the blue ribbonedpacket.
When Farnsworth arrived at the party that night, Patty determined to askhim to explain. She had had half a dozen minds about the matter, firstdecided to make no mention of it, then concluding she could never behappy again until she had heard his confession or defence. Perhaps someinfatuated little goose had written to him,—and, perhaps he had nevereven answered her. But then, why keep them so carefully and sosentimentally?
In a dainty fluffy white frock, Patty awaited Farnsworth’s coming. Theparty was a large one, but in the Barrett house were many alcoves andnooks where one could hold a tête-à-tête.
And so, it was in one of these that Bill finally found his disconsolatelittle love.
“Hello, Sweetness,” and the familiar voice reached her ears just beforeFarnsworth strode into view. With a quick glance around, he took her inhis arms for a swift, silent kiss.
“Oh, be careful!” breathed Patty. “Some one will see us!”
“Not so; I reconnoitred first. And how is my Posy Blossom?”
“All right,—that is, ’most all right,——” and Patty looked doubtfully atthe loving face bending above her own.
“Out with it,—what’s the trouble?”
“N-nothing.”
“Which, being interpreted, means something pretty awful! Don’t try tofool me, Pattibelle! Have you been flying again?”
“No;” and then Patty gave a long, steady look into Farnsworth’s blueeyes. What she saw there was so reassuring, so absolutely all-powerfulto clear away her troubles, that she laughed outright and said:
“Oh, you dear, splendid old thing, you! I’m not worthy of you!”
“That, my child, is the one thing I won’t allow you to say, and unlessyou retract it, there’ll be grave trouble with tumultuous consequences.Do you take it back?”
“I can’t——”
“You’d better,” and Patty saw from Bill’s smile that unless she did hewould indeed bring about some “tumultuous consequences.”
“All right,—I do,” she said, hastily, as he prepared to swoop her intohis arms.
“That’s not enough. Say, ‘I am far too good for you.’”
“Oh! I _can’t_!”
“Say it!”
The commanding officer conquered, and unable to avoid the issue, Pattysaid, in a meek little voice, “I’m far too good for you.”
“Of course, you are! Now, what’s this other matter, and then we can goout to the party proper. I’m afraid they’ll come after us if we don’t.”
“It’s nothing,” and Patty faced him squarely, and beamed into hiswondering face. “Yes, I mean that. But I’ll tell you. I saw a packet oflove letters in your chiffonier, and I just want to tell you that I_know_ it’s all right, and I’m—_n-not_ jealous! I am _not_!”
“Oh, you Blossom-faced little goose! Oh, Patty Precious, thank you fordem kind woids! Those letters, as you so sapiently assume, are not of anature to rouse your jealousy.”
And he told her what they were and of Lena’s request to leave them therefor a time.
“And I forgot all about them,” he concluded his tale, “nor would I haveexpected you to doubt my faithfulness and loyalty if you did see them.”
“I didn’t,” said Patty happily.
“No, you didn’t, but it was a narrow squeak!”
But Patty only smiled at him, and they both knew that neither had reasonto doubt the other in any way.
The party went off gaily. But though no hint was dropped, somehow therewas a feeling in the air as of a farewell occasion, and Patty felt avague unrest.
But it was the next day before she learned the truth.
In the morning Farnsworth came to the Barrett house and the moment Pattysaw him, she knew he had come to say good-bye.
With a white face and trembling lips she met him at the door.
“Come for a walk, will you, dear?” Farnsworth said gently.
She ran for her wraps, and soon they were off by themselves. Unheedingthe people in the streets, they wandered far off toward the less crowdedareas, and after a time Farnsworth told her that he was to sail thatnight.
“It’s all right,” said Patty, bravely struggling to keep back her tears.“I?
??ll be good,—I won’t make it harder for you by weeping and wailing andgnashing my teeth,—but, oh, my Little Billee,—I think I shall die!”
“Really, Patty! Do you really care like _that_?”
“Oh, I do! I _do_! I didn’t know it myself till just this minute!Captain, my Captain, I _can’t_ part from you.”
“You needn’t, Blossom Bride, you shall go with me!”
Patty looked up in amazement, and saw in Farnsworth’s eyes a look shehad never seen before. He seemed almost transfigured, the joy fairlyradiated from his countenance.
“Patty,” he whispered, “the reason I was going without you was because Ididn’t think you loved me _quite_ well enough to go too. Do you?”
They had paused, and stood facing each other, with quickly beatinghearts. There were no passers-by, and the sun shone straight down onPatty’s face, as she looked up at his question.
She knew all it meant, all it implied, and with a firm voice that had aglorious, triumphant ring in it, she said, “I do, my Heart’s Dearest, I_do_.”
“Then——” Farnsworth hesitated.
“Yes, yes,” Patty assured him.
“You’ll go with me!”
“Yes, to the ends of the earth!”
“Patty!”
“Little Billee!”
And right there, in broad daylight, he clasped her in his arms and gaveher a kiss that sealed the compact once and for all.
“We must hop around,” he said, laughing for very joy. “Oh, Patty, wemust skittle!”
“We will! We can do it. I don’t care for anything but to go withyou,—always with you. Are you sure I _may_ go?”
“Oh, yes, I looked out for that.”
“What! You expected me to?”
“I hoped, Patty, I only hoped. Now I’ll get you back to Rose’s and youand she fix up the wedding-bells. I’ll breeze in about seven with theminister. Can’t get things fixed before that. Darling! I’m crazy! You_won’t_ change your mind—no, I know you won’t, my true, my loyal PattyBlossom!”
There was some scurrying about when Patty told Rose. That efficientyoung woman telephoned for caterers, florists and musicians.
She called up friends and invited them. She gave orders right and left,and harangued Patty in the meantime.
“Go for a rest first,” she said. “Go straight to your room and lie down.I’ll be there in a few minutes. Helen will help you dress.”
And right here for about the first time in her life Bumble showedefficiency.
“Yes,” she said, “I will. Come along, Patty, and take it easy. There’slots of time before seven o’clock, and you’ve nothing to do but dress.Come along with your old reliable,—your standby, the steady-goingBumble.”
Relieved to get away from Rose’s fluster and hurry, Patty went withHelen.
“I’ve got to do it, Bumble,” she said, as if by way of apology. “I_can’t_ stay here and let him go away, so I’m going, too——”
“Sure you are,” and Helen nodded, understandingly. “And, oh, by the way,Patty, where’s your wedding gown?”
“That’s so! Where is it?” and Patty began to look over her frocks in thewardrobe. “This rose-coloured one, I think.”
“Nixy; white, if it’s only a tub frock! Let’s see your white ones. Ah,here we are!” Helen took down a white chiffon, daintily embroidered, andpronounced it the very thing.
Patty dressed at once, saying laughingly that Bill _might_ make an evenearlier start than now planned.
And just as the bride-to-be completed her toilette, a commotion downstairs announced the arrival of her father and Nan.
“What are _you_ doing here?” she cried, in amazement.
“We’re here for your wedding, my little girl,” said Mr. Fairfield,taking her in his arms.
“But—how did you know? How did you get here so quickly?”
“Ask Bill,” said Nan, laughingly; and then others crowded in, and allwas bustle and excitement.
At seven, Farnsworth came, looking stunningly handsome in his uniformand with a glow of happiness on his fine, kindly face.
“Are you _sure_, Patty?” he whispered, as he met her in the hall.
“_Sure_, Little Billee,” she answered, happily.
“And you don’t regret the gorgeous wedding you were planning for June?”
“I like this better,” she said, simply.
And indeed, as a wedding, the occasion was all that could be desired.
As if by magic, flowers had bloomed everywhere. Guests in festal garbhad arrived, and at last, to the soft strains of some stringedinstruments, Patty walked with her father to meet the man to whom she sowillingly and gladly entrusted her life’s happiness.
Then the guests crowded about with gay greetings and good wishes.
“I shall miss you, Patty,” said Phil Van Reypen, his face clouded at thethought.
“Good for you, Philip, do, please! But let me tell you a great secret;something you don’t dream of,—yet.”
Patty smiled mysteriously, and whispered low, in Philip’s ear:
“Your girl is waiting for you. She doesn’t know it,—you don’t knowit,—but _I_ do! When I come back from France—I hope everybody will knowit!”
Van Reypen looked a little self-conscious, but gaily protested he didn’tknow what she was talking about.
And then, the time came to go. Like a dream, Patty saw the people allabout; saw herself being whisked upstairs and put into a travellinggown; saw Nan and Helen packing things; saw a maze of faces, a whirl ofgood-byes—and then,—she was alone with Farnsworth in a motor-car—andthey were rolling away, as the jubilant orchestra played “For the Flagand the Girl Back Home.”
“How _did_ Father and Nan get there?” Patty asked, as she emerged fromher husband’s first embrace.
“I sent for ’em. Telephoned early this morning, and they just made it.”
“Early this morning! You hadn’t asked me to go, then!”
“Took a chance.”
“Oh, Little Billee! You _knew_ I’d go?”
“Yes, My Little Girl, I _knew_ you’d go. I learned yesterday that youloved me—_almost_ enough. So I sent for your people, in case my hopesproved true, and today you found out that you couldn’t get along withoutme.”
“Well. You are——”
“What?”
“My lord and master, it would seem,” and Patty’s lovely face flushedwith happiness and content. Farnsworth drew her close as he whispered:
“And you are my Patty Bride!”
THE END
Transcriber’s Notes
--Copyright notice provided as in the original—this e-text is public domain in the country of publication.
--Silently corrected palpable typos; left non-standard spellings and dialect unchanged.
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