CHAPTER XV
IN THE ARBOUR
After returning from her motor ride with Roger, Patty went to her roomto write some letters.
But she had written only so far as "My dearest Nan," when a big pinkrose came flying through the open window and fell right on the paper.
Patty looked up, laughing, for she knew it was Bill who threw theblossom.
The bay window of Patty's boudoir opened on a particularly pleasantcorner of the upper veranda,--a corner provided with wicker seats andtables, and screened by awnings from the midday sun. And when Patty wasseated by her desk in that same bay window, half-hidden by the thin,fluttering curtain draperies, Big Bill Farnsworth had an incurablehabit of strolling by. But he did not respond to Patty's laughter inkind.
"Come out here," he said, and his tone was not peremptory, butbeseechingly in earnest. Wondering a little, Patty rose and steppedover the low sill to the veranda. Bill took her two little hands in hisown two big ones, and looked her straight in the eyes.
"What part are YOU going to take in this foolish racket they're gettingup?" he asked.
"I'm going to be Maid of the Mist," answered Patty, trying to speak asif she didn't care.
"Why aren't you going to be Spirit of the Sea?"
"Because Guy asked Daisy to take that part."
"Yes! he asked her after you had refused to take it!"
"Refused! What do you mean?"
"Oh, I know all about it! You wrote a note to Martin, telling him youwouldn't take the part, and asking him not to mention the subject toyou again."
"What!" and all the colour went out of Patty's face as the thoughtflashed across her mind what this meant. She saw at once that Daisy hadgiven that note to Guy, as coming from HER! She saw that Daisy MUSThave done this intentionally! And this knowledge of a deed sodespicable, so IMPOSSIBLE, from Patty's standpoint, stunned her like ablow.
But she quickly recovered herself. Patty's mind always JUMPED from onethought to another, and she knew, instantly, that however contemptibleDaisy's act had been, she could not and would not disclose it.
"Oh, that note," she said, striving to speak carelessly.
"Yes, THAT NOTE," repeated Bill, still gazing straight at her. "Tell meabout it."
"There's nothing to tell," said Patty, her voice trembling a little atthis true statement of fact.
"You wrote it?"
"Yes,--I wrote it," Patty declared, for she could not tell thecircumstance of her writing it.
Bill let go her hands, and a vanquished look came into his eyes.
"I--I hoped you didn't," he said, simply; "but as you did, then I knowWHY you did it. Because you didn't want to be on the float with me."
"Oh, no,-NO, Bill!" cried Patty, shocked at this added injustice. "Itwasn't THAT,--truly it wasn't!"
Gladness lighted up Bill's face, and his big blue eyes beamed again.
"Wasn't it?" he said. "Wasn't it, Apple Blossom? Then, tell me, why DIDyou write it?"
"But I don't want to tell you," and Patty pouted one of her veryprettiest pouts.
"But you shall tell me! If you don't,"--Bill came a step nearer,--"I'llpick you up and toss you up into the top branches of that biggest pinetree over there!"
"Pooh! Who's afraid?"
Patty's saucy smile was too much for Bill, and, catching her up, hecradled her in his strong arms, and swung her back and forth, as ifpreparatory to pitching her into the tree.
"Here you go!" he said, laughing at her surprised face. "One,--two--"
"Mr. Farnsworth!" exclaimed a shocked voice, and Aunt Adelaide camehastening toward them.
Bill set Patty down, not hastily, but very deliberately, and then said,with an anxious air:
"How did it go, Mrs. Parsons? We're practising for our great scene inthe Pageant--the Spirit of the Sea, tossed by old Father Neptune. I domy part all right, but Miss Fairfield needs more practice, don't youthink so?"
Aunt Adelaide looked scrutinisingly at the young man, but hisexpression was so earnest that she couldn't doubt him.
"Patty looked scared to death," she said, with reminiscent criticism."Oughtn't she to look more gay and careless?"
"She certainly ought," assented Bill. "Will you try the scene oncemore, Miss Fairfield, with Mrs. Parsons for audience?"
"I will not!" exclaimed Patty, and trying hard to repress her giggles,she fled back through her window, and drew the curtains.
"I didn't know you were to have acting on the floats," said AuntAdelaide, innocently.
"I'm not sure that we shall," returned Farnsworth, easily. "I had anotion it would be effective, but perhaps not. Do you know where MissDow is, by any chance?"
"Why, I think she's just starting for the Sayres'. Yes, there she goesnow,--walking down the path." "WILL you excuse me then, Mrs. Parsons,if I make a hurried exit? I want to see her on a MOST important matter."
Big Bill fairly flung himself down the little staircase that led fromthe upper veranda to the lower one, and in a few moments, with longstrides, he had overtaken Daisy, who was alone.
"Whoop-ee! Daisy, wait a minute!" he cried, as he neared her.
"What for?" and Daisy turned, smiling, but her smile faded as shecaught sight of Bill's face.
"Because I tell you to!" thundered Bill. "Because I want to talk toyou,--and, right now!"
"I--I'm going on an errand--" faltered Daisy, fairly frightened at hisvehemence.
"I don't care if you're going on an errand for the Czar of Russia; youturn around, and walk along with me."
"Where to?"
"Wherever I lead you! Here's a rose arbour, this will do. In with you!"
Daisy entered the arbour, trembling. She had never seen Farnsworth soangry before, and her guilty conscience made her feel sure he haddiscovered her treachery. In the arbour they were screened fromobservation, and Bill lowered his voice.
"Now," said he, "tell me all about this 'Spirit of the Sea' business.What underhanded game did you play to get the part away from PattyFairfield?"
"I didn't! She told Guy Martin she wouldn't take it."
"Yes; she wrote him a note. Now, in some way or other, you made herwrite that note. How did you do it?"
"Did she tell you I made her write it?"
"No, she didn't! She said she wrote it, but she wouldn't tell me why."
Daisy's eyes opened wide. Then Patty KNEW the note had been given toGuy in her name, and yet she didn't denounce Daisy! Such generosity wasalmost outside Daisy's comprehension, and she paused to think it out.At last she said:
"Why do YOU think she wouldn't tell you?"
"I don't THINK, I KNOW! A man has only to look into Patty Fairfield'sclear, honest eyes to know that she's incapable of meanness or deceit.While you,--forgive me, Daisy, but I've known you for years,--and youARE capable of gaining your own ends by underhanded methods."
"What do you accuse me of?" and Daisy's air of injured innocence waswell assumed.
"I don't know," and Bill looked exceedingly perplexed. "But I DO knowthat in some way you persuaded Patty to give up that part, because youwanted it yourself."
Daisy drew a long breath of relief. Then, she thought, he didn't know,after all, just what she HAD done, and perhaps she could carry itthrough yet.
"You're mistaken," she said, in a kind way, "Patty did write that note,but she had her own reasons, and she desired, especially, that no oneshould mention the subject to her."
"Yes," said Bill, "and it's that strange reluctance to having thesubject mentioned that makes me suspect YOUR hand in the matter. Pattyrefused to discuss it with me, but the look of blank astonishment inher face, when I referred to that note, convinced me there's a bit ofdeviltry SOMEWHERE. And I ascribe it to you!"
"You do me an injustice," and now Daisy's tone was haughty and distant;"but I cannot resent it. For Patty's sake, I too must refuse to discussthis matter. Think of me as you will,--I cannot defend myself."
Daisy's face grew so sad and martyr-like that generous-hearted Bill wasalmost co
nvinced of her innocence.
"I say, Daisy," he began, "if I'm wronging you in this matter, I'llnever forgive myself."
"Oh, never mind, Bill; I'm used to being misunderstood. But I'llforgive you, if you'll promise never to refer to the subject again tome, or to any one else."
Bill might have promised this, but the too eager gleam in Daisy's eyesagain roused his suspicions. And just then he saw Patty crossing a bitof lawn near them.
"Whoo-ee!" he called, and as Patty turned, he beckoned for her to cometo them.
"What's wanted?" called Patty, gaily, as she neared the arbour.
"You," said Bill, while Daisy sank down on the arbour seat, and seemedto crumple up in abject fear of what was about to happen.
"Now, Miss Fairfield," Bill began, "there's a little matter I wantcleared up. It's the note you wrote to Mr. Martin saying you didn'twish to be Spirit of the Sea."
Daisy cast one piteous, despairing glance at Patty, and then coveredher face in her hands.
At first, Patty's blue eyes flashed with a righteous indignation, tothink how Daisy had abused her kindness in writing that note atdictation. Then a great wave of compassion swept through her heart. Thedeed was so foreign to her own nature that she felt deep pity for onewho was capable of such a thing. And Daisy's evident misery roused hersympathy. She didn't stop to think that probably Daisy's regret was atbeing found out and not for the deed itself, but Patty's forgivenesswas full and free, even before it was asked. In her unboundedgenerosity of heart, she resolved to shield Daisy from Farnsworth'swrath.
"What about the note?" she asked, simply.
"Did you write it?"
"I did."
"Did any one force or persuade you to write it?"
"I did it willingly, and without compulsion."
"Did Daisy know you wrote it?"
"She knew it, yes. She gave it to Guy Martin."
Bill was nonplussed. He KNEW there was some secret about that note, buthe couldn't quite fathom it.
And every word Patty spoke, though quite true, and seeming to exonerateDaisy, made the guilty girl more and more amazed that one she had soinjured COULD be so forgiving.
"Didn't you want to be Spirit of the Sea?" Bill said at last,desperately anxious on that point.
Patty hesitated. She couldn't truly say she didn't, and to say she didwould bring up the question of the note again.
"I DID want to," she said, slowly, "but, since Daisy has thatpart,--and I have another, and a very pretty part,--I am quite content."
"Then there is nothing more to be said," Farnsworth muttered. "Theincident is closed."
He started to leave the arbour, and Daisy lifted her troubled eyes toPatty's face. Patty tried to smile, but there must have been aninvoluntary shadow of reproach in her blue eyes, which, for somereason, went straight to Daisy's heart.
"DON'T look at me like that, Patty," she cried out; "I can't bear it!Bill, come back! The incident ISN'T closed. I want to tell you, Bill,what I did. Patty wrote that note, at my dictation, thinking it was forme,--I had a hurt finger,--and I told her I'd sign it,--and I DIDN'Tsign it,--I gave it to Guy as if it was from her--oh, Patty--will youforgive me? WILL you?"
"There, there, Daisy," and Patty put her arms around the sobbing girl."Never mind, it's all right."
"It isn't all right!" exclaimed Farnsworth, his eyes blazing. "DaisyDow, do you mean to tell me--"
"She doesn't mean to tell YOU anything," interrupted Patty. "She's onlygoing to tell me. I wish you'd go away. This note matter is entirelybetween Daisy and myself. It's--it's a sort of a--a joke, you see."
Daisy sat up straight, and stared at Patty. What sort of a girl wasthis, anyhow, who could forgive so freely and fully, and then call itall a JOKE!
But Daisy knew generosity when she saw it, and with her heartoverflowing with gratitude at Patty's kindness, she bravelyacknowledged her own fault.
"It ISN'T a joke, Bill," she said, in an unsteady voice. "I did ahorrid, hateful thing, and Patty is so angelic and forgiving she makesme feel too mean to live."
"Nonsense," said Patty, "there's no harm done, I'm glad you owned up,Daisy, for now we can forget the whole episode, and start fresh."
But Farnsworth couldn't toss the matter aside so easily.
"Daisy," he said, looking at her sternly, "I never heard of such a meanpiece of business in my life! I think--"
"Never mind what you think!" cried Patty, turning on him like a littlefury. "YOU'RE the MEAN one,--to rub it in when Daisy is feeling so badover it."
"She ought to feel bad," growled Bill.
"Well, she DOES, if that's such a comfort to you," retorted Patty."Now, go away, and leave us girls alone, won't you? This is our ownlittle sewing circle, and we don't want any men at it."
Patty was really so relieved at the turn things had taken, that shegave Bill a happy smile, which contradicted her crusty words.
"No, I won't go away," he declared; "you girls want to weep on eachother's shoulders,--that's what you want. I'm going to stay and see theperformance."
"You can't stay, unless you'll say you forgive Daisy, and love her justthe same."
"Just the same as who?" demanded Bill, quickly, and Patty blushedadorably.
"Just the same as you always did," she returned, severely.
"Do forgive me, Bill," said Daisy, contritely; "I'm awfully sorry."
Farnsworth looked at her, squarely. "I'll forgive you, Daisy," he said,"if you'll make good. Let Patty take the Spirit of the Sea part, andyou take something else."
"I won't do it," said Patty, quickly, but Daisy said, "Yes, you must. Ishan't feel that you've really forgiven me unless you do."
As a matter of fact, Daisy saw little prospect of pleasure for herselfin being Spirit of the Sea, after all this, and she doubted whetherBill would be Neptune if she did.
Patty demurred further, but both the others coaxed so hard that shefinally yielded to their persuasions.
"What will the others say?" she asked, at last.
"Nothing at all," responded Bill, promptly. "Simply announce that youand Daisy have agreed to change parts. Then Daisy can be 'Maid of theMist,' and you can be the Water Sprite of old Neptune's float."
"I'll do it, on one condition," said Patty; "and that is, that no oneelse is let into our secret. Let Guy continue to think that I sent himthat note, but that I changed my mind about it. And don't tell anybodyat all, not even Mona, the truth of the matter."
"Gee! You're a wonder!" exclaimed Farnsworth, and Daisy threw her armsround Patty's neck and kissed her.
"Oh, don't give me undue credit," Patty said, laughing; "but, you see,I just naturally hate a 'fuss,' and I want to forget all about thisaffair right away. Daisy, you're just the sort of brown hair and eyesMr. Cromer wants for his Maid of the Mist. You'll be perfectly sweet inthat."
"You're perfectly sweet in everything, Patty; I never saw any one likeyou!"
"Neither did I," said Farnsworth, with emphasis.
"Oh, here you are," drawled a slow voice, and Laurence Cromer camesauntering along in search of Patty. "Don't you want to discuss yourcostume now? There's only a half-hour before luncheon time."
"Well, you see, Mr. Cromer," said Patty, smiling at him, "you said youwanted a more brownish lady for your misty maid. So Miss Dow and I havedecided to change places."
"All right," agreed Cromer. "It makes no difference to me, personally,of course. I'm merely designing the Niagara Float as an architectwould. I think perhaps a brunette would be better adapted to the partof Maid of the Mist, as I have planned it, but it's as you choose."
"Then we choose this way," declared Patty.
"Run along, Daisy, and Mr. Cromer will tell you just what to get foryour misty robes."
Daisy went away, and Farnsworth turned to Patty with a reproachfulglance.
"You let her off too easy," he said. "A girl who would do a thing likethat ought to be punished."
"Punished, how?" said Patty, quietly.
"Her deceit ought
to be exposed before the others. It oughtn't to behushed up,--it makes it too easy for her."
"Her deceit, as you call it, affected no one but me. Therefore, there'sno reason for any one else to know of it. And Daisy has been punishedquite enough. I read in her eyes the sorrow and remorse she hassuffered for what she did. And I know she did it on a suddenimpulse,--an uncontrollable desire to have that particular part in thePageant. Now, I have forgiven and forgotten it all, it's but a trifle.And I can see no reason why YOU should still hold it against her."
Farnsworth looked steadily into Patty's eyes, and a sort of shamedflush rose to his cheeks.
"You're bigger than I am, Little Girl," he said, as he held out hishand.
Patty put her little hand into his, and in that understanding clasp,they buried the subject never to refer to it again.
"Oh, no, I'm not really bigger than you," she said, lightly.
"Not physically, no," he returned, looking down at her. "If you were, Icouldn't toss you into a treetop!"
"You got out of that beautifully with Aunt Adelaide," and Patty laughedat the recollection. "But I'm going to scold you for picking me up inthat unceremonious fashion."
"I know,--it WAS dreadful! But,--perhaps I did it on a suddenimpulse,--you know,--you forgive THOSE!"
Patty remembered her defence of Daisy, and couldn't repress a smile atthe boy's wheedlesome argument.
"Well, don't let it happen again," she said with an attempt at extremehauteur.
But Farnsworth replied, "When I get a real good chance, I'm going topick you up and carry you a million miles away."
"Catch me first!" cried Patty, and darting away from him, she ran likea deer toward the house.
Farnsworth stood looking after her, but made no move to follow.
The big fellow was thinking to himself, wondering and pondering in hisslow, honest way, on why that little scrap of pink and white humanityhad all unconsciously twined herself around his very heartstrings.
"Apple Blossom!" he murmured, beneath his breath, and then saunteredslowly toward the house.