CHAPTER XIX
AN EXCITING CHASE
Farnsworth had left Patty about two o'clock, and it was only a fewmoments later that her telephone rang.
Her response was answered by a tearful, wailing voice, that said, "Oh,Miss Patty, oh, _can't_ you come here at once? Come right away!"
"Come where? Who are you?" said Patty, bewildered, for she did notrecognise the voice, and it sounded like some one in deep distress.
"Oh, don't wait a _minute_! Every moment is precious! Just come _atonce_!"
"But how can I come, if I don't know who you are? I can help youbetter, if you'll control yourself and tell me something aboutyourself and your trouble. First of all, who are you?"
"I'm Anne, Miss Galbraith's maid. You know me, Miss Patty. Oh, comequick; Miss Mona has gone!"
"Gone! Where? Now, listen to me, Anne! Stop your crying, and tell mewhat you mean, and then I will go to you at once. Where are you? Andwhere has Miss Mona gone?"
"I'm in her apartment, and I don't like to tell you over the telephonewhere she's gone. But,--Miss Patty,--I think,--Oh, I fear,--she haseloped with Mr. Lansing!"
The last sentence came in an explosive burst, as if the girl couldkeep her secret no longer.
"What!" exclaimed Patty. And then, suddenly realising that it was adesperate situation, she said, "Don't say another word, Anne! I willgo right straight to you. Stay there till I come."
She knew the excitable character of the girl, and feared she might gethysterical if she talked further over the telephone. Patty hung up thereceiver, and sat still for a moment, thinking deeply.
"I won't tell Mrs. Allen," she finally decided, "but I must have someone to help me,--to go with me. I believe I'll call up Roger."
But she couldn't bear to do that. It seemed too dreadful to tell Rogerwhat had happened. She thought next of Kenneth, who was a standby as aloyal friend, but he was far downtown in his office, and might be busywith an important case.
"Philip, of course," she said to herself; but even with her hand onthe receiver, another thought flashed through her mind. "No one couldhelp me to save Mona like Big Bill!" she thought, and on a suddenimpulse she called up his hotel.
"Bill,--it's Patty," she said, her voice trembling.
"Yes, dear; what is it? What is the matter?"
The kind, quiet voice, with its deep tones of sympathy and capability,made Patty realise that she had appealed to the right one. "Oh, Bill,"she went on, "there's awful trouble, and you must help me."
"Of course I will, Little Girl! Steady now; tell me what it's allabout. Do you want me to come there?"
"But you're just starting for the West," cried Patty, as sheremembered this for the first time.
"That doesn't matter, if _you_ want me. I'll be right over."
"And wait a minute; tell me what you think we ought to do. I've heardfrom Anne that Mona is eloping with that awful Lansing man!"
"Then there's no time to be lost! Take your little car, and go to ThePlaza as fast as you can spin! I'll meet you there, in the Galbraiths'apartment."
Bill hung up the receiver, without even a good-bye, and Patty gave alittle sigh of relief, for it seemed as if he had taken theresponsibility from her shoulders, and would manage the matterhimself. She ordered her car, flung on her hat and coat, and with ahasty word to Mrs. Allen that she was going out, she drove her littleelectric herself down to the hotel.
When she entered the Galbraiths' apartment, she found Farnsworthalready there.
"It's true," he said, looking at her with a grave face. "That is, Ithink it must be. Mona went away half an hour ago, and took a suitcase with her. She went in a motor with Mr. Lansing. Anne is worried,because this morning she overheard the two telephoning."
"I wasn't listening, Miss Patty," said the tearful maid. "That is, Ididn't mean to, but Miss Mona was excited like, and her voice was soloud I couldn't help hearing."
"I'm glad you did, Anne," said Patty, "it may help us to save MissMona yet. What else can you tell us?"
"Nothing, except that Miss Mona left a note on her father's desk, andI thought maybe it might be to tell him she had gone."
Big Bill strode over to the desk, and there, under a paperweight, laya note, addressed to Mr. Galbraith. He picked it up, and looked at it,thoughtfully.
"Patty," he said, "this isn't sealed. Considering all things, I thinkit is our duty to read it, but you know more about such matters than Ido. What do you think?"
Patty hesitated. She had always thought it little less than a crime toread a note addressed to another, but the circumstances made this caseseem an exception. "We might telephone to Mr. Galbraith and ask hispermission," she suggested.
But Big Bill seemed suddenly to have made up his mind.
"No!" he declared, "_I'll_ take the responsibility of this thing. Totelephone would frighten Mr. Galbraith, and would delay matters toomuch, beside. I shall read this note, and if I can't square my actionwith Mr. Galbraith afterward, I'll accept the consequences."
The impressive manner of the big man, his stern, set face, and honest,determined blue eyes convinced Patty that he was right, and togetherthey read the note.
In it, as they had feared, Mona told her father that she was goingaway to marry Mr. Lansing, because her father would not allow her tomarry him otherwise. She expressed regret at the sorrow she knew thiswould bring to her father, but she said she was old enough to decidefor herself whom she wished to marry, and she felt sure that after itwas over he would forgive her, and call his two children back to him.
"Mona never wrote that note of her own accord," exclaimed Patty,indignantly. "That man made her do it!"
"Of course he did!" agreed Bill, in a stern voice. "I knowLansing,--and, Patty, the man is a scoundrel."
"You know him? I didn't know you did."
"Yes, I do! And I ought to have warned Mona more against him. I didtell her what his real nature is, but she wouldn't listen, and I neverdreamed she was so deeply infatuated with him. But we mustn't blameher, Patty. She was simply under the influence of that man, and hepersuaded her to go with him against her better judgment. But we mustgo after them and bring them back."
"But you're going West to-night."
"Not unless we rescue Mona first! Why, Patty, she _mustn't_ be allowedto marry that man! I tell you he's a scoundrel, and I never say _that_about a man unless I _know_ it to be true. But this is no time todiscuss Lansing. We must simply fly after them."
"But how do you know where they've gone?"
"I don't know! But we must find out, somehow. Perhaps the men at thedoor can tell us. Perhaps Anne can."
"I only know this, sir," said Anne, who was wringing her hands andweeping; "when Miss Mona was telephoning, she said something aboutGreenwich."
"Of course!" cried Bill. "That's exactly where they'd go! But wait,they would have to go for a license first."
"Telephone the license man," said Patty, inspired by Bill's manner andtones.
"Right-O!" and after some rather troublesome telephoning, Billannounced, "They did! they got a license, and they started in a motorfor Greenwich about half an hour ago! Come on, Patty! Anne, you stayright here, in case we telephone. If Mr. Galbraith comes home, don'ttell him a word about it. Leave it to me. I'll be responsible for thisnote." Bill put the note in his pocket, and almost pushing Patty outof the door, he had her in the elevator and downstairs almost beforeshe knew it.
"Shall we take my little car?" she asked, as Bill strode through thelobby, and Patty hurried to keep up with him.
"Good Heavens, no! We want a racer. I'll drive it myself."
By the power of sheer determination, the big Western man procured afast car in an incredibly short time, and in a few moments he andPatty were flying up Broadway.
"Now if you want to talk you may," said Bill, and his voice was quietand composed, though he was alertly threading his swift way throughthe traffic. "I had to be a little short with you while we werehurrying off, because I didn't want to lose a minute. B
ut now, all Ihave to do is to keep just inside the speed limit while we're in thecity, and then I rather guess there'll be one big chase!"
"Oh, Bill, you are just splendid!" exclaimed Patty, with shining eyes,unable to repress her admiration of his capability and strength.
"But we haven't accomplished anything yet, Patty; we're only startingout to try. You know, it's a hundred to one shot that we missthem,--for we've very little idea where they've gone."
"But it's a straight road to Greenwich."
"Yes, but they may have turned off anywhere. They may change theirminds a dozen times about their destination."
"No, they won't," said Patty, positively; "not unless they thinkthey're pursued, and of course they've no idea of that. Speed her up,Bill; the way is clear now! I don't believe they're going at thispace."
"Patty, you're a good pal! I don't believe any other girl would be asplucky as you are in such a case."
"Why, I haven't done anything," and Patty opened her eyes wide, insurprise. "You've done it all--Little Billee."
"You've helped me more than you know. With you by my side, I'm boundto succeed." Big Bill bent to his wheel, and the swift machine flewalong so fast that conversation became impossible.
As they neared Greenwich, Patty's sharp eyes descried a dark red carahead of them.
"That's it!" she cried. "That's Mona's car! Chase 'em, Bill!"
"The nerve of him, to elope in her own car!" growled Bill, through hisclenched teeth. "I told you he was a scoundrel, Patty!"
They were rapidly gaining on the red car, when, as it turned thecorner, one of its occupants saw their pursuers, and Patty heard ashriek.
"That's Mona's yell," she cried, in dismay. "They've seen us, Bill,and now they'll get away from us!"
Sure enough, the pursuing car was swift, but the big Galbraith car wasa speed wonder, and the elopers darted ahead with renewed determinationto escape capture.
"Oh, what a shame!" wailed Patty. "They recognised us, and now they'llget away."
"Not if I know it!" and Farnsworth set his teeth hard. "Sit tight,Patty; we're going to go faster!"
It didn't seem as if they could go any faster, but they did, and if ithad been anybody driving except Farnsworth, Patty would have feltfrightened. But she knew his skill, and too, she knew that he neverlet excitement or enthusiasm run away with his judgment. So she sat asstill as she could, striving to catch her breath in the face of thewind; and refraining from speech, lest she distract Bill's attentioneven for a second.
At last, when they had a long, clear view ahead, and they saw the redcar ever increasing the distance between them, Bill gave up.
"It's no use, Patty; we can't catch them! I've done all I can, butthat car they're in is a world-beater! They went through Greenwichlike a streak. They would have been arrested, but no one could stopthem. Oh, I say, My Little Girl,--I have an idea!"
"Is your idea faster than their car, Little Billee?"
"You bet it is! Just you wait and see; Patty, we've _got_ 'em!"
Farnsworth turned around and drove rapidly back to Greenwich, whichthey had just passed through.
At a hotel there, he jumped out, told Patty to wait, and rushed intothe office.
It was nearly ten minutes before he returned, and Patty could scarcelybelieve that whatever plan he had could be of any use after suchdelay.
He jumped in beside her, turned around, and in a minute they wereagain whizzing along, following the direction of the other car.
"I'll tell you what I did, Patty," he said, chuckling. "I telephonedto the Stamford Chief of Police, and asked him to arrest those peoplefor speeding as they crossed the city limit!"
"Will they be speeding?"
"_Will_ they be speeding? You _bet_ they will! And even if theyaren't, they'll be arrested, all the same, and held without bail untilwe get there! Oh, Patty, if the situation were not so serious, I couldlaugh at this joke on Lansing!"
On they went, at their highest speed, and reached Stamford not verymuch later than the red car they were following.
At the city line, they found this car standing, with two or threepolicemen forbidding its further progress.
Horace Lansing was in a violent fit of temper, and was alternatingbribes with threats of vengeance, but the policemen were imperturbable,having been told the facts of the case by Farnsworth over thetelephone.
Mona was weeping bitterly, and though Patty went to her withaffectionate words, she stormed back, "Go away, Patty Fairfield! Youhave no right to interfere in my affairs! It was your prying thatfound this out. Go away; I won't speak to you!"
"By what right have you followed us, Miss Fairfield?" began Mr.Lansing, looking at Patty, angrily.
But Farnsworth strode over to the speaker, and spoke to him, sternlybut quietly. "Lansing," he said, "it's all up, and you know it! Now, Idon't want to have a scene here and now, so you have my permission togo away wherever you like, on condition that you never enter thepresence again, of Miss Galbraith or Miss Fairfield."
"Ho!" said Lansing, with an attempt at bravado. "You give me yourpermission, do you? Let me tell you that Miss Galbraith is my promisedwife. We have the license, and we're about to be married. It will takemore than you to stop us!"
"Indeed," said Farnsworth, and putting his hands in his pockets, hegave Lansing a contemptuous glance. "Well, then, I shall have torequest assistance. If I tell this constable a good reason why heshould detain you long enough to prevent your marriage to MissGalbraith, would such an argument have any weight with you?"
There was an instantaneous change in Horace Lansing's demeanour. Froma blustering braggart, he became a pale and cringing coward. But witha desperate attempt to bluff it out, he exclaimed, "What do you mean?"but even as he spoke, he shivered and staggered backward, as ifdreading a blow.
"Since you ask me," said Farnsworth, looking at him, sternly, "I'llanswer frankly, that unless you consent to go away and never againenter the presence of these ladies, I shall inform these policemen ofa certain little bank trouble that happened in Chicago----"
It was unnecessary to go on. Lansing was abject, and begged inpleading tones that Farnsworth would say no more. "I am going,"Lansing stammered, and without a word of farewell to Mona or even aglance at Patty, he walked rapidly away.
"Let him go," said Farnsworth. "I can't tell you girls about it, butI'll explain to Mr. Galbraith. Mona, that man is not fit for you toknow! He is guilty of forgery and robbery."
"I don't believe it!" declared Mona, angrily.
"You _do_ believe it," and Farnsworth looked at her steadily, "becauseyou know I would not tell you so unless I knew it to be true."
Mona was silent at this, for she did know it. She knew Bill Farnsworthwell enough to know that if he made an accusation of that sort, heknew it to be the truth.
"But I love him so," she said, sobbing.
"No, Mona, you don't love him." Bill spoke very gently, and as he laidhis hand on Mona's shoulder, she raised her eyes to look into hiskind, serious face. "You were not much to blame, Mona; the manfascinated you, and you thought the foolish infatuation you felt forhim was love. But it wasn't, and you'll soon forget him. You don'twant to remember a man who was a wrong-doer, I'm sure; nor do you wantto remember a man who goes away and deserts you because he has beenfound out. Mona, is not his going away as he did, enough proof of hisguilt?"
But Mona was sobbing so that she could not speak. Not angry sobs now,but pathetic, repentant sorrow.
"Now, it's up to you, Patty," said Farnsworth, cheerily. "You and Monaget into the tonneau of this Galbraith car, and I'll drive you home.You chirk her up, Patty, and tell her there's no harm done, and thatall her friends love her just the same. And tell her if she'll stopher crying and calm herself before she gets home, nobody need everknow a thing about this whole affair."
Mona looked up at this, and said, eagerly, "Not father?"
"No, Mona dear," said Patty. "Sit here by me and I'll tell you allabout it. How we read the note and kept it, an
d everything. And, Mona,we won't even let Roger know anything about all this, because it wouldhurt him very much."
"But Anne," said Mona, doubtfully. "You say she told you where Iwent."
"I'll attend to Anne," said Farnsworth, decidedly. "Can't you go hometo dinner with Patty, Mona? I think that would do you good."
"Yes, do," said Patty. "And stay over night with me. We'll telephoneyour father where you are, and then, to-morrow, you can go home as ifnothing had ever happened."
"It's a justifiable deception, Mona," said Bill, "for I know how itwould grieve the poor man if he knew about your foolish littleescapade,--which is all over now. It's past history, and the incidentis closed forever. Don't you be afraid Lansing will ever appearagainst you. He's too thoroughly frightened ever to be seen in theseparts again."
"You come to dinner, too, Bill," said Patty, as they took theirplaces; "though I fear we'll all be rather late."
Farnsworth hesitated a moment, then he said, decidedly, "No, Patty, Ican't do it. I was to take the seven o'clock train to-night, butthough I'll miss that, I can take the nine o'clock, and I _must_ go."
"But, Little Billee, I want to thank you for helping me as you did. Iwant to thank you, not only for Mona's sake, but my own."
"That would be worth staying for, Little Girl, but it is a case ofduty, you see. Won't you write me your thanks,--Apple Blossom?"
"Yes," said Patty, softly, "I will."
CHAPTER XX
BRIDESMAID PATTY
Early in February Christine was to be married, and the Fairfields hadpersuaded her to accept the use of their house for the occasion.
Christine had demurred, for she wanted a simple ceremony with noreception at all. But the Fairfields finally made her see that Mr.Hepworth's position as an artist of high repute made it desirable thathis many friends should be invited to his wedding.
So Christine agreed to the plan, and Patty was delighted at thethought of the festivities in her home.
The elder Fairfields had returned from their Southern trip, but Mrs.Allen was still with them, and there were other house guests fromChristine's Southern home.
The day of the wedding, Patty, assisted by Elise and Mona, wassuperintending the decorations. Christine had insisted that theseshould be simple, and as Mr. Hepworth, too, was opposed to theconventional work of a florist, the girls had directed it allthemselves.
"It does look perfectly sweet," said Patty, as she surveyed thedrawing-room. "Personally, I should prefer all those dinky whitetelegraph poles stretched with ribbon and bunched up with flowers tomake an aisle for the happy couple to walk through. But as it isn't mywedding, I suppose we must let the bride have her own way."
"I'm tired of those tied up poles," said Elise, decidedly. "I thinkthis is a lot prettier, and all this Southern jasmine is beautiful,and just like Christine."
"She is the sweetest thing!" said Patty. "Every new present that comesin, she sits and looks at it helplessly, as if it were the very laststraw!"
"Well, of course, most of the presents are from Mr. Hepworth'sfriends," said Mona, "and they are stunning! I don't wonder Christineis overcome."
"She has lots of friends of her own, too," said Patty. "All the girlsgave her beautiful things, and you two quite outdid yourselves. Thatlamp of yours, Mona, is a perfect dream; and, Elise, I never saw suchgems as your silver candlesticks. Christine's path through life willbe well lighted! Well, everything's finished, and I think it's abouttime we went to dress. The ceremony's at four, and as I'm going to bea bridesmaid for the first time in my mad career, I don't want to belate at the party."
"How beautiful the drawing-room looks," said Mrs. Allen, coming alongjust then. "Patty dear, doesn't this all remind you of the day Nan wasmarried?"
"Yes, Mrs. Allen; only the weddings are quite different. But Christinewould keep this as simple as possible, so of course I let her have herown way."
"Yes, Patty, that's the privilege of a bride. But some day you canhave your own way in the direction of your own wedding, and I ratherfancy it will be an elaborate affair. I hope I'll be here to see."
"I hope you will, Mrs. Allen," laughed Patty; "but don't look for itvery soon. My suitors are so bashful, you know; I have to urge themon."
"Nonsense!" cried Elise. "Patty's greatest trouble is to keep hersuitors off! She tries to hold them at arm's length, but they are soinsistent that it is difficult."
"I think you girls are all too young to have suitors," commented Mrs.Allen, smiling at the pretty trio.
"Oh, Mrs. Allen," said Patty; "suitors doesn't mean men who want tomarry you. I suppose it's sort of slang, but nowadays, girls call alltheir young men suitors, even the merest casual acquaintances."
"Oh, I see," said Mrs. Allen. "I suppose as in my younger days we usedto call them beaux."
"Yes, just that," said Patty. "Why, Mr. Hepworth used to be one of ourfavourite suitors, until he persuaded Christine to marry him; but wehave lots of them left."
"Is that big one coming to the wedding?" asked Mrs. Allen.
"She means Bill Farnsworth," said Patty to the others. "She alwayscalls him 'that big one.' I don't know whether he's coming or not. Hesaid if he possibly could get here, he would."
"He'll come," said Elise, wagging her head, sagely. "He'll manage itsomehow. Why, Mrs. Allen, he worships the ground Patty walks on!"
"So do all my suitors," said Patty, complacently. "They're awfulground worshippers, the whole lot of them! But so long as they don'tworship me, they may adore the ground as much as they like. Now, youpeople must excuse me, for I'm going to get into that flummerybridesmaid's frock,--and I can tell you, though it looks so simple,it's fearfully and wonderfully made."
Patty ran away to her own room, but paused on the way to speak toChristine, who was already being dressed in her bridal robes.
"You _sweet_ thing!" cried Patty, flinging her arms round her friend'sneck. "Christine dear, you know I'm not much good at sentimentalexpressions, but I _do_ want to wish you such a heap of joy thatyou'll just almost break down under it!"
Christine smiled back into Patty's honest eyes, and realised theloving friendship that prompted the words.
"Patty," she said, "I can't begin to thank you for all you've done forme this past year, but I thank you most,"--here she blushed, andwhispered shyly,--"because you didn't want him, yourself!"
"Oh, Christine!" said Patty, "I _do_ want him, something dreadful! Ishall just _pine_ away the rest of my sad life because I can't havehim! But you wrested him from me, and I give him to you with myblessing!" And then Patty went away, and Christine smiled, knowingthat Patty's words were merely jesting, and knowing too, with a heartfull of content, that Gilbert Hepworth really wanted _her_, and notthe radiant, mischievous Patty.
* * * * *
Promptly at four o'clock, the old, well-known music sounded forth, andPatty came slowly downstairs. Her gown was of white chiffon, over pinkchiffon, and fell in soft, shimmering draperies, that looked likeclassic simplicity, but were in reality rather complicated. Christinehad designed both their gowns, and they were marvels of beauty. OnPatty's head was perched a coquettish little cap of the style mostapproved for bridesmaids, and she carried a clustered spray of pinkroses. As she entered the drawing-room, intent on walking correctly intime to the music, she chanced to glance up, and saw Bill Farnsworth'sblue eyes fixed upon her. Unthinkingly, she gave him a radiant smile,and then, with the pink in her cheeks deepened a little, she went onher way toward the group of palms, where the wedding party wouldstand.
Not even the bride herself looked prettier than Patty; thoughChristine was very sweet, in her soft white chiffon, her misty veil,and her shower bouquet of white flowers, which she had expresslyrequested should be without ribbons.
Only the more intimate friends had been invited to the ceremony, butimmediately after, the house was filled with the reception guests.Patty was in gay spirits, which was not at all unusual for that youngwoman. She fluttered about
everywhere, like a big pink butterfly, butever and again hovering back to Christine, to caress her, and, as sheexpressed it, "To keep up her drooping spirits." Christine had neverentirely overcome her natural shyness, and being the centre ofattraction on this occasion greatly embarrassed her, and she was gladof Patty's gay nonsense to distract attention from herself.
Kenneth Harper was best man, and, as he told Patty, the responsibilityof the whole affair rested on himself and her. "We're really of fargreater importance than the bride and groom," he said; "and theydepend on us for everything. Have you the confetti all ready, Patty?"
"Yes, of course; do you have to go to the train with them, Ken?"
"No; my duties are ended when I once get them packed into a motor atthe door. But Christine looks as if she couldn't survive much longer,and as for old Gilbert, he's as absent-minded as the conventionalbridegroom."
"Christine's all right," said Patty. "I'm going to take her off, now,to get into her travelling clothes. Oh, Ken, she has the loveliestsuit! Sort of a taupe colour, you know, and the dearest hat----"
"Patty! Do you suppose I care what she's going to wear away? But _do_see to it that she's ready on time! You girls will all get toweeping,--that's the way they always do,--and you'll spin out yourfarewells so that they'll lose their train! Run along with Christine,now; Hepworth is fidgeting like the dickens."
So the pretty bridesmaid took the pretty bride away, and Patty beggedChristine to make haste with her dressing, lest she might lose thetrain.
"And Mr. Hepworth will go away without you," Patty threatened. "Now,you do always dawdle, Christine; but this time you've got tohustle,--so be spry,--Mrs. Hepworth."
Christine smiled at Patty's use of the new name, and she tried to makethe haste Patty demanded. But she was slow by nature, and Patty dancedaround her in terror, lest she should really be late.
"Here's your coat, Christine,--put your arms in, do! Now the otherone. Now sit down, and I'll put your hat on for you. Oh, Mrs.Hepworth, _do_ hold your head still! Here, stick this pin in yourself,or I may jab it through your brain,--though I must confess you act asif you hadn't any! or if you have, it's addled. And Ken says thathusband of yours is acting just the same way. My! it's lucky you twoinfants had a capable and clever bridesmaid and best man to get youoff! There! take your gloves,--no, don't hold them like that! put themon. Wake up, Christine; remember, the show isn't over yet. You've gotto go downstairs, and be showered with confetti, and, oh, Christine,_don't_ forget to throw your bouquet!"
"I won't do it!" and Christine Hepworth woke up suddenly from herdreaming, and clasped her bridal bouquet to her heart.
"Nonsense! of course you will! You've simply _got_ to! I'm not goingto run this whole wedding, and then have the prima donna balk in thelast act. Now, listen, Christine, you throw it over the banister justas you start downstairs! Will you?"
"Yes," was the meek response; "I will."
"And wait a minute; don't you throw it till I get down there myself,for I might catch it."
"Do catch it, Patty, and then you can give it back to me. I want tokeep it all my life."
"Well, you can't, Christine; it isn't done! You'll have to direct yoursentimentality in some other direction. Or, here, I'll give you aflower out of it, and that's plenty for you to keep for a souvenir ofthis happy occasion."
"Why do I have to throw it, anyway?" persisted Christine, as shetucked the flower away for safe keeping.
"First and foremost, because I tell you to! and, incidentally, becauseit's the custom. You know, whoever catches it will be married insideof a year. Now, I'm going on down, and then you come along with Nan,and I expect you'll find Mr. Hepworth down there somewhere,--if Kenhasn't lost him."
Patty cast a final critical glance at Christine, and seeing that shewas all right in every respect, she gave her one last kiss, andhurried downstairs. She found a group of laughing young peoplestanding in the hall, all provided with confetti, and the girls alllooking upward to watch for the descending bouquet.
"Here's a good place for you, Patty Pink and White," and Farnsworthguided her to a place directly under the banister.
At that moment Christine appeared at the head of the stairs. She stooda moment, her bouquet held at arm's length, and looked at it as if shecouldn't quite bring herself to part with it.
"There, _now_ she's going to toss it! _Quick_, Patty, catch it!" BigBill whispered in her ear, and Patty looked upward. Then, seeing thedirection in which the flowers fell,--for Christine really tossed themstraight at her,--Patty whirled round and sprang aside, so that thebouquet was picked up by a girl who stood next to her.
"Oh, Patty! you muffed it!" cried Farnsworth; "and what's more, youdid it on purpose!"
"'Course I did!" declared Patty. "I don't want to be married thisyear, thank you. But it was all I could do to dodge it!"
And then the confetti was showered on the departing couple, Kennethtucked them into the motor car, Patty jumped in too, for a lastrapturous hug of Christine, and Kenneth almost had to pull her out.
"Come, come, Patty," he cried. "Let them make their getaway! I thinkthey've missed the train as it is. There, now, they're off! My, a bestman's lot is not a happy one! But our trials are over now, Patty girl,and we can take a little rest! Let's go back and receive thecongratulations of the audience on our good work."
They went back to the house, laughing, and Patty succeeded inobtaining a few more blossoms from the bridal bouquet to save forChristine until she came back.
"Why didn't you catch it, Patty?" said Kenneth. "Do you want to be anold maid?"
"'Nobody asked me, sir, she said,'" and Patty dropped her eyes,demurely.
"You mean there's nobody that hasn't asked you!" returned Kenneth."I'm going to ask you, myself, some day; but not to-night. I've hadenough to do with matrimonial alliances for one day!"
"So have I," laughed Patty. "Let's put it off for a year, Ken."
"All right," was the laughing response, and then they rejoined theother young people.
After the reception was over, a few of Patty's more intimate friendswere invited to remain to dinner with the Fairfields.
"Can you stay, Little Billee?" asked Patty, dancing up to him, as heseemed about to leave.
"I have to take a midnight train," he said, "and I have some businessmatters that I must attend to first. So if I may, I'll run away now,and come back this evening for a dance with you."
"All right; be sure to come," and Patty flashed him a smiling glance,and danced away again.
It was after eleven before Farnsworth returned, and Patty had begun tofear he would not come at all.
"What are you looking at?" asked Philip Van Reypen, as Patty continuedto glance over her shoulder toward the hall, while they were dancing.
"Nothing," was the non-committal answer.
"Well, then, you may as well look at me. At least, I'm better thannothing."
"_Much_ better!" said Patty, with exaggerated emphasis; "_ever_ somuch better! Oh, say, Philip, take me over to the hall, will you?"
"What for? This dance has just begun."
"Never mind!" said Patty, impatiently. "Lead me over that way!"
Patty turned her own dancing steps in that direction, and when theyreached the hall, there was Big Bill Farnsworth, smiling at her.
"This is what I was looking for!" said Patty, gaily. "Run away now,Philip. Little Billee can only stay a minute, and we'll finish ourdance afterward."
Van Reypen was decidedly annoyed, but he didn't show it, for he knewPatty's caprices must be obeyed. So he bowed politely, and walkedaway.
"He's mad as hops," said Patty, calmly; "but I had to see you for afew minutes, if you're really going on that midnight train. Are you,Little Billee?"
"Yes, Apple Blossom, I am. I've time for just one turn round the room.Will you dance?"
For answer, Patty put her hand in his, and they waltzed slowly roundthe room.
"You are the busiest business man I ever saw," Patty said, pouting alittle.
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"Yes, I _am_ very busy just now. Indeed, matters are rapidly coming toa crisis. It was only because I suddenly found that I must be inBoston to-morrow, that I could stop here to-day. And if matters turnout to-morrow as I hope they will, I must start back immediately toArizona. But some day I hope to be less hurried, and then----"
"And then?" asked Patty.
"Then I hope to live in New York, and learn good manners and correctcustoms, and make myself fit to be a friend of yours."
"Oh, Little Billee, you _are_ a friend of mine."
"Well, something more than a friend, then. Patty,--I _must_ askyou,--are you engaged to Van Reypen?"
"Goodness, no!" and Patty flashed a glance of surprise.
"Then, Patty, mayn't _I_ hope?"
"That's a question I _never_ know how to answer," said Patty,demurely; "if you mean that I'm to consider myself bound by any sortof a promise, I most certainly won't!"
"No, I don't mean that, dear, but,----well, Patty, won't you wait?"
"Of course I'll wait. That's exactly what I mean to do for years andyears."
"You mean to,--but you're so capricious."
"Oh, no! not _that_, of all things! And, anyway, what does capriciousmean?"
"Well, it means like a butterfly, hovering from one flower toanother----"
"Oh, you think you're like unto a flower?"
"I'll be any kind of a flower you wish, if you'll hover around me likea butterfly."
"Well, be a timid little forget-me-not,--that will be lovely."
"I'll forget-you-not, all right; but I can't be timid, it isn't mynature." And now they had stopped dancing, and stood in the hall, nearthe door, for it was almost time for Farnsworth to go.
"It isn't because I'm timid," and the six feet three of humanitytowered above her, "that I don't grab you up and run away with you,but because----"
"Well, because what?" said Patty, daringly.
"Because, Apple Blossom," and Bill spoke slowly, "when I see you herein your rightful setting, and surrounded by your own sort of people, Irealise that I'm only a great, big----"
"Bear," interrupted Patty. "You _are_ like a big bear, Bill! But sucha nice, gruff, kind, woolly bear,--and the best friend a girl everhad. But I wish you'd be more of a chum, Little Billee. I like to begood chums with every one of my suitors! It's all very well forChristine to marry; she doesn't care for society, she just only lovesMr. Hepworth."
"Some day you'll forget your love for society, because you'll get tolove just only one man."
"'And it might as well be you,'" hummed Patty, to an old tune.
"Patty!" cried Farnsworth, his blue eyes lighting up with sudden joy;"do you mean that?"
"No, _I_ never mean anything! Of _course_, I don't mean it,--but if I_did_, I'd say I didn't."
"Patty Pink and White! you little scamp! if you tease me like this,how do you suppose I'm ever going to tear myself away to catch thatmidnight train to Boston?"
"Why, you can't get that, Little Billee! it's too late, now!"
"No, it isn't; and beside, I _must_ make it." He looked at his watch."I've just exactly two minutes longer to stay with you."
"Two minutes is a long time," said Patty, flippantly.
"Yes, it is! it's just long enough for two things I have to do."
"What have you to do?" asked Patty, wonderingly, looking up at him, asthey stood alone in the hall.
Farnsworth's strong face wore a determined look, but his blue eyeswere full of a tender light, as he answered:
"Two very important things,--Apple Blossom,--this,--and this!"
He kissed her swiftly on one pink cheek and then on the other, andthen, like a flash, he was gone.
"Oh!" said Patty, softly, to herself, "Oh!"
* * * * * *
THE CAROLYN WELLS BOOKS FOR GIRLS
Fresh, spirited stories that the modern small girl will take to herheart, these well known books by a famous author have won an importantplace in the field of juvenile fiction.
Patty, with her beauty and frank good nature, and Marjorie full ofvitality and good spirits, are two lovable characters well worthknowing, and their adventures will stir the eager imaginations ofyoung readers.
THE FAMOUS "PATTY" BOOKS
Patty Fairfield Patty's Motor CarPatty at Home Patty's Butterfly DaysPatty in the City Patty's Social SeasonPatty's Summer Days Patty's SuitorsPatty in Paris Patty's RomancePatty's Friend Patty's FortunePatty's Pleasure Trip Patty BlossomPatty's Success Patty--Bride
THE MARJORIE BOOKS
Marjorie's Vacation Marjorie in CommandMarjorie's Busy Days Marjorie's MaytimeMarjorie's New Friend Marjorie at Seacote
GROSSET & DUNLAP _Publishers_ NEW YORK
* * * * * *
There is the high, happy spirit of youth in these famous
BOOKS FOR GIRLSby JANE D. ABBOTT
APRILLY
The charming story of a young girl, child of the circus, and theadventures which led to her goal of happiness.
HIGHACRES
A school story of Jerry Travis and her chum Gyp Westley. A thread ofromance and mystery in Jerry's life runs through the tale.
KEINETH
How Keineth Randolph kept a secret--a war secret--for a whole yearmakes one of the best stories ever written for girls.
RED ROBIN
In attempting to bring happiness into the lives of mill workers, RobinForsythe, heir to a fortune, has many strange adventures.
HEYDAY
Twenty-three! The heyday of life. Jay, a small town girl, findshappiness in New York.
LARKSPUR
Especially interesting to any Girl Scout because it is the story of aGirl Scout who is poor and has to help her mother.
HAPPY HOUSE
How an old family quarrel is healed through a misunderstanding and anold homestead becomes a "happy house" in reality.
GROSSET & DUNLAP _Publishers_ NEW YORK
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