PATTY AND AZALEA

 BY CAROLYN WELLS

 Author of The Patty Books, The Marjorie Books, etc. 

 1919

THIS BOOK IS DEDICATED WITH LOVING GOOD WISHES TO PRISCILLA KERLEY

CONTENTS

CHAPTER

 I WISTARIA PORCH II GUESTS ARRIVE III BETTY GALE IV A NEW RELATIVE V THAT AWFUL AZALEA VI TABLE MANNERS VII MYSTERIOUS CALLERS VIII MISSING IX VANITY FAIR X INQUIRIES XI THE SAMPLER XII AZALEA'S CHANCE XIII "STAR OF THE WEST" XIV AT THE PICTURE PLAY XV SOME RECORDS XVI AZALEA'S STORY XVII PHILIP'S REQUEST XVIII PHILIP'S BROWNIE

PATTY AND AZALEA

CHAPTER I

WISTARIA PORCH

"Oh, Little Billee! Come quick, for goodness' sake! The baby's choking!"

Patty was in the sun parlour, her arms full of a fluttering bundleof lace and linen, and her blue eyes wide with dismay at her smalldaughter's facial contortions. 

"Only with laughter, " Bill reassured her after a quick glance at therestless infant. "Give her to me. "

The baby nestled comfortably in his big, powerful arms, and Patty satback in her chair and watched them both. 

"What a pleasure, " she said, complacently, "to be wife and mother to twosuch fine specimens of humanity! She grows more and more like you everyday, Little Billee. "

"Well, if this yellow fuzz of a head and this pinky peach of a faceis like anybody in the world except Patty Farnsworth, I'll give up!Why, she's the image of you, --except when she makes these grotesquegrimaces, --like a Chinese Joss. "

"Stop it! You shan't call my baby names! She's a booful-poofle! She's ahunny-bunny! She's her mudder's pressus girly-wirly, --so she wuz!"

"Oh, Patty, that I should live to hear you talk such lingo! I thought youwere going to be sensible. "

"How can anybody be sensible with a baby like that! Isn't she the verywonderfullest ever! Oh, Billee, look at her angel smile!"

"Angel smile? More like a mountebank's grin! But I'm sure she means well. And I'll agree she is the most wonderful thing in the world. "

Bill tossed the child up and down, and chuckled at her evidentappreciation of his efforts for her amusement. 

"Be careful of my baby, if you please, " and Patty eyed the performancedubiously. "Suppose you drop my child?"

"I hardly think I shall, ma'am. And, incidentally, I suppose she is mychild?"

"No; a girl baby is always her mudder's own--only just her very ownmudder's own. Give her to me! Let me has my baby, --my ownty-donty baby!"

Farnsworth obediently handed Patty her property, and put another pillowbehind her as she sat in the low willow chair. Then he seated himselfnear, and adoringly watched his two treasures. 

It was mid-April and the Farnsworths had been married more than a year. On their return from France, they had looked about for a home, and had atlast found a fortunate chance to buy at a bargain a beautiful place up inWestchester County. It was near enough to New York for a quick trip andyet it was almost country. 

The small settlement of Arden was largely composed of fine estates andattractive homes. This one which they had taken was broad and extensive, with hundreds of acres in lawns, gardens and woodland. It was calledWistaria Porch, because of an old wistaria vine which had achievedastounding dimensions and whose blooms in the spring and foliage laterwere the admiration of the whole countryside. 

The house itself was modern and of the best Colonial design. Indeed, it was copied in nearly every detail from the finest type of Colonialmansion. Though really too large for such a small family, both Patty andBill liked spacious rooms and lots of them, so they decided to take it, and shut off such parts as they didn't need. But no rooms were shut off, and they revelled in a great library beside their living-room anddrawing-room. They had a cosy breakfast room beside the big dining-roomand there were a music room and a billiard room and a den and great hallwith a spreading staircase; and the second story was a maze of bedrooms, guest rooms and bathrooms. 

It took Patty some days even to learn her way round, and she loved everyroom, hall and passage. There were fascinating windows, great wide anddeep ones, and little oriels and dormers. There were unexpected turns andnooks, and there was, --which brought joy to Patty's heart, --plenty ofcloset space. 

The whole place was of noble proportions and magnificent size, butPatty's home-making talents brought cosiness to the rooms they themselvesused and stateliness and beauty to the more formal apartments. 

"We must look ahead, " she told Billee, "for I expect to spend my wholelife here. I don't want to fix a place up just as I like it, and thenscoot off and leave it and live somewhere else. And when our daughterbegins to have beaux and entertain house parties, we'll need all theroom there is. "

"You have what Mr. Lucas calls a 'leaping mind, '" Bill remarked. "But I'mready to confess I like room enough to swing a cat in, --even if I've nointention of swinging poor puss. "

And so they set blithely to work to furnish their ancestral halls, asPatty called them, claiming that an ancestral hall had to have abeginning some time, and she was beginning hers now. 

Such fun as it was selecting rugs and hangings, furniture and ornaments, books and pictures. 

Lots of things they had bought abroad, for Captain Bill had beenfortunate in his affairs and had had some leisure time in France andEngland after the war was over to collect some art treasures. 

Also, they didn't try or want to complete the whole house at once. Partof the fun would be in adding bits later on, and if there were no placeto put them, there would be no fun in buying things. 

Patty was a wise and careful buyer. Only worth-while things wereselected, not a miscellaneous collection of trumpery junk. So theresult to date was charming furniture and appointments, but space formore when desired. 

Little Billee's taste, too, was excellent, and he and Patty nearly alwaysagreed on their choice. But it was a rule that if either disapproved, the thing in question was not bought. Only such as both sanctioned couldcome into their home. 

The house had a wide and hospitable Colonial doorway, with broad fanlightabove and columns at either side. Seats, too, flanked the porch, and thecarefully trimmed wistaria vine hung gracefully over all. Across bothends of the house ran wide verandahs, with _porte cochère_, sun parlour, conservatory and tea-porch breaking the monotony. 

Patty's own bedroom was an exquisite nest, done up in blue and silver, and her boudoir, opening from it, was a dream of pink and white. Thencame the baby's quarters; the day nursery, gay with pictured walls andthe sun porch, bright and airy. 

For the all-important baby was now two months old, and entitled toconsideration as a real member of the family. 

Fleurette was her name, only selected after long thought and muchdiscussion. Bill had stood out for Patricia Fairfield Farnsworth, butPatty declared no child of hers should be saddled with such a burden forlife! Then Bill declared it must be a diminutive, in some way, of themother's name, and as he always called Patty his Blossom Girl, the onlysuggestion worth considering was something that meant Little Flower. Andas their stay in France had made the French language seem less foreignthan of yore, they finally chose Fleurette, --the Baby Blossom. 

Farnsworth was a man of affairs, and had sometimes to go to Washington orother distant cities on business, but not often or for a long stay. Andas Patty expressed it, that was a lot better than for him to have to goto New York every day, --as so many men of their acquaintance did. 

"I never thought I'd be as happy as this, " Patty said, as, still holdingher baby, she sat rocking slowly, and gazing alternately at her husbandand her child. 

"Why not?" Farnsworth inquired, as he lighted a fresh cigar. 

"Oh, it's too much for any one mortal! Here I've the biggest husband inthe world, and the littlest baby--"

"Oh, come now, --that's no incubator chick!"

"No, she's fully normal size, Nurse says, but she's a tiny mite as yet, "and Patty cuddled the mite in an ecstasy of maternal joy. 

"I thought friend Nurse wouldn't let you snuggle the kiddy like that. "

"She doesn't approve, --but she's still at her lunch and when the cat'saway--"

And then the white uniformed nurse appeared, and smiled at pretty Pattyas she took the baby from her cuddling arms. 

"Come for a ride, Patty _Maman_?" asked her husband, as they left thelittle Fleurette's presence. 

"No; let's go for a walk. I want to look over the west glade, and see ifit will stand a Japanese tea-house there. "

"All right, come ahead. You've not forgotten your dinky tea-porch?"

"No; but this is different. A tea-house is lovely, and--"

"All right, Madame Butterfly, have one if you like. Come down this way. "

They went along a picturesque path, between two rocky ravines, --a bitof real scenic effect that made, indeed, a fine setting for a littlestructure for a pleasure house of any kind. 

"Lovely spot!" and Patty stood still and gazed about over her domain. 

"Seems to me I've heard you remark that before. "

"And will again, --so long as we both shall live! Oh, Little Billee, I'mso glad I picked you out for my mate--"

"_I_ picked _you_ out, you mean. Why, the first moment I saw you, I--"

"You kissed me! Yes, you did, --you bad man! I wonder I ever spoke to youagain!"

"But I kissed you by mistake that time. I'd no idea who you were. "

"I know it. And you've no idea who I am, now!"

"That's true, sweetheart. For you've as many moods and personalities as achameleon, --and each more dear and sweet than the last. "

"Look here, my friend, haven't we been married long enough for you tocease to feel the necessity for those pretty speeches?"

"Tired of 'em?"

"No; but I don't want you to think you must--"

"Now, now, don't be Patty Simpleton! When I make forced or perfunctoryspeeches, you'll know it! Don't you think so, Patty Mine?"

"Yep. Oh, Billee, look, there's the place for the tea-house!"

Patty pointed to a shady nook, halfway up the side of the ravine. 

"Great!" agreed Bill. "Wait a minute, --I'll sketch it in. "

He pulled an old envelope and a pencil from his pockets, and rapidly drewthe location with a few hasty strokes, and added a suggestion of anOriental looking building that was meant for the proposed tea-house. 

"Just right!" cried Patty; "you _are_ clever, dear! Now draw Baby and medrinking tea there. "

A few more marks did for the tea drinkers and a queer looking figurehurrying along the path was doubtless the father coming home. 

Patty declared herself satisfied and folded the paper and put it safelyaway in her pocket. 

"We'll get at that as soon as the landscape gardener finishes the sunkengarden, " she said. 

"Oh, I'm _glad_ I'm alive! I never expected to have everything I wantedin the way of gardens! Don't you love them, too?"

"Of course, --and yet, not as you do, Patty. I was brought up in the greatWest, you know, --and sometimes I long for the big spaces. "

"Why, this is a big space, isn't it?"

"I mean the prairies, --yes, even the desert, --the limitless expanse of--"

"Limitless fiddlesticks! You can't have the earth!"

"I don't want it. You're all the world to me, then why crave the earth?"

"Nice boy! Well, as I was about to say, do you know, I think it's timewe had some guests up here, just for to see and to admire this paradiseof ours. "

"Have them, by all means. Are you settled enough?"

"Oh, yes. And I shan't have anything much to do. Mrs. Chase is a host inherself, and Nurse Winnie takes full charge of my child, --with Susie'shelp. "

"Do you own that infant exclusively, ma'am? I notice you always say _my_child!"

"As I've told you, you don't count. Why, you won't really count untilthe day when some nice young man comes to ask you for the hand ofMademoiselle Fleurette. "

"Heaven forbid the day! I'll send him packing!"

"Indeed you won't! I want my daughter to marry and live happy everafter, --as _I'm_ doing. "

"Are you, Patty? Are you happy?"

As Billee asked this question a dozen times a day for the sheer joy ofwatching Patty's lovely face smile an affirmative, she didn't think itnecessary to enlarge on the subject. 

"I do be, " she said, succinctly, and Farnsworth believed her. 

"Now, I propose, " she went on, "that we have a week-end house-party. That's the nicest way to show off the place--"

"Patty! Are you growing proud and ostentatious?"

"I'm proud--very much so, of my home and my family, --but nobody evercalled me ostentatious! What _do_ you mean?"

"Nothing. I spoke thoughtlessly. But you are puffed up with pride andvanity, --_I_ think. "

"Who wouldn't be--with all this?"

Patty swept an arm off toward the acres of their domain, and smiledhappily in her delight of ownership. 

"Well, anyway, " she went on, "we'll ask Elise and Bumble and Phil andKenneth and Chick and--"

"Don't get too many, --you'll wear yourself all out just talking to them. "

"No: a big party entertain themselves better than a few. Well, I'll fixup the list. Anybody you want specially?"

"No, not now. Some time we'll have Mona and Roger, of course; and sometime Daisy--"

"Yes, when we have Adèle and Jim. Oh, won't we have lots of jollyparties! Thank goodness we've plenty of guest rooms. "

"Are they all in order?"

"Not quite. I have to make lace things and fiddle-de-fads for some ofthem. "

"Can't you buy those?"

"Some I do, but some I like to make. It's no trouble, and they'reprettier. "

"Let's go back around by the garage, I want to see Larry. "

They strolled around through the well-kept vegetable gardens and chickenyards, and came to the garage. Here were the big cars and Patty's ownlittle runabout. Larry, the chauffeur, touched his cap with a respectfulsmile at Patty, and as Farnsworth talked to the man, Patty stood lookingoff across the grounds and wondering if any one in the whole world loveda home as she did. 

Then they went on, strolling by the flower beds and formal gardens. 

"And through the land at eve they went, " quoted Bill, softly. 

"And on her lover's arm she leant, " Patty took up the verse. 

"And round her waist she felt it fold, " continued he:

"And far across the hills they went To that new world which is the old. And far across the dying day, Beyond its utmost purple rim: Beyond the night, across the day The happy Princess followed him. "

"Through all the world she followed him, " added Patty; "I think ourquotations are a bit inaccurate, but we have the gist of Tennyson'sideas. "

"And the gist is--?"

"That I'm a happy Princess, " she smiled. 

"Well, you're in your element, that's certain. I never saw anybody enjoyfixing up a house as you do!"

"Did you ever see anybody fix up a house, anyway?"

"I'm not sure I ever did. I had very little home life, dear. "

"Well, you're going to make up for that now. You're going to have so muchhome life from now on, that you can hardly stagger under it. And I'mgoing to make it!"

"Then it will be a real true home-made home! Sometimes, Patty, I fearthat with all your tea-houses and formal gardens you'll lose the realhomey effect--"

"Lose your grandmother! Why, in the right hands, all those faddy thingsmelt into one big bundle of hominess, and you feel as if you'd always had'em. Soon you'll declare you've never lived without a Japanese tea-gardenin your back yard!"

"I believe you! You'd make a home feeling in the Parthenon, --if you choseto live there!"

"Of course I should! Or in the Coliseum, or in the Taj Mahal. "

"There, there, that will do! Don't carry your vaunts further! Now comearound the house, and let's go in under the wistaria. It's a purpleglory now!"

"So it is! What a stunning old vine it is. I did think I'd change thename of the place, but that wistaria over that porch is too fine to bediscarded. Let's get Mr. Hepworth up here to paint it. "

"It must be painted, and soon, while it's in its prime. If Hepworth can'tcome, I'll get somebody else. I want that picture. "

"And let's have some photographs of it. It's so perfect. "

"All right, I'll take those myself, --to-morrow, --it's too late now. "

"And me and Baby will sit in the middle of the composition! Won't that betouching!"

Patty laughed merrily, but Farnsworth said, "You bet you will! Be readyin the morning, for I'll want a lot of poses. "

CHAPTER II

GUESTS ARRIVE

"I refuse to go a step further! This porch of wistaria is the mostwonderful thing I ever saw in all my life! When I heard the name of theplace, I thought it was crazy, --but of course I see now it's the onlypossible name! I don't care what's inside the house, --here I am, --andhere I stay!"

Elise Farrington threw off her motor coat, and settling herself on theside seat of the porch, under the drooping bunches of purple bloom, looked quite as if she meant what she said. 

Patty stepped out from the doorway and smiled at her visitor. 

"All right, Elise, " she said, "you may. I'll send out your dinner, andyou can sleep here, too, if you like. "

"No, I'll come in for my board and lodging, but all the rest of the timelook for me here! I'm going to have some lavender frocks made, --dimitiesand organdies, and then I'll be part of the picture. "

"Oh, do! I can't wear lavender or purple, " Patty sighed. 

"Nonsense! Of course you can. You only mean you've never tried. Thatbisque doll complexion of yours will stand any color. Let's both getwisteria-coloured frocks, and--"

Elise's plans were interrupted by the appearance of Farnsworth and twomen who had arrived for the house party. These were our old friends, Philip Van Reypen and Chickering Channing. 

Still a devoted admirer of pretty Patty, Van Reypen had become reconciledto his fate, and moreover had discovered his ability to take pleasure inthe society of other charming young women. 

Channing was the same old merry Chick, and he was exuberant in his praiseof the beautiful home of the Farnsworths which he now saw for the firsttime. 

"Great little old place!" he exclaimed, enthusiastically. "But why suchan enormousness? Are you going to keep boarders?"

"Yes, if you'll stay, " laughed Patty. "But, you see it was a bargain, --sowe snapped it up. "

"The old story, " put in Bill. "Man built it, --went bankrupt, --had to sellat sacrifice. Along came we, --bought it, --everybody happy!"

"I am, " declared Elise; "this is the sort of place I've dreamed of. Beautiful nearby effects, and a long distance view beside. Thisporch for mine, --all the time I'm here. "

"But you haven't seen the other places yet, " Patty demurred. "There's atea-porch--"

"Wistaria, too?"

"Yes, of course. "

"Lead me to it!" and Elise jumped up, and made for the house. 

Then they all strolled through the wide hall and out at the back door onto the tea-porch. This was furnished with white wicker tables and chairs, and indeed, was prepared for immediate use, for a maid was just bringingthe cakes and crumpets as the party arrived. 

"Goody!" cried Elise, "can we have tea now, Patty? I'm famished. "

"Yes, indeed, " and Patty took her place at the tea table with a matronlyair, and began to pour for her guests. 

"It's just as pretty as the other porch, " Elise decided, lookingcritically at the festoons of wistaria, which was on three sides of thehouse. "But I'll adopt the first one. Anybody looking for me will find methere--'most always. "

"We're always looking for you, " said Channing, gallantly, as he took uphis teacup, "and it is a comfort to know where to find you. Of lateyou've been inaccessible. "

"Not to you, " and Elise glanced coquettishly from under her eyelashes. 

"To me, then, " put in Van Reypen. "I've not seen you, Elise, since I cameback from Over There. You've grown a lot, haven't you?"

"Taller?"

"Mercy no! I mean mentally. You seem more--more grown up like. "

"Everybody is, since the war work. Yes, Phil, I have grown, --I hope. "

"There, there, " warned Patty; "no serious talk just now, please, --and nowar talk. For the moment, I claim your attention to my new house and itssurroundings. "

"Some claim you've staked out, " and Chick grinned. "I want to see it all. And, --moreover, --I want to see the rest of the family!"

Patty beamed. "You dear!" she cried; "do you really want to see mydaughter?"

"_My_ daughter, " Farnsworth added; "but I didn't know you chaps wouldbe interested in our infant prodigy. I never cared about seeing otherpeople's babies. "

"I do, " stoutly insisted Channing. "I'm a connoisseur on kiddies. Let mesee him. "

"He isn't him, " laughed Patty, "he's a she. "

"So much the better, " Chick avowed. "I love girl babies. Where is she?"

"You can't see her now, she's probably asleep. To-morrow she'll be onexhibition. I hear a car! It must be Mona!"

"I'll go and fetch her, " said Farnsworth, springing up, and after a shorttime he returned with two newcomers, Mona Farrington and her husband, Roger. 

Then there was more greeting and exclamation and laughter, as the latestguests admired the new home, and accepted Patty in her becoming role ofhostess. 

"To think of little Patty as the chatelaine of this palatial ménage!"said Roger, "and actually acting as if it belonged to her!"

"It isn't palatial, " corrected Patty, "but it _does_ belong to me, --thatis, to me and my friend William. He vows I claim the baby for all my ownproperty, --but I'll accord him a share in the place. "

"It _all_ belongs to me, " said Farnsworth, with a careless sweep of a bigarm. "The wistaria, Patty, the baby, and all!"

"That's right, " agreed Roger, "keep up your air of authority as long asyou can! I tried it, --but Mona soon usurped the position!"

"Nonsense!" and Mona smiled at her husband. "Don't you believe him, Patty. We go fifty-fifty on everything, --as to decisions, I mean. Hegives in to my superior judgment half the time, and I let him have hisown foolish way the other half. Follow my plan and you'll live happily, my dear. "

"Are we your first company?" asked Elise. 

"Yes, --except Father and Nan, --and a few calls from the neighbours. Thisis my first house-party. And I do want it to be a success, so I'm goingto depend on you all to help me. If I do what I ought not to do, --orleave undone the things which I should ought to do, --check me up, --won'tyou, please?"

"We sure will, " agreed Channing, "but something tells me you're going toprove an ideal hostess. "

"She will, " nodded Farnsworth, "she takes to hostessing like a duck towater. She even asked me what sort of smokes you chaps prefer. "

"I hope you remembered, " said Roger. "And when are they to be passedaround?"

"Right now, " said Patty, smiling and nodding to the maid who hoverednear. 

In truth, Patty was a born hostess, and without fuss or ostentationalways had the comfort of her guests in mind. While not overburdenedwith a retinue of servants, she had enough to attend to everythingshe required of them; and her own knowledge and efficiency combinedwith her tact and real kindliness brought about a state of harmonyin her household that might well have been envied by an older and moreexperienced matron. 

Mrs. Chase, who had the nominal position of housekeeper, found herselfstrictly accountable to Patty for all she did, and as she was sensibleenough to appreciate Patty's attitude, she successfully fulfilled therequirements of a butler or steward, and had general charge and oversightof all the housekeeping details. 

"The way to keep house, " said Patty to Mona and Elise, as she took themaway with her, leaving the men to their "smokes, " "is not so much to workyourself as to be able to make others work in the way you want them to. "

"That's just it, " agreed Mona, "and that's just what I can't do! Why, myservants rode over me so, and were so impudent and lazy, I just gave uphousekeeping and went to a hotel to live. We had to, --there was no otherway out. "

"And how Roger hates it!" said Elise, who, as Roger's sister, thoughtherself privileged to comment. 

A cloud passed over Mona's face. "He does, " she admitted, "but what can Ido? He hated worse the scenes we had when we were housekeeping. "

"Perhaps conditions will get better now, " said Patty, hopefully, "and youcan try again, Mona, with better results. "

"Maybe; and perhaps you can teach me. You used to teach me lots ofthings, Patty. "

"All right, --I'll willingly do anything I can. Now, who wants to see myangel child? Or would you rather go to your rooms first?"

"No, indeed, " cried Elise, "let me see her right now. If she's as prettyas the wistaria vine--oh, Patty, why don't you name her Wistaria?"

"Gracious, what a name! No, she's Fleurette, --or so Little Billee says. Anyway, here she is. "

Patty led them to the nursery, and from the lacy draperies of thebassinette a smiling baby face looked up at them. 

"What a heavenly kiddy!" Elise exclaimed, "Oh, Patty, what a daffodilhead! Just a blur of yellow fuzz! And such blue eyes! She looks exactlylike you! And exactly like Bill, too. Oh, I never saw such a darlingbaby. Let me take her, --mayn't I?"

"Yes, indeed. She's no glass-case baby. "

Elise picked up the dear little bundle, and cooed and crooned in mostapproved fashion. 

Apparently Fleurette understood, for she smiled and gurgled, and seemedto look upon Elise as an old friend. 

Mona admired the baby but was more interested in the house. 

"Show me everything, " she begged Patty. "I want to see it all. Where'syour linen closet?"

"My linen closet is a room, " and Patty led them thither. "You see, wehave such a lot of rooms and, --such a lot of linen, --that I took thislittle bedroom for a linen press. I had a carpenter put in the shelvesand cupboards just as I wanted them, --and here's the result. "

With justifiable pride, Patty showed her linen collection. Sheets, towels, tablecloths, --each sort in its place, each dozen held by blueribbon bands, that fastened with little pearl buckles. 

Other shelves held lace pieces, luncheon sets, boudoir pillow-cases, table scarfs, and all the exquisite embroidered bits that are the delightof the home lover. 

"Perfectly wonderful!" Elise declared; "looks just like a shop in Veniceor Nice. How do you keep them so tidy? and where did you ever get somany?"

"Oh, I've done quite some shopping to get our Lares and Penates together, and Bill let me get whatever I wanted in the house furnishing line. Yes, this linen room is my joy and my pride. See, _this_ cupboard is allcurtains. I do love to have fresh curtains as often as I want them. "

"Well, it's all like Fairyland, " Mona said. "I have beautiful things, too, but they don't look like this. They're all in a jumble on theshelves, and everything is hodge-podge. "

"Oh, well, you're just as happy, " laughed Patty. "I chance to benaturally tidy, and I just love to potter over my things, and keep themin place. Some time I'll show you Baby's wardrobe. Her little things aretoo dear for anything. But now I'll take you to your rooms. This isyours, Elise. I picked out this one for you, because it's lavender, --andI know that's your favorite colour. "

"And the wistaria vine is looking in at the windows!" Elise noted, withjoy. "Oh, Patty, I won't live on the porch, either, I'll live up here. "

It _was_ a beautiful room. A deep seated bay-window, with latticed panes, opened into a profusion of wistaria blooms, and the fragrance filled thewhole place. The furniture was of ivory enamel and the appointments wereof various harmonious shades of lavender. A _chaise-longue_ was wellsupplied with lace pillows and a nearby stand and reading-lamp hinted atthe comfortable enjoyment of a tempting array of new books. 

Pansies and violets were in small bowls, and on a table stood an enormousvase full of trailing branches of wistaria. 

"What a picture!" and Elise stood in the middle of the floor, lookingabout her. "Patty, you're a wonder! I don't care if you have shoals ofservants, you fixed up this room, --I know you did. "

"Of course I did, --with Mrs. Chase to help me. She's a treasure, --shecatches on to my ways so quickly. Glad you like it, Elise, honey. Nowsettle yourself here, --your bags will be up in a minute, --and I'll putMona in her niche. "

"I'm coming too, " and Elise went with the others to the rooms designedfor Mona and Roger. 

"This is my Royal Suite, " laughed Patty, as she ushered them into acharming apartment done up in handsome English chintz. 

"It suits me, " and Mona nodded approval. "You had this done by aprofessional, Patty. "

"It was here when we bought the house. You see, some rooms were alreadyfurnished, when the man decided to sell it. And of these, such as weliked we kept as they were. This is especially fine chintz and also goodworkmanship, so as it is so imposing in effect, we call it the RoyalSuite. Father and Nan adored it, and you and Roger are the next Royalguests. "

"It's great, " said Elise, "not half as pretty as mine, but more dignifiedand gorgeous. "

The chintz was patterned with tropical birds and foliage and as thehangings were many and elaborate the effect _was_ gorgeous. The bathroomwas spacious and fully equipped, and as Mona's things had arrived sheturned to instruct the maid who was already unpacking them. 

"Come back with me to my room, " said Elise, as she and Patty went downthe hall. 

"Just for a minute, then, for I must go and sort out the rest of myvisitors. I am putting Philip and Chick over in the west wing, farremoved from the nursery, for I don't want them imagining they are keptawake by the night thoughts of my child. And, I must confess, Fleurettehas a way of tuning up in the wee, small hours! However, we had thenursery walls muffled, so I don't think you'll be disturbed. Isn't thisoutlook fine, Elise?"

"Beautiful, " and Elise joined Patty at the bay-window. "This is the mosteffective room I ever saw, and so comfy. "

"And here's your bath, " Patty opened the door to a bathroom ofwhite-tiled and silver daintiness. "Now you've time for a tub and a restbefore dinner. So I'm going to leave you. Come down at eight, --or sooner, if you like. "

Housewifely Patty ran away, happy in her new role of hostess to a houseparty. 

The men still sat on the tea-porch, smoking, and talking over thepolitical situation. 

"Here you are again, " Chick greeted her; "but where's the che-ild? I mustsee that youngster to-night. I've--I've brought her a present. "

"Oh, well, come along, then, " said Patty; "if you're really so anxious tomeet the young lady, --why wait?"

The two went up to the nursery, and though a little surprised at theunexpected call, Nurse Winnie made no objection. 

"Here's your new friend, " and Patty lifted Fleurette out of her pillowsand presented her to Chick. 

"What a beauty!" he cried, as he saw the golden curls and the big blueeyes. "And so intelligent!"

"Of course! Did you think she'd look vacant?"

"They often do, " said Chick, sagely. "Why, my cousin's baby lookspositively idiotic at times, --but this mite, --she knows it all!"

And Fleurette did look wise. Being in benign mood, she smiled at the bigman who held her so gently, and put out a tentative fist toward his face. 

"Born flirt, " he declared, "just like her mother! Well, Patty, she'sa wonder-child, --oh, I know 'em!--and I hereby constitute myself hergodfather, without waiting to be asked. "

"Good! We accept the honour. Make a bow, Fleurette. "

"No, the honour is mine. She doesn't quite take it all in, yet, --but indays to come, she may feel real need of a godfather and I'll be there!"

"What do godfathers do? I never had any. "

"I'm not quite sure, myself. I'm going to get a field-book, --or FirstLessons in Godfathering, or something like that. But, anyway, I'm hers!Oh, Patty, she's going to grow up a beauty! Did you ever see such eyes!"

Patty laughed at Chick's enthusiasm, which was too patently genuine to bemere polite flattery, and entirely agreed in his opinion as to the goodlooks of the small Fleurette. 

"What did you bring her?" she asked, and Chick drew from his pocket a setof small gold pins. 

"For her bibs and tuckers, " he explained. "At least that's what they toldme at the shop. I don't know much about such things. "

"They're just right, " Patty said, "and they're her very firstpresent, --outside the family. Thank you a thousand times, --you'revery thoughtful, Chick. "

"I hoped you'd like 'em, " and the big, warm-hearted chap smiled withgratification. "Dress her up in them to-morrow, will you?"

And Patty promised she would. 

CHAPTER III

BETTY GALE

Seated at the head of her own dinner table that evening, Patty feltdecidedly in her element. Always of a hospitable nature, alwaysefficient in household matters, she played her rôle of hostess with asweet simplicity and a winning grace that charmed all her guests. 

Farnsworth, opposite her at the big, round table, was a quiet, dignifiedand well-mannered host. He had not Patty's native ability to entertain, but he was honestly anxious that his guests should be pleased and he didall in his power to help along. Patty had coached him on many minorpoints, for Little Billee had been brought up in simple surroundings andunaccustomed to what he at first called Patty's frills and fal-lals. 

But she had convinced him that dainty laces and shining silver were to beused for his daily fare and not merely as "company fixings, " and beingadaptable, the good-natured man obediently fell in with her wishes. 

And now he was as deft and handy with his table appointments as Pattyherself, and quite free from self-consciousness or awkwardness. 

"You've made me all over, Patty, " he would sometimes say; "now, I reallylike these dinky doo-daddles better than the 'old oaken bucket' effectson which I was brought up!"

And then Patty would beg him to tell her more about his early days andhis wild Western life in the years before she knew him. 

It was her great regret that Bill had no parents, nor indeed any nearrelatives. An only child, and early orphaned, he had lived a few yearswith a cousin and then had shifted for himself. A self-made man, --asthey are styled, --he had developed fine business ability, and had alsomanaged to acquire a familiarity with the best in literature. Patty wascontinually astonished by his ready references and his quotations fromthe works of the best authors. 

Indeed, the room he took the deepest interest in furnishing in their newhome was the library. 

For the purpose he selected the largest room in the house. It had beendesigned as a drawing-room or ballroom; but Farnsworth said that itslocation and outlook made it an ideal library. He had an enormous windowcut, that filled almost the whole of one side of the room, and whichlooked out upon a beautiful view, especially at sunset. 

Then the furnishings were chosen for comfort and ease as well aspreserving the dignified effect that should belong to a library. The bookcases were filled with the books already owned by the two and new oneswere chosen and bought by degrees as they were desired or needed. 

The reference portion was complete and the cases devoted to poetry andessays well filled. Fiction, too, of the lasting kind, and delightfulbooks of travel, biography and humour. 

There were reading chairs, arranged near windows and with handy tables;there were desks, perfectly appointed; racks of new books and magazines;portfolios of pictures, and cosy window seats and _tête-à-têtes_. 

There were a few fine pictures, and many little intimate sketches byworth-while pencils or brushes. And there were treasured books, valuableintrinsically or because of their inscriptions, that Farnsworth hadcollected here and there. 

Small wonder, then, that the library was the favourite room in the houseand that after dinner Patty proposed they go there for their coffee. 

"Some room!" ejaculated Chick Channing, as they sauntered in and stoodabout, gazing at the wealth of books. 

"Glorious!" agreed Mona, who had a mere pretence of a library in her ownhome. "I didn't know you were so literary, Patty. "

"Oh, I'm not. It's Little Billee's gigantic intellect that planned thisroom, and he's the power that keeps it going. Every week he sends up acartload of new books--"

"Oh, come, now, Patty, --I haven't bought a book for a fortnight!" laughedFarnsworth. "But I've just heard of a fine old edition of Ike Walton thatI can get at--"

"There, there, my son, don't get started on your hobby, " imploredChanning. "We're ignoramuses, Mona and I, and we want to talk aboutless highbrow subjects. "

"Count me on your side, " said a smiling girl, whose big gray eyes tookon a look of awe at the turn the conversation had taken. "I don't knowif Ike Walton is a book or a steamboat!"

The speaker was Beatrice Gale, a neighbour of the Farnsworths. She waspretty and saucy looking, --a graceful sprite, with a dimpled chin, andsoft brown hair, worn in moppy bunches over her ears. She was calledBetty by her friends, and Patty and Bill had already acquired thatprivilege. 

"Now, Betty, " and Patty shook her head at her, "you are a collegegraduate as well as a débutante, --you _must_ know old Ike!"

"But I don't! You see, my début meant so much more to me than mycommencement, that all I ever learned at college flew out of my headto make room for all I'm going to learn in society. "

"Have you much left to learn?" asked Elise, looking at the piquant facethat seemed to show its owner decidedly conversant with the ways of theworld, --at least, her own part in it. 

"Oh, indeed, yes! I only know how to smile and dance. I'm going to learnflirting, coquetry and getting engaged!"

"You're ambitious, little one, " remarked Van Reypen. "Have you chosenyour instructors?"

"I'm sure you won't need any, " put in Elise, who was already jealous ofPhilip's interested looks at the new girl. "I think you could pass anefficiency examination already!"

"You ought to know, " said Betty, with such an innocent and demure lookat Elise, that it was difficult to determine whether she meant to beimpertinent or not. 

"Let me conduct the examination, " said Philip; "shall it be public, --orwill you go with me into a--a classroom?" and he looked toward the small"den" that opened from the library. 

"Oh, have it public!" exclaimed Mona. "Let us all hear it"

"All right, " and pretty Betty smiled, non-chalantly. "Go ahead, Professor. "

"I will. You know these examinations begin by matching words. I say oneword, and you say whatever word pops into your head first. "

"That's easy enough. Proceed. "

"Arden. "

"Forest. I always thought this place ought to have been named the Forestof Arden, because--"

"Don't talk so much. You must say one word only. Concentrate. "

"Silence. "

"Oh, concentrate wasn't the _word_! I said that to you--"

"I thought you were talking to me _all_ the time!"

"I am. Now be still! Horse. "

"How can I pass my examination if I'm to be still? Wagon. "

"Aeroplane. "

"You. "

"How did you know that I was an aviator?"

"Never mind; go on with the game. "

"All right. Beaux. "

"Flattery. "

"Chaperon. "

"Hoodwink. "

"Oh, you rascal! Mother. "

"Father. "

"Father. "

"Money. "

"Soft-boiled egg. "

"Messy. "

"American Beauties. "

"Mr. Grant, --he often sends them to me. "

"Music. "

"Dancing. "

"You pass. Now for to see if you're thoroughly grounded in the commonbranches. Grammar, first. What's a noun, and give examples. "

"A noun's a name. As, candy, heart, slipper. "

"What's a compound noun?"

"Two names, --as chicken salad, --Philip Van Reypen, --moonlight. "

"What's a mood?"

"Something you fall into, --as a ditch, --or love. "

"What is an article?"

"A piece of fancy work for sale at a fair. "

"What's a conjunction?"

"Anything that joins, --as the marriage ceremony, or hooks and eyes. "

"Good. Now for arithmetic. If you are at home of an evening, and a chapcalls on you, and then I come to call, and take half your attentionfrom him, what is left?"

"The chap!"

"Right! Now, definitions. What do you mean by forever?"

"Until to-morrow!" returned Betty, laughing. 

"Never?"

"Not until to-morrow!"

"How do you spell No?"

"Y-e-s. "

"Oh, Betty, " exclaimed Patty, laughing, "I didn't know you were sowitty!"

"Good gracious! don't call me _that!_ Here, stop this examination rightnow! I _won't_ be called witty. Why, don't you know--

"'Though you're sweet and though you're pretty, Men won't love you if you're witty!'

"I'm _always_ afraid of not being loved!"

Miss Gale looked so frightened at this very idea, that they all brokeinto laughter. 

"You should worry!" declared Bill. "You haven't enough wit to do anygreat harm. Or, at least, if you have, you've compensating foolishness--Imean--that is--"

"There, there, Billee, " counselled Patty, "you'd better stop, --you'rejust getting in deeper with every word. "

"Oh, it's all right, " and Beatrice shrugged her shoulders, "I need tobe brought up with a round turn now and then. I'm too intellectual, --Iknow. "

She purposely assumed a vacant, stupid expression and folded her handshelplessly in her lap. 

"She's a hummer, " Channing remarked in an aside to Patty, as furtherhilarity followed Betty's fooling. 

"I like her lots, " Patty returned. "She's a frivolous little thing, butthoroughly sweet and dear. She adores Fleurette. "

"Aha, little mother! So that's the way to your good graces, is it? I tooadore Fleurette. "

"But you're already in my good graces, --and have been for years. "

"So? Then, "--Chick's tone grew wheedlesome, --"invite me up hereoften, --won't you?"

"Now I _should_ have thought you meant because of my daughter's charms, if your glance hadn't wandered toward Miss Gale, even as you spoke!"

"Both, fair lady, --both. I adore Fleurette as the delightful daughter ofa delightful mother. May I not also admire the delightful neighbour?"

"Indeed, you may. And you have a standing invitation to come up hereas often as you like. I'm going to entertain a lot this spring andsummer, --and you're a really useful house guest"

"Thanks, indeed! How do I qualify?"

"By your nice, kind, entertaining qualities. You're an all-round niceman, Chick, --and I don't care who knows my opinion. And now, do you goand make up to Elise. "

"Yes, ma'am. Between you and me, ma'am, --she's a bit miffed--not?"

"Hush! Run along and make yourself so agreeable that she'll forgeteverybody else. "

Of a truth Elise was a little disturbed. For she was of a jealous andself-seeking disposition, and resented any attentions that were not givento her. The advent of this bright and sparkling young girl, --probablythree or four years younger than herself, made her suddenly feelneglected, and it displeased her. 

Mona noticed it, and smiled to herself. But Patty truly regretted it, for she had taken a decided fancy to Beatrice Gale, and as they wereneighbours, she knew the girl would be often at Wistaria Porch. And asshe had planned to have Elise with her often, also, she saw breakersahead, unless the two could be reconciled. 

Patty was a born peacemaker, but she also knew that a jealous nature isnot easily placated. And she foresaw that Philip Van Reypen would be the"bone of contention. "

After Patty's marriage, Philip, a disappointed suitor, had declaredhimself a confirmed bachelor. And though Elise would have looked withsatisfaction on his change of heart, it had not yet occurred. 

Patty had hoped, --and thought, --that Philip would marry her cousin, HelenBarlow; but neither of the parties had seen it in that light, and Helenhad since married her long persistent wooer, Chester Wilde. 

This left Van Reypen entirely unattached, and Elise, --it could be seen byany onlooker, --was not at all averse to his company. 

And Van Reypen liked her, for Elise was pretty and charming. But whenthings didn't go as she wished them to, she had a habit of sulking whichwas far from attractive. 

So, the very apparent interest that Philip showed in this new chit of agirl, --as Elise dubbed Betty to herself, --was as iron entering her soul. 

However, she was clever enough to hide her real feelings, and shewelcomed Chick Channing with a cordial smile. 

"Let's go for a stroll round the verandahs, " he proposed, and Eliseconsented. 

"Want a wrap? though it's warm for April, " he said, as they went out thedoor. 

"No, thank you, I love the fresh air, " and Elise waved her white armupward, and entwined it in the wistaria blossoms. "I've adopted thisporch, --I shall probably be with Patty a lot this summer. You'll comeup--now and then?"

"Oh, yes; it's the most charming house to visit, don't you think?"

"Great! Patty is an ideal hostess, and Bill's a dear!"

"And the kiddy, --don't leave her out"

"Oh, she's an angel. But a bit unfledged, as yet. "

"Of course. But such a darling! By the way, I'm her godfather. "

"Oh, are you? Then I'll be her godmother! She ought to have both. "

"Certainly. Though I think I heard that Miss Gale has the position. "

"Of course she has! That girl appropriates everything! I think she's toofresh!"

"You mean that for a compliment, I'm sure. Yes, she is, --she's like adewy daisy--"

"Dewy daisy, nothing! She isn't so childlike as she wants to appear!"

"There now, Elise, don't talk like that! It doesn't sound pretty, --andgoodness knows _you've_ no reason to be jealous. "

"What?" asked Elise, already mollified. 

"Why, you, with your established place in this household, and in ourset, --mustn't stoop to be--jealous--of a little schoolgirl!"

"Oh, I'm _not_! How dare you hint it?"

"Then don't act so. Take my advice, Lisa, and don't show even theappearance of that sort of thing. It reacts, --you know. "

Elise did know, --she knew Chick was telling her the truth, and tellingit, too, only in the kindest spirit of real friendship. 

She bit her lip in annoyance, and said, sharply, "Don't abuse theprivilege of an old friend, Chick. "

"I don't mean to, --honest I don't, Elise. Forgive me if I've offendedyou. "

"Oh, you haven't. That's all right. Have you ever met this Gale girlbefore?"

"No; but she sat next me at dinner, and she told me about herself. Itseems she has a wonderful brother--"

"She has!" It was amazing how Elise brightened up. "Why wasn't he invitedthis evening?"

"He's away from home just now, --will return next week, --I think she said. Get on your warpaint and feathers! See, the conquering heroine comes!"

"Stop teasing, Chick. I do like to meet strangers, and if Patty'sneighbour is attractive--"

"Patty's neighbour's brother, --you mean?"

"I do! If he's attractive, it'll add to my pleasure when visitingPatty, --won't it?"

"It sure will, --and, may I say it? You'll add to his pleasure, I've nodoubt. "

"Very pretty, Chick. You _are_ a nice boy. "

"Thank you, ma'am. But I won't be in it, when the brother appears on thescene, I fear! So, to make hay while the sun shines, won't you go in anddance with me? I hear the light fantastics tripping in the hall. "

They went in and found all of the party keeping time to the gay music ofthe big victrola, and they joined the swaying couples. 

As they passed Betty Gale and Van Reypen, Elise overheard her saying, "You're awfully good to me, --and you've only just met me to-night!"

Phil's reply was lost as they danced away, but Elise realised that it wasan eager expression of his desire that they should meet again, and soon, and her demon of jealousy once more up-reared his ugly head. 

But she concealed it, --outwardly, at least, --and when the time came, shewas so cordial and sweet to Miss Gale that a friendship pact was sealedbetween them. 

CHAPTER IV

A NEW RELATIVE

May came in with the sunshine and balmy days that are popularly supposedto belong to that month, but which do not always materialise. 

Wistaria Porch was fairly basking in the sunshine, and the flower gardenswere already showing their early blooms. The tulip beds were a blaze ofbright glory and hyacinths and daffodils added their sweetness andbeauty. 

"Such a heavenly place!" Patty exclaimed as she and Little Billeestrolled along the garden paths in the late afternoon. "I'm glad we havethis week-end to ourselves, --I love to have guests, but once in awhile, --you know--"

"I do know!" declared Farnsworth, "and I'd be willing to have 'em twicein a while--"

"Have what?"

"Week-ends alone with you! Oh, I like company, too, --have all you want, but now and then--just now and then, a family party looks good to me!Where's our blessed child at the moment?"

"She ought to be here, --it's time. Winnie usually brings her for herafternoon visit to her proud parents. And here she comes! Here's mudder'sown Poggly-woggly Pom-pom head!"

"What delightful names you invent! Let me have a try at it! Here'sFodder's own Piggly-winktum! There, how's that?"

"Perfectly horrid! Sounds like a pig!"

"All right, let's try again. Who's the airiest, fairiest, tiny mite?Who's the pinky-goldiest Smiley-eyes in the whole world? Here she is!"and big Bill took the baby, from nurse's arms, and flung her high inthe air, catching her deftly on her descent, while Patty held her breathin apprehension. She knew perfectly well Bill wouldn't let the childfall, --and yet, accidents had occurred, --and the crowing baby mightsquirm out of the watchful father's arms. 

But no accident happened and the two had their usual afternoon romp. 

Little Fleurette knew her father and adored the big, comfortable man whoheld her so firmly and tossed her up so delightfully. 

"Now, it's my turn, --give her to me, " said Patty, at last. Then Billdeposited the child in her mother's arms, and the little one nestledthere contentedly. She was a good baby, and rarely cried or fretted. Healthy and strong, she bade fair to become a fine big woman someday, and Patty's leaping mind had already planned out her whole lifetime!

"I think I'll send her to the Mortimer School, " she said, musingly. 

"Why, that's a finishing school!" exclaimed Bill, knowing of thefashionable establishment. 

"Yes; I mean when she's ready to be 'finished, '" said Patty, calmly. "Before that, she'll go to Kindergarten, --and some other school, Isuppose. "

"I suppose she will; but we'll have a few years of her company here, athome, won't we, before her schooldays begin?"

"Yes, of course, we're having them now. But they go so fast! Oh, LittleBillee, _all_ the days fly so fast, --I can't realise we've been marriednearly two years--"

"Nonsense! A year and nearly two months--"

"Well, it soon _will_ be two years! I never saw the time fly so! It goeslike a Bandersnatch!"

"Does that mean you're so happy, Patty?"

"It means exactly that! Oh, I want to live forever! I am so happy! Ididn't know life with you and Fleurette would be so beautiful as it is!"

"Is it, dearest? I'm so glad, " and the big man looked at his dainty, sweet little wife with his whole soul in his fine clear blue eyes. 

"Your eyes are wonderful, Billee, dear, " said Patty, meeting his glancelovingly; "did your mother have blue eyes, --or your father?"

"Both of them did. I was thought to look more like mother, as akiddy, --but they were both fair haired and blue eyed. "

"You never knew your mother much, did you?"

"No, she died when I was very small. And father, when I was about ten. Then, as I've told you, I lived four years with Aunt Amanda--"

"In Arizona?"

"Yes; in a small settlement, --hardly even a village, --called Horner'sCorners. "

Patty laughed. "What a darling name! How could anybody call a placethat! Suppose it had grown to be a large city. "

"Then they would probably have changed the name. Perhaps they havealready done so, --I haven't heard from there for years. "

"Why didn't you keep up your relatives' acquaintance?"

"Well, Aunt Amanda died, later, and her husband never cared much for me, anyhow. So we drifted apart, and never drifted together again. "

"Wasn't your aunt your mother's sister?"

"Oh, Lord, no! She was not really my aunt, at all. She was a cousin of myfather's and when she took me in, I called her auntie. But they only tookme because they wanted my help on the place, and I worked hard for themfour years. They gave me no affection, nor even thanks for my services, and as I couldn't learn anything or make any sort of progress in thatGod-forsaken valley, I left them and shifted for myself. "

"And made a great success of the shifting!" Patty's eyes glowed as shelooked at her big handsome husband. 

"Yes, I found you! And, incidentally that little flower of lovelinessthat's going to sleep against your breast. "

"So she is! Pretty thing!" Patty gazed adoringly at the baby and thenhanded her over to the nurse, who returned for her charge. 

"Tell me more about Horner's Corners, " Patty resumed, as they remainedseated on the porch, after Fleurette's departure. 

"Not much to tell. It consisted of a store and post-office, --a church andschool, --and forty or fifty small houses. Uncle Thorpe's place was a mileout from the Corners, proper, and I used to trudge back and forth everyday for the mail, and for provisions. And part of the time I went toschool. The teacher was a nice young girl, but we boys led her a dance!How we _did_ plague her!" and Bill laughed at the recollection. 

"Any children in your aunt's family?"

"One; a little baby girl, named Azalea. "

"What a pretty name! Where is she now?"

"I don't know. Right there, probably. Let me see. I was ten when I wentthere. But she wasn't born then. When I left, that child was about a yearold, I guess. She must be about seventeen or so, now. "

"And she's your only living relative?"

"The only one I know anything about. Mother's people were English, --noneof them over here. No near relatives, anyhow, for she was an only child. Dad was, too, for that matter. Little Zaly, --that's what they calledher, is about the last leaf on the tree. "

"Let's ask her to visit us, can't we? I do want to know your people; andif she's all the people there are, I want to know her. "

"Why, child, I don't know anything about her, --I don't even know if she'sstill in the land of the living. "

"Can't you write and find out?"

"Why, I suppose so. But _why_ do you want her? She's probably an awkward, countrified little thing--"

"I don't care for that! She's your kin, and I'm prepared to love her forthat reason. "

"That's a dear thing for you to say, Patty mine, but you may get morethan you bargain for. Suppose you invite Azalea and Uncle Thorpe himselfcomes trotting along, too!"

"Well, I could even live through that! I don't suppose he'd bite me!"

"But I'm quite sure he wouldn't fit into your scheme of things entire!Oh, let sleeping dogs lie, Pattibelle. Take me for my whole family, --I'ma host in myself. "

"You are, --my lord and master, --you sure are! But, all the same, Imust hunt up your little cousin. Of course her father can't come, if heisn't invited. And I'd like to know the child. I might do something forher, --be of some real help to her, I mean. Maybe she's longing to getEast and have the advantages I could give her. "

"Maybe she's longing to stay put in her native desert. "

"In that case, she can say so. I shan't compel her to come! Let me writeher, anyway, mayn't I, Little Billee?"

"Of course you may. You may write to anybody you wish; to the Sultan ofKasharabad, if you like. "

"Is he your relative?"

"He may be, --for all I know. Some family trees branch widely. "

"Well, give me Azalea's address, --I'm going to open a correspondence, atleast. "

"No address, that I know of, except Miss Azalea Thorpe, Horner's Corners, Arizona. "

"I'll write, if only for the fun of addressing a letter there. I neverheard such a funny name for a place!"

Patty tore up two or three letters before she finally composed one thatsuited her. It was not easy to know what attitude to take toward such acomplete stranger, and with no knowledge of what sort of a girl she waswriting to. But she at last sent off this:

MY DEAR AZALEA:

I am the wife of your cousin, William Farnsworth. Though you do notremember him, your father will tell you about him. At any rate, as youare of his kin, I want you to come and make us a visit--that is, if youcare to. We have a lovely home, not far from New York City, and I woulddo my best to make you happy and give you a good time. You may not wantto come, --indeed, you may have moved away from your native town, and maynever even get this letter. But if you do get it, write me, at any rate, and tell me what you think about a trip East. We both send love and hopeto hear from you soon. 

Affectionately yours, PATTY FARNSWORTH. 

"You see, " Patty explained to Bill, as she read the letter to him, "itmay be she can't afford such a trip. But I didn't like to hint at that, so I asked her to write me what she thinks about it. If she thinks shecan't spend so much money, then we can offer to get her ticket. "

"Very thoughtful and very delicately done, my dearest. You have thekindest heart a little blue-eyed girl ever possessed. "

"Not entirely disinterested, though. I do want to have some of yourpeople under our roof, --and this is my first attempt. If it fails, Ishall look up some of your English relatives. "

"Yes, we will do that some day. I'd like to round them upmyself. Mother's tales of her childhood home, --as retold me by myfather, --sounded delightful. They had old country estates, and--"

"And ancestral halls! Hung with old armour! Oh, Little Billee, what funto take Fleurette there! Portraits of her ancestors smiling down at herfrom the oaken walls of the long picture gallery--"

"Patty, Patty! how you _do_ run on! I don't know that there are anypicture galleries at all. "

"Oh, of course there are. They're bound to be there. And maybe a familyghost! A spectre, that stalks the corridors when one of the family isabout to die--"

"Hush! You bad child! What awful ideas!"

"I've just been reading a story about a family spectre. I think they're_most_ interesting. "

"Well, we'll cut out the spook show. _I've_ no liking for clanking chainsand hollow groans!"

 * * * * *

Impatiently Patty waited for the answer to her letter, and one day itcame. 

Farnsworth was in New York on business, and so she put it away unopeneduntil his return. 

"Goody girl!" he cried, when she told him. "Nice of you, dear, to let ushave the first reading together. "

"Oh, I couldn't gobble it up alone, --I like everything better if I haveit with you. "

And so they sat side by side on the porch, and read the long looked formissive. 

 * * * * *

"DEAR COUSIN PATTY;" it began. 

I was so surprised and pleased to get your letter I hardly knew what todo. It seemed as if the dream of my life had at last come true. I'vealways wanted to go East, --to see New York, --oh, I'm so excited I canhardly write! And dear Cousin William! How kind of him to tell you aboutme, --for I was a very small baby when he was here. My father has told meall about it. When shall I start? I accept your invitation with joy. Ihave saved up my money and I have enough, I think, for the ticket. Howmuch does it cost? But I can find out somehow. Father sends his respectsand he says I may go. I am all ready. Can't you telegraph me, so I can gosoon?

With grateful thanks, I am yours very sincerely, AZALEA THORPE. 

"Well, " said Bill, "what do you think of that for a letter?"

He looked thoughtfully at Patty, as he spoke. 

"Why, " she hesitated, --"I think it's a very nice letter--"

"Wait, now, --be honest!"

"Well, I--oh, I don't know, --but I looked for a little more--simplicity, I guess. This sounds as if she had resorted to a 'Complete Letter-Writer'for help. "

"Just what I thought, exactly! But I don't know as we can blame her ifshe did. The poor child is doubtless unversed in polite correspondence, and she did her best, --but she felt she needed a little more elegance ofconstruction and so forth, and she picked out some dressy phrases fromthe book. "

"It doesn't matter, anyway, " said Patty, generously, "she's glad to come, and so I'm glad to have her. Let's telegraph at once, --shall us?"

"Yes; but I don't like that haste of hers. It strikes me queer. "

"Queer, how? She's impatient to start, --that's all. What else could itmean?"

"I don't know, I'm sure. But the whole letter's queer, --if you ask me!"

"I _do_ ask you, --and I ask you _how_ it's queer. "

"It's so, --so jumbly, --incoherent, --choppy. "

"Pooh! don't criticise the lack of style in that poor country child. I'llteach her to write letters, --and I won't let her know I'm teaching her, either. "

"You'll teach her lots of things, --I know, --and in that dear, gentle wayof yours, that couldn't hurt or offend anybody. Well, I'll telegraph, then, for her to come ahead. What else shall I say?"

"Tell her what road to take, and all directions you can think of. Thoughit sounds to me, as if she thought she would have no difficulty as totravel. "

"Sounds that way to me, too; but I suppose her father can look after suchdetails. Queer message from her father. "

"Not at all. You said he wasn't overfond of you, so as he sends hisrespects to you, I don't think you need ask for more. "

"If she does start right off, --and I'm pretty sure she will, --she'll behere in a week or so. "

"Of course; but I'll be ready for her. I'll give her the yellow room. It's big and sunny and has a lovely bath and dressing-room. It's all inorder, too, I'll just make some soft lacy pillows and give it some littlepersonal touches and it will be all ready for her. Oh, Billee, --thinkwhat a lot we can do for her!"

Patty's eyes glowed with the anticipation of aiding the little countrygirl, but Farnsworth was not so sanguine. 

"You're running a risk, girlie, " he said. "Suppose she turns outimpossible. The fact of her being my relative doesn't quite canoniseher, you know. Perhaps she _isn't_ a saint. "

"Now, now, old calamity howler, --I don't want her to be a saint! I hopeand expect she'll be a sweet, docile nature, and her lack of culture, if any, I shall try to remedy. Her lack of familiarity with socialcustoms and all that, I _know_ I can remedy. Oh, I expect a busy timewith her, --and I know I shall have to be tactful and kind, --but don'tyou think I can be?"

Farnsworth kissed the wistful, questioning face upturned to his andassured her that she most certainly could!

So Patty gaily set about her preparations of the pretty guest chamber. She hoped Azalea liked yellow, --most girls did, --but if not, she couldeasily be moved to the pink guest room. 

This yellow room, however, was so well adapted for a young girl. Therewas a long French window that opened on the dearest little balcony, wherethe wistaria clambered and made a delightful shade. There was an alcove, where stood a Chippendale writing desk, and a revolving book rack. Therewas a sewing corner, with a fully furnished work-stand; and there was asoft puffy couch, with a pile of down pillows and a fluffy yellow afghan. And yet there was ample room for the bed, with its dimity draperies, andthe fascinating toilet table, with its bewildering array of ivoryfittings. 

Uncertain of her guest's tastes, Patty put out few books, only a story ortwo of general interest and a couple of new magazines. All such matterscould be attended to after she had sized up the newcomer. 

On the day she was expected, Patty arranged the flowers in the yellowroom herself. 

Naturally, she chose azaleas, and some of a lovely soft tint of buffharmonised with pale pink ones. White ones too, with a bit of greenfoliage, until the room was a bower of beauty. Not overdone, though. Patty never made the mistake of too many flowers, --fond as she wasof them. 

A last affectionate survey of the room convinced her that all was exactlyas it should be, and with a happy little sigh of contentment she wentdown to the porch to await the arrival of the guest, for Farnsworth hadgone to the station to meet her, and they were due now at any minute. 

CHAPTER V

THAT AWFUL AZALEA

The car came along the driveway and stopped in front of the porch wherePatty sat. 

Farnsworth stepped out, with a cheery "Here we are!" and Patty rose togreet the visitor. 

Up the steps toward her flew a figure which, as Patty afterward describedit, seemed like a wild Indian! A slight, wiry figure, rather tall andvery awkward, and possessed of a nervous force that expressed itself inmuscular activity. 

"Oh, how do you do?" the girl cried, explosively. "You're CousinPatty, --aren't you?" But even as she spoke, she stumbled on the steps, pitched forward, falling on Patty, and but for Farnsworth's quick actionwould have knocked her down. 

"Jiminy crickets! Ain't I the tangle-foot! Guess I'm getting in bad atthe very start. Hope I didn't hurt you. "

"Not at all, " said Patty, recovering her poise, both mental and physical. "You are very welcome, Azalea. Will you sit here a few minutes before wego in the house?"

"Sure! I'll spill myself right into this double-decker!"

She threw herself into a long wicker lounging-seat, of the steamer-chairtype, and stretched out her feet in evident enjoyment of the relaxation. 

"Well, this is comfort, after travelling cross country for days and days!I say, Cousin, it was awful good of you to ask me. "

"Think so?" and Patty tried to smile pleasantly. She avoided catchingBill's eye, for the poor man was overcome with shame and consternationthat his relative should be so impossible. 

"Yep, --I do. My! this place of yours is swell. I never saw such a grandhouse--close to. You're rich, ain't you, Cousin William?"

"So, so, " Farnsworth replied, gazing at the girl in a sort of horrifiedfascination. "You've changed since last we met, " he went on, in anendeavour to make casual conversation. 

"Well, yes, I s'pose so. They tell me I was a squalling young one whenyou were at the Corners. Was I a terror?"

"Not then!" Bill wanted to answer, but of course he didn't. 

"Not at all, " he said, pleasantly. "You were a pretty baby--"

"But greatly changed, --hey?"

The girl gave him a quick glance. She was not ill-looking, as to featuresand colouring, but her whole effect was unattractive, --even repelling. 

She had flashing black eyes, which darted from one object to another in ajerky, inquisitive way. Her scarlet lips parted over white, even teeth, but her lower lip hung, and her half-open mouth gave her an air ofignorance, often accompanied by rude staring. 

Her black hair was concealed by a coarse straw hat, untrimmed save forsome gaudy flowers embroidered on the straw with crude coloured wools. 

"How do you like my hat?" Azalea asked suddenly. "Just the shape of ahorse's hat, isn't it? But it's all the go. This dress is, too, --hope youlike it, --I do. "

The dress in question was a "sport suit" of a large-sized green and blackcheck. It was cheap material, and badly cut, and its ill-fitting coathung on Azalea's slim shoulders in baggy wrinkles. Her blouse was brightpink Georgette, beaded with scarlet beads, and altogether, perhaps hercostume could not have been worse chosen or made up, --at least, fromPatty's point of view. 

She ignored the question about the hat, and asked the girl as to herjourney. 

"O. K. , " Azalea returned. "Had a bang-up time. Made friends all along theline. Some of 'em coming to see me. Hope you'll like 'em. "

She stretched out luxuriously in the long chair, throwing her arms aboveher head, and crossing her feet, which were dressed with "gun metal"stockings and shoes. Her hat was pushed awry, and wisps of hair fellat either side of her face. 

"Now, perhaps you'd like to go to your room, " suggested Patty, at herwits' end what to do with such an unconventional person. 

"Nixy; I'm too comfortable here! I'll chuck my hat, and just enjoymyself. "

Off came the hat, and was pitched on the floor. Azalea ran her fingersthrough her hair, making it a little more disordered than before. It waspretty hair, --or, rather would have been, if it were better cared for. Dark, almost black, with a slight inclination to curl, it was bunchedinto a tousled knot that was far from picturesque. 

"Oh, come, " said Patty, jumping up, for she couldn't stand the girl'suncouth actions another minute. "Come along with me, Azalea. You mustdress for dinner soon, --and some one might come to call now. We'll havetea in your room, if you like. "

"Tea! I never drink it. I like coffee, --for breakfast, --or cocoa. But seehere, Cousin, don't you make any difference for me. I ain't company, youknow, --just let me be one of the family, won't you?"

Many retorts flashed through Patty's mind, but she only said, "Certainly, Azalea. We want you to be one of us. "

Farnsworth was silent. The man was really aghast. What had he brought onpoor little Patty! He didn't excuse himself with the thought that it wasPatty's doing, not his, that Azalea was there at all, but he feltpersonally to blame for having such a relative and for having her therein their home. He looked helplessly at Patty, with such despair in hiskind eyes, that she ran over and kissed him, in spite of the fact thatthey were not alone. 

Azalea giggled. "That's right, " she said, affably; "don't mind me! Justgo right on spoonin' even when I'm around. I don't mind. And I don'twonder you took to her, Cousin William. She's a peach, for fair, --ain'tshe?"

"She certainly is, " said Farnsworth, forcing a polite smile, butconscious of a strong desire to choke his new-found relative. 

His utterly discouraged face roused Patty to fresh efforts athospitality, and taking Azalea's arm, she persuaded her to get upfrom the lounging chair. 

On her feet, the girl shook herself with a careless abandon of manner, unheeding the fact that a hairpin flew from her loosened hair, and shedropped the handkerchief, gloves and small bag that she had had in herlap. 

"Oh, pshaw, " she said, as Bill restored them, "ain't I awful! That'sme--dropping things all the time! But I can pick them up myself--don'tyou be bothering. "

She stuffed gloves and handkerchief in the bag, slinging it onher arm. "My, what a vine!" she said, pulling down a branch of thewistaria, --and, incidentally, breaking it off. 

"Oh, golly! Look what I done! Just like me! But you've got plenty left. "She tossed the broken branch out on the lawn, and then turned to followPatty, already in the doorway. 

"I'm coming!" she said, "lead the way, Cousin, I'll trail you. What a bighouse! Don't you ever get lost in it?"

"No, " smiled Patty, "and you won't as soon as you're used to it. Thisway, Azalea. "

"Hello! _Hello_! This my room?" The Western girl looked at the prettyyellow room as Patty ushered her in. 

"Yes, if you like yellow, --if not--"

"Oh, yes, I like yellow good enough. Don't make any diff to me whatcolour a room is. Nice and big, ain't it? Say, do you care if I chucksome of the lace props into the discard?"

"What do you mean?"

"Why, these here, now, faddly-duds. " And Azalea whisked off a little lacestand-cover, swept up an armful of lace pillows, and was about to jerkoff the lace bedspread, when Patty protested. 

"Oh, wait a minute, --of course you needn't have anything you don'twant, --but Janet will take off the spread. "

"'Fraid I'll muss it up, hey?" Azalea laughed, "Well. I s'pose I _am_ aterror! But honest to goodness I can't stand for those ticklers. They getin my ears!"

Patty sighed. She had grasped the situation the instant she firstlaid eyes on the girl, but somehow it seemed to be developing furtherdifficulties all the time. 

"Now, Azalea, " she began, "let me help you get your travelling dress offand put you into your kimono, and we'll chat over a cup of tea. Oh, youdon't like tea, --will you have lemonade?"

"Yep. Love it! Plenty of sugar, though. "

Patty gave the order to Janet, who had appeared to look after thevisitor, and turned back at the sound of Azalea's loud, stridentlaughter. 

"Kimono! At six P. M. That's good. Why, Cousin, I use my kim for adressing gown, I ain't going to bed, --am I?"

"No, dear. But we'll have a more cosy time, I think, if you get off yourtravel things and have a refreshing bath. "

"Oh, well, I'll take off this rig, --I want to be choice of it, anyway. You have dinner at night?"

"Yes, we always do. "

"Well, don't make any change for me, as I said. I ain't accustomed to it, but I can stand it, I guess. Nothing fazes _me_!"

Azalea took off her dress and looked at the skirt with concern. 

"Some dusty, " she remarked, "but it'll brush off. "

"Oh, yes; lay it on that chair. Janet will look after it. "

"Brush it, you mean?"

"Yes; clean it and press it properly. "

"My land! does your servant do that?"

"Certainly. And leave your street shoes out for her to attend to. "

"Oh, --I see! She's a regular outfit! Well, I never had a maid, --but Iguess I can stand one. "

Janet re-entered the room at this moment, and with an attempted air ofgrandeur, Azalea flung herself into a low chair, and stuck out her footto have her shoe removed. 

Patty gasped. The girl changed so quickly from independence to apparenthelplessness, and yet her manner was so crude and overbearing, that itwas doubtful how the maid would take it. 

However, Janet was not only a well-trained servant, but she adored hermistress and not for worlds would she have failed in her duty. 

Quietly and respectfully she knelt before Azalea and took off her shoesand waited on her as she would have waited on any of Patty's morecultured friends. 

"Yes, put on a kimono, Azalea, " Patty said, this time in a decided tone, and Azalea obeyed. 

Then the tea tray was brought and the two sat together for a time. 

Patty was up against a crisis. She had been thinking deeply ever sinceAzalea's arrival, and she was still perplexed. 

Should she try _now_ to reform the girl, --improve her manners, or atleast her general attitude, --or, should she leave her to her own ways fora time, and trust to her observation of other people to show her her ownfaults?

It was almost impossible not to correct some of Azalea's ignorantmistakes, but still more difficult to ignore her over readiness to adaptherself to what she thought was the proper behaviour toward servants. 

On the latter point Patty permitted herself a word when they were alone. 

"Be a little careful with Janet, " she said, pleasantly. "She's a bitpeculiar as to disposition. A splendid maid, and a most capablegirl, --but she doesn't like to be ordered about too definitely. Yousee, she knows her duties so well, and is so efficient, that it's reallyunnecessary to give her directions. "

"Oh, pooh, she's only a servant. You oughtn't to stand for her airs. Why, our girl at home, --she was a Tartar! But I tamed her. I've a way withthem--"

"Please, Azalea, " and Patty smiled ingratiatingly, "remember, won't you, that this is my house and these are my servants. I have my own ways oftreating them, and I'm going to ask you to work with me, --not againstme. "

"Dunno what you mean! I've no notion of working against you, Cousin. Anddon't you be high and mighty with _me_! We'll get along all right, if youmeet me half way, but--"

Patty saw her chance. "Good, Azalea! There's my hand on that! We'll meeteach other half way, and you consider my wishes and I'll consider yours. "

The danger point was passed and Azalea smiled again. 

"I want to see the baby, " she said suddenly. "I love babies. "

"To-morrow, please. She's asleep now. "

"Well, I can look at her. I won't wake her. I'll be awful careful. "

This interest in Fleurette touched Patty's mother heart, and sheconsented. 

"Can I go this way?" said Azalea, looking at her kimono. 

This garment was, --not entirely to Patty's surprise, --a horror of gailyflowered silkoline, but as they would see no one but the nurse, shesaid, "Yes; come along. "

To the nursery they went and there, in her bassinette lay the baby, asleep. She looked like a lovely little flower, indeed, and Patty gazedwith adoring eyes at the flushed little face. 

"Oh!" cried Azalea, aloud, "what an angel baby!"

"Hush!" whispered Patty, "don't wake her!" and Nurse Winnie stood aroundin a state of nervous apprehension. 

"No, I won't, " Azalea said, in such a loud whisper, that it was scarce awhisper at all, --rather a muffled shout. 

And then she poked her forefinger into the baby's roseleaf cheek. 

"Pretty!" she said, beaming at the child. 

"Oh, don't touch her!" Patty cried out. "Come away, Azalea!" for shereally didn't know what the strange girl would do next. 

"Pshaw! I didn't hurt her. If she's such a touch-me-not, she's no fun atall! But every-body's like that with their first baby! Silly! Fussy! Justridiculous!"

"I daresay, " laughed Patty, determined not to show her annoyance. "But it's time to dress for dinner, --or nearly. Come back to yourroom, --and--wouldn't you like to take a fifteen minute nap? It mightrefresh you. "

"It would _not_! Take a nap in broad daylight! I never heard of such athing! Oh, well, if I can't speak to that kid let's go back to my room. I'll skittle into my frock and go down to that flowery, bowery piazzaagain. I like that. "

"What shall you put on?" asked Patty, interestedly, as Azalea made a maddive into her trunk. 

"Dunno. What say? This?" She held up a mussy looking white muslin, trimmed with coarse embroidery and some imitation lace. 

"That will do nicely, " Patty said, relieved that it was at least white, and not some of the flamboyant effects she saw still in the trunk. "Janetwill press it off for you, --it's rumpled from packing. And then youneedn't unpack, dear, Janet will do that for you. "

"Oh, I thought you told me not to call on the servant for anything!"

"No, " Patty said, discouraged, "I didn't quite say that, --here's Janetnow. Let her do your hair for you!"

"Do my hair! Mercy gracious! I should say not! I've never had that donefor me. "

"But I'm sure you'll be pleased with the way she'd do it. Janet is anartist at hair-dressing. "

"Nopy! nix on the barber act for little Zaly! I'll comb my own wig, thankyou!"

With a comb, she stood before the cheval glass, and twisted up the darkmop into a tidy but most unbecoming coil. 

"Don't you _care_ how it looks?" cried Patty, in dismay. "Really, _don't_you? And you've such pretty hair!"

"Then if it's pretty hair, it doesn't need any fancy doing, " and Azaleagave a whimsical smile. "There, that's done. Now for my frock. "

Janet had whisked the white muslin away, and already had it back, pressedand freshened. 

"Lovely!" Azalea exclaimed; "how ever did you do it so quick? Happen tohave an iron on the stove?"

"Electric iron, " said Patty, briefly. "They're always handy, you know. "

"Never saw one. No, Miss Janet, --not that way, it hooks in the back. "

At last, Azalea was attired, and looked fairly presentable in her whitefrock; though having no white shoes and stockings she wore black ones. 

"I'd like white ones, " she said, apologetically, "but I could only havetwo pairs so I got black and the ones I wore here. "

"Quite right, " said Patty, appreciatively; "I'll be glad to get you somewhite ones. They'd be pretty with this frock. "

"Oh, thank you. I'd love to have 'em. Where we going now?"

"Suppose you come to my room, while I dress, " Patty suggested, thinkingan object lesson in the arts of the toilette might not be amiss. 

"O. K. , " and the visitor strode along by the side of her hostess. 

They _were_ a contrast! Patty, dainty, graceful and sweet, was the veryantithesis of tall, gawky Azalea, with her countrified dress and badlymade black shoes. Her careless air, too, was unattractive, --for it wasnot the nonchalance of experience, but the unselfconsciousness of sheerignorance of urban ways and manners. 

"My land! what a room, " the country girl ejaculated, as they enteredPatty's boudoir. "How ever can you live in this fancy place! It's likea picture!"

"It is, " agreed Patty, pleased at the comment. "But I love it. I'm afraidI'm too fond of soft lights and pretty appointments, and delicatefragrance. "

"Well, you've got it! My land! I'm afraid to move around! I don't want tobreak anything. "

"You won't, " laughed Patty. "Sit there, and we can talk while I get intomy gown. I do my own hair, too, " and she shook down her mop of goldencurls, to Azalea's hearty admiration. 

CHAPTER VI

TABLE MANNERS

Patty's dining-room was beautiful. She argued that as an appreciablepercentage of one's waking hours were spent there, care and thoughtshould be given to its appointment. 

The colouring was soft old blue, and the furniture of mahogany. Thelights were pleasantly shaded and the sideboards and cabinets showedattractive silver and glass in immaculate order. 

"The flowers are in your honour, " said Patty, smiling, as they took theirplaces at the table, in the centre of which was a bowl of azaleas. 

"Ho, ho! You needn't have done that! I ain't accustomed to such grandthings. "

"Now, Azalea, flowers on the table aren't especially grand. I think Ishould have them, --if I could, --if I were eating in the middle of theDesert of Sahara. "

"I believe you would, " said Bill, smiling at her; "Patty is aflower-worshipper, Zaly. Zaly's the name your mother called you whenyou were a tiny mite. Tell me about your father? Was he willing to beleft alone?"

"Oh, --he didn't mind. What lovely silver you have, Patty. "

"Yes; they are my wedding presents. "

"Oh, tell me all about your wedding!"

"I didn't have any. I mean, not a big reception and all that. We weremarried in haste, --so we could have a chance to repent at leisure, --ifwe want to. "

"And do you?" asked Azalea, with such a serious air that the other twolaughed. 

"I haven't had leisure enough for _that_ yet, " Bill declared. 

"And I don't know what leisure means, " Patty said. "I'm busy from morningtill night. If we ever get any leisure, --either of us, --perhaps we'llbegin on that repentance performance. "

But Patty's happy face, as she turned it toward her husband, left littledoubt as to her state of satisfaction with her life. Though, as she said, she was always busy, it was by her own wish, and she would have beenmiserable if she had had nothing to do. 

Azalea, as Bill expressed it later to Patty, was a whole show!

The girl was ignorant of manners and customs that were second nature toher hosts, and was even unacquainted with the uses of some of the tablefurniture. 

But this they had expected, and both Patty and Bill were more than readyto ignore and excuse any lapses of etiquette. 

However, they were not prepared for Azalea's attitude, which was that ofself-important bravado. Quite conscious of her shortcomings, the girl'snature was such that she preferred to pretend familiarity with herstrange surroundings and she assumed an air of what she consideredelegance that was so funny that the others had difficulty to keep fromlaughing outright. 

She was especially at great pains to extend her little finger when sheraised a glass or cup, having evidently observed the practice amongpeople she admired. This finally resulted in her dropping the glass andspilling water all over her dinner plate. 

"Hang it all!" she cried; "ain't that _me_! Just as I get right into theswing of your hifalutin ways, I go and upset the applecart! Pshaw!You'll think I'm a country junk!"

"Not at all, " said Patty, kindly, "'twas an accident that might happen toanybody. Norah will bring you a fresh plate. Don't think of it. "

"No, I won't have a fresh plate. I'm going to keep this one, to serve meright for being so awkward. " And no amount of insistence would persuadethe foolish girl to have her plate changed. 

"Nonsense, Azalea!" Farnsworth remonstrated, "you can't eat that chicken, floating around in a sea of potato and water! Don't be a silly! Let Norahtake it. "

"No, I won't, " and a stubborn look came into the black eyes. But in themeantime, Norah had attempted to remove the plate, --carefully, not tospill the water. 

Azalea made a clutch at it, and succeeded in overturning the wholething, --and the food fell, partly in her lap and partly on the prettytablecloth. 

"Never mind, " said Patty, gaily. "Leave it all to Norah, --she'll do aconjuring trick. "

And sure enough, the deft waitress whisked the details of the accidentout of sight, spread a large fresh napkin at Azalea's place, set anotherplate for her, and was passing her the platter of chicken almost beforeshe realised what was going on. 

"Well, I never!" she exclaimed; "that was _some_ stunt! Say, I'm sorry, Cousin Patty, --but I'm a little kerflummixed, --and I may as well own upto it. "

"Oh, don't be that!" Patty laughed, carelessly. "Forget the past andenjoy a piece of hot chicken. It's real good, --isn't it?"

"It's great! I never tasted anything like it!" Whereupon, Azalea tookin her fingers a wing and, with both elbows on the table, proceeded toenjoy it in her own informal way. But both little fingers were carefullyextended at right angles to the others. She glanced at them now and then, to make sure. 

Her equanimity restored by Patty's kindliness and tact, the girl lapsedinto what was, doubtless, her customary way of eating. She displayedundue gusto, smacked her lips at the appearance of a dainty dish and whenthe dessert proved to be ice cream, she rolled her eyes ceilingward, andpatted her chest in a very ecstasy of anticipation. 

It was too much for Farnsworth. He appreciated Patty's patience andendurance, but he knew just how she felt. And it was _his_ cousin who wasacting like a wild Indian at their pretty home table!

"Azalea, " he said, --Norah had left the dining-room, --"who brought you up?Your mother died some years ago. With whom have you lived since?"

"Why, --oh, --only with Papa. "

"But Uncle Thorpe, --I remember him well, --was a simple soul, but he was aquiet, well-behaved man. Why didn't he teach you to be more restrained inyour ways, --especially at table?"

"Restrained? Oh, you mean I eat too much! Well, I have got a bigappetite, but to-night I guess I'm specially hungry. Or else your eatsare specially good! You don't mind how much I eat, do you, Cousin Patty?"

"Of course she doesn't, " Farnsworth went on, trying to look severe butobliged to smile at Azalea's total unconsciousness of any wrong mannerson her part. "But she does care if you behave like a 'wild and woolly, 'although she's too polite to say so!"

"Wild and woolly nothing! I've been awful careful to crook out myfinger, --and that's the very reason why I upset the tumbler!"

"That's true, " agreed Patty, "and so, Zaly, suppose you discontinue thathabit. It isn't done this year. "

"Honest? That so? I'd be mighty glad to quit it!"

"Do, then, " put in Bill. "And while we're on the subject, you won't mindif I go into it a little more deeply, --will you?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well, for one thing, they don't put elbows on the table this season asmuch as formerly. "

"Pooh! I know that! I didn't mean to, --but I forgot. I guess I know howto behave, --if I don't always do it!"

"I'm glad you do, Zaly, --and, listen, dear, you're my relative, you know, and I'm going to ask you to try to _use_ your knowledge, --for Patty istoo polite to mention such subjects!"

"Oh, I don't mind! Pick on me all you like, --either of you. I supposethere are some frills I'm not onto, --but I'm quick at catchin' on, --andI'll get there, Eli!"

Norah returned then, and the subject was not continued. Coffee was servedin the library and the small cups excited Azalea's scorn. 

"Skimpy, I call it!" she cried. "And where's the milk?"

"You may have cream if you wish it, Azalea, " said Patty, a little tiredof smiling. "Norah will bring some. "

"Oh, let me get it, " and Azalea jumped up. "I remember, Patty, you toldme not to trouble the servants too much. "

"Sit down!" Farnsworth said, in a tone that made Azalea jump. "Wait forNorah to bring it. "

"Oho! _you_ believe in making the lazy things work, don't you! What's theuse of hiring a dog, and doing your own barking? That's right!"

Patty struggled with her annoyance, overcame it, and making a gesture toBill to keep quiet, she warded off his angry explanations, and took thesituation in her own hands. 

"Here's cream, Azalea, " she said, as the maid reappeared, "many peoplelike it in after dinner coffee, and you're very welcome to it. "

"Licking good!" was the verdict, as Azalea stirred her coffee, and drankthe tiny cupful at one draught. "The sample's fine! I'll take a regularsized cup, please. "

"For breakfast, " smiled Patty. "That's all we serve at night. Are youfond of music, Azalea?"

"You bet! Why, we've got some records that are just bang-up!"

"I remember Uncle Thorpe was quite a singer, " said Bill; "do you sing, too?"

"Not so's you'd notice it! My voice is like--"

But the description of Azalea's singing voice was interrupted by theentrance of two young people. Betty Gale and her brother Raymond steppedin at the open French window, and laughingly announced themselves asdaring intruders. 

"Very welcome ones, " declared Patty, jumping up to greet them, and thenFarnsworth introduced Azalea. 

"You're the real purpose of our visit, " said Betty, her charming littleface alight with gay welcome. "We adore our neighbours, and they simplyworship us, --so we're quite prepared to take any friends or relatives ofeither of them into our hearts and homes. "

"My!" said Azalea, unable to think of any more fitting response, andtaking Betty's outstretched hand, with her own little finger carefullyextended. 

Betty Gale's eyes opened wide for a fraction of a second, then she asquickly accepted the situation, and said, cordially, "I'm sure we shallbe friends. And you must like my scapegrace brother, too, if only for mysake. "

"At first, " supplemented Raymond, as he stepped toward Azalea, "but assoon as you know me better, you'll love me for myself alone, --I feel sureof that!"

"My!" said Azalea again. Her bravado deserted her in the presenceof these two merry visitors. They seemed so at ease, so knowing, socarelessly polite, that Azalea felt as if they were beings from someother sphere. The Farnsworths, she knew, made allowance for her becauseshe was a guest in their household, but these people seemed to expect herto be like themselves, and she suddenly realised she couldn't be as theywere. 

A strange contradictory streak in her nature often made her assume anaccomplishment she did not possess, and now, knowing she couldn't chat intheir lively fashion, she took refuge in an attitude of bold hilarity, and talked loud and fast. 

"I'll love you, if you make love to me good and proper, " she said, with aburst of laughter. "But I've got a beau back home, who'll go for you, ifhe knows it!"

"Oh, we'll keep it secret, " returned young Gale; "I'm awfully good atkeeping secrets of that sort! Trust me. And it shall be my earnestendeavour to cut out said beau. Meet me halfway, won't you?"

"Yes, indeed, and then some! I'm a great little old halfway meeter, youbet!"

"I'm sure of it!" Gale was laughing now. "Let's go out on the verandahand talk it over. "

"Don't trust him too implicitly, Miss Thorpe, " warned Betty; "my brotheris a first-grade scalawag, --and I want you to be forewarned!"

"There, there, Sis, I'll do my own forewarning. Come along, Miss Thorpe, we'll sit under the spreading wistaria tree. "

The two disappeared, and there was a moment's silence, and then Pattysaid, "Our cousin is from Arizona, and it's hard for her, at first, to adaptherself to our more formal ways. It must be great out there, --all widespaces, and big, limitless distances--"

"God's country!" said Farnsworth, who always had a love for his Westernwilds. 

"Nix!" cried Betty, "I've been there, and it's just one cactus afteranother!"

"Well, cactuses are all right, --in their place, " said Patty, smiling. "They're as much verdure as maples or redwoods. "

"Quite different kind of verdure, " said Betty. "Now, Patty, I want to dosomething for your cousin, --right away, I mean, to help you launch her. "

"Oh, no, Betty; you're awfully kind, but--"

"Yes, I shall, too. I'm your nearest neighbour, and it's my right. Isuppose you'll give her a luncheon or something, first, and then I'llfollow it with a tea, or a dance, or whatever you like. There'll be lotsof things for her later on, so I want to get my bid in first. How prettyshe is. "

"You're a darling, Betty, " cried Patty, enthusiastically, touched by herfriend's kindness, "but, --well, there's no use mincing matters, --I'm notsure Azalea is quite ready to be presented to society. "

"Oh, but your cousin--"

"Indeed she isn't!" put in Farnsworth, "I want you to understand thatshe's _my_ cousin, --not Patty's. And, also my wife's quite right, --Azaleais not ready for social functions, --of any sort. You see, Betty, we can'tblink the facts, --she's of the West, western, --in the least attractivesense. I'm fond of my home, and unashamed of my people, but all the same, I'm not going to have Patty embarrassed by the ignorance and awkwardnessof an untutored guest. And so here's where I set my foot down. We acceptno invitations for Azalea until we think she is in trim to make a correctappearance in society. "

"Oh, Cousin Bill, I overheard you and I think you're just horrid!" Azaleacame running back into the room, while Raymond Gale followed, evidentlyin a dilemma how to act. 

"Cousin Patty would let me go, I know, and I _want_ to go to Miss Gale'sto a party! Just because I upset a glass of water at dinner, you're madat me! It isn't fair! I think you're real mean!"

The girl went up to Farnsworth and almost scowled at him as she awaitedhis response. 

But he looked at her steadily, --even sternly. 

"Of course it must be as Patty says, " he told her, at last, "but I willsay, Azalea, that I'm surprised at you--"

"Why should you be surprised at me? You invited me to come and see you. If I'm not good enough to visit you, I'll go home again. You didn't askme any questions, --you just said come along, --and I came. I ain't aswell, --like these friends of yours, --but I am your cousin, and you'vegot no right to scorn me!"

"That's so, Bill, " Patty said, seriously; "and here's another thing. Betty has met Azalea now, --she knows just what she is. If she stillcares to ask her to her house, I shall approve of her going. I want to doall I can for our cousin, and there's no better way to teach people toswim, than to throw them into the water!"

"Bully for you, Cousin Patty!" Azalea cried, her eyes snapping at Bill. "I'm not so bad as I might be, and I'll do just what you tell me. "

"I'm sure you will, " agreed Betty, and Farnsworth looked at herappreciatively, feeling a deep sense of gratitude at the way she washelping Patty out. 

"It seems hard on you, Azalea, " he went on, "to talk of you likethis, --as if you were not present, --but it is so. You need, --I'm notgoing to hesitate to tell you, --you need a thorough training in matterspertaining to polite society. Unless you are willing to accept ourteachings and do your best to profit by them, --I am going to send youback home! For much as I want to be kind and helpful to my youngcousin, --I will not even try, if it makes my wife any trouble orembarrassment. "

"Oh, pshaw, Little Billee, --leave Azalea to me, --I can manage her. "

"You can't, Patty, without her cooperation and willingness. Will youpromise those, Azalea?"

"Sure I will! I'm a great little old promiser, --I am!"

"And will you keep your promises?"

"You bet! I don't want to go home when I've just got here! And if mylearning things is my meal ticket, --then I'm ready to learn. "

Farnsworth sighed. He had had, as yet, no chance to talk to Patty alone, since their misfit visitor had arrived. He had been firmly resolved tosend her home again, --until now, that Patty and Betty seemed willing totake her in hand. If they were, it would be a great injustice to theWestern girl not to give her the chance to learn refinement and culturefrom those two who were so well fitted to teach her. 

And, anyway, --he continued to muse, --perhaps Azalea's worst faults weresuperficial. If she could be persuaded to amend her style of talk andher _gauche_ manners, perhaps she was of a true fine nature underneath. His Uncle, --so-called, --and his Aunt Amanda, he remembered as kindly, good-hearted people, of fair education, though lacking in elegance. 

"Oh, don't take it so seriously, " cried the vivacious Betty, as she notedFarnsworth's thoughtful face: "leave the little girl to us for a fewweeks, --and you will be surprised at the result! You'll do just as I tellyou, --won't you, Azalea?"

"If you tell me the same as Cousin Patty, " was the reply, and the strangegirl gave Patty a look of loyalty and admiration that won her heart. 

"That's right, Zaly, dear, " Patty cried, "you're my girl, first, last andall the time! And we'll both do as Betty says, --because she knows it all!She knows lots more than I do. "

"Indeed I do!" and the saucy Betty laughed. "Well, then, I'll arrange fora dance for Azalea very soon. Do you dance?"

"I don't know, " replied Azalea, "I never tried. "

CHAPTER VII

MYSTERIOUS CALLERS

Big Bill Farnsworth came into the nursery, where Patty was playing withthe baby. It was the nurse's luncheon hour, and Patty always lookedafter Fleurette then. 

"Take her, Daddy, " Patty cried, holding up the soft, fragrant littlebundle of happy humanity, and Farnsworth grasped the child in his strongcareful way, and tossed her up high above his head. 

The baby laughter that followed proved Fleurette's delight in thisperformance, and she mutely insisted on its repetition. 

"Azalea does that, " said Patty, in a troubled tone, "she is strong andvery athletic, I know, but I can't bear to see anybody toss baby aroundbut you. "

"No; Azalea oughtn't to do it, --she is strong, but she isn't carefulenough. Don't allow it, Patty. "

"I do forbid it, but she comes in here when I don't know it, --or shepicks baby out of her carriage, Winnie says, and tosses her clear up andcatches her again. "

"I'll speak to her about it; why, she'll drop the child some day! Shemust not do it!"

"I wish you would speak to her, " Patty sighed. "Azalea is really atrial. I don't know what to do with her. Sometimes she is so sweet anddocile that I think I'm teaching her to be a civilised person, and thenshe flies off at a tangent and she's as unruly and intractable as shewas at first. "

"How long has she been here now?"

"Nearly a month. I've tried and Betty has tried, --and, yes, Azalea hastried herself, --but we can't seem to--"

"Camouflage her!"

"That's just it! I want her to look like the background she's againsthere, --and she doesn't!"

"I should say not! Last night at dinner she threw herself back in herchair and yawned openly--"

"Openly! It was all of that! I saw her, --across the table through theflowers. And, Billee, --she's queer--that's what she is, --queer!"

"Have you noticed that, too? Yes, she _is_ queer, --here take thisLittle Flower. She's nearly asleep. "

"So she is, --give her to me, --there, there, mudder's pressus, --pettypoppity, --yes, she's queer!"

"Who? Fleurette?"

"You know very well I don't mean Fleurette! I mean that Pride of theWest, --that stranger within our gates, --that thorn in the flesh, --thatawful Azalea!"

"Meaning me?" and Azalea herself popped her head in at the nursery door. 

"Yes, " replied Farnsworth, imperturbably, "meaning you. Come in, Azalea, I want to speak to you. When have you heard from your father?"

"Let me see--about a week ago, I think. "

"Will you show me the letter?"

"Why, how inquisitive you are! What do you want to see it for?"

"I'd like to read it. I suppose it isn't distinctly a private letter. "

"N-no, of course not. But, the truth is, --I haven't got it. "

"What did you do with it?"

"I--I tore it up. "

"Was it unpleasant?"

"No, but as I had answered it, --I didn't need to keep it. "

"What was in it? Tell me, --in a general way. "

"Oh, --it said--he hoped I was well, --and he--he hoped you werewell, --and--"

"And he hoped Patty was well! and he hoped the baby was well, --yes, --andafter those polite hopes, what else did he say?"

"Why, --why, I don't know, --I guess that was about all. "

"Oh, it was! Why didn't he tell you something about himself? What he wasdoing, --or going to do?"

"I don't know. Papa isn't very much of a letter writer. "

"Well, he used to be! It was his special forte. I've had letters fromhim a dozen pages long. I don't believe he's outgrown his bent of letterwriting. Now, listen, to this, Azalea, the next letter you get from him, I want you to show it to me, see? If there's anything in it you don'twant me to know about, cut that out, --but show me at least the beginningand the ending, --and a part of a page. You hear me?"

"Of course I hear you, --not being deaf! And I'll show you theletter, --if I think of it. "

"You'll think of it, --I'll see to that, myself. You ought to get onesoon, oughtn't you?"

"No, --I haven't answered his last one yet. "

"Why, you just said you had!"

"Oh, I meant the one before the last--"

"You meant nothing of the sort. And, mind you, Azalea, this is a directcommand, --you _must_ show me his next letter. "

"I won't take commands! How dare you? You have no right to order meabout so. I hate you!"

"Don't talk so, Zaly, " Patty said, gently. "Cousin Bill isn't askinganything out of the way. There's no reason you shouldn't show him yourfather's letter, --in part, at least, --is there now?"

"N--no, --but I don't want to. "

"Of course you don't, " put in Bill, "and for a very good reason!"

"What reason?" cried Azalea, her black eyes flashing. 

"You know as well as I do. "

"I don't!"

"Very well, say no more about it now, --only remember I want to see thenext one. "

Azalea flounced out of the room, very angry, and muttering beneath herbreath. 

"What in the world, Little Billee, are you getting at?" asked Patty, asshe cuddled Fleurette into her shoulder. 

"There's something queer, Patty, something very queer about that girl!"

"You've oft repeated that assertion, Sweet William, --just what do youmean by it?"

"What I say, Faire Ladye! There's something rotten in the state ofDenmark, --there is that!"

"But why are you so anxious to see her father's letters?"

"They're part of the queer element. Have you ever seen her get one, --orread one from him?"

"Not that I definitely remember; but she may easily have read them rightbefore me, and I not have known it. "

"But wouldn't she be likely to read a word or two, --or deliver somepolite message he might send?"

"I should think so, --but she never has. "

"That's the queerness. "

"Oh, do tell me, dear, what you're getting at! Do you think Mr. Thorpeis dead, --and she never told us? There'd be no sense in that!"

"Not a bit! It's something queerer than that. "

"Do you think he's married again?"

"Queerer than that. "

"Will-yum Farnsworth, if you don't tell your own wife what you mean, I'll never speak to you again! There!"

"At risk of that awful condition of things, I won't tell you just yet. But you do this. Here's something you can do toward solving themystery, --and I can't. Find out for sure, --don't ask her, but see foryourself, --if Azalea gets a letter from Horner's Corners addressed in abig, bold Spencerian hand. I remember Uncle Thorpe's handwritingperfectly, and it's unmistakable. I've not seen it since Azalea came. "

"Goodness, do you call it a mystery?"

"I do, indeed. You'll find out it's a pretty startling mystery, or Imiss my guess. "

"Well, Azalea is a handful, I admit, but I think she's good at heart, and she is devoted to my booful little Fleury-floppet! My ownDolly-winkums, --who looks prezackly like her Daddy-winkums!"

"Patty, you'll go to the lunatic asylum some day, if you let yourselftalk such gibberish!"

"Listen to him, Baby mine, my flubsy-dubsy, --my pinky-poppy-petal, listen to your dreadful Dads! Isn't he the--"

"The what?" and Farnsworth strode across the room and took his wife andchild both into his big bear-like embrace. 

"The dearest, sweetest man in the world!" Patty said, laughing butnearly smothered in his arms. 

"All right, you're excused, " and he let them go. 

Nurse Winnie came then and took Fleurette, and the two elder Farnsworthswent downstairs together. 

They heard voices on the wistaria porch, and soon saw that Azalea wasentertaining two guests. 

They were strangers, and not very attractive looking people. 

"Shall we step out there?" Farnsworth asked. 

"No, " decreed Patty; "let her alone. It's probably those people shepicked up on the train coming here. She has spoken of them to me. Don'tlet's go out, or we may have to invite them to stay to dinner, --andjudging from this long distance view of them, I don't care specially todo so. "

"No. I don't either; the man looks like a drummer and the woman likea--"

"A chorus girl!" said Patty, after one more peep at the stranger. 

Leaving Azalea to entertain her friends without interruption they wentout on a porch on the other side of the house. And soon Raymond Galesauntered over from his home next door and joined them there. 

"Some strong-arm, your Azalea guest, " he said, in the course ofconversation. 

"Yes, " agreed Patty, a little shortly. 

"She was over in our gym, this afternoon, and she put up as fine anexhibition of stunts as I've seen in a long time. "

"What sort of stunts?" asked Bill. 

"All sorts, from lariat or lasso work to handsprings and ground andlofty tumbling. That girl's been trained, I tell you!"

"Trained in a school?"

"No: her work is more as if self-taught, --or coached by a cowboy. Shehails from Arizona, doesn't she?"

"Yes. Here she is now; I hear you're an athlete, Zaly. "

"Only so-so, " the girl replied, half-absently. 

"Have your friends gone?" asked Patty. 

"Yes. "

"I recognised them, " began young Gale: "they were--"

Azalea turned to him quickly. "Don't you say who they were!" she cried, emphatically. "I don't want you to! Don't you dare mention their names!It's a secret!"

"Oh, all right, I won't. Don't take my head off!" Ray Gale laughedcarelessly, and pretended to be afraid of the excited girl. 

"Why, why, Zaly, " said Patty, "who can your friends be that you won'ttell their names? I'm surprised!"

"Their names are--are Mr. And Mrs. Brown, " said Azalea, with a defiantlook at Raymond, who merely opened his eyes wide and said nothing. 

It was quite evident that Brown was _not_ the name of the people who hadcalled on Azalea, and Patty could not imagine what reason there could befor the girl to tell such a falsehood. 

"Is that the right name, Gale?" asked Bill, briefly. 

But Raymond Gale only shook his head. 

"Miss Thorpe says so, " he replied, "surely she ought to know. "

The subject was dropped and not resumed until after Gale had gone home. 

Then Farnsworth asked Azalea who her friends were who had called. 

"I told you they were Mr. And Mrs. Brown, " she said, glibly. "I met themon the train coming from the West, and we got quite well acquainted. "

"But their name is _not_ Brown, " Bill said, quietly, "tell me what itis, --or, tell me _why_ you don't want to divulge it. "

"It _is_ Brown, " persisted Azalea, but the way she spoke and the way hereyes fell before Farnsworth's steady gaze, belied her words. 

"I'm sorry, but I can't believe you, " he said. 

"I can't help that, " she returned, pertly, and ran away to her own room. 

"What's she up to now?" said Patty. 

"Part of the queerness, " Bill vouchsafed, and said no more about it. 

 * * * * *

The next day, Azalea went to her room directly after breakfast, and, locking the door, remained there all the morning. 

At luncheon she was quiet, and absent-minded, and as soon as the mealwas over she went back to her room. 

It was nearly five o'clock, when Patty, puzzled at such actions, tappedat Azalea's door. 

"What's the matter, dear?" she called, through the closed door, as therewas no response to her knock. 

"Nothing; let me alone!" came Azalea's impatient voice. 

"Are you ill? Don't you feel well?"

"Let me alone. I'm all right. " The tone was ungracious, and there was nomistaking the import of her speech, so Patty went away. 

At dinner time Azalea appeared. She wore the same frock she had worn allday, and Patty looked at her in amazement. Apparently she had beenworking hard at something. Her hair was rumpled, her collar awry, andher whole appearance untidy and unpresentable. 

"Have you been busy?" Patty said; "couldn't you get time to dress?"

"Forgot it!" muttered Azalea. "Sorry. Shall I go back and dress?"

Patty hesitated. It would, of course, delay dinner, which was alreadyannounced, --and, too, in Azalea's present state of pre-occupation, shemight fall to work again, and not come to dinner at all. 

So Patty said, "No, come as you are, " and she gave Azalea's hair atouch, and pulled her collar straight. 

Farnsworth watched the "queer" girl all through dinner. Azalea hadimproved somewhat in manners, though her notions of table etiquettestill left much to be desired. 

To-night she was unlike herself. She answered in monosyllables whenspoken to, and paid no attention to the conversation of the others. 

"I expect my friend Elise Farrington to-morrow, " said Patty; "I'm sureyou'll like her, Azalea. "

"Will she like me?" said the girl, indifferently. 

"If she doesn't, it will be your own fault, " and Patty took advantage ofthe opportunity for a word of warning. "Elise is a person of stronglikes and dislikes. If you try to be real nice and courteous she willcertainly like you, and if you're rude and blunt, I don't believe shewill. Do you care, Azalea, whether she does or not?"

"No, " said Azalea, calmly, and Patty gave a sigh of despair. What wasthe use of trying to help a girl who acted like that?

Farnsworth, too, shook his head, and glanced at Patty with asympathetic smile, and then they talked together to the entire exclusionof Azalea, who was so wrapped in her own thoughts that she didn't evennotice them. 

Not waiting for coffee, when the others went to the library, Azalea, with the briefest "good-night, " went up to her room, and again lockedher door. 

"What does ail her?" exclaimed Patty, as she and her husband sippedtheir coffee. 

"I don't know, --but I'm going to find out. Any letter from her fatherto-day?"

"No; I looked over her mail. Oh, it does seem awful, to lookinquisitively at another's letters!"

"It's necessary, dear, in this case. There's a big mystery about AzaleaThorpe, and we must solve it, or there'll be trouble!"

"I wish you'd tell me all about it. "

"I will, soon. Trust me, darling, I'd rather not say what I suspect, until I've a little more reason for my suspicion. It's _too_ incredible!And yet, --it _must_ be so!"

"All right, my True Love. I can wait. Now, listen, and I'll tell you ofthe marvellous achievement of your daughter to-day!"

And Farnsworth listened with all his heart to the amazing tale ofFleurette's intelligent observation of a red balloon. 

The next day Elise came. 

"Here I am!" she cried, as she stepped from the motor, and flew intoPatty's embrace. "Where's your eccentric cousin I've heard about? Butfirst, where's my godchild? I've brought her the loveliest presents! Letme at her!"

"All right, " said Patty, laughing at her impatience, "come right alongto the nursery before you take your hat off. "

The two went to the nursery, and Patty softly opened the door. But theroom was empty. 

"That's funny, " Patty said, "Winnie always has baby here at this hour. She takes her morning nap about now. Where can they be?"

The bassinette was disordered, as if the child had been taken from it, and Patty looked at it in amazement. She ran around to several adjoiningrooms, and returned, with a frightened face. 

"Elise, there's no sign of Baby or Winnie anywhere! What does it mean?"

"Goodness! _I_ don't know! Did the nurse go down to see her beau, --andtake the baby with her?"

Just then Nurse Winnie appeared: "Here's the food, Mrs. Farnsworth, "she said, showing a bowl of steaming white liquid. "It's all ready. "

"What food?" said Patty, mystified. 

"Miss Thorpe came here fifteen minutes ago, and said you ordered me to amake a bowl of prepared food, --that Fleurette was not getting enoughnourishment. "

"Why, I did nothing of the sort! Where is Miss Thorpe? And where is thebaby?"

"I don't know, " and Winnie looked as if she thought Patty was crazy. "Don't you know, ma'am?"

CHAPTER VIII

MISSING!

Elise gave one glance at Patty's white, scared face and one glanceAt Nurse Winnie's red, frightened face, and then she herself beganTo scream. 

"Stop that, Elise!" Patty cried, "it's bad enough to have my babykidnapped, without your yelling like a Comanche! Hush, I tell you!"

But Elise wouldn't, or couldn't hush. The word "kidnapped" upset anycomposure she may have had left, and she burst into hysterical sobbing. 

"Of course, " she said brokenly, between sobs, "she's kidnapped! You andBill are so--so wealthy and grand--she's just the child the kidnapperswould pick out for ransom--and--"

"Don't--don't, Elise, " begged Patty, her voice shaking; "I don't believeshe's kidnapped at all. It's far more likely Azalea took her out for aride or something. She's crazy over the baby and she always wants tohave her to herself, but, she says, Winnie won't let her. "

"And indeed not!" spoke up the nurse. "Miss Thorpe, --she tosses thechild about in a way that'd fair curdle your blood! That she does!"

"That's true, " said Patty. "You see, Bill pitches baby around just as helikes, and so Azalea thinks she may do the same. "

"Then she did do that, --and she dropped her, --and maybe killed her!"

Elise voiced her new theory with a fresh burst of grief, and the ideastruck a chill to Patty's heart. She took no stock in the kidnappingtheory, for Winnie had left the child with Azalea, who would have foughtoff a horde of marauders before she let them carry off the little one. No, whatever had happened was doubtless Azalea's doing. But Elise'snotion of an accident to Fleurette might come somewhere near the truth. 

"Of course that's it, " Elise went on, excitedly. "The idea of a girlthrowing a baby about! What did she do, Winnie? I mean did she let goof her?"

"Oh, yes, ma'am! She often would throw Fleurette clear up in the airand catch her as she came down. "

"She _is_ athletic, " conceded Patty. "Over at the Gales' gymnasium shedoes all sorts of stunts. But I don't want her doing them with my baby!"she broke down, and cried piteously. 

"Sometimes, " vouchsafed Winnie, "Miss Azalea would toss the baby intothe bassinette, instead of laying her down. She always pitched herstraight in, --and baby liked it! You see, Miss Thorpe was very gentlewith the child, and never missed her aim. But I was fair frightened towatch her. "

"You ought not to have allowed it, Winnie, " Patty said, severely. "Whydidn't you tell me, if you couldn't make Miss Thorpe stop it?"

"Miss Thorpe told me you wanted her to do it, ma'am. She said itwas good exercise for the child, and, --you know her father doesit, --and, --begging your pardon, --Miss Thorpe is even more skilfulthan Mr. Farnsworth. "

"Well, --it's his baby!" defended Patty. "Oh, Winnie, suppose an accidentdid happen, --and Miss Thorpe hurt Fleurette in some dreadful way, --and--"

"And ran away, in sheer fright!" suggested Elise. 

"No: she'd be more likely to run to the doctor's. Our doctor lives nearhere. I'm going to telephone him--I'm 'most sure Azalea would do that. "

Doctor Marsh was not in, but his office boy said he had not had any callfrom Azalea by telephone or in person. 

Patty was quite calm now. Her efficient self had risen to the emergencyand she was quickly considering what was best to do. 

"I'm going to telephone Bill, " she said, as if thinking aloud, --"butfirst, I'm going to call up the Gales, and see if Zaly could have takenFleurette over there. You know Azalea is utterly lawless, --it'simpossible to imagine what she will do. Oh, Elise, you've no idea whatwe go through with that girl! She is a terror! And yet, --well, there issomething about her I can't help liking. For one thing, she's so fond ofFleurette. If she has hurt her, --well, Azalea would just about killherself!"

A telephone call to the Gales' produced no information as to thewhereabouts of Azalea or the baby. Betty replied that she hadn't seenany one from Wistaria Porch that day, and was thinking of coming over tocall. 

"Don't come just now, " said Patty, half-absently, and then she hung upthe receiver without further words. 

"Well, I think I'll have to call up Bill, " she said, at last. "You see, he's fearfully busy today, with a specially important matter, and heprobably won't be in his own office, anyway. And I hate to intrude ona directors' meeting, --that is, if there's no necessity. And yet, --itseems as if I must!"

"Oh, do, " cried Elise; "you really must, Patty! Why, Bill would reproachyou if you didn't. "

So Patty called Farnsworth's office. Bill's business consisted of variedinterests. He was a consulting engineer, he was a mining expert, and hewas still connected with government work. So, frequently, he could notbe found in his office, though he usually left word where Patty couldget in touch with him. 

But in this instance it was not so. The confidential secretary gavePatty the address Farnsworth had left with him, but when she called thathe had already gone from there. 

With long-suffering patience, Patty called number after number, hopingto find Farnsworth at some of the likely places she could think of. 

But number after number brought no results, --and Patty turned from thetelephone in despair. 

"Well, Elise, " she said, forlornly, "you might as well go to your room, and get your hat off. Come on, I'll go with you, --and I may think ofsomething else to do about Baby. For the present I seem to be at mywits' end. "

Of course, in the meantime the nurse and the other servants had searchedthe house and grounds, --but there was really no chance of findingFleurette that way. 

It was all too certain that Azalea had taken her away somewhere. And itmight be all right, --it might be that Azalea had merely taken the childout for a walk. She had been known to do this, --but never before withoutPatty's sanction. Of late, though, Patty had objected to it because shefeared that Azalea might not return quickly enough. Twice she had beengone for two or three hours, and though the baby seemed all right, Pattydidn't approve of the performance. 

"That's it, " she summed up, after telling Elise of this; "you see, Ihaven't approved of such long absences and so Zaly just walked off. Ofcourse, she sent Winnie down for the food, in order to get a chance toput on Baby's things, and depart unseen. "

"But she told the nurse _you_ ordered the food prepared. "

"Yes. I may as well own up, Elise, that Azalea is not strictlytruthful. "

"Why do you have her around? I think she's horrid!"

"Well, you see, _I_ got her here. To be sure, she is Little Billee'scousin, --that is, second or third cousin, --once or twice removed--"

"I wish she was removed from here, --once, twice and all the time!"declared Elise. "Bill had no business to inflict her on you!"

"He didn't. He fairly begged me not to invite her here. But I insistedon it. You see, we neither of us had any idea of what she was like. Billhadn't seen her since she was a baby, and she was different then!"

"I s'pose so! Well, having found out how 'different' she is now, whydon't you send her home?"

"Oh, I can't. And, to tell you the truth, Elise, I want to help thegirl. She's ignorant and inexperienced, but she has a sort of nativequickness and wit, and I feel sure if I could teach her for a while, she could learn to be one of us, --and in time become a fine woman. "

"Oh, you philanthropist! And meantime she has run off with your baby!"

"The baby carriage is gone, Mrs. Farnsworth, " said Winnie, appearingsuddenly. "So I expect Miss Thorpe took baby in that. "

"Yes, probably, " said Patty, despairingly. "Oh, Elise, this suspense isdriving me crazy! If I knew that Zaly had her, --and if I knew nothinghad happened, I'd feel _so_ relieved. But suppose she did breakFleurette's little arm or leg--"

"Or back!" put in Elise; "you must _not_ let her pitch the baby around!It's criminal!"

"But you don't know how deft she is. Why, she's almost a contortionistherself. She can turn handsprings and--"

"I don't care if she's the greatest acrobat the world ever saw! There's_always_ chance of an accident! And with a baby, you _never_ know. Suppose Fleurette squirmed out of her grasp, just as she--"

"Oh, hush! Elise, you drive me distracted! It _can't_ be anything likethat!"

"Yes, it can! I hope it isn't, but do let this be a lesson to you, Patty! Don't ever allow that girl to see the baby again, --much lesstouch her! I think you and Bill must have taken leave of your senses togive her such freedom! Why, you don't deserve to have that heavenlybaby!"

"That's so, Elise, I don't!" and Patty broke into a flood of tears. "Mylittle flower! My precious own baby! How could I ever let Azalea touchher? But, Elise, Zaly loves her as much as we do. "

"That may be, --and of course, she wouldn't harm the child wilfully. But, as I said, accidents will happen, --and if it's Bill's fault, why, --ofcourse, it's his own child, --and that's different. But Azalea has nobusiness to take chances with other people's children. "

"I know it, and if she only brings her back this time in safety, --I'llnever let her see Fleurette alone again!"

All that afternoon Patty suffered agonies of suspense. Now she would cryuncontrollably, --and again, she would sit, still and dry-eyed, waitingfor some sound of Azalea's arrival. 

But no rolling wheels of the baby coach greeted her ears, nor any littlecrowing notes of glee from her baby's lips. 

Several times she tried again to reach Farnsworth by telephone, --butalways unsuccessfully. 

At last the long hours wore away, and Farnsworth came home. 

Patty flew to greet him, and was instantly wrapped in his big embrace. 

"Well, Patty-_maman_, " he said, as he kissed her, "how's things today?I had to go over to Philadelphia, on a flying trip, --wish I could haveflown, literally, --and hadn't even time to let you know. Then, Rollinstold me you had called up several times, --so I skittled home to see whatit's all about. "

His big, cheery voice comforted Patty, and her trouble suddenly seemedeasier to bear, with his help near. 

"Oh, Little Billee, " she cried, "Azalea has run off with Fleurette. "

"Good gracious, you don't say! But how much better to have Zaly do thekidnapping than some professional abductors! Hello, Elise, glad to seeyou! When did you arrive? This morning?"

"No; this afternoon. But, Bill, this matter is serious. Azalea took thebaby away, on the sly. "

"That's like her! Azalea has sly ways. And more than that, --she hasqueer ways! It won't do, Patty, there's something wrong, --verywrong, --about the girl. Did she get a letter to-day?"

"No; not this morning. I forgot to look this afternoon. "

"What do you mean?" asked Elise, her curiosity aroused. "Do you keep tabon her letters, Patty?"

"Yes; I'm ordered to by my lord and master. He thinks--"

"Never mind, dear, drop the subject now. I've a good reason, Elise, forwatching the letters, --not mere idle curiosity. Now, Patty, for details. What do you mean by taking the baby on the sly!"

So Patty told him how Azalea had ordered the baby's food prepared, saying Patty has asked her to do so. 

"H'm, h'm, --looks bad. But don't worry, little mother, I'm sure nothinghas happened to our Little Flower, --I mean nothing of an accidentalnature. Azalea is exceedingly fond of the baby, and I can easily imagineher wanting to take her for a ride this beautiful afternoon. It'sperfectly wonderful out! There's a soft breeze and the air isdelightful--"

"But why didn't she ask me?" cried Patty. 

"Afraid you'd say no!" and Farnsworth smiled. "You know, you've not beenoverly gracious of late about Azalea taking baby out. "

"I know it, but I had my own reasons. "

"And quite right you should have. But, don't worry, I'm sure the twowanderers will turn up all right. "

Farnsworth's hearty assurance went far to relieve Patty's fears and whenElise suggested a bad fall, he only laughed, and said, "No-sir-ee! Zaly is a terror, and a trial in lots of ways, but if shehad let that child fall, she would have called Patty and Winnie and thewhole household for help, and would have run for the doctor herself! Shenever would have run away! Not Azalea! She's no coward, --whatever otherunpleasant traits she may possess. "

"That's so, " agreed Patty; "and she truly loves the baby. No, Elise, nothing like that happened, --I'm sure. I see it as Bill does, now. It_is_ a heavenly day, --and Zaly felt pretty sure I wouldn't let her takeBaby out by herself, without the nurse, --and she does love to dothat, --and so she sneaked off, and made up that yarn about the food inorder to get Fleurette's hat and coat on! Oh, she's a manoeuvrer!"

"Well, I'm glad you both feel that way about it, " said Elise; "of courseyou know the girl better than I do, --as I've never even seen her! but ifshe's such a strong-arm, I think I'm rather afraid of her!"

"Oh, I imagine you can hold your own against her!" laughed Patty, happynow, since Bill's reassurance of her darling's safety. "All the same, Iwish Zaly would come home! It's after six! Come on, Elise, let's dressfor dinner, and then that will be done. "

They went to their rooms, and soon Patty was all dressed and hadreturned to her post of vantage on the wistaria porch, to look for thereturn of the lost ones. And at last, through the gathering dusk, shesaw a baby carriage being propelled along the roadway. 

"Here we are!" cried a voice, which Azalea tried hard to make casual, but which showed in its quality a trace of apprehension. 

"Oh!" Patty cried, and without another word flew down the steps, andfairly grabbed her baby. 

The child was asleep, but Patty lifted her from the pillows and gazedinto the little face. Apparently there was nothing wrong, but thegolden head cuddled down on Patty's shoulder and the baby slept on. 

"She's tired, " vouchsafed Azalea, "but she's all right. "

"Where have you been?" asked Farnsworth sternly, as he came out of thefront door. 

"Just for a walk, " said Azalea, trying to speak pertly, but quailingbefore the accusing blue eyes fixed upon her. 

Patty said no word to the girl, but holding Fleurette close, went atonce to the nursery with her. 

"She's all right, Winnie, isn't she?" the mother asked, anxiously. 

"Yes, ma'am, --I think so, --but she's a little too droopy for meresleepiness. "

"Droopy! what do you mean?"

"It may be nothing, --Mrs. Farnsworth, --it may be only that she's tiredout and very sleepy, --but she acts a mite as if she'd been--"

"Been what? Speak out, Winnie! What do you mean?"

"Well, --she acts to me like a baby that's had something soothing--somedrops, you know. "

"Something to make her sleep?"

"Yes, ma'am. "

"Oh, nonsense! Miss Thorpe couldn't give her anything like that! And whywould she? Don't you make any mistake, Winnie, Miss Thorpe adores thisbaby!"

"I know it, she does, Mrs. Farnsworth, but all the same, --look at thoseeyes, now. "

Patty looked, but it seemed to her that the blue eyes drooped fromnatural weariness, and assuring herself that no bones were broken orout of place, she drew a long sigh of relief and told Winnie to putFleurette to bed as usual. 

The nurse shook her head sagely, but said no more of her fears. 

Patty returned to the porch where Farnsworth was still talking toAzalea. Apparently he had scolded her sharply, for she was crying, andthat with Azalea Thorpe was a most unusual performance. She usuallyresented reproof and talked back in no mild-mannered way. But now shewas subdued and even frightened of demeanour, and Patty knew that Billhad done all that was necessary and further reproaches from her were notneeded. 

"And another thing, " Farnsworth was saying, "I want to know why you havehad no letters from your father since I asked to see one, --that was twoor three weeks ago!"

"I have had one, " Azalea answered, sullenly, "I had one this morning. "

"Let me see it, " demanded Bill, and Azalea went up to her own room andreturned with the letter. 

There was no envelope on it, and Farnsworth opened the folded sheet andread:

MY DEAR CHILD:

I received your last letter and I am very glad you are having such anice time. It must be very pleasant at the grand house where you arestaying, --and I suppose you are getting grand too. I am very lonesomewithout you, but I am willing, for I want you to have a good time andget improvement and all that. Remember me kindly to Cousin William andhis wife. I like to hear you tell about the baby. She must be a finechild. I am well, and I hope you are, too. With much affection, fromyour loving

FATHER. 

"Where's the envelope?" asked Farnsworth, as he raised an unsmiling faceto Azalea. 

"I tore it up. "

"Why?"

"I always do, --I never save envelopes. It was just a plain one. "

"Address typewritten?"

"Yes. "

"All right, Zaly. Here's your letter, " and he handed it back to her. 

CHAPTER IX

VANITY FAIR

The Farnsworths made no difference in their treatment of Azalea, afterher escapade. Bill had scolded her severely for taking the baby awaywithout leave, and sternly forbidden her ever to do so again, and thegirl had promised she would not. 

Patty had said nothing to her on the subject, feeling that she couldbest keep Azalea's friendliness by ignoring the matter, and she wastrying very hard to teach the girl the amenities of social life. 

And Azalea was improving. She behaved much better at table and in thepresence of guests. Patty rejoiced at the improvement and, as she tookstrict care that Azalea should have no opportunity to see Fleurettealone, she feared no repetition of those anxious hours when the baby wasmissing. 

Elise rather liked the Western girl. They became good friends and wentfor long strolls together. Elise was a good walker, and Azalea wastireless. 

One day they had gone a long distance from home, when suddenly Azaleasaid, "I wish you'd stay here a few minutes, Elise, and wait for me. "

"Why, where are you going?" asked the other, in astonishment. 

"Never mind, it's a little secret, --for the present. You just sit hereon the grass and wait, --there's a duck. Here's a book you can read. "

Azalea offered Elise a small volume--it was a new humorous publication, and one Elise had expressed a desire to read. She took it, saying, "Allright, Zaly, go ahead, but don't be too long. "

Azalea left her, and Elise soon became absorbed in the book. 

It was a full half hour before Azalea returned. 

"Where _have_ you been?" asked Elise, looking up, and then glancing ather watch. "It's half-past four!"

"I know it. That's not late. Come on, let's go home. "

Azalea was smiling and in an excited mood, but she lookedtired, --almost exhausted, as well. She was flushed, and her hair wasrumpled, and her breath came quickly, as if she had been through someviolent exercise. 

"What _have_ you been up to, Zaly?" Elise asked, curiously. "You lookall done up!"

"I went for a walk by myself. Sometimes I have moods--"

"Fiddlesticks! Don't try to make me think you had a longing forself-communion or any foolishness of that sort! I know you, AzaleaThorpe! You went off to meet somebody--"

"I did not! How you talk, Elise Farrington!"

"Yes, you did! Somebody that you don't want Patty and Bill to knowabout. Oh, you don't fool me! I'm not a blind bat!"

"Well, you're way off! How could I possibly know anybody they don'tknow?"

"You do, though. You had some people come to see you, and theFarnsworths didn't meet them at all. "

"How do you know?"

"Patty told me. "

"Tattle-tale! It's none of her business if I did!"

"Now, look here! I won't stand for such talk about Patty! You stop it!She's not only your hostess but she's the best friend you ever had orever will have! She's making you over, --and goodness knows you neededit!"

"And that's none of _your_ business! I'm as good as you are, --thisminute!"

"I didn't say you weren't! It isn't a question of goodness. You maybe a saint on earth compared to me, but you don't know how to behavein decent society, --or didn't, till Patty took you in hand. "

"She invited me to visit her! I didn't ask her to have me!"

"Yes, because she wanted to be kind to her husband's people, and youseemed to be the only one available. "

"Well, I was. And as I'm Cousin William's only relative, I have a rightto visit him as long as I please. "

"I don't deny that, Azalea, " and Elise couldn't help laughing at thedefiant air of the speaker. "I'm not disputing your right to be here. But I do deny your right to say anything whatever against Patty, who istrying her best to do all she can for your pleasure and for your good. "

"That's so, " and Azalea's manner suddenly changed. "Patty is a dear, and I love her. And that baby! Oh!"

"How crazy you are over that child, " Elise exclaimed. "She _is_ a dearbaby, but I don't see why you idolise her so. "

"Oh, I love babies, and Fleurette is so sweet and soft and cuddly! Ilove to have her all to myself, --but Patty won't let me. "

"I don't wonder! Where did you go with her that day, Azalea?"

"Nowhere in particular. Just for a walk in the country. I mean I walked. Baby rode in her coach. "

"But you went somewhere. Nurse Winnie insists you gave the child somesoothing syrup, --or whatever they call it. "

"What! I did nothing of the sort! Why, Elise, I wouldn't do such athing! I love that kiddy! I wouldn't give her a morsel to eat or drink. I know how careful Nurse and Patty are about that! You must be crazy tothink I'd give Baby anything!"

Azalea's honesty was unmistakable, Elise couldn't doubt she was speakingthe truth. She began to think Nurse Winnie had imagined the soothingsyrup. 

The two girls went home, and Elise said no word to any one of Azalea'sstrange disappearance for a time. 

They found Patty in a state of great excitement and interest over a newproject. 

Betty Gale was there and the two heads were together over a list theywere making and they were chattering like a couple of magpies. 

"Oh, Elise, " Patty cried out, "we're getting up the grandest thing! It'sgoing to be here, --for the benefit of the Summer Fund, and it's going tobe Vanity Fair!"

"What? What does that mean?"

"Just what it says! It's a big bazaar, --of course, --and we're goingto call it Vanity Fair and sell only gay, dainty, dinky littlecontraptions, and have all sorts of pretty booths and fancy dances andflower stands, and--oh, everything that Vanity Fair suggests. "

"Fine!" approved Elise. "Great name! Who thought of it? You, Betty? I'mfor it, --heart and soul! How about you, Azalea?"

The Western girl stood silent. This was the sort of thing that wasoutside her ken. Though she had been at Wistaria Porch for some weeksnow, and had become fairly conversant with the ways of Patty and herfriends, this kind of a gay project was to her an unknown field. 

"It must be beautiful, --to know about things like that, "--she said, atlast, so wistfully, that Patty put out a hand and drew Azalea to herside. 

It was this sort of a speech that made Patty feel that she was makingheadway in her efforts to improve the girl, and she rejoiced to have hershow a desire to join in the new project. 

"You can help us lots, I'm sure, Zaly, " she said, kindly, "and you'llhave a chance to learn about it all. There's heaps of fun in a Fair, especially when it's all novel to you. It's an old story to us, but _I_always love anything of the sort. We'll have it here, you see, and itwill be a lawn _fête_ and a house party and a general hullabaloo!"

"We're making out the committees, " said Betty, "and, you'll be here, won't you, Elise?"

"Well, I just guess! You can't lose _me_! I shall be back and forth, of course, but I'll do my share of the work, and exact my share of thefun. "

"Fine!" said Betty, a bit absently, as she was deeply absorbed in herlist of names. 

"Of course, " Patty went on, partly to the others and partly as if merelythinking aloud for her own benefit, "there will be all the regulationthings, --lemonade well, fortune-telling, society circus and everything, but the idea is to have every one of them just a little bit differentfrom what it has always been before, and have it in harmony with theidea of Vanity Fair. "

"The book?" asked Elise. 

"No, not Thackeray. I mean, just the idea of the gay atmosphere, --thelight, giddy side of life. For instance, let's have a Vanity booth andsell all sorts of aids to beauty--"

"Powder and paint!" exclaimed Azalea, in surprise. 

"Well, I meant more like lacy caps and stunning négligées. And yes, ofcourse, vanity cases and powder-puff bags and mirrors and perfumes, --oh, all sorts of foolishnesses that are pretty. "

"I know, " said Elise, nodding her head. "And we'll have an artificialflower booth, --that's right in line. And people love to buy 'em, --I do. "

"And laces, " said Patty; "and embroidered boudoir pillows, and oh, --andbaby things! Why Fleurette's nursery wardrobe looks like a Vanity Fairitself!"

"Hold on, " cried Betty, laughing, "don't go too far. Not everybody isinterested in baby togs!"

"I s'pose not, " said Patty, smiling. "All right, cut out the Babybooth. "

"No, " spoke up Azalea, "let's have it. Everybody knows a baby to givepresents to. And the little caps and things are so pretty. "

"Good for you, Zaly, " cried Patty; "we'll have it, and you and I willrun it, and Fleurette shall be the presiding genius, and sit enthronedamong the fairy wares! Oh, it will be lovely!"

"Yes, do have it, " agreed Betty. "It will be a screaming success withFleurette in it!"

"And if you want such things, " Azalea went on, losing her diffidence, "I can get a lot of Indian things from home, --baskets, --you know, --andleather, and beaded things. "

"Fine, Zaly!" and Elise smiled at her. "We do want those, --realones, --they always sell. "

They went on planning, all working in harmony, and each full ofsuggestions, which the others approved or criticised, in frank, friendlyfashion. 

Then Janet appeared to call Azalea to the telephone, and the girl lookedup, surprised. She blushed scarlet, and hurried from the room. 

"Who could have called her?" said Elise; "she doesn't know any one youdon't know, --does she, Patty?"

"No; but she knows lots of our friends. Somebody is probably asking herto go somewhere. "

None of them tried to listen, but the telephone was in the next room andAzalea's voice had a peculiar carrying quality that made it difficultnot to overhear snatches of her conversation. 

"No, " she exclaimed, positively, "I can't do it! I really can't! I'msorry it didn't go right, but I _can't_ do it again! It's impossible!"

A pause, and then, again, "No, I simply can't! Don't ask me--yes, ofcourse, --I know, --but, you see, they said, --oh, I can't tell younow, --I'll write, --well, yes, I'll do _that_!--Oh, of course, _I'll_ bethere--but the--the other one--no, no, no!"

These remarks were at long intervals and disconnected, but they wereclearly heard by the three in the next room, and though no one mentionedit, each thought it a strange conversation for Azalea to take part in. 

Patty listened thoughtfully, feeling no hesitation in doing so, for shehad only Azalea's good at heart and wanted to know anything that mighthelp her understand the mystery that was certainly attached to the girl. 

In the first place to whom could Azalea possibly be talking in thatfashion? Moreover, her voice was troubled, and her tone was one ofnervous apprehension and anxiety. 

At last she returned to the group, and Patty said, pleasantly, "Who'syour friend, Zaly?"

"Nobody in particular, " and Azalea looked as if that were a question shehad been dreading. 

"You mean not a particular friend; but who was it?" Patty waspersistent, even at risk of rousing Azalea's wrath, for she feltshe must know. 

"I won't tell you!" Azalea cried, stormily. "It's nobody's business ifI answer a telephone call. I don't ask you who it is, every time _you_telephone!"

"All right, Zaly, forgive me, --I _was_ a bit inquisitive. "

And so the matter was dropped, but that night after Azalea had gone toher room, Patty came tapping at the door. 

It was only after repeated knocking that Azalea opened the door a littleway, and quite evidently resented the intrusion. 

"I'm just going to bed, " she said, ungraciously. 

"I won't stay but a minute, " and Patty insistently pushed her way in. "Now, don't fly into a rage, dear, but you _must_ tell me who called youup on the telephone to-day. "

"You've no right to ask!"

"Yes, I have, and, too, there must be some reason why you are sounwilling to tell me. Why is it?"

Azalea hesitated. Then she said, "Oh, I've no reason to make a secret ofit. But I think you're very curious. It was somebody I met on the trainwhen I came East. "

"A man or a woman?"

"A--a woman. "

"Are you telling the truth, Azalea?" and Patty's clear, compelling gazewas direct and accusing. 

"Well--well--Patty, it's both. "

"Those people who called here one day, and you saw them on the porch?"

"Yes. "

"What are their names?"

"Oh, --oh, I forget. "

"Rubbish! You _don't_ forget. Be sensible, Azalea. You're making amystery of something. Now if it's anything wrong, I'm going to knowabout it, --if it's merely a little secret of your own, --a justifiableone, --tell me so, in a convincing way, and I'll stop questioning. "

"It _is_ a secret of my own, --and it's nobody's business but mine. "

"Is it a harmless, innocent matter?"

"Of course it is! What do you think I am? A thief?"

"Gracious, no! I never thought you were that!" Patty laughed. "But I dosuspect you're up to some flirtation or affair of that sort, and I havea perfect right to inquire into the matter. Why didn't you let us meetyour friends that day they called?"

"I didn't suppose you would care to know them. They're not your sort. "

"Are they _your_ sort? Oh, Zaly, I thought you _wanted_ to be our'sort, '--as you call it. You don't want to have friends Bill and Iwouldn't approve of, do you?"

"Oh, --I don't know _what_ I want! I wish you'd go 'way, and leave mealone!"

"I will in a minute. Tell me your friends' names. "

"I won't. "

"Then I shall ask Ray Gale. He knows them, --he recognised them the daythey were here, and you forbade him to tell me who they were. "

"Then if he knows them, isn't that enough to assure you of theirrespectability?"

"It isn't a question of respectability, --I want to know why they aretelephoning you, --not casually, --but apparently on some importantmatter. "

"That's _my_ business. Oh, Patty, let me alone!"

Azalea was clearly overwrought, and in another moment would fly into anhysterical tantrum. But Patty made one more effort. 

"Just tell me the name, " she said, gently. 

"Well--Smith. There, _now_ are you satisfied?"

"I am not, " said Patty, truthfully. "Good night, Azalea. "

She went thoughtfully away, and communicated to Bill the wholeconversation. 

"She's a queer girl, " Farnsworth remarked, after he had heard all aboutthe afternoon telephoning. "Do you know, Patty, that letter which shepretended came from her father, --she wrote herself. "

"What?"

"She did; and on my own typewriter, --here in our library. "

"What _do_ you mean?"

"Just what I say. I knew it, the moment I saw it, for the writing on mymachine is so familiar to me, I can recognise it instantly. The tail ofthe y doesn't print, and there are lots of little details that make itrecognisable. "

"Are you sure, dear? I thought all typewriting was just alike. "

"Oh, no; it is as greatly differentiated, almost, as penwriting, --someexperts think more so. I mean, it can't be forged successfully, andpenwriting can. Well, anyhow, that letter Azalea showed me, as beingfrom her father, was written on my machine. She had no envelope, for ofcourse she couldn't reproduce the proper postmark on an envelope she hadherself addressed. "

"But why, --what for? I don't understand. "

"I haven't got it all straightened out yet, myself, --but I shall. Another thing, Azalea is a poor speller, and she herself spells _very_with two r's. She did in a dinner acceptance she wrote and referred tome for approval. So, when I saw that word misspelled twice in theletter we're talking of, I _knew_ she wrote it, --I mean, it corroboratedmy belief. Now, Patty, we've a peculiar case to deal with, and we mustfeel our way. This telephoning business is serious. Of course, Smith is_not_ those people's name! She told you a falsehood. We know she iscapable of that! Now to find out what their name is. It isn't too lateto call up Gale. "

Farnsworth took up the telephone and soon had Raymond Gale on the wire. He asked him frankly for the name of the two people who were calling onAzalea when he recognised them. 

"Miss Thorpe asked me not to tell, " said Gale, "I'm sorry, old chap, butI promised her I wouldn't. "

"But it's an important matter, Ray, and a case in which I'm sure you'rejustified in breaking your promise--"

"Can't do it! Can't break my word given to a lady. "

"But Azalea is a mere girl, and a headstrong, ignorant one, at that. Sheis in our care, and it is our duty to know with whom she associates. Whowere those people?"

"Seriously, Farnsworth, I can't tell you. Miss Thorpe asked medefinitely not to do so, and I gave her my promise. You must see, --asman to man, --I _can't_ tell you. "

"I see your point, and I quite agree, in a general way. But, Gale, thisis a--well, a crisis. I'm investigating a mystery and I must _know_ whothose people are. "

"Ask Miss Thorpe. "

"I have, and she won't tell. "

"Then you surely can't expect me to! After I promised to keep hersecret!"

"Why should it be a secret?"

"Ask her. "

"Well, tell me one thing; is the name Smith?"

"It is not. "

"What sort of people are they?"

"Oh, people of--why, hang it, man, --I don't know what to say to you! Irefuse to betray Miss Thorpe's confidence, and so I don't know how muchI ought to tell you. "

"Are they people I would receive in my home?"

"Scarcely! If you mean, are they your social equals, they are not!"

"Then, I ought to know about them, and forbid Azalea theiracquaintance. "

"Oh, Miss Thorpe doesn't know them socially!" said Gale, and then hesaid a quick "good-bye" and hung up his receiver. 

CHAPTER X

INQUIRIES

The next day Farnsworth made an occasion to see Azalea alone. 

"Come for a stroll in the rose garden, " he said to her as they left thebreakfast table. 

"But aren't you in a hurry to go to town?" she objected. 

"No, I'm not. Come along, Zaly, I want to talk to you. "

Azalea looked embarrassed. She had on a trim linen street suit, and hadan air of alertness as if about to start on a trip of some sort. 

"I was--I was just going for a walk, " she said, hesitatingly. 

"All right, I'll walk with you. Let's make it a long hike. "

"Oh, --I'd love to, Cousin William, --really, --but I--I've a lot to do inmy room, this morning. "

"A lot to do! What do you mean? Does Patty make you take care of yourroom?"

"Oh, not that sort of work. I've got to--to--write letters. "

"To your father?" Bill's look was significant. 

"Yes--no, --oh, a lot of letters. "

"Look here, Azalea, you come out with me for a few minutes, --I won'tkeep you long. " Farnsworth took her arm, and led her gently down theverandah steps and along a garden path. 

"Now, my child, " he said most kindly, "tell me why you pretended thatletter was from your father, when it was not?"

"Oh, yes, it was--"

"Stop, Azalea! Don't add to your list of falsehoods! You wrote thatletter yourself on my typewriter, in my library. _Why_ did you do it?"

"How do you know?" Azalea turned an astonished face to her inquisitor. 

"I recognised the typing. How do you know how to use the machine sowell? Were you ever a stenographer?"

"No; I don't know shorthand at all. And I didn't--"

"Stop, I say, Azalea! I _know_ you wrote that! Now, tell me why! Ican't imagine any reason for it. "

The girl was stubbornly silent

"Unless you tell me why you did it, I shall be compelled to think thereis some wrong reason--"

"Oh, no, there isn't!"

"Then, --come now, Zaly, --'fess up. Was it for a joke on me?"

"Yes, yes, that was it!"

"No, that _wasn't_ it, and you only grasped at my suggestion to evadethe real truth! Now, you must tell me. Out with it!"

"Well--you see, Cousin William, you are always asking me why I don't getletters from my father, and--as I didn't get any, I manufactured oneto--to satisfy you. That's all. "

"No, no, my girl, we haven't got the truth yet. You had more of a motivethan that. And, too, why _don't_ you get letters from your father? Is heangry with you? Are you two at odds?"

"Yes, --we are. He and I had a quarrel. "

"Azalea, you have a very readable face. I know when you are telling methe truth and when you are not. Now, you are ready to grasp at anythingI suggest rather than let me know the real facts of the case. So I amjustified in thinking it's something pretty bad. What is it, child?Don't be afraid of me. Did you run away from home?"

"Oh, no!" Azalea looked frightened. Then she burst into tears. "Wh-whatmakes you think I'm doing wrong?" she sobbed; "I'm not, --I'm oh, --I'mall right!" Her air of bravado suddenly returned and she looked updefiantly, brushing her tears aside. 

Farnsworth could, as he said, read her face, and he was quite ready tomeet her explanations when she was in a docile mood, but this quickreturn to her pose of injured innocence roused him to fresh indignation. 

"I daresay you _are_ all right, Azalea, and therefore it will be easyfor you to answer a few questions which I must insist on havinganswered. Who was it that telephoned you yesterday?"

"Oh, that was Mr. Smith. "

"His name is _not_ Smith!" Farnsworth spoke so sharply that Azaleafairly jumped. 

But she insisted, "Yes, it is--"

"I _know_ it is not! It was the man who came here to see you oneday, --and whatever his name is, it is not Smith! Tell me the truth ornot, as you choose, but don't try to insist on Smith!"

"All right, then I choose to tell you nothing, I have a perfect right tohave friends telephone me, and I think it shows an ill-bred curiosityfor you to ask their names!"

Azalea's would-be haughty face and her reference to ill-breeding struckFarnsworth so funny he laughed in spite of himself. 

Azalea was quick to take advantage of this. 

"Oh, Cousin William, " she said, smilingly, "don't be hard on me. I'monly a wild Western girl, I know, but I'm--I'm your cousin and I claimyour--your--"

Azalea didn't quite know what she _was_ claiming, but as it was really acessation of the interview that she most desired, she turned on her heeland walked rapidly toward the house. 

"Hold on!" cried Farnsworth, "not so fast, Zaly. Before you leave me, listen to this. I am not at all satisfied with what you have toldme, --or, rather, what you have refused to tell me, --and I am going towrite to your father, and ask him why he doesn't write to you. "

Azalea stood still, facing him, and her face turned white. 

"Oh, no!" she cried, in a tone of dismay, "you _mustn't_ do that!"

"But I will. There's no reason I shouldn't write to my relative. And Imust get at the mystery of this thing. "

"Don't do that, Cousin William, don't, I beg of you!" The girl wasgreatly excited now. Her face was drawn with terrified apprehension andher voice shook with fear. 

"Why not?" Farnsworth demanded, and he grasped her arm as she tried torun away. "I'm going to have this out now, Azalea! _Why_ shan't I writeto Uncle Thorpe?"

"Be--because he isn't--he isn't there--"

"Is he dead?"

"Oh, _no_! He's--he's--gone away on a--a business trip. "

"You're making up, Azalea, --I see it in your face. Tell me the truthabout him. Has he married again?"

"No, --oh, no. "

"Well, then, where is he?"

"He's--I don't know--"

"You don't know where he is, --and yet you claim you had a letter fromhim!"

"You say I wrote that letter myself--"

"And you did!"

"Well, then, it was because you insisted on my getting a letter fromhim, --and--and that's the only way I could think of. "

Azalea gave a half-smile, hoping Farnsworth would laugh, too. 

But he did not. He said, sternly, "I can't understand you, Azalea. Idon't want to misjudge you, but you must admit, yourself, that you'remaking it very hard for me. Why won't you tell me everything? If UncleThorpe disowned you, --cast you off, --or anything like that, --tell me;I'll take your part, --and I'll defend you. "

"Would you, Cousin William?" Azalea's voice was wistful; "would youdefend me?"

The serious tone disturbed Farnsworth more than her anger had done, andhe looked at her keenly. 

"Yes, " he answered, "but only if you are frank and truthful with me. Now, once again, Azalea, what is the _real_ name of the man who calledyou up yesterday?"

"Brown, " said Azalea, and Farnsworth gave a gesture of impatience. 

"You're a very poor story-teller!" he exclaimed. "It is not Brown, --orGreen, --or Smith. If you had said some less common name, I might havebelieved you. But your inventiveness doesn't go far enough. When peoplewant to deceive, it's necessary to frame their falsehoods convincingly. If you had said Mersereau or Herncastle, --I might have swallowed it. "

Azalea stared at him. 

"Why would you have thought those names were right?" she asked. 

"Because I should have felt sure you didn't invent them. But when youwant to conceal a name, and you say Smith or Brown, it doesn't go! Also, you _look_ as if you were fibbing. Why do you do it, Azalea? _Why_?"

"Oh, Cousin William, " the girl looked genuinely distressed, "I wish Icould tell you all, --I believe I will, --but--no, --I can't--"

Then she shrugged her shoulders, and tossed her head, and her defiantmanner returned. 

Farnsworth gave up in despair. "Very well, Azalea, " he concluded, "Ishall write to-day to Uncle Thorpe. I tell you this frankly, for _I_ donot do things on the sly. I'm sorry you take the attitude you do, butwhile I'm waiting to hear from your father, I shall continue to treatyou as a guest and a trusted friend. That is all. "

Farnsworth stood aside, and let Azalea pass. The girl went back to thehouse, in deep thought. 

She did not go to her room, or write any letters. She dawdled about, started the phonograph going, read a little in a magazine, and seemedgenerally distraught. 

As she sat in the big, pleasant hall, she saw Farnsworth come in, go tothe library and sit at his desk writing. Apparently this was one of thedays when he did not go to New York. Patty came by--spoke cheerily toAzalea as she passed her, and then went on to speak to Bill. 

The two went out of doors together. Azalea jumped at the chance, andrunning into the library, glanced over the letters Farnsworth hadwritten. As she had surmised, there was one addressed to Samuel Thorpe, Horner's Corners, Arizona. 

Azalea didn't touch it. She merely glanced at her wrist-watch andhurried up to her own room. 

Sitting there at the pretty desk, she wrote two or three letters, andsealed and addressed them. 

Then, sitting on her window-seat, she looked out over the beautifullawns and gardens. She saw Bill and Patty walking about, pausing hereand there. She knew they were selecting places for the booths and standsto be used at the forthcoming Fair. 

How happy they were! And how miserable she was! She looked at themenviously, and then again she tossed her hand, in her defiant way, andturned from the window. 

At luncheon Azalea was very sweet and pleasant. She talked withFarnsworth gaily, and discussed the Fair with Patty and Elise. 

"I'm going to donate some lovely things for the sale, " she said. "I'vewritten home for some Indian baskets and Navajo blankets, and somebeadwork. "

"Good gracious, Azalea, " cried Elise, "you'll outshine us all ingenerosity! I'm making some lace pillows and boudoir caps, but theywon't sell as well as your gifts. "

"It's very kind of you, dear, " and Patty smiled at the Western girl withreal gratitude. "I wonder what booth you'd rather serve in, Azalea, " shewent on. "Of course, you may take your choice. "

"When is the Fair?" Azalea asked. 

"We're planning it for the middle of July. I think we can get ready bythat time. "

"I won't be here then, " and Azalea looked thoughtful. 

"Won't be here! Of course you will! What nonsense!" and Patty's blueeyes opened wide in astonishment. 

"I thought I might outstay my welcome, " Azalea said, seeming a littleconfused. 

"Nay, nay, Pauline, " and Patty smiled at her, "stay as long as you like. As long as you can be happy with us. "

But there was an uncomfortable pause, for Farnsworth didn't secondPatty's invitation or make any comment on it. 

"I'm going down to New York in the car this afternoon, " said Elise. "Want to go, Azalea?"

"Yes, --I'd be glad to. "

"All right, be ready about three. You going, Pattibelle?"

"No; not to-day. My lord and master is at home, and I can't give up aprecious hour of his companionship. "

"Oh, you turtle-doves! All right, then, Zaly and I will sally forth tothe great metropolis. "

Elise was spending a month with Patty, and was going later to themountains with her own family. They were all anxious, therefore, to getthe Fair under way, and to hold it while Elise was still there. 

So things were being pushed, and the committees were hard at work. Therewere innumerable errands to the city, and nearly every day the big carwent down and returned laden with materials for the work. 

Promptly at three, Azalea was in the hall, and Elise joined her, readyfor the trip. 

"I mean to mail these in New York, " said Elise, who carried a handful ofletters. 

"I will too, " returned Azalea, who also had a number of them in herhand. "Let's take these that are on the hall table, --they go quicker ifwe mail them in the city. "

"All right, " said Elise, carelessly, and Azalea, with a stealthy lookabout, picked up the big pile of addressed mail that lay on the table. 

No one was looking and she deftly slipped out from the lot the letterFarnsworth had written to Mr. Thorpe, --and pocketed it. 

Going out the door, she handed the rest of the letters, with her own, tothe chauffeur, to mail, and then got into the car after Elise. 

Away they went, chattering blithely about the Fair, and the enormous lotof work yet to be done for it. 

"There are so many working with us, " observed Elise, "that it seems abig job of itself to keep them in order. "

"It all amazes me, " returned Azalea. "I never saw people work as hard asyou and Patty do. And you accomplish such a lot! And yet, you never getflustered or hurried, or--"

"That's partly the result of long experience in these bazaar affairs, and partly because we both have a sort of natural efficiency. That's amuch used word, Zaly, but it means a lot after all. "

"Yes, it does. What's your booth, Elise?"

"It isn't exactly a booth. I'm going to have a log cabin, --a real one, built just as I've planned it, and in it I'm going to sell all sorts ofold-fashioned things. "

"Antiques?"

"Yes, of the proper sort. Old Willow china and Sheffield plate. Copperlustre tea-sets and homespun bedspreads. And samplers! Oh, Azalea, I'vethree or four stunning samplers! One is dated 1812. That ought to bringa fine price. "

"I don't know about samplers. Of course, I know what they are, --but whatmakes them valuable?"

"Age, my dear. And authoritative dates. People make collections of oldsamplers, and those who collect will spend 'most anything for a goodspecimen. "

"I've one that my grandmother made, --at least, I can get it. Would youlike it?"

"Would I? Indeed I would! But you ought to keep that, Azalea. My, what agenerous girl you are! You'd give away your head, if it weren't fastenedon! No, dear child, keep your grandmother's sampler yourself. Is it agood one?"

"I don't know what a 'good' one is. It has flowers on it, and littlepeople, --queer ones, --and a long verse of poetry and an alphabet ofletters. "

"And the date?"

"Yes; 1836, I think it is. "

"That's fairly old. Not a collection piece, --but a good date. Is it ingood condition, --or worn?"

"Good as new. I don't want it, Elise, --that is, I'd like to give it toyou. You've been awful good to me. "

"All right, Zaly, send for it, and we'll take a look at it, anyway. "

CHAPTER XI

THE SAMPLER

Vanity Fair was all that its name implied. By good fortune, the weatherwas perfect, --ideally pleasant and sunshiny, yet not too warm. WistariaPorch was transformed into a veritable Fairyland, and it was abewildering vision of flowers, flags and frivolity by day, and a blazeof illuminated gaiety by night. 

It was to last but two days, for, Patty said, they might hope for fairweather for that long but hardly for three days. 

It was to open at noon, and all the morning everybody was running about, doing last minute errands or attending to belated decorations. 

Azalea had the Indian booth. It was a wigwam, in effect, but it was sobedecked and ornamented that it is doubtful if a real Indian would haverecognised it as one. However, it was filled with real Indian wares, andthe beautiful baskets and pottery were sure to prove best sellers. Azalea received a large consignment from some place she had sent to inArizona, and other people had donated appropriate gifts, until thelittle tent was overflowing. 

Azalea herself, the attendant on the booth, was in the garb of an Indianprincess, a friend of Patty's having lent the costume for the occasion. It was becoming to the girl, and she looked really handsome in thepicturesque trappings, and elaborate head-dress. 

Just before time for the Fair to be opened, Azalea went over to Elise'sbooth. As she had planned, Elise had a log cabin, and in it she hadarranged a motley collection of antiques and heirlooms that were quaintand valuable. It was the design of the Fair to sell really worthwhilethings at their full value; and as they expected many wealthy patrons, the committees felt pretty sure of a grand success. 

"Elise, " said Azalea, as she appeared at the door of the cabin, "here'smy contribution to your department. I haven't had a chance to give it toyou before. " She handed out a parcel, which Elise opened eagerly. 

It proved to be a sampler, --old, but in fine condition. It was anelaborate one, with many rows of letters, some lines of verse, andseveral little pictured shapes. There was a beautiful border, and thesignature was _Isabel Cutler, 1636!_

"Oh!" exclaimed Elise, "what a gem! Where _did_ you get it? Why, Azalea, this is a museum piece! 1636! It's worth hundreds of dollars!"

"Oh, no, " said Azalea, "it can't be worth all that! But I thought you'dlike an old one. "

"But I don't understand! Where did you get it?"

"It was my grandmother's. "

"But your grandmother didn't live in 1636!"

"N--n--no, --I s'pose not. Well, --you see, she had it from _her_grandmother and great-grandmother, --clear back, --you know. "

"I see, " said Elise, scrutinising the sampler. "It's a marvel, Azalea. You mustn't sell it at this Fair. It ought to go to a museum. 1636!That's one of the earliest sampler dates! I can't see how it's lainunknown all these years. Who had it before you did?"

"Mother. "

"Oh, yes, --of course. Well, I'm not going to take it from you--"

"Yes, you are, Elise. I want to give it to you. I've wanted all alongto give you something nice, --you've been so good to me--"

"Rubbish! don't talk like that, Zaly! If you want to make Patty apresent, now, --give it to her. That would be a worth-while return forher kindness to you. "

"Oh, I don't think so much of the old thing as you do. I don't eventhink it's pretty. "

"It isn't a question of prettiness, or even of a well worked piece. It'sthe date. And this is genuine, --I can see that. But I can't understandit! Why, --I think this border wasn't used until--I must look it up in mybook. That's home in New York. But, there's one thing sure and certain!This doesn't get put in with my bunch of wares! Mr. Greatorex may comethis afternoon. He's an expert on these things. He'll know just whatit's worth. "

"Oh, Elise, " Azalea looked troubled, "don't take it so seriously. It'sjust an old thing. You've others here that are far handsomer. "

"As I told you, Zaly, it's the age that counts, --not the beauty. Runalong to your own booth. I'll lay this aside until I can find out aboutit. But if it's as valuable as I think it is, you mustn't give it toVanity Fair, --or to anybody. 1636! My!"

Azalea looked a little crestfallen. Instead of being glad at theunexpected value ascribed to her gift, she seemed decidedly put outabout it. She strolled round by Patty's booth. That enterprising youngmatron had caused to be built for her use a little child's playhouse. Itwas just large enough for half a dozen children, and would perhaps holdnearly as many grown people. But it had a good-sized verandah and onthis were tables piled with the loveliest fairy-like gossamer garmentsand comforts for tiny mites of humanity. Such exquisite blankets andafghans and tufted silk coverlets and such dainty frocks and caps andlittle coats and everything an infant could possibly use, from basketsto bibs and from pillows to porringers. 

And dolls, --soft, cotton or woolly dolls for little babies to play with, and soft, cuddly bears and lambs. Rattles, of course, and bath-tub toys, and all sorts of infants' novelties. 

Patty, happy as a butterfly, hovered over her treasures. She wore theimmaculate white linen garb of a nurse, and very sweet and fair shelooked. Later, Fleurette was to grace the booth and attract allobservers by her marvellous baby charm. 

At high noon the bazaar was opened with a flourish of trumpets and afanfaronade by the band. Farnsworth had given the services of a firstclass band as his donation, and the musicians made good. 

The scene was one of varied attractions. The place itself was lovelywith its wealth of flower gardens and shrubbery and the unique andelaborate booths here and there among the trees made a striking picture. 

Betty was queen of the soda fountain. A really, truly soda fountain hadbeen procured, and it was attended by white uniformed servitors who weretrained to the work, but Betty was the presiding genius and invited hercustomers to sample her beverages, with free advice as to which flavoursand combinations she thought the best. 

Raymond Gale was a general supervisor of several of the enterprises. 

He had in charge the moving-picture men who had expressed a desire toget some scenes of the gay throngs and were willing to pay well for theprivilege. 

"You like the 'movies, '" he called out to Azalea, "come over here andget into the game. "

"Can't, " she called back. "I have to be on duty at my wigwam. "

"Oh, come along; the wigwam won't run away. At least promenade up anddown once with me. "

So Azalea came, laughingly, and the two walked grandiloquently into thefocus of the camera. 

"And there is a man making phonograph records, " young Gale went on. "Come over there, Zaly, and we'll have a joust of words, and record iton the sands of time!"

"What do you mean?" asked Azalea, interestedly, for she had no knowledgeof some of the performances going on. 

She went with Raymond and found a crowd waiting at the booth where thephonograph man was doing business. His plan was to make a record for anycustomer who cared to sing, recite or soliloquise for him. Mothersgladly brought their infant prodigies to "speak pieces" and went awayproudly carrying the records that could be played in their homes foryears to come. Aspiring young singers made records of their favouritesongs. One young girl played the violin for a record. 

Taking their turn, Raymond and Azalea had what he called an impromptuscrap. A few words of instruction were enough for Azalea's dramaticinstinct to grasp his meaning, and they had a lively tiff followed by asentimental "making-up" that was good enough for a vaudevilleperformance, and which Azalea knew would greatly amuse Patty and Billwhen they should hear the record. 

"Oh, what fun!" Azalea cried, "I never heard of such a thing. I want tomake a lot of records. I'm going to make one of Baby!"

She ran into the house and up to the nursery where Winnie was justgiving the child her dinner. "Goody!" cried Azalea, "now she'll begood-natured! Let me take her, Winnie. "

Not entirely with Winnie's sanction, but in spite of her half-expresseddisapproval, Azalea took the laughing child and ran back to thephonograph booth. 

"Let me go in ahead of you people, won't you, please?" she begged, andthe waiting line fell back to accommodate her. 

But alas for her hopes. She wanted the baby to coo and gurgle in thedelightful little way that Fleurette had in her happiest moments. 

Instead, frightened by the strangeness of the scene and the noise andlaughter of the people all about, Fleurette set up a wail of woe whichdeveloped rapidly into a storm of screams and sobs, --indeed, it was afirst-class crying spell, --a thing which the good-natured child rarelyindulged in. 

Not willing to wait for a better-tempered moment, the man took therecord and poor little Fleurette was immortalised by a squall insteadof a sunny burst of laughter. 

But there was no help for it, and Azalea, greatly chagrined, took thebaby back to Nurse. 

"Here's your naughty little kiddy, " she cried ruefully, handingFleurette over, but giving the child a loving caress, even as she spoke. 

"Thank you, Miss Thorpe, I'm glad to get her back so soon. "

And then Azalea ran away to her Indian booth, where she found herassistant doing a rushing business with the Indian wares. 

Indeed, everybody seemed anxious to buy the baubles of Vanity Fair. Thecause was a worthy one, the patrons were wealthy and generous, and thevendors were charming and wheedlesome. 

So the coin fairly flowed into their coffers and as the afternoon woreon they began to fear they wouldn't have enough goods to sell the secondday. 

Azalea was a favourite among the young people. She looked a picture inher Indian dress and she was in rare good humour. She tried, too, to begracious and gentle, and committed no _gaucheries_ and made no ignoranterrors. 

"You've simply made that girl over, " Elise said to Patty, as the twospoke of Azalea's growing popularity. 

Patty sighed. "I don't know, " she said, thoughtfully. "There's somethingqueer about Azalea. Little Billee has said so from the first, and now Ibegin to see it, too. "

"She _is_ queer, " assented Elise, "but she's so much nicer than she wasat first. Ray Gale is very devoted to her. "

"I know it. I like Ray, too, but sometimes, --think, --he knows somethingabout her that he won't tell us. "

"For mercy's sake, --what do you mean? knows something about your owncousin that you don't know!"

"Oh, Zaly isn't our own cousin, you know. But--well, never mind now, Elise. This isn't a good time to talk confidentially. "

Crowds of people were constantly arriving, and among them were many ofPatty's old friends. Many, too, of her newer acquaintances, who lived inArden and also in the nearby towns. 

Patty was charming and delightful to everybody, remembering that she wasin a way hostess as well as a sales-lady. 

Fleurette graced her mother's booth with her presence, later in theafternoon, and quite redeemed her reputation for good nature, by smilingimpartially on everybody, and gurgling a welcome to all who looked ather. 

The little garments and toys of Patty's booth were soon sold out, forthey were choice bits of needlework and found ready buyers. 

And then one enthusiastic young father wanted to buy the playhouseitself, in which Patty had displayed her wares. 

"But I meant to keep this for my own baby!" she cried. 

"Oh, you can build another by the time that little mite needs one, " theyoung man replied. "And my youngster is four years old, --just ready toinhabit a ready made home of this kind, "

So the pretty little house was sold, and plans were made to remove itto the purchaser's estate. 

So it went. Azalea had many offers for her wigwam, if she would sell itafter the fair. She agreed to let it go to the highest bidder, andfinally received a fine price. 

Archery was one of the pretty diversions, and at this Azalea excelled. To the surprise of all, she proved exceedingly skilful with the bow andarrow and easily won the prize offered. But she magnanimously refused toaccept it, and returned it to be competed for over again. 

Mr. Greatorex, the expert connoisseur in the matter of antiques, arrivedat Elise's log cabin and expressed delight in its construction andfurnishing. 

The cabin was not for sale, Elise laughingly informed him, as Mr. Farnsworth intended to keep it a permanent fixture on his own grounds. Also, Elise went on, very few things of value were left on hertables, --but she still had one piece on which she wished to ask hisopinion. 

From a drawer she brought out the sampler that Azalea had given her andpassed it over to Mr. Greatorex, without comment. 

He looked at it, at first casually and then more closely. 

His face expressed mystification, and suddenly he examined the dateminutely and then smiled. 

"Very clever, my dear, --very cleverly done, indeed. Did you do it?"

"Oh, no; it is the property of a friend of mine, --it was done by anancestor of hers. You see it's signed and dated. "

"I see! Oh, yes, I _see_! But you mustn't try to impose on me, --myeyesight is not yet entirely gone!"

"What do you mean, Mr. Greatorex?" Elise was puzzled. "I'm not trying toimpose on you!"

"I hope not, my girl, for I wouldn't want to believe such a thing ofyou. But you have been imposed upon. "

"How?"

"This sampler was worked in 1836, not 1636. "

"How do you know?"

"Very easily. Here, you can see for yourself. You see how the figuresare made, --ordinary cross stitch. Well, as you know, an eight is workedalmost exactly the same as a six, except that it has two more stitcheson the upper right-hand side. If those two stitches are picked out of aneight, it turns into a six! Now, I'm sure your young eyes can see thattwo stitches _have_ been picked out in this instance. See the slightmark where the canvas is the least bit drawn? And see, on the back afresh stitch was necessary to keep the ends from ravelling. It wouldpass to a careless observer, but to one accustomed to these things thefraud is plainly evident. "

"Oh, Mr. Greatorex, " and Elise looked sorrowful, "I don't care so muchabout the sampler being less valuable than I thought, as I do abouthaving to think the friend who gave it to me would cheat me!"

"Perhaps she didn't. Perhaps somebody cheated her. "

"No; she told me her mother gave her this, and that she had had it fromher mother and grandmother--and so forth. "

"Then I fear your friend knew of the fraud, --though perhaps her mothergave it to her as it is now. "

"Can you judge if the stitches were picked out recently?"

"I should say very recently. The canvas is faded, of course, but, as yousee, the threads beneath where the missing stitches were is quite ashade lighter. Had the picking been done years ago, the canvas wouldhave assumed a uniform tinge, --or nearly so. "

"Of course it would, --I can see that for myself. Oh, dear!--Well, Mr. Greatorex, don't say anything about this, will you?"

"Certainly not. But that's a good sampler, as it stands, --I mean as aspecimen of 1836 work. "

"Yes, I know it is. And yet, oughtn't the stitches to be put back?"

"Probably not, --for they could not be matched exactly--"

"But if it remains like this, everybody will think it two hundred yearsolder than it really is. "

Mr. Greatorex smiled. "Scarcely, " he said. "You see, my dear, theearliest known dated sampler is one of 1643 which is in the Victoria andAlbert Museum, in England. There are but six or seven known in thatcentury at all. It would be remarkable, therefore, to find a work of artthat would antedate all collections, and yet show the patterns and styleof work common less than a hundred years ago!"

"Oh, I understand, --I've read up on the matter somewhat, --but I'm _so_sorry--oh, I _am_ so sorry!"

Elise looked woe-begone indeed, for she realised that Azalea had, inall probability committed the fraud herself, and with a deliberateintention of deceiving her. 

Azalea's own ignorance of the whole matter was so great, that it was notsurprising that she thought the mere alteration of the date would makethe sampler of greater value. But what broke Elise's heart was theknowledge of Azalea's wilful deception. 

She thanked Mr. Greatorex for his explanations and, again asking him notto mention the matter to any one at all, she put the sampler back in thedrawer and locked it up. 

"Sold my sampler yet, Elise?" Azalea asked, when next they met. 

"Yes; I bought it in myself, " Elise replied. "I wanted it, so I boughtit. I haven't paid for it yet, for I want to know what you consider afair price?"

Elise looked Azalea straight in the eyes, and was not surprised to notethe rising colour in the cheeks of the Indian maiden. 

"Why--why, " Azalea stammered, "you said it was worth hundreds ofdollars--you said that yourself, Elise. "

"That was before I knew of your own handiwork on the sampler. "

"What do you mean?" cried Azalea, angrily. 

"Just what I say. To the work on the sampler, you added a bit more, --orrather, you subtracted some!"

CHAPTER XII

AZALEA'S CHANCE

"What do you mean by subtracted some?"

"Now, Azalea, there's no use in your acting like that! You knowperfectly well you can't fool _me_! If you really want to know what Imean, I'll tell you. I mean that you picked out two stitches from theeight to make it look like a six. Didn't you, now?"

"Oh, well, if you've discovered that, I may as well own up. Yes, I did. "

"And aren't you ashamed of yourself? Don't you think such a deception awrong and contemptible thing to do?"

"Oh, pshaw, it was only for a joke. Can't you take a joke, Elise?"

"It _wasn't_ only for a joke. You hoped you would make me think thesampler two hundred years older than it really is! And you thought thatwould make it much more valuable. Well, you overreached yourself! Therewere no samplers made--so far as is known--in 1636. So your trickwouldn't fool anybody!"

"All right. There's no harm done, that I can see. My little joke fizzledout, --that's all. "

"No, that isn't all. It has proved you are a deceitful girl! You don'tmind telling a falsehood!"

"I didn't tell any!"

"Yes, you did! It's an untruth to pretend something is what you know itisn't! If I had sold that to some unsuspecting buyer, for a large price, you wouldn't have said a word! You'd have let it go!"

"Of course; all's fair at a Fair!"

"Oh, don't try to be funny, Azalea; I'm really angry about this matter. "

"Huffy, eh? Well, get over it, then! I don't care! _Some_ people likeme! Don't they?"

The last question was asked of Raymond Gale, who came walking by. 

"Sure; I do!" was the hearty reply. "Who doesn't?"

"Elise, " and Azalea pouted at the girl. 

"Fiddlesticks!" said Elise, gaily. "Never mind, Azalea, I'll take yourjoke in good part. "

For Elise had suddenly decided that she didn't want to spoil Patty'sFair by having a quarrel with her guest. So, though a good dealperturbed by the sampler incident, she preferred to drop the subject. 

Azalea understood, and was glad to be let off so easily, though she feltsure Elise would tell Patty all about it later. 

With Azalea, however, out of sight was out of mind, and she walked awaywith young Gale in a merry mood. 

As they strolled along, a man stepped toward them, and raising his capin a respectful way, asked Azalea if he might have a few words with her, alone. 

He had a business-like air, and though polite, was, quite evidently, nota man of social position. 

Gale stared at him, and Azalea grew very red and confused. 

"I--well--not just now, " she said, hesitatingly. "I'll see you someother time. "

"No, miss, that won't do, " The man was courteous, but decided, --and hada manner that bespoke authority. 

"If I'm in the way, I'll vanish, " Raymond said, laughing a little. 

"Well--if you will--" Azalea looked at him beseechingly. "I'll explainlater. "

So Gale walked off by himself and Azalea turned a troubled face to theman. 

"Mr. Merritt, " she said, "I can't have anything more to do with thewhole affair. I'm quite sure my relatives here wouldn't approve of it, and I can't keep the matter secret any longer. "

"But you _must_ come, Miss Thorpe. By a strange coincidence you aregreatly needed. Miss Frawley has broken her ankle--"

"She has!" Azalea's eyes sparkled, "Oh, --I don't mean I'm not sorry forher, --I am, indeed! But--"

"But it gives you a chance! A wonderful chance, --and if you can makegood--"

"Oh, I can! I will! Shall I come now?"

"No; but you must come to-morrow morning at nine, sharp. Will you?"

"Indeed I will! I'll be there on time. "

"And tell your people about it, --don't you think you'd better?"

"Oh, " Azalea's face fell. "I don't know. Suppose they refuse to let mego!"

"How can they? They have no real control over you. "

"No, --but I'd hate to go against their expressed disapproval. "

"Nonsense! This is your first chance at a career. Don't muff it, now!Why, just your skill at archery is enough to put you over! It's the veryplace for you! Western doings, riding, shooting, lassoing, all sorts ofbareback, daredevil stunts--"

"I know--I know. Yes, I'll be there to-morrow. You go, now, --here comesmy cousin. "

With a quick glance at Farnsworth, who was approaching, the man walkedswiftly away. 

"Who is he?" Bill asked, as he came up to Azalea. 

"Friend of mine, " she answered, gaily. 

"What's his name?"

"That's telling!"

"I know it is, and I expect to be told. "

"People don't always get all they expect. "

"Don't trifle with me, Azalea; I'm not in a trifling mood. Who was thatman?"

"Ask me no questions and I'll tell you no lies. Now, now, CousinWilliam, you know yourself, it's very rude to insist on prying intoother folks' secrets!"

"Why _is_ it a secret? What possible business can a man like that havewith you, --that I can't know about?"

"Why do you say 'a man like that'? He's all right. "

"All right is a vague term. He's not one of our sort. "

"Don't be a snob! Remember you were born and brought up in the West, just as much as I was. And although you've now got to living high andmighty, you needn't look down on me or my friends!"

"You're talking rubbish, Azalea. That man is not your friend, --he wastalking to you on some business matter. "

"I'm not a business woman!"

"You're not a woman at all! You're a young girl, and a very sillyone, --to have secret dealings with a common-looking man. Now, as yourtemporary guardian, I insist you tell me all about it"

"'Temporary guardian' is good! Who appointed you?"

"I'm that by reason of your being a guest in my house, and too in viewof the fact that you have, apparently, nobody to look after you. Yourfather has mysteriously disappeared. You've had no word from him sinceyou've been here! So far as I know, you have no other relatives, andso, as your nearest of kin, I propose to look after you, --if you willlet me. Don't be foolish, Azalea, dear, " Farnsworth's voice took on atender tone, "_don't_ be antagonistic. I want to help you, not annoyyou. Why not look on me as a friend, and let me know all you're about?There can be _no_ reason why I shouldn't. "

"You might not approve, " and Azalea looked at him uncertainly. 

"Why? Are you up to anything wrong?"

"No, " but she spoke hesitatingly, "not wrong, Cousin, but--all the same, you might not approve. "

"Tell me, and let me see. If it isn't wrong, I'll promise not to censureyou, even if I don't entirely approve. "

Azalea's attention was attracted by the man who had lately left her. Hestood behind Farnsworth and made gestures that informed Azalea she wasnot to let his presence be known. So she continued to talk to Bill, butalso kept the other man in view. 

His procedure was somewhat strange. He pretended to be holding a baby, cuddling an imaginary child in his arms. Then he tossed thenon-existent little one up in the air, and pretended to catch it again. 

Then he nodded to Azalea. She shook her head negatively and veryvigorously. 

He nodded peremptorily and insistently. Again she shook her head, and asshe did so Farnsworth wheeled suddenly and saw the man. 

Angrily, he made a dash for him, but the stranger was agile and alert, and ran swiftly away and out of the grounds to the street. 

Farnsworth looked at Azalea coldly. "So you were holding communicationwith him, over my shoulder! This is a little too much, Azalea, and nowthe crisis has been reached. Either you give me a full explanation ofyour business with him, or you bring your visit here to an end. I cannothave you in my house, if you are deceitful and insincere. I stand by myoffer; I will listen willingly to your story, and judge you mostleniently. I don't really believe you _are_ up to anything wrong. But asecret is always mysterious and I hold that you are too young andinexperienced to have secrets from your elders. "

"I have nothing to confess or confide, Cousin William, " said Azalea, putting on a haughty air. "I refuse to be accused of wrong-doing, whenI am not guilty of it, --and I will bring my visit here to an end atonce! I will leave to-morrow!"

"Oh, pshaw, Zaly, don't go off so suddenly!" Farnsworth laughed lightly, for he had said a little more than he meant to, and he realised, too, that this was neither the time nor the place to have such a serious talkwith the girl. 

"Come along now, and have tea with us all in the tea-house, " he said. "Forget your bad, cruel cousin's scoldy ways, and as to the mysteriousman, I'll trust your word that he's all right. "

"Oh, thank you, Cousin!" Azalea fairly beamed now. "How good you are!I'll tell you all about it, --some day!"

So the matter rested for the moment, and the two went to join the merrygroup around the tea-table. 

The Fair drew to a brilliant close. The second evening was even more gayand festive than the first. Everything was sold out, --or, if not, it wasdisposed of by auction after the time-honoured method of Fairs. 

Much money had been accumulated for the good cause, and though tired, the workers were jubilant over the success of Vanity Fair. 

"I shall sleep late to-morrow morning, " declared Patty, as, after allthe guests were gone, the house party started for bed. 

"Me, too, " agreed Elise. "I'm glad you haven't anybody staying here butus. No house guests, I mean, but just Zaly and me. "

"I'm glad, too, " said Patty. "You see, I expected Father and Nan, butthey've changed their plans and will remain in California anothermonth. "

"They're having a gorgeous trip, aren't they?"

"Yes, indeed, but I wish they'd ever get home! Just think, Father hasnever seen Fleurette!"

"She'll be a big girl when they do see her. She's growing like a littleweed. "

"Like a little flower, you mean! Don't you just love her name, Elise?"

"Fleurette? Little Flower? Of course I do. The sweetest ever. Does Billstill call you Patty Blossom?"

"Yes, at times. Oh, he calls me 'most any old thing! He makes up newnames for both of us every day! Come along, Zaly, you're dropping fromsheer weariness. Time for little girls like you to go beddy!"

Affectionately Patty put her arm round the girl, and led her awayupstairs. 

"Sleep well, " she said, as she left Azalea in her own room. "And don'tcome downstairs in the morning before ten or eleven. I'm sure I shan't. The servants will clear everything up, and Bill will oversee it. I hatethe aftermath of a Fair, --don't you?"

Azalea nodded agreement, and Patty kissed her good-night and went off. 

But it was only eight o'clock the next morning when Azalea crept softlydownstairs. She was neatly attired in a cloth suit, with a fresh whiteshirtwaist and a pretty hat. 

She was not at all sleepy or weary-looking and she went out through thepantry to the kitchen. 

"Please give me a cup of coffee, " she said to the cook, who was justbeginning her day's work. 

She looked in amazement at Azalea, for she had had no orders over nightto serve an early breakfast. 

"I'll get you something as quick as I can, " she said, good-naturedly. "Ididn't know you was going to town, Miss Thorpe. "

"Just decided, " said Azalea, carelessly; "and I don't wantbreakfast, --only a cup of coffee and a bit of toast. There's a goodcookie. "

Smiling at the cajolery, the cook bustled about and soon had anappetising little repast ready. Azalea gratefully accepted the poachedegg and the marmalade in addition to what she had requested, and in ashort time had finished and prepared to depart. 

But she did not ask for one of the Farnsworth motor-cars; instead, shewalked swiftly out of the gate and down the street toward the trolleyline. 

She waited for a car and when it came she got aboard and settled downfor a long ride. 

At last she got out and a short walk brought her to her destination. This was nothing more nor less than a great moving-picture studio. 

There were a number of people about, all very busy and intent on whatthey were doing. 

Azalea seemed to be known, for two or three nodded pleasantly to her asshe went swiftly along to the office. 

There she presented herself, and was received by Mr. Bixby, the man whohad one day called on her at Wistaria Porch. 

"Well, Miss Thorpe, " he said, briskly, "I suppose you heard the news. Miss Frawley has broken her ankle--"

"Yes, I heard that, " said Azalea, with a sympathetic look. 

"And we think we want to put you in her place, --at least, for a trial. "

"I'm glad to try, " Azalea said, earnestly. "I'll do my best to makegood. But I can't bring the baby again. "

"Oh, pshaw, yes you can, --just once more, anyway. But never mind thatnow. We must see about your own part. You know there's danger, MissThorpe?"

"Miss Frawley braved the danger, " Azalea said, quietly. 

"Yes, and Miss Frawley broke her ankle. "

"I know; and I may break mine, but I'll take the chance. I am notafraid, --though I well know that accidents may happen. What was MissFrawley doing?"

"It was in that climbing scene. You know she climbs the sheer precipiceof rock. There are hidden spikes driven into the rock for her feet, ofcourse, but she missed one, and fell. "

"I'll be as careful as I can, but I may miss it, too. "

"In that case, we'll have to get some one else, " said Mr. Bixby, coolly. "Are you ready for work?"

"Oh, yes, " and then Azalea was shown to the dressing-rooms. 

This was her secret. For years she had wanted to be a moving-pictureactress, and she had hoped before she left Arizona for New York that shemight get an opportunity to take up the work. She had expected to beginwith minor parts, and hoped by her skill and earnest efforts to attaineminence. 

On the train, coming East, she had formed an acquaintance with Mr. Bixbyand his wife, who were in the business. As their studio was not far fromthe Farnsworth home, Azalea had made plans with them to engage in thework. 

She had carried out these plans, and had been over to the studiosseveral times, taking parts in which they needed a substitute. 

She had done so well and had shown such promise that Mr. Bixby urged herto become a regular actress in his company. 

But Azalea was so uncertain as to how Patty and Bill would regard such amove on her part, that she had so far kept the matter to herself. 

Then, when the star actress had met with an accident, and the managementhad concluded to offer Azalea her place, it was a great chance for thegirl. 

She had come over this morning to give it a trial, entirely at sea as toher subsequent attitude toward the Farnsworths. 

She thought she would be guided by circumstances as to whether she wouldconfide all to them, or whether she would continue her secrecy as to hermovements. 

Mrs. Bixby attended to her in the dressing-room. All of Miss Frawley'scostumes, it was found, could be altered to fit Azalea. 

As one in a dream, the girl stood to be fitted, while seamstresses andmodistes hovered about her. 

Then she was informed that the work that day would be only rehearsingand the pictures would not actually be taken until her costumes wereready. 

Submissively she did exactly as she was told, and so well did she actthe parts assigned her, that Mr. Bixby expressed hearty approval. 

Azalea was there nearly all day, and when at last she turned her facehomeward, a great dismay seized her. 

"What's the matter, child?" asked kindly Mrs. Bixby, who was sayinggood-bye. 

"Oh, I don't know what to do!" Azalea was tempted to tell thedirector's wife all her troubles. 

But Mrs. Bixby was a busy lady, and she said, "Not now, dearie. Youskittle home, and to-morrow maybe I can take a couple hours off to hearyour tale of woe. You know you've already told me your swagger relativeswould throw a fit if they knew what you were up to. Well, I guess it'sabout fit time!"

Azalea disliked her style of speech, but Mrs. Bixby was kind hearted, and she had hoped to have her for a confidante. However, there was nochance then, for Mrs. Bixby hustled her off to the trolley-car, andAzalea went home to Wistaria Porch. 

CHAPTER XIII

"STAR OF THE WEST"

All the way home Azalea wondered how she would be received. 

Both Patty and Bill were somewhat suspicious of her and would naturallyquestion her as to where she had been all day. She was tempted to tellthem the whole truth and throw herself on their mercy, and but for onething she would have done so. This was the fact that she had previouslytaken the baby, Fleurette, over to the studios and had used the child inthe pictures. 

This she felt quite sure the Farnsworths would not forgive. 

Azalea would not have done it, if it had occurred to her at first howthe parents would resent such use of their child. But Mr. Bixby hadneeded a very young baby in a certain picture and Azalea, anxious toplease, had offered to bring Fleurette over. She was herself so devotedto the little one and so careful of her, she felt no fear of any harmcoming to her. Nor did it, for the infant was good and tractable, anddid all that was required of her without any trouble. However, littlewas required except for her to coo and gurgle in one scene, and to liequietly asleep in another. 

But there was one more short scene where Azalea had to rescue the babyfrom a burning house. To be sure the flames were artificial and therewas no danger from the fire, but the baby was thrown from an upperwindow, and caught by Azalea, who stood down on the ground. 

So accustomed was Fleurette to being tossed about, and so familiar toher was the frolicking with Azalea that she made no objections and was amost delightful addition to the picture. 

But something happened to the film, and the director was most anxious totake the scene over again. 

Azalea, however, positively refused to take Fleurette again to thestudio. She knew how she would be censured, should it be found out, andnow Nurse Winnie and the two Farnsworths, as well as Elise, were allwatching for anything mysterious that Azalea might do. 

She felt almost as if she were living over a slumbering volcano, thatmight at any moment blow her up. For Elise, she felt sure, would notkeep the sampler incident to herself, and if Farnsworth heard of it hewould be newly angry at that deception. 

So Azalea's delight at her success with the moving-picture company wasvery much tempered with dismay at her position in the Farnsworthhousehold. 

She was almost tempted to run away from them altogether and shift forherself. 

Indeed, she practically decided, as she rode in the trolley-car, that ifthey were hard on her when she reached home, she _would_ run away. Of awayward disposition and without really good early training, Azaleathought only of herself, and selfishly desired her own advancementwithout thought or regard for other people. 

But, to her pleased surprise, when she entered the gate she heard gayvoices on the verandah, and knew that guests were there, --and several ofthem. 

Unwilling to meet them in her street clothes, she slipped around to theback entrance and went in at the servants' door. 

"I don't want to appear until I can dress, " she explained to the cook, and went upstairs by a back way. 

Half an hour later, a very different looking Azalea went down the frontstaircase and out onto the porch. 

She wore a becoming dress of flowered organdie, with knots of brightvelvet, and her pretty hair was carefully arranged. 

Smiling and happy-looking, she met the guests and greeted them with agraceful cordiality. 

"Where have you been?" cried Elise, but Azalea ignored the question andquickly spoke to some one else. 

Mona and Roger Farrington were there, and Philip Van Reypen and ChickChanning. This quartette had motored up from New York to dine, and Pattyhad already persuaded them to say they would stay over night. 

"I'm crazy for a house party, " she said, "haven't had one for 'most aweek! Oh, yes. I've a couple of house guests, but I mean a real party. Let's make it a week-end, and have lots of fun!"

The visitors were entirely willing, and after telephoning home foradditional apparel, they settled down to enjoy themselves. 

As they hadn't much more than accomplished this settling when Azaleaarrived, there was no comment made on her absence all day. 

In fact, Patty rather forgot about it, in the multitude of herconferences with the housekeeper and the maids. 

Farnsworth said nothing in the presence of the guests, and Elise, afterher first exclamation, subsided. 

In fact, Elise was more interested in the society of Channing and VanReypen than in the mystery of Azalea's disappearances. 

Betty and Ray Gale had been telephoned for, and they came gladly, sothat at dinner there was quite a big party. 

"You certainly are a great little old hostess, Patty!" exclaimed RogerFarrington, as they seated themselves at table. "I liked you heaps as agirl, but as mistress of a fine house you are even more charming. "

"Thank you, Sir Hubert Stanley!" smiled Patty; "and I'm glad to admitthat I learned a lot about managing a house from your gifted wife. Doyou remember, Mona, how we kept house down at 'Red Chimneys'?"

"Indeed I do!" Mona answered, "what fun we had that summer!"

"I'll subscribe to that!" declared Farnsworth, "for it was then andthere that I met the lady who is now my wife! And, --I kissed her themoment I saw her!"

"Oh, Cousin William!" cried Azalea, "did you really? What _did_ shesay?"

"Flew at me like a small cyclone of wrath! But as I had mistaken her formy cousin Mona, she couldn't hold me very guilty. "

"Yes! A lot Patty looks like me!" said Mona, who was a dark-hairedbeauty. 

"But I didn't see her face, " pleaded Bill; "I just saw a girl on theverandah of your house, Mona, and I took it for granted it was you!"

"It's all ancient history, " said Patty, laughing. "And, to tell thetruth, I'm glad it happened, --for otherwise, I mightn't have becomeinterested in--Mona's cousin. "

"Then I bless my mistake!" said Farnsworth, so fervently that Pattyshook her head at him. 

"Mustn't talk so before folks, " she said, reprovingly. "Now, people all, what shall we do with this lovely evening? It's moonlight, so any whoare romantically inclined can ramble about the place, and flirt in thearbours, --while those who prefer can play bridge or--the piano. Orjust sit and chat. "

"Me for the last!" cried Mona. "I've oceans to talk about with you, Patty. Can't we play all by ourselves for a little while?"

"Certainly, " said Patty, as she rose from the table. "Mona and I aregoing to sit on the wistaria porch and gossip for half an hour. Afterthat, we're all going to dance, --and maybe sing. "

"Good enough programme, " agreed Van Reypen. "For one half-hour, then, each may do as he or she wishes!"

"Yes, if you all promise to be back here in half an hour. "

"Make it an hour, Patty, " laughed Elise, who had her own plans. 

"All right, " said Patty, carelessly, who cared only that her guestsshould enjoy themselves. 

"I want to tell you something, " Mona said, as she and Patty at last werealone on the porch. "Who _is_ Azalea?"

"I call that asking, not telling, " laughed Patty; "however, I'll reply. She is Bill's cousin, --not first cousin, but the daughter of hisfather's cousin. So you see, --a distant cousin. Why?"

"I'll tell you why. Roger and I go to the 'movies' sometimes, --and in apicture, the other night, we saw Azalea. "

"Saw Azalea! You mean some one who looked like her. "

"No; Azalea Thorpe herself! Roger and I both knew her at once. And itwas quite a new picture, --taken recently, I mean. Did you know she didsuch things?"

"No, and I can't think she does. It must have been only a remarkableresemblance, Mona. "

"No, Patty. We're positive. And, too, she was doing Wild Weststunts, --riding bareback, shooting, throwing a lariat, --all thosethings, --and Azalea can, you know. "

"Yes, I know; and there _is_ something queer going on. It may be thatwhen Azalea goes off for a day or part of a day, that's where she goes. But I can hardly believe it. And why does she keep it so secret?"

"I suppose she thinks you and Bill wouldn't approve. "

"And we certainly would _not_! I don't think it can be possible, Mona. But don't say anything to anybody, --not even to Little Billee, --until Ican talk to Azalea, myself. I can do lots with her, alone, but not ifanybody else is present. "

"Where is she now?"

"Gone for a moonlight stroll with Phil. He's decidedly taken with her. "

"Yes, I know it. He said so on the way up here. He thinks she's a finegirl--and he admires those careless, unconventional ways of hers. "

"Well, I don't, " Patty sighed. "I like Azalea for lots of things, --she'sgood company and kind-hearted, --and she's devoted to Baby, --but I_can't_ like those free and easy manners! But she's a whole lot betterthan when she first came! Then she was _really_ a wild Indian! I've beenable to tone her down a little. "

"You've done wonders for her, Patty. She ought to be very grateful. "

Patty made a wry face. "No, she isn't grateful. People never aregrateful for that sort of thing. And she doesn't even _know_ she'sdifferent! I've had to train her without her own knowledge! But she'schameleon-like, in some ways, and she picks up a lot just from beingwith mannerly people. "

"She does indeed! She's quite correct now, --in her actual doings. It'sonly in some burst of enthusiasm that she oversteps the bounds ofpropriety. Well, that's all. I thought I'd tell you, --for it isn't rightthat you shouldn't know. And there's no mistake. There's only one AzaleaThorpe. "

"Was her name on the programme?"

"No; she didn't have a star part, --not even a named part. She was one ofa crowd, --cowboys, ranch girls, and a general horde of 'woollies. ' Don'taccuse her of it, Patty; get around her and see what she says. "

"Goodness, Mona, give me credit for a little tact! I'll find out in thebest way. What was the name of the play?"

"'Star of the West. ' A splendid thing, --have you seen it?"

"No; we almost never go. "

"Oh, we go a lot, we love moving pictures. "

"I'd like to see this one, --before I speak to Azalea. Is it on now?"

"Yes, at The Campanile. Let's go down to-morrow, --just you and me. Wecan be back in a couple of hours. "

"Well, I'll see. Probably I can go. "

In the meantime, Azalea and Van Reypen were talking of the same play. 

"I saw a picture play last night, " Phil was saying, "with a girl in itthat looked exactly like you. "

"What was the play?" asked Azalea, interestedly. 

"'Star of the West. ' It was a good play, but I was most interested inthe girl I speak of. She was really your double, --but she did thingsthat I don't believe you could compass, --athletic as you are. "

"I'd like to see it, " said Azalea, thoughtfully. 

"Oh, go with me, will you? I'm going to stay up here over theweek-end, --and we could skip down to-morrow afternoon, and be back bydinner time. "

"I'd love to go, --but Patty doesn't greatly approve of the 'movies. '"

"Oh, never mind that. You've a right to go, if you choose. And youneedn't say where we're going, till we get back. Say we're going to takein a matinée. "

"Well, I'll go, " Azalea said decidedly, "for I'm crazy to see that play. What's the girl's name?"

"Dunno. It wasn't on the bill. But, truly, Azalea, you'll be surprisedto see how much like you she is!"

Azalea hesitated. She knew it was taking a great risk to go with Phil, but she was most anxious to see how she looked on the screen. 

This, she knew, was the first picture released in which she had taken apart. It was only a small part, but she had done well, the manager said, and that had been the reason for her further advancement. 

She had wanted to see it over at the studio, but her visits there hadbeen so hurried, and she had been so eager to get back, she never daredtake the time to see the pictures exhibited. 

The two returned to the house, and Patty greeted them gaily. 

"Well, wanderers, you're the last of the company to report! Where haveyou been?"

"Surveying your domain, ma'am, " Phil replied; "it's most beautiful bymoonlight, --especially when viewed in company with a fair lady. "

He bowed gallantly to Azalea, who was looking her best, --a slight blushof excitement on her cheeks at the compliment. 

"It _is_ lovely, " she said; "the house, from the west lawn, is awonderful picture! Patty, Mr. Van Reypen has asked me to go to New Yorkwith him to-morrow afternoon, --to a matinée. May I?"

"Certainly, my child. And as Mona and I are going down in the earlyafternoon, we'll all go together in the big car. "

Then all went to the hall for a dance. The large reception hall wasadmirably adapted for this purpose, and the strains of a fine phonographsoon set all feet in motion. 

Dancing with Raymond Gale, Azalea pirouetted gaily with some fancysteps. 

"Good!" he cried, falling into the spirit of the thing, and they prancedabout in a mad whirl. 

"How Western she is, " Elise said to Phil, with whom she was sedatelyone-stepping. 

"Clever dancer, " he returned, briefly, and the subject was notcontinued. 

"Come for a walk, " said Gale to Azalea, as the dance was over. 

"No; let's sit on the porch a minute, " she preferred. 

"Come along to this end, then, for I want to say something particular, "he urged, and they found a pleasant seat, from which they could see themoon through the leafy wistaria branches. 

"Look here, Azalea, " Gale began, "I know what you're up to, --with theBixbys. "

"What!" Azalea's voice was full of fear. 

"Yes, and there's no reason you should be so secretive about it. "

"Oh, Raymond, --there _is_ reason! Don't tell on me, will you?"

"Of course not, --if you forbid it. But when Farnsworth asks me, what amI to say?"

"What does he ask you?"

"Who the Bixbys are. And other awkward questions. You see, I know oldBixby, --and I knew as soon as I saw him here that day that he had drawnyou into his snares. "

"Don't put it that way--I wasn't exactly drawn in. "

"Well, you're in, all right. Why, Azalea, I saw you in a picture in NewYork, night before last. "

"You did?"

"Yes; in 'Star of the West. ' Don't try to fib out of it--"

"What!"

"Now you needn't get mad! I know you're not entirely above a littlefibbing, now and then!"

"I think I'll go in the house, --I don't like you. "

"Oh, Zaly, behave yourself. Be a sensible girl, and face the music! Whydon't you own it all up, and tell Farnsworth the whole story? It isn't acriminal thing to act in the 'movies. '"

"They think it is, --Bill and Patty. They'd never forgive me!"

"Oh, pshaw, they would, too! Anyway, I want you to do it, --tell 'em, Imean. Won't you, Zaly, --won't you, --for my sake?"

Gale was sincere and earnest, and Azalea thrilled to the strongtenderness in his voice as he urged her. 

But she hesitated to consent. 

"I can't, Ray, " she said, at last. "Truly, I can't. They'd--they'd turnme off--"

"Oh, Azalea, what nonsense! They'd do no such thing!"

"Yes, they would. You don't know Bill. He's good and generous andkind, --but he hates anything like deceit, --and almost worse, he hatesthe whole moving-picture racket. I don't mean the pictures themselves, exactly, --but the idea of anybody of his being in them. And, oh, Ray, --it isn't only myself, --but I took--I took--"

"I know, --you took the kiddy. "

"Yes, I did. It didn't seem any harm, at first, and then, one day when Ibrought her home, --she was sleepy, --unusually so, I mean, and Nursesaid she had been given soothing sirup, --and--I found out afterward shehad! Mrs. Bixby had given her some, to keep her quiet in the picture, you know. Of course, I never dreamed of such a thing, --why, Ray, thatlittle girl is as dear to me, --almost, --as she is to Patty! I wouldn'tharm a hair of her blessed little curly head! And I'd never have alloweda drop of that sirup, if I'd known it! But I just gave her to Mrs. Bixbyto hold, while I changed my costume, --Mrs. Bixby seems a good woman--"

"Oh, come now, I don't believe it hurt the child. "

"You don't know anything about such things. I don't know much, but Iknow they must never have a bit of that stuff! Anyway, Ray?--we must goin now, --don't give my secret away until I give you permission, willyou?"

"No; if you'll promise to think it over and try to believe what I'vetold you, --that it's best to tell all. "

"All right, I'll promise that, and I may decide to tell. But I want towait until after to-morrow, anyway. "

CHAPTER XIV

AT THE PICTURE PLAY

By a little adroit manoeuvring Van Reypen managed things so that he andAzalea did not go to New York in the motor with Patty and Mona, but wentdown by themselves in the train. 

For Azalea was most anxious that Patty should not know she was going tothe moving pictures, and especially that she was going to see "Star ofthe West. "

It had already become a popular picture and was drawing crowds. Andthough Azalea's part in it was a small one, yet her work was so goodthat one or two reviews had mentioned it approvingly. 

Azalea had hoped that it would be possible to let Van Reypen continue inhis mistaken impression that the girl on the screen was not herself, butsome one who looked marvellously like her. 

But the first sight of herself in the play so thrilled Azalea that shewas unable to repress an exclamation of surprised delight. 

"It _is_ you, Azalea!" whispered Phil, realising the truth. "How _did_you manage it? Oh, you wonderful girl!"

Azalea looked at him in astonishment. In the dim light of the theatreshe could see his face glowing with pride and pleasure. 

She gave a little gasp. "Oh, Phil, aren't you--I mean--are you _glad_about it?"

"I don't know, --Azalea, --it seems so queer--but, oh, look at that! Didyou really do that, Azalea!"

For the girl on the screen had flung herself, bareback, on a vicious, bucking pony, and holding on by his mane, went through the mosthairbreadth escapes, yet was not thrown. Indeed, she finally tamed thewild creature, and dashed madly off on her errand. This was the rescueof a baby who had been left behind, when those who should have lookedafter the child were themselves fleeing from a cyclone. 

The scene was remarkably well staged, and the illusion of the cyclonewonderfully worked out. 

The baby, left to the care of servants, was in a lightly built housethat rocked in the blasts. It threatened to collapse at any minute, andAzalea, racing against time, in the face of the gale, spurred on herflying steed, and reached the house just as it crashed to ruins. 

Flinging herself from the horse, she dashed into the piles of debris, and, the gale nearly blowing her off her feet, contrived to find thechild. 

Of course, in the taking of the picture, Fleurette had been in no dangerwhatever; in fact, had not been in the falling house at all, until timefor Azalea to find her in the ruins. 

But this was not apparent to the audience. To them it seemed that thebaby must have been there all the time. 

Van Reypen sat breathless, watching the screen with rapt attention. 

He thought little of the baby's danger, knowing the methods of makingpictures, but he was lost in admiration of Azalea, her fine athleticfigure, and her free, strong motions, as she battled with the winds andtriumphantly snatched the baby from harm. 

Then, the child in one arm, she flung herself again on the pony's back, the animal prancing wildly, but tractable beneath Azalea's determinedguidance, and they were off like the wind itself to a place of safety. The wild ride was picturesque, if frightful, and there was a burst ofapplause from the spectators, as Azalea, panting, exhausted, but safe, at last reached her goal, and leaning down from the horse, placed thebaby in the arms of its weeping, distracted mother. 

Azalea's beauty was of the sort that needs excitement or physicalexertion to bring out its best effects and as she stood beside thequivering, spent horse, her own heart beating quickly, her own breathcoming hard, she was a picture of vivid beauty. 

Her dress was disordered, her hair hung in loosened coils, her collarwas half torn off by the wind, but the happy smile and the justifiablepride in her success lighted up her countenance till it was fairlyradiant. 

"By cricky, you're stunning!" exclaimed Phil, under his breath, as hegrasped her hand in congratulation. 

And so, because of his praise and appreciation Azalea forgot her fearsof censure from the Farnsworths and gave herself up to the delights ofthe moment. 

She would not have felt so comfortable had she heard Patty's remarks atsight of the picture. 

Patty and Mona had come to the theatre later than Azalea, and had beengiven seats on the other side of the large house. The darkness, too, made it unlikely that they should see each other, and so Azalea remainedin blissful ignorance of Patty's presence. 

 * * * * *

"Of course, it's Azalea, " Patty said to Mona, the moment the girlappeared on the screen. "I--oh, I don't know _what_ to think aboutit, --but, isn't she splendid!"

"She is! That rig is most becoming to her, and she has such poise, --sostrong and free, yet graceful. "

"She's certainly at her best. "

"Of course, the director saw her possibilities and has brought out allher best points. How pretty her hair is, --loose, like that. "

"Yes, she's a real beauty, --of the true breezy, Western type. But, Mona, what _will_ Bill say? I do believe I shall feel more lenient about itall than he will! He is conservative, you know, for all his Westernbringing up. Oh, my gracious, Mona, _what's_ she doing now?"

"She'll kill herself with that wild horse! She _never_ can get on hisback!"

In a state of great excitement, they watched Azalea's skilful managementof the pony and clutched each other's hands in speechless fear as shetore through the gale to rescue her brother's child. 

And then--when at last Azalea emerged from the tumbled-down ruin of thelittle old house, with a baby in her arms, Patty gave a cry of startledfear, and then clapped her hand over her mouth, lest her dismay be tooevident to those sitting near by. 

"Mona!" she whispered, "it's Fleurette!"

"No! I don't believe it! You can't tell, --such a _little_ baby--they alllook alike, --you're imagining, Patty--"

"It is! it _is_! That's where they went when Azalea took Baby off for awhole day, --and two or three times for an afternoon or a morning! Oh, Ican't _stand_ it!"

Patty buried her face in her hands and refused to look up while Azalearode the galloping horse, with the child held fast in one arm. 

Mona felt it must be true. To be sure she couldn't really recogniseFleurette's face, but she was certain that Patty's mother heart couldmake no mistake, and it was small wonder that she was overcome at seeingher child in such scenes. 

"Hush, Patty, " said Mona, as Patty's sobs began to sound hysterical, "hush, --this is only a picture, you know, --this isn't reallyFleurette, --she is safe at home--"

"But she must have been here! Azalea _must_ have carried her, _really_--on that terrific horse! They couldn't have got the picturesif she hadn't!"

"Well, it's all right, anyway. It didn't hurt the baby--"

"Oh, hush, Mona! you don't know what I'm suffering! I guess if your babyhad been taken off and put through such awful doings, you'd know what Ifeel! My baby, --my little flower baby! In that awful crashing, tumblingdown old shanty! Oh, I _can't_ stand it!"

"Let's go out, Patty, there's no reason for us to stay longer. "

"Yes, let's, " and gathering up her wraps, Patty rose to go. 

They made their way out of the dark, crowded place, and finding themotor-car, they went straight home. 

Once there, Patty flew to the nursery, and fairly snatching the babyfrom Nurse Winnie's arms, she held it close, and crooned loving littlebroken songs. 

"You're all right, " Mona said, laughing at her. "You've got your baby, safe and sound, --now just sit down there and enjoy her for a while. "

This Patty gladly did, and Mona went in search of Farnsworth. 

She finally found him, down in a distant garden, where he was lookingafter some planting matters. 

"Come along o' me, " she said, smiling at him. 

Wonderingly Farnsworth looked up. 

"Thought you girls went to the city, " he said. 

"We did, --also, we returned. Patty is in the nursery, and I want a fewminutes' talk with you. "

"O. K. , " and the big man gave some parting instructions to a gardener andthen went off with Mona. She led him to a nearby arbour, and commencedat once. 

"You and I are old friends, " she said, "and so I'm going to take anold friend's privilege and give you some advice, and also ask a fewquestions. First, who is Azalea?"

"My two or three times removed cousin. "

"Are you sure?"

Farnsworth looked at her. "What do you mean, Mona?"

"What I say; are you _sure_?"

"Funny thing to ask. Well, --I am and--I'm not. "

"Now, what do _you_ mean?"

"I'll tell you. " And then he told her how queer he thought it thatAzalea had had no letters from her father since her arrival, --nor anyletters at all from Horner's Corners. 

"And she's so sly about it, " he wound up; "why once she wrote a letterto herself, and pretended it was from her father!"

"I can't make it out, " Mona mused. "If her father were dead, she'd haveno reason to conceal the fact. Nor if he had remarried. And if he hasdone anything disgraceful--maybe that's it, Bill! Maybe he's in jail!"

"I've thought of that, Mona, and, of course, it's a possibility. Thatwould explain her not getting letters, and her unwillingness to tellthe reason. But, --somehow, it isn't very plausible. Why shouldn't sheconfide in me? I've begged her to, --and no matter what Uncle Thorpe mayhave done, it's no real reflection on Azalea. "

"No; but now _I've_ something to tell you about the girl. "

Mona gave him a full account of the moving-picture play that she andPatty had visited, and told him, too, of Patty's distress over thepictures of Fleurette. 

Farnsworth was greatly amazed, but, like Mona, he knew Patty could notbe mistaken as to the identity of Fleurette. 

"And I just thought, " Mona went on, "that I'd tell you before Pattydid, --for, --oh, well, this is my real reason, --Patty is so wrought upand so wild over the Fleurette matter that she can't judge Azaleafairly, --and I don't want to have injustice done to her at this stage ofthe game. For, Bill, Azalea has real talent, --real dramatic genius, _I_think, and if there's no reason against it, --except conventionalones, --I think she ought to be allowed to become a motion-pictureactress. She's bound to make good, --she has the right sort of a face forthe screen, --beautiful, mobile, expressive, and really, a speakingcountenance. Why, she'd make fame and fortune, I'm positive. "

"Oh, Mona! what utter rubbish! One of _our_ people in the 'movies'!Impossible!"

"I knew you'd say that! And I know Patty will say--oh, good Heavens, Idon't know _what_ Patty will say! But I do know this; she would havebeen sensible and would have felt just as I do about it, if it hadn'tbeen for the Fleurette part of it. Before the baby appeared on thescreen Patty was really delighted with Azalea. She was enthusiasticabout her talent and her beauty, --really, Bill, she looked verybeautiful in the pictures. "

"Oh, Zaly is good-looking enough. But her taking our baby is--why, there's no term suitable! Where is Azalea!"

"I hope nowhere near, while you look like that!" and Mona laughed. "Yourexpression is positively murderous!"

"I feel almost that way! Just think, Mona, Azalea is _my_ relative! Iinflicted her on Patty, poor little Patty--"

"Oh, come now, Bill, don't overdo it! Azalea was most daring and evenfoolish, but not criminal. You know how she loves that child, and youknow she wouldn't let harm come near her. "

"But accidents might happen, for all Azalea's care and watchfulness--"

"I know that, but an accident might happen to Winnie when she takes Babyout in her coach!"

"Are you standing up for Azalea?"

"That's just what I'm doing! I'm glad you've got it through your headat last. And I ask this of you, old friend. Whatever you do or say toAzalea, think it well over beforehand. If you talk to Patty, as she isfeeling now you'll both be ready to tar and feather poor Zaly; and, truly, she doesn't deserve it! Please, Bill, go slow, --and be just. Begenerous if you can, --but at any rate, be just. That's all I ask. Andyou can't be just if you act on impulse, --so, go slow. Will you?"

"Yes, Mona, --there's my hand on it We're not often over-impulsive, --Pattyand I, --but in this case we may be, --might have been, --if you hadn'twarned me. You're a good girl, Mona, and I thank you for your foresightand real kindness, "

And so Farnsworth went in search of Patty with a resolve to try toreason out the matter with a fair consideration of all sides of it. 

He found his wife and daughter in the nursery. 

Patty had sent Winnie off, feeling that she must hold Fleurette in herarms for some time, in order to realise that she was safe from thewhirling winds of that awful cyclone!

When Bill appeared, Patty began at once, and launched forth a fulldescription of the picture play, and of Azalea's and Fleurette's partsin it. 

Farnsworth sat looking at her, his blue eyes full of a contentedadmiration. To this simple-minded, big-hearted man, his wife and childrepresented the whole world. All he had, all he owned, he valued onlyfor the pleasure it might mean to them. 

"Darling, " he said, as she finished the tale, "what do _you_ think aboutit all?"

"Mona's been talking to you!" Patty cried, with sudden intuition. 

"What! How do you know? You clair-voyant!"

"Of course I know, " and Patty wagged a wise head at him. "First, because you're not sufficiently surprised, --she told you all about it!And second, because you're not furious at Azalea! Mona has talked youaround to her way of thinking, --which is, that Azalea is a genius, --andthat--"

"That Fleurette is another! Think of being on the screen at the tenderage of six months!"

"You're a wretch! you're a monster! you're a--a--dromedary!"

Patty was feeling decidedly better about the whole matter. Having satfor nearly an hour, holding and fondling her idolised child, sherealised that whatever Fleurette had gone through, she was safenow, --and that whatever was to be done to Azalea by way of punishment, was more Bill's affair than hers. 

"You don't care two cents for your wonder-child! Your own littlebuttercup, --your daffy-downdilly baby!" she cried, in pretendedreproof, and then Farnsworth took Fleurette and tossed her about untilshe squealed with glee. 

"Oh, I guess we'll keep her, " he said, as he handed her back to hermother's arms. "She's the paragon baby of the whole world, even if Idon't appreciate her. "

"Oh, you do! you _do_!" exclaimed Patty, remorseful now at having teasedhim. "And now, Sweet William, what's _your_ idea of a right and properpunishment for Cousin Azalea?"

"That's a matter for some thought, " he responded, mindful of Mona'swords. "Look here, Patty, quite aside from Fleurette's connection withthis case, --what's your opinion of Zaly as a 'movie' star?"

"She's great, dear, --she really is. And--if she weren't our relative--"

"_My_ relative--"

"_Our_ relative, I should advise her to go in for the thing seriously;but, --I may be over-conservative, --even snobbish, but I do hate to haveour cousin's portrait all over the fences and ashbarrels, and in all theSunday papers, and--"

"I don't mind that publicity so much as I do the possible effects onAzalea's life. I don't know that the career of a 'movie' star is as fullof dangerous pitfalls as the theatrical line, but--I hate to see Azaleasubjected to them, --for her own sake. "

"I'm not sure we'll have anything to say in the matter, " Patty observed, thoughtfully. 

"She may take the bit in her own teeth. After seeing her break thatbucking broncho to-day, --I don't think her as tractable and easilyinfluenced as I did!"

"How's this plan, dearest? Suppose we don't tell Azalea, for themoment, that you saw the picture to-day, and see what she'll do next. "

"All right, I'd be glad to think it over a little. We'll warn Mona notto give it away, --and nobody else knows we went there. "

"Of course, I'll take up the matter of Fleurette with Azalea, separately, " Farnsworth went on. "But even if she's determined on hercareer, I feel sure we can persuade her to leave her little assistantout of it!"

"I rather just guess we can!" and Patty cuddled the baby to her breast. "Well, the crowd will gather on the porch soon. I'll make a freshtoilette and play the serene hostess, once again. "

Fleurette was given over to Winnie, and Patty, calm and happy now, ranoff to dress. 

"You're such a darling, --Big Billee, " she whispered turning back to herhusband, and she went into his embracing arms; "you always know justwhat is right to do. "

"Especially when Mona coaches me beforehand, " he laughed, unwilling todeceive her in the slightest degree. 

"Pooh, " said Patty, "you're so right, even Mona can't make you anyrighter!"

CHAPTER XV

SOME RECORDS

 "_Sur le pont D'Avignon, On y dansait, on y dansait, Sur le pont D'Avignon, On y dansait tout le rond_!"

Patty's sweet, clear soprano notes rang out gaily as she trilled thelittle song she had picked up in France. 

"What a pretty thing, " cried Elise, "teach it to me, do, Patty. "

"All right, I will. But there's a record of it, --my singing, --for thephonograph. You'll learn it better from that. "

"All right; Chick, come and find the record for me. "

The two went into the library, leaving the others on the porch. 

It was Sunday afternoon, and everybody was idle and happy. Patty was agood hostess and did not bother her guests by over-entertaining them. 

But at Wistaria Porch there was always enough to do, if any one wantedto do it, --and delightful lounging places, if one were indolentlyinclined. 

Searching among the catalogued records, Chick easily found the one Elisewanted. 

"What a lot of records they have of the baby's voice!" he exclaimed. 

"Yes, " Elise assented, "they make them on all occasions. Patty's keepingthem for her, when she grows up. Clever idea. "

"Yes, but she'll have to build a town hall to keep them in! The childhasn't begun to talk yet, but here are dozens--"

"Oh, well, they'll weed them out. Some of them are awful cunning, --andone is a first-class crying spell! They never could get but one ofFleurette crying, she's such a good-natured kiddy. All right, Chick, --start it off. "

They listened to the pretty little _chanson_, and repeated it untilElise felt satisfied she had added it to her repertory. 

Just as she finished Betty Gale came flying in. 

"Skip into your togs, Elise, and come for a drive with us, " she said. "I've corralled Bill and Patty, --and Ray wants you, --and I, " she lookedsaucily at Channing, "I want Mr. Chick. "

"We're with you to the last ditch!" Channing replied and Elise went offfor her hat. 

"Shall I put away these records?" Chick asked looking at several theyhad been using. 

"No, " said Betty, carelessly, "Patty has hordes of minions who do suchthings. Leave them, and get your duster on. We're off, --_pronto_!"

"Where's Azalea?" Raymond Gale inquired, as, a few moments later, he hadhis merry party in his car, and took hold of the wheel. 

"She and Van Reypen went for a long walk, " Farnsworth replied. "And themarried Farringtons have gone back to town, so this is all ourparty--for the moment. "

"All right; here we go, then. " And the big car rolled down the driveway. 

"I hesitated about going, " Patty demurred, "for it's Winnie's Sundayout, and I had to leave baby with Janet. I've never done it before. "

"Oh, well, " Betty laughed, "she'll probably sleep till you get back. Don't babies always sleep all the afternoon?"

"Not always, but Fleurette often does. Oh, of course, she'll be allright"

"And Azalea isn't there, " she added, in a low tone to her husband. 

And indeed, just then, Azalea was far away from there. 

She and Phil had gone for the sort of walk they both loved, --alongwoodland paths, cross-lots, now and then back on the highroad, and ifthey got too far to walk back, prepared to return by train or trolley. 

The two were congenial spirits, which fact had rather surprised VanReypen's friends. For he was a conservative, fastidious aristocrat, andthough Azalea's rough edges had been rubbed down a bit by Patty'straining, she was still of a very different type from the Van Reypenstock. 

But they both loved the open, and they strode along, chatting or silentas fitted their mood. 

"What's in your mind just now, Brownie?" he asked, as Azalea lookedthoughtful. 

"Why, --a queer sort of a notion. Did you ever have a premonition, --asort of feeling that you ought to do something--"

"A hunch?"

"Yes; a presentiment that unless you do what you're told to do, there'llbe trouble--"

"Who told you?"

"That's just it. Nobody, --except a--oh, a mysterious force, a--justan impulse, you know. "

"Obey it if you like. May I go, too?"

"Well, it's this. Just before we turned that last corner a motor passedus, you know. "

"Yes, I saw it. One of Farnsworth's, --with some of the servants in it. "

"It was. Patty gives them rides in turn. Now, Winnie the nurse was in, and so it must be her Sunday out. And, of course, Patty is home therewith the baby, --she never leaves her if Winnie's away, but still--I feelas if I must go home to look after that child!"

"Is that all? Let's go, then. We can walk back as well as to go on. "

"But, --don't laugh, now, --I feel we ought to hurry. Let's take thetrolley-car, --it isn't far to the line. "

"You sure have got a hunch! But your will is my law. Wish we were near agarage, --I'm not a bit fond of Sunday trolley riding!"

"I'm not either, --but, Phil, you're awful good not to laugh at me. "

"Bless your soul, I've no notion of laughing at you! Your presentimentmay be the real thing, --for all I know. Anyway, if you want to go home, you're going. "

So go they did, and, by the trolley-car route, arrived at the house inhalf an hour. 

As they passed the Gales' place, on their way from the car-line to thehouse, Van Reypen said, "Guess I'll stop here a minute if you don'tmind. I left my pet pipe here yesterday. Skip along home, and I'llfollow. "

Azalea went on and was surprised to find the house deserted. 

She went straight to the nursery, and found Fleurette in the care ofJanet, who was substitute nurse in Winnie's absence. 

"Everything all right, Janet?" said Azalea. 

"Yes, Miss Thorpe. Baby's had her milk, and I think she'll soon go tosleep. "

"She doesn't look much like it now, " and Azalea smiled at the gurgling, laughing child, who was wide awake and in frolicsome mood. 

"Where's Mrs. Farnsworth?" Azalea asked. 

"She went motoring with Miss Gale. They all went, --and all the help havegone too. I'm alone in the house with the baby. "

"Glad I came home, then. Mr. Van Reypen is here too, and I think I'lltake Fleurette down on the porch for half an hour. When she gets sleepyI'll bring her up here. "

"Very well, Miss Thorpe. I'll be here. "

Janet busied herself about the nursery and Azalea went downstairs withthe baby in her arms. 

On the vine-shaded porch they sat, and as Van Reypen stayed chattingwith some of the Gale family, Azalea and the baby were each other's solecompanions. 

Their conversation was a little one-sided, but Azalea's remarks weremostly eulogies and compliments and Fleurette's engaging smiles seemedto betoken appreciation if not acknowledgment. 

A footstep approaching made Azalea look up. 

Before her stood Mr. Merritt, the assistant director of the filmcompany. 

"Good afternoon, Miss Thorpe, " he said, politely; "I see the little oneis in a sunshiny mood. "

"Yes;" Azalea returned, but her very soul quaked with fear. Well sheknew what was in this man's mind. 

"And so, I'm going to ask you to run over to the studio just a fewminutes and give us one more chance at a good picture of that scene. "

"And I'm going to refuse, " Azalea returned with spirit. "You know verywell, Mr. Merritt, that I'm not going to let you pose this child again. "

"I know you _are_, --and mighty quick, too, " he retorted, in a low voice, but tones of great determination. "I know everybody is out, --you arepractically alone in the house, and I know you're coming withme, --willing or not! It won't hurt the baby a mite, --I've my little carout in the road, --and if you _don't_ consent, --I'll--"

He voiced no threat, but Azalea felt pretty sure he meant to take thebaby himself if she refused to go with them. 

She thought quickly, but no avenue of escape could she see. It would beutterly useless to call Janet, for she was a nervous, timid girl, andwould probably run away at sight of this strange man. 

The nursery, too, was on the other side of the house, and she couldn'tmake Janet hear if she tried. 

The Gale house also was on the other side of the Farnsworth house, andso, indeed, if Azalea chose to call for help, it would do no good. Doubtless Phil would be along shortly, but there was no telling, forthere was always a merry crowd on the Gale's piazza and he would staythere talking for a time. 

But Merritt was impatient, and he finally broke out with; "Make up yourmind, please, and quickly. Will you bring the baby quietly, or shall Ijust--take her along. "

He held out his arms to Fleurette, who, always ready to make friendswith strangers, smiled and leaned toward him. 

Azalea had wild thoughts of running away, --anywhere, --but she knew thefutility of such a plan. Merritt was a big and strong man, and thoughAzalea was a swift runner, she could not get a start without hisintervening. 

She tried pleading. She appealed to his manliness, his kindness, hisgenerosity, --all with no success. 

"Don't talk rubbish, " he said, shortly; "you know as well as I do, itwon't hurt the child. In fact, I came to get her to-day, myself, becauseI knew her nurse was out, --and I saw you go off, --and later, all therest of the bunch. If _you_ hadn't come back, --confound you! I'd havehad that child over there by this time!"

Azalea gasped. So her premonition had been a true one after all! Hadshe not returned, Merritt would have easily overcome Janet and taken thebaby off with him. She knew they would not harm Fleurette, --indeed, would be most careful of her. Unless, perhaps, they should give hersoothing-sirup again. Well they'd get no chance, for Azalea wasdetermined the baby should not be taken from her, and she most certainlywas not going herself. 

"You know what it will mean to you, " Merritt threatened; "if I so adviseBixby, he'll throw you over. How'd you like to lose your job now thatyou've just begun to make good?"

"That's nothing to do with it, " Azalea said, trying to speak calmly andnot show how frightened she was. 

But Merritt discerned it. 

"All right, " he said, "sorry you won't listen to reason, --but since youwon't, --guess I'll have to use force. "

He took hold of Fleurette's little arm, to lift her from Azalea's lap, and the touch roused the girl's wrath to boiling point. 

"Don't you dare!" she cried, holding the baby tightly. "Leave, --leave atonce! or I'll call for help!"

She rose, as if to make good her threat, though she knew there was nohelp within call. 

Merritt knew it too, and he laughed at her. 

"Stop this nonsense, now, " he commanded roughly. "I'm going toaccomplish what I came here for, so you may as well take it quietly. Ican take the child without a whimper from her, --and you know it! So, whynot be sensible and come along too, and look out for her yourself?"

"You shall not take her!" Azalea looked like an angry tigress. 

"Gee! Wish I had you on the screen like that! You're some picture!"

"Please, Mr. Merritt, " Azalea tried coaxing again, "please believeme, --I can't take Fleurette again. Her mother--why, Mr. Merritt, youhave children of your own--"

"Sure I have! That's how I know how to treat 'em so well. If mine wereonly small enough, I wouldn't need this little cutie. Well, here goes, then!"

This time he laid such a definite hold on the baby, that Azalea couldscarcely keep the child in her own arms. 

In her utter desperation, a new idea struck her. She would try strategy. 

"Oh, don't!" she cried, "rather than have you touch her, I'll go--I'lltake her. Let me get her cap and coat. "

"Where are they?" he asked, suspiciously. 

"Right here, in the library, --just across the hall. "

"Go on, then, --I trust you, 'cause I think you're sensible. I'd go alongand keep you in sight, but I want to keep watch if anybody comes. Butyou sing, or whistle or something, so's I'll know you're right there. "

"All right, " and Azalea's heart beat fast, for she had a splendidscheme. 

Into the library she carried Fleurette, singing as she went, and once inthe room, she put the baby on a chair and flew for the record rack. 

Quickly she found the record of the baby's crying spell and put it inplace in the phonograph. 

Then, picking up Fleurette, she set the needle going and hurried fromthe room. 

Merritt, hearing the cries, screams and sobs, scowled with anger at thebaby's fit of ill temper, but never dreamed that it was not really thechild crying at all. 

So Azalea had ample chance to escape by a back door from the library, and crossing the dining-room went out on a side porch that faced theGale place. 

Looking carefully to see that Merritt had not followed her, andlistening a moment to learn how much longer the record, --of which sheknew every familiar sound, --would last, she ran with all the speed ofwhich she was capable over to the Gales'. 

Van Reypen was just taking leave, and he, as well as the others present, looked in amazement at the flying figure coming nearer and nearer untilAzalea reached the group. 

"Take her, " she said to Mrs. Gale, as she gave her the baby, "keep hersafe--_safe_!"

And then Azalea went flying back. 

The record was finished, --and with the sudden stop of the child's cryingMerritt had started into the library to see what it meant. 

There Azalea found him, and she faced him bravely. 

"That baby is safe, " she said, "where you can't get at her! And now Iwill tell you what I think of _you_! You are a thief and a scoundrel!You don't deserve to be allowed to carry on a reputable business! Idon't want any further connection with you or your company. I am proudto be fired from such a lot of bandits as you people are!"

So angry was she, and so unguarded as to what she was saying that shefairly flung the words at him. 

For a moment he was stunned at her wild tirade, and then his artistinstinct was stirred, --for the picture she made was beautiful anddramatic. She had no thought of this, for she was in earnest, and herwhole soul was up in arms at thought of the threatened abduction ofFleurette. And, so, knowing that the child was safe with Mrs. Gale, shelet the vials of her wrath pour forth on the villain who had so arousedit, and her voice was raised in scathing obloquy. 

"All right!" Merritt said, as she paused from sheer want of breath, "I'll take my beating, if you'll go over to the studio with me andrepeat this scene. Let me pose you while you're in this humour, --you'llnever reach such heights again!"

"Nor will I ever pose for you again! I'm through with you, --all ofyou, and all the moving-picture business! I was warned to keep out ofit, --but I didn't know what wretches I would find in it! Go! Go at once!and never let me see your face again!"

It was at this moment that the Gale motor party returned. 

Patty and Bill, hearing Azalea's loud tones, rushed to the library andfound her there with Merritt. 

"Where's Baby?" Patty cried, starting for the stairs. 

"She's safe, Patty, " Azalea said, stopping her. "She's all right, --she'sover to Mrs. Gale's. "

"Mrs. Gale's!" and Patty flew off like the wind, caring for nothing butthe assurance of her own eyes that Fleurette was safe. 

"Help me, Bill, " said Azalea, going toward Farnsworth, "you said once, you'd defend me. "

"I will, dear. What's this all about? Who are _you_?" He addressedMerritt quietly, but with a fire in his blue eyes that was disturbing. 

"Merritt, of the Flicker Film Company, very much at your service, " andthe man drew a card from his pocket and presented it. 

"Well, Mr. Merritt, leave at once, and never return. I don't care foryour explanations or excuses. Simply _go_. "

Merritt went. 

"Is that right, Zaly?" Bill said, as the crestfallen visitor left them. "I didn't want any words with him, --for I might have lost my temper. I'drather have the story from you. "

"And I'll tell it to you, --all. But, oh, Bill, I'm so _glad_ Fleuretteis all right!"

"She is _so_!" and Patty came dancing on, with the smilingest child inthe world. Van Reypen followed, and then the whole crowd drew togetheranxious to know what the commotion was all about. 

CHAPTER XVI

AZALEA'S STORY

"Yes, I'll tell you the whole story, " Azalea repeated, addressingherself to Farnsworth, but glancing now and then at the others. 

"On my way East, I met Mr. And Mrs. Bixby on the train. They werepleasant people and Mrs. Bixby was very kind to me in many ways. Then, Ilearned that they were in the moving-picture business, and as I wantedto act myself, I cultivated their acquaintance all I could. And by thetime we reached New York Mr. Bixby had agreed to give me a trial at hisstudio. He said I had the right type of face for the screen and if Icould learn to act, my Western life had fitted me for some certain partsthey were just then in need of. So I went in for it, --and I got alongall right. Then they wanted a little baby in the picture and as I was sofond of Fleurette and loved her too much to let any harm come to her, Ithought it all right to take her over there once or twice to get thepictures of her. But one of the films went wrong, somehow, and Mr. Merritt was determined to take it over again. I wouldn't allow it, because I found out how Patty felt about Baby being in it, --so Irefused. Now, I don't suppose you know how insistent the picture peopleare about any scene they want. They go to any lengths to get them. I'veheard Mr. Bixby say, 'Get the picture if it kills the leading man!' Andthough he doesn't mean that literally I think he would do anything shortof murder to get his picture. Well, they thought that the whole reel wasspoiled because one scene with Fleurette in it wasn't right. And theywere bound to have her over there again. "

"She shan't go, --so she shouldn't!" Patty crooned, as she held her childcloser in her sheltering arms. 

"No; and that's what I told Mr. Merritt, " went on Azalea. "But he istricky, and I felt pretty sure he'd try underhand means to get thebaby. I've kept watch night and day, and I've always been certain thatFleurette was either in Winnie's care or Patty's. Patty wouldn't trusther with _me_ any more. "

Azalea spoke the last words wistfully, with a penitent look in herbrown eyes. 

"Small wonder!" cried Elise, who was listening interestedly. "After youtook that blessed child to--"

"There, there, Elise, " Farnsworth interrupted, "we _do_ trust Azalea. Let her finish her story. "

Azalea gave him a grateful look and went on. 

"When I went away from the house to-day, Patty was at home, so, though Iknew it was Winnie's day off, I felt all right about Baby. Then, --whilewe were out walking, I saw Winnie go by, --and soon after I felt a--asort of presentiment that I _must_ go home. I couldn't tell why, --onlyI felt I must come back to the house at once. So I did, --and everythingseemed to be all right. I decided I had been foolishly nervous aboutit, --and I took Fleurette down on the porch for a little while. 

"Then that man came and demanded her! I was alone, except forJanet, --who is no good in an emergency, --and Mr. Merritt was verydetermined. If I hadn't thought of the phonograph I don't know what Ishould have done, for that man is quite capable of taking Baby away frommy arms by main force. But I happened to think I could fool him, --as Icouldn't combat him, --so I put on the crying record to make him think wewere still in the library, --and I scooted over to Gales' with the babyas fast as I could run. Then I came back--"

"Weren't you afraid of him?" asked Patty, shuddering at the thought ofAzalea at the mercy of the infuriated man. 

"No; I know him, and he isn't a brute or a ruffian. He was justbent on getting Fleurette for that picture, --it would take onlya few minutes, --and I was just as bent that he shouldn't. 

"So, when he found I had outwitted him, he accepted the situation, --why, he even wanted to take _my_ picture in my angry mood! He is a man whothinks of nothing but a good pose for his pictures. "

"He seemed a decent chap, " Farnsworth said, "but I was so angry, I justfired him, for I feared otherwise I'd lose control of my own temper andgive him his just deserts!"

"He'll never come again, " observed Van Reypen, "I saw you, Bill, whenyou invited him to leave! I'm no craven, but I shouldn't care to returnto any one who had looked at me like that!"

"I _was_ a bit positive, " laughed Farnsworth. "But, Azalea, I must admitI'm rather bowled over by this idea of you in the moving pictures! It--itisn't done much in our crowd, you know. "

"I know it, --and I'm never going to do it again! I've had enough! Iwanted to make it my career, --but, " she hesitated, "that was before Iknew you--you nice people. I--I never knew _really_ nice peoplebefore, --my Western friends are--are different. But I want to be likeyou, " her troubled glance took in Patty and Bill and then drifted to theothers; and her face was wistful and only lighted up as she looked atVan Reypen. He smiled encouragingly at her, and she continued. 

"I'm quite ready to give up all connection with the Bixby people andI'll promise never to go near them again, --even if they try to get meto. "

"You bet you won't!" exclaimed Farnsworth. "I'm glad you've given itup of your own accord, Zaly, for if you hadn't I'd have to forbid it, anyway! I can't allow you to do such things. "

"And I don't want to. It wasn't as nice as I thought it would be, andyet, --it _was_ fun!" She smiled as thoughts of her daredevil stuntspassed through her mind. 

"Tell us all about it!" cried Ray Gale. "I'm awfully interested, and_I'm_ sorry you're going to quit! By George, Farnsworth! if you'd seenour Azalea in that picture of the cyclone!"

"Never mind!" Azalea interrupted him, "I'm all over that foolish idea. "

"I should hope so!" exclaimed Elise, with a withering glance. "The ideaof anybody being in such company as you must have been--"

"Not at all, " Azalea declared; "I wasn't mixed up with anybodyunpleasant at all. In fact, I talked to no one but the Bixbys and Mr. Merritt. Mrs. Bixby was most kind and looked after me as a mother mighthave done, --though I never knew a mother's care. "

The pretty face grew sad, and the whole attitude of Azalea was sopenitent and full of resolve to be more like the people she admired thatall of Patty's lingering resentment fled away. She put the baby in herfather's arms, and she flew over to Azalea and gave her an embrace offull and free forgiveness and affection. 

"It's all right, Zaly, " she said, smiling at her, "you _did_ cut upjinks with my baby, --but when you came home to look after her, --evenwhen you thought I was here, --and when you put up such a great game torescue her from the enemy's clutches, --and succeeded, --well, --_I'm_ for_you_!"

Patty spoke so whole-heartedly there was no doubt of her sincerity, andAzalea looked grateful and pleased, --yet, she looked troubled too. 

"Oh, Patty, you're too good to me, " she said, "you don't know--I don'tdeserve your faith and loyalty. "

"Oh, I 'spect you do, " and Patty caressed the shining brown hair. 

"No, --I'm all unworthy--"

"I suppose you mean about that sampler business, " put in Elise, with anunkind look on her face. "I think you ought to confess that, --whileyou're confessing. "

Farnsworth gave a reproving glance at Elise, but he said, "Out withit, Zaly, --let's clean off the slate while we're about it. What's thesampler business that sticks in Elise's throat?"

He sounded so sympathetic and helpful that Azalea spoke up bravely. 

"I did do wrong, Bill, but I didn't realise _how_ wrong when I was doingit. I had an old sampler and it was dated 1836 and I picked out somestitches so it looked like 1636. "

"You didn't deceive anybody!" exclaimed Elise. 

"I'm glad of it, " returned Azalea, simply. "I was too ignorant to knowthat there were no samplers made at that earlier date, --and to tell thetruth, I didn't think much about it, --I just did it hastily, --on asudden impulse, --because I wanted to give Elise something worth-whilefor her booth at the fair. "

"And gave me something utterly worthless!" scoffed Elise. 

"Oh, come now, Elise, " said Farnsworth, "it didn't hurt your sales any, even if it didn't help them. Call it a joke and let it go at that. "

"But it _was_ deceitful, Cousin William, " said Azalea, "and I do confessit, and I'm sorry as I can be about it. "

Her pretty face was troubled and she looked so disturbed that Phil tookup the cudgels for her. 

"Oh, come off, all of you, " he said, laughingly, "this isn't a court ofinquiry, and we're not sitting in judgment on Azalea. She has properlyadmitted all her escapades, and she's been forgiven by the ones mostinterested, now let's call it a day, --and talk about something else. "

"All right, --let's talk about the 'Star of the West, '" cried theirrepressible Ray Gale. "Now the secret's out, there's no harm inmentioning it. You _must_ see that picture, Farnsworth, and then you'llbe begging Azalea to go back to screen work!"

"Never, " said Azalea, her face shining with happiness that she wasforgiven and reinstated in general favour, "I've had my lesson. No morefilms for me! From now on, I'm going to be goody-girl, --and behave likenice ladies, --like Patty and Betty--and Elise. "

The slight hesitation before the last name made Elise bite her lip inchagrin, for she had seen that her attack on Azalea was not approved ofby most of the audience. 

Poor Elise was of an unfortunate disposition, and envy and jealousy wereher besetting sins. She had never liked Azalea for the reason that theWestern girl, with her frank, untutored ways, often usurped Elise'splace in the limelight, and Miss Farrington greatly objected to that. 

It was with malicious purpose that Elise had brought up the subject ofthe sampler, and when she found it passed over as of little moment, shewas angry at herself for having raised the question at all. 

"Don't try to be like me, " she said, with an acid smile at Azalea; "ifyou do, _nobody_ will like you. "

"Oh, come, now, Elise, " said Farnsworth, laughing at this tempest in ateapot, "play fair. We all like you, and we all like Azalea, whether shemodels herself on you or not; so let's all love one another, --and let itgo at that!"

"Yes, " said Patty, "and now, my fellow lovers and loveresses, I musttake my small daughter in and send her to sleepy-by, and the rest of youhave just about half an hour before it's time to dress for dinner. Thetwo Gales may consider themselves invited, --if they will honour us. "

"Delighted, " replied Betty, "though not overwhelmingly surprised at theinvitation. Howsumever, we must fly back home for some purple and finelinen, and then we'll return anon. I'm usually returning here, anon! Iwonder what I ever did, Patty, before you came here to live as ourhospitable neighbours!"

"There's half an hour, Azalea, " said Van Reypen, "come for a toddle downto the brook, and let's talk things over. "

The two started off, and for a few moments walked along in silence. 

Azalea was in a quiet, chastened mood, --a side of her character thatPhil had never before seen, and he noted with pleasure the gentlesweetness of her face and the soft tones of her voice. 

"It woke me up, " she said, reminiscently, "when that man tried to takeFleurette from my arms. I would have fought him like a tiger if I hadn'tsuddenly realised that the way to fix _him_ was by strategy. I justhappened to think that by means of the record I could fool him intobelieving we were in the library, when really we were flying to refuge. I knew he wouldn't come in as long as he felt sure we were there, for hewas watching out for the Farnsworths' return. So, I tried the scheme, and it worked!"

"Then you went bravely back to face the music!"

"Oh, I wasn't afraid of him, --for myself. He's not at all a ruffiansort, --and he never would have hurt the baby. Only, --he was bound to gether!"

"Well, he didn't succeed, --thanks to you, and I don't think he'll evertry it again. "

"Oh, I'm sure he won't! He's afraid of Bill, all right! Any one wouldbe who had seen the gleam in Cousin William's eyes when he fired Mr. Merritt!"

Azalea laughed a little at the recollection, --then she sighed. 

"Why the sigh?" asked Van Reypen, looking at the expressive face of thegirl, as her smile faded and her sensitive mouth drooped at the corners. 

"Oh, --nothing--and everything! Don't ask questions!" She shook hershoulders as if flinging off a troublesome thought. "I want to forgetthe whole subject, --let's talk of other things. "

"All right, --let's. Let's talk of my unworthy self, for instance. "

"Why do you say your 'unworthy self'? Because you so look on yourself?or for the sake of being contradicted? or just for nonsense?"

The brown eyes smiled into his, and Azalea looked very roguish andsaucy as she demanded an answer. 

"Habit, I daresay. It's considered the thing for one to look uponhimself as unworthy. Of course, I'm not all to the bad!"

"No, I suppose not. I've noticed saving graces now and then. "

"You have! What, for instance? You see, I love to talk about myself!"

"Well, for one thing, you've been very kind to me. I was in a sorryposition to-day, and you and Cousin William backed me up so beautifully, that I pulled through. If you hadn't I'd have collapsed and given up thegame, in sheer fright. "

"What do you mean?"

"Yes; Patty was pretty hostile at first, --though she came round allright, later. Elise was, --oh, well, you know Elise's attitude towardme. "

"Don't mind her, --she's always got a chip on her shoulder!"

"Betty was reserving decision, too; and but for the strong support ofyou and Cousin William, --yes, and Ray Gale, --I shouldn't have come offso well. But I deserved any fate. I _have_ been bad, --and though I amsorry, --that doesn't wipe it all out. "

"It does, as far as I'm concerned. And I'm all that matters--atleast, --I wish I might be all that matters. "

"My gracious! There are lots who matter more than you! Patty and Bill, and Fleurette and--"

"Stop there! That's all! I'll concede those, --but no others. Don't youdare say that Gale matters more than I do!"

"Ray Gale? Oh, I don't know. And what do you mean by 'matters'?"

"Counts. Makes a difference. Affects you. Means something to you. "

"Oh, hold on! I'm floundering beyond my depth! Help! help!"

Azalea put her hands over her ears and shook her head, laughing at VanReypen's earnest face as he racked his brain for further explanatoryphrases. 

"I won't stop! I'm in earnest. I _want_ to matter--to mean something toyou! I want to count with you--"

"Kipling says, 'let all men count with you, and none too much. '"

"Well, I'd rather count too much than not at all. Oh, Azalea, --you dounderstand me, don't you? Let me count, dear, --let me count foreverything in your life--"

Azalea Thorpe couldn't believe her ears. What Van Reypen was sayingseemed as if it could have but one meaning, --yet that was impossible!Philip Van Reypen, the high-born, aristocratic Philip, couldn't beseriously interested in a crude, ignorant Western girl!

"Thank you, Phil, " she said, resolving to accept his words as a sign offriendship, "you're awfully good to me, and your friendship counts. Ibegin to think friendship is the one thing in life that does count. Andit is the friends I have made--lately, --here, --that have made mesee, --made me realise my own unworthiness, --and when I say that, I meanit. "

"I won't let you mean it!" he cried, "I won't let you call yourselfunworthy. For you count with me, --Azalea, more than the whole world!More than anything or everything in the world. Can't I count that waywith you, --can't I, Azalea?"

The dark handsome face was very earnest, and as it drew nearer to herown, and she looked deep in the eloquent eyes, she could no longer failto understand. 

"What, --what, --" she murmured, drawing back in confusion, "what do youmean?"

"Don't you know what I mean, Brownie? Listen, and I will tell you, then. I love you, dear, --I love you. " He held her hands in his own and gazedinto her face. "I can't tell you when it came or how, --but suddenly--Iknew it! I knew I loved you, and should always love you. Tell me, --tellme, Azalea, that you can learn to love me. "

"Oh, don't--I can't--"

"Not just at once, dear, --I can't hope for that. But, can't youlearn, --can't you try to learn--If I help you? Brownie, --that's all myown name for you, --isn't it, you nutbrown maid! Brownie, darling, --you_must_ love me. I can't bear it if you don't!"

Azalea looked mystified, --then amazed, --and then her face lighted upwith a sudden radiant happiness, --she seemed glorified, exalted. 

Van Reypen caught her in his arms. 

"You do love me, --you witch! you beauty! Azalea, you look transfigured!You _do_ love me, --tell me so!"

Then her face changed. She repulsed him, --she sought to leave hisencircling clasp. 

"Don't!" she cried, "don't! It is horrible!"

She burst into uncontrollable tears, and her whole frame shook with herturbulent sorrow. 

"Have I been too abrupt?" asked Van Reypen, filled with dismay. "Give mea little hope, dear, just say you'll let me tell you this some othertime, and I'll not trouble you now. "

"Oh, it isn't _that_, " Azalea sobbed, "it's--oh, _no_! I _can't_ tellyou, --it's too _dreadful_! Let me go!" and she ran from him and hurriedback to the house and up to her own room. 

CHAPTER XVII

PHILIP'S REQUEST

"Give me a few minutes of your valuable time all to myself, will you, old chap?" Phil said to Farnsworth, as the two men met in the hall justbefore the dinner hour. 

"Take all you want, I've lots of it, " returned the other, cheerily. "Want to borrow a fiver?"

"No; I'm still able to make both ends meet. But, seriously, Bill, " asthe two men entered Farnsworth's den, and closed the door, "I'm hardhit. "

"That sounds as if you were in love, --but I can't think you meanthat, --so I wisely opine you've been hit by the fall in Golconda MiningStock. "

"Your wise opinings are 'way off, --but your first suspicion was nearerthe mark. "

"In love? Good for you, old Phil! Of course it's Elise!"

"Of course it isn't! Had Elise been my fate, I'd have known it longago. "

"Who then? Betty Gale?"

"Wrong again. And blind, too. It's Azalea. "

Farnsworth sank limply into a chair. He pretended to be dazed almost toinsensibility, and as a matter of fact his surprise was nearly as greatas his demonstration of it. 

"Azalea!" he gasped. "Our Azalea!"

"Exactly; don't act as if I had suggested the Queen of Sheba! I knowwhat a superior girl she is, --and I know I've not much to recommendme--"

"Oh, Phil, --oh, Van Reypen, stop! Have you lost your senses?"

"I think _you_ have!" Phil looked decidedly annoyed. "I must say, Farnsworth, I don't quite get you. "

"I beg your pardon, dear old chap, I--I was a bit astounded. Yousee--"

"I see that I've a right to care for the girl if I choose, and as youare her nearest relative, that I know of, I come to you for sanction ofmy suit. Aside from your rather inexplicable astonishment--have you anyreal objection to me as a new cousin-in-law?"

"No! You know I haven't!" Farnsworth held out a cordial hand whichthe other grasped. "In fact, I think it's fine, --a most admirablearrangement. What _will_ Patty say?"

"I hope she'll be pleased. It's no secret that I adored Patty and triedmy best to cut you out, --but, not having succeeded in that, I've beenglad to be the friend of both of you, and we've had lots of good times, all together. But, --well, I never expected to know another realwhole-hearted love, --and then along comes this splendid girl, --thisdaughter of your own big, beautiful, breezy West, and before I know it, she has taken my heart by storm!"

"But, Phil, --you--you don't know Azalea--"

"I know enough. If you mean her escapades with the picture people or herinnocent joke about the patchwork sampler, --I don't care about thoselittle things. She has a wonderful big, noble nature, that will respondquickly to loving care and gentle advice. And, --I _think_ she cares forme, but--"

"Of course she cares for you! What girl wouldn't! Don't underestimateyourself or your attractions, Phil. But I'll speak plainly; you're a bigman in lots of ways, --beside physically. You're an aristocrat, --of anold family, --and you're very rich. Now, --Azalea--"

"Please don't talk of my birth or wealth as assets. I offer Azaleaa heart full of love, and a constant care for her happiness andwell-being. If she does care for me, I want your permission to tryto win her. I have broached the subject--"

"What did she say?"

"She--oh, I don't know, --she said--well, she ran away!"

"Surprised and a little shy, probably, " Farnsworth looked thoughtful. "I may as well tell you, Phil, oh hang it! How shall I put it? Well, there's something queer about Azalea. "

"What do you mean, --queer?"

"I don't know. And it may be nothing. But, --her only near relative, so far as I know, is her father. A man I knew years ago, --a cousin ofmine, --and a decent, hard-working, plain man. Now, Zaly has not had asingle letter from him since she has been here. "

"Why? Where is he?"

"I don't know. She won't tell. I've written to him twice, --but I've hadno reply. I'm telling you all I know. "

"Thank you for being so straightforward. Do you--do you think there'sanything dishonourable--"

"That he's in jail? That's the idea that haunts my brain. I can't thinkof any other explanation for his continued silence, --and for Azalea'smysterious disinclination to talk about him. Why, Phil, she forged aletter, --wrote one to herself, --and pretended to me that it was from herfather!"

"Poor child! How unhappy she must be over it. If she cares for me, Bill, I'll take all that load off her poor little shoulders. I'll get her totell me the truth, and then we'll see what can be done. But, in anycase, or whatever her father may be, it won't affect my love for thegirl herself. My idea of birth and breeding is that it gives one anopportunity to be tolerant and generous toward others of feweradvantages. To me, Azalea stands alone, --her family connections, whatever they may be, I accept gladly, for her dear sake. "

"I say, Phil, forgive me if I express unwelcome surprise, but--why, youhaven't _seemed_ to be so deeply interested in Azalea--"

"I know; it _is_ pretty sudden. But, she somehow bowled me over all atonce. Her brave attitude to-day, when she told her little story, hersweet acceptance of Elise's remarks, made in petty spite, and her wholebig spirit of fearless determination to go into the picture work, --onlyto have it spoiled entirely by the wicked acts of that villainMerritt, --I tell you, Farnsworth, she's a girl of a thousand! I readher, I understand her better than you do, and I see far beneath heruntaught, outward manner the real girl, --the sterling traits of a finecharacter. "

"All right, Phil, go in and win! You have my blessing, --and when Pattyrevives from her first shock of surprise, she'll bless you, too. It wasPatty's work, getting Azalea here, --and Patty has tried every way in theworld to help and improve her--"

"Patty has done wonders. And has paved the way, I admit. But it isnothing to what I shall do with and for Azalea, when I have her all tomyself. "

"She's not so very tractable--Zaly has a will of her own. "

"She'd not be herself, if she hadn't. That's part of her big nobilityof soul. But I'll take care of her manners and customs. If only she'llaccept me, I've no fears for the future. "

"But you must find out about her father. It's queer that she acts somysterious about him. And, so far as I know, she's had no letters fromanybody back home, --her home is at Horner's Corners. Awful place!"

"If we don't like the place, we'll buy it and make it over, " said VanReypen, serenely. "All right, Farnsworth, you've made me satisfied thatI may try to win my prize, --and the rest will follow. "

The two men went out to join the others on the porch. Both were inthoughtful mood. Van Reypen full of his new happiness, and eager to seeAzalea again, Farnsworth still amazed, and a little uncomfortable overthe whole matter. He felt a responsibility for Azalea, and yet, if Philwas willing to take her without further knowledge of her family, --whyshould he, Bill, object?

Azalea had not yet come downstairs, and Patty chaffed the two men ontheir sober faces. 

"What's the matter?" she cried, gaily. "You two been quarrelling?"

"Come for a stroll on the terrace, and I'll tell you, Patty, " said Phil, for he really wanted to tell Patty himself. 

"You see, " he said, as they passed out of earshot of the others, "I'mbowled over. "

"I know! Betty Gale. And I'm _so_ glad, Phil. I know you used to likeme, --and I was and am fond of you, --but you needn't think I resent yourloving another. I'm honestly glad, and I wish you all the happiness inthe world!"

"Thank you, Patty, but, --wait a minute. "

"Oh, I can't! I'm so excited over it! I'm going to announce it atdinner, --I wonder if I can't get the table re-decorated--with whiteflowers! I love an announcement party--"

"Patty, --don't, --let me tell you--"

"Oh, I know _you'd_ hate the fuss and feathers, but Betty'll love itand--"

"But it _isn't_ Betty!" Van Reypen managed to get in. 

"Not Betty!" Patty stopped short and turned to face him. "Oh, --Phil, --Elise?"

"You've one more guess coming, " he smiled. 

"Oh, who? Somebody in New York? Where is she? I'll invite her here!"

"You needn't, --she's here already. Why, Patty, it's Azalea. "

"Azalea!" Patty's surprise was greater than Bill's had been, and shestood looking at Van Reypen with an absolutely incredulous gaze. 

"Azalea!" she said, again. 

"Yes, --and I want you to help me. When I spoke to her, this afternoon, she--she acted--well, strange--"

"Oh, Phil, it was only because she was so surprised, --as I am, --aseverybody will be! Imagine Elise!"

Patty's face of horror, that changed to a mischievous smile, annoyed VanReypen. 

"I don't see, Patty, why you take it like that. Bill did, too. Now, itseems to me, if I see noble traits and qualities in Azalea, you and Billought to have perception enough to see them too. "

"It isn't that, --she has noble traits, --some, --but--oh, Phil, --you andAzalea! King Cophetua and the Beggar Maid!"

"Patty, stop! I won't let you talk like that! I admit I'm blind to herfaults, --if she has any, --for I'm desperately in love, --but I do lookto you and Bill for sympathy and approval. And I don't want any of thatKing Cophetua talk, either! Just because I happen to be born under afamily tree, and happen to have as much money as I want, --that's noreason for implying that those are my chief attractions. I can giveAzalea more worth-while things than that! I can give her the love andadoration that is every woman's desire and right, --I can give her lovingcare and help, --I can--"

"Oh, Phil, how splendid you are! You make me 'most wish--" But Patty'shonest blue eyes wouldn't let her say the words. "No, I don't wishanything of the sort! You are a splendid man, and I do appreciate you, but I have my Bill, and he's all the world to me. Now, I'm more thanglad you've found a your fate at last, --but--Azalea!"

"Stop it, Patty! I find I've got to forbid these repeated expressions ofamazement. You _must_ get used to the idea, and you may as well begin atonce!"

"You're right, and I will! First of all, honest and heartycongratulations and may you both be very, _very_ happy, --as happy as weare, --I can't ask more!"

"Thank you, Patty, and will you say a good word for me to Azalea?"

"Why! haven't you asked her yet?"

"Only partly, --that is, she has only partly answered me. "

"What did she say?"

"I don't quite know. She was, --well, Patty, she ran away from me. "

"Oh, that's all right, then, that's a time-honoured device to postponethe psychological moment! Well, may I make the announcement at dinner?"

"No; I think not. For, though I couldn't help hoping, from the look inher eyes, that she cares for me, --yet she said--"

"What did she say?"

"Nothing coherent or understandable, --but--well, she didn't--she didn'tsay 'yes'. "

"Oh, that's nothing, --she will. But I won't make the announcement tillshe tells me to. There's the dinner gong, --come on. "

It wasn't until the others were seated at the table that Azalea comeinto the dining-room. She looked quite unlike her usual self, and wasvery quiet. Her face showed a pathetic, wistful expression, but her eyeswere cast down, and now and then the corners of her scarlet mouthtrembled. 

Patty had arranged that she should sit next Van Reypen, and as Azaleatook the place, she found Ray Gale on her other hand. 

"'Smatter, Zaly?" he said, merrily, not thinking anything was reallytroubling her. 

"Shell shock, " said Van Reypen, to save Azalea the necessity ofreplying. "She's had a hard day of it, and now she's not to be botheredto talk, if she doesn't want to. "

Azalea gave him a grateful look, and under the influence of his gentlekindliness, and mild raillery, she partly recovered her poise, andbecame almost like her own gay self again. 

Much later in the evening, Van Reypen drew her away from the rest andled her to a secluded corner of the great piazza, where he had her alone. 

"Now, my princess, --my beloved, --you are to tell me the answer to myplea. Tell me, Azalea, --may I take you to myself? Will you be my veryown?"

"I can't say yes, Phil, " she replied, softly, the tears gathering in herbrown eyes. "I--oh, I thought I could tell you the truth, --but Ican't, --I _can't_! I--I love you too much!"

"You've answered me!" cried Van Reypen, his eyes shining with gladness, "if you love me, --nothing else matters! And you can't love me 'toomuch'! I want all there is of your love, --your dear love! Is it reallymine?"

"It's really yours, as far as it's in my power to give it, --but, "and Azalea's face grew very sad, "I can't give it to you, --out ofconsideration of your rights. I can't love you, Philip, I mustn'tlet myself even think of it!"

"Don't talk nonsense, you blessed child, --you've settled it all when yousay you love me! Oh, Azalea, I'm _so_ glad, and proud and happy!"

Azalea gave a start as his arms closed round her. "No!" she cried, "no, dear, don't! oh, please don't!"

"Why, darling? Why mayn't I caress my own love, --my promised wife?"

"Oh, no, --I'm not! I can never be your wife! I'm--I'm not worthy!"

"Hush!" and Van Reypen closed her lips with a tender kiss. "Hush, Azalea, never use the words worthy or unworthy between us. Our lovemakes us worthy of each other, whatever we may be otherwise. "

"Stop, --please stop! Every word you say makes it harder! I can't standit! It's too dreadful. Let me go, --oh, _please_, let me go!"

Shuddering as with some great fear, Azalea slipped from his arms and ranaway. He heard her steps as she went upstairs, and heard a doorclose, --evidently she had flown to her own room. 

Greatly perplexed, Phil went in search of Patty. 

"Help me out, " he said, in a low tone. "Azalea has gone to her room, and there is certainly something troubling her. Go to her, Patty, --findout what it all means, --and if it is any foolishness about 'unworthiness'or that rubbish, try to make her see that I want her just as she is. Idon't care a hang about her ancestors or her father or anything in thewhole world, but just Azalea Thorpe!"

Patty looked at his earnest face, and honestly rejoiced that he hadfound a girl he could care for like that. 

"I'll go, Phil, " she said, "and I'll bring that young woman to reason!It isn't only coyness, --that isn't Azalea's way, --but she is honestlytroubled about something. "

But though Patty knocked on Azalea's locked door several times, sheheard no response. 

"Please let me in, Zaly, " she begged, "I just want to talk to you alittle. "

Still no reply, and then, after exhausting all other arguments, Pattysaid, "Won't you let me in for Phil's sake? He sent me. "

That succeeded, and reluctantly Azalea unlocked the door. 

"Don't talk to me, Patty, " she pleaded. "I'm in the depths of despair, but you can't help me. Nobody can help me, --and I can't even helpmyself. "

"Who made all this trouble for you?" inquired Patty, casually, her neverfailing tact instructing her that Azalea would answer that better thanprotestations of affection. 

"I made it myself, --but that doesn't make it any easier to bear. "

"Indeed it doesn't, " Patty agreed. "But, never mind, Zaly, if you heapedup a mound of trouble, let me help you to pull it down again. "

"No; you can't, " and Azalea looked at her dully. 

"Oh, come now, let me try. Is it about your father?"

Azalea fairly jumped. "What do you mean?"

"Just what I said, " returned Patty, calmly. "You know, dear, you've madeus think there's something queer about your father. Is he--has he doneanything wrong?"

"No, Patty, goodness, gracious no! Mr. Thorpe is a most honoured andhonourable man!"

"Now why does she call him Mr. Thorpe?" Patty wondered, but she onlysaid;

"Oh, all right, forgive my suggestion. Why doesn't he write to you?"

"He--he?--oh, Patty, that's the trouble. "

"Good! Now we're getting at it. How is that the trouble?"

"Shall I tell you everything?" and poor Azalea looked doubtful as towhat to do. 

"Yes, dear, " Patty said, gently, fearing even yet that an ill-advisedword would interrupt or prevent this long-deferred explanation. 

"Well, you see, --oh, Patty, --I'm a wicked, deceitful girl--"

"Out with it, " urged Patty, not greatly scared by this tragicbeginning, --for Azalea was prone to exaggerate. 

"I was home, you know, at Horner's Corners--"

A knock on the door was a most unwelcome interruption. 

"Don't answer, " Patty whispered, "it's Elise, --I heard her step. "

But Elise was not so easily rebuffed. "Let me in, " she called, "I knowyou're in there, Azalea, --you and Patty. "

Patty went to the door, and opened it slightly. "Go away now, Elise, please, " she said, "Azalea and I are having a little confidential chat. "

"Not so confidential that I can't be in it too, is it?" and speakinglightly, Elise brushed past Patty and into the room. 

"Why, Azalea, " she exclaimed, "what _is_ the matter? You look like atragedy queen!"

For Azalea, annoyed at the intrusion, stood, hands clenched, and eyesscowling, and she said angrily, "I don't think people ought to come intoother people's rooms, uninvited! I don't call _that_ good manners!"

"You're not supposed to know what good manners are, " said Elise, givingher a condescending look. "And even if you think you do, --don't try toteach _me_!"

"Oh, Elise, " said Patty, reproachfully, "_don't_ talk like that! Itreflects on you even more than on Zaly. "

"Oh, yes, stand up for her, --every one has gone mad over our 'heroine'!I call it disgraceful to be mixed up with that movie concern, and letme tell you, Azalea Thorpe, if you think Mr. Van Reypen is going tooverlook or forget that, you're greatly mistaken! You know, Patty, --ourWestern friend here, is already aspiring toward Philip--"

"Hush, Elise, " Patty returned, "better stop before you make a goose ofyourself! Phil is aspiring to Azalea's favour, is the truer way to putit!"

"Oh, no, I can't believe that, " laughed Elise, "Phil has too muchself-respect!"

CHAPTER XVIII

PHILIP'S BROWNIE

At breakfast next morning Azalea's place was vacant. 

"I didn't disturb her, " said Patty, "for I want her to sleep late, ifshe can. She is such an active young person, she gets tired, --though sherarely admits it. "

And then Janet came in. "Mrs. Farnsworth, " she said, "Miss Thorpe is notin her room. Perhaps she has gone for one of her early morning walks. But on her dressing-table I found these two notes. "

The maid handed Patty one of the letters and gave the other to VanReypen. Both were addressed in Azalea's handwriting and the two who tookthem felt a sudden foreboding as to the contents. 

Nor were their fears ill-founded. With an exclamation of dismay, Pattyhanded hers over to Farnsworth, who read it quickly, and looked at hiswife with a serious face. 

"Poor little Azalea, " he said, "what _can_ it all mean?"

For the note read:

DEAR PATTY:

I'm a wicked girl, and I can't impose on you any longer. I am going away. Don't try to find me, --just forget me. I love you all, --but I have noright to be among good people. 

AZALEA. 

"What's in yours, Phil?" Farnsworth asked, and Van Reypen handed it tohim without a word. 

MY DEAR MR. VAN REYPEN:

I can't go away without leaving a word for you. But it is only to say, please forget the girl who calls herself

AZALEA. 

Then the notes were shown to the other two guests, Elise and Channing, for the departure of Azalea could not be kept secret, and of course theymust immediately put forth every possible effort to find her. 

"I always thought she was queer, " said Elise, "but these notes are thequeerest thing yet! Do you suppose she has eloped?"

"Hush, Elise, " said Farnsworth, sternly. "I know you don't like Azalea, but I must ask you not to talk against her while you are under my roof. Whatever she is, she is my kin, --and I shall start at once in search ofher, and learn the secret, --the mystery of her life. She _has_ acted'queer, ' I freely admit it, but I, for one, believe she is all right andwhatever is troubling her is not her fault or wrong-doing. "

"Good for you, old man!" cried Philip, "I'm with you in your search. We'll find her, of course. First, we must find out where she went. "

This statement was so obvious and uttered so earnestly that Pattylaughed. 

"True, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, " she said. "And just how shall we set aboutit?"

But Phil didn't laugh, --he answered her question seriously. 

"First, Patty, you must question the servants, and see if any one sawher go. You know, she must have gone early this morning, --she couldn'thave gone off in the night. "

The result of the inquiry was that the cook, who was around early, hadseen Azalea start away from the house at about six o'clock. She had notthought it strange at all, for Azalea often went for a long walk beforebreakfast. Cook said that Azalea wore a travelling suit and carried afair-sized bag. 

"So far, so good, " said Phil; "next, Patty, will you go and look roundher room? See what she took with her, --and see if she left any morenotes. "

"No notes, " Patty said, on her return from this errand. "But she tookall her jewellery and money, a house dress and a few toilet things. Janet and I could easily tell what was missing. "

"Now, " said Farnsworth, "first, _why_ did she go, and second, _where_would she be likely to go?"

"Never mind the why and wherefore, " returned Phil, "but, as you say, where would she probably go? Not over to the Gales', of course, that'stoo near home. I am ready to declare that she went to the moving-picturestudios. "

"Of course she did!" agreed Elise; "I think she's in love with thatMerritt person--"

"Nonsense, Elise, " laughed Channing; "she loves that man like a catloves hot soap! I know better than that. But I think she may have goneover there to see Mrs. Bixby. That woman has been kind to Azalea, and Ifeel sure that's where she'd go. "

"Then that's where _I_ go, " stated Van Reypen, rising from the table. "Idaresay you're right, Chick. May I take the little roadster, Bill, andwhiz over there and bring her back?"

"Go ahead, boy, and good luck to you. "

But Farnsworth was not at all sanguine as to the bringing back ofAzalea. He knew her, in some ways, far better than Van Reypen did, and he felt sure that when Azalea decided to go away, she would notbe easily found. 

But Van Reypen started cheerily off and went to the studios. 

There he was met by blank disappointment. Mrs. Bixby was greatlyinterested in his story, and greatly concerned for Azalea's welfare, but she declared the girl had not come there. 

Van Reypen was not quite sure she was telling him the truth, but hisdeep anxiety so stirred the motherly heart of Mrs. Bixby that sheassured him earnestly that her statements were absolutely true, andthat she was as anxious to find the missing girl as her friends were. 

But she could offer no suggestion as to any way to look, and poor Philipwent back, disheartened and disappointed. 

All the morning they searched the grounds and the neighbourhood; theyransacked Azalea's belongings in hope of some old letter or clue of somesort. But nothing gave so much as a hint of anything that could havehappened to her, that made her go away. 

"I believe it's all your fault, Elise, " said Van Reypen, angrily, forhis alarm and sorrow made him forget his usual courtesy. "You've neverliked Azalea, and you said mean things to her!"

"Now, Phil, " remonstrated Patty, "don't talk like that. Elise and Azaleawere not congenial, but Elise wouldn't do anything to make Azalea runaway, and Azalea wouldn't run, if she did!"

This involved speech brought a laugh, but Philip went on; "I think shewould. Azalea is more sensitive than you thought her. None of youunderstand her, --well, except Patty, --and her poor little heart wasbroken by your criticisms and continual reproofs. Suppose she isn'tquite as well up in the airs and graces of society as you all are, --shehas other traits that make up for that--"

"Oh, Philip, you're hopelessly in love with her!" and Elise laughedjeeringly. 

"I am in love with her, " he returned, "and I make no secret of it. Butnot hopelessly, Elise. I shall find her, --I don't know how or where, butI never will give up the quest until I succeed!"

"Good for you, " cried Patty, "that's the way to talk! I'll help, --andthough there's not any apparent way to look just now, --we'll find one. "

It was about noon when Van Reypen was called to the telephone. 

A strange but pleasant voice spoke to him, and asked him if he knewAlice Adams. 

"No, I don't, " said Phil, wonderingly. 

"She knows you, and--well, I may be doing the wrong thing, but I wishyou could come here. "

"Where, please? and why should I come? I don't know Miss Adams, --I'msure. "

"She is a dark-haired girl, with big, brown eyes, and a Western way ofspeaking--"

"What? Has _she_ just come to you? Does she wear a tan-coloured clothsuit, --and a hat with coque feathers?"

"Yes, she does! _Now_ will you come?"

"Where? Who are you?--I mean, may I ask your name?"

"I am Miss Grayson, --a motion-picture actress--"

"Yes, yes, --where are you? Where shall I come?"

"To my home in New York City. " She gave him the address. "You see, MissAdams came here because she knows Miss Frawley, --we live together--butMiss Frawley is out of town, --and I persuaded Miss Adams to stay with meuntil her return. I can't make out the trouble, but I have learned theaddress of the Farnsworths and--oh, well, I may as well tell you, MissAdams talked in her sleep. She arrived here utterly exhausted, and onthe verge of nervous prostration. But, it may be, some sleep will sether nerves right, if the cause of the trouble can be removed. And, --Iknow I am intruding, --but I can't help thinking that it's a lovers'quarrel, and _you_ can set it right!"

"You've guessed only part of it, Miss Grayson. It isn't a lovers'quarrel, --exactly, --but I _can_ set it right! Will you promise to keepMiss--Adams there, until I can get there?"

"Yes, indeed. She's asleep yet, --but it's a broken slumber, and shemurmurs constantly of you, --and of her other friends. "

"Thank you a thousand times, I'll be there in an hour. Good-bye. "

"Come along, Patty, " Van Reypen cried, as he hung up the receiver, "comeon, Bill! I've found her! She's assumed the name of Alice Adams, --andshe's with a sweet-voiced lady named Grayson. Come on, --I'll tell youthe rest as we go. "

They didn't break the speed laws, as their car flew down to New York, but it was only because that would have meant delay in reaching theirgoal. About mid-afternoon they arrived at Miss Grayson's apartment andsurprised Azalea by entering the room where she sat. 

"You naughty girl!" cried Patty, --but as she noted Azalea's pale faceand worried, harassed eyes, she just clasped her in her arms, with alittle crooning murmur of affection. 

"It's all right, whatever it is, " she reassured, for Azalea turned big, frightened eyes on Farnsworth. 

"You bet it's all right!" Philip cried, as he stepped eagerly forward. 

With a tired little sigh, Azalea put her hand in his. "How did you findme?" she began, but Van Reypen said, "Never mind that, now. You justcome back home with us, --and first thank Miss Grayson prettily for herkindness to you. "

Miss Grayson, a pretty, round-faced girl, was greatly interested in thedramatic situation, and though she disclaimed any occasion for thanks, yet she very much wanted to know what it was all about. 

"I already like Miss Adams too well to let her go entirely out of mylife, " she said, with spirit. "I claim my right to know a little aboutit. "

"It _is_ your right, " said Farnsworth, "and first of all this runaway ofours is not Miss Adams, but Miss Thorpe. "

"No, " said Azalea, with an air of decision, "I'm _not_ Miss Thorpe, --andI _am_ Alice Adams. "

"Flighty, " said Farnsworth, "and no wonder. She's been under a good dealof nervous strain lately. "

"No; I'm not flighty, " persisted Azalea, who was entirely composed now, and who spoke firmly, though she was evidently controlling herself withan effort. 

"And I'm going to confess now, " she went on. "Now and here. Miss Graysonis so kind and dear I don't mind her knowing, and the rest of you_must_ know. I must tell you, --I can't _live_ if I don't. "

"All right, Zaly, dear, tell us, " and Patty sat beside her, and put acaressing hand on her arm. 

"I am Alice Adams, " Azalea said, "and I am not Azalea Thorpe atall, --and I never was. "

"Oh!" said Farnsworth, beginning to see light. 

"I am a wicked girl, " the pathetic little voice went on. "I lived inHomer's Corners, --and I lived with the woman who keeps the post-officethere. I've been an orphan since I was four, and this woman brought meup, --though it scarcely could be called that, for she only looked on meas her assistant in the office and in her house. 

"Well, one day a letter came for Azalea Thorpe. Now, the Thorpes movedaway from Horner's Corners two years ago, and we never knew their newaddress. The few letters that came for them were sent to the Dead LetterOffice. This one would have been, but for the fact that it was unsealed. 

"It had been sealed, but the envelope was all unstuck, and--I read theletter. I own up to it, --I know it was wrong, --but I didn't know then_how_ wrong. You see, I wasn't taught much about honour and right. It isonly since I have been with good people that I realise what an awfulthing I did. When I read it, I couldn't help thinking what a pity forthat wonderful invitation to her to make a visit in the East, to bewasted! And the more I thought, the more I was possessed of an idea thatI might personate Azalea Thorpe and have the visit myself. Oh, if you_knew_ how I hated the place where I lived, --how I hated the home Ihad, --how I wanted to get out into the great world, and have my chance!And, yes, I wanted to be a moving-picture actress. I was _sure_ I coulddo better than the pictures I saw in that little town, and--well, themore I thought about it, --the more it seemed an easy and plausible thingto do. 

"I did it. I answered Patty's letter as if I were really AzaleaThorpe, --you see, I had known her all my life, until she moved away, andthen I packed up my things and came East, resolved to pretend I _was_Azalea and see what happened. It didn't seem so dreadful--I thought atfirst, it was just a big lark, --but now, --oh, _now_ I know how right andhonourable people look on a thing like that!"

She cast a hopeless glance at Van Reypen, and though he smiled at herand started toward her she shook her head and waved him back. 

"On the trip East, I met the Bixbys, and as we at once arranged formy entrance into their studios, I was more than ever eager to put thematter through. 

"So I came. Oh, I hate to think how I imposed on the Farnsworths! Theywere _so_ kind to me, right from the start. Then they asked me questionsabout my father, and I didn't know what to do or say. I tried to foolyou, Bill, with a made-up letter but I didn't succeed. And, --all the wayalong, I kept feeling worse and worse, --meaner and meaner--at the lifeof deceit I was leading. I made good in the pictures, --and oh, Patty, will you _ever_ forgive me for taking Baby over there! But I knew shewas safe with me, and, like all the rest, I didn't realise how bad Iwas!

"I don't ask or expect forgiveness, --I know you couldn't grant _that_. But lately I felt I couldn't go on any longer, --and I couldn't bringmyself to confess, --so, --I ran away. "

"And you are really Alice Adams?" asked Farnsworth, but Philinterrupted. 

"Wait a minute, everybody. Before Azalea--or Alice, --or whoever sheis, says another word, I want to say that she is my promised wife! Iwant you, dear, and whatever your name is, I want it to be changed toVan Reypen. Tell me, --tell them all, --that you consent. "

A beautiful expression came over the girl's face. 

She turned to Philip, her soft, dark eyes shining with utter joy and atender smile of glad surprise curving her quivering lips. 

"Oh, " she breathed, "oh, _Phil_!"

"You _do_ consent?" he urged, "you must say yes, before you tell us anymore!"

"May I, Patty?" and a shy, sweet face looked questioningly at the oneshe was glad to consider her mentor. 

"I think so, " Patty smiled back, for she knew how matters stood withPhil, and she had faith in the true heart of the girl beside her. 

"Yes, then, " she said, softly, looking at Philip, --and that was theirtroth-plight. 

"Go on, dear, " he said, briefly, and with a glad smile in his eyes. 

"There's little more to tell; I am Alice Adams, and my father was bornin Boston--"

"Good gracious, Phil!" Patty cried. "Why, this child is a real Adams!"

"Of course she is, " said Farnsworth, "I knew the Adamses that lived inHorner's Corners. You see, I was there some years myself. Why, yourmother was a sweet little woman, with a face like Dresden china. "

"Yes; I've a miniature of her. She was beautiful. I'm like my father--"

"And _you're_ beautiful!" cried Patty, kissing her. "Oh, Zaly, --I can'tcall you anything else! what a story you _have_ told us!"

"And now, let's proceed to forget it, " said Farnsworth, in his big, genial way. "You and I'll talk it over a little when we're alone, --butjust now, I adopt you as my cousin, --I'm proud to have an Adams in myfamily, even if only by adoption! Your escapade was a wildone, --er--Alice, --but it was an _escapade_, --not a crime. And for mypart, you are fully and freely forgiven, and--here's where Patty takesup the theme. "

"I do, " said Patty; "and I add my full and free forgiveness to LittleBillee's and I invite you to come right back to Wistaria Porch and makeus a long visit, --as Alice Adams. "

"And we thank _you_, Miss Grayson, " Farnsworth said, "for restoring ourlost cousin, and at the same time giving us a new one!"

Miss Grayson laughed. "It's been a perfect show for me, " she said; "Ithink it's all more dramatic than any play I ever acted in. "

"Come, Alice, dear, " Van Reypen said, with an air of proprietorship, "where's your coat?"

Shyly, Alice looked up at him. 

"Are you sure you want me?" she said. 

"Sure I want an Adams? Well, rather! I never aspired to such a renownedname for my _fiancée_! My own family pride is humbled to the dust. "

"Nonsense!" laughed Patty, "the Van Reypen stock can hold its own!"

And then they quickly got ready and started for home. 

Farnsworth took the wheel, and invited Patty to sit beside him. 

This left Van Reypen and Alice together in the tonneau, and neitherobjected to the arrangement. 

They conversed softly as the car sped swiftly along, and Phil realisedhow beautiful was the dear face beside him, now that worry and care hadbeen replaced by happiness and love. 

"But I don't see how you _can_ forgive me, " Alice said, "I did such a_dreadful_ thing. "

"I forgive you for two reasons, " Van Reypen returned, "first, becauseyou didn't appreciate the real _wrong_ you were doing, and second, because I _love_ you. Love you enough to forgive far more than that!"

"You'll never have to forgive me for anything again, for I'm never goingto do anything you'll disapprove of. I'm among nice people forevernow, --and I'm going to learn to be like them. "

"You're one of the 'nice people' yourself, by birth, and your name isamong the best. But I doubt if I can learn to call you 'Alice. ' To me, you will always be 'Brownie', --my own Brownie girl. "

"I like that best, " she said, contentedly, and smiled happily at Philipas his hand clasped hers, and his eyes carried a message of love thatneeded no spoken word to tell of its depth and sincerity.