Carolyn Wells

“ For Patty was no prim young person, but she was by no means untidy.
She laughed at her cousin’s impetuous ways, and picked up the scattered garments, as fast as Helen flung them down.
“Don’t you have a maid, Patty? I supposed of course you did.”
“Oh, we have Jane. She maids Nan and me both, when we want her. But she does a lot of other things, too. We don’t have as many servants as we used to. Patriotism has struck this house, you know, and we’ve cut out more or less of the luxuries.” ”

“ The lovely face was wistful and sweet, the blue eyes shone with affection and the scarlet mouth drew down a little at the corners, for Patty saw by Farnsworth’s pained expression, that he was really disturbed at their coming separation and the uncertainties of his future.
“I think,” the big man spoke, slowly, “I think you’re the loveliest thing God ever made. A thousand times too good for a big brute of a man like me——”
“You don’t treat me like a brute,” observed Patty. ”

“ Calmly, Patty proceeded with her steadily-moving needles, and again Helen made an hysterical burst of speed and caught up as to distance. But her wool snarled somehow, and Herron, trying to help her, made it worse, and the four hands that tried to untangle it only drew it into tighter knots.
Helen burst out laughing, and awarded Patty the palm.
“It’s always so,” she acknowledged. “I fly at a thing and tumble all over myself, and accomplish just about nothing. Patty goes about it leisurely, and comes in at the last, easily winner, and with a big lot of work to her credit.” ”

“ Supposing some one came to me, purporting to be sent by Captain Farnsworth and using as a token of faith a word dear and familiar to Bill and myself. Could that have been learned by an outsider and used, or, would you think it really meant a message from Bill?”
“Distrust it, Patty. These people have almost incredible powers of getting hold of just such arguments or persuasions. Distrust always,—is the best rule toward any stranger. Farnsworth, if he sends you a message at all, by a man who is a stranger to you, will make it so that you can have no possible doubt of its truth.” ”

“ But truly, Bumble, honey, he isn’t a reliable citizen. He’s—well, we won’t say it out loud,—but he isn’t our sort.”
“I know it. I know a lot about him. But did he really dare lift his eyes to you, Patty?”
“He really did. You see a soldier is of necessity a brave man, and it seems Lieutenant Herron is one of the bravest.”
“Brave! He’s a blind bat, if he thinks you’d look at him twice!”
“Or once even. You see my heart and hands are full with the one man in the world for me, and Mr. Herron’s sentiments are not even interesting to me. ”

“ Herron said, in a low voice.
“Very well, then don’t see me. It will be far better for both. Where is your sense of honour? of fairness? Another man’s fiancée is not to be thought of, save with respect and courtesy.”
“I know it,” and the man looked miserably sad; “and I do mean to treat you with all respect and courtesy,—but, oh, Miss Fairfield, Patty,—let me call you that just once,—if you knew how broken up I am over it all!” ”

“ Farnsworth begged her not to have others there on their last evening together, but Patty’s wise little head thought it better to have a party.
“You see,” she said to Nan, “if I spend the evening alone with my Billee Boy, he’ll be so sad and blue, and I’ll be so weepy and red,—we’ll have an awful time! It’s a whole lot better to have the crowd here and let him go off in a blaze of glory! Patriotism is good for homesickness.”
And, too, Patty was trying to entertain Helen pleasantly, and so she made many little parties for her. ”

“ Farnsworth suddenly realised his defection. “But,” he said, “she’ll forgive me. Patty will understand. She knows I’m terribly busy—more than busy,—I’m all in a moil, and working night and day to straighten it out——”
“But, Captain! That isn’t enough to excuse not sending a valentine to the girl of your heart! Whee! If I were engaged to a man, and if he didn’t send me a valentine! I’d break that engagement so quick he wouldn’t know what hit him! Fie, fie, Captain! You’re a peach of a lover, you are!”
Lena had risen and was dancing about the room. ”

“ Again, Patty caught the strange inflection, as if Mrs. Doremus’ words were not quite sincere.
“Come, girls,” said Philip, “as you’ve finished your coffee, let’s be thinking about starting.”
“I don’t want to go!” protested Helen; “it’s perfectly lovely here, and we can just as well stay an hour longer as not. Can’t we, Mr. Herron?”
“So far as I am concerned, yes. But, unless you start soon, you may find the roads impassable, and be obliged to remain here over night.”
“Oh, I’ve the idea!” Helen cried, “you men go back to town, and leave us girls here to stay the night with Mrs. Doremus! ”

“ Patty laughed. “But I’ll give you some tea, Billee mine, if you’d like it. Oh, what a lot of people! You make the tea, Nan!”
37
Patty left the table to welcome her new guests. Elise Farrington and Daisy Dow were followed by Chick Channing and Philip Van Reypen.
After introductions and greetings all round, Helen looked about her with an air of great satisfaction.
“This is as I thought it would be,” she said, contentedly; “I do love afternoon tea, and we never have it at home. And I love people dropping in to it.” ”

“ I’m Leah, the Forsaken,—after all!”
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“Leah, nothing!” exclaimed Helen. “Patty, if you can’t cut out a little black-eyed beauty, you’re no good! Don’t submit so tamely! Go to Washington,—hunt up the horrid little thing, and see what she’s like! Then, I’ll back your beauty against her, any day!”
“Oh, hush up, Bumble! Do you suppose I’d stoop to get back a man who has thrown me over! You must be crazy! I love Bill Farnsworth,—I adore him, and I can never love anybody else; but I’ll never raise a finger to whistle him back! I’m not that sort of a girl! ”

“ She could conceive of no theory that would fit the facts, save the hint that Herron had dropped, that Bill had been enslaved by a sparkling little brunette, full of the Southern charm and fascination.
It was not like Farnsworth, but Nan realised that men are not always masters of their fates.
She carried out her plan, and took the two girls to luncheon and then to the theatre, and she was glad to see that Patty’s poise had returned to her, and though not exactly cheerful, she was at least, calm and composed. ”

“ Are you ill?”
“No—no—oh, Bumble, don’t pester me!”
“But what ails you, Patty? You don’t even speak like yourself. I’m going to call Nan.”
“No, don’t! Yes, do! Oh, I don’t care what you do!” and a brand-new deluge poured forth, as Patty sat up and stared at Helen with eyes full of utter woe as well as gushing tears.
Thoroughly frightened, Helen did call Nan, who came at once.
“Why, you poor little thing,” she said, sitting down beside Patty, and caressing her, as she offered a fresh handkerchief in place of the squeezed up mop in Patty’s hand. ”

“ Patty said, “you’re tickled to death to be so admired! Here comes Elise, now you’ll get more flattery.”
And then the other guests came and the party soon was in full swing.
Patty was among the gayest there. Her eyes shone and her smile was merry and sweet. But a flush showed on each pink cheek, and Farnsworth kept watch of her as she danced or engaged in light banter with the young people.
Helen Barlow was frankly delighted with the party. She was a belle, indeed, for she was a charming dancer and her never-failing fund of fun and laughter kept her partners enchanted. ”

“ I’m engaged to Little Billee;—to me that’s as sacred, as unbreakable a promise, as my marriage vows will be.”
“Oh, no, it isn’t! Lots of people break off an engagement.”
Philip’s lightness annoyed Patty, and her mood changed.
14
“Well, then,” she said, “if you can so bewitch me that I want to break my engagement to Bill Farnsworth, I’ll do it, but you’ve about as much chance as—as nothing at all!”
“I’ll make a chance! Oh, Patty, don’t forget you said that! Don’t forget you said if I can win you away from him, I may do so! Listen, dear. ”

“ The elder Fairfields were excellent hosts, and chatted with the uniformed guests until even the shy ones felt at ease. Roger and Mona Farrington, too, assisted in this work of getting acquainted, and the result was a pleasant, chatty atmosphere and not merely a silent audience.
“Good work!” said Roger, approvingly, to a khakied youth, as Patty executed a difficult pirouette.
“You bet!” was the earnest reply. “I’ve seen some dancing, but never anything to beat that! Is she on the regular stage?”
“Oh, no. She’s the daughter of the house. But she’s a born dancer and has always loved the art.” ”

“ Rose went on. “I find I can get Lieutenant Van Reypen and Helen Barlow over and I’m asking a few more. I think in these days of unrest we must have a bit of relaxation when we can.”
“I’m with you,” said Farnsworth, heartily; “I can come, I’m sure, unless something sudden and unexpected turns up. Count on me, Mrs. Barrett. But I must run away now, for I’ve an immediate appointment.”
“Isn’t he a darling!” Rose exclaimed, as she and Patty watched the military figure stride down the street.
“Oh, he is! Sometimes I fear I’m not grateful enough for the love and devotion of such a wonderful man!” ”

“ Patty well knew Lieutenant Herron meant Little Billee, but she was always chary of talking about Farnsworth to anybody.
“Only one that you care for; isn’t that so?”
“Oh, no! I care for lots of people, and I care for all our soldiers! How can you think otherwise?”
“Yes, in a sense. But only one you care for especially.”
“Naturally. If you mean Captain Farnsworth, and I suppose you do,—most girls care especially for the men they are engaged to.” ”

“ The flower-face was so pathetic in its tragic grief, that Nan waxed wroth again.
“Patty,” she said, “if Bill Farnsworth has really tossed you off like a discarded glove, I think Fred Fairfield will reckon with him! It’s outrageous,—that’s what it is!”
“Oh, no, Nan; don’t let Father do anything sensational! I don’t want a man who doesn’t want me! I assure you I don’t! I’m no meek Griselda——”
“She was the patient one,” put in Helen. ”

“ However,——”
“Oh, all right!” cried Helen; “I don’t care if she’s a pastry-cook or a laundress if she only satisfies Patty’s insane desire for a chaperon! Will she come? Will she stay by us till we go home?”
“She’ll come to luncheon with us,” said Herron, “and after that I think we’d better start for home. The snow is getting deeper, and though it looks as if the sun might break through the clouds any minute,—yet it may not, and the drifts are high, and——”
“You’re a calamity howler!” cried Helen. ”

“ As a matter of fact, Herron’s eyes were snapping maliciously, but Patty ignored this, and deftly turned the subject.
“When do you go back to the Aviation Field?” she inquired.
“Tomorrow, alas! I had hoped for longer leave, but a new class is to be trained, and I must be on the job.”
“I can’t help marvelling at the courage and bravery of an aviator. It seems to me that you take your life in your hands ever more desperately and dangerously than those actually at the front.”
“In a sense, we do,” agreed Herron, a little gravely. ”

“ It is to me. Why, I come from out West, and I’ve never been in a home like this of yours. Oh, I don’t mean to say we don’t have ’em out West,—lots of our plutes roll in gold and all that. But I didn’t. I’m of the every-day people, and my folks are good and honest, but plain. Not that I’m ashamed of ’em,—Lord, no! But I own up I’m pleased as Punch at this chance to be a guest in a fine house for once!”
“I hope not only for once, Mr. Herron,” said Patty, who liked the frank young fellow. ”

“ Patty laughed and passed on talking gaily to this one and that, asking questions about things they were interested in and conversant with, and in all, being a charming and sympathetic little hostess.
Entertaining was Patty’s forte, and she loved it. Moreover, she could adapt herself with equal ease to the most aristocratic and high-bred society or to the plainer and more commonplace people. ”

“ Patty looked puzzled. “A man?” she said; “masquerading?”
“Just that, dear lady,” and Herron laughed afresh. “I couldn’t help it! There was no woman on the premises save the housekeeper’s daughter, who was only a girl of fifteen or so. There was no way to keep you girls there for luncheon except by providing a chaperon. So,—I did my best. Don’t look so shocked. It was only a harmless jest. Surely, the quondam chaperon was in no way objectionable; and, as Miss Fairfield admits, she—or he—filled a long-felt want!” ”

“ But Lena’s accusation gave his big, true heart a thrill. Was he really negligent of Patty? His own Posy-face Patty,—whom he loved with all his great soul! He knew he was not a society man, not much of an observer of the lighter conventions, and he wondered if Patty would expect a valentine from him, and be disappointed at not receiving it.
“I’ll send her some flowers,” he exclaimed; “I can telegraph a florist in New York and have them delivered tomorrow,—that’s the day, isn’t it, Lena?”
“Yes; but flowers are so—so impersonal, and careless. You ought to send her a real valentine. ”

“ They say the only way to learn to swim is to be thrown into the water. So I daresay the way to learn to fly, is to get in an aeroplane and start.”
“Nonsense! You have to be taught.”
“Then I will be taught. But I’m going to be a good aviator. I’m sure I’ll like the stunt, and I want to begin as soon as possible.”
“I wish I could do some war work,” and Patty sighed.
“Good gracious!” said Nan, “I don’t know any girl who does more of it than you do, Patty! When you’re not down in that old office doing clerical work, you’re knitting like a house afire. ”

“ A VALENTINE
“Well,” said Helen Barlow, dashing into Patty’s room one morning, “I am certainly having the time of my sweet young life! They may say what they like about the horrors of war, and there are plenty of them, and nobody knows that better than I do, and nobody does more to help our side than you do, but all the same, my fairy-fair cousin, I do get a lot of pleasant parties and happy hours out of it all.”
“Why, Bumble-Bee, what’s up now?”
“Look at all these letters in my morning’s mail! And nearly every one an invitation to a gathering of some sort, connected with Our Boys. ”

“ Lieutenant Herron came early, and as Bumble had predicted, he attached himself to Patty’s train of followers.
“Such a clutter of men about you!” he exclaimed, as he sought her side, edging his way through a group of valentine buyers. “I say, Miss Fairfield, let some one else sell these people for a while, and you come and have an ice with me, won’t you?”
“I’m not selling the people!” cried Patty, smiling, “I’m selling valentines.” ”

“ And I’m glad to be here, but I want things right.”
“Patty, you’re not unlike Friend Hamlet. You’re always setting the world right.”
“I know, Phil, but you don’t stop to think. You know we two girls can’t stay here without Mona or some married woman as a chaperon. It doesn’t matter what you think; that’s society’s law and must be obeyed.” ”