AN IMPORTANT DOCUMENT
Patty was walking up and down the library, waiting for Little Billee. He
had written and he had telegraphed and he had telephoned, and every
message changed or contradicted the previous one, and Patty was nervous.
She flew from one chair to another, she flung herself on the davenport,
and back to the window-seat; she pulled aside the curtains and stared
down the street, in fact, she flew around, Bumble declared, like a hen
with her head off.
"Fly, if you like, Patty," Nan said, kindly; "it may help some."
It was three o'clock, and she had expected Bill momentarily since one.
And at last she saw him! The big man came swinging round a corner and
looking up, saw Patty's face at the window.
He paused at the sight, and the two stood, beaming at each other.
"Oh, there he is!" Nan cried. "Come, Bumble, let's leave them to
themselves for a few minutes."
"A few hours!" Patty called out, as the two slipped from the room, and
then Farnsworth came in.
He found a Patty smiling with joy, not nervous now, but a lovely
shining-eyed girl, with welcoming arms outstretched and a soft flush
tinting her cheeks.
"Blossom Girl!" he cried, and then he clasped her in a big whole-souled
embrace, that nearly swept her off her feet.
Close he held her, in a happy silence, then he gently lifted the
flower-face and kissed the quivering lips.
"Oh, my dearest, my Best Beloved, I thought I'd never get here! The
trains crawled, the waits were interminable! But I'm here, and I have
you in my arms and nothing else matters!"
"You dear thing!" Patty said, timidly reaching up to caress his strong,
firm chin with her little fingers, "I'd forgotten you're so--so
enormous!"
Farnsworth's laugh rang out.
"There _is_ a lot of me, isn't there? But I'm all yours, so you must get
used to seeing me round. Would you rather I were less enormous, Patty?"
"No, indeed! I wouldn't have you changed in any respect! You're just
right! But you make me feel small!"
"And you are. My little Patty _Petite_. I'm glad, too, 'cause I like you
much better this way. You see, I can pick you up and put you wherever I
please."
Farnsworth picked Patty up like a child, and placed her on the big
davenport, then sat down beside her.
"Now, I'm happy! Can we sit here forever,--or do we have to be ordinary
citizens and chum with the family?"
"They'll let us alone a little while, and then I s'pect Nan and Bumble
will come in."
"Oh, pshaw! I hoped I'd have you all to myself. Can't we send them to a
matinée, or something?"
"It's too late for that. Here they come now, Little Billee! Take your
arm away!"
"Shan't! They know you're mine, and I've a perfect right to have my arm
round you!"
"But--it isn't done! It isn't conventional!"
"I make my own conventions! Hello, Bumble! How d'you do, Mrs. Fairfield?
Excuse this small parcel I hold in my left arm, but I can't let go of
it."
Farnsworth's bonny smile was so glad and gay that Nan smiled in
sympathy.
"All right," she said, "don't mind us."
"We don't," said Patty, and she cuddled contentedly in Big Bill's
outstretched arm, as they returned to the sofa.
"You see," Farnsworth explained, "I've had the dickens of a time to get
away at all, and everything interfered and detained me. I can only stay
a few hours,----"
"What!" cried Patty, "you're going right back? Tonight?"
"Yes, dear; I'm on a big mission,--two big missions, in fact, one
connected with my country and one with my sweetheart. I try not to let
them get mixed up,--but it's difficult to give undivided attention to
either."
"What'd you come for," demanded Patty, "if you have to go right away
again?"
"I came, my child, to make sure you will name a certain date, that will
be to me, the most momentous in American history. I must get _that_
settled before I go to work in earnest to help win the war! And you said
you couldn't do it over the telephone."
"This way is nicer," and Patty nestled against his shoulder.
"For bare-faced love-makers, you two are pretty outspoken," commented
Bumble, smiling at them.
"'Scuse!" said Patty, without moving. "We wouldn't under ordinary
conditions, but realise, please, that our love-making has to be done
when we can get a chance,--which is awful seldom. If you don't want to
play audience,--there is another course open to you."
"No, thank you, I _won't_ run away!" and Bumble settled down to stay. "I
want to hear all the plans and arrangements,--and oh, Patty, when is the
day to be?"
"I'm cornered, I see, and I suppose I may as well decide now as any
time. Let's say June--about the middle of June. How's that, Little
Billee?"
"Next best to May, if you can't be ready for May. How about the first of
June?"
"No, 'long about the middle or latter part I've a heap to do. I can't
get married without a lot of embroidered linen things----"
"Oh, have a shower!" cried Bumble.
"Nonsense! I don't want a shower! I mean really lovely things,--all
hand-embroidered,--oh, Little Billee, shall we live in a _house_?"
"Why, I had supposed so,--but if you prefer a tree----"
"No; I mean a house or an apartment, or what?"
"Goodness, Agnes! _I_ don't know. Live wherever you like,--and I'll live
there too."
"In Washington?"
"That I don't know," and Farnsworth looked suddenly serious. "It all
depends on the war developments, Patty. I may have to go to France."
"All right,--I'll go along."
"But perhaps you can't,--it will be on a special mission----"
Tears came to Patty's eyes. "Whatever your country calls you to do, you
must do, of course," she said, slowly, "but if you go to France and
leave me here--I'll go with you,--so there, now!"
"It may not come to that," Farnsworth sighed a little wearily; "and we
won't cross the bridge until we come to it. You go ahead as fast as you
can, embroidering your tidies and tablespreads, and----"
"Oh, I shan't embroider them. I'll have them done,--in the trousseau
shops,--oh, they will be lovely!"
"You goose!" cried Bumble. "I believe you think more of your trousseau
than of your husband!"
Patty made no answer to this, save a flashing glance at Farnsworth,
which seemed to assure him that Bumble's notion was a mistaken one.
"Tell us about the valentines," Nan said, "however did you come to get
one just like Patty's?"
"Wasn't it queer?" assented Bill. "And, if you ask me, I think they were
silly, stupid things, anyway! How'd _you_ come to get it, Patty?"
"On a dare," Patty laughed. "Lieutenant Herron----"
"Who's he?"
"One of my new army friends. Oh, Little Billee, I've so much to tell
you, and no time to tell it in!"
"That's so! and first of all, I must ask you if you opened a sealed note
before I told you you might."
"No; I didn't." Patty's blue eyes met Farnsworth's blue ones with a gaze
of unmistakable honesty.
"I knew you didn't, of course," he said, perplexedly, "but the trouble
is, who did? Somebody must have done so, to know that I thought of
coming up to New York. It was important that it shouldn't be known."
"But who could have done it?"
"Where was the letter?"
"In the pocket of my fur stole: that has a most secure clasp-button, and
I'm sure it wasn't meddled with."
"Patty!" cried Bumble, "you know that spy thing, who dressed up as a
woman----"
"What!" exclaimed Farnsworth.
Eagerly Patty and Bumble together told the story of the missing chaperon
and the masquerading pastry-cook.
Farnsworth looked very grave.
"A spy, undoubtedly," he said; "in Herron's employ."
"Oh, not Lieutenant Herron! Why, he's one of our own soldiers!"
"Forget it, Patty. And you, too, Helen. Never mention the subject to any
human being. Much depends on that. I can trust you?"
"Oh, yes!" vowed both girls.
"Did I do wrong, dear?" asked Patty, anxiously.
"Not knowingly, sweetheart; but you must be very careful. I use you as
my little helper, but if it is known, I must not do it. Now, Patty, here
is another paper, that I want to leave in your care for a couple of
days. Hide it as carefully as you can, and when I tell you to, then,
mail it."
"I will," and Patty took the letter. "I'll put it in this desk,
now,--see, it has a secret compartment."
Patty went to an antique mahogany desk, and in sight of them all, she
secreted the important document.
"That's probably all right," and Farnsworth sighed with relief. "I was a
bit fidgetty about having it in my pockets any longer. Now, don't touch
that desk, or open the secret drawer until I tell you to post the
packet. Somebody might see you poking about."
"But there are no spies here, Billee."
"They are everywhere. No place is surely safe from them. Don't worry, or
even think about them. But just obey orders, unquestioningly, like the
loyal little patriot you are!"
"All right; just as you say," and Patty smiled at her commander.
"Why, look who's here!" Bumble cried, and Fred Fairfield came in.
"Hello, Farnsworth! Well, but I'm glad to see you! You're looking fine,
barring a deep line of care and responsibility that has furrowed itself
into your brow."
"Oh, I'm all right, especially now that I'm back home."
"Home it is, my boy. You're a pretty big order for a son, but I'm all
ready to adopt you."
"All right, Dad, give me fatherly advice when needed."
And then to Farnsworth's deep regret, Philip Van Reypen came to call.
The two men met courteously and were outwardly calm, but in each heart
rankled a distaste of the other.
Perhaps it was absurd, but Farnsworth was jealous of Philip, and though
confident of Patty's love and loyalty, he hated to think of Van Reypen
in New York while he must be in Washington.
As to Philip, he was frankly envious of Little Billee, and moreover, was
determined to cut him out and regain Patty for himself if it could
possibly be done. Phil was not dishonourable,--at least, he didn't think
he was,--for he deemed all fair in love and war.
But Captain Farnsworth was very glad when he learned that Van Reypen
must of necessity be in Wilmington almost all the time. To be sure, his
leave of absence seemed to occur very often, but after all he didn't
really live in New York now, and that cheered Little Billee's heart.
"When will you fly with me?" Van Reypen asked of Patty, and he purposely
gave his question a sentimental flavour that startled Farnsworth by its
implication.
"Not till you're an experienced airman," returned Patty, gaily, and then
Bill realised what was meant.
"Patty!" he said, severely, "you are _never_ to go in an aeroplane,--I
forbid it!"
He spoke far more sternly, even harshly than he meant to, for the bare
idea of her so risking her life appalled him, and with the added
awfulness of her going up with Van Reypen, Little Billee felt indeed
aghast.
"No?" said Patty, pouting a little; "oh, but I want to!"
"Never! Understand? It is an order!"
The positiveness of Farnsworth's commands was quite softened by the
sweetness of his tone, but Patty was perverse, and she replied, "I
shan't promise."
"Oh, yes, you will, dear,--you'll promise because I ask it."
Farnsworth stepped nearer to her, and with one hand raised her chin
until her gaze met his. His strong, loving glance conquered, and won by
the deep love she saw in his eyes, Patty said, simply, "I promise."
"That's all right," and Bill smiled at her, needing no reiteration or
reassurance. Her simple word was sufficient.
Van Reypen said nothing, but he gave Patty a quizzical glance.
"Yes, indeed," she replied to his insinuation. "I love to be bossed!"
"Oh, Patty, don't lose your wilfulness,--that's one of your charms."
"Not any more. You don't know, Phil, how an engaged girl loves to be
told what she may and what she may not do. And, incidentally, I've no
desire to break my neck before my wedding-day!"
"Oh, don't think I'd take you flying until I was sure of my own powers."
"Powers are not all of it," Farnsworth said, "accidents are unavoidable,
even in the best regulated airships. But that matter is settled. How do
you like the air game, Phil?"
"Top notch! I was cut out for an aviator,--I feel it. There's no sport
like it! Though I don't take it exactly as a sport. I'm making a very
serious business of it."
"Good for you! That's the way to talk. Now, people and friends, I'm
going to ask you all to go away from this place and let me have a little
time alone with Patty, or else, stay here and let us go somewhere else."
Patty gasped at this high-handed suggestion, but was truly pleased, for
she hated to have Farnsworth and Van Reypen together, and too, she
wanted to see Little Billee alone.
Nan, always helpful, hustled them all out to another room, and left the
lovers in possession of the library.
"He is splendid," said Bumble as they went to the family sitting-room.
"Doesn't he look fine in uniform!"
"Great," agreed Van Reypen, who was not at all petty, "he's a fine old
chap. And, after yours truly, I don't know any one more worthy of our
Patty."
"You're both so splendid," said Bumble, with a flattering glance, "I
should think Patty would feel 'how happy could I be with either, were
t'other dear charmer away.'"
"That's what I hope," declared Phil, who made no secret of his wishes
regarding Patty.
"But you're both away most of the time. I'm going away too, tomorrow."
"Home?"
"Oh, no. To visit a friend in East Ninety-fifth Street. She invited me
for a week, but I'm only going to stay a couple of days,--unless I like
it very much, then I might stay longer."
"Can't I take you there? When are you going?"
"Oh, no, thank you. Nan will send me, of course. I go tomorrow
afternoon. Patty won't miss me, she's so busy ordering linen."
"How she does love pretty things."
"Oh, she does! She's just the one to get married, if only to get up a
trousseau. Me, when I'm married, I won't know whether I've any worldly
goods or not!"
"You never do, anyhow, do you?" said Nan, laughing.
Meantime, Patty was discussing great and important matters with
Farnsworth.
"I leave all plans and arrangements to you," he was saying; "I believe
that's the bride's prerogative anyhow, but I'm really ignorant of such
matters. Personally, I'd rather just be married to you, and run away
from everybody,--without any bells on,--but it's as you say."
"Nay, nay, Pauline! Little Patty has to have a wedding, as is a wedding!
Not an awful big crowd and not a gorgeous pageant, but a nice sweet
pretty home wedding, with lots of white satin ribbons!"
"Not tied onto trunks and things!"
"Oh, no! Of course, not that! I mean aisles of it, and white
stanchions----"
"What in the world are those?"
"Florists' posts to hold up the garlands that make the aisle through
which your bride shall come to you!"
"Patty Blossom! When you say those things you do look so sweet! How can
I wait till June?"
"Oh, the time will just fly! By the way, dear, _why_ can't I go up in a
flying machine? Everybody does."
"Yes, and the majority of them come down with broken bones."
"Oh, not the majority!"
"Well, a large minority, then. But, that matter is settled, dearest,
once for all. You're not to do it, see?"
"Why?"
"Because I forbid it. Is that enough?"
"No; that isn't quite enough! Here's the real reason why!" Patty smiled
and whispered, "Because I love you!"
"Patty Precious! How happy you make me when you're sweet and docile like
that. Of course you know it's my love for you that makes me forbid your
risking your life."
"I know it. Little Billee, wasn't it funny about those valentines?"
"Indeed it was. What did you mean by a dare?"
"Just that! Lieutenant Herron said I wouldn't dare send it to you, lest
you send it back! And I knew you wouldn't, and so I dared! And then----"
"And then you thought I did! Oh, you _dear_ little goose!"
"I couldn't help thinking so at first. How did you happen to get the one
you sent?"
"Why, little Lena,--the youngster where I live,----"
"Oh, is she a little black-haired beauty?"
"A little black-haired witch! Yes, she's a good-looking kiddy----"
"How old?"
"Sixteen, I believe. What, jealous!"
"N-no; but you don't like her much, do you?"
"She's a little nuisance! I'd fly the coop, only I'm well fixed there
and it's a bother to move."
"Did she tell you to send it to me?"
"No, not exactly. She said I ought to send you a valentine, and,
honestly, Patty, I own up I hadn't thought of it! So, as she had some
extra ones I took one and paid her for it. That's all."
"Sort of funny,--and funny they should be alike. You see, Mr. Herron
practically forced me to send mine, and this little girl made you send
yours!"
"Well, there's no harm done, is there? It didn't bother me when I
received what might seem to be a 'returned token.' For I trust you,
Patty, my Blessing, and nothing could ever make me believe you false or
fickle unless you told me so yourself. So never fear what they call
'misunderstandings' for I shall come straight to you and make you
understand! That's the meaning, to my mind, of our faith and trust."
"My dear big Little Billee! That's the meaning to my mind, too. And to
my heart. My whole love is yours----"
"Till death do us part," Farnsworth added, reverently.