PATTY AND BILL
Watching from the window, Patty saw him coming and in a moment the big
man had gathered the dainty little figure into his arms.
"Blossom Girl," he whispered, "my own Patty Precious, are you glad to be
_here_?"
"Well, I just am!" and Patty drew back to look in his eyes, and then
flung her arms round his neck in a burst of joyous gladness. "But you're
so high up, Little Billee,--I can't reach."
"Going up!" said Bill, and he swung her from the floor up into his close
embrace.
"There!" he said, after a series of kisses, "now, will you be good!"
Patty, laughing and breathless, was deposited on the sofa, and Bill sat
down beside her.
"You blessed angel," he said, looking at her as if he could never look
his fill, "I wish I could just talk love nonsense to you, instead of
telling you what I must."
"Is it very bad, dear?" and Patty's smile faded at the serious look in
her lover's eyes.
"Pretty bad, Patty-Pet, but a soldier's life is not a lazy one. To put
it as briefly as possible, I'm ordered to France."
"Bill-lee! Me, too?"
"'Fraid not, Sweetheart, it's a special mission and a hurry call, and
all sorts of disagreeable stipulations."
"What are you going for?"
"For my country's good, I hope."
"I mean what are you going to do?"
"Dearest, it would take too long to explain, and you couldn't altogether
understand it, anyway, but in a few words, it's to look after some
mining operations. You see, my plans for investigating a certain coal
mine district in France have been approved by the Powers That Be. It
seems that there has been a ghastly destruction of the mines by the
enemy and the coal supply for the railroads is imperilled and all sorts
of troubles are toward. So re-construction is necessary, if they are to
get coal for the Allies' use in the Northeast part of Fair France. My
experience in re-building wrecked mines in Colorado counts for a lot,
and so I'm picked for duty."
"You wonderful man!" and Patty's eyes gleamed with admiration as she
looked at the eager, fine face, full of efficiency and enthusiasm. "Oh,
and Billee, dear, that reminds me, Lieutenant Herron said to tell you to
watch out for a certain wire-puller in Washington----"
"Wait a minute, Patty, can we be overheard?"
"No; but I'll close this door."
"I'll close it, but remember, dear, you must never tell secrets where
any servant or any one at all can by chance learn of them."
"All right. Well, Mr. Herron said to watch out for this person, for he
is trying to sidetrack you into the Searchlight gang,--whatever that
is."
"Herron said this? Did he tell you the name?"
"He said it began with S and ended with s, and that you'd know from
that----"
"Whew! Did Herron say that! Why, Patty,--are you sure?"
"Yes, sure; and he said you'd be surprised but you'd be glad of the
information."
"I should say so! Why, Patty, you've no idea of the enormous importance
of that warning! Him! Well, well!"
"I'm so glad to help you, Billee----"
"How did Herron happen to tell you?"
Patty hesitated. "Well," she said, blushingly, "Lieutenant Herron did me
the honour to make love to me----"
"What! what do you mean by 'make love'?"
"Nothing! Please don't bite my head off! I only mean he seemed to admire
me,--or said he did,--and I sent him flying."
"I should say so! The scoundrel----"
"Oh, come, now, Little Billee, he may be a scoundrel,--I'm told he is
one,--but not because he admired me! A cat may look at a king."
"But no cat or king or scrubby little lieutenant may look at my Patty
Blossom!"
"Oh, he didn't! The Miss Fairfield he looked at is a very different
personage from your Patty Blossom."
"How, different?"
"Well," and Patty sprang up, "this is the lady he saw."
She stood, with a most dignified air, and a coldly courteous expression,
looking a little bored, and exceedingly formal.
Then she broke into a happy smile, and holding out her arms in a lovely
gesture of welcome came toward Farnsworth, her blue eyes beaming with
love and happiness, saying, "and _this_ is your Patty Blossom!"
Farnsworth jumped for her in an ecstasy of gladness, and Herron's
presumptuous intrusion was forgotten.
"And just when do you go to France?" asked Patty, after a time.
"Dunno. I'm awaiting orders."
"And you'll stay here till you go?" She nestled comfortably in his arms,
and smiled up into his loving face.
"Nay, nay, my lady fair. I'm even now on my way to Springfield."
"Springfield! Whatever for?"
"Making some tests for the Government."
"Tests of what?"
"Honey-girl, you can't understand,--but it's a test of the water- or
moisture-resisting qualities of certain explosives used in the setting
off of blasts----"
"Oh, Little Billee, you'll be blown up!"
"Well, we'll hope not."
"Why can't the people who make the explosives do their own testing?"
"You see, it has to be a Government test,--to decide between various
competitors."
"You're not the Government."
"Yes, I am, in so far as they entrust these things to me."
"Oh, Little Billee,--Captain, my Captain, I'm _so_ proud of you! I do
believe you're the biggest man in the Service,--and I don't mean
physically, now."
"Hardly that, Blossom, but I do have responsibilities."
"Do they wear on you?"
"They do, indeed! So, for just a few moments I'm going to forget them
utterly, and only remember the touch of your pink blossom fingers and
the sweetness of your flower-face."
"Dear Big Little Billee! For such a strong person you are very gentle."
"To you how could I be otherwise? Now, Pattibelle, what about it? Can
you make our wedding-day an earlier date, and go along with me?"
"You said I couldn't go!"
"You can, if you'll marry me in time. But I just 'most know you won't."
"Oh, I couldn't, dear. Why, you may go any day, now."
"Yes, but--can't,--won't you go, too?"
The wistfulness in the earnest face touched Patty's heart, but she
couldn't quite say yes to this question.
"How long do you expect to be over there?"
"I've no idea. It may be for years and it may be forever----"
"What?"
"Oh, I don't mean that literally----"
"You won't be at the front?"
"Oh, no; unless some emergency calls for it."
"Well," and Patty sighed, "I see I'll have to be sensible for us both.
In the first place, dear, you'd be hampered with a bride----"
"Hampered! Oh, Patty!"
"You wouldn't,--but your work would. I see it more clearly than you do.
All you think of is to get me to go with you. But you don't realise how
it would bother you to have me along. Why, I doubt if you'd be allowed
to take me, anyway."
"Maybe I wouldn't," and Farnsworth frowned. "But, then, how can I leave
you? Oh, my little Posy Face, you don't know yet what you mean to me!
And,--after I'm gone,--you'd--Patty! you'd flirt,--you know you would!"
"Oh, no! _no!_" and the big blue eyes were full of mock horror. "Oh, no,
I'd take the veil and do nothing but weep until you came back."
"You little rascal,--how you do love to tease me!"
And as a matter of fact, Patty did. Whole-hearted, single-hearted, her
love was all Farnsworth's--once and forever, but her gay nature made her
love to play on his big, honest sensitive heart as on a lute.
"I do," she said, calmly, as she twined her little pink fingers into his
big, strong ones, "because you take teasing so beautifully!"
"Scallywag! I think I'll just grab you up and carry you
off,--willy-nilly!"
"I never did know what willy-nilly means, and I'd love to find out."
"You'll find out when you're my wife! I expect you to obey my lightest
word! I shall be a regular caveman!"
"You're big enough, but you've got about as much of the 'caveman'
temperament as a kitten!"
Farnsworth laughed, well knowing that the soft, gentle personality of
the girl he loved would never be cowed or coerced by his will. He knew
he could persuade her through love, where harsher means would be
useless.
Big Bill Farnsworth perfectly understood Patty's nature, and her little
inconsistencies and whimsicalities bothered him not a whit.
He was most desirous to take her to France with him, but he knew too,
that her commonsense view of that matter was the right one. He knew
that, even were he allowed to take a wife with him, there would be many
rude experiences, even dangers, which Patty must face, and yet he shrank
from the thought of leaving her for an indefinite, perhaps for a very
long time.
Farnsworth went on to Springfield with the question still unsettled.
At least, to his satisfaction, Patty declared that it was settled. She
bravely accepted the fact of his necessary absence because it was his
duty to his country, and Patty was patriotic first, last and all the
time.
"Don't you _care_?" asked Helen, curiously; "what are you made of,
Patty, that you can let him go?"
Patty's eyes filled with tears.
"I suppose it does look strange to you, Bumble," she said; "but you
don't understand, dear. I know Billee would do better work and get along
with less care and anxiety without me than with me. I know I should be a
hindrance and I _daren't_ go. I mustn't put a straw in the way of his
splendid career,--I mustn't be the least mite of a millstone about his
neck. It is because my love for him is so complete, so
all-enveloping,--that I know I _must_ sacrifice myself to it--and to
him."
"But, Patty, he'll think you don't want to go."
"I know that, Helen. And that I have to bear, too. If he knew how I want
to go,--how I long to go,--how it seems as if I _must_ go,--he never
would go off without me! I have to bid him good-bye, smilingly,--even
though my heart breaks after he is gone."
"Forgive me, Patty, I did misjudge you. You are bigger than I am. I
should be too selfish to look at it as you do."
"Perfect love casts out selfishness, Helen, even as it casts out fear. I
know I am right. I've thought it all out for myself. It is my duty to
stay at home, and to send my Billee away, with only words of cheer and
Godspeed. It is my duty not to let him know my real feelings,--I mean
the depth of sorrow and grief that I feel at his going. It is my duty to
make it as easy for him to go as I possibly can,--and that can only be
done by a light, even seemingly careless attitude on my part. I know
what I'm talking about, dear, and I know that if he knew what is really
in my heart for him,--he would take me with him--or,--stay at home! Oh,
I don't dare, Bumble, I don't _dare_ let him know!"
Patty's earnestness carried conviction, and Helen saw at last that
Patty's sacrifice was because of the greatness of her love, not the lack
of it.
"But this is between you and me, Helen. You are to tell no one, not even
Nan, that I feel more deeply than I show. If Billee learns of my--oh,
Helen,----" Patty burst into agonised tears, "if he should know,--and
should coax me to go,--I couldn't refuse him! I'd give in,--and I
mustn't, Bumble, I _mustn't_!"
The little hands clenched and the white teeth fairly gritted in the
desperation of Patty's resolve.
And Helen at last understood that there is a love that is above
consideration of self, and sacrifices personal happiness for the welfare
of the loved one.
The date of Farnsworth's trip to France was imminent, yet uncertain, and
when Patty received an unexpected invitation from a school friend to
make a little visit in Washington, she accepted gladly. It would give
her a chance to be near Little Billee, and her friend, Rose Barrett,
would, she knew, be most kind and sympathetic.
Helen was to go with Patty as far as Wilmington, where she, too, was to
visit a friend.
"I shall take you to your friend's very house!" Patty declared, "or else
you'll bring up in some alien household again!"
"Nonsense," returned Bumble, "I can find the place by myself."
But Patty insisted, and when the two girls reached Wilmington, they went
together to the house where Helen was to stay.
Philip Van Reypen was there to greet them, for he was a friend of
Bumble's hostess, and knew of the girls' coming.
And then, nothing would do, but that Patty must stay there over night
and go to the Aviation Field next morning to see the stunts there.
Quite willing, Patty agreed, and telephoned to Rose Barrett not to
expect her till the following day.
The trip to the Aviation Field was full of novelty and pleasure.
Fascinated, Patty watched the great machines as they swept and swerved
and was interested in all the details and wonders of the whole place.
A gay young Lieutenant by the name of Breen was introduced and Patty
found him a most pleasant and intelligent guide. With him she went
about, seeing things, while Van Reypen escorted Helen.
"Wouldn't you like to go for a little fly, Miss Fairfield?" asked Breen,
presently.
"I'd love to," said Patty, her eyes sparkling at the thought, "I'm just
crazy to, but I can't, thank you."
"Why not?"
"I promised not to,--promised somebody to whom I always keep my
promises."
"Ah, a man?"
"Yes, a man, though I usually keep my promises to women, too."
"A bad promise is better broken than kept," Breen said, laughingly;
"come on in,--the air's fine!"
"Fie, fie, Lieutenant, to tempt me to break my promises! I'm ashamed of
you!"
"But you'd like to go?"
"If I hadn't promised--yes."
"Oh, all right, I won't tempt you. I know just how you feel. We all have
to keep promises sometimes that we wish we didn't."
The jolly young man continued to keep her interested in the sights and
at last he said, "Suppose you just get in here, and see how it seems, I
don't mean to fly, you know, but just have the experience of getting in
and out again."
Patty consented to this, and took her seat as directed.
Just how it all came about, she never quite knew, but soon she found
herself gently rising from the ground.
"We're going!" she exclaimed. "Oh, let me out!"
"Steady!" said Breen, his eyes on his machinery; "don't speak to me.
Yes, we're going for a tiny spin, and you can have it out with me
afterward."
Patty was aghast, but she realised with her quick common-sense that she
must not speak to Breen, or distract his attention in any way.
But she said quietly, "Please put me out as soon as you can."
A light laugh was his reply, and they soared higher.
Finding herself utterly unable to prevent the trip, and knowing not at
all how long it would last or where it would terminate, Patty, with her
usual adjustment to circumstances, allowed herself to enjoy it. The day
was perfect, the air cold and clear, and the sensation of the strange
motion wonderfully exhilarating.
After a short time her tense muscles relaxed a bit, and she breathed
more freely. She didn't feel afraid, but felt a strong nervous tension,
and an intense desire to get down again. She tried to speak to Breen, in
spite of his warning, but the noise of the motor drowned her voice.
She looked about, or tried to, when suddenly she became aware that a
strand of her hair had loosened and was caught in something.
Terribly frightened, and feeling sure that to move her head would
precipitate some awful disaster, Patty put her wits to work.
Her hair was caught in a piston at the side of the machine, and any
gentle movement failed to loosen it. A stronger jerk would tear her hair
out by the roots, and Patty wondered if this were not what she ought to
do to avert worse disaster.
She bethought herself of a tiny pair of scissors in her little handbag
and wondered if she could get them. It was a difficult process, but she
managed it at last, only by getting them with one hand and being obliged
to drop the bag overboard in the process. It contained money and some
small valuables, but all Patty thought of now, was to release her head
from that ever increasing pull.
Cautiously she raised her hand, calculating the direction with
difficulty.
But she managed to accomplish her aim, and with several short steady
clips she severed the strand of hair and liberated her strained head.
Quite unconsciously she clung to the scissors, and though she realised
the great danger was over, she felt faint with the reaction.
After what seemed an interminable time, they reached the ground again,
having really made a very short flight.
"There, Miss Fairfield," said Lieutenant Breen, gaily, "you've had a
fly, and yet you've kept your promise! For you certainly did not go of
your own volition! Why,--what's the matter?"
Patty looked at him with such reproach and scorn that the boy,--for he
was little more,--was overcome with dismay.
"How could you?" she stormed, "have you any idea how offended I am?"
"No, ma'am, I haven't!" he said, dumfoundedly; "I--I thought you'd like
it."
Suddenly Patty realised that he thought she was a giddy girl who would
love the lark as he planned it, and who was only kept from giving
consent by a foolish promise. He had no idea her promise was to her a
sacred rite, and to break it was her horror. Moreover, he knew nothing
of the danger she had been through. When she showed him her clipped lock
of hair, he was even more distressed than she.
"Oh, I am so sorry! Can you _ever_ forgive me! What pluck! Miss
Fairfield, you are a heroine!"
And indeed Patty was. She was praised and exploited and complimented on
her bravery and cleverness until she was positively embarrassed.
And the Lieutenant told her that if Captain Farnsworth had any
punishment in store for him, he would submit to it without a murmur.
"But," he grinned, "it's something to tell of all my life! Cut off her
hair on the fly! Gee whiz!"