THE APPLE BLOSSOM DANCE
"Now I have a programme, Captain Sayre," Patty said. "If you really
want a part of a dance--"
"I don't!" declared the captain, positively. "There are some ladies I'd
dance half a dance with, but NOT with you."
"Then I suppose I'll have to give you a whole one," Patty sighed, "and
I know I won't have enough to go 'round. You know it's late, and there
are only ten dances on the list."
"And they're half gone!" exclaimed Captain Sayre, as he looked at the
card Patty had handed him.
"What!" she cried, looking at it herself.
Sure enough there was a very big black B. F. written against every
other dance!
"Bill Farnsworth!" she exclaimed. "Well, if he hasn't a nerve! He wants
the earth!"
"And the sea, and all that in them is!" said Captain Sayre. "Look here,
Miss Fairfield, I'll be satisfied with the other five. Thus, you're
dividing your dances evenly, don't you see?"
"Nonsense! I'll agree to no such highway robbery! You may have a dance,
Captain Sayre,--take a waltz, if you like; and then give me my card
again. Do you want one, Jack?"
"DO I? Does a squirrel want nuts? Only one, Sea Spirit?"
"Yes, only one. It's such a short programme to-night."
"And is Big Bill to have five?"
"Indeed, no! I shall cross those all off but one."
Learning, somehow, of what was going on, most of the men at the table
began to beg Patty for a dance, and in a few moments her card was
filled.
She shook her head reprovingly at Farnsworth, who quite understood the
reason.
Supper over, the dancing began, and as it was a summer evening, the
dances alternated with cooling strolls on the long verandas of the club
house. Patty loved to dance, and greatly preferred good dancers for
partners.
Captain Sayre was especially proficient in the art, and as their dance
was followed by an "extra," he persuaded Patty to do a fancy dance with
him, like they had danced at the Sayres' garden party. Soon most of the
dancers had paused to watch the two, swaying and pirouetting in a
dance, partly impromptu, and partly fashioned on some they had
previously learned. It was a pretty sight. Patty, whose step was light
as thistledown, followed any hint of Captain Sayre's, and so clever
were his leads that the audience broke into loud applause. It was
almost more than Farnsworth could bear. He stood looking at them with
such a wistful expression that Patty concluded to stop.
"I'm a little tired," she whispered to her partner, "but I want to
dance a moment alone. Will you let me? And ask the orchestra to play
the Spring Song."
"I'll love to look at you," declared the captain, and at the end of a
measure, he gracefully danced away from her, and Patty stood alone.
The rest had all ceased dancing now, preferring to watch, and as they
were nearly all Patty's friends and acquaintances, she felt no
embarrassment.
"The Apple Blossom Dance," she said, and flung herself into a series of
wonderful rhythmic motions that seemed to give hint of all the charms
of spring. One could almost see flowers and hear birds as the light
draperies swayed like veils in a soft breeze. And then, with a fleeting
glance and smile at Farnsworth, Patty plucked apple blossoms from
overhanging boughs, and tossed them to the audience. There were no
trees, and there were no blossoms, but so exquisite was her portrayal
of blossom time, and so lovely her swaying arms and tossing hair that
many were ready to declare they could even detect the fragrance of the
flowers. But when Patty essayed to stop, the riotous applause that
followed and the cries of "Encore! encore!" persuaded her to dance once
more, though very tired.
More languidly this time the apple blossoms were plucked from the
branches, more slowly the springtime steps were taken, and before she
reached a point in the music where she could stop, Patty was swaying
from faintness, not by design.
Farnsworth saw this, and acting on a sudden impulse, he swung the great
folds of his trailing velvet over his arm, and with a few gliding
steps, reached her side, threw an arm round her, and suiting his steps
to hers, continued the figure she had begun. But he supported her weary
little form, he held her in a strong, firm clasp, and, a fine dancer
himself, he completed the "Apple Blossom Dance" with her, which she
never could have done alone. Then, after bowing together to the
delighted and tumultuously applauding audience, he led her to a seat,
and shielded her from the unthinking crowd, who begged her to dance for
them again.
"Little Billee, you're a dear!" said Patty, as the next dance took the
people away again. "How did you know I was going to sink through the
floor in just one more minute?"
"I saw how tired you were, and though I hated to 'butt in' on your
performance, I just felt I had to, to save you from collapse."
"You DIDN'T 'butt in'! You're a beautiful dancer, better than Captain
Sayre, in some ways, though you don't know so many fancy steps. But you
picked up my idea of the apple blossom steps at once!"
"Because that's OUR dance. And you're my property to-night, anyway.
Didn't Neptune crown the Spirit of the Sea?"
"Yes, and I haven't yet thanked you for this lovely wreath! It's the
most beautiful thing! Where DID you get it?"
"I had it made, to replace the one I stole from you the night of the
storm."
"You didn't steal that,--I gave it to you."
"Well, and so I give you this one in return. Will you wear it
sometimes?"
"I'll wear it often, it's so lovely. And SO becoming,--isn't it?"
Naughty Patty smiled most provokingly up into the big blue eyes that
looked intently at her.
"Becoming?" he said. "Yes, it IS! What isn't becoming to you, you
little beauty?"
"There, there, don't flatter me!" and Patty cast down her eyes
demurely. "Oh, Jack, is this our dance?" And with a saucy bow, Patty
left Big Bill, and strolled away on Jack Pennington's arm.
"You're a regular out and out belle to-night, Patty," he said, frankly.
"All the men are crazy over you, and all the girls are envious."
"'Tisn't me," said Patty, meekly. "It's this ridiculous green rig and
my unkempt hair."
"Shouldn't wonder," returned Jack, teasingly; "girls always look best
in fancy dress."
"So do the boys," Patty retorted. "Isn't Bill Farnsworth stunning in
that Neptune toga,--or whatever it's called?"
"Pooh, you'd think he was stunning in anything, wouldn't you?"
"Oh,--I don't know--" and Patty put her fingertip in her mouth, and
looked so exaggeratedly shy that Jack burst into laughter.
"You're a rogue, Patty," he declared. "If you don't look out you'll
grow up a flirt."
"Am I flirting with you?" and Patty opened her eyes very wide in mock
horror at such an idea.
"No,--not exactly. But you may, if you like."
"I DON'T like!" said Patty, decidedly. "We're good chums, Jack, and I
want to stay so. No flirt nonsense about us, is there?"
"No," said Jack; "let's dance," and away they whirled in a gay two-step.
When the dancing was over, the "Red Chimneys" party started for home in
various motors. Patty thought Bill would ask her to ride with him, but
he didn't come near her, and she wondered if he were annoyed or
offended in any way.
She confessed to feeling a little tired, and rode quietly beside Aunt
Adelaide, leaning her sunny head on that lady's shoulder.
"But it was lovely!" she said, with a sort of purr like a contented
kitten. "I'd like to have a Pageant every night!"
"Yes, you would!" exclaimed Roger, who sat in front of her in the big
motor. "You'd be dancing in a sanitarium next thing you knew."
"Pooh!" retorted Patty. "I'm not a decrepit old invalid yet, am I, Aunt
Adelaide?"
"No, dearie; but you must take care of yourself. I think a cold
compress on your forehead to-night would do you good."
"And a hot compress on my chin, and two lukewarm ones on my ears,"
teased Patty, laughing at the solicitous tones of the older lady. "No,
sir-ee! I'll catch a nap or two, and tomorrow I'll be as right as a--as
a--what's that thing that's so awfully right?"
"A trivet," said Mona.
"Yes, a trivet. I've no idea what it is, but I'll be one!"
There was a light supper set out in the dining-room at "Red Chimneys,"
but no one wanted any, so good-nights were said almost immediately and
the wearied revellers sought their rooms.
"No kimono parties to-night, girls," said Patty, firmly. "I'm going
straight to bed."
"All right," agreed Mona and Daisy, "we'll save our gossip till
morning."
But Patty didn't go straight to bed. She flashed on the lights in her
rose-coloured boudoir, drew the curtains of the bay window, and then
threw herself into a big easy-chair. She was thinking of Mr. William
Farnsworth. She wished he hadn't said what he had. It worried her,
somehow. And when he said good-night just now, he had a look in his
eyes that meant,--well, perhaps it didn't mean anything after all.
Perhaps he was only flirting,--as Patty herself was. But was she? She
had just asked herself this question, really seriously, when a rose
came flying in at the window and fell at her feet. She looked up
quickly,--she was SURE she had drawn the curtains. Yes, she had done
so, but there was just a little space between them, where they didn't
quite join.
Well, it must have been a good marksman who could throw so accurately!
Westerners were accounted good marksmen,--it MIGHT be--
And then a second rose followed the first, and others, at intervals,
until a good-sized heap lay at Patty's feet.
Laughing in spite of herself, she went to the window, and peeped out
between the curtains.
"Why, it's you!" she exclaimed, as if she hadn't known it all the time.
"Yes," and Big Bill smiled at her over the armful of roses he still
held. "I've completely stripped the rose garden, but I had to bombard
you with something!"
"Are you a bombardier?"
"No, I'm a beggar. I'm begging you to come out here for a few minutes
and see the moonlight on the ocean."
"Why, there isn't any moon!"
"That's so! I mean the sun."
"Well, the sun isn't QUITE up yet!"
"That's so! Well, I mean the--the stars,--there, I knew SOMETHING was
shining!"
Bill's laugh was so infectious that Patty couldn't help joining it, but
she said:
"I can't, Little Billee. It's too late, and I'm too tired, and--"
"But I'm going away to-morrow."
"You are! I didn't know."
"Do you CARE? Oh, Patty, come out for a minute, I want to tell you
something."
Still in her green draperies and silver wreath, Patty stepped out on
the veranda, saying, "Just for a tiny minute, then."
Bill had discarded his Neptune trappings, and in evening dress, was his
handsome self again.
"You were fine as Neptune," said Patty, looking at him critically as he
stood against a veranda pillar, "but you're better as a plain man."
"Thank you!" said Bill, ironically.
"Fishing! Well, I DIDN'T mean that you're plain, but,--I won't say what
I did mean."
"Oh, dear! Another fond hope shattered! I WISH I knew what you DID
mean!"
"Don't be silly, or I'll run back. If you'll promise not to be silly,
I'll stay another minute."
"But, you see, I never know when I am silly."
"Almost always! Now let's talk about the Pageant. Didn't Daisy look
pretty?"
"Yes. But I fancy blondes myself."
"Now that's ambiguous. I don't know whether you mean because you're one
or because I'm one."
"Why! So you ARE a blonde, aren't you? I never noticed it before!"
"Really? How nice! I've always wondered how I'd strike an entire
stranger!"
"Why strike him at all?"
"Now you're silly again! But I mean, I'd like to know what an utter
stranger would think of me."
"I hate to be called an utter stranger, but I haven't the least
objection to saying what I think of you. In fact, I'd like to! May I?"
"Is it nice?" asked Patty, frightened a little at Bill's quiet tones.
"Judge for yourself. I think you are the most beautiful girl I have
ever seen,--and the most fascinating. I think you have the sweetest
nature and disposition imaginable. I think you have just enough
perversity to give you the Zip you need."
"What is Zip?"
"Never mind; don't interrupt. I think you are the most adorable fluff
of femininity in the world,--and I KNOW I love you, and I want you for
all my very own. Patty,--DARLING,--tell me now what you think of ME."
"Oh, Bill, DON'T say such things to me,--PLEASE, don't!" And Patty's
overstrung nerves gave way, and she began to cry.
"I won't, dear,--I won't, if it bothers you," and Big Bill's arm went
round her in such a comforting way that Patty wept on his broad
shoulder.
"Don't,--don't think me a silly," she said, smiling up at him through
her tears, "but--I'm so tired, and sleepy,--if you could just wait till
morning,--I'd tell you then what I think of you."
"Very well, dear, I'll wait."
"No, you needn't, I'll tell you now," and Patty suddenly drew away from
Bill's arm and faced him bravely. "I'm a coward,--that's what I am! And
I cried because,--because I can't say what you want me to, and--and I
HATE to hurt your feelings,--because I LIKE you so much."
"Patty! do you KNOW what you're talking about?"
"Yes, I do! But I can't seem to say it out plain, without hurting your
nice, big, kind heart."
"Let me say it for you, little girl. Is it this? Is it that you like me
as a friend, and a comrade--chum, but you don't love me as I love you,
and you're afraid it will hurt me to know it?"
"Yes, yes, that's it! How did you know?"
"You told me yourself, unconsciously. Now, listen, my girl. I only love
you MORE for being brave and honest about it. And I love you more still
for your dear, kind heart that can't bear to hurt anybody. And to prove
that love, I'm not going to say any more to you on this subject,--at
least, not now. Forget what I have said; let us go back to our good
comradeship. I startled you; I spoke too soon, I know. So forget it, my
apple blossom, and remember only that Little Billee is your friend, who
would do anything in the world for you."
"You're an awfully nice man," said Patty, not coyly, but sincerely, as
she laid her hand on his arm a moment.
"Now you HAVE told me what you think of me!" cried Farnsworth, gaily,
and taking the little hand he held it lightly clasped in his own. "And
I thank you, lady, for those kind words! Now, you can look at the moon
just a minute longer, and then you must fly, little bird, to your nest
in the tree."
"Yes, I must go. Tell me, Little Billee, where did you learn to dance
so well?"
"It's mostly my natural grace! I took a few lessons of a wandering
minstrel, out home, but I don't know the technique of it, as you and
that ornamental captain do."
"But you could learn easily. Shall I teach you?"
"No,--Apple Blossom, I think not."
"Oh, there won't be time. You said you're leaving to-morrow! Must you
go?"
"It doesn't matter whether I must or not. If you look at me like that,
I WON'T! There, there, Sea Witch, run away, or--or I'll flirt with you!"
"Yes, it's time I went," said Patty, demurely, gathering up her
draperies. "But, Billee, how can I thank you for the dear, sweet lovely
wreath?"
"Well, there are several ways in which you COULD thank me,--though I'm
not sure you WOULD. Suppose we just consider me thanked?"
"That doesn't seem much. Shall I write you a note?"
"That doesn't seem VERY much. Why don't you give me a gift in return?"
"I will! What do you want? A penknife?"
"Mercy, no! I'll have to think it over. Wait! I have it! Have your
picture taken--with the wreath on, and give me that."
"All right, I will. Or perhaps Mr. Cromer would sketch me in this whole
rig."
"PERHAPS he WOULD!" and Farnsworth caught his breath, as he looked at
the vision of loveliness before him. "But we'll see about that later.
Skip to bed now, Apple Blossom, and don't appear below decks before
noon to-morrow."
"No, I won't. I'm awful tired. Good-night, Little Billee."
"Good-night, Apple Blossom Girl," and Farnsworth held aside the curtain
as Patty stepped through the window.
A shower of flowers flew after her, for Bill had picked up his
remaining posies, and Patty laughed softly, as the curtain fell and she
stood in her room, surrounded by a scattered heap of roses.
"Just like a theatrical lady," she said, smiling and bowing to an
imaginary audience, for Patty loved to "make-believe."
And then she took off her silver wreath and put it carefully away.
"Little Billee is SUCH a nice boy," she said, reflectively, as she
closed the box.