Patty's Suitors

by Carolyn Wells

  CHAPTER XVII

  MAY-DAY

  May-Day, contrary to its custom, was a perfectly beautiful, balmy,sunshiny day.

  Adele drew a long sigh of relief when she opened her eyes to this fact,for as the hostess of a large and elaborate garden party she had nocare so great as the question of weather. And as all outdoors was amass of warm sunshine, she felt sure of the success of her fete.

  After luncheon she ordained that Patty should go to her room for a nap,as she had worked hard all the morning, and must not look fagged at hercoronation.

  "Make Daisy go too, then," said Patty, pouting, as she started upstairs.

  "No, Daisy can do as she likes. She isn't tired and you are."

  "But then Daisy will be here when the boys come, and I won't."

  "You insatiable little coquette! You go right straight to your room andgo to bed! You hear me?"

  "Yes, ma'am, but I can't sleep. I'm too 'cited!"

  "Well, you can rest. Get yourself into a kimono,--and I'll come up in aminute and tuck you up."

  Adele went up in a few moments and found Patty leaning far out of herwindow.

  "What ARE you doing, child? Don't lean out so far; you'll fall!"

  Patty proceeded to draw herself back into the room. "Of course I won'tfall, Adele! I was only trying to breathe all this whole May-day intomy lungs at once. It's so beautiful."

  "It is, I know; but, Patty, darling, you MUST behave yourself. Lie downand take a little sleepy-by till three o'clock. Then you can getdressed for the party."

  "'I will be good, dear mother, I heard a sweet child say,'" trilledPatty, as she took down her hair and put on a kimono.

  Then Adele tucked her up on the couch, in a nest of pillows and under asoft down quilt.

  "Of course I trust you," she said, as she patted her shoulder, "oh, OFCOURSE I trust you! but all the same, my lady, I'm going to lock youin!"

  "What!" cried Patty.

  But even as she spoke, Adele had scurried across the room, drawn outthe key, and was already locking the door from the other side.

  "Well!" thought Patty, "that's a high-handed performance! I don'treally care, though. Now that I'm here, so comfy, I realise that I amtired." And in about two minutes Patty was sound asleep.

  It was nearly an hour before she opened her eyes, and then with alittle yawn she lazily wondered if it were time to get up. She glancedat the clock on her dressing-table, and as it was only half-past two,she felt sure that Adele would not come to her release until threeo'clock. She lay there, her eyes wandering idly about the room, whenshe saw a startling sight. The floor, near her couch, was fairly strewnwith sprays of apple blossoms. At first she thought she must bedreaming, and rubbed her eyes to be sure she was awake. Putting herhand down outside the silken coverlet, she touched a spray of blossoms,and picking it up looked at it wonderingly. There could be no doubt.They were real apple blossoms, and they were really there! What couldit mean?

  "Of course," she said to herself, "either Adele or Daisy came in whileI was asleep and brought me these flowers, and sprinkled them on thefloor for fun. It must have been Daisy, for Adele is too busy. How muchnicer Daisy is than she used to be. And maybe that's not fair. Probablyshe always was just as nice, only I wasn't nice to her. Or I didn'tknow how to take her. Oh, my gracious!"

  The last words were spoken aloud, and in a very surprised voice, thereason for which was, that a lot of apple blossoms had come flyingthrough the open window and landed on the floor beside her. "It must beDaisy," she thought, "Adele won't let her in here, and she's trying toget my attention this way!"

  Patty scrambled off the couch, her long golden hair a tangled massaround her shoulders, and her blue silk negligee edged with swansdowndraped about her.

  She went to the window, which was a long French one, opening like doorsonto a tiny balcony. She stepped out on the balcony and looked down.

  "BILL!" she cried, "Little Billee!"]

  And then, in her surprise, she almost fell over the railing, for downbelow on the lawn, with his smiling face looking up into hers,stood,--Bill Farnsworth.

  Patty gave a squeal of delight. "BILL!" she cried, "Little Billee"

  "Look out, Apple Blossom!" he called back, in his big, cheery voice,"don't fall out of that balcony, and break your blessed neck! But ifyou want to jump, I'll catch you," and he held out his arms.

  "No! I don't want to jump! Oh, Little Billee, I didn't know you werecoming! Did you throw in the apple blossoms?"

  "No, no, oh, NO! A passing highwayman threw those in! Why, what madeyou think _I_'d do such a thing?"

  "Only because you still have a few left in your pockets," said Patty,laughing, for, sure enough, Bill had ends of blossom sprays stickingout of all his pockets.

  "You see I didn't know how many it would take to wake you up," he said.

  "How did you know I was up here?"

  "Daisy told me. Adele wouldn't tell me,--said you must sleep, or somesuch foolishness. Get into your togs and come down, won't you?"

  For the first time Patty realised that her hair was hanging about hershoulders and her costume was, to say the least, informal, and withanother little squeal, she sprang back into her room and closed thewindow doors.

  Then she went and looked at herself in the mirror.

  "Well, you don't look an absolute fright," she said, to the smilingreflection she saw there. "But to think of Bill being here! LittleBillee! Bless his old heart!"

  And then Patty flew at her toilet. Everything had been laid inreadiness, and she began to draw on her white silk stockings and daintyslippers.

  She was sitting before her mirror, doing her hair, when the key turnedand Adele came in.

  "For goodness' sake, Patty Fairfield! WHERE did all these flowers comefrom?"

  "They came in at the window, ma'am, before I closed it," said Patty,demurely.

  "Came in at the window! Nonsense, how could they do that?"

  "Oh, the breeze was awful strong, and it just blew them in."

  "Silly child! But I say, Patty, hurry up and get dressed!"

  "I AM hurrying!" and Patty provokingly twisted up her curls with slow,deliberate motions.

  "You're NOT! you're dawdling horribly! But you wouldn't, if you knewwho was downstairs!"

  "Who?"

  "Oh, you're very indifferent, aren't you? Well, you wouldn't be soindifferent if you knew who's downstairs."

  "Not, by any chance, Bill Farnsworth?"

  "Yes! that's just exactly who it is! How did you ever guess? Are youglad?"

  "Yes, of course I am," and Patty's pink cheeks dimpled as she smiledfrankly at Adele. "I'm just crazy to see Bill again!"

  "Look here, Patty," and Adele spoke somewhat seriously, "I want to saysomething to you,--and yet I hate to. But I feel as if I ought to."

  "My stars! Adele, what IS the dreadful thing?"

  Patty paused in her hairdressing and, with brush in one hand and mirrorin the other, she stared at Adele.

  "Why, you see, Patty, I know you do like Bill, and--I don't want you tolike him too much."

  "What DO you mean?"

  "Oh, nothing. It even sounds silly to say it to you, as a warning. But,dear, I feel I MUST tell you. He's engaged."

  "Oh, is he?" Patty tossed her head, and then went on arranging herhair, but the pink flush on her cheek deepened. "Are you sure?" shesaid, carelessly.

  "Well, I'm not sure that he's engaged, really," and Adele wrinkled herpretty brow, as she looked at Patty; "but he told me last winter thatall his life was bound up in Kitty, and he loved her with all hisheart, or something like that."

  "Kitty who?"

  "I can't remember her other name, although he told me."

  "How did Bill happen to tell you this, Adele?"

  "He was here, and I was chaffing him about one of the Crosby girls, andthen he told me that about Kitty. And somehow I thought you ought toknow it."

  "Oh, fiddlesticks, Adele, as if I cared! I can't understand why youshould think _I_ would care if
Mr. Farnsworth were engaged toforty-'leven girls. It's nothing to me."

  "Of course I know it isn't, Patty; but I just wanted to tell you."

  "All right, honey; I'm glad you did. Now go on downstairs, and I'll bedown in a few minutes."

  Adele ran away and Patty proceeded to don her royal robes.

  The coronation gown was of white chiffon, having no decoration savetiny bunches and garlands of flowers. It was not made in the prevailingfashion, but copied from a quaint old picture and was very becoming toits wearer.

  Her golden curls were loosely massed and a few flowers adorned them.

  Patty sat a moment in front of her mirror, talking to herself, as sheoften did.

  "Of course Little Billee is engaged," she said to herself; "he's toonice a man not to be. And I hope his Kitty is a lovely, sweet, charminggirl. I don't think, as an engaged man, he had any business to throwflowers in at my window, but I suppose that was because we've alwaysbeen good friends. I don't see how he could tear himself away from thecharming Kitty long enough to come East, but he's always flying acrossthe continent on his business trips."

  Daisy came into Patty's room then, and the two girls went downstairstogether.

  The guests had gathered for the garden party, and were dotted over thelawns or grouped on the veranda.

  "Thank goodness it's a warm day," said Patty, as they went down thestairs. "Sometimes on May-day we have to go around in fur coats."

  At the foot of the staircase Bill Farnsworth waited to greet Patty.

  He came forward with an eager smile and took her two hands in his.

  "Little Apple Blossom!" he exclaimed; "Patty Pink-and-White!"

  For the life of her, Patty could not be as cordial as she would havebeen if Adele had not told her what she did. But though she tried tospeak a genuine welcome, she only succeeded in saying, "How do you do,Mr. Farnsworth?" in a cool little voice.

  Big Bill looked at her in amazement.

  "You gave me a better greeting than that from your window," he said, inlaughing reproach. "I still have an apple blossom left. May I give itto you?" and Bill produced a small but perfect spray which he proceededto pin on the shoulder of Patty's gown.

  "My costume is complete," said Patty, with a smiling dissent; "itdoesn't need any additional flower."

  "It needs this one to make it perfect," said Farnsworth, calmly, andindeed the pretty blossom was no detriment to the effect.

  "Oh, Phil, how gorgeous you look!" and Patty abruptly turned fromFarnsworth to admire Van Reypen's get-up.

  "Me, too!" exclaimed Hal Ferris, stepping up to be admired. The men'sdecorations consisted of garlands draped across their shoulders andtied with huge bows of ribbon. On their heads they wore classic wreathswhich Daisy and Hal had made, and which were really not unbecoming. Theprocession formed in the hall, and went out across the lawn to the MayQueen's throne.

  Hal Ferris and Van Reypen headed the line, Hal being the sceptre-bearerand Philip the crown-bearer.

  Daisy followed these, carrying a silk banner which waved in the breeze,and she was followed by Baby May, carrying a basket of blossoms, whichshe scattered as she went along.

  Patty came next, and surely a fairer May queen never went to hercoronation. Patty's blonde beauty was well suited to the costume andfloral decorations she wore, and she looked like a vision of Spring,incarnate, as she walked smilingly along. Behind her came Kit andRoger, who were Court Jesters. Their costumes were most elaborate, ofthe recognised style for jesters, and they carried baubles whichprovoked great merriment.

  As Farnsworth had not been expected, there was no part for him on theprogram, but he calmly declared that he would be the band. He hadbrought a cornet, upon which he was a really fine performer, and hetook up his place at the end of the line and played gay and merry musicto which they marched.

  The affair was exceedingly informal, and those in the processionchatted as they passed the guests who were mere lookers-on.

  Baby May, indeed, left her place to run to her mother and give her aflower, and then dutifully returned to escort Patty.

  The throne was under a bower made of evergreen boughs and trailingvines, interspersed with apple blossoms and other flowers.

  As the procession neared the throne, Ferris, with his long goldsceptre, struck an attitude on one side, and Van Reypen, who carriedthe crown on a white satin cushion, took his place on the other side.

  Daisy as Maid of Honour and Baby May as Flower Girl took their stand,and the two Court Jesters danced to their appointed places.

  This left Patty alone, and, as there had been no rehearsal, she was alittle uncertain what to do, when Farnsworth stepped forward and tookher hand and gracefully led her to the throne, where he seated her instate. Then he made a profound bow and stepped away to one side.

  Van Reypen came forward, and with a gay little impromptu speech, put afloral crown on Patty's head, and Ferris presented her with the longgilded sceptre.

  Patty made a little speech of humorous greeting, and the coronation wasdeclared over, and Patty was Queen of the May.

  The guests came thronging around to talk to the pretty queen, and thenthey all went to the tea-tent. This gay and festive place was decoratedwith flowers and flags, and a delightful feast was served.

  "Will you have an ice, Patty?" asked Farnsworth, "or something moresubstantial?"

  "Here you are, Patty; I know what you want." and Kit Cameron came upwith a cup of hot bouillon and a sandwich.

  "Yes, indeed, Kit, I'm famishing. Thank you so much," and Patty ignoredFarnsworth's remark entirely, and beamed pleasantly on Kit.

  Farnsworth looked at her curiously for a moment, and then walked away.

  He sat down by Daisy Dow, and said abruptly:

  "What's the matter with Patty, that she doesn't like me any more?"

  "Nonsense, Bill; she does like you."

  "No, she doesn't. She's cool as a cucumber. She used to like me, butshe's changed all through. I s'pose she likes those other fellowsbetter--and I don't blame her."

  "They're both awfully gone on her," and Daisy looked at Cameron and VanReypen hovering around Patty, who seemed to be sharing her favoursequally between them.

  "I don't belong here," said Farnsworth, gloomily. "I'm out of myelement. I belong out West, riding over the plains and untrammelled byconventions."

  "Don't be a goose, Bill," and Daisy looked at him kindly. "You'vebetter manners than lots of these Eastern men, and you have a whole lotmore innate kindliness."

  "That's good of you, Daisy," and Bill flashed her a grateful look. "ButI know the difference myself; I'm uncouth and awkward where those chapsare correct and elegant. I'm going back to Arizona and stay there."

  "All because Patty Fairfield didn't welcome you with open arms!"

  A flush rose to Big Bill's handsome face. "It is partly that, Daisy,but I can't blame her. There's no reason why that exquisite littlepiece of humanity should want to have anything to do with me,--a bigbear of a man."

  "Honestly, Bill, you ought not to belittle yourself like that. I'mashamed of you. But I'll tell you one thing: Patty is sometimes alittle perverse. She can't seem to help it. She's a perfect dear, butshe is a coquette. If you ask me, I think the more glad she is to seeyou, the more likely she is to be cool to you."

  "Nonsense, Daisy! what sort of talk is that! Why should she act thatway?"

  Bill's straightforward gaze of blank amazement made Daisy laugh, butshe only said: "I can't tell you why she does such things, but she doesall the same."

  Just then Hal Ferris came up and monopolised Daisy's attention, andFarnsworth, imagining himself in the way, strolled off. He joined thelaughing group that was gathered around Patty, but he stood moodilysilent, listening while she chaffed the others.

  "It's getting chilly," Patty said, at last, "and I think it's too lateto stay outdoors any longer. May parties are all very well while thesun shines. But as queen, I issue a royal mandate that now we all go inthe house and dance."

  "
And as First Goldstick-in-Waiting, I claim the first dance with thequeen," and Philip Van Reypen tucked Patty's hand through his arm andled her away to the house.

  "And I claim the Maid of Honour," and Kit Cameron led Daisy away.

  "Hold on," cried Hal Ferris, "the Maid of Honour is my partner."

  "Possession is nine points of the law," and Hal gaily retained Daisy'shand in his own, lest she should escape him.

  But there were plenty of other gay and merry maidens of the court, andsoon several couples were whirling up and down through the great hall.

  Farnsworth stood apart, not joining in the dance, and presently Adelecame up to him.

  "Dance with me, Bill," she said, with the freedom of long acquaintance.

  "Thank you," said Farnsworth, and in a moment they had joined the othercouples. Bill was a perfect dancer, and when they stopped, Adele said:"Why don't you dance with Patty? She is a lovely dancer. I'd like tosee you two dance together."

  Still with a grave face, Bill crossed the room to where Patty wasstanding.

  "Miss Fairfield," he said, politely, "our hostess has ordained that Idance this dance with you." He clicked his heels together, and made alow military bow.

  "Indeed," said Patty, coolly, "but the Queen of May takes no one'sorders, not even those of her beloved hostess."

  "Then you refuse?" and Farnsworth looked Patty straight in the eyes.

  "Of course I refuse," and she gave her little head a disdainful toss."This dance belongs to Mr. Van Reypen."

  Philip was just passing, and as Patty laid her hand on his arm, hestopped.

  "Certainly it does," he said, but it was easy to be seen that the dancewas as much a surprise to him as it was a pleasure.

  Farnsworth looked after the two, as they danced away. And then heturned on his heel and went in search of Adele.