CHAPTER XII
AZALEA'S CHANCE
"What do you mean by subtracted some?"
"Now, Azalea, there's no use in your acting like that! You knowperfectly well you can't fool _me_! If you really want to know what Imean, I'll tell you. I mean that you picked out two stitches from theeight to make it look like a six. Didn't you, now?"
"Oh, well, if you've discovered that, I may as well own up. Yes, I did."
"And aren't you ashamed of yourself? Don't you think such a deception awrong and contemptible thing to do?"
"Oh, pshaw, it was only for a joke. Can't you take a joke, Elise?"
"It _wasn't_ only for a joke. You hoped you would make me think thesampler two hundred years older than it really is! And you thought thatwould make it much more valuable. Well, you overreached yourself! Therewere no samplers made--so far as is known--in 1636. So your trickwouldn't fool anybody!"
"All right. There's no harm done, that I can see. My little joke fizzledout,--that's all."
"No, that isn't all. It has proved you are a deceitful girl! You don'tmind telling a falsehood!"
"I didn't tell any!"
"Yes, you did! It's an untruth to pretend something is what you know itisn't! If I had sold that to some unsuspecting buyer, for a large price,you wouldn't have said a word! You'd have let it go!"
"Of course; all's fair at a Fair!"
"Oh, don't try to be funny, Azalea; I'm really angry about this matter."
"Huffy, eh? Well, get over it, then! I don't care! _Some_ people likeme! Don't they?"
The last question was asked of Raymond Gale, who came walking by.
"Sure; I do!" was the hearty reply. "Who doesn't?"
"Elise," and Azalea pouted at the girl.
"Fiddlesticks!" said Elise, gaily. "Never mind, Azalea, I'll take yourjoke in good part."
For Elise had suddenly decided that she didn't want to spoil Patty'sFair by having a quarrel with her guest. So, though a good dealperturbed by the sampler incident, she preferred to drop the subject.
Azalea understood, and was glad to be let off so easily, though she feltsure Elise would tell Patty all about it later.
With Azalea, however, out of sight was out of mind, and she walked awaywith young Gale in a merry mood.
As they strolled along, a man stepped toward them, and raising his capin a respectful way, asked Azalea if he might have a few words with her,alone.
He had a business-like air, and though polite, was, quite evidently, nota man of social position.
Gale stared at him, and Azalea grew very red and confused.
"I--well--not just now," she said, hesitatingly. "I'll see you someother time."
"No, miss, that won't do," The man was courteous, but decided,--and hada manner that bespoke authority.
"If I'm in the way, I'll vanish," Raymond said, laughing a little.
"Well--if you will--" Azalea looked at him beseechingly. "I'll explainlater."
So Gale walked off by himself and Azalea turned a troubled face to theman.
"Mr. Merritt," she said, "I can't have anything more to do with thewhole affair. I'm quite sure my relatives here wouldn't approve of it,and I can't keep the matter secret any longer."
"But you _must_ come, Miss Thorpe. By a strange coincidence you aregreatly needed. Miss Frawley has broken her ankle--"
"She has!" Azalea's eyes sparkled, "Oh,--I don't mean I'm not sorry forher,--I am, indeed! But--"
"But it gives you a chance! A wonderful chance,--and if you can makegood--"
"Oh, I can! I will! Shall I come now?"
"No; but you must come to-morrow morning at nine, sharp. Will you?"
"Indeed I will! I'll be there on time."
"And tell your people about it,--don't you think you'd better?"
"Oh," Azalea's face fell. "I don't know. Suppose they refuse to let mego!"
"How can they? They have no real control over you."
"No,--but I'd hate to go against their expressed disapproval."
"Nonsense! This is your first chance at a career. Don't muff it, now!Why, just your skill at archery is enough to put you over! It's the veryplace for you! Western doings, riding, shooting, lassoing, all sorts ofbareback, daredevil stunts--"
"I know--I know. Yes, I'll be there to-morrow. You go, now,--here comesmy cousin."
With a quick glance at Farnsworth, who was approaching, the man walkedswiftly away.
"Who is he?" Bill asked, as he came up to Azalea.
"Friend of mine," she answered, gaily.
"What's his name?"
"That's telling!"
"I know it is, and I expect to be told."
"People don't always get all they expect."
"Don't trifle with me, Azalea; I'm not in a trifling mood. Who was thatman?"
"Ask me no questions and I'll tell you no lies. Now, now, CousinWilliam, you know yourself, it's very rude to insist on prying intoother folks' secrets!"
"Why _is_ it a secret? What possible business can a man like that havewith you,--that I can't know about?"
"Why do you say 'a man like that'? He's all right."
"All right is a vague term. He's not one of our sort."
"Don't be a snob! Remember you were born and brought up in the West,just as much as I was. And although you've now got to living high andmighty, you needn't look down on me or my friends!"
"You're talking rubbish, Azalea. That man is not your friend,--he wastalking to you on some business matter."
"I'm not a business woman!"
"You're not a woman at all! You're a young girl, and a very sillyone,--to have secret dealings with a common-looking man. Now, as yourtemporary guardian, I insist you tell me all about it"
"'Temporary guardian' is good! Who appointed you?"
"I'm that by reason of your being a guest in my house, and too in viewof the fact that you have, apparently, nobody to look after you. Yourfather has mysteriously disappeared. You've had no word from him sinceyou've been here! So far as I know, you have no other relatives, andso, as your nearest of kin, I propose to look after you,--if you willlet me. Don't be foolish, Azalea, dear," Farnsworth's voice took on atender tone, "_don't_ be antagonistic. I want to help you, not annoyyou. Why not look on me as a friend, and let me know all you're about?There can be _no_ reason why I shouldn't."
"You might not approve," and Azalea looked at him uncertainly.
"Why? Are you up to anything wrong?"
"No," but she spoke hesitatingly, "not wrong, Cousin, but--all the same,you might not approve."
"Tell me, and let me see. If it isn't wrong, I'll promise not to censureyou, even if I don't entirely approve."
Azalea's attention was attracted by the man who had lately left her. Hestood behind Farnsworth and made gestures that informed Azalea she wasnot to let his presence be known. So she continued to talk to Bill, butalso kept the other man in view.
His procedure was somewhat strange. He pretended to be holding a baby,cuddling an imaginary child in his arms. Then he tossed thenon-existent little one up in the air, and pretended to catch it again.
Then he nodded to Azalea. She shook her head negatively and veryvigorously.
He nodded peremptorily and insistently. Again she shook her head, and asshe did so Farnsworth wheeled suddenly and saw the man.
Angrily, he made a dash for him, but the stranger was agile and alert,and ran swiftly away and out of the grounds to the street.
Farnsworth looked at Azalea coldly. "So you were holding communicationwith him, over my shoulder! This is a little too much, Azalea, and nowthe crisis has been reached. Either you give me a full explanation ofyour business with him, or you bring your visit here to an end. I cannothave you in my house, if you are deceitful and insincere. I stand by myoffer; I will listen willingly to your story, and judge you mostleniently. I don't really believe you _are_ up to anything wrong. But asecret is always mysterious and I hold that you are too young andinexperienced to have secrets from your elders."
r /> "I have nothing to confess or confide, Cousin William," said Azalea,putting on a haughty air. "I refuse to be accused of wrong-doing, whenI am not guilty of it,--and I will bring my visit here to an end atonce! I will leave to-morrow!"
"Oh, pshaw, Zaly, don't go off so suddenly!" Farnsworth laughed lightly,for he had said a little more than he meant to, and he realised, too,that this was neither the time nor the place to have such a serious talkwith the girl.
"Come along now, and have tea with us all in the tea-house," he said."Forget your bad, cruel cousin's scoldy ways, and as to the mysteriousman, I'll trust your word that he's all right."
"Oh, thank you, Cousin!" Azalea fairly beamed now. "How good you are!I'll tell you all about it,--some day!"
So the matter rested for the moment, and the two went to join the merrygroup around the tea-table.
The Fair drew to a brilliant close. The second evening was even more gayand festive than the first. Everything was sold out,--or, if not, it wasdisposed of by auction after the time-honoured method of Fairs.
Much money had been accumulated for the good cause, and though tired,the workers were jubilant over the success of Vanity Fair.
"I shall sleep late to-morrow morning," declared Patty, as, after allthe guests were gone, the house party started for bed.
"Me, too," agreed Elise. "I'm glad you haven't anybody staying here butus. No house guests, I mean, but just Zaly and me."
"I'm glad, too," said Patty. "You see, I expected Father and Nan, butthey've changed their plans and will remain in California anothermonth."
"They're having a gorgeous trip, aren't they?"
"Yes, indeed, but I wish they'd ever get home! Just think, Father hasnever seen Fleurette!"
"She'll be a big girl when they do see her. She's growing like a littleweed."
"Like a little flower, you mean! Don't you just love her name, Elise?"
"Fleurette? Little Flower? Of course I do. The sweetest ever. Does Billstill call you Patty Blossom?"
"Yes, at times. Oh, he calls me 'most any old thing! He makes up newnames for both of us every day! Come along, Zaly, you're dropping fromsheer weariness. Time for little girls like you to go beddy!"
Affectionately Patty put her arm round the girl, and led her awayupstairs.
"Sleep well," she said, as she left Azalea in her own room. "And don'tcome downstairs in the morning before ten or eleven. I'm sure I shan't.The servants will clear everything up, and Bill will oversee it. I hatethe aftermath of a Fair,--don't you?"
Azalea nodded agreement, and Patty kissed her good-night and went off.
But it was only eight o'clock the next morning when Azalea crept softlydownstairs. She was neatly attired in a cloth suit, with a fresh whiteshirtwaist and a pretty hat.
She was not at all sleepy or weary-looking and she went out through thepantry to the kitchen.
"Please give me a cup of coffee," she said to the cook, who was justbeginning her day's work.
She looked in amazement at Azalea, for she had had no orders over nightto serve an early breakfast.
"I'll get you something as quick as I can," she said, good-naturedly. "Ididn't know you was going to town, Miss Thorpe."
"Just decided," said Azalea, carelessly; "and I don't wantbreakfast,--only a cup of coffee and a bit of toast. There's a goodcookie."
Smiling at the cajolery, the cook bustled about and soon had anappetising little repast ready. Azalea gratefully accepted the poachedegg and the marmalade in addition to what she had requested, and in ashort time had finished and prepared to depart.
But she did not ask for one of the Farnsworth motor-cars; instead, shewalked swiftly out of the gate and down the street toward the trolleyline.
She waited for a car and when it came she got aboard and settled downfor a long ride.
At last she got out and a short walk brought her to her destination.This was nothing more nor less than a great moving-picture studio.
There were a number of people about, all very busy and intent on whatthey were doing.
Azalea seemed to be known, for two or three nodded pleasantly to her asshe went swiftly along to the office.
There she presented herself, and was received by Mr. Bixby, the man whohad one day called on her at Wistaria Porch.
"Well, Miss Thorpe," he said, briskly, "I suppose you heard the news.Miss Frawley has broken her ankle--"
"Yes, I heard that," said Azalea, with a sympathetic look.
"And we think we want to put you in her place,--at least, for a trial."
"I'm glad to try," Azalea said, earnestly. "I'll do my best to makegood. But I can't bring the baby again."
"Oh, pshaw, yes you can,--just once more, anyway. But never mind thatnow. We must see about your own part. You know there's danger, MissThorpe?"
"Miss Frawley braved the danger," Azalea said, quietly.
"Yes, and Miss Frawley broke her ankle."
"I know; and I may break mine, but I'll take the chance. I am notafraid,--though I well know that accidents may happen. What was MissFrawley doing?"
"It was in that climbing scene. You know she climbs the sheer precipiceof rock. There are hidden spikes driven into the rock for her feet, ofcourse, but she missed one, and fell."
"I'll be as careful as I can, but I may miss it, too."
"In that case, we'll have to get some one else," said Mr. Bixby,coolly. "Are you ready for work?"
"Oh, yes," and then Azalea was shown to the dressing-rooms.
This was her secret. For years she had wanted to be a moving-pictureactress, and she had hoped before she left Arizona for New York that shemight get an opportunity to take up the work. She had expected to beginwith minor parts, and hoped by her skill and earnest efforts to attaineminence.
On the train, coming East, she had formed an acquaintance with Mr. Bixbyand his wife, who were in the business. As their studio was not far fromthe Farnsworth home, Azalea had made plans with them to engage in thework.
She had carried out these plans, and had been over to the studiosseveral times, taking parts in which they needed a substitute.
She had done so well and had shown such promise that Mr. Bixby urged herto become a regular actress in his company.
But Azalea was so uncertain as to how Patty and Bill would regard such amove on her part, that she had so far kept the matter to herself.
Then, when the star actress had met with an accident, and the managementhad concluded to offer Azalea her place, it was a great chance for thegirl.
She had come over this morning to give it a trial, entirely at sea as toher subsequent attitude toward the Farnsworths.
She thought she would be guided by circumstances as to whether she wouldconfide all to them, or whether she would continue her secrecy as to hermovements.
Mrs. Bixby attended to her in the dressing-room. All of Miss Frawley'scostumes, it was found, could be altered to fit Azalea.
As one in a dream, the girl stood to be fitted, while seamstresses andmodistes hovered about her.
Then she was informed that the work that day would be only rehearsingand the pictures would not actually be taken until her costumes wereready.
Submissively she did exactly as she was told, and so well did she actthe parts assigned her, that Mr. Bixby expressed hearty approval.
Azalea was there nearly all day, and when at last she turned her facehomeward, a great dismay seized her.
"What's the matter, child?" asked kindly Mrs. Bixby, who was sayinggood-bye.
"Oh, I don't know what to do!" Azalea was tempted to tell thedirector's wife all her troubles.
But Mrs. Bixby was a busy lady, and she said, "Not now, dearie. Youskittle home, and to-morrow maybe I can take a couple hours off to hearyour tale of woe. You know you've already told me your swagger relativeswould throw a fit if they knew what you were up to. Well, I guess it'sabout fit time!"
Azalea disliked her style of speech, but Mrs. Bixby was kind hearted,and she had hoped to have her for a confidante.
However, there was nochance then, for Mrs. Bixby hustled her off to the trolley-car, andAzalea went home to Wistaria Porch.