CHAPTER XVII
PHILIP'S REQUEST
"Give me a few minutes of your valuable time all to myself, will you,old chap?" Phil said to Farnsworth, as the two men met in the hall justbefore the dinner hour.
"Take all you want, I've lots of it," returned the other, cheerily."Want to borrow a fiver?"
"No; I'm still able to make both ends meet. But, seriously, Bill," asthe two men entered Farnsworth's den, and closed the door, "I'm hardhit."
"That sounds as if you were in love,--but I can't think you meanthat,--so I wisely opine you've been hit by the fall in Golconda MiningStock."
"Your wise opinings are 'way off,--but your first suspicion was nearerthe mark."
"In love? Good for you, old Phil! Of course it's Elise!"
"Of course it isn't! Had Elise been my fate, I'd have known it longago."
"Who then? Betty Gale?"
"Wrong again. And blind, too. It's Azalea."
Farnsworth sank limply into a chair. He pretended to be dazed almost toinsensibility, and as a matter of fact his surprise was nearly as greatas his demonstration of it.
"Azalea!" he gasped. "Our Azalea!"
"Exactly; don't act as if I had suggested the Queen of Sheba! I knowwhat a superior girl she is,--and I know I've not much to recommendme--"
"Oh, Phil,--oh, Van Reypen, stop! Have you lost your senses?"
"I think _you_ have!" Phil looked decidedly annoyed. "I must say,Farnsworth, I don't quite get you."
"I beg your pardon, dear old chap, I--I was a bit astounded. Yousee--"
"I see that I've a right to care for the girl if I choose, and as youare her nearest relative, that I know of, I come to you for sanction ofmy suit. Aside from your rather inexplicable astonishment--have you anyreal objection to me as a new cousin-in-law?"
"No! You know I haven't!" Farnsworth held out a cordial hand whichthe other grasped. "In fact, I think it's fine,--a most admirablearrangement. What _will_ Patty say?"
"I hope she'll be pleased. It's no secret that I adored Patty and triedmy best to cut you out,--but, not having succeeded in that, I've beenglad to be the friend of both of you, and we've had lots of good times,all together. But,--well, I never expected to know another realwhole-hearted love,--and then along comes this splendid girl,--thisdaughter of your own big, beautiful, breezy West, and before I know it,she has taken my heart by storm!"
"But, Phil,--you--you don't know Azalea--"
"I know enough. If you mean her escapades with the picture people or herinnocent joke about the patchwork sampler,--I don't care about thoselittle things. She has a wonderful big, noble nature, that will respondquickly to loving care and gentle advice. And,--I _think_ she cares forme, but--"
"Of course she cares for you! What girl wouldn't! Don't underestimateyourself or your attractions, Phil. But I'll speak plainly; you're a bigman in lots of ways,--beside physically. You're an aristocrat,--of anold family,--and you're very rich. Now,--Azalea--"
"Please don't talk of my birth or wealth as assets. I offer Azaleaa heart full of love, and a constant care for her happiness andwell-being. If she does care for me, I want your permission to tryto win her. I have broached the subject--"
"What did she say?"
"She--oh, I don't know,--she said--well, she ran away!"
"Surprised and a little shy, probably," Farnsworth looked thoughtful."I may as well tell you, Phil, oh hang it! How shall I put it? Well,there's something queer about Azalea."
"What do you mean,--queer?"
"I don't know. And it may be nothing. But,--her only near relative,so far as I know, is her father. A man I knew years ago,--a cousin ofmine,--and a decent, hard-working, plain man. Now, Zaly has not had asingle letter from him since she has been here."
"Why? Where is he?"
"I don't know. She won't tell. I've written to him twice,--but I've hadno reply. I'm telling you all I know."
"Thank you for being so straightforward. Do you--do you think there'sanything dishonourable--"
"That he's in jail? That's the idea that haunts my brain. I can't thinkof any other explanation for his continued silence,--and for Azalea'smysterious disinclination to talk about him. Why, Phil, she forged aletter,--wrote one to herself,--and pretended to me that it was from herfather!"
"Poor child! How unhappy she must be over it. If she cares for me, Bill,I'll take all that load off her poor little shoulders. I'll get her totell me the truth, and then we'll see what can be done. But, in anycase, or whatever her father may be, it won't affect my love for thegirl herself. My idea of birth and breeding is that it gives one anopportunity to be tolerant and generous toward others of feweradvantages. To me, Azalea stands alone,--her family connections,whatever they may be, I accept gladly, for her dear sake."
"I say, Phil, forgive me if I express unwelcome surprise, but--why, youhaven't _seemed_ to be so deeply interested in Azalea--"
"I know; it _is_ pretty sudden. But, she somehow bowled me over all atonce. Her brave attitude to-day, when she told her little story, hersweet acceptance of Elise's remarks, made in petty spite, and her wholebig spirit of fearless determination to go into the picture work,--onlyto have it spoiled entirely by the wicked acts of that villainMerritt,--I tell you, Farnsworth, she's a girl of a thousand! I readher, I understand her better than you do, and I see far beneath heruntaught, outward manner the real girl,--the sterling traits of a finecharacter."
"All right, Phil, go in and win! You have my blessing,--and when Pattyrevives from her first shock of surprise, she'll bless you, too. It wasPatty's work, getting Azalea here,--and Patty has tried every way in theworld to help and improve her--"
"Patty has done wonders. And has paved the way, I admit. But it isnothing to what I shall do with and for Azalea, when I have her all tomyself."
"She's not so very tractable--Zaly has a will of her own."
"She'd not be herself, if she hadn't. That's part of her big nobilityof soul. But I'll take care of her manners and customs. If only she'llaccept me, I've no fears for the future."
"But you must find out about her father. It's queer that she acts somysterious about him. And, so far as I know, she's had no letters fromanybody back home,--her home is at Horner's Corners. Awful place!"
"If we don't like the place, we'll buy it and make it over," said VanReypen, serenely. "All right, Farnsworth, you've made me satisfied thatI may try to win my prize,--and the rest will follow."
The two men went out to join the others on the porch. Both were inthoughtful mood. Van Reypen full of his new happiness, and eager to seeAzalea again, Farnsworth still amazed, and a little uncomfortable overthe whole matter. He felt a responsibility for Azalea, and yet, if Philwas willing to take her without further knowledge of her family,--whyshould he, Bill, object?
Azalea had not yet come downstairs, and Patty chaffed the two men ontheir sober faces.
"What's the matter?" she cried, gaily. "You two been quarrelling?"
"Come for a stroll on the terrace, and I'll tell you, Patty," said Phil,for he really wanted to tell Patty himself.
"You see," he said, as they passed out of earshot of the others, "I'mbowled over."
"I know! Betty Gale. And I'm _so_ glad, Phil. I know you used to likeme,--and I was and am fond of you,--but you needn't think I resent yourloving another. I'm honestly glad, and I wish you all the happiness inthe world!"
"Thank you, Patty, but,--wait a minute."
"Oh, I can't! I'm so excited over it! I'm going to announce it atdinner,--I wonder if I can't get the table re-decorated--with whiteflowers! I love an announcement party--"
"Patty,--don't,--let me tell you--"
"Oh, I know _you'd_ hate the fuss and feathers, but Betty'll love itand--"
"But it _isn't_ Betty!" Van Reypen managed to get in.
"Not Betty!" Patty stopped short and turned to face him."Oh,--Phil,--Elise?"
"You've one more guess coming," he smiled.
"Oh, who? Somebody in New York? Where is she? I'll invit
e her here!"
"You needn't,--she's here already. Why, Patty, it's Azalea."
"Azalea!" Patty's surprise was greater than Bill's had been, and shestood looking at Van Reypen with an absolutely incredulous gaze.
"Azalea!" she said, again.
"Yes,--and I want you to help me. When I spoke to her, this afternoon,she--she acted--well, strange--"
"Oh, Phil, it was only because she was so surprised,--as I am,--aseverybody will be! Imagine Elise!"
Patty's face of horror, that changed to a mischievous smile, annoyed VanReypen.
"I don't see, Patty, why you take it like that. Bill did, too. Now, itseems to me, if I see noble traits and qualities in Azalea, you and Billought to have perception enough to see them too."
"It isn't that,--she has noble traits,--some,--but--oh, Phil,--you andAzalea! King Cophetua and the Beggar Maid!"
"Patty, stop! I won't let you talk like that! I admit I'm blind to herfaults,--if she has any,--for I'm desperately in love,--but I do lookto you and Bill for sympathy and approval. And I don't want any of thatKing Cophetua talk, either! Just because I happen to be born under afamily tree, and happen to have as much money as I want,--that's noreason for implying that those are my chief attractions. I can giveAzalea more worth-while things than that! I can give her the love andadoration that is every woman's desire and right,--I can give her lovingcare and help,--I can--"
"Oh, Phil, how splendid you are! You make me 'most wish--" But Patty'shonest blue eyes wouldn't let her say the words. "No, I don't wishanything of the sort! You are a splendid man, and I do appreciate you,but I have my Bill, and he's all the world to me. Now, I'm more thanglad you've found a your fate at last,--but--Azalea!"
"Stop it, Patty! I find I've got to forbid these repeated expressions ofamazement. You _must_ get used to the idea, and you may as well begin atonce!"
"You're right, and I will! First of all, honest and heartycongratulations and may you both be very, _very_ happy,--as happy as weare,--I can't ask more!"
"Thank you, Patty, and will you say a good word for me to Azalea?"
"Why! haven't you asked her yet?"
"Only partly,--that is, she has only partly answered me."
"What did she say?"
"I don't quite know. She was,--well, Patty, she ran away from me."
"Oh, that's all right, then, that's a time-honoured device to postponethe psychological moment! Well, may I make the announcement at dinner?"
"No; I think not. For, though I couldn't help hoping, from the look inher eyes, that she cares for me,--yet she said--"
"What did she say?"
"Nothing coherent or understandable,--but--well, she didn't--she didn'tsay 'yes'."
"Oh, that's nothing,--she will. But I won't make the announcement tillshe tells me to. There's the dinner gong,--come on."
It wasn't until the others were seated at the table that Azalea comeinto the dining-room. She looked quite unlike her usual self, and wasvery quiet. Her face showed a pathetic, wistful expression, but her eyeswere cast down, and now and then the corners of her scarlet mouthtrembled.
Patty had arranged that she should sit next Van Reypen, and as Azaleatook the place, she found Ray Gale on her other hand.
"'Smatter, Zaly?" he said, merrily, not thinking anything was reallytroubling her.
"Shell shock," said Van Reypen, to save Azalea the necessity ofreplying. "She's had a hard day of it, and now she's not to be botheredto talk, if she doesn't want to."
Azalea gave him a grateful look, and under the influence of his gentlekindliness, and mild raillery, she partly recovered her poise, andbecame almost like her own gay self again.
Much later in the evening, Van Reypen drew her away from the rest andled her to a secluded corner of the great piazza, where he had her alone.
"Now, my princess,--my beloved,--you are to tell me the answer to myplea. Tell me, Azalea,--may I take you to myself? Will you be my veryown?"
"I can't say yes, Phil," she replied, softly, the tears gathering in herbrown eyes. "I--oh, I thought I could tell you the truth,--but Ican't,--I _can't_! I--I love you too much!"
"You've answered me!" cried Van Reypen, his eyes shining with gladness,"if you love me,--nothing else matters! And you can't love me 'toomuch'! I want all there is of your love,--your dear love! Is it reallymine?"
"It's really yours, as far as it's in my power to give it,--but,"and Azalea's face grew very sad, "I can't give it to you,--out ofconsideration of your rights. I can't love you, Philip, I mustn'tlet myself even think of it!"
"Don't talk nonsense, you blessed child,--you've settled it all when yousay you love me! Oh, Azalea, I'm _so_ glad, and proud and happy!"
Azalea gave a start as his arms closed round her. "No!" she cried, "no,dear, don't! oh, please don't!"
"Why, darling? Why mayn't I caress my own love,--my promised wife?"
"Oh, no,--I'm not! I can never be your wife! I'm--I'm not worthy!"
"Hush!" and Van Reypen closed her lips with a tender kiss. "Hush,Azalea, never use the words worthy or unworthy between us. Our lovemakes us worthy of each other, whatever we may be otherwise."
"Stop,--please stop! Every word you say makes it harder! I can't standit! It's too dreadful. Let me go,--oh, _please_, let me go!"
Shuddering as with some great fear, Azalea slipped from his arms and ranaway. He heard her steps as she went upstairs, and heard a doorclose,--evidently she had flown to her own room.
Greatly perplexed, Phil went in search of Patty.
"Help me out," he said, in a low tone. "Azalea has gone to her room,and there is certainly something troubling her. Go to her, Patty,--findout what it all means,--and if it is any foolishness about 'unworthiness'or that rubbish, try to make her see that I want her just as she is. Idon't care a hang about her ancestors or her father or anything in thewhole world, but just Azalea Thorpe!"
Patty looked at his earnest face, and honestly rejoiced that he hadfound a girl he could care for like that.
"I'll go, Phil," she said, "and I'll bring that young woman to reason!It isn't only coyness,--that isn't Azalea's way,--but she is honestlytroubled about something."
But though Patty knocked on Azalea's locked door several times, sheheard no response.
"Please let me in, Zaly," she begged, "I just want to talk to you alittle."
Still no reply, and then, after exhausting all other arguments, Pattysaid, "Won't you let me in for Phil's sake? He sent me."
That succeeded, and reluctantly Azalea unlocked the door.
"Don't talk to me, Patty," she pleaded. "I'm in the depths of despair,but you can't help me. Nobody can help me,--and I can't even helpmyself."
"Who made all this trouble for you?" inquired Patty, casually, her neverfailing tact instructing her that Azalea would answer that better thanprotestations of affection.
"I made it myself,--but that doesn't make it any easier to bear."
"Indeed it doesn't," Patty agreed. "But, never mind, Zaly, if you heapedup a mound of trouble, let me help you to pull it down again."
"No; you can't," and Azalea looked at her dully.
"Oh, come now, let me try. Is it about your father?"
Azalea fairly jumped. "What do you mean?"
"Just what I said," returned Patty, calmly. "You know, dear, you've madeus think there's something queer about your father. Is he--has he doneanything wrong?"
"No, Patty, goodness, gracious no! Mr. Thorpe is a most honoured andhonourable man!"
"Now why does she call him Mr. Thorpe?" Patty wondered, but she onlysaid;
"Oh, all right, forgive my suggestion. Why doesn't he write to you?"
"He--he?--oh, Patty, that's the trouble."
"Good! Now we're getting at it. How is that the trouble?"
"Shall I tell you everything?" and poor Azalea looked doubtful as towhat to do.
"Yes, dear," Patty said, gently, fearing even yet that an ill-advisedword would interrupt or prevent this long-deferred explanation.
r /> "Well, you see,--oh, Patty,--I'm a wicked, deceitful girl--"
"Out with it," urged Patty, not greatly scared by this tragicbeginning,--for Azalea was prone to exaggerate.
"I was home, you know, at Horner's Corners--"
A knock on the door was a most unwelcome interruption.
"Don't answer," Patty whispered, "it's Elise,--I heard her step."
But Elise was not so easily rebuffed. "Let me in," she called, "I knowyou're in there, Azalea,--you and Patty."
Patty went to the door, and opened it slightly. "Go away now, Elise,please," she said, "Azalea and I are having a little confidential chat."
"Not so confidential that I can't be in it too, is it?" and speakinglightly, Elise brushed past Patty and into the room.
"Why, Azalea," she exclaimed, "what _is_ the matter? You look like atragedy queen!"
For Azalea, annoyed at the intrusion, stood, hands clenched, and eyesscowling, and she said angrily, "I don't think people ought to come intoother people's rooms, uninvited! I don't call _that_ good manners!"
"You're not supposed to know what good manners are," said Elise, givingher a condescending look. "And even if you think you do,--don't try toteach _me_!"
"Oh, Elise," said Patty, reproachfully, "_don't_ talk like that! Itreflects on you even more than on Zaly."
"Oh, yes, stand up for her,--every one has gone mad over our 'heroine'!I call it disgraceful to be mixed up with that movie concern, and letme tell you, Azalea Thorpe, if you think Mr. Van Reypen is going tooverlook or forget that, you're greatly mistaken! You know, Patty,--ourWestern friend here, is already aspiring toward Philip--"
"Hush, Elise," Patty returned, "better stop before you make a goose ofyourself! Phil is aspiring to Azalea's favour, is the truer way to putit!"
"Oh, no, I can't believe that," laughed Elise, "Phil has too muchself-respect!"
CHAPTER XVIII
PHILIP'S BROWNIE
At breakfast next morning Azalea's place was vacant.
"I didn't disturb her," said Patty, "for I want her to sleep late, ifshe can. She is such an active young person, she gets tired,--though sherarely admits it."
And then Janet came in. "Mrs. Farnsworth," she said, "Miss Thorpe is notin her room. Perhaps she has gone for one of her early morning walks.But on her dressing-table I found these two notes."
The maid handed Patty one of the letters and gave the other to VanReypen. Both were addressed in Azalea's handwriting and the two who tookthem felt a sudden foreboding as to the contents.
Nor were their fears ill-founded. With an exclamation of dismay, Pattyhanded hers over to Farnsworth, who read it quickly, and looked at hiswife with a serious face.
"Poor little Azalea," he said, "what _can_ it all mean?"
For the note read:
DEAR PATTY:
I'm a wicked girl, and I can't impose on you any longer. I am going away.Don't try to find me,--just forget me. I love you all,--but I have noright to be among good people.
AZALEA.
"What's in yours, Phil?" Farnsworth asked, and Van Reypen handed it tohim without a word.
MY DEAR MR. VAN REYPEN:
I can't go away without leaving a word for you. But it is only to say,please forget the girl who calls herself
AZALEA.
Then the notes were shown to the other two guests, Elise and Channing,for the departure of Azalea could not be kept secret, and of course theymust immediately put forth every possible effort to find her.
"I always thought she was queer," said Elise, "but these notes are thequeerest thing yet! Do you suppose she has eloped?"
"Hush, Elise," said Farnsworth, sternly. "I know you don't like Azalea,but I must ask you not to talk against her while you are under my roof.Whatever she is, she is my kin,--and I shall start at once in search ofher, and learn the secret,--the mystery of her life. She _has_ acted'queer,' I freely admit it, but I, for one, believe she is all right andwhatever is troubling her is not her fault or wrong-doing."
"Good for you, old man!" cried Philip, "I'm with you in your search.We'll find her, of course. First, we must find out where she went."
This statement was so obvious and uttered so earnestly that Pattylaughed.
"True, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," she said. "And just how shall we set aboutit?"
But Phil didn't laugh,--he answered her question seriously.
"First, Patty, you must question the servants, and see if any one sawher go. You know, she must have gone early this morning,--she couldn'thave gone off in the night."
The result of the inquiry was that the cook, who was around early, hadseen Azalea start away from the house at about six o'clock. She had notthought it strange at all, for Azalea often went for a long walk beforebreakfast. Cook said that Azalea wore a travelling suit and carried afair-sized bag.
"So far, so good," said Phil; "next, Patty, will you go and look roundher room? See what she took with her,--and see if she left any morenotes."
"No notes," Patty said, on her return from this errand. "But she tookall her jewellery and money, a house dress and a few toilet things.Janet and I could easily tell what was missing."
"Now," said Farnsworth, "first, _why_ did she go, and second, _where_would she be likely to go?"
"Never mind the why and wherefore," returned Phil, "but, as you say,where would she probably go? Not over to the Gales', of course, that'stoo near home. I am ready to declare that she went to the moving-picturestudios."
"Of course she did!" agreed Elise; "I think she's in love with thatMerritt person--"
"Nonsense, Elise," laughed Channing; "she loves that man like a catloves hot soap! I know better than that. But I think she may have goneover there to see Mrs. Bixby. That woman has been kind to Azalea, and Ifeel sure that's where she'd go."
"Then that's where _I_ go," stated Van Reypen, rising from the table. "Idaresay you're right, Chick. May I take the little roadster, Bill, andwhiz over there and bring her back?"
"Go ahead, boy, and good luck to you."
But Farnsworth was not at all sanguine as to the bringing back ofAzalea. He knew her, in some ways, far better than Van Reypen did,and he felt sure that when Azalea decided to go away, she would notbe easily found.
But Van Reypen started cheerily off and went to the studios.
There he was met by blank disappointment. Mrs. Bixby was greatlyinterested in his story, and greatly concerned for Azalea's welfare,but she declared the girl had not come there.
Van Reypen was not quite sure she was telling him the truth, but hisdeep anxiety so stirred the motherly heart of Mrs. Bixby that sheassured him earnestly that her statements were absolutely true, andthat she was as anxious to find the missing girl as her friends were.
But she could offer no suggestion as to any way to look, and poor Philipwent back, disheartened and disappointed.
All the morning they searched the grounds and the neighbourhood; theyransacked Azalea's belongings in hope of some old letter or clue of somesort. But nothing gave so much as a hint of anything that could havehappened to her, that made her go away.
"I believe it's all your fault, Elise," said Van Reypen, angrily, forhis alarm and sorrow made him forget his usual courtesy. "You've neverliked Azalea, and you said mean things to her!"
"Now, Phil," remonstrated Patty, "don't talk like that. Elise and Azaleawere not congenial, but Elise wouldn't do anything to make Azalea runaway, and Azalea wouldn't run, if she did!"
This involved speech brought a laugh, but Philip went on; "I think shewould. Azalea is more sensitive than you thought her. None of youunderstand her,--well, except Patty,--and her poor little heart wasbroken by your criticisms and continual reproofs. Suppose she isn'tquite as well up in the airs and graces of society as you all are,--shehas other traits that make up for that--"
"Oh, Philip, you're hopelessly in love with her!" and Elise laughedjeeringly.
"I am in love with her," he returned, "and I make no secret of it. Butnot hopelessly, Elise. I shall find
her,--I don't know how or where, butI never will give up the quest until I succeed!"
"Good for you," cried Patty, "that's the way to talk! I'll help,--andthough there's not any apparent way to look just now,--we'll find one."
It was about noon when Van Reypen was called to the telephone.
A strange but pleasant voice spoke to him, and asked him if he knewAlice Adams.
"No, I don't," said Phil, wonderingly.
"She knows you, and--well, I may be doing the wrong thing, but I wishyou could come here."
"Where, please? and why should I come? I don't know Miss Adams,--I'msure."
"She is a dark-haired girl, with big, brown eyes, and a Western way ofspeaking--"
"What? Has _she_ just come to you? Does she wear a tan-coloured clothsuit,--and a hat with coque feathers?"
"Yes, she does! _Now_ will you come?"
"Where? Who are you?--I mean, may I ask your name?"
"I am Miss Grayson,--a motion-picture actress--"
"Yes, yes,--where are you? Where shall I come?"
"To my home in New York City." She gave him the address. "You see, MissAdams came here because she knows Miss Frawley,--we live together--butMiss Frawley is out of town,--and I persuaded Miss Adams to stay with meuntil her return. I can't make out the trouble, but I have learned theaddress of the Farnsworths and--oh, well, I may as well tell you, MissAdams talked in her sleep. She arrived here utterly exhausted, and onthe verge of nervous prostration. But, it may be, some sleep will sether nerves right, if the cause of the trouble can be removed. And,--Iknow I am intruding,--but I can't help thinking that it's a lovers'quarrel, and _you_ can set it right!"
"You've guessed only part of it, Miss Grayson. It isn't a lovers'quarrel,--exactly,--but I _can_ set it right! Will you promise to keepMiss--Adams there, until I can get there?"
"Yes, indeed. She's asleep yet,--but it's a broken slumber, and shemurmurs constantly of you,--and of her other friends."
"Thank you a thousand times, I'll be there in an hour. Good-bye."
"Come along, Patty," Van Reypen cried, as he hung up the receiver, "comeon, Bill! I've found her! She's assumed the name of Alice Adams,--andshe's with a sweet-voiced lady named Grayson. Come on,--I'll tell youthe rest as we go."
They didn't break the speed laws, as their car flew down to New York,but it was only because that would have meant delay in reaching theirgoal. About mid-afternoon they arrived at Miss Grayson's apartment andsurprised Azalea by entering the room where she sat.
"You naughty girl!" cried Patty,--but as she noted Azalea's pale faceand worried, harassed eyes, she just clasped her in her arms, with alittle crooning murmur of affection.
"It's all right, whatever it is," she reassured, for Azalea turned big,frightened eyes on Farnsworth.
"You bet it's all right!" Philip cried, as he stepped eagerly forward.
With a tired little sigh, Azalea put her hand in his. "How did you findme?" she began, but Van Reypen said, "Never mind that, now. You justcome back home with us,--and first thank Miss Grayson prettily for herkindness to you."
Miss Grayson, a pretty, round-faced girl, was greatly interested in thedramatic situation, and though she disclaimed any occasion for thanks,yet she very much wanted to know what it was all about.
"I already like Miss Adams too well to let her go entirely out of mylife," she said, with spirit. "I claim my right to know a little aboutit."
"It _is_ your right," said Farnsworth, "and first of all this runaway ofours is not Miss Adams, but Miss Thorpe."
"No," said Azalea, with an air of decision, "I'm _not_ Miss Thorpe,--andI _am_ Alice Adams."
"Flighty," said Farnsworth, "and no wonder. She's been under a good dealof nervous strain lately."
"No; I'm not flighty," persisted Azalea, who was entirely composed now,and who spoke firmly, though she was evidently controlling herself withan effort.
"And I'm going to confess now," she went on. "Now and here. Miss Graysonis so kind and dear I don't mind her knowing, and the rest of you_must_ know. I must tell you,--I can't _live_ if I don't."
"All right, Zaly, dear, tell us," and Patty sat beside her, and put acaressing hand on her arm.
"I am Alice Adams," Azalea said, "and I am not Azalea Thorpe atall,--and I never was."
"Oh!" said Farnsworth, beginning to see light.
"I am a wicked girl," the pathetic little voice went on. "I lived inHomer's Corners,--and I lived with the woman who keeps the post-officethere. I've been an orphan since I was four, and this woman brought meup,--though it scarcely could be called that, for she only looked on meas her assistant in the office and in her house.
"Well, one day a letter came for Azalea Thorpe. Now, the Thorpes movedaway from Horner's Corners two years ago, and we never knew their newaddress. The few letters that came for them were sent to the Dead LetterOffice. This one would have been, but for the fact that it was unsealed.
"It had been sealed, but the envelope was all unstuck, and--I read theletter. I own up to it,--I know it was wrong,--but I didn't know then_how_ wrong. You see, I wasn't taught much about honour and right. It isonly since I have been with good people that I realise what an awfulthing I did. When I read it, I couldn't help thinking what a pity forthat wonderful invitation to her to make a visit in the East, to bewasted! And the more I thought, the more I was possessed of an idea thatI might personate Azalea Thorpe and have the visit myself. Oh, if you_knew_ how I hated the place where I lived,--how I hated the home Ihad,--how I wanted to get out into the great world, and have my chance!And, yes, I wanted to be a moving-picture actress. I was _sure_ I coulddo better than the pictures I saw in that little town, and--well, themore I thought about it,--the more it seemed an easy and plausible thingto do.
"I did it. I answered Patty's letter as if I were really AzaleaThorpe,--you see, I had known her all my life, until she moved away, andthen I packed up my things and came East, resolved to pretend I _was_Azalea and see what happened. It didn't seem so dreadful--I thought atfirst, it was just a big lark,--but now,--oh, _now_ I know how right andhonourable people look on a thing like that!"
She cast a hopeless glance at Van Reypen, and though he smiled at herand started toward her she shook her head and waved him back.
"On the trip East, I met the Bixbys, and as we at once arranged formy entrance into their studios, I was more than ever eager to put thematter through.
"So I came. Oh, I hate to think how I imposed on the Farnsworths! Theywere _so_ kind to me, right from the start. Then they asked me questionsabout my father, and I didn't know what to do or say. I tried to foolyou, Bill, with a made-up letter but I didn't succeed. And,--all the wayalong, I kept feeling worse and worse,--meaner and meaner--at the lifeof deceit I was leading. I made good in the pictures,--and oh, Patty,will you _ever_ forgive me for taking Baby over there! But I knew shewas safe with me, and, like all the rest, I didn't realise how bad Iwas!
"I don't ask or expect forgiveness,--I know you couldn't grant _that_.But lately I felt I couldn't go on any longer,--and I couldn't bringmyself to confess,--so,--I ran away."
"And you are really Alice Adams?" asked Farnsworth, but Philinterrupted.
"Wait a minute, everybody. Before Azalea--or Alice,--or whoever sheis, says another word, I want to say that she is my promised wife! Iwant you, dear, and whatever your name is, I want it to be changed toVan Reypen. Tell me,--tell them all,--that you consent."
A beautiful expression came over the girl's face.
She turned to Philip, her soft, dark eyes shining with utter joy and atender smile of glad surprise curving her quivering lips.
"Oh," she breathed, "oh, _Phil_!"
"You _do_ consent?" he urged, "you must say yes, before you tell us anymore!"
"May I, Patty?" and a shy, sweet face looked questioningly at the oneshe was glad to consider her mentor.
"I think so," Patty smiled back, for she knew how matters stood withPhil, and she had faith in the true heart of the girl beside her.
"Yes, then," she said, softly, looking at Philip,--and that was theirtroth-plight.
"Go on, dear," he said, briefly, and with a glad smile in his eyes.
"There's little more to tell; I am Alice Adams, and my father was bornin Boston--"
"Good gracious, Phil!" Patty cried. "Why, this child is a real Adams!"
"Of course she is," said Farnsworth, "I knew the Adamses that lived inHorner's Corners. You see, I was there some years myself. Why, yourmother was a sweet little woman, with a face like Dresden china."
"Yes; I've a miniature of her. She was beautiful. I'm like my father--"
"And _you're_ beautiful!" cried Patty, kissing her. "Oh, Zaly,--I can'tcall you anything else! what a story you _have_ told us!"
"And now, let's proceed to forget it," said Farnsworth, in his big,genial way. "You and I'll talk it over a little when we're alone,--butjust now, I adopt you as my cousin,--I'm proud to have an Adams in myfamily, even if only by adoption! Your escapade was a wildone,--er--Alice,--but it was an _escapade_,--not a crime. And for mypart, you are fully and freely forgiven, and--here's where Patty takesup the theme."
"I do," said Patty; "and I add my full and free forgiveness to LittleBillee's and I invite you to come right back to Wistaria Porch and makeus a long visit,--as Alice Adams."
"And we thank _you_, Miss Grayson," Farnsworth said, "for restoring ourlost cousin, and at the same time giving us a new one!"
Miss Grayson laughed. "It's been a perfect show for me," she said; "Ithink it's all more dramatic than any play I ever acted in."
"Come, Alice, dear," Van Reypen said, with an air of proprietorship,"where's your coat?"
Shyly, Alice looked up at him.
"Are you sure you want me?" she said.
"Sure I want an Adams? Well, rather! I never aspired to such a renownedname for my _fiancee_! My own family pride is humbled to the dust."
"Nonsense!" laughed Patty, "the Van Reypen stock can hold its own!"
And then they quickly got ready and started for home.
Farnsworth took the wheel, and invited Patty to sit beside him.
This left Van Reypen and Alice together in the tonneau, and neitherobjected to the arrangement.
They conversed softly as the car sped swiftly along, and Phil realisedhow beautiful was the dear face beside him, now that worry and care hadbeen replaced by happiness and love.
"But I don't see how you _can_ forgive me," Alice said, "I did such a_dreadful_ thing."
"I forgive you for two reasons," Van Reypen returned, "first, becauseyou didn't appreciate the real _wrong_ you were doing, and second,because I _love_ you. Love you enough to forgive far more than that!"
"You'll never have to forgive me for anything again, for I'm never goingto do anything you'll disapprove of. I'm among nice people forevernow,--and I'm going to learn to be like them."
"You're one of the 'nice people' yourself, by birth, and your name isamong the best. But I doubt if I can learn to call you 'Alice.' To me,you will always be 'Brownie',--my own Brownie girl."
"I like that best," she said, contentedly, and smiled happily at Philipas his hand clasped hers, and his eyes carried a message of love thatneeded no spoken word to tell of its depth and sincerity.
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