Patty's Suitors

  CHAPTER XIV

  KENNETH

  Mrs. Homer and Marie were greeting the newcomers, and as yet had hardlyrealised the whole situation, but quick-witted Beatrice took it all in.

  "You Patty!" she cried, "oh, you Patty Fairfield!"

  Patty's beaming face left no doubts as to who it was that hadcircumvented their plan and carried off the honours of the day.

  "I'm so sorry you can't stay to luncheon," she said, turning to Kit;"must you really go now?"

  "You little rascal!" he cried, "but I'll get even with you for this!"

  "Please don't," and Patty spoke seriously. "Truly, Kit, I don't likethese things. I'm awfully glad I could save Mrs. Homer and Marie themortification and annoyance you and Bee had planned for them. But Ihaven't any right to talk to you like a Dutch aunt. If this is yournotion of fun, I've no right even to criticise it; but I will tell youthat if you 'get even with me,' as you call it, by playing one of yourjokes on me, we'll not be friends any more."

  "Patty!" and Kit took both her hands with a mock tragic gesture,"ANYTHING but that! To lose your friendship, Poppycheek, would be tolose all that makes life worth living! Now, if I promise to get evenwith you, by never trying to get even with you,--how's that?"

  "That's just right!" and Patty, as the victorious party, could affordto be generous. "Now run away, Kit. You promised your aunt you'd scootwhen her guests arrived."

  "Yes, I did, Princess, so off I go! I haven't told you yet what I thinkof your cleverness in this matter,--by the way, how did you get on toit?"

  "I'll tell you some other time; run away, now."

  So Kit went away, and Patty turned back to the laughing group who weremerrily discussing the joke.

  Mrs. Homer and Marie were so horrified when they learned of theirnarrow escape from trouble, and so gratified that through Patty it hadbeen an escape, that their feelings were decidedly mixed.

  Beatrice was by nature what is called a good loser, and she took herdefeat gaily.

  "I had thought," she said, "that Kit and I were the best practicaljokers in the world; but we've been beaten by Patty Fairfield! Now,that you're all here, I'm really glad of it, but I did think it wouldbe fun to see mother and Marie hopping around, waiting for you!"

  Then they all went out to luncheon, and among the pretty tabledecorations and merry first of April jests, Patty managed to smuggle inat Bee's place a funny little figure. It was a bauble doll dressed likea Jester or Court Fool. And he bore a tiny flag in his hand, bearingthe legend, April first.

  "I AM an April Fool!" Beatrice admitted, as she took her seat, "but Iforgive Patty for making me one, if all of the rest of you will forgiveme."

  Bee made this apology so prettily, and her roguish dark eyes flashed sobrightly, that forgiveness was freely bestowed, and indeed, as one ofthe guests remarked, there was nothing to forgive.

  But the story was told over and over again, and Patty was beset withquestions as to how she chanced to discover the fraud.

  "Why, I just happened to," she said, smiling; "I think I'm a detectiveby instinct; but there's not much credit due to me, for I knew Beatriceand Mr. Cameron were always planning jokes, and I couldn't believethey'd let the first of April pass by without some specialdemonstration. So I kept my eyes open,--and I couldn't help seeing whatI did see."

  "You're a Seer from Seeville," declared Bee, "and I promise I shallnever try to trick you again."

  "Which means," said Patty, calmly, "that you'll never cease tryinguntil you accomplish it, and you say that to put me off my guard."

  The baffled look on Bee's face proved that this was true, and everybodylaughed.

  It was that very same evening that Kenneth came to call, and Pattymerrily told him the whole story.

  She was not much surprised that he disapproved heartily of the joke.

  "It isn't nice, Patty," he declared; "I may be dull and serious-minded,but I can't stand for jokes of that sort."

  "I either, Ken," Patty returned; "but we must remember that people inthis world have different ideas and tastes. And especially, they havediffering notions of what constitutes humour. So, just because WE don'tlike practical jokes, we oughtn't to condemn those who do. We may likesome things that THEY don't approve."

  "What a just little person you are, Patty," and Harper looked at herapprovingly. "For all your gaiety and frivolity you have a sound, sweetnature. And more than that, you have real brains in that curly-pate ofyours."

  "Goodness, Ken, you overwhelm me with these sudden compliments! You'llquite turn my head; I never COULD stand flattery!"

  "It isn't flattery," and Kenneth spoke very earnestly; "it's the solemntruth. You are as wise and sensible as you are beautiful."

  "Heavens and earth! Ken, WHY these kind words? What do you want?"

  Harper looked at her a moment, and then said, steadily: "I want YOU,Patty; I want you more than I can tell you. I didn't mean to blurt thisout so soon, but I can't keep it back. Patty, PATTY, can't you care forme a little?"

  Patty was about to reply flippantly, but the look in Harper's eyesforbade it, and she said, gently, "Kenneth, dear, PLEASE don't!"

  "I know what that means; it means you DON'T care."

  "But I DO, Ken----"

  "Oh, Patty, DO you? Do you MEAN it?"

  Kenneth took her hands in his and his big grey eyes expressed so muchlove and hope, that Patty was frightened.

  "No, I DON'T mean it! I don't mean anything! Oh, Ken, please DON'T!"

  "Don't say that, Patty, because I MUST. Listen, dear; I went to seeyour father to-day. And I asked him if I might tell you all this."

  Patty looked at him, not quite comprehending.

  "You went to see daddy?" she said, wonderingly; "he never told me."

  "Why should he? Don't you understand, dear? I went to him to ask hispermission to tell you that I love you, and I want you for my wife. Andyour father said that I might tell you. And now,--darling----"

  "And now it's up to me?" Patty tried to speak lightly.

  "Exactly that, Patty," and Kenneth's face was grave and tender. "It'sup to you, dear. The happiness of my whole life is up to you,--here andnow. What's the answer?"

  Patty sat still a moment, and fairly blinked her eyes in her endeavourto realise the situation.

  "Ken," she said at last, in a small, far-away voice, "are you--areyou--are you proposing to me?"

  "I sure am!" and Kenneth's head nodded a firm assent; "the sooner youget that fact into your head, the better. Patty, DEAR little Patty,tell me,--don't keep me waiting----"

  "But, Ken, I don't WANT to be proposed to,--and least of all, by YOU!"

  "Patty, do you mean that?" and Harper's strained, anxious face took ona look of despair.

  "Oh, no, NO, I don't mean THAT! At least, not in the way you think! Ionly mean we've been such good friends for so long, you're the last oneI should think of marrying!"

  "And who is the first one you think of marrying?"

  Patty burst into laughter. "Oh, Ken, you're so funny when you'resarcastic! Don't be THAT, whatever you are!"

  "I won't; Patty, darling, tell me you love me a little bit,--or justthat you'll let me love you,--and I'll NEVER be sarcastic! I'll only betender, and gentle, and loving,--and anything and everything you wantme to be!"

  "Can you?"

  The eager light faded from Kenneth's eyes, as he answered: "No, I'mafraid I can't, dear. I know as well as you do, that I haven't the kindof gaiety you like in a man. I've told you this before. But,Patty,--you've so much of that,--don't you think you've enough for two?"

  Patty smiled. "It isn't only that, Ken. Don't think that I care morefor foolish, witty speeches than I do for a true, noble heart, likeyours."

  "DON'T say 'true, noble heart'! It sounds as if you didn't care twocents for me! But my heart, Patty, such as it is, is all yours, and hasbeen ever since Vernondale days. Have you forgotten those?"

  "No, indeed, and that's just what I say, Ken, we've been friends fromthe first,--and we're friends no
w."

  "But the time has come, Patty, to be more than friends. I have known ita long time. And I want you to know it too, dear. Patty,--can't you?"

  And then, all of a sudden, Patty KNEW she couldn't. Like a flash, shesaw Kenneth just as he was, a strong, brave, true man, for whom shefelt a warm friendship, but whom she knew she never could love. Shemight some time perhaps, in days to come, love somebody, but it wouldnever, never be Kenneth Harper.

  The thought made her sad, not for herself, but she hated to give painto this kind, honest man. She realised the depth of his love for her,and it broke her heart that she could not return it.

  "Kenneth," she began, "I can't love you the way you want me to,--I justcan't. And, anyway, I'm too young to think about these things."

  "No, you're not, Patty. You're almost twenty and I'm twenty-four. Thatisn't too young,--it's just exactly the right age for lovers. It isn'ttoo young, Patty,--if you love me."

  "But I don't, Ken. I'm sorry,--but I don't."

  "But you will. Oh, Patty, say you will try to!"

  "Kenneth, does love come by trying?" and Patty looked into Kenneth'sface, with a wide-eyed, serious gaze.

  "I don't know why it shouldn't. Take time, dearest, to think about it,if you want to, but don't say no, irrevocably."

  "Is a woman's no ever irrevocable?" And a smile dimpled Patty's face.

  "Oh, Patty, you are so sweet when you smile like that! Please sayyou'll think about it."

  "It won't do any good to think about it, Ken. If ever I marry anybody,it'll be somebody that I know I'm in love with, without thinking aboutit."

  "There isn't anybody, is there, Patty, that you know you're in lovewith?"

  "No, there isn't," and Patty's honest eyes showed that she spoke thetruth. "But I'll tell you what, Ken, YOU try to like somebody else.Marie Homer is perfectly lovely! or,--there is Elise----"

  "Hush, Patty, you don't know what you're talking about. I'm in lovewith you,--and you needn't suggest other girls to me."

  "They're a great deal nicer than I am," said Patty, thoughtfully.

  "Rubbish! You're the only girl in the world for me, and I want YOU. Areyou sure there's nobody you like better than me, Patty?"

  Patty rested her dimpled chin on the backs of her clasped hands andseemed to ponder this question. At last she said: "There's nobody Ilike better than you, Ken; but I've counted up nine, that I like justexactly as well. Now, what would you do in a case like that?"

  "Now, what would you do in a case like that?"]

  "Patty, you're a torment! But if I have an even chance with the others,I shall get ahead, somehow. Are you sure you don't like that Cameronchap any better than me?"

  "Not a bit better. He's good fun, but I can't imagine anybody fallingin love with him."

  "And--Van Reypen?"

  The pink in Patty's cheeks deepened, and the lids fell over her blueeyes at this question. Af-ter an instant's pause, she said: "I don'tthink it's fair, Ken, for you to quiz me like that. And, anyway, Ican't tell. In some ways, I like you a heap better than Phil VanReypen,--and then in other ways----"

  "You like him a heap better than me!" Kenneth's tone was accusing, andPatty resented it.

  "Yes, I do!" she said, honestly. "He's always ready for a good time andwilling to give up things for other people. Why, Ken, when you've animportant case on, you won't go skating or anything! I have to coax youto come to my parties. Now, Phil is always ready to go anywhere or doanything."

  "But he's a millionaire, Patty. He doesn't have to grub for a living,as I do."

  "It isn't that, Ken." Patty's quick perceptions had caught the flaw inKenneth's argument. "It isn't that. It's because you're so absorbed inyour work that you'd RATHER dig and delve in it, than to go to parties.That's all right, of course, and much to your credit. But you can'tblame me for liking a man who is willing to throw over his businessengagements for me."

  "That's just like you, Patty, to see through me so quickly. You'reright. I don't care an awful lot for society doings. I only go toparties and things to see you. And it's mighty little satisfaction, foryou're always so surrounded by rattle-pated men, that there's nogetting near you."

  "Wait a minute, Ken; is it fair to call them rattle-pated, when youonly mean that they enjoy the kind of gay chatter that you look downupon?"

  "Oh, Patty, I do love you so! And when you say things like that, thatproves what a big, clear mind you have underneath your frivolity, Ilove you more than ever. Of course, as you saw at once, I call themrattle-pates out of sheer envy and jealousy, because they possess thatquality we're speaking of, and I don't. Teach it to me, Patty; teach meto be a gay society man, dancing attendance on gay society girls----"

  Patty burst into a peal of laughter at this notion of Kenneth's.

  "I could do that, Ken, about as easily as you could teach me to be aquiet, demure, little person like Christine Hepworth. This isChristine:"

  Patty sat upright with her hands clasped in her lap, and drew down thecorners of her mouth, and rolled her eyes upward with a saint-likeexpression.

  Then, "This is me!" she said. And jumping up, she pirouetted, whirling,around the room, waving her arms like a graceful butterfly skimmingover flowers. Faster and faster she went, seeming scarcely to touch thetips of her toes to the floor, and smiling at Kenneth like atantalising fairy.

  Harper gazed at her, fascinated, and then as she hovered near him,jumped up, and caught her in his arms.

  "You beauty!" he cried, but Patty slipped away from him.

  "You haven't caught me yet, Ken," she said, laughing, "not for keeps,you know." The rollicking dance had restored her gaiety, and relievedthe seriousness of the situation.

  "You know perfectly well," she went on, standing across the room fromhim, and shaking a little pink forefinger at him, "you know perfectlywell, Kenneth-boy, that we're not a bit suited to each other. I gothrough life the way I just flew around the room; and you go this way:"Patty dropped her arms at her side and marched stiffly around the roomwith a military air, gazing straight ahead of her.

  "Now, how COULD we ever keep step?" she said, pausing in front of himand looking up into his face.

  "I'm afraid you're right, Patty," and Kenneth looked at her withserious eyes. "But I WANT you so!" and he held out his arms.

  "Nay, nay, Pauline," and Patty danced away again. "Who gets me, Ithink, will have to swoop down in an aeroplane, and grabble me all upand fly away with me!"

  "Where do they keep aeroplanes for sale?" inquired Kenneth, looking ather meditatively.

  "You dear old Ken!" and Patty danced up to him again and laid her handon his arm. "Isn't that just exactly like you! You'd go right off andbuy an airship, I believe, and try to come swooping after me!"

  "Indeed I would, if it were practicable and possible."

  "Yes, that's your motto: practical and possible. But you see, Mr. Ken,I like the impractical and the impossible."

  "Supposing, then, that I take up those things as a serious study?"

  "Oh, yes, a SERIOUS study! Is everything serious with you?"

  "My love for you is very serious, Patty."

  But Patty was not willing to treat it so. "That's the trouble," shesaid; "now if your love for me were frivolous----"

  "Then it wouldn't be worth having, Patty."

  "Oh, I--don't--know! At any rate, Ken, can't you mix it? Say threeparts seriousness to one part frivolousness? Though I'd rather have theproportions reversed."

  "Patty, you're incorrigible!"

  "Good gracious! what's that? It must be something awfully nice, if I'mit."

  "Well, you are it,--and I don't know what to do with you."

  "You mean, you don't know what to do without me!"

  "Same thing. But you'll promise me this, won't you? To think it overseriously and not decide at once."

  "Yes, I'll promise that. How long do you want me to think it over, Ken?"

  "The rest of your life, Patty."

  "Ken, if you say such clever things as that, I'
m afraid I'll fall inlove with you!"

  "Patty, darling,--don't tease me like that! If I thought you meantit---"

  "But, anyway, Ken, if I take the rest of my life to think this thingover, I can't give you an answer till my dying day! And that seemslate----"

  "Patty, stop talking like that! You'll drive me crazy! Now listen,little girl, I'm going now. And you're going to think over what I'vesaid to you. And--try to think kindly,--won't you?"

  "I've never thought of you any way but kindly, Ken."

  "Well, think more than kindly, then,--think lovingly. Good-night,Patty."

  Kenneth held out his hand and Patty put her little hand slowly into it.

  As she felt his strong, warm clasp, a mischievous impulse moved her tosay, demurely: "I think it would be polite, Ken, if you kissed my hand,instead of squeezing it to pieces!"

  Kenneth gave her one look, dropped a light kiss on the back of herlittle hand, and with a courteous bow left the room.

  For a moment Patty stood where he had left her, then, as she heard thefront door close, she looked curiously at the back of her hand, almostas if expecting to see a mark there.

  "Dear old Ken," she said, softly, to herself, and then she wentupstairs.