“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 just before 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,” as the two men entered Farnsworth’s den, and closed the door, “I’m hard hit.”

“That sounds as if you were in love, ­but I can’t think you mean that, ­so I wisely opine you’ve been hit by the fall in Golconda Mining Stock.”

“Your wise opinings are ’way off, ­but your first suspicion was nearer the 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 long ago.”

“Who then?  Betty Gale?”

“Wrong again.  And blind, too.  It’s Azalea.”

Farnsworth sank limply into a chair.  He pretended to be dazed almost to insensibility, and as a matter of fact his surprise was nearly as great as his demonstration of it.

“Azalea!” he gasped.  “Our Azalea!”

“Exactly; don’t act as if I had suggested the Queen of Sheba!  I know what a superior girl she is, ­and I know I’ve not much to recommend me ­”

“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.  You see ­”

“I see that I’ve a right to care for the girl if I choose, and as you are her nearest relative, that I know of, I come to you for sanction of my suit.  Aside from your rather inexplicable astonishment ­have you any real objection to me as a new cousin-in-law?”

“No!  You know I haven’t!” Farnsworth held out a cordial hand which the other grasped.  “In fact, I think it’s fine, ­a most admirable arrangement.  What will Patty say?”

“I hope she’ll be pleased.  It’s no secret that I adored Patty and tried my best to cut you out, ­but, not having succeeded in that, I’ve been glad 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 real whole-hearted love, ­and then along comes this splendid girl, ­this daughter 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 her innocent joke about the patchwork sampler, ­I don’t care about those little things.  She has a wonderful big, noble nature, that will respond quickly to loving care and gentle advice.  And, ­I think she cares for me, but ­”

“Of course she cares for you!  What girl wouldn’t!  Don’t underestimate yourself or your attractions, Phil.  But I’ll speak plainly; you’re a big man in lots of ways, ­beside physically.  You’re an aristocrat, ­of an old family, ­and you’re very rich.  Now, ­Azalea ­”

“Please don’t talk of my birth or wealth as assets.  I offer Azalea a heart full of love, and a constant care for her happiness and well-being.  If she does care for me, I want your permission to try to 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 of mine, ­and a decent, hard-working, plain man.  Now, Zaly has not had a single 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 had no reply.  I’m telling you all I know.”

“Thank you for being so straightforward.  Do you ­do you think there’s anything dishonourable ­”

“That he’s in jail?  That’s the idea that haunts my brain.  I can’t think of any other explanation for his continued silence, ­and for Azalea’s mysterious disinclination to talk about him.  Why, Phil, she forged a letter, ­wrote one to herself, ­and pretended to me that it was from her father!”

“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 to tell me the truth, and then we’ll see what can be done.  But, in any case, or whatever her father may be, it won’t affect my love for the girl herself.  My idea of birth and breeding is that it gives one an opportunity to be tolerant and generous toward others of fewer advantages.  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, you haven’t seemed to be so deeply interested in Azalea ­”

“I know; it is pretty sudden.  But, she somehow bowled me over all at once.  Her brave attitude to-day, when she told her little story, her sweet acceptance of Elise’s remarks, made in petty spite, and her whole big spirit of fearless determination to go into the picture work, ­only to have it spoiled entirely by the wicked acts of that villain Merritt, ­I tell you, Farnsworth, she’s a girl of a thousand!  I read her, I understand her better than you do, and I see far beneath her untaught, outward manner the real girl, ­the sterling traits of a fine character.”

“All right, Phil, go in and win!  You have my blessing, ­and when Patty revives from her first shock of surprise, she’ll bless you, too.  It was Patty’s work, getting Azalea here, ­and Patty has tried every way in the world to help and improve her ­”

“Patty has done wonders.  And has paved the way, I admit.  But it is nothing to what I shall do with and for Azalea, when I have her all to myself.”

“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 nobility of soul.  But I’ll take care of her manners and customs.  If only she’ll accept me, I’ve no fears for the future.”

“But you must find out about her father.  It’s queer that she acts so mysterious about him.  And, so far as I know, she’s had no letters from anybody 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 Van Reypen, serenely.  “All right, Farnsworth, you’ve made me satisfied that I 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 in thoughtful mood.  Van Reypen full of his new happiness, and eager to see Azalea again, Farnsworth still amazed, and a little uncomfortable over the whole matter.  He felt a responsibility for Azalea, and yet, if Phil was willing to take her without further knowledge of her family, ­why should he, Bill, object?

Azalea had not yet come downstairs, and Patty chaffed the two men on their 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’m bowled over.”

“I know!  Betty Gale.  And I’m so glad, Phil.  I know you used to like me, ­and I was and am fond of you, ­but you needn’t think I resent your loving another.  I’m honestly glad, and I wish you all the happiness in the world!”

“Thank you, Patty, but, ­wait a minute.”

“Oh, I can’t!  I’m so excited over it!  I’m going to announce it at dinner, ­I wonder if I can’t get the table re-decorated ­with white flowers!  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 it and ­”

“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 invite 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 she stood 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, ­as everybody will be!  Imagine Elise!”

Patty’s face of horror, that changed to a mischievous smile, annoyed Van Reypen.

“I don’t see, Patty, why you take it like that.  Bill did, too.  Now, it seems to me, if I see noble traits and qualities in Azalea, you and Bill ought to have perception enough to see them too.”

“It isn’t that, ­she has noble traits, ­some, ­but ­oh, Phil, ­you and Azalea!  King Cophetua and the Beggar Maid!”

“Patty, stop!  I won’t let you talk like that!  I admit I’m blind to her faults, ­if she has any, ­for I’m desperately in love, ­but I do look to you and Bill for sympathy and approval.  And I don’t want any of that King Cophetua talk, either!  Just because I happen to be born under a family tree, and happen to have as much money as I want, ­that’s no reason for implying that those are my chief attractions.  I can give Azalea more worth-while things than that!  I can give her the love and adoration that is every woman’s desire and right, ­I can give her loving care and help, ­I can ­”

“Oh, Phil, how splendid you are!  You make me ’most wish ­” But Patty’s honest blue eyes wouldn’t let her say the words.  “No, I don’t wish anything 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 than glad you’ve found a your fate at last, ­but ­Azalea!”

“Stop it, Patty!  I find I’ve got to forbid these repeated expressions of amazement.  You must get used to the idea, and you may as well begin at once!”

“You’re right, and I will!  First of all, honest and hearty congratulations and may you both be very, very happy, ­as happy as we are, ­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 postpone the psychological moment!  Well, may I make the announcement at dinner?”

“No; I think not.  For, though I couldn’t help hoping, from the look in her eyes, that she cares for me, ­yet she said ­”

“What did she say?”

“Nothing coherent or understandable, ­but ­well, she didn’t ­she didn’t say ’yes’.”

“Oh, that’s nothing, ­she will.  But I won’t make the announcement till she tells me to.  There’s the dinner gong, ­come on.”

It wasn’t until the others were seated at the table that Azalea come into the dining-room.  She looked quite unlike her usual self, and was very quiet.  Her face showed a pathetic, wistful expression, but her eyes were cast down, and now and then the corners of her scarlet mouth trembled.

Patty had arranged that she should sit next Van Reypen, and as Azalea took the place, she found Ray Gale on her other hand.

“’Smatter, Zaly?” he said, merrily, not thinking anything was really troubling her.

“Shell shock,” said Van Reypen, to save Azalea the necessity of replying.  “She’s had a hard day of it, and now she’s not to be bothered to talk, if she doesn’t want to.”

Azalea gave him a grateful look, and under the influence of his gentle kindliness, and mild raillery, she partly recovered her poise, and became almost like her own gay self again.

Much later in the evening, Van Reypen drew her away from the rest and led 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 my plea.  Tell me, Azalea, ­may I take you to myself?  Will you be my very own?”

“I can’t say yes, Phil,” she replied, softly, the tears gathering in her brown eyes.  “I ­oh, I thought I could tell you the truth, ­but I can’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 ’too much’!  I want all there is of your love, ­your dear love!  Is it really mine?”

“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 of consideration of your rights.  I can’t love you, Philip, I mustn’t let myself even think of it!”

“Don’t talk nonsense, you blessed child, ­you’ve settled it all when you say 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 love makes us worthy of each other, whatever we may be otherwise.”

“Stop, ­please stop!  Every word you say makes it harder!  I can’t stand it!  It’s too dreadful.  Let me go, ­oh, please, let me go!”

Shuddering as with some great fear, Azalea slipped from his arms and ran away.  He heard her steps as she went upstairs, and heard a door close, ­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, ­find out 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.  I don’t care a hang about her ancestors or her father or anything in the whole world, but just Azalea Thorpe!”

Patty looked at his earnest face, and honestly rejoiced that he had found 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 honestly troubled about something.”

But though Patty knocked on Azalea’s locked door several times, she heard no response.

“Please let me in, Zaly,” she begged, “I just want to talk to you a little.”

Still no reply, and then, after exhausting all other arguments, Patty said, “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 help myself.”

“Who made all this trouble for you?” inquired Patty, casually, her never failing tact instructing her that Azalea would answer that better than protestations 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 heaped up 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 made us think there’s something queer about your father.  Is he ­has he done anything wrong?”

“No, Patty, goodness, gracious no!  Mr. Thorpe is a most honoured and honourable man!”

“Now why does she call him Mr. Thorpe?” Patty wondered, but she only said;

“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 to what to do.

“Yes, dear,” Patty said, gently, fearing even yet that an ill-advised word would interrupt or prevent this long-deferred explanation.

“Well, you see, ­oh, Patty, ­I’m a wicked, deceitful girl ­”

“Out with it,” urged Patty, not greatly scared by this tragic beginning, ­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 know you’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 speaking lightly, Elise brushed past Patty and into the room.

“Why, Azalea,” she exclaimed, “what is the matter?  You look like a tragedy queen!”

For Azalea, annoyed at the intrusion, stood, hands clenched, and eyes scowling, and she said angrily, “I don’t think people ought to come into other people’s rooms, uninvited!  I don’t call that good manners!”

“You’re not supposed to know what good manners are,” said Elise, giving her a condescending look.  “And even if you think you do, ­don’t try to teach me!”

“Oh, Elise,” said Patty, reproachfully, “don’t talk like that!  It reflects 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 let me tell you, Azalea Thorpe, if you think Mr. Van Reypen is going to overlook or forget that, you’re greatly mistaken!  You know, Patty, ­our Western friend here, is already aspiring toward Philip ­”

“Hush, Elise,” Patty returned, “better stop before you make a goose of yourself!  Phil is aspiring to Azalea’s favour, is the truer way to put it!”

“Oh, no, I can’t believe that,” laughed Elise, “Phil has too much self-respect!”