Patty and Azalea. Wells Carolyn
Чтение книги онлайн.

Читать онлайн книгу Patty and Azalea - Wells Carolyn страница 10

Название: Patty and Azalea

Автор: Wells Carolyn

Издательство: Public Domain

Жанр: Классические детективы

Серия:

isbn:

isbn:

СКАЧАТЬ style="font-size:15px;">      * * * * *

      Impatiently Patty waited for the answer to her letter, and one day it came.

      Farnsworth was in New York on business, and so she put it away unopened until his return.

      "Goody girl!" he cried, when she told him. "Nice of you, dear, to let us have the first reading together."

      "Oh, I couldn't gobble it up alone,—I like everything better if I have it with you."

      And so they sat side by side on the porch, and read the long looked for missive.

      * * * * *

      "DEAR COUSIN PATTY;" it began.

      I was so surprised and pleased to get your letter I hardly knew what to do. It seemed as if the dream of my life had at last come true. I've always wanted to go East,—to see New York,—oh, I'm so excited I can hardly write! And dear Cousin William! How kind of him to tell you about me,—for I was a very small baby when he was here. My father has told me all about it. When shall I start? I accept your invitation with joy. I have saved up my money and I have enough, I think, for the ticket. How much does it cost? But I can find out somehow. Father sends his respects and he says I may go. I am all ready. Can't you telegraph me, so I can go soon?

      With grateful thanks,

      I am yours very sincerely,

      AZALEA THORPE.

      "Well," said Bill, "what do you think of that for a letter?"

      He looked thoughtfully at Patty, as he spoke.

      "Why," she hesitated,—"I think it's a very nice letter—"

      "Wait, now,—be honest!"

      "Well, I—oh, I don't know,—but I looked for a little more—simplicity, I guess. This sounds as if she had resorted to a 'Complete Letter-Writer' for help."

      "Just what I thought, exactly! But I don't know as we can blame her if she did. The poor child is doubtless unversed in polite correspondence, and she did her best,—but she felt she needed a little more elegance of construction and so forth, and she picked out some dressy phrases from the book."

      "It doesn't matter, anyway," said Patty, generously, "she's glad to come, and so I'm glad to have her. Let's telegraph at once,—shall us?"

      "Yes; but I don't like that haste of hers. It strikes me queer."

      "Queer, how? She's impatient to start,—that's all. What else could it mean?"

      "I don't know, I'm sure. But the whole letter's queer,—if you ask me!"

      "I do ask you,—and I ask you how it's queer."

      "It's so,—so jumbly,—incoherent,—choppy."

      "Pooh! don't criticise the lack of style in that poor country child. I'll teach her to write letters,—and I won't let her know I'm teaching her, either."

      "You'll teach her lots of things,—I know,—and in that dear, gentle way of yours, that couldn't hurt or offend anybody. Well, I'll telegraph, then, for her to come ahead. What else shall I say?"

      "Tell her what road to take, and all directions you can think of. Though it sounds to me, as if she thought she would have no difficulty as to travel."

      "Sounds that way to me, too; but I suppose her father can look after such details. Queer message from her father."

      "Not at all. You said he wasn't overfond of you, so as he sends his respects to you, I don't think you need ask for more."

      "If she does start right off,—and I'm pretty sure she will,—she'll be here in a week or so."

      "Of course; but I'll be ready for her. I'll give her the yellow room. It's big and sunny and has a lovely bath and dressing-room. It's all in order, too, I'll just make some soft lacy pillows and give it some little personal touches and it will be all ready for her. Oh, Billee,—think what a lot we can do for her!"

      Patty's eyes glowed with the anticipation of aiding the little country girl, but Farnsworth was not so sanguine.

      "You're running a risk, girlie," he said. "Suppose she turns out impossible. The fact of her being my relative doesn't quite canonise her, you know. Perhaps she isn't a saint."

      "Now, now, old calamity howler,—I don't want her to be a saint! I hope and expect she'll be a sweet, docile nature, and her lack of culture, if any, I shall try to remedy. Her lack of familiarity with social customs and all that, I know I can remedy. Oh, I expect a busy time with her,—and I know I shall have to be tactful and kind,—but don't you think I can be?"

      Farnsworth kissed the wistful, questioning face upturned to his and assured her that she most certainly could!

      So Patty gaily set about her preparations of the pretty guest chamber. She hoped Azalea liked yellow,—most girls did,—but if not, she could easily be moved to the pink guest room.

      This yellow room, however, was so well adapted for a young girl. There was a long French window that opened on the dearest little balcony, where the wistaria clambered and made a delightful shade. There was an alcove, where stood a Chippendale writing desk, and a revolving book rack. There was a sewing corner, with a fully furnished work-stand; and there was a soft puffy couch, with a pile of down pillows and a fluffy yellow afghan. And yet there was ample room for the bed, with its dimity draperies, and the fascinating toilet table, with its bewildering array of ivory fittings.

      Uncertain of her guest's tastes, Patty put out few books, only a story or two of general interest and a couple of new magazines. All such matters could be attended to after she had sized up the newcomer.

      On the day she was expected, Patty arranged the flowers in the yellow room herself.

      Naturally, she chose azaleas, and some of a lovely soft tint of buff harmonised with pale pink ones. White ones too, with a bit of green foliage, until the room was a bower of beauty. Not overdone, though. Patty never made the mistake of too many flowers,—fond as she was of them.

      A last affectionate survey of the room convinced her that all was exactly as it should be, and with a happy little sigh of contentment she went down to the porch to await the arrival of the guest, for Farnsworth had gone to the station to meet her, and they were due now at any minute.

      CHAPTER V

      THAT AWFUL AZALEA

      The car came along the driveway and stopped in front of the porch where Patty sat.

      Farnsworth stepped out, with a cheery "Here we are!" and Patty rose to greet the visitor.

      Up the steps toward her flew a figure which, as Patty afterward described it, seemed like a wild Indian! A slight, wiry figure, rather tall and very awkward, and possessed of a nervous force that expressed itself in muscular activity.

      "Oh, how do you do?" the girl cried, explosively. "You're Cousin Patty,—aren't you?" But even as she spoke, she stumbled on the steps, pitched forward, falling on Patty, and but for Farnsworth's quick action would have knocked her down.

      "Jiminy crickets! Ain't I the tangle-foot! Guess I'm getting in bad at the very start. Hope I didn't hurt you."

СКАЧАТЬ