want to accept two
handsome presents from him, yet the idea of his so easily passing them
over to Daisy annoyed her.

"Riley!" she exclaimed, involuntarily. "Why didn't you give those to
me, instead of this gown?"

"The books are better suited to Daisy," he returned, "and the gown
suits nobody but you."

"Oh, because Daisy is more intellectual, I suppose, and I'm----"

"Yes, and you're just a little piece of vanity, who cares only for
dress and finery."

Farnsworth was having his innings now. Patty had hurt his feelings,
and she knew it; and so, he was teasing her in return.

Daisy laughed at Patty's unmistakable chagrin, and ran away downstairs
to claim her books.

It so chanced that there was no one else in Patty's boudoir at that
moment. Everybody had flocked to the next room to see a new
consignment of treasures displayed, and Farnsworth and Patty were alone.

"Yes," he said, looking straight at her, "I did buy the Riley set for
you. But as you're so averse to accepting my ostentatious offerings, I
thought better to give it to Daisy. And I had another reason, too."

"I'm glad you did," said Patty, coldly; "and I wish you had given her
this also."

She began to draw off the kimono, but Farnsworth took a step toward
her, and with one big swoop, gathered her into his arms.

"Apple Blossom!" he whispered, "my little Apple Blossom girl!"

So impulsive and all-embracing was the action, so swift the kiss that
fell on Patty's pink cheek, and so quickly was she released, that she
stood, gasping from breathlessness, and astonishment, as others began
to return to the room.

Van Reypen was among them, and he called out to Patty:

"We've come for you. If your things aren't all sold, let somebody else
look after them. We're going to supper now, and we want all our crowd
together."

Gratefully, Patty turned to him, her head still in a whirl from
Farnsworth's audacity, and with Philip she went downstairs.

CHAPTER XIX

PATTY RUNAWAY

The next day was Saturday, and Patty woke to a somewhat dismantled and
disordered room. Her bed had been restored to its place, after the
guests had departed the night before, but other appointments were a bit
lacking. Nan had forbidden her to rise until noon, for the Bazaar had
meant a large expenditure of strength and nerve force, and Patty was
not robust.

Before she rang for her morning chocolate, she thought over the events
of the previous evening. She w