h, "for it was then and
there that I met the lady who is now my wife! And,--I kissed her the
moment I saw her!"

"Oh, Cousin William!" cried Azalea, "did you really? What _did_ she
say?"

"Flew at me like a small cyclone of wrath! But as I had mistaken her for
my cousin Mona, she couldn't hold me very guilty."

"Yes! A lot Patty looks like me!" said Mona, who was a dark-haired
beauty.

"But I didn't see her face," pleaded Bill; "I just saw a girl on the
verandah of your house, Mona, and I took it for granted it was you!"

"It's all ancient history," said Patty, laughing. "And, to tell the
truth, I'm glad it happened,--for otherwise, I mightn't have become
interested in--Mona's cousin."

"Then I bless my mistake!" said Farnsworth, so fervently that Patty
shook her head at him.

"Mustn't talk so before folks," she said, reprovingly. "Now, people all,
what shall we do with this lovely evening? It's moonlight, so any who
are romantically inclined can ramble about the place, and flirt in the
arbours,--while those who prefer can play bridge or--the piano. Or
just sit and chat."

"Me for the last!" cried Mona. "I've oceans to talk about with you,
Patty. Can't we play all by ourselves for a little while?"

"Certainly," said Patty, as she rose from the table. "Mona and I are
going to sit on the wistaria porch and gossip for half an hour. After
that, we're all going to dance,--and maybe sing."

"Good enough programme," agreed Van Reypen. "For one half-hour, then,
each may do as he or she wishes!"

"Yes, if you all promise to be back here in half an hour."

"Make it an hour, Patty," laughed Elise, who had her own plans.

"All right," said Patty, carelessly, who cared only that her guests
should enjoy themselves.

"I want to tell you something," Mona said, as she and Patty at last were
alone on the porch. "Who _is_ Azalea?"

"I call that asking, not telling," laughed Patty; "however, I'll reply.
She is Bill's cousin,--not first cousin, but the daughter of his
father's cousin. So you see,--a distant cousin. Why?"

"I'll tell you why. Roger and I go to the 'movies' sometimes,--and in a
picture, the other night, we saw Azalea."

"Saw Azalea! You mean some one who looked like her."

"No; Azalea Thorpe herself! Roger and I both knew her at once. And it
was quite a new picture,--taken recently, I mean. Did you know she did
such things?"

"No, and I can't think she does. It must have been only a remarkable
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