ver."

"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,
bu