They went back to the house, laughing, and Patty succeeded in obtaining a few more blossoms from the bridal bouquet to save for Christine until she came back. "Why didn't you catch it, Patty?" said Kenneth. "Do you want to be an old maid?" "'Nobody asked me, sir, she said,'" and Patty dropped her eyes, demurely. "You mean there's nobody that hasn't asked you!" returned Kenneth. "I'm going to ask you, myself, some day; but not to-night. I've had enough to do with matrimonial alliances for one day!" "So have I," laughed Patty. "Let's put it off for a year, Ken." "All right," was the laughing response, and then they rejoined the other young people. After the reception was over, a few of Patty's more intimate friends were invited to remain to dinner with the Fairfields. "Can you stay, Little Billee?" asked Patty, dancing up to him, as he seemed about to leave. "I have to take a midnight train," he said, "and I have some business matters that I must attend to first. So if I may, I'll run away now, and come back this evening for a dance with you." "All right; be sure to come," and Patty flashed him a smiling glance, and danced away again. It was after eleven before Farnsworth returned, and Patty had begun to fear he would not come at all. "What are you looking at?" asked Philip Van Reypen, as Patty continued to glance over her shoulder toward the hall, while they were dancing. "Nothing," was the non-committal answer. "Well, then, you may as well look at me. At least, I'm better than nothing." "_Much_ better!" said Patty, with exaggerated emphasis; "_ever_ so much better! Oh, say, Philip, take me over to the hall, will you?" "What for? This dance has just begun." "Never mind!" said Patty, impatiently. "Lead me over that way!" Patty turned her own dancing steps in that direction, and when they reached the hall, there was Big Bill Farnsworth, smiling at her. "This is what I was looking for!" said Patty, gaily. "Run away now, Philip. Little Billee can only stay a minute, and we'll finish our dance afterward." Van Reypen was decidedly annoyed, but he didn't show it, for he knew Patty's caprices must be obeyed. So he bowed politely, and walked away. "He's mad as hops," said Patty, calmly; "but I had to see you for a few minutes, if you're really going on that midnight train. Are you, Little Billee?" "Yes, Apple Blossom, I am. I've time for just one turn round the room. Will you dance?" For answer, Patty put her hand in his, and they waltzed slowly round the room. "You are the busiest business man I ever saw," Patty said, pouting a little. "Yes, I _am_ very busy just now. Indeed, matters are rapidly coming to a crisis. It was only because I suddenly found that I must be in Boston to-morrow, that I could stop here to-day. And if matters turn out to-morrow as I hope they will, I must start back immediately to Arizona. But some day I hope to be less hurried, and then----" "And then?" asked Patty.