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Page 29
"Oh, I am!" returned the captain, laughing. "I'm one of Uncle
Sam's noblest heroes! He hasn't realised it yet, because I've not
had a real good chance to prove it, but I shall, some day."
"Perhaps you could show other people, without waiting for Uncle
Sam's turn."
A slight earnestness in Patty's tone made Captain Sayre look at
her quickly.
"I'll show you now," he said. "Give me chance for a brave, heroic
deed, and watch me hit it off!"
"I will!" said Patty, with twinkling eyes. "But it's Secret
Service. I mean Sealed Orders. I'll lead you to it, but you may
'hit it off' without realising it."
"Lead on, fair lady! From now, you are my superior officer."
But Patty turned the subject then, and the pair went gaily on,
stopping often to chat with groups of young people, or to admire
some decorations.
At last, Patty adroitly managed that they should pause near Mona,
who stood talking with Lora Sayre and Jack Pennington. Patty's
quick eyes saw that Mona was ill at ease, and that the others were
including her in their conversation merely through a perfunctory
politeness.
Patty, with her captain in tow, went up to the trio, and all
joined in merry chatter. Then soon, with a gay, challenging glance
at him, Patty said:
"Now Captain Sayre, you have the opportunity you wanted, to ask
Miss Galbraith to go with you to the fortune teller's tent."
For a brief instant the young man looked dumfounded, but
immediately recovering himself, he turned to Mona and said,
gracefully:
"Miss Fairfield has told you of the secret hope I cherish; will
you grant it, Miss Galbraith?"
Mona, flattered, and a little flustered at this attention,
consented, and the two walked away together.
Jack Pennington gave Patty an understanding glance, but Lora Sayre
said, "How funny for Edgar to do that!" Then realising the
impolite implication, she added, "He's so infatuated with you,
Patty. I'm surprised to see him leave you."
"Soldier men are very fickle," said Patty, assuming a mock woe-
begone expression; "but your cousin is a most interesting man,
Lora."
"Yes, indeed; Edgar is splendid. He has lived in the Philippines
and other queer places, and he tells such funny stories. He is
most entertaining. But I see mother beckoning to me; I must go and
see what she wants."
Lora ran away, and Jack Pennington remained with Patty.
"You're a brick!" he exclaimed; "to dispose of that marvellous
military model, just so you could play with me!"
"That wasn't my only motive," said Patty, gazing after the captain
and Mona--as they stood at the door of the fortune teller's tent.
"He is such a charming man, I wanted to share him with my friend."
"H'm--you say that to tease me, I suppose. But I remember, before
he arrived on the scene, you thought ME such a charming man that
you wanted to share ME with your friend."
"Oh, yes," agreed Patty, lightly, "and you promised that you'd BE
shared. So don't forget it!"
"As if I'd EVER forget anything YOU say to me! By the way, Mona
says she's going to have a house party. What do you s'pose it'll
be like?"
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