nk you and Bill must have taken leave of your senses to
give her such freedom! Why, you don't deserve to have that heavenly
baby!"

"That's so, Elise, I don't!" and Patty broke into a flood of tears. "My
little flower! My precious own baby! How could I ever let Azalea touch
her? But, Elise, Zaly loves her as much as we do."

"That may be,--and of course, she wouldn't harm the child wilfully. But,
as I said, accidents will happen,--and if it's Bill's fault, why,--of
course, it's his own child,--and that's different. But Azalea has no
business to take chances with other people's children."

"I know it, and if she only brings her back this time in safety,--I'll
never let her see Fleurette alone again!"

All that afternoon Patty suffered agonies of suspense. Now she would cry
uncontrollably,--and again, she would sit, still and dry-eyed, waiting
for some sound of Azalea's arrival.

But no rolling wheels of the baby coach greeted her ears, nor any little
crowing notes of glee from her baby's lips.

Several times she tried again to reach Farnsworth by telephone,--but
always unsuccessfully.

At last the long hours wore away, and Farnsworth came home.

Patty flew to greet him, and was instantly wrapped in his big embrace.

"Well, Patty-_maman_," he said, as he kissed her, "how's things today?
I had to go over to Philadelphia, on a flying trip,--wish I could have
flown, literally,--and hadn't even time to let you know. Then, Rollins
told me you had called up several times,--so I skittled home to see what
it's all about."

His big, cheery voice comforted Patty, and her trouble suddenly seemed
easier to bear, with his help near.

"Oh, Little Billee," she cried, "Azalea has run off with Fleurette."

"Good gracious, you don't say! But how much better to have Zaly do the
kidnapping than some professional abductors! Hello, Elise, glad to see
you! When did you arrive? This morning?"

"No; this afternoon. But, Bill, this matter is serious. Azalea took the
baby away, on the sly."

"That's like her! Azalea has sly ways. And more than that,--she has
queer ways! It won't do, Patty, there's something wrong,--very
wrong,--about the girl. Did she get a letter to-day?"

"No; not this morning. I forgot to look this afternoon."

"What do you mean?" asked Elise, her curiosity aroused. "Do you keep tab
on her letters, Patty?"

"Yes; I'm ordered to by my lord and master. He thinks--"

"Never mind, dear, drop the subject now. I'