lance, Mona."

"No, Patty. We're positive. And, too, she was doing Wild West
stunts,--riding bareback, shooting, throwing a lariat,--all those
things,--and Azalea can, you know."

"Yes, I know; and there _is_ something queer going on. It may be that
when Azalea goes off for a day or part of a day, that's where she goes.
But I can hardly believe it. And why does she keep it so secret?"

"I suppose she thinks you and Bill wouldn't approve."

"And we certainly would _not_! I don't think it can be possible, Mona.
But don't say anything to anybody,--not even to Little Billee,--until I
can talk to Azalea, myself. I can do lots with her, alone, but not if
anybody else is present."

"Where is she now?"

"Gone for a moonlight stroll with Phil. He's decidedly taken with her."

"Yes, I know it. He said so on the way up here. He thinks she's a fine
girl--and he admires those careless, unconventional ways of hers."

"Well, I don't," Patty sighed. "I like Azalea for lots of things,--she's
good company and kind-hearted,--and she's devoted to Baby,--but I
_can't_ like those free and easy manners! But she's a whole lot better
than when she first came! Then she was _really_ a wild Indian! I've been
able to tone her down a little."

"You've done wonders for her, Patty. She ought to be very grateful."

Patty made a wry face. "No, she isn't grateful. People never are
grateful for that sort of thing. And she doesn't even _know_ she's
different! I've had to train her without her own knowledge! But she's
chameleon-like, in some ways, and she picks up a lot just from being
with mannerly people."

"She does indeed! She's quite correct now,--in her actual doings. It's
only in some burst of enthusiasm that she oversteps the bounds of
propriety. Well, that's all. I thought I'd tell you,--for it isn't right
that you shouldn't know. And there's no mistake. There's only one Azalea
Thorpe."

"Was her name on the programme?"

"No; she didn't have a star part,--not even a named part. She was one of
a crowd,--cowboys, ranch girls, and a general horde of 'woollies.' Don't
accuse her of it, Patty; get around her and see what she says."

"Goodness, Mona, give me credit for a little tact! I'll find out in the
best way. What was the name of the play?"

"'Star of the West.' A splendid thing,--have you seen it?"

"No; we almost never go."

"Oh, we go a lot, we love moving pictures."

"I'd like to see this one,--before I speak to Azalea. Is