"I shall insist upon having more than one," he said gallantly. "At least

three hesitations."

She drew in her breath with a mock sigh and swept from under her long

lashes a glance that still had the power to thrill him. "Outrageous, but

I shall try to bear up," and the next moment they were giving a graceful

exhibition of the tango.

"I don't see your friend Doremus," he said casually, as he stood fanning

her at the end of the dance.

She lifted her eyebrows haughtily. "My friend? That parasite?"

"You seemed very friendly at dinner."

"I usually am with my dinner companion. One's hostess is to be

considered. Oh--I remember--he was telling me some very amusing gossip,

although he teased me into fearing he wouldn't. Now, if you are going to

dance this hesitation with me you had better whirl me off. It is Mr.

Thornton's, and I see him coming."

Ruyler did not see Doremus until supper was half over and then the young

man entered the dining-room hurriedly, his usually serene brow lowering

and his lips set. He walked directly up to Helene.

"Beastly luck!" he exclaimed. "Hello, Ruyler. Didn't know you honored

parties any more. I had to break away to meet the Overland train--beastly

thing was late, of course. Then I had to take them to five hotels before

I could settle them. They had two beastly little dogs and the hotels

wouldn't take them in and they wouldn't give up the dogs. Some one ought

to set up a high-class dog hotel. Sure it would pay. But you'll give me

the first after supper, won't you?"

Helene gave him a casual smile that was a poor reward for his elaborate

apology. "So sorry," she said with the sweet distant manner in which she

disposed of bores and climbers, "but Mr. Ruyler and I are both tired. We

are going home directly after supper."




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