human being—nothing had ever had such a strong influence over
her. All the aversion she had expected to fear had changed to at
traction.
.He was a perfect gentleman, she told herself, in spite of
his football playing, and his talk and manner were those of an in
telligent, thoughtful young fellow. Her preoccupation during the
intermission was so great that she hardly noticed Jack's teasing,
and the little group of which she formed a part at supper had no
end of amusement out of her absent-minded attempt to eat her
oyster pattie with a tea-spoon.
That second two-step did not come until the next to the last
dance on the programme. As partner after partner came and
went she found herself beginning to look eagerly for that tall,
broad-shouldered one to make his appearance. Why did his little
nod and smile every time they passed send such a thrill of pleasure
through her and cause that happy little involuntary smile to dwell
upon her own face ? When the time finally did arrive she had
ceased to wonder; satisfied with the simple thought that at last
he was with her again.
She never forgot the supreme pleasure of that dance. The air
was again the " Directorate," repeated by request, and the music
was intoxication itself.
Though she did not know why they were oblivious to dancers, hall
and everything but the music, the light and that all-absorbing
sense of each other's presence. Hei finally understood. It had
come to him on that Thanksgiving afternoon, when borne on the
shoulders of enthusiastic students, as he saw her in the crowd
clinging to Jack's arm, that this was the only girl in the world for
him, and now even the glorious triumph of that hour could not
compare with the sweetness of these all too fleeting moments.
When the last echoes of the inspiring two-step died away they
found themselves near a little alcove hidden by draperies and
tropical plants, and almost unconsciously they entered it and sat
down on a low divan. At first the conversation was rather frag
mentary, each being busy with the tumultuous flood of their own
thoughts; but gradually the effect wore off and they began to talk
more naturally. When the notes of the final waltz stole upon
them Tom Armstrong arose, but she laid a determined hand
upon his arm.
" I was going to take you to your partner," he said.
"It is only Jack," she replied, "he won't care. You will stay
here and talk to me a little while longer, won't you?"
The Free Lance
[ JANUARY,