was
exactly what she was--a show.

She could see the change slowly grow in Pratt's features. His wonder
shifted to disapproval. After the first shock he realized that the
exhibition of the gems on such an occasion as this was in bad taste.

Why! she was like a jeweler's window! The gems were wonderfully
beautiful, it was true. But they would better be on velvet cushions and
behind glass to be properly appreciated.

"Do you like me, Daddy?" she asked, softly.

"My mercy, Frances! I scarcely know you," he admitted. "You certainly
make a great show."

"Are you satisfied?" she asked again.

"I--I'd ought to be," he breathed, solemnly. "You--you're a beauty!
Isn't she, Pratt?"

"Save my blushes," Frances begged, but not lightly. "If I suit you
exactly, Daddy, I shall appear at dinner this way."

"Sure! Show them to our guests. There's not another woman in the
Panhandle can make such a show."

Frances, with a sharp pain at her heart, thought this was probably true.

"Wait, Daddy," she said. "Let me run back and make one little change.
You wait there in the cool reception-room, and see how I look next
time."

She could no longer bear the expression of Pratt's eyes. Turning, she
gathered up her skirts and scuttled back to her room. Her cheeks were
afire. Her lips trembled. She had to fight back the tears.

One by one she removed the gaudy ornaments. She left the crescent in her
wavy brown hair and the old-fashioned brooch at her breast. Everything
else she stripped off and flung into a drawer, and locked it.

These two pieces of jewelry might be heirlooms that any young girl could
wear with taste at her "coming out" party.

She ran to the vases and took a great bunch of Pratt's flowers which she
carried in her gloved hand when she went down for the second time to
show herself to her father.

This time she tripped lightly. Her cheeks were becomingly flushed. Her
bare throat, brown and firm, rose from the soft laces of her dress in
its unadorned beauty. The very dress she wore seemed more simple and
girlish--but a thousand times more fitting for her wearing.

"Daddy!"

She burst into the dimly lighted room. He wheeled in his chair, removed
the pipe from his mouth, and stared at her again.

This time there was a new light in his eyes, as there was in hers. He
stood up and something caught him by the throat--or seemed to--and he
swallowed hard.

"How do you like me now?" she whispered, stretching her arms o