lied Madge. "To tell you the truth, I was not
thinking of my own grievances."

"Sorry to interrupt conversation, Thornton," broke in Tom Curtis, "but
there is a whole line of midshipmen waiting to be introduced to my
friends."

"I hope you will give me a dance, Miss Morton," said Alfred Thornton.

Madge assented, although she felt more inclined to refuse. She was not
in the least certain that she liked this dark, thin-faced young man.
When he talked he had a peculiar trick of turning his eyes away from
the person with whom he was talking that did not please her.

"Come on over in that corner, girls," invited Tom. "There we shall be
out of the way of the dancers and you can hold court. Just wait until
you see that line of midshipmen!"

Keeping out of the way of the dancers, the party moved toward the
corner designated by Tom. There he left them, returning shortly with
several young men in the midshipmen's uniform, who seemed not only
willing, but eager, to have the pleasure of dancing with the four
girls. Miss Jenny Ann, who looked very handsome in a pretty gown of
black net over white silk, came in for a full share of attention, and
was not a little worried as to whether as chaperon she ought to sit
quietly and watch her charges or dance. She confided this to Madge, who
merely laughed, told her that she looked "too sweet for anything" and
to "go ahead and have a good time." Whereupon Miss Jenny Ann sank her
last scruples and proceeded to enjoy herself as much as did the four
girls, who did not miss a dance. They were showered with attentions
from not only the midshipmen, but the old officers as well asked the
privilege of a dance.

Pretty Lillian Seldon was in her element. This was her first real ball
and she was delighted with the opportunity it afforded to play "grown
up." She wore her golden hair piled high on her shapely head, and as
her white silk evening gown was the longest frock she owned she felt at
least twenty, which to her seemed very old indeed.

Phil danced for the pure love of dancing. She was more level-headed
than Lillian and was less likely to be carried away by pleasure. Still,
she felt as though she would like to go on dancing forever with
Lieutenant James Lawton, who she decided was the nicest young man she
had ever met.

Undoubtedly it was the excitement of the dance that appealed most
strongly to Madge. The music, the flowers, the beautiful gowns worn by
the women, the subdued murmur of