blind.

They had parted in anger. No wonder, we repeat, that Iris objected to
inviting Dorothy's friend to the grand ball.

"Oh! of course we must invite her," said Dorothy, when her friend's name
was brought under discussion. "Mustn't we, Harry?"

He turned away and walked moodily to the window without replying. If
Iris did not like her, that settled the matter. He dared not put in one
word in the girl's favor, though Dorothy was clamoring for his opinion.

"You must settle the matter, Harry," said Dorothy.

"Let me suggest a better way," he replied, gallantly, as he took his
seat at the table again. "You two girls arrange it between yourselves."

"But we do not think we will come to an agreement," pouted Iris. "You
will have to choose for Dorothy and me."

He gave her a startled, sweeping look, and she knew by that that he
would not dare go against her for Dorothy.

"I must decline," he said again, for he felt nervous with those
sightless eyes turned eagerly in his direction.

"You must say 'Yes' or 'No,'" said Dorothy, never dreaming that his
answer would be in the negative, for on the week that she had first come
to Gray Gables he had said: "I must introduce you at once to Alice Lee,
who lives across the way. She is a lovely, quiet girl, and I know you
will like her." And Dorothy had liked gentle Alice Lee.

She thought of this now as the question of inviting her to the ball had
come up, and never for a moment had she doubted the result of his
decision.

"You must answer 'Yes' or 'No,'" pouted Iris, impatiently. "Come, we are
wasting time."

Iris leaned over close to his chair--so near that the dark rings of her
hair brushed his cheek, thrilling him to the soul.

"You must choose," she whispered; and he knew that it was a challenge as
to which he should please--herself or Dorothy.

Closer, closer still she leaned, until his very pulses grew mad with the
nearness of her presence, and with child-like confidence her soft little
hand crept into his, and nestled there securely.

There was no one to see, though Dorothy--God help her!--sat so near her.
The touch of that little hand was magical. In the mad impulse of the
moment he raised it to his lips and kissed it, and Iris knew that she
had won the battle even before he spoke.

"Alice Lee had better not be invited to the ball," he said, huskily.
"That is my decision."

Dorothy sank back in her chair as though a sudden blow had been struck
her. She n