oubt for an instant that you'll
win out with flying colors."

Patricia's gayety was surging back in a happy flood, and she
straightened up with a little rippling laugh, casting all her shadowy
fears behind her.

"Just you wait till I sing my first concert, Mr. Bruce Hayden," she
challenged, "and then tell me I'm a conceited goose, if you dare. I
wagger as Hannah Ann says, I'll be the same stupid, silly thing I am
now." And nodding brightly at him, she danced after the others, humming
a gay little tune as she went.

CHAPTER II

BRUCE'S SURPRISE PARTY

Although Patricia would have been very well entertained with a quiet tea
all to themselves in the studio, since there was so much to be talked
over, so many plans to be made and such hopes to be indulged in,
nevertheless she was obliged to confess that she had never had a jollier
time in her life than at the dinner that night.

While they were dressing, the table was laid and some tall palms placed
in the corners of the room just where they made the best effect, and
when they came into the studio again the whole scene was of the most
restive sort. Flowers on the tables and candles twinkling everywhere,
the tapestries and screens of the shadowy backgrounds, the gleam of
copper and brass, all mingled in a delightful whole which would have
been hard to equal by any hotel, however well appointed.

Judith gave an exclamation of pleasure as she stood on the threshold.

"Why, it's the very nicest place in the world to celebrate in!" she said
warmly. "You ought to be an awfully great singer, Miss Pat, when you're
starting off with such lovely doings."

Patricia screwed up her face into a mocking protest and had opened her
lips, when the sound of the elevator made them start eagerly to the
door.

Margaret Howes knocked before they could fling it open, but they had her
inside and were hugging her and shaking hands recklessly ere Bruce could
hurry out to see who had knocked.

Margaret, in a long cloak and with her dark hair crowned with a simple
wreath of ivy leaves, was looking more charming than ever, and although
she was fain to linger a moment to take in the beautified studio, they
hurried her off to Elinor's room, where Mrs. Spicer was waiting to hook
the last reluctant hook in Elinor's filmy gown.

There was another shower of excited embraces, questions and comments
rained down and it was only the arrival of the Hiram Todd's that saved
Margaret from pouri