er forgot her needs, and, if unable to
supply them himself, took good care that some one else should do so. So
the dress had arrived the night before, and Miss Preston had been able to
give her another pleasant surprise for the dance. And now she looked as
the lilies of the field for fairness.

She was whirling away upon her partner's arm, when, chancing to glance
toward the door, she beheld something which brought her to an abrupt
stand-still, much to her partner's amazement. Miss Preston stood in the
doorway, and, standing beside her, with one hand resting lightly upon his
hip and the other raised a little above his head, and resting against the
door-casing, stood a tall, remarkably handsome man. His attitude was
unstudied, but brought out to perfection the fine lines of his figure.

Hastily exclaiming: "Oh, please, excuse me, or else come with me,"
Toinette glided between the whirling figures, and, forgetful of all else,
cried out in a joyous voice: "Papa, papa Clayton, where _did_ you come
from?"

It was so like the childish voice he had loved to hear so long ago, that
he started with pleasure.

During the brief holiday Toinette had spent with him he had missed the
spontaneity he had known in the little child, and, without being able to
analyze it, felt that something was wanting in the girl. She had been
sweet and winning, yet under it all had been a manner quite
incomprehensible to him, as though she did not feel quite sure of her
position in his affections. Her laugh had lacked the true girlish ring,
and her conversation with him seemed guarded, as though she had never
quite spoken all her thoughts.

He had been immeasurably distressed by it, for he could not understand the
cause, and bitterly reproached himself for not being better acquainted
with his own child. In the merry girl who now stood before him, her eyes
shining, her cheeks flushed with excitement, her voice so joyous, he saw
no trace of the listless one he had placed in Miss Preston's charge two
months before.

Slipping one arm about her, he snuggled her close to his side, as he
answered:

"A blue-coated biped left a good, substantial hint at my office not long
since, and this is what came of following it."

"_You_ did it! I'm sure of it," laughed Toinette, shaking her finger at
Miss Preston, as the latter said: "I leave you to a livelier entertainer,
now, Mr. Reeve, while I go to look after some of my guests who may not be
so fortunately si