seen her in week-a-day attire; and this slight, graceful
form, clad in soft white, seemed so pure, so virginal and ethereal,
that, not for the first time, his joy in her loveliness was tempered
with awe.

"Nell!" was all he could say, and he stretched out his arms, then let
them fall. "I should crush you or break you," he said, half seriously.
"Is that the dress I saw you making up--that! It looked like----"

"A rag," she finished for him, her eyes shining down upon him with a
woman's gratitude for his admiration. "Will it do? Do I look--passable?"

"No," he said; "no one could pass you! Nell, my angel--yes, you are like
an angel to-night!" he broke off, in lower tones. "You--you frighten me,
dearest. I dread to see you spread your wings and fly away from me."

She laughed shyly and shook her head.

"And--and--how different you look!" she said; for it was the first time
she had seen Drake in the costume which we share with the waiter; and
her pride in him--in his tall figure and square shoulders--glowed in her
eyes. If he had been lame and halt she would have still loved him;
but--well, there is no woman who is not proud of her sweetheart's good
looks. Sometimes she is prouder of them than of her own.

"Let me put this wrap around you," he said; and as he did so she raised
her head with a blush and an invitation in her eyes, and he kissed her
on the lips. "See here, dearest," he said, "your first dance! And as
many as you will give me afterward. Did I ever mention that I was
jealous? Nell, I inform you of the gruesome fact now; and that I shall
endure agonies every time I see you dancing with another man."

"Perhaps you will be spared that pain," she said. "I may be a
wallflower, waiting for you to take pity on me."

"Yes, I should think that very probable," he retorted ironically. "Oh,
Nell, how I love you, how proud----"

Dick came out of the dining room at that moment, and at sight of Nell
fell back against the wall in an assumed swoon.

"Is it--can it be--the simple little fishergirl of Shorne Mills? My
aunt, Nell, you do look a swell! Got 'em all on, Drake, hasn't she?
Miss Eleanor Lorton as Cinderella! Kiss your brother, Nell!"

He made a pretended rush at her with extended arms, and Nell shrieked
apprehensively:

"Keep him off, Drake! He'll crush my dress! Dick--Dick, you dare!"

Dick winked at Drake.

"You are requested not to touch the figure. Drake, have you observed and
noticed this warning? B