"There is my favorite waltz, Daisy," he said, as the music of the
irresistible "Blue Danube" floated out to them. "Will you favor me
with a waltz?"

"Miss Pluma would be so angry," she murmured.

"Never mind her anger, Daisy. I will take all the blame on _my_
shoulders. They are unusually broad, you see."

He led her half reluctant among the gay throng; gentlemen looked at
one another in surprise. Who is she? they asked one of the other,
gazing upon her in wonder. No one could answer. The sweet-faced little
maiden in soft, floating white, with a face like an angel's, who wore
no other ornament than her crown of golden hair, was a mystery and a
novelty. In all the long years of her after life Daisy never forgot
that supremely blissful moment. It seemed to her they were floating
away into another sphere. Rex's arms were around her, his eyes smiling
down into hers; he could feel the slight form trembling in his
embrace, and he clasped her still closer. With youth, music, and
beauty--there was nothing wanting to complete the charm of love.

Leaning gracefully against an overarching palm-tree stood a young man
watching the pair with a strange intentness; a dark, vindictive smile
hovered about the corners of his mouth, hidden by his black mustache,
and there was a cruel gleam in the dark, wicked eyes scanning the face
of the young girl so closely.

"Ah! why not?" he mused. "It would be a glorious revenge." He made his
way hurriedly in the direction of his young hostess, who was, as
usual, surrounded by a group of admirers. A deep crimson spot burned
on either cheek, and her eyes glowed like stars, as of one under
intense, suppressed excitement.

Lester Stanwick made his way to her side just as the last echo of the
waltz died away on the air, inwardly congratulating himself upon
finding Rex and Daisy directly beside him.

"Miss Pluma," said Stanwick, with a low bow, "will you kindly present
me to the little fairy on your right? I am quite desperately smitten
with her."

Several gentlemen crowded around Pluma asking the same favor.

With a smile and a bow, what could Rex do but lead Daisy gracefully
forward. Those who witnessed the scene that ensued never forgot it.
For answer Pluma Hurlhurst turned coldly, haughtily toward them,
drawing herself up proudly to her full height.

"There is evidently some mistake here," she said, glancing scornfully
at the slight, girlish figure leaning upon Rex Lyon's arm. "I do no