ic was playing pleasantly.

"Who will dance with us?" asked Rollo presently.

"Why, I will dance with you, and Rupie will dance with Anabelle," said
his Cousin Stella.

It embarrassed him very much when Stella placed his arm about her
waist and led him into the middle of the room, where many other young
people were dancing and bumping each other and laughing rudely.

"It is a Toddle," said Stella, tickling Rollo's ear with her hair.

Rollo did not know what this meant, but he did his best and managed to
keep a-going until the music stopped, when they went back to their
table.

"I dance very ill," said Rollo, completely out of breath. "Indeed, I
stumble as much as Old Trumpeter, our horse, going over a rough spot
in the road."

Rollo danced several more dances, doing a little better each time.
During the last dance which was what is called a fox-trot, he was
somewhat surprised to find that Stella's cheek was pressed close to
his. This caused Rollo to blush furiously. He could not help thinking
of his mother's words, "She is not really your cousin"--but "after
all," thought Rollo, "she is nearly so." Thus the dance was concluded
very pleasantly and Rollo was quite disappointed when several other
boys came to their table and invited Stella and Anabelle for the next
dance and for the one after that. Rupie had disappeared, so that Rollo
was left quite alone. The others danced nicely for several dances,
until it began to be quite late.

"What has become of Rollo?" said Stella. "Wherever can he be?"

Just then they saw him approaching. With him was a tall man in
uniform. It was evident from Rollo's expression that he was in some
sort of trouble.

"What is the matter, Rollo?" cried Stella and Anabelle and Rupie, in
one breath.

"Matter enough," said Rollo, endeavouring to control his voice.
"While you were dancing I have been angling in the fountain."

"But you did not catch anything," said Stella.

"Did I not?" said Rollo. "Look," and he held up a string on which hung
three bright golden fish. "I caught these three in no time at all, and
had I not been interrupted, I should have caught them all, I dare
say."

Then there was a great hub-bub you may be sure. Stella and Anabelle
and Rupie laughed a great deal, and even the tall man in the uniform
smiled a little, especially when Rupie slipped something into his
hand. Shortly after the tall man went away.

[Illustration: "I have been angling in the fountain"]