t I'm glad you ARE here. I'll
see that you and him get a chance to talk private."

"Who?" I asked, trying to pull my arm free.

"Why, Mr. Colton. Didn't you know? Yes, sir, that's his car. He's come
and so's his daughter and that young Carver feller. I believe they've
come to take in the sociable. There they be! See 'em! See 'em!"

I saw them. Colton and Victor had already alighted and Miss Colton was
descending from the tonneau. There were two other men in the car, beside
Oscar, the chauffeur.

"Who are those other people?" I asked.

"I don't know," whispered Sim, excitedly. "Stay where you be and I'll
find out. I'll be right back, now. Don't you move."

I did not move, not because he had ordered me to stay where I was, but
because I was curious. The spot where I stood was in shadow and I knew
they could not see me.

Colton and his daughter were talking with Victor, who remained by the
step of the auto.

"Well, Mabel," observed "Big Jim," "here we are, though why I don't
know. I hope you enjoy this thing more than I am likely to."

"Of course I shall enjoy it, Father. Look at the decorations. Aren't
they perfectly WONDERFUL!"

"Especially the color scheme," drawled Victor. "Mabel, I call your
attention to the red, blue and purple lanterns. Some class? Yes? Well,
I must go. I'll be back in a very short time. If Parker wasn't starting
for Europe to-morrow I shouldn't think of leaving, but I'm sure you'll
forgive me, under the circumstances."

"I forgive you, Victor," replied the girl, carelessly. "But don't be too
long."

"No, don't," added her father. "I promised Mrs. Colton that I should not
be away more than an hour. She's very nervous to-night and I may be sent
for any time. So don't keep us waiting."

"No fear of that. I'll be back long before you are ready to go. I
wouldn't miss this--er--affair myself for something. Ah, our combination
friend, the undertaking postmaster."

Sim's hat was in his hand and he was greeting Mr. Colton.

"Proud to see you amongst us, sir," said Sim, with unction. "The
Methodist folks are havin' quite a time to-night, ain't they?"

"How d'ye do, Eldredge," was the great man's salutation, not at all
effusive. "Where does all this crowd come from? Didn't know there were
so many people in the neighborhood."

"'Most everybody's out to-night. Church'll make consider'ble money. Good
evenin', Miss Colton. Mr. Carver, pleased to meet you again, sir."

The young lady merely