ing music, the
swiftly whirling figures, the quivering drapery overhead, the bright
youthful faces, the glow of numerous lamps, together with the ceaseless
voices and merry shuffling of feet, all combined to create a scene
sufficiently picturesque. It was altogether different from what he had
anticipated. He watched the speeding figures, striving in vain to
distinguish the particular one whose charms had lured him thither. He
looked upon fair faces in plenty, flushed cheeks and glowing eyes
skurried past him, with swirling skirts and flashes of neatly turned
ankles, as these enthusiastic maids and matrons from hill and prairie
strove to make amends for long abstinence. But among them all he was
unable to distinguish the wood-nymph whose girlish frankness and grace
had left so deep an impression on his memory. Yet surely she must be
present, for, to his understanding, this whole gay festival was in her
honor. Directly across the room he caught sight of the Reverend Mr.
Wynkoop conversing with a lady of somewhat rounded charms, and picked
his way in their direction.

The missionary, who had yet scarcely recovered from the shock of
Moffat's impulsive speech, and who, in truth, had been hiding an
agonized heart behind a smiling face, was only too delighted at any
excuse which would enable him to approach Miss Spencer, and press aside
those cavaliers who were monopolizing her attention. The handicap of
not being able to dance he felt to be heavy, and he greeted the
lieutenant with unusual heartiness of manner.

"Why, most assuredly, my dear sir, most assuredly," he said. "Mrs.
Herndon, permit me to make you acquainted with Lieutenant Brant, of the
Seventh Cavalry."

The two, thus introduced, bowed, and exchanged a few words, while Mr.
Wynkoop busied himself in peering about the room, making a great
pretence at searching out the lady guest, who, in very truth, had
scarcely been absent from his sight during the entire evening.

"Ah!" he ejaculated, "at last I locate her, and, fortunately, at this
moment she is not upon the floor, although positively hidden by the men
clustering about her chair. You will excuse us, Mrs. Herndon, but I
have promised Lieutenant Brant a presentation to your niece."

They slipped past the musicians' stand, and the missionary pressed in
through the ring of admirers.

"Why, Mr. Wynkoop!" and she extended both hands impulsively. "And only
to think, you have never once been near me all