onward,
determined to keep the man in sight. His amazement was great to find
that the trail led straight as beaten paths would permit, to the very
door of the new Social house, now filled with lights and people, and
forming a conspicuous object in the little hamlet. Dan reached there but
a rod or two behind his man, and saw him slip into the open doors and
mingle with the crowd.

He began to think the likeness which had led him this last chase was an
illusion, after all, and that the fellow must be some new workman, who
had by chance discovered his woodland retreat and considered it public
property.

But if that man were Lozcoski then Murfree ought to know. For, though
Dan did not fancy the ranter and his ways, he was his close neighbor and
belonged to the same union, which was reason enough why he owed him this
duty.

Smoothing himself into shape as well as he could, the lad hid his wheel
under the portico and stepped inside, trying to look bold in order to
cover his bashful qualms, for he was as afraid of a social crowd as a
fox of a pack of hounds. It was thoroughly brave of him to face these
lights and people to warn a man not a special friend, and proved the
loyal strain in his nature. Possibly, had he stopped to think, he might
have weakened and fled. But the excitement of the chase still dominated
him, and he had given himself no time for consideration before plunging
in. Now, the buzz of talk and laughter sounded all about him; somebody
slapped him on the back with a laugh of astonishment, and he began to
realize what an impossible sort of thing he had done.

He wanted to turn and run out into the blessed darkness, but they hemmed
him in, and, dazed by what seemed to him the luxury on every side, he
hesitated and was lost. For, just then, a group of the younger people
surged by and wrapped him around in a whirl of merry chaff.

"Hello! Here's Dan."

"Come along, Dan! Thought you wasn't going to any party, eh?"

"Couldn't stand it outside, could you, boy?"

"Thought to-morrow was your night, Dan, but you're welcome, old fellow!"

They seized him by each arm, and, overcoming his mute resistance,
dragged him into the first parlor. He managed to wriggle loose after a
bit, however, and watched his opportunity made a dart for the smaller
one off, and rushed into an alcove somewhat in shadow, intending to
escape entirely later on. As he stumbled into its shelter some one, half
hidden by the tall back of a c