l care of her, guarding her so closely! If ever there came a
time when her mother, or Mollie, or Betty should attempt to blame
Esther for her part in this escapade, Polly had determined that they
should understand the situation in its true light. And some day she
might be able to return Esther's allegiance and devotion. For always
the opportunity to serve a friend will come if one is sufficiently on
the lookout for it.

The moment that she left her dressing room Polly ran directly into
Esther, who was hurrying toward her.

"Oh, Polly dear," she said, "I hope you haven't been worried, though I
have been uneasy enough about you. Do come back into your room for a
moment. There is something I want to tell you that no one else must
hear."

Esther looked so excited and nervous that Polly slipped an arm
comfortingly about her. "Don't mind if anybody has said anything rude
or been horrid, please," she whispered. "You know we promised each
other not to take the disagreeable things seriously."

"Oh no, it is nothing like that. It is about you," the older girl
explained.

Polly smiled. "The disagreeable things usually are about me." She
looked so absurdly young and wilful and charming that Esther felt
herself suddenly willing to champion her cause against any opposition.
Of course Polly had done wrong, but the mistake had been made and to
frustrate her ambition now could do no possible good.

"I don't think you understand, Polly; you can't of course. But Billy
Webster was in the audience just now and recognized you. He says that
Mollie was afraid there was something the matter and----"

"Billy Webster's opinions are not of the least interest to me. Do
let's hurry home, Esther. It is almost ten o'clock and though we can
take the street car straight to your door, we have never been out this
late before."

"But Billy says he _must_ see you. He is waiting outside. He says he
means to tell your mother and Mollie what you are doing unless you
promise to return home tomorrow. He says that if you won't promise he
may telegraph them tonight, so your mother can come and get you
tomorrow. I think you had better see him."

Suddenly Polly flung her arms about her friend's neck and began crying
like a disappointed child. One never could count on Polly's doing what
might be expected of her. She had had the boldness of defy opposition
and to act successfully for a week on the professional stage; yet now
when she mo