tells me that he saw Polly and Esther and has confessed that
he knows why Polly telegraphed for mother, he won't give me the least
satisfaction about anything. Can you make any suggestion, Betty dear?
What difficulty do you suppose Polly has gotten into this time? For
certainly it is Polly and not Esther; Esther would never be absurd."

Mollie lowered her voice as several of their friends were approaching.

"Please don't speak of this, Betty. Mother left word that we were not
to mention it outside the family until she learned exactly what was the
matter. But of course she said that I might tell you."

Before Betty could reply John Everett had invited her to dance.

But slowly she shook her head. "I can't, John. I know you will think
it foolish; perhaps it is. Of course I have come to Meg's party and
enjoyed it very much. And yet, well, somehow I don't feel quite like
dancing. You understand, don't you?"

John acquiesced. He was disappointed, and yet felt himself able to
understand almost anything that Betty wished him to, when she looked at
him with that appealing light in her gray eyes and that rose flush in
her cheeks.

"Never mind," he returned; "I'll find seats for us somewhere, where we
can manage to talk and yet watch the others."

Betty smiled. It was agreeable to be so sought after, and yet under
the circumstances quite out of the question.

"You will please find me a place where I can watch, but not with you.
This is your party, remember. Meg will expect you and every man to do
his duty," she replied.

So after a little further discussion Betty found herself seated upon a
kind of miniature throne, which John had made for her by piling some
sofa cushions upon an old divan. Behind her was a background of cedar
and pine branches decorating the walls and just above her head
flickered the lights of candles from a pair of brass sconces.

Betty wore her red brown hair parted in the middle and in two heavy
braids, one falling over each shoulder, while around her forehead was a
blue and silver band with the three white feathers, the insignia of her
title of "Princess" in their Camp Fire Club. Her dress was cut a
little low in the throat and about it were strung seven chains of honor
beads.

For a little while at least she might have found interest in watching
the others dance had she not been worried about Polly. She was uneasy
and it was stupid to have been given this opportunity to think; f