bucket of ice water had been splashed on her head and was still
trickling down her shoulders.

"Come back, Miss Fairfield," she heard somebody saying gaily, and with
a start she realised she had been staring blankly into vacancy so
stunned was she by Farnsworth's manner.

It was Sam Blaney who spoke, and as he had taken her hand and still
held it, Patty suddenly recovered her poise and spirits.

"Time's up, Mr. Blaney," she laughed. "You have had my hand fully
three minutes, and that's the limit. Somebody else may want it."

"Possession is nine points of the law," said Blaney, still retaining
her hand.

"But appropriation isn't possession," and Patty gently withdrew her
hand from his detaining fingers.

"No, possession must be granted. Perhaps some time----"

"Some time----" Patty assented, smiling, and dismissing Blaney, as more
and more people came along.

But at last the reception was over, and the bridal party went to their
especial table in the supper room.

Mona, still resplendent in her heavy court train and bridal laces, cut
her wedding cake. She had never looked more beautiful. The long
reception had tired her a little, but though the animation in her face
was not so vivid, there was a lovely radiant light in her eyes, and her
smile was gentle and sweet.

"Roger on this side of me," she said, arranging her table, "Dad on
this. The rest of you may sit where you like. I've stopped directing
this party,--or any other. I've conducted the little affair of this
evening to a successful conclusion, and now I resign all generalship
and all planning and arranging to my husband. I'm glad to give up all
responsibilities, and I'm going to lead a life of leisure while Roger
looks after things for me."

"Good little wife!" said Patty. "I foresee happy days and clear
sailing under such regulations."

"If you keep it up," laughed Kit Cameron. "You're pretty well tired
out now, Mrs. Farrington, but I'm not sure you're going to stand aside
always, when matters of importance arise."

"Yes, she will," declared Roger. "You see, I shall rule her with a rod
of iron, and she'll be so terrified of me, that she won't dare cross my
lightest whim."

They all laughed at this, for Roger had the most easy-going of natures
and had never been known to insist upon his own way.

Patty sat between Van Reypen and Kit Cameron, and opposite her, across
the table, was Bill Farnsworth, next to Daisy Dow.

His careless,