e a gathering at our place
next Tuesday night. Will you attend? May I come and fetch you?"

"Yes, do, I'd love to be there. Gracious, here comes Mona. I must be
with the others."

Patty hurried across the room to stand with the bridal attendants, and,
looking very handsome in her travelling costume, Mona bade them
good-bye. There was no mad scramble as the bride and groom departed,
but flower petals and confetti were showered on them, which they
good-naturedly allowed.

"Come along, my lady," said Roger, at last, as Mona delayed to talk to
the girls.

And then they went away, and some of the guests stayed to dance a
little longer.

"Come, Patty," said Van Reypen, as the orchestra struck up, "this is
our dance."

Patty assented, and they went gliding over the perfect floor.

Philip said nothing while they danced, and Patty, too, was silent.
This was unusual, for Patty generally chattered as she danced.

"Tired, dear?" said Philip, at last.

"A little. It has been a long evening."

"And a strenuous one. I saw you were getting weary as you stood in
that line of receiving so long. Come, let us sit down."

Philip guided her to a pleasant settee, screened by tall palms, and
seated himself beside her.

"Poor little girl," he said, "you're all done up. You must go home
soon, Patty. You can't dance any more tonight."

"Oh, yes, I can. I'm not really tired. It's more excitement and----"

"And nerves. I know,--Mona getting married means a lot to you. You're
very intimate friends, aren't you?"

"Yes; and as she has no mother, Nan and I have tried to do all we could
for her, but she is so capable, we couldn't do much, after all."

"No; I suppose not. Patty, why did she give you her bouquet? I
thought brides threw them, and any one caught them that could."

"They do, usually."

"Well, then, why didn't Mona?"

"Oh, because,--oh, I don't know."

"You do know, Patty. Was it because she thinks you will be the next
bride of your set? Because she thinks you will marry--me?"

Phil's eyes were radiant, and his voice trembled as he whispered, "And
will you, dear? Will you, my little Patty? You promised, you know, to
tell me tonight. So, tell me,--and tell me,--yes."

Patty sat up very straight and looked at him. "Philip," she said, and
her voice was serious; "if I have to decide now, it will be No. I did
say I'd tell you tonight, and I meant to, but I'm all tired and
bothered, and if I'm not