ance with him, Bob Riggs caught at the idea.

"Capital!" he cried, "just the thing, Miss Fairfield. Hit of the
evening, I assure you. Come, begin your rehearsal at once."

It was not easy, for the bear costume made its wearer clumsy and he
awkwardly tripped and nearly upset Patty. But she good-naturedly tried
the steps over and over until they began to do better.

"It'll right itself after a few more rehearsals," she said,
encouragingly. "Come over to the Farringtons' mornings, and we'll get
a little extra practice."

Fenn did so, and, as they perfected the dance, all who saw it
prophesied it would be the hit of the whole affair.

And everybody was pleased save and except Ray Rose. She had taken
quietly enough the substitution of Patty for herself as _premiere
danseuse_, and had even said she preferred the part that had been
assigned her. But when the Bear dance began to be talked about with
such enthusiasm, she commenced to find fault.

"How did you happen to worm yourself into my place, Miss Fairfield?"
she said at a rehearsal. "Did you make up this Bear foolery?"

"I'm afraid I did, Miss Rose," returned Patty, smiling. "You've no
criticism to make, have you?"

"None, except that I wanted that part that Mr. Riggs saw fit to give
you, and I'm madder'n hops 'cause I haven't got it."

"Why, I'll give it to you," and Patty smiled at the pouting girl.

"Oh, you can't do that now, it's too late."

"Why didn't you tell me sooner that you wanted it?"

"Never s'posed you'd give it up, or I would have. But I'll get even
with you!"

"Now, don't talk like that, for it wasn't my fault that Mr. Riggs
selected me for the part."

"Well, it was your fault that you took it, and it will be my fault if I
don't make you pay for it!"

"Is this a threat?"

"It most certainly is. What are you going to do about it?"

"Nothing at all,--unless it is carried out. Then I shall defend myself
to the best of my ability. I'm good-natured,--and I am told you
are,--but I've no intention of being annoyed unjustly, and you'll find
that out, Miss Ray Rose! By the way, what a pretty name you have."

"Do you like it? It's really Ramona, but I've always been called Ray.
I like you a lot, Miss Fairfield, and I'd be sorry to annoy you,
but,--well, perhaps because I do like you so much,--I warn you, I'm
going to get ahead of you on this circus program, if I can."

"You're a little goose," said Patty, laughing outright at the