wears that die-away expression I have so often noticed. I've half a mind
to swear I'll never dance again."

But Mark was too fond of dancing to quit it at once, and finding Helen
still indifferent, he yielded to circumstances, and the last she saw of
him, as at a comparatively early hour she left the gay scene, he was
dancing again with Juno, whose face beamed with a triumphant look, as if
she in some way guessed the aching heart her rival carried home. It was
a heavy blow to Helen, for she had become greatly interested in Mark
Ray, whose attentions had made her stay in New York so pleasant. But
these were over now--at least the excitement they brought was over, and
Helen, as she sat in her dressing-room at home, and thought of the
future as well as the past, felt stealing over her a sense of desolation
and loneliness such as she had experienced but once before, and that on
the night when leaning from her window at the farmhouse where Mark Ray
was stopping she had shuddered and shrank from living all her days among
the rugged hills of Silverton. New York had opened an entirely new world
to her, showing her much that was vain and frivolous, with much too,
that was desirable and good; and if there had crept into her heart the
vague thought that a life with such people as Mrs. Banker and those who
frequented her house would be preferable to a life in Silverton, where
only Morris understood her, it was but the natural result of daily
intercourse with one who had studied to please and interest as Mark Ray
had done. But Helen had too much good sense and strength of will long to
indulge in what she would have called "love-sick regrets" in others, and
she began to devise the best course for her to adopt hereafter,
concluding finally to treat him much as she had done, lest he should
suspect how deeply she had been wounded. Now that she knew of his
engagement, it would be an easy matter, she thought, so to demean
herself as neither to annoy Juno nor really to vex him. Thoroughly now
she understood why Juno Cameron had seemed to dislike her so much.

"It is natural," she said, "and yet I honestly believe I like her better
for knowing what I do. There must be some good beneath that proud
exterior, or Mark would never seek her."

Still, look at it from any point she chose, it seemed a strange,
unsuitable match, and Helen's heart ached sadly as she finally retired
to rest, thinking what might have been had Juno Cameron found some o