sses she stood and stared.

"Why! we're not going to the Opera!" said she.

"We're going to Mr. Dalken's, aren't we?" asked Polly.

"Yes, but Jack won't be there--nor Tom, either," was Eleanor's smooth
reply.

"I hadn't thought of who might be there, I dressed for my old friend, Mr.
Dalken. He is so correct in these matters, so I want to do justice to his
friendship," Polly scored this time.

Eleanor did not wait to be hooked up but rushed back to her own room, and
when Polly met her again, down in the hall, she had changed her gown,
also, and looked very attractive, indeed.

Because of the delay occasioned by Eleanor, the Fabian party was late in
reaching Mr. Dalken's. The other guests were already there, and to
Polly's intense gratification, not only was Jack assisting the host for
the evening, but Tom sat in one corner of the large living room, looking
at a book of snap-shots taken by Mr. Dalken while out in the Rockies. So
engrossed was Tom in the pictures, that he did not lift his head when
new-comers were welcomed.

Polly glanced over at the corner and finding Tom so interested in
mountain charms, while female charms abounded so near him, she felt
peeved and smiled radiantly on Jack. Eleanor saw, and determined that she
would not permit matters to go astray again, as she had taken such
trouble to get Mr. Dalken to plan this impromptu gathering just to give
Polly the opportunity to see both suitors together--to the advancement of
one or the other's interest. Eleanor had no doubt that it would be Tom's
advancement.

So she flirted outrageously with Jack, to the amusement of Mr. Dalken who
understood how matters were with all the young people. Thus Eleanor was
cozily cornered with Jack in the den, doing her utmost to make him forget
Polly for the time being, when the Jap came to the living-room door and
announced a new caller.

CHAPTER XIV

NECESSARY EXPLANATIONS

Eleanor was not to be seen when a young man came in the room and was
joyously welcomed by everyone present. Tom Latimer had disappeared also,
a short time before this, and Polly was sitting in the wide seat built in
the window, staring out over the roofs of the buildings without seeing a
thing.

The delighted exclamations from those in the room, however, drew her
attention, and she was rejoiced to see Paul Stewart shaking hands with
those crowding about him. So Polly left her shadowy retreat and ran over
to welcome him, too.

Paul