ty from the city, was by far the handsomest
one in the group; and when he guided Polly through the maze of dancers,
they both attracted much attention.

Tom stood and sulked while he watched Polly dance, but he refused to
dance himself, although he was considered a most desirable partner by any
one who had ever danced with him. Eleanor was having such a thoroughly
good time while dancing with Paul, that she forgot about the romances and
lovers' quarrels of others.

The moment Kenneth escorted Polly to a chair and stood fanning her, Tom
pushed a way over to them and said, quite assuredly: "The next dance is
mine, Polly."

"Why, I never told you so, at all!" exclaimed Polly, annoyed at Tom's
tone and manner. "How do you know there will be another one?"

Tom flushed and sent Kenneth an angry glance, although poor Ken was
innocent of any guile in this case.

"If you do not care to dance with me, Polly, say so, and I'll go to the
smoking-room and enjoy the companionship of men who appreciate me,"
retorted Tom, impatiently.

The imp of resistance took instant possession of Polly, and she said:
"Tom, there's where you belong--with men who want to talk about work and
money. You are too old to enjoy youthful follies as I do."

Tom had been dreaming of this meeting with Polly again, for so long, that
now everything seemed shattered for him. He felt so injured at her
mention of his age in comparison with her own, that he said nothing more,
but turned on his heel and marched away without a backward glance. His
very foot-falls spoke of his feelings.

Polly turned to Kenneth and resumed her laughing banter, and he thought
she was glad to rid herself of Tom's company. He felt puzzled, too,
because Tom Latimer, in _his_ estimation, was everything noble and manly.
But Kenneth was inexperienced with girls' subtleties. Had Eleanor been
present she would have understood perfectly how matters were.

After this incident, Polly danced every dance with a gayety of manner
that she did not truly feel. Some of the joy of that party was lacking,
but she would not question the cause of it.

Tom went directly to the smoking-room where he sat down to brood over his
misery. He never filled his pipe, but sat lost in thought until a
friendly voice at his elbow said: "Well, old pard! Anne says you are to
come with me. She has a word to say. She is a wizard, too, so you'd best
obey without question."

Tom looked up and saw John. "Can Anne hel