n one at Niagara Falls that ran backward as well
as forward, and you could never tell when such uncanny things might
shoot off in any direction. The women were more interested in the
rustling silks and veils of the ladies of the party, and formed a
silent and admiring lane for them as they passed to the pine knoll.

As Gilbert walked by Rosalie's side his tumultuous joy gradually became
mingled with other feelings. He wanted, more than anything else in the
world, to get a word with her alone, and Blackburn was walking at her
other side, with a maddening air of proprietorship. He was a genial,
harmless sort of young man, but he was wealthy, and the sight of his
prosperous complacency made the impecunious young doctor long to do him
some bodily injury. And all the while Rosalie laughed and chatted as
though every one in the world was as happy as herself. She went into
fits of merriment over young Blackburn's facetious remarks, for, as
they walked through the crowds, that gentleman was making presumably
witty comments upon all he saw, from Piper Angus down, and Gilbert
wondered drearily if even he, himself, thought he was saying anything
funny.

"I say, Allen!" he cried, "you've got a fine collection for the zoo
here. If Barnum had only lived to see this day! I--oh, I say! Look
there!" He stood still, and gazed ahead of him in genuine admiration.
"Say, there's somebody that doesn't look as if she belonged to this
menagerie. The Queen of Sheba, all right. Who is her royal highness?
Know her, Allen?"

Gilbert looked in the same direction, and became possessed of an
unreasoning anger. Elsie Cameron was standing by her brother's side,
under a spreading pine. Her trim, dark-green dress and hat, the soft
rose-leaf tints of her face, and the rich bronze gold of her hair, made
a picture so perfect that he might easily have excused the stranger's
outburst. But he longed, more than ever, to knock him down.

"Yes," he answered shortly, "I know her."

"You do! Oh, come, now! You've simply got to introduce us. Hasn't
he, Mrs. Windale? Do make him."

"I should like to meet the young lady," said Rosalie's aunt graciously.
"She is very beautiful. Don't you think so, Rose?"

"Oh, yes, I suppose so, rather," said Rosalie dryly. "But it's the
piper I want to meet."

"Mrs. Windale and I will go up to the throne and present ourselves, if
you don't, Allen," Blackburn cried.

"Dr. Allen," exclaimed Rosalie's sister,