have torn off the dress at the thought.

Being in a circle of her best friends, which to her meant her keenest
rivals and harshest critics, she grew rigid with anger. Her breath hurt
her paining chest. No one thought to speak to the musicians, and seeing
the floor filled, they began the waltz. Only part of the guests could
see what had happened, and at once the others formed and commenced to
dance. Gay couples came whirling past her.

Edith Carr grew very white as she stood alone. Her lips turned pale,
while her dark eyes flamed with anger. She stood perfectly still where
Philip had left her, and the approaching men guided their partners
around her, while the girls, looking back, could be seen making
exclamations of surprise.

The idolized only daughter of the Carr family hoped that she would drop
dead from mortification, but nothing happened. She was too perverse
to step aside and say that she was waiting for Philip. Then came Tom
Levering dancing with Polly Ammon. Being in the scales with the Ammon
family, Tom scented trouble from afar, so he whispered to Polly: "Edith
is standing in the middle of the floor, and she's awful mad about
something."

"That won't hurt her," laughed Polly. "It's an old pose of hers. She
knows she looks superb when she is angry, so she keeps herself furious
half the time on purpose."

"She looks like the mischief!" answered Tom. "Hadn't we better steer
over and wait with her? She's the ugliest sight I ever saw!"

"Why, Tom!" cried Polly. "Stop, quickly!"

They hurried to Edith.

"Come dear," said Polly. "We are going to wait with you until Phil
returns. Let's go after a drink. I am so thirsty!"

"Yes, do!" begged Tom, offering his arm. "Let's get out of here until
Phil comes."

There was the opportunity to laugh and walk away, but Edith Carr would
not accept it.

"My betrothed left me here," she said. "Here I shall remain until he
returns for me, and then--he will be my betrothed no longer!"

Polly grasped Edith's arm.

"Oh, Edith!" she implored. "Don't make a scene here, and to-night.
Edith, this has been the loveliest dance ever given at the club house.
Every one is saying so. Edith! Darling, do come! Phil will be back in
a second. He can explain! It's only a breath since I saw him go out. I
thought he had returned."

As Polly panted these disjointed ejaculations, Tom Levering began to
grow angry on her account.

"He has been gone just long enough to show every one of