t and Gertrude
respectively under their accustomed protection.

"I wanted to talk to you, Gertrude," Jimmie said reproachfully as she
slipped away from his ingratiating hand on her arm.

"I thought I should take you home to-night, Margaret," David said;
"you never gave me the slip before."

"The old order changeth," Gertrude replied lightly to them both, as
she preceded Margaret into the luxurious interior.

"It's Eleanor," Gertrude announced as the big car swung into Fifth
Avenue.

"Which is Eleanor?" Margaret cried hysterically.

"What do you mean?" Beulah asked.

"Jimmie or David--or--or both are going to marry Eleanor. Didn't you
see their faces when Beulah spoke of her?"

"David wants to marry Eleanor," Margaret said quietly. "I've known it
all winter--without realizing what it was I knew."

"Well, who is Jimmy going to marry then?" Beulah inquired.

"Who is Peter going to marry for that matter?" Gertrude cut in. "Oh!
it doesn't make any difference,--we're losing them just the same."

"Not necessarily," Beulah said. "No matter what combinations come
about, we shall still have an indestructible friendship."

"Indestructible friendship--shucks," Gertrude cried. "The boys are
going to be married--married--married! Marriage is the one thing that
indestructible friendships don't survive--except as ghosts."

"It should be Peter who is going to marry Eleanor," Margaret said.
"It's Peter who has always loved her best. It's Peter she cares for."

"As a friend," Beulah said, "as her dearest friend."

"Not as a friend," Margaret answered softly, "she loves him. She has
always loved him. It comes early sometimes."

"I don't believe it. I simply don't believe it."

"I believe it," Gertrude said. "I hadn't thought of it before. Of
course, it must be Peter who is going to marry her."

"If it isn't we've succeeded in working out a rather tragic
experiment," Margaret said, "haven't we?"

"Life is a tragic experiment for any woman," Gertrude said
sententiously.

"Peter doesn't intend to marry Eleanor," Beulah persisted. "I happen
to know."

"Do you happen to know who he is going to marry?"

"Yes, I do know, but I--I can't tell you yet."

"Whoever it is, it's a mistake," Margaret said. "It's our little
Eleanor he wants. I suppose he doesn't realize it himself yet, and
when he does it will be too late. He's probably gone and tied himself
up with somebody entirely unsuitable, hasn't he, Beulah?"

"I don't