she's ready."

Tryon bowed himself away, and after a number of gentlemen and a few
ladies had paid their respects to the Queen of Love and Beauty, and
received an introduction to her, Warwick signaled to the servant who
had his carriage in charge, and was soon driving homeward with his
sister. No one of the party noticed a young negro, with a handkerchief
bound around his head, who followed them until the carriage turned into
the gate and swept up the wide drive that led to Warwick's doorstep.

"Well, Rena," said Warwick, when they found themselves alone, "you have
arrived. Your debut into society is a little more spectacular than I
should have wished, but we must rise to the occasion and make the most
of it. You are winning the first fruits of your opportunity. You are
the most envied woman in Clarence at this particular moment, and,
unless I am mistaken, will be the most admired at the ball to-night."

VI

THE QUEEN OF LOVE AND BEAUTY

Shortly after luncheon, Rena had a visitor in the person of Mrs.
Newberry, a vivacious young widow of the town, who proffered her
services to instruct Rena in the etiquette of the annual ball.

"Now, my dear," said Mrs. Newberry, "the first thing to do is to get
your coronation robe ready. It simply means a gown with a long train.
You have a lovely white waist. Get right into my buggy, and we'll go
down town to get the cloth, take it over to Mrs. Marshall's, and have
her run you up a skirt this afternoon."

Rena placed herself unreservedly in the hands of Mrs. Newberry, who
introduced her to the best dressmaker of the town, a woman of much
experience in such affairs, who improvised during the afternoon a gown
suited to the occasion. Mrs. Marshall had made more than a dozen ball
dresses during the preceding month; being a wise woman and
understanding her business thoroughly, she had made each one of them so
that with a few additional touches it might serve for the Queen of Love
and Beauty. This was her first direct order for the specific garment.

Tryon escorted Rena to the ball, which was held in the principal public
hall of the town, and attended by all the best people. The champion
still wore the costume of the morning, in place of evening dress, save
that long stockings and dancing-pumps had taken the place of
riding-boots. Rena went through the ordeal very creditably. Her shyness
was palpable, but it was saved from awkwardness by her native grace and
good sense