ed back but for the
thought of Jim. He kept on, still somewhat indeterminately. When he
got near to Miss Pederstone, she looked up almost in surprise, but
the smile she bestowed on him was ample repayment for his daring.
It was the dancing waters of the Kalamalka Lake under a sunburst.

She held out her hand.

"Good evening, Mr. Ralston! Everybody seems to be here to-night."

"Of course,--isn't this _your_ night?" Phil ventured.

She beckoned him to sit down by her side.

"It isn't _my_ night," she answered; "it is my daddy's."

"You must be very happy at his wonderful victory."

"Yes,--I am very happy, just for father's sake, he was so set on it
toward the finish. He is just like a boy who has won a hard race. And
now he is being buttonholed by everybody. I shall never have him all
to myself any more."

The dancers were already on the floor and gliding away.

"May I have this dance?" asked Phil.

"With pleasure!" she answered. And his heart raced on again, in
overwhelming delight. "But first, let us sit just for a moment or so.

"Is Jim Langford with you to-night?" she asked.

"Yes,--he is over there by the door."

"He is a great boy, Jim," she said. "Everybody likes him, and yet he
is so terribly foolish at times to his own interests. He doesn't seem
to care anything for money, position or material progress. And he is
so clever; he could accomplish anything almost, if he set his mind to
it. And,--and he is always a gentleman."

"Yes! Jim's pure gold right through," Phil answered with enthusiasm.

"Mr. Ralston, I think you are the only man he has ever been known
really to chum with. And he doesn't dance," she added.

"So he tells me."

"Sometimes I fancy he _can_ dance, but refuses to admit it for some
particular reason of his own. He looks like a dancer."

"Quite possible!" Phil returned. "I never thought of it in that
light."

"He does not seem to hanker after a lady's company very much. He is
most at home with the men folks."

"He told me, only a few minutes ago, that he was not a lady's man."

"Ah, but he is!" she differed. "It is true he does not show any
inclination for the company of young ladies, but he is very much a
lady's man all the same. There isn't a young lady in this hall but
would be proud to have the honour of Jim Langford's company and
companionship at any time. He is of that deep, mercurial disposition
that attracts women. It is good for Jim Langford that he does not know