yone does," agreed Phil.

"Are you awfully anxious that we should dance this next waltz?" she
asked, suddenly changing the subject.

"Why?" asked Phil, a little crestfallen.

"I should like to have a little stroll in the fresh air, if you don't
mind. It is dreadfully warm in here and I have been dancing
continuously. Do you mind?"

"Not at all!" said Phil.

He helped her with her cloak. She put her arm through his and they
went out into the open air together.

It was eleven o'clock. The street lights went out suddenly, leaving
everything in inky blackness.

It was a night with a shudder in it.

Eileen clung tightly to Phil's arm as they strolled leisurely along,
leaving the lights of the dance-hall and the noise behind them, and
going down the main avenue in the direction that led to the Okanagan
Lake.

"Do you know, Mr. Ralston," remarked Eileen suddenly, during a lull in
what had been a desultory, flippant, bantering sort of conversation,
"I can't explain how it is and I know it is ridiculous on the face of
it; but sometimes I have the feeling that I have met you before."

Phil felt a tightening in his jaws, and he was grateful for the
darkness.

"Do you ever feel that way about people?"

"Oh, yes,--occasionally,--with some people!" Phil stammered. "I feel
that way with Jim Langford all the time."

"But I can't ever have met you before you came to Vernock?"

"No,--oh no! I am quite sure of that," said Phil.

"Haven't you ever been here before?"

"No,--never!" Phil had to say it.

"You've never seen me in Vancouver for instance,--or in Victoria?"

"No,--I can't remember ever having seen you till I came up here. Of
course, I was only a short time in Vancouver before coming to
Vernock," he hedged.

"Then your home isn't in the West?"

"No,--it is away back in a town in Ontario."

"Mr. Brenchfield is an Ontario man," put in Eileen innocently.

"Is he?" returned Phil, on guard.

"But it is the funniest thing, Mr. Ralston," she reverted, "sometimes
it is your voice; while in the hall to-night it seemed to be your eyes
that reminded me of someone I had known before. A trick of the mind, I
daresay!"

"Just a trick of the mind!" agreed Phil, "unless maybe you believe in
the transmigration of souls."

Eileen shivered suddenly.

"Guess we'd better get back," said Phil, "for the air is chilly."

They turned and sauntered toward the town.

"Are you waiting until the end of the dance, Mr. Ralst