an't I see you?" he asked.

"I'm sorry----"

"The deuce!"

"I'm expecting some people, Jim. It's your own fault; I didn't expect
a tete-a-tete with you this evening."

"Is it a party you're giving?"

"Two or three people. But my place is full of flowers and as pretty as
a garden. Too bad you can't see it."

"Couldn't I come to your garden-party?" he asked humbly.

"You mean just to see my garden for a moment?"

"Yes; let me come around for a moment, anyway--if you're dressed. Are
you?"

"Certainly I'm dressed. Did you think it was to be a garden-of-Eden
party?"

Her gay, mischievous laughter came distinctly to him over the wire.
Then her mood changed abruptly:

"You funny boy," she said, "don't you understand that I want you to
come?"

"You enchanting girl!" he exclaimed. "Do you really mean it?"

"Of course! And if you come at once we'll have nearly an hour together
before anybody arrives."

She had that sweet, unguarded way with her at moments, and it always
sent a faint shock of surprise and delight through him.

* * * * *

Her smiling maid admitted him and took his hat, coat and stick as
though accustomed to these particular articles.

Palla was alone in the living-room when he was announced, and as soon
as the maid disappeared she gave him both hands in swift welcome--an
impulsive, unconsidered greeting entirely new to them both.

"You didn't mind my tormenting you. Did you, Jim? I was so happy that
you did call me up, after all. Because you know you _did_ tell me
yesterday that you were going to the opera to-night. But all the
same, when the 'phone rang, somehow I knew it was you--I knew
it--somehow----"

She loosened one hand from his and swung him with the other toward the
piano: "Do you like my flower garden? Isn't the room attractive?"

"Charming," he said. "And you are distractingly pretty to-night!"

"In this dull, black gown? But, _merci_, anyway! See how effective
your roses are!--the ones you sent yesterday and the day before!
They're all opening. And I went out and bought a lot more, and all
that fluffy green camouflage----"

She withdrew her other hand from his without embarrassment and went
over to rearrange a sheaf of deep red carnations, spreading the
clustered stems to wider circumference.

"What is this party you're giving, anyway?" he asked, following her
across the room and leaning beside her on the piano, where she still
r