over her wrinkled forehead, she
declared emphatically that she would gladly swap all her purchases at
this moment for a tub of hot water.

"Where is Allie?" Gray inquired.

"Lord knows! She's som'eres around bein' worked over by a couple of
women. Gettin' her hair washed an' her finger nails cured an' I dunno
what not. Mercy me! The things Miss Good had 'em do to her! An' the
money we've spent! Allie's gone hog wild." The complaint ended in a
stifled moan induced perhaps by some darting pain, then without further
ado Ma Briskow unbuttoned one shoe and removed it. "Whew!" She leaned
back in her chair, wiggled her stockinged toes, and feebly fanned
herself. "But wait till you see her. I can't scarcely reco'nize my own
flesh an' blood. I never seen such a change in a human person."

Gray pretended to listen as the good woman babbled on, but he was
thinking about the girl who had disappeared. He was surprised at the
keenness of his chagrin. He had seen Miss Good but a short time, and
she had made no effort whatever to excite his interest; nevertheless,
she remained a tantalizingly vivid picture in his mind. It was
extraordinary.

So engrossed was he in his thoughts that he did not notice Allegheny
Briskow until she stood close beside him. Then, indeed, he experienced
a shock, for it was difficult to recognize in this handsome, modish
young woman the awkward, ill-dressed country girl he had seen at noon.
Allie was positively stunning. She was completely transformed from the
soles of her well-shod feet to the tip of her French coiffure, and what
was more astonishing, she had lost much of her self-consciousness and
carried herself with a native grace that became her well.

"Why, _Allie!_" Gray exclaimed. "You're wonderful! Let me see you." He
stood off and gazed at her while she revolved before him.

"Sakes alive! Who'd ever s'pose you'd look like _that!_" the mother
exclaimed.

"Miss Good told me I'd look nice, but I didn't believe her. Do I?"

"You're wonderful, Allie." Gray said it with conviction.

"Honest? You ain't laughin' at me?" The amazon's voice quavered.

"Can't you see? Look at yourself. I'm proud of you."

"I--She said--" Allegheny twisted her hands, she cast an appealing
glance at her mother, but the latter was staring at her in open
amazement, slowly nodding her head and clucking.

"Tse! Tse! Tse!" It was an approving cluck, and it had a peculiar
effect upon the girl. Allegheny's tears started, s