person,
richly but unostentatiously gowned. Don't you agree with me?"

Without pausing for an answer, he wheeled upon the daughter and drew
her into the range of a pier glass. "Now close your eyes and keep them
closed." Around Allie's hips he flung the scarf, drew it snug and
smooth, then knotted it. Next he snatched the length of chiffon and
bound it about her head. His touch was deft and certain; a moment and
it had been fashioned to suit him. Then he stood back and eyed the
_tout ensemble._

"Gorgeous!" he cried, genuinely enthusiastic. "That was the touch. I
defy any costumer to better it. Open your eyes, oh, gypsy princess! And
what do you see?"

"It--it sort of makes a difference, doesn't it?" Allie said. "'A
_difference'!_" Gray flung aloft his hands in exaggerated despair.
"Heaven help me! I am inspired; I have a flash of genius, a divine
impulse, and with a magic pass I work a miracle. I transform you from
something somber, dark, morose, into a creature of life, of passion, of
allurement." He groaned. "And you stand there like a stalagmite. Why,
girl, _look_ at yourself!"

"Darned if she don't look like a pitcher I seen som'er's--on an
almanac," Gus declared.

"Aha! A man with a soul! A human being who sees beauty where I see it.
An artist with my fire!" Gray burst into infectious laughter, and the
others joined him.

This proved to be an evening when people really did turn their heads as
the Briskows were shown to their table, but for once Allie suffered no
embarrassment, for she felt sure they were looking at Calvin Gray, and
in the shining glory of his presence she knew that she and her parents
were invisible.

It was the sort of situation in which Gray appeared to best advantage,
so he talked incessantly during the meal, and in a key that kept his
companions unconscious of their surroundings. On their way out they
passed the entrance to the ballroom and paused to look in. The beat of
the music swayed Allie unconsciously; then, before she knew it, Gray's
arm was around her waist and he was guiding her out upon the floor.

"Oh, n-no!" she gasped. She stumbled, but he drew her closer, saying:

"I'm proud of you, and I want you to show these people that you dance
even better than you ride."

Allie rose to the challenge.

About midnight Calvin Gray strolled outdoors for a breath of fresh air
before retiring. He glowed with the consciousness of a worthy deed well
done. He had come to the Notch exp