n the crime was to be attempted."

It was one of the grandest children's parties ever given in Damietta.
Little Dolly Willard had mourned her mother's loss as deeply as could any
child, but those of her years soon rally from affliction, and she was
among the happiest of the three-score boys and girls who gathered in the
roomy parlors of the Grandin mansion that beautiful night in October.

The wages which Ben Mayberry received enabled him to dress with excellent
taste, and, poor as he was, there was none of the sons of the wealthiest
merchants in Damietta who was more faultlessly attired that evening.
True, some of them sported handsome gold watches, and one or two
displayed diamonds, of which Ben had none, but otherwise a spectator
would have placed the young telegraphist on the same social footing with
the aristocratic youths around him.

Among the numerous misses present were many dressed with great elegance,
and possessing much personal beauty; but Dolly Willard, by common
consent, surpassed them all in personal loveliness, while the rich and
severe simplicity of her attire showed either the exquisite taste of
herself or of someone who had the care of her.

Among such an assemblage of misses and youths there are as many
heart-burnings as among their elder brothers and sisters. Dolly was
decidedly the belle of the evening. Some of the other girls were so
envious over her superior attractions that they openly sneered at her,
but the aspiring youth were dazzled by the sprightly girl, who attracted
them as though she were a magnet and they had a big supply of steel about
their persons.

When Ben Mayberry entered the parlor a little late, Dolly was standing
among a group of lads who were smiling and bowing, and making desperate
attempts to be funny with a view of drawing her attention especially to
them. It was natural that she should be somewhat coquettish, but the
instant she caught sight of Ben Mayberry she almost ran to him.

"I was afraid you wouldn't come," she exclaimed, taking both his hands in
hers; "and if you hadn't, I never, never, never would have spoken to you
again."

Ben unquestionably was a handsome lad. His bright eyes, his white, even
teeth, his slightly Roman nose, his well-shaped head, his clear, bright
eye, and his rosy cheeks flushed with excitement, rendered him an
attractive figure among the bright faces and well-dressed figures. His
superb physical poise lent a grace to all his movements,