down at the end of one of the dances, when he
overheard these words, which he knew referred to him. Dolly had excused
herself for a few minutes, and he was alone, sniffing at a fragrant
bouquet which he was protecting from all damage for her benefit.

He knew, further, that the remark was intended for his ears, but he
affected not to know it, while he furtively glanced behind him. There
stood Master Rutherford Richmond, with three or four lads. They were all
jealous of Ben, and were discussing his merits for his own especial
benefit.

"I understand he gets fifty cents a week for his work," observed another,
making sure his voice was elevated enough to be heard half across the
room, "which is a big sum for him."

"I don't understand why Miss Jennie" (referring to Jennie Grandin, who
gave the party) "allows such cattle here," struck in a third, in the same
off-hand manner.

Rutherford Richmond took upon himself to give the reason.

"It was all on account of Dolly. You know she is kind-hearted, and I
understand this booby went to her and begged that she would give him a
chance to see how a party of high-toned people looked. She couldn't very
well refuse, and now she is trotting him around for the rest of us to
laugh at."

Ben Mayberry's cheeks burned, for none of these words escaped him. He
would have given a good deal to have been outside alone for a few minutes
with Master Rutherford Richmond. But he could not call him to account
under the circumstances, and he still sniffed at the bouquet in his hand,
and affected to be very much interested in the action of a couple of
misses on the opposite side of the room.

"If Miss Jennie permits anything of this kind again," volunteered
Rutherford, "it will cause trouble. A good many will want to know, before
they allow their children to come, whether they are liable to meet the
telegraph office boy and the great ball player here; if there's danger
they will stay at home."

"I think the scum of society should be kept in its place," observed
another, scarcely less bitter than young Richmond in his jealousy of the
lad who claimed so much of the attention of the little belle of the
evening.

This kind of talk was going on when, to Ben's great relief, Dolly came
tripping to him. He added gall to the cup of the envious youths by
rising, giving her his arm, and then glancing triumphantly back at them,
as he escorted her to the dining room.

They knew the meaning of the glan