er to
go with us, and she's coming early, in time for dinner, at seven."

"I thought you'd make a team," replied Banks, delighted. "And I'm glad you
asked her, my, yes. It would have been lonesome sitting by ourselves
'mongst the empty chairs."

They were walking towards the elevator, and Daniels, who had learned from
the clerk that the important looking stranger who had seemed so interested
in Banks' information, was the head of the new coal commission, going
north for investigation, stopped the prospector to say good-by.

"I want to thank you for that interview, Mr. Banks," he said frankly.
"I've learned more about Alaska from you in fifteen minutes than I had put
together in five years."

"You are welcome, so's you get it in straight. But,"--and the little man
drew himself proudly erect,--"I want to make you acquainted with Mrs.
Banks, Mr. Daniels."

"I am awfully glad to meet you, Mrs. Banks," said Jimmie cordially,
offering his hand. "I understand you are from Hesperides Vale, and I grew
up over there in the Columbia desert. It's almost like seeing friends from
home."

"Likely," Banks began, but his glance moved from the reporter to his wife
and he repeated less certainly, "likely we could get him to take one of
those chairs off our hands."

Annabel's humor rose to her eyes. "He's hired a box for Carmen to-night;
they were out of seats in the divans, and it worries him because our party
is so small."

"I'd be delighted, only,"--Jimmie paused, flushing and looking intently
inside his hat--"the fact is, I am going to take the Society Editor on my
paper. We have miserable seats, the first row in the orchestra was the
best they could do for us, and she has to write up the gowns. She's an
awfully nice girl, and she has a little trick of keeping her copy out of
sight, so the people in the house never would catch on; would you think me
very bold,"--and with this he looked up directly at Annabel--"if I asked
you to give that place in your box to her?"

He was graciously assured it would make Mr. Banks "easy" if they both
joined the party, and Annabel suggested that he bring the Society Editor
to dinner, "so as to get acquainted" before the opera. All of which was
speedily arranged by telephone. Miss Atkins accepted with pleasure.

The dinner was a complete success; so complete that the orchestra was
concluding the overture when they arrived at the theater. A little flurry
ran through the body of the house when