iley tipped back his head at that, laughing softly. "I guess your silent
partner is going to be the power behind the throne, all right."

Madame nodded, with the humor still lingering in her brown eyes. "But it
was good advice. I sold a gown like this to my first customer this
morning. And she had only come in to see millinery; she hadn't meant to
look at gowns. But she liked this one the moment she saw it."

"Is that so? Well, I don't wonder. It certainly looks great--on you."

Madame flushed and turned her face to look off through the plate glass
door. "Why," she exclaimed, "you didn't tell me your new automobile had
come." She moved a few steps, sweeping the car with admiring eyes. "Isn't
it luxurious though, and smart? But you deserve it; you deserve everything
that's coming to you now, staying here, sticking it out as you have in the
heat and sand. I often thought of it summer days while I was over on the
Sound."

"You did?" questioned Bailey in pleased surprise. "Well, I am glad to know
that. I wonder whether you ever thought over the time we tramped the
railroad ties up to Leavenworth to that little dance?"

"Often," she responded quickly. "And how we came back in the Oleson wagon,
riding behind with our heels hanging over, and the dust settling like
powder on our party clothes. But I had the loveliest time. It was the
starriest night, with moonlight coming home, and I danced every number."

"Seven times with me," returned the mayor.

"I wanted to learn the two-step," she explained hastily.

"And I wanted to teach you," he laughed. "But say, how would you like to
take a little spin up the Leavenworth road this evening, in the new car?"

"Oh, that would be delightful." Madame Lucile glowed. "With a party?" she
asked.

"Well, I thought of asking Daniels and his wife to go with us. I am on the
way to the station now, to meet them. And Mrs. Weatherbee and Miss
Morganstein are due on the same train. I promised Mr. Banks I would take
them out to the Orchards in the machine; but we are to motor around to the
new bungalow first, to leave the bride and Jimmie and have luncheon."

"I know. Mrs. Banks is going to have the table in that wide veranda
looking down the river. I would like to be there when they find out that
dear little bungalow is their wedding present. It was perfectly lovely of
Mrs. Banks to think of it; and of you to give them that beautiful lot on
the point. You can see Hesperides Vale for miles a