ing
logs and flickering blaze made all the light that was needed save for
a pair of tall cathedral candles in their antique standards.

"What a duck of a house!" exclaimed Patty, as she came down the broad
staircase, her soft, rose-coloured chiffon gown shimmering in the
firelight. She cuddled up in a corner near the fire, and Hal Ferris
brought a cushion to put behind her.

"It ought to be a rose-coloured one," he said, apologetically; "but I
didn't see one handy to grab, and really this old blue isn't half bad
for a background."

"Much obliged for your kind colour-scheme," said Patty, smiling at
him, "and I'll have one lump, please, and a bit of lemon."

Big Mr. Ferris proved himself tactful as well as kind, for he divided
his attentions impartially among the four ladies.

"A little shy of men; aren't we, Adele?" he said to his sister. "Even
Jim seems to have disappeared. Not that I mind being the only pebble
on the beach,--far from it,--but I'm afraid I can't prove entertaining
enough for four."

"You're doing nobly so far," said Patty, cuddling into her cushion,
for she loved luxurious warmth, like a kitten.

"Two more men are coming to dinner, girls," said their hostess; "and
to-morrow, you know, we'll have two more house-party guests. Don't
worry, Chub, you shan't be overworked, I promise you."

After a pleasant tea hour, the girls went again to their rooms,
ostensibly to rest before dinner, but really to have what Patty called
a kimono party.

All in their pretty negligees, they gathered in Adele's room and
talked as rapidly and interruptingly as any four girls can.

"Do you hear from Bill Farnsworth often?" asked Daisy of Patty,
_apropos_ of nothing but her own curiosity.

"Not often, Daisy," returned Patty, of no mind to pursue the subject.

"But don't you ever hear from him?" persisted the other.

"Oh, sometimes," said Patty, carelessly. "He sent me flowers for my
coming-out party."

"I hear from Bill sometimes," said Adele. "I asked him to come to
this party, but he couldn't possibly leave just now. He's awfully
busy."

"What's he doing?" asked Mona.

"I don't know exactly," answered Adele. "Jim can tell you, but it has
something to do with prospecting of mines. Say, girls, do you want to
see the baby before she's put to bed?"

Of course they did, and they all trooped into the nursery to admire
the tiny mite of humanity, who looked a picture, with her tumbled
curls and her laughing face