take the empty places,
from the head table, vanquished, came Cousin Jim and his partner. Jim
now played opposite her, and laughed over his "dumbness" at the game.

"I feel sorry for you!" he told Missy. "I'm a regular dub at this game!"

"I guess I'm a 'dub' too." It was impossible not to smile back at that
engaging flash of white teeth in the dark face.

This time, however, neither of them proved "dubs." Together they
"progressed" to the next higher table. Cousin Jim assured her it was all
due to her skill. She almost thought that, perhaps, she was skillful at
"hearts," and for the first time she liked the silly game.

Eventually came time for the prizes--and then dancing. Dancing Missy
liked tremendously. Raymond claimed her for the first waltz. Missy
wondered, a little wistfully, whether now he mightn't be regretting
that pre-engagement, whether he wouldn't rather dance it with the
languishing-eyed girl he was following about.

But as soon as the violin and piano, back near the library window, began
to play, Raymond came straight to Missy and made his charming bow. They
danced through the two parlours and then out to the porch and round its
full length; the music carried beautifully through the open windows; it
was heavenly dancing outdoors like that. Too soon it was over.

"Will you excuse me?" Raymond asked in his polite way. "Mother wants to
see me about something. I hate to run away, but--"

Scarcely had he gone when Mrs. Allen, with Jim in tow, came hurrying up.

"Oh, Missy! I've been looking for you everywhere. Kitty's awfully sick.
She was helping with the refreshments and got hold of some pickles. And
on top of all that candy--"

"Oh!" commiserated Missy.

"I've got to get her home at once," Mrs. Allen went on. "I hate to take
you away just when your good time's beginning, but--"

"Why does she have to go?" Jim broke in. "I can take you and Kitty home,
and then come back, and take her home after the party's over." He gave a
little laugh. "You see that gives me an excuse to see the party through
myself!"

Mrs. Allen eyed Missy a little dubiously.

"Oh, Mrs. Allen, couldn't I?"

"I don't know--I said I'd bring you home myself."

"Oh, Mrs. Allen! Please!" Missy's eyes pleaded even more than her voice.

"Well, I don't see why not," decided Kitty's mother, anxious to return
to her own daughter. "Jim will take good care of you, and Mrs. Bonner
will send you all home early."

When Mrs. Allen, ac