not care for jewels, but in her heart she
loved them, as every woman does, primitive or civilized, young or
three-score-and-ten. Now she put on what she had. Of late the fairness
of Malise had deepened into abiding beauty, yet to-night it was the
garb she was emphasizing it would seem, and what it stood for, not the
personality.

"You're curious," said Molly. "I would have thought it was a time for
the simplest."

"Should you?" said Alexina.

The evening turned into a really spontaneous little affair. It was the
sort of thing the young people of Aden--dwellers in the various frame
houses about the town, all sojourners from a common cause, somebody's
health--it was the sort of thing these young people got up about every
other night in the year. Two mandolins, a violin, and a harp made
music. A college boy with a cough, and a Mexican bar-keeper played the
mandolins, the local boot and shoe dealer the violin, an Italian the
harp, and the whole called itself a string band.

Charlotte Leroy, in a rejuvenated dress of former splendour, was a
beaming soul of delight. That Alexina, Willy and Celeste had really
seen to everything Charlotte had no idea, for neither had she sat down
that day.

But she beamed now while Molly's low laughter rose softly.

Alexina rearranged lights and adjusted decorations. She went out to
the kitchen and took a reassuring survey. Later, she told the Aden
youths who asked, she didn't believe she meant to dance. They did not
press her; perhaps it was the gown, perhaps it was her manner
preventing. She laughed, as if it mattered! She talked with Mr. Jonas,
but all the time she knew that William Leroy, in his white flannel
clothes, was outside, smoking, on the gallery. After a while she went
out. He was leaning against a pillar, and turned at her step. The
night was flooded as by an ecstasy of moonlight. His eyes swept her
bare shoulders and arms, the shimmering dress, the jewels, then
turning, he looked away.

"Come and dance," said Alexina.

"I don't know how."

"It's your own fault," said the girl as promptly; "you climbed up on
back sheds at dancing school so you wouldn't have to learn."

"It gave me my own satisfaction at the time," said he.

"There's so much that's your own fault," she returned, "and which you
cover up by pretending that you don't like or want. You're as human as
any one else. You make yourself believe you don't want things because
you're stubborn and proud, but you