ou like to assist during the evening at a new entertainment
at Ashton? A couple of gentlemen are getting up an entertainment for
the benefit of the ladies and gentlemen and they wish the aid of a real
nice young man, to show the folks to their seats and make them
comfortable, and all that. And maybe they'll want you to sing--just to
help things along, you know."

"Oh, is that it?" and the dudish student's face brightened. On several
occasions he had assisted at charity bazaars and the like, and had been
in his element among the well-dressed girls and their mothers.

"I think you would just fill the bill, Willie," went on Tom. "You are
the best looking fellow here, and of course we know nobody dresses
quite as well as you do."

"Oh, yes, of course--it's very kind to mention that, Tom," and William
Philander commenced to swell up with pride. "Yes, I do try to keep up
with the fashions. But about this entertainment. Who is getting it up
and what benefit is it for?"

"Two gentlemen named Carr and Beckwith are getting it up. I don't know
about the benefit. You can find out about that from them. But it's a
splendid chance to show what you can do. You know all about showing
folks to seats, and all that, don't you?"

"Why, yes, of course."

"And you could sing, eh?"

"Well,--ah--I might render that spring song--'Come Where the Flowers
are Blooming, Dearest Mary.'"

"Just the cheese--I mean it would be fine, Tubby. They'd all go wild
about that song. It's the same one you sang for the Prince of Moneco,
isn't it?--or was it the Duke of Twisters?"

"I--er--I never sang for those folks, Tom--I sang it at the Ladies Aid
of the Golden Hope Society, and at the Quarterly Gathering of the
Poladic Society."

"Yes, yes, I remember now. Well, you are just the one to fill the
bill, Bill, yes, you are."

"Please don't call me Bill, it's horrid. But where shall I find out
about this--er--entertainment?"

"At Carter's new drug-store. The gentlemen are to be there Saturday
afternoon, to make all arrangements. You go by all means--I know they
will be delighted to have your assistance."

"This isn't a--er--a joke, Tom?" asked William Philander, suspiciously.

"They want somebody, I tell you, honest. Don't they, Jepson?" went on
Tom, turning to a lad who had been to Ashton with him.

"They sure do," answered Jepson, and then turned away to hide the broad
grin on his face.

"How long is the entertainment to la