tation came to
an end, but walked home with "Dora" Eweword, laughing and talking in
ostentatious enjoyment; while Ernest and the Grosvenor girl were none
the less entertained.

"'Pon my soul, I couldn't make a speech to save my life," he
reiterated. "My friend only laid you on for a lark, did you not?" he
said, turning to me, whom he gallantly insisted upon supporting on his
arm--that splendid arm in which the muscles could expand till they
were like iron bands.

"Don't you believe him, Miss Grosvenor," I replied; "he's a born
orator, but is unaccountably lazy and vain, and only wants to be
pressed; insist upon his speaking, he's longing to do so." And then
his merry protesting laugh, and the girl's equally happy, rang out on
the crisp starlight air, as they went over and over the same ground.

As we neared Clay's I suggested that he should see Miss Grosvenor
home, while I attached myself to Dawn and "Dora"; and I invited him to
come and sing some songs with us afterwards, for the night was yet
young.

To this he agreed, and supposed to be with the other young couple, I
slipped behind, and could hear their conversation as they progressed.

"You're not struck on that red-headed mug, are you?" said Eweword, for
general though political talk had become, there was still another
branch of politics more vitally interesting to some of the electors.

"I'm not the style to be struck on a fellow that doesn't care for me."

"But he does!"

"Looks like it, doesn't it?" she said sarcastically.

"Yes, it does, or what would he be hanging around here so long for?"

"Perhaps to see Ada Grosvenor; I suppose she'd have him, red hair and
all."

"Pooh! he never goes there; but he comes to your place though, too
deuced often for my pleasure."

"He comes to see the boarder--he's a great friend of hers."

"Humph! that's all in my eye. He'd be a long time coming to see her
if you weren't there, if she was twice as great a friend. What sort of
an old party is she? Must have some means."

"Oh, lovely!"

"I suppose the red-headed mug thinks so too, as she is touting for
him."

"For him and Ada Grosvenor."

"Have it that way if you like it, but you know what I mean all right."

"I don't."

"Oh, don't you! I say, Dawn, just stop out here a moment will you? I
want to tell you something else, I mean."

"Oh, tell it to me some other time," said she, "it's too beastly cold
to stay out another minute. Come and tell it to me wh