man seated in a box
beside an elderly man whom he recognized as Peter C. Frome. From that
instant he was lost to all sense perception that did not focus upon her.
For he was looking at the dryad who had come upon him out of the ferns
three years before. She would never know it, but Alice Frome had saved
him from the weakness that might have destroyed him. From that day he
had been a total abstainer. Now as he looked at her the vivid irregular
beauty of the girl flowed through him like music. Her charm for him lay
deeper than the golden gleams of imprisoned sunlight woven in her hair,
than the gallant poise of the little head above the slender figure.
Though these set his heart beating wildly, a sure instinct told him of
the fine and exquisite spirit that found its home in her body.

She was leaning forward in her chair, her eyes fixed on James almost as
if she were fascinated by his oratory. Her father watched her, a trifle
amused at her eagerness. In her admiration she was frank as a boy. When
Farnum's last period was rounded out and he made to leave the stage her
gloved hands beat together in excited applause.

After the ceremonies were over James came straight to her. Jeff missed
no detail of their meeting. The young lawyer was swimming on a tide
of triumph, but it was easy to see that Alice Frome's approval was
the thing he most desired. His cousin had never seen him so gay, so
handsome, so altogether irresistible. For the first time a little spasm
of envy shot through Jeff, That the girl liked James was plain enough.
How could any girl help liking him?

The orator was so much the center of attention that Jeff postponed his
congratulations till evening. He called on his cousin after midnight
at his rooms. James had just returned from a class banquet where he had
been the toastmaster. He was still riding the big wave.

"It's been a great day for me, Jeff," he broke out after his cousin had
congratulated him. "I've earned it, too. For seven years I've worked
toward this day as a climax. Did you see me talking to P. C. Frome and
his daughter? I'm going to be accepted socially in the best houses of
the city. I'll make them all open to me."

"I don't doubt it."

"And the best of it is that I've made my own success."

"Yes, you've worked hard," Jeff admitted with a little gleam of humor
in his eyes. He would not remind his cousin that he had lent him most of
the money to see him through law school.

"Oh, worked!"