want the man in the moon, after you've tried and failed to
get his earthly brethren, for all I know!"

"Eve, you are actually absurd!" cried Bess, sharply. "This is merely a
slight favor we wish you to do."

"If you warn her not to do a thing, that is just what she will set her
heart upon doing," said Gertie, significantly.

By this time Eve's curiosity was well up.

"You may as well tell me anyhow," she said; "for if you don't, and I
ever find out what it is, I'll do my very worst, because you kept it
from me."

"Well," said Gertie, eagerly, "we want you to promise us not to give
Daisy Brooks an introduction to Rex Lyon."

A defiant look stole over Eve's mischievous face.

"If he asks me, I'm to turn and walk off, or I'm to say, 'No, sir, I
am under strict orders from my marriageable sisters not to.' Is that
what you mean?"

"Eve," they both cried in chorus, "don't be unsisterly; don't put a
stumbling-block in our path; rather remove it!"

"I shall not bind myself to such a promise!" cried Eve. "You are
trying to spoil my pet scheme. I believe you two are actually witches
and guessed it. What put it into your heads that I had any such
intentions anyhow?"

"Then you were actually thinking of going against our interest in that
way," cried Gertie, white to the very lips, "you insolent little
minx!"

"I don't choose to remain in such polite society," said Eve, with a
mocking courtesy, skipping toward the door. "I may take a notion to
write a little note to Mr. Rex, inviting him over here to see our
household fairy, just as the spirit moves me."

This was really more than Gertie's warm, southern temper could bear.
She actually flew at the offending Eve in her rage; but Eve was nimble
of foot and disappeared up the stairway, three steps at a bound.

"What a vixen our Gertie is growing to be!" she cried, pantingly, as
she reached the top step.

She saw a light in Daisy's room, and tapped quietly on the door.

"Is that you, Eve?" cried a smothered voice from the pillows.

"Yes," replied Eve; "I'd like very much to come in. May I?"

For answer, Daisy opened the door, but Eve stood quite still on the
threshold.

"What's the matter, Daisy, have you been crying?" she demanded. "Why,
your eyelids are red and swollen, and your eyes glow like the stars.
Has Gertie or Bess said anything cross to you?" she inquired,
smoothing back the soft golden curls that clustered round the white
brow.

"No," said Daisy, c