t
recognize this person as a guest. If I mistake not, she is one of the
hirelings connected with the plantation."

If a thunderbolt had suddenly exploded beneath Rex's feet he could not
have been more thoroughly astounded.

Daisy uttered a piteous little cry and, like a tender flower cut down
by a sudden, rude blast, would have fallen at his feet had he not
reached out his arm to save her.

"Miss Hurlhurst," cried Rex, in a voice husky with emotion, "I hold
myself responsible for this young lady's presence here. I--"

"Ah!" interrupts Pluma, ironically; "and may I ask by what right you
force one so inferior, and certainly obnoxious, among us?"

Rex Lyon's handsome face was white with rage. "Miss Hurlhurst," he
replied, with stately dignity, "I regret, more than the mere words
express, that my heedlessness has brought upon this little creature at
my side an insult so cruel, so unjust, and so bitter, in simply
granting my request for a waltz--a request very reluctantly granted.
An invited guest among you she may not be; but I most emphatically
defy her inferiority to any lady or gentleman present."

"Rex--Mr. Lyon," says Pluma, icily, "you forget yourself."

He smiled contemptuously. "I do not admit it," he said, hotly. "I have
done that which any gentleman should have done; defended from insult
one of the purest and sweetest of maidens. I will do more--I will
shield her, henceforth and forever, with my very life, if need be. If
I can win her, I shall make Daisy Brooks my wife."

Rex spoke rapidly--vehemently. His chivalrous soul was aroused; he
scarcely heeded the impetuous words that fell from his lips. He could
not endure the thought that innocent, trusting little Daisy should
suffer through any fault of his.

"Come, Daisy," he said, softly, clasping in his own strong white ones
the little fingers clinging so pitifully to his arm, "we will go away
from here at once--our presence longer is probably obnoxious.
Farewell, Miss Hurlhurst."

"Rex," cried Pluma, involuntarily taking a step forward, "you do not,
you can not mean what you say. You will not allow a creature like that
to separate us--you have forgotten, Rex. You said you had something to
tell me. You will not part with me so easily," she cried.

A sudden terror seized her at the thought of losing him. He was her
world. She forgot the guests gathering about her--forgot she was the
wealthy, courted heiress for whose glance or smiles men sued in
vain--