started to leave the room. "But you know the artist soul likes to have
the stage rightly set for an important scene."

"Yes," said Patty, a little puzzled.

"Yes. And your advent at my studio is a most important scene----"

"Why?" asked Patty, bluntly.

"Because you're important. In fact, I may say you're the most
important person I have ever seen."

"Really? But if you say things like that, you'll make me vain."

"You can't well be vainer than you are."

Patty looked up in sudden anger at this speech, but Blaney's eyes were
quietly amused, and his soft voice was so innocent of offence, that
Patty was uncertain what attitude to assume, and to save the necessity
of a reply she ran from the room and upstairs to get ready for the ride.

CHAPTER II

A STUDIO PARTY

As Roger had predicted, the snow departed as quickly as it came, and
two days after their sleigh ride there was scarcely a vestige of white
on the ground. Tennis was again possible and a great game was in
progress on the court at Pine Laurel. Patty and Roger were playing
against Elise and Sam Blaney, and the pairs were well matched.

But the long-contested victory finally went against Patty, and she
laughingly accepted defeat.

"Only because Patty's not quite back on her game yet," Roger defended;
"this child has been on the sick list, you know, Sam, and she isn't up
to her own mark."

"Well, I like that!" cried Patty; "suppose you bear half the blame,
Roger. You see, Mr. Blaney, he is so absorbed in his own Love Game, he
can't play with his old-time skill."

"All right, Patsy, let it go at that. And it's so, too. I suddenly
remembered something Mona told me to tell you, and it affected my
service."

"What is it?" asked Elise. "Anything of importance?"

"Yes; it's this: Mona has decided to sell Red Chimneys, and Philip Van
Reypen thinks it a good plan to buy it for the Children's Home."

"For gracious' sake!" exclaimed Patty. "That _is_ news! Why doesn't
Phil tell me about it?"

"That's just it. He's coming down here tomorrow to talk it over with
you. Mona's coming too, you know, and you can all have a powwow."

"All right," and Patty wagged her head, sagaciously. "It's not a bad
idea at all. I knew Mr. Galbraith was thinking of selling the Spring
Beach place, and it would be a fine house for the kiddies."

"And are you running a Children's Home?" asked Sam Blaney, as they all
strolled back to the house, and paused o