's case with Polly, and
advising him in regard to Tom. I know Jack is not seriously in love with
Polly, but he fancies himself so, because Polly is so attractive and
indifferent to him. As Jack has always been flattered and made love to by
society girls, this unexpected attitude of Polly's piqued the boy. I did
my best tonight, to show all three of these silly young things where they
stood in this serious matter. And _to think_, I got myself in hot water
for trying to help my friends!" Eleanor unexpectedly broke out in sobs
and leaned her head against Mr. Dalken's shoulder.

Paul began to accuse himself for being a brute, and Mr. Dalken patted
Eleanor's head and said comfortingly: "Never mind, Nolla dear. You'll
learn by bitter experience that the more one interferes in these love
tangles for the sake of helping friends out of their troubles, the more
our friends detest us and we end in falling into snares ourselves."

"Um--don't I know it now!" wept Eleanor, in a muffled voice, because her
mouth was hard against her comforter's coat.

Paul stood uncertain of what to say or do. He shifted his weight from one
foot to the other, and glanced around, but always brought his wandering
eyes back to Eleanor's shaking form.

An interruption, in shape of the entrance of some merry tenants of
another apartment, suddenly caused Mr. Dalken to lift Eleanor's head and
hurry her, with Paul, into the reception room at one end of the main
hall. Here they sat down to have an understanding.

When the facts were fully revealed, Paul was as grateful to Mr. Dalken
for restraining him in his plans to run away, as Eleanor was for his
hasty removal of her from upstairs, to the hall downstairs. And poor Mr.
Dalken was _most_ grateful to find he had made peace between two
disturbed young hearts. He got up and said: "Let's hope you won't curse
me in the future, for this reconciliation. And for goodness' sake! Let me
get upstairs to my guests, and help Taki serve refreshments, or the
oysters will be ruined with stewing, while the wonderful French patties I
got from Del's, will be cold and clammy."

Eleanor laughed, and beckoned Paul to come up again. So the grinning
elevator man carried them up and very considerately accepted the tip Paul
slipped into his palm as he stepped from the lift.

The Japanese butler had not waited for Mr. Dalken, however, and was
passing the famous patties and sandwiches when the three absent members
of the party en