of beans."

Polly stared freezingly at Tom, but he was completely mesmerized with the
romantic picture he was presenting, and so he continued oblivious of his
companion's expression.

"We'll send Baxter flying, after this, and help poor Paul to hold his
place with Nolla. I'll wire Paul to fix it so he can come East for
Christmas, and surprise Nolla. Then we'll all announce a double
engagement, eh?" Tom turned to watch Polly's face as she surely must
second his plan, but he changed his mind when he saw her frown. "As
usual, Tom, you're much too late in your brilliant ideas. Others are
ahead of you. Paul has been here tonight and gone again, and Nolla will
never have any engagement to announce--if she waits for Paul's
declaration.

"As for _me_! My announcements are being engraved now."

Tom caught his breath in consternation at this news. "Your announcements,
Polly! _Oh_, and you jilted me, after all!"

Polly enjoyed turning the knife in the wound, because she felt so
wretched herself for having ruined Eleanor's happiness.

"I could not jilt anyone who never proposed, could I? I have maintained
for a long time, and everyone who knows me is aware of it, too--that I am
engaged to my profession and I have ordered my announcements to that
effect. I propose sending out my business cards the first week of
January!"

The relief to Tom was so great that he sighed aloud: "Oh, thank heavens
for that!"

"I knew you would be glad, Tom; so you see you are sensible after all,
and can thank heaven that you had no cause to be jilted!" laughed Polly,
maliciously, but she felt no satisfaction in this outcome of her
understanding with Tom.

CHAPTER XV

MUTUAL CONSOLATION

It was at this point in Polly's independent speech that the door opened
and Mr. Dalken came in with his two repentant lovers. Tom saw that the
clouds had been dispersed and now there seemed to be a clear sky for
Paul. But he was curious to hear what had happened during the short time
he had been smoking that cigarette.

Polly also saw Paul return with Nolla, and when she saw the happy smiles
on both faces, she groaned, and turned to go to the library where, so
little time before, the tragic lover had escaped with a determination to
never look at another girl as long as he lived--excepting his mother.

Tom followed Mr. Dalken to the dining-room to learn the particulars about
the two individuals who had meekly followed the host back to the
apartme