ul returned to Denver and Tom accepted his verdict that Polly
would give no valuable thought to lovers for the next two years, the two
young decorators took time to encourage their younger partners in the
work they had chosen.

Ruth and Dodo were not as deeply in earnest as Polly and Eleanor had been
in applying themselves to the studies given at Cooper Union; they
considered themselves martyrs to the cause of womanly work. Mr. Fabian
often sighed in despair over Dodo's ideals in ancient architecture, or
Ruth's recitations of applied designs. Polly and Eleanor laughed at these
trials of teacher and student and kept urging both sides not to lose
faith but to keep on until they won the prize.

Meanwhile, the two advanced students visited every exhibit or lecture
given on their beloved work, and thus acquired more of the idealistic
experiences in art. For business application of their understanding of
decorating, Mrs. Courtney supplied one channel of such testing; and Mr.
Dalken offered another outlet for their wisdom, for he had decided to
erect a magnificent office building on upper Fifth Avenue, and keep the
entire top floor as a private apartment for himself.

The girls had many interesting mornings in Mrs. Courtney's home,
listening to her accounts of trips to every country in quest of curios
and antiques. Her residence was filled with the results of her travels,
and her memory teemed with thrilling stories of adventure for the rare
and beautiful trophies she secured.

"There is still one interesting spot on this globe which I am keen to
visit, but I have never had the opportunity to go as I wish to go," said
Mrs. Courtney, one day, after she had been showing the two girls the
collection of Filipino curios she got during a six months' stay at the
Philippines.

"I should have said there was no spot where you have not been," laughed
Eleanor.

"But there is, and that is the South Sea Isles. I have----"

"Where?" gasped both the girls, unconsciously interrupting the speaker.

Mrs. Courtney laughed. "Yes, the South Sea Isles. Do not think them so
cannibalistic as report has it, my dears. I know an American who has
lived there more than twenty years and he says that for climate and
interesting life, give him the South Sea Islands. He almost persuaded me
to take the trip when he was here last."

"Is he an old friend?" asked Polly.

"No; he is a man I used to commission to find certain curios for me. He
tells me t