gether so long, she led
him down to the grass, and they stood watching the big circle of
couples. It was very simple--far too simple to interest John. A
partnerless young man would dart across the ring, select the partner of
another, and they would merrily trip back to his "home" on the other
side.

Seeing Tilly, a young man unknown to John came and "stole" her and drew
her into the circle.

"Now let the girls steal!" a voice cried out, and several girls sped
across the ring after partners. A lively minx with blue eyes and flowing
golden hair danced up to John. "Come get in with me," she laughed.
"Tilly Whaley hasn't introduced you to any of us. It is a shame. You may
have heard Tilly mention me. I'm Jennie Webster."

"No, I never heard of you before," John said, bluntly, as they settled
into their places in the ring.

Jennie laughed in her small handkerchief. She even bent her golden head
to give vent to her amusement.

"What is the matter?" John demanded, in slow irritation, his eyes on
Tilly, directly opposite with a young farmer whom he had once seen at
the Whaleys'.

"Why, you are as funny as they all say you are," Jennie tittered. "I
heard you were rough and outspoken, but I didn't think you'd admit that
you never heard of _me_ before. Why, sir, I'll have you know that I'm
somebody, _I am_. You may bet your boots. I got the first prize for
butter at the fair last fall and my father got two blue ribbons on a
white pig--one on its neck and the other on its stumpy tail."

John wondered if she was making sport of him, but soon decided that
there was no malice in the twinkling blue eyes.

"There goes Joel Eperson," she said, laying her small hand on John's
arm. "He is not in the game. Watch Tilly-- What did I tell you? I knew
she would steal him. My, my! that couple are a wonder!"

John saw Tilly leaving her partner and crossing the grass to Eperson.
"Come play," he heard her saying. "You've worked long enough for one
evening."

John saw Tilly and Joel find a place opposite him. How his new hopes
drooped at the sheer sight of them!

"You are living in her house; I guess you know about them," ran on
John's companion.

"Know about them--know _what_ about them?" he demanded, all but
fiercely.

"Huh!" ejaculated the girl. "Have you been so busy with your bricks and
mortar that you haven't heard that they have been sweethearts since they
were tiny tots? Why, even my mother and father always inquire, when I