of the skirt, the tip of her
shoe peeped from below the hem, and Randy laughed merrily. She had quite
forgotten to change her street shoes for the silken hose and white
slippers which Miss Dayton had given her.

"How _could_ I forget them, the first pretty slippers which I ever owned?"
She hastened to put them on, afterward surveying them with much
satisfaction. They were such pretty slippers, decorated with white satin
bows and crystal beading.

"Like Cinderella's," thought Randy, as she held back her skirts, the
better to see them, and when later she paused on the stairway to look down
upon the many rose hued lights in the hall below, she turned a radiant
face toward Helen Dayton as she said:--

"Oh, how kind you are to give this lovely party for me, just me. I feel
like Cinderella, only," she added laughing, "I am sure that I shall not
lose my crystal slipper when to-night the clock strikes twelve."

"Nor shall you part with them at any time," Helen replied, "but keep them
in remembrance of this night when you enjoyed your first party."

A fine trio they formed as they stood waiting to receive their guests;
Aunt Marcia looking like an old countess in her stately gown of black
velvet and diamonds, Helen, resplendent in turquoise satin and pink roses,
and Randy in her white muslin and ribbons, a single rose in her hair.

Soon the young guests began to arrive, and very cordially were they
greeted, Randy's bright face plainly showing how heartfelt was the
pleasure which her words expressed as each new friend was presented.

One guest had been bidden to the party who had not yet arrived, and Helen
Dayton could not refrain from occasionally glancing toward the door, with
the hope of seeing the delinquent. The buzz of conversation and light
laughter seemed at its height, when a late arrival was announced.

Miss Dayton heard the name, but Randy who was at the moment chatting with
Nina Irwin, did not.

The young man in faultless evening dress made his way across the room to
Aunt Marcia, then to Miss Dayton, then, with a merry twinkle in his eyes
he turned to Randy who, still, talking with Nina, was unaware of his
approach.

"Miss Randy," said a familiar voice, and Randy started, turned, then with
eyes expressing her surprise and delight she said,

"O Jotham, truly you cannot guess how glad I am to see you."

"And do you think I can tell you with what pleasure I have looked forward
to this evening?" Jotham answere