at it looked like an exhibit at a county fair,
but Gwynne, never having attended a county fair, was proud of his
handiwork and thought the effect an improvement upon the average
ballroom. The day before the party Tom Colton and Hyliard Wheaton rode
out to Lumalitas and demanded of Gwynne if he intended to wear a
"claw-hammer." Colton was averse on principle from being too "swagger";
and they finally compromised on what the Americans called their
"Tuxedos," and Gwynne his "smoker." Anabel Colton, Dolly Boutts, and
Serena Wheaton, after half a day's telephoning, decided to "wear their
necks," and their hostess agreed to keep them in countenance. Every team
in Rosewater was bespoken for the distinguished occasion, and the
reports of the weather bureau were consulted daily. But the rains held
off and the night of the party was brilliant with starlight, and not too
cold.

Gwynne, who had no intention of receiving with Isabel, and learning from
Colton that everybody would have arrived before nine o'clock, did not
make his appearance until ten. He found the big room full of young and
elderly people, even the latter chattering with an extraordinary
animation, induced no doubt by the surprises that had greeted them; they
had forgotten the existence of the old bar-room. From the dancers Gwynne
received a general impression of pink cheeks, fluffy hair, delicate
features, gay simple gowns, the usual lack of background; a curious
transientness, as if they had been born for the night like summer moths.
The men for the most part made a good appearance, the more favored
looking college-bred and irreproachable. Hyliard Wheaton, who was really
handsome, with his broad shoulders and cool smooth well-cut face, wore
an orchid in his button-hole and was devoting himself to Isabel.

The hostess wore a gown of black chiffon trimmed with pale blue that
looked simple and was not. Her neck and arms were bare, and Gwynne
noticed at once that she had another little black mole where the bodice
slipped from her shoulder. She reproached the guest of honor for being
late.

"You will dance this waltz with me," she commanded, royally; "and then I
will introduce you to the prettiest of the girls."

For the first time in his life Gwynne felt self-conscious in putting his
arm about a woman's waist for the waltz. He had seen Isabel in full
evening dress many a time in England, in rubber boots to her hips, in
divided skirt astride her horse, in overalls a