stuff crushes awfully. Do be careful."

"Never mind," Theodora answered, with a lazy disregard of her fluffy sea
of pale green chiffon. "Papa and I shall never be here again just like
this, and I mean to have the good of him."

They lingered there until the concert was over and the tide was turning
towards the Art Gallery. Then she rose reluctantly, and shook out her
gown.

[Illustration: "'GIVE ME MY FAN AND GLOVES, HU,' SHE SAID."]

"Give me my fan and my gloves, Hu," she said. "I must fly to my post.
I'd much rather stay here."

As she turned away, a young man abruptly took leave of two juniors,
and went hurrying after her. He was tall and alert, yet he walked with a
certain stiffness, which gave an almost military erectness to his
carriage.

"The Philistines be upon me, Ted! Do save me!"

She turned back to meet him.

"What is the matter, Billy? I thought you looked content while the
concert was going on."

"Content! I'm distracted. I've been introduced to seven thousand girls.
They all look alike, and I can't tell 'em from those I don't know."

"Smile on them all, Billy. You're equal to it."

"But I don't want 'em. I came here to see you, not Miss Swift of
Chicago."

"You don't appreciate your advantages, Billy," she said, laughing, as
they went together up the steps of the Art Gallery.

"Maybe not. I appreciate you, though, and I sail, in ten days. When
shall you be off duty again?"

She looked down at the throng already streaming up the steps behind
them.

"Come and rescue me at half-past nine, Billy, unless you find Miss Swift
of Chicago a more potent attraction."

"Trust me!" And he vanished.

For more than an hour, the stream of people flowed past her. Everywhere
was the swish of countless gowns, the low murmur of countless voices.
Every one was there, not only the seniors and their friends, but the
girls of the under classes, with here and there a wide-eyed, wondering
sub-freshman. Faculty hobnobbed with sophomores, and the alumnae pervaded
all things and were in their glory. It was a pretty picture, backed as
it was by the dull-hued walls and fine statuary of the gallery; and
Theodora glanced about her in contented pride, to see if any of her
friends were near and enjoying this crowning glory of her Alma Mater.

Ten feet away, Mrs. McAlister was discussing football with the brother
of one of the seniors, a boy too young to have any real share in the
evening's pleasure. Not far off, D