When, after a morning recital by the Musical Club, Miss Bentley was seen
walking down the avenue with Augustus McAllister, society seized upon it
as confirming an interesting rumour. It was absurd, of course. Margaret
Elizabeth did it quite innocently. She really felt the need of exercise
in the open air, and could not very easily dismiss Mr. McAllister, who
had accompanied her aunt and herself to the concert, and who also felt
the need of air.

Did she think of the Candy Man when they passed the Y.M.C.A. corner?
Yes, she did. Though she gave not so much as half a glance in the
direction of the Candy Wagon, she hoped he was not too busy to observe.
It might counteract possible false impressions in the past.

A few days later there appeared in a column of the _Evening Record_,
given up to such matters, an item regarding the soon-to-be-announced
engagement of a certain charming and beautiful girl, only recently a
resident of the city, and a young man of wealth and social position.

It brought Miss Bentley up short. She disliked newspaper gossip
extremely, and an allusion so faintly veiled that everyone must
understand, was under the circumstances most embarrassing, for the truth
was she had not been asked. Her cheeks burned. Yet it was thanks only to
some clever fencing on her part, and perhaps some words of caution to
Augustus from his mentor, that she had not been, and she knew in her
heart it must come soon.

Just when you were having a good time and did not wish to be bothered,
it was tiresome to have to decide momentous questions, she told herself
almost fretfully, as she was borne swiftly and smoothly downtown one