duet.

``Didn't you?'' she murmured abstractedly.
``I supposed _you'd_ sung them before; but you
see I never did--until the other night. There,
let's try this one!''

``This one'' was followed by another and
another. Then Billy drew a long breath.

``There! that must positively be the last,''
she declared reluctantly. ``I'm so hoarse now
I can scarcely croak. You see, I don't pretend
to sing, really.''

``Don't you? You sing far better than some
who do, anyhow,''retorted the man, warmly.

``Thank you,'' smiled Billy; ``that was nice
of you to say so--for my sake--and the others
aren't here to care. But tell me of yourself. I
haven't had a chance to ask you yet; and--I
think you said Mary Jane was going to study for
Grand Opera.''

Arkwright laughed and shrugged his shoulders.

``She is; but, as I told Calderwell, she's quite
likely to bring up in vaudeville.''