So Arlie froze her heart toward the Texan, all the more because he had
touched her girlish imagination to sweet hidden dreams of which her
innocence had been unnecessarily ashamed. He had spoken no love to
her, nor had he implied it exactly. There had been times she had
thought something more than friendship lay under his warm smile. But
now she scourged herself for her folly, believed she had been
unmaidenly, and set her heart to be like flint against him. She had
been ready to give him what he had not wanted. Before she would let
him guess it she would rather die, a thousand times rather, she told
herself passionately.

She presently became aware that attention was being directed toward
her and Jed and somebody who sat on the other side of her. Without
looking round, she mentioned the fact in a low voice to her partner of
the dance just finished. Jed looked up, and for the first time
observed the man behind her. Instantly the gayety was sponged from his
face.

"Who is it?" she asked.

"That man from Texas."

Arlie felt the blood sting her cheeks. The musicians were just
starting a waltz. She leaned slightly toward Jed, and said, in a low
voice:

"Did you ask me to dance this with you?"

He had not, but he did now. He got to his feet, with shining eyes, and
whirled her off. The girl did not look toward the Texan. Nevertheless,