of its first tinseled Christmas tree; to have that ecstacy
spoiled, to see the girl's tenderest sensibilities wounded by a
haughty clerk, enraged the man who played Santa Claus. Abruptly he
resumed charge of the Briskow purchases, and it gave him a pang to
note how Allegheny ran to him with her hurt, as it were.

But matters did not progress as well as he had expected. Allie's
disappointment at the death of her dream she hid under an
assumption of indifference; she merely pawed over the pretty
things shown her and pretended to ignore the ridicule she and her
mother excited. But her face was stony, her eyes were hopeless,
miserable.

For once in his life Calvin Gray was at a loss, and knowledge of
that fact caused him to chew savagely at his cigar. To his bewildered
companions he remained enthusiastic, effervescent, but behind their
backs he glowered at the well-groomed customers and cursed the
snickering models who paraded their wares. Engaged thus, he became
aware of a stranger who looked on at the pitiful little comedy without
amusement. She was a pretty thing. Gray stared at her openly and his
scowl vanished. When she moved away, he made a sudden decision, excused
himself, and followed her.

He was gratified at the manner in which she accepted his
breathless apology for speaking to her, at the poise with which
she listened while he made himself and his companions known to her
and explained the plight in which he found himself.

"You can save the reason of a distracted man and add to the
happiness of two poor, bewildered women, if you will," he