nevertheless, she remained a tantalizingly vivid picture in his
mind. It was extraordinary.

So engrossed was he in his thoughts that he did not notice
Allegheny Briskow until she stood close beside him. Then, indeed, he
experienced a shock, for it was difficult to recognize in this handsome,
modish young woman the awkward, ill-dressed country girl he had seen at
noon. Allie was positively stunning. She was completely transformed from
the soles of her well-shod feet to the tip of her French coiffure, and
what was more astonishing, she had lost much of her self-consciousness and
carried herself with a native grace that became her well.

"Why, _Allie!_" Gray exclaimed. "You're wonderful! Let me see
you." He stood off and gazed at her while she revolved before him.

"Sakes alive! Who'd ever s'pose you'd look like _that!_" the
mother exclaimed.

"Miss Good told me I'd look nice, but I didn't believe her. Do I?"

"You're wonderful, Allie." Gray said it with conviction.

"Honest? You ain't laughin' at me?" The amazon's voice quavered.

"Can't you see? Look at yourself. I'm proud of you."

"I--She said--" Allegheny twisted her hands, she cast an appealing
glance at her mother, but the latter was staring at her in open
amazement, slowly nodding her head and clucking.