I've just had a telegram from one of the men I'd depended on that he's met with an accident and can't come, and what to do I didn't know. I was on my way out into the highways and hedges to compel someone to come in to make even couples, and who should I happen on but you?"

She had gushed on, giving no space for greeting, and she smiled into Keith Morrell's face, utterly ignoring Daphne Deane.

"Why, it's Evelyn Avery, isn't it?" he said politely, lifting his hat, searching out a possible classmate from a face almost utterly changed by blush and lipstick and absence of eyebrows. "You know I've been away so long I'm afraid to make any rash statements, lest I might mistake a granddaughter for her grandmother. You certainly look young enough to be your own granddaughter."

"Well, now, I like that!" pouted the young woman. "You always did say things no one could quite understand, and left a person in doubt as to whether you meant a compliment or a slam."

"I assure you I was complimenting you," smiled the young man. "You know Miss Deane, don't you? Daphne Deane? She's another classmate. Since you're still living here I suppose you see her often."

The Avery girl thus adjured turned a cold stare on Daphne.

"Really?" she said with an almost insolent inflection. "Daphne Deane? It seems as though I remembered hearing that name before. You aren't that child that crashed into our class a little while before commencement and tried to grab all the honors, are you?" she asked with a disagreeable lift of her chin, measuring Daphne with a cold, appraising look.

Daphne grinned.

"That's my description exactly!" she said as if she enjoyed it. "I didn't think you'd remember me!"

Evelyn took the parry contemptuously.

"There are some things one can't forget even if one tries," she laughed, and then turning to the young man: "Honestly, Keith, I never was more in need of a friend than I am now, and I beg you will get in and go home with me at once."

Keith answered a little haughtily.

"I'm sorry. I'm meeting my agent who is supposed to arrive very soon now, and then I must hurry away and catch my train to New York."

"Agent?" said Evelyn. "What for? You aren't going to sell the house, are you? I hope that doesn't mean you are leaving town permanently, does it?"

"I am not just sure," answered Keith coldly. "The agent wrote he had a possible purchaser, or tenant. I have not decided what the outcome will be."

By his side Daphne caught her breath and put her hand up to her throat with a little quick movement and then down again. He felt the gesture rather than saw it, and he turned and looked at her.

"Should you care?" he asked.

But it was Evelyn who answered.

"Care?" said Evelyn. "I don't know that I should. This isn't such a desirable site anymore, and you could probably build something more up to date over near the park, say on Latches Lane or along Winding Way. There are some lovely sites over that way, quite near the golf course. But you certainly ought not to leave town. We've missed you terribly since you went away. However, I can't stay here and gossip. I've got to get back to my highways and hedges. Come, get in, and I'll take you to wherever you have to go, and then you'll have to come home with me to my dinner party. Come on, be a good sport! You can't do any business in New York until Monday, and I'll guarantee to get you to the midnight train if you'll stay and help me out."

Keith cast a worried look at his watch.

"If you'll just drop me at the corner of Maple Street, I'll be grateful," he said. "I'm late for my appointment already!"

Then he turned suddenly back to Daphne.

"I'll be seeing you," he said in a low tone. "I'd like your answer to that question."

Then, just as he was getting into the car there loomed a stalwart youth beside him with a white sweater tied across his shoulders and a mop of crisp bronze curls over a pair of keen hazel eyes.

"Oh, hello!" said Keith Morrell putting out a quick hand and grasping the big strong hand of the pitcher. "Congratulations! That was a good game! I enjoyed it, and you had the star part. You certainly have grown out of all recognition since I saw you last, but I hope I have another chance soon to watch you pitch. Some college is going to be proud of you soon, I can see."

"No chance!" said the youth, frowning almost haughtily. "I'm going to work!"

"Say, that's an idea!" said Morrell looking at him with interest.