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 left Hart's mind. The girl at his side had not asked him any questions, but had begun a little story of a similar accident she had once seen at a dinner.

"But it was not half so good as this," she added, at which Hart's spirits rose. "You're coming to the dance to-night?" she said.

"Yes, ma'am," Hart answered, "I am."

"Miss Bliss told me you had a dance with her," went on Miss Hollingsworth. "I have just one vacant place."

Something prompted Hart to do the proper thing.

"Won't you give it to me?" he asked.

"Why, certainly," said the girl. "It's the fourth,—now, don't forget, will you?"

The party broke up, and it being too late to go over to the gymnasium, Hart went to his room. Suddenly a peculiar thought came to his mind. He remembered that the young men of the Glee Club troupe had all worn what are termed "swallow-tails" in Oakland. The idea that it should ever be necessary for him to possess such a thing had seemed preposterous. What if it were necessary to appear in one at the sophomore dance. He would have given