Page:The Rival Pitchers.djvu/216

204 "Greedy boy! I'm afraid you're too late. You may look," and she held out her card.

Tom, with regret, saw that it contained the initials "F. L." in many places. There was only one two-step vacant.

"Some one else has been greedy, too," he said as he filled in the space.

"Let me see," she demanded, and she made a little pout. "How dare he think I'm going to give all those to him!" she exclaimed. "Here, Tom, let me have your pencil. I never can write with the ridiculous affairs they attach to dance programs."

She used the lead vigorously on the card and then let Tom see it again. His name was in three places, and, to his surprise, on the last waltz he saw that the girl had written his initials under those of Langridge.

"What does that mean?" he asked.

"It means that I'm going to share the last dance with you," she almost whispered, "in memory of old times," and she nodded. "Don't forget now," and she shook her finger at him.

"As if I would!" exclaimed Tom.

The music began a march as the opening of the dance and the couples took their places, Langridge coming up almost on the run to claim Miss Tyler. He looked sharply at Tom.

"How are you, dominie?" he asked with a nod,