Page:The Winning Touchdown.djvu/235

Rh. "She's one of the best waltzers here. Put me down, Tom."

"All right," and Tom reached in his pocket for the card. It was not there, and a puzzled look came over his face. "Jove, I must have lost it!" he exclaimed blankly, as he looked back over the route he had taken. As he did so he saw Garvey Gerhart approaching, holding out one of the dance orders.

"I think you dropped this," murmured the crony of Langridge. "I just picked it up."

"Thanks—very much," exclaimed Tom, in relief, and taking the card, he had the Jersey twin scribble his name on the only vacant line.

"I put our friend Jerry down for you," he explained to Ruth, as he joined her.

"Thanks," she murmured. "Oh, there's that lovely two-step. I can't dance that enough!" and her little foot tapped the floor impatiently. Tom led her out as the music welled forth.

All too soon it was nearing the end of the little affair, for, though it was not late, the rules of Fairview forbade any extended festivities. Tom, who had been dancing with Miss Harrison, was walking over to claim Ruth for the next number, when he saw Langridge stepping toward her.

"Confound him!" thought Tom, an angry flush mounting to his face, "is he going to speak to her again?"