But there was no one standing near except the good-looking young fellow with the little pointed brown beard, who, as Billy noticed a second time, was wearing a white carnation.
As she glanced toward him, their eyes met.

Then, to Billy's unbounded amazement, the man advanced with uplifted hat.
"I beg your pardon, but is not this--Miss Neilson ?" Billy drew back with just a touch of hauteur.
"Y-yes," she murmured.
"I thought so--yet I was expecting to see you with Aunt Hannah.

I am M.
J.Arkwright, Miss Neilson." For a brief instant Billy stared dazedly.
"You don't mean--Mary Jane ?" she gasped.
"I'm afraid I do." His lips twitched.
"But I thought--we were expecting--" She stopped helplessly.

For one more brief instant she stared; then, suddenly, a swift change came to her face.

Her eyes danced.
"Oh--oh!" she chuckled.