I wouldn't slight that splendid girl.

She's a whole lot to me, Danny boy, both for her own sake and Dick Prescott's." Even the short stroll, however, between Belle Meade's home and Laura's, was bound to bring Dave Darrin again into the unwished-for limelight.
He and Belle had turned into Main Street together, and were walking along, chatting, when Belle's eyes flashed suddenly.
"There's that horrid wretch Ardmore," she murmured in an undertone.
"Don't believe I know him," Darrin returned.
"Then you haven't been deprived of much," replied Belle, in a tone that was very nearly bitter.

"I've been meaning to tell you about him, Dave, but other matters have been cropping up and it has escaped me until now." "What's wrong with Ardmore ?" asked Dave.
"He's posing as an admirer of mine." "I can't quarrel with his taste," smiled Darrin.
"But he annoys me." "Has he dared to do that ?" demanded Dave, a quick flash in his eyes.
"Not in any way that it would be easy to resent," Belle assured him.
"Who is this fellow Ardmore ?" "He appears to be a gentleman--at least in his ordinary conduct," Belle Meade answered.

"He moved here last spring with his parents.

The father is a retired lawyer, and wealthy.