I--I could n't take my payment in money!" She eyed him quickly and saw the smile on his lips.

From the platform the caller voiced another entreaty: "One more cou-ple! Ain't there no lady an' gent that's goin' to fill out this here dance?
One more couple--one more couple!" Fairchild's hand was still extended.

Again Anita Richmond glanced toward the door, chuckled to herself while Fairchild watched the dimples that the merriment caused, and then--Fairchild forgot the fact that he was wearing hobnailed shoes and that his clothes were worn and old.

He was going forward to take his place on the dance floor, and she was beside him! Some way, as through a haze, he saw her.

Some way he realized that now and then his hand touched hers, and that once, as they whirled about the room, in obedience to the monarch on the fiddler's rostrum, his arm was about her waist, and her head touching his shoulder.