For a moment Thornton wondered when he received the invitation, and then he decided that "Grace Darling" must have induced Miss Lee to offer it.
Tom little dreamed of the surprising events that were to take place before the evening was passed.
CHAPTER XVI.
ANOTHER CHALLENGE.
Thornton found Merriwell, Diamond, Rattleton and Browning were among Winnie Lee's guests. This he had expected, however, and he was resolved to notice them as little as possible.
Willis Paulding was there, and Tad Horner came later, much to Tom's surprise, as he had not known Tad had been invited.
There were a number of jolly girls, and Thornton was not long in looking around for Grace Darling.
When Tom finally discovered her, to his disgust, she was chatting with Jack Diamond in a cozy corner, which was almost shut off from the rest of the room by portières.