“When I have a graceful partner,” responded Fred. “That was too short. May I have another?” He felt his face flushing at his boldness.
“Yes, of course,” returned Alta; “if I can give you pleasure, I’d like to, for it’s my turn to pay up, you know.”
“I’m afraid you’ll leave me in debt,” said Fred.
“Oh, you can soon pay it,” said Alta, laughingly. “Just help me to land old Solomon next time.”
“Good! You can do it too.” Fred glowed with the anticipation of the fun. “Come any time and let me help you.” Then he added modestly, “But I mustn’t be selfish of your time to-night. Thank you ever so much for the dance.”
“It was my pleasure, too,” said Alta with a winsome smile. She turned to talk with the girls about her. As she did so, she caught a flash from Dick’s eyes. He turned his head as their glances met; but she had read the meaning of the angry look, and it suddenly came to her that she had offended her partner.
Alta was ready to make amends, for she liked Dick and had no thought of hurting his feelings; but he was in no mood to make up. He acted independently, flirted with the other girls all the evening. Alta was independent herself and she almost decided not to allow him to accompany her home, but she would not permit herself to pay such respect to his smartness, so she simply gave no further heed to his actions. This hurt him worst of all; and he had hard work to conceal his feelings as they rode away toward the ranch in the moonlight after the ball.
When the dance broke up, with its babble and chatter of hearty voices, rattling of rigs, and galloping hoof-beats, Fred found Chief nervous to be off. He mounted the high-spirited horse, and catching up with Pat and Jim, burst with them into a madcap chase across the flat toward home. A mile or so of this exciting sport and they slowed down to a canter, jollying one another over the night’s doings.
“Bloomin’ surprise party ye are, Tiddy,” said Pat, “a regular step dancer.”
“Yes,” put in Jim, “and as full of spice about swingin’ the girls as any of us.”