Joe made a mental note of it, but he little realized that he was to hear the name again under rather strange circumstances.
"What's the matter?" asked Mabel, on the way home in the sleigh, drawn by the prancing horses with their jingling bells.
"Why?" parried Joe.
"You are so quiet."
"Well—I didn't count on so much happening to-night."
"You mean about that little pin? I think it's awfully sweet."
"Did you help pick it out?" asked Joe, seeing a chance to turn the conversation.
"Yes. Reggie asked me what I thought would be nice, and I chose that."
"Couldn't have been better," declared Joe, with enthusiasm. "I shall always keep it!"
They rode on, but Joe could not shake off the mood that had seized him. He could not forget the look and words of the man who endeavored to force a quarrel with him—for what object Joe could only guess.