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those or it was worthless. So Ann sat still, and silent by Dick Holmes’s side while the seventh race was run. She won once more, but somehow the excitement of collecting dividends had lost its savor. She would not see Rodney again this afternoon she felt convinced. And of what use was it to see him? Better try to put all thought of him for ever out of her heart. She had lost interest in the day, and did not even trouble to invest her usual pound on the eighth and last race. But even here her luck held; for the horse which Rodney had tipped finished nowhere. The band played “God Save the King,” and put away their instruments; and the Ralstons and their friends, together with all the race-goers, prepared to make for home.

Ann, busy with her own sad thoughts during the drive home, did not notice that the Ralstons and Nell Brunton were equally disinclined for conversation. But when they put her out at the corner of her own block, her warm little speech of thanks to them for their kindness in taking her seemed to meet with no very enthusiastic reply. As they drove off Ann suddenly realized that her popularity had been exceedingly short-lived. For some reason the Ralstons were not as friendly at the end of the day as they had been at the beginning.

She changed her frock, then made herself a cup of tea, and nibbled a small slice of bread and butter. She had no appetite for dinner, and decided to wait quietly in her room until Dick Holmes arrived.

What was it he wished to say? If gossip concerning