which Loring disappeared, but he was back in a moment. 

 "Thank you!" he cried, bowing low, and waving his arms before him in the manner of an Eastern magician making a salaam. From side to side he turned, bowing and thanking, and then, with a hearty "Good-by to you; good-by to you all!" he stepped back and let down the curtain. 

 For some moments the audience remained in their seats as if they were expecting something more, and then they rose quietly and began to disperse. Most of them were acquainted with one another, and there was a good deal of greeting and talking as they went out of the theatre. 

 When Loring was sure the last person had departed, he turned down the lights, locked the door, and gave the key to the steward of the club. 

 He walked to his home a happy man. His exhibition had been a perfect success, with not a break or a flaw in it from beginning to end. 

 "I feel," thought the young man, as he strode along, "as if I could fly to the top of that steeple, and flap and crow until all the world heard me." 

 That evening, as was his daily custom, Herbert Loring called upon Miss Starr. He found the young lady in the library. 

 "I came in here," she said, "because I have a good deal to talk to you about, and I do not want interruptions." 

 With this arrangement the young man expressed his entire satisfaction, and immediately began to inquire the cause of her absence from his exhibition in the afternoon. 

 "But I was there," said Edith.  "You did not see me, but I was there. Mother had a headache, and I went by myself." 

 "You were there!" exclaimed Loring, almost starting from his chair.  "I don't understand. You were not in your seat." 

 No," answered Edith.  "I was on the very back row of seats. You could not see me, and I did not wish you to see me." 

 "Edith!" exclaimed Loring, rising to his feet and leaning over the library table, which was between them.  "When did you come? How much of the performance did you see?" 

 "I was late," she said.  "I did not arrive until after the fireworks, or whatever they were." 

 For a moment Loring was silent, as if he did not 

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