"There is no flattery in that remark," answered Billy, with a touch of sharpness. "Why, Billy Little, what do you suppose I meant?" asked Dic. "I know you spoke the truth. She would accept a present from the little old knot, but would refuse it from the straight young tree." "Why, Billy Little, I meant nothing of the sort." "Now, not another word," interrupted Billy. "Give these ribbons to her when you ride home, and tell her the knot sends them to the sweetbrier." Then turning his face to the shelves on the wall, and arranging a few pieces of goods, he hummed under his breath his favorite stanza, "Maxwelton's braes," and paid no further attention to his guest. Rita came out as Dic rode up to the gate. He did not dismount, but handed her the ribbons across the fence, saying: "Billy Little sends you these for to-night. He said they were from the knot to the sweetbrier." The girl's suppressed delight had been troubling her all day. Her first party, her first escort, and that escort Dic! What more could a girl desire? The ribbons were too much. And somebody was almost ready to weep for joy. She opened the little package and her eyes sparkled. When she felt that speech was entirely safe, she said:-- "The little package is as prim and neat as Billy Little himself. Dear, sweet, old Billy Little." Dic, whose heart was painfully inflamed, was almost jealous of Billy, and said:-- "I suppose you would not have accepted them from me?" "Why not?" she responded. "Of course I would." Her eyes grew wide when she looked up to him and continued, "Did you get them for me and tell me that Billy Little sent them?" "No," answered Dic, regretfully, as he began to see possibilities, even on Blue. One possibility, at least, he saw clearly--one that he had lost. "It was more than a possibility," he said to himself, as he rode homeward. "It was a ready-made opportunity, and I did not see it. The sooner I go to New York or some place else and get my eyes opened, the better it will be for me." * * * * * The church social opened with a long, sonorous prayer by the Baptist preacher, Mr. Wetmore. Then followed a psalm, which in turn was followed by a "few words." After the few words, Rev. Wetmore said in soft, conciliatory tones, "Now, brethren, if Deacon Moore will be so kind as to pass the hat, we will receive the offering." Wetmore was not an ordained minister, nor was he recognized by the church to which he claimed to belong. He was one of the many itinerant vagabonds who foisted themselves upon isolated communities solely for the sake of the "offering."