The scorn of a superior intelligence was haughty in the face of big Maurie. “Thank you,” Jac was saying. “Will you sit down?” “Sure,” said Maurie, and plumped into the chair beside her. “Maybe you ain’t got the next dance taken. Can I have it? Thanks.” He glared his triumph at Carey, who turned away, dark-eyed with envy. The cold glance of Jac cut short Carrigan’s incipient grin. “So-long,” he said, and turned on his heel. He joined Dave Carey. “Fourteen degrees of frost in her smile,” said that worthy, “but I’m bettin’ on a river runnin’ under the ice.” “Are you goin’ to dance?” “Nope. I need a drink. Have one on me?” “I got work ahead,” said Carrigan, and made for Dolly Maxwell. CHAPTER VI. THE GIRL FROM FIFTH AVENUE. “‘So long,’” quoted Jac. “Is that the Western way of saving good-by, Mr. Gordon?” There was a serious question in her eyes. Maurie leaned back and drew a deep breath. “Maybe your friend Carrigan talks that way, an’ I’ve heard some others say the same thing, but it ain’t considered partic’lar choice. Most of us says ‘adios’ or something like that.” “Oh, I thought it was rather queer, but then Mr. Carrigan is”--she paused--“rather queer in lots of ways!” It was plain that she considered him different. The music began. They danced. The rather diffident arm of big Maurie gathered strength and confidence. “You sure c’n throw your feet!” he burst out at length. “You ain’t travelin’ very far behind,” said Jac, amiably. She felt Maurie start. She knew--with a growing coldness of heart--that he was staring down at her face with question. With a great effort she made her eyes rise and rest artlessly upon his. She was hunting her book-vocabulary desperately. “I’ve picked that up from the western vernacular. Mr. Gordon. Does it sound natural?” “It sure does.” The doubt was gone from his face. The triumph reinforced her smile. Dolly Maxwell sailed by in the arms of Carrigan. They were dancing beautifully. “Say,” said Gordon with sudden anxiety. “What was that funny step you done with Carrigan?” “That was the Silvestre Slide, as they call it in New York.” “Oh!” “I invented it and it was picked up all along Fifth Avenue. You’ve no idea how quickly things spread in New York. They named it after me.” In his awe he almost lost step. She enjoyed his consternation for a moment and then in pity spoke: “Shall we try it?” “D’you really think I could get away with it?” “‘Get away with it,’ Mr. Gordon?” “I mean, d’you think I could be taught?” “Oh, yes. It’s this way. It’s a cinch!--as you say out here in the west!” They started the maneuver, but Gordon was afflicted with stage fright. He blundered miserably. A snicker sounded about them, and desire for murder flooded the heart of Jacqueline, for Carrigan and Dolly Maxwell had just executed the step perfectly. She set her teeth and drove ahead. “Mr. Gordon, have you lived all your life in the West?” “Yep. Every day of it!” She sighed.