As Susan, the thing would have been impossible; as Susie, it seemed the most natural thing in the world. Burgess was backing down the steps. Every instant reduced the possibility of retreat; but the fact was, that she exulted in her sin. She was an impostor and she rejoiced shamelessly in being an impostor. And yet it did not seem altogether square to accept Mr. Burgess’s invitation to dinner when it would undoubtedly involve him in difficulties with his wife, whom she had never seen in her life. Burgess paused and wheeled round abruptly. Her Susiness experienced a shock--the incident, in her hasty conjecture, was already closed--for he said: “By-the-way, what is your name anyhow?” “Susie,” she said, lifting her chin Susily. Mr. Burgess laughed, as though it were perfectly obvious that she was a Susie--as though any one at a glance ought to know that this young person in the white flannel skirt and blue shirt-waist was a Susie, ordained to be so called from the very first hour of creation. “Just for fun, what’s the rest of it?” he asked. “Parker, please. I’m not even a poor relation of the Logans.” “I didn’t suppose you were; quite and distinctly not!” he declared as though the Logans were wholly obnoxious. “I never saw you before in my life--did I?” “Never,” said Susie, giving him the benefit of her blue eyes. Burgess rubbed his ear reflectively. “I think I’m in for a row,” he remarked in an agreeable tone, as though rows of the sort he had in mind were not distasteful to him. “Of course,” said Susie with an air of making concessions, “if you really didn’t mean to ask me to dinner, or have changed your mind now that you find I’m a stranger and a person your wife would never invite to her house, we’ll call the party off.” “Heavens, no! You can’t send regrets to a dinner at the last minute. And if you don’t show up I’m going to be in mighty bad. You see----” He gazed at Susie with the keen scrutiny he reserved for customers when they asked to have their lines of credit extended, and he carefully weighed the moral risk. “We seem to be on amazingly intimate terms, considering our short acquaintance. There’s something about you that inspires confidence.” “I’m much uplifted by this tribute,” said Susie with a Susesque touch that escaped her so naturally, so easily, that she marveled at herself. Burgess smiled broadly. “I’m afraid,” he remarked, “that you don’t quite fill the bill; but you’ll do--you’ve got to do!” He handed her the telegram he had retained in his hand and watched her face as she read: P. is greatly taken with Floy, and we must give her every chance. Pick up an uninteresting young man and one of the least attractive of the older girls for dinner tonight. This is important Make no mistake. “Those are my instructions. Can you ever forgive me?” “With my hair brushed straight back, they say I’m quite homely,” observed Susie sighing.