CHAPTER XVII.

HELEN. The orchestra was tuning up when the little party drifted into the big room. There was a fire on the hearth beneath the tremendous mantelpiece that held the club’s various trophies. Running cedar was twined around the rail of the balcony and little Christmas trees were in the four corners of the room. Holly was everywhere. Nan was before the fire in her flame-colored dress, her hands outstretched to the blaze. “Nan, you look like a perfectly charming Christmas card,” said Dee, “and as long as I am going to p…