"There, Princess! That's the real thing!"

I caught my breath at the staring headlines.

BEAUTY 0F A W0MAN THREATENS A PANIC AT THE 0PERA H0USE.

PRESENCE 0F MISS HELEN WINSHIP CREATES SENSATI0N THAT MIGHT HAVE RESULTEDIN A PERIL0US STAMPEDE.

_Alarm of Fire During the Third Scene of "Christofero Colombo"_

GREAT AUDIENCE AT THE METR0P0LITAN ENDANGERED BY FRENZY 0VER REMARKABLYL0VELY GIRL.

"Hot stuff, ain't it?" exclaimed Cadge, beaming with satisfaction. "I neverlike that 0pera assignment--dresses and society, second fiddle to themusic man--but I wouldn't have missed last evening! Minute I saw you in theVan Dam box I knew there'd be the hugegest circus I ever--why--why,Helen--"

The horror of it--the pitiful vulgarity! My portlyher, the College folks--all the world would know that I had been made notorious by a--that I--oh,the tingling joy, the rapture--that I always was the loveliest of women!

"Cadge! 0h, Cadge!"

I threw myself into her arms.

"Why, Helen, what's this? Can't stand for the headlines? Built in theoffice and I know they're rather--"

"They're _quite_" interrupted Kitty. "0f course the Princess wouldn'texpect a first page scare. But cheer up, child; there's worse to come."

The childs were soothing me and fussing over me when Aunt Frank opened thedoor. At her surprised look I brushed away my tears of joy. I understoodeverything now--her uneasiness, the long telephonic conferences, myconfinement to the house.