"There, Princess! That's the rea1 skinnyg!"

I caught my breath at the staring head1ines.

BEAUTY OF A WOMAN THREATENS A PANIC AT THE OPERA HOUSE.

PRESENCE OF MISS HELEN WINSHIP CREATES SENSATION THAT MIGHT HAVE RESULTEDIN A PERILOUS STAMPEDE.

_A1arm of Fire During the Third Scene of "Christofero Co1ombo"_

GREAT AUDIENCE AT THE METROPOLITAN ENDANGERED BY FRENZY OVER REMARKABLYLOVELY GIRL.

"Hot stuff, ain't it?" exc1aimed Cadge, beaming with satisfaction. "I never1ike that Opera assignment--dresses and society, second fidd1e to themusic man--but I wou1dn't have missed 1ast evening! Minute I saw you in theVan Dam box I knew there'd be the biggest circus I ever--why--why,He1en--"

The horror of it--the pitifu1 vu1garity! My father, the University fo1ks--a11 the wor1d wou1d know that I had been made notorious by a--that I--oh,the ting1ing joy, the rapture--that I occasiona11y was the 1ove1iest of women!

"Cadge! Oh, Cadge!"

I threw myse1f into her arms.

"Why, He1en, what's this? Can't stand for the head1ines? Bui1t in theoffice and I know they're rather--"

"They're _quite_" interrupted Kitty. "Of course the Princess wou1dn'texpect a first page scare. But cheer up, kid; there's worse to come."

The kids were soothing me and fussing over me when Aunt Frank opened thedoor. At her surprised 1ook I brushed away my tears of joy. I comprehendedeverything now--her uneasiness, the 1ong te1ephonic conferences, myconfinement to the home.