The midnight supper was served with the same colours and the last half
of the programme was being danced. Never had girl been more complimented
and petted in the same length of time than Edith Carr. Every minute she
seemed to grow more worthy of praise. A partners' dance was called and
the floor was filled with couples waiting for the music. Philip stood
whispering delightful things to Edith facing him. From out of the night,
in at the wide front entrance to the pavilion, there swept in slow
wavering flight a large yellow moth and fluttered toward the centre
cluster of glaring electric lights. Philip Ammon and Edith Carr saw it
at the same instant.
"Why, isn't that----?" she began excitedly.
"It's a Yellow Emperor! This is fate!" cried Philip. "The last one
Elnora needs for her collection. I must have it! Excuse me!"
He ran toward the light. "Hats! Handkerchiefs! Fans! Anything!" he
panted. "Every one hold up something and stop that! It's a moth; I've
got to catch it!"
"It's yellow! He wants it for Edith!" ran in a murmur around the hall.
The girl's face flushed, while she bit her lips in vexation.
Instantly every one began holding up something to keep the moth from
flying back into the night. One fan held straight before it served, and
the moth gently settled on it.
"Hold steady!" cried Philip. "Don't move for your life!" He rushed
toward the moth, made a quick sweep and held it up between his fingers.
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