“I’ll look out for number one—­never you fear; but”—­with a wise nod—­“you just keep your eyes peeled about your own affairs.  Ta-ta!” and, with a wave of her hand, the girl hurried away, merrily whistling a popular air as she went.

“I wonder if those girls are planning some practical joke upon me for Tuesday evening!” Katherine said to herself, as she went on up to her room.

Taking what Jennie had told her in connection with what she herself had seen and heard, she was inclined to think that there might be “something brewing”; but, as there appeared to be no way to solve the mystery, she wisely decided not to dwell upon it, although she determined that she would be on the qui vive and not caught napping.

Tuesday evening came.  The league convened at the usual hour, and that something of more than wonted interest was anticipated was evinced by the fact that every member of the club was promptly on hand, while curious glances were bent, and comments made, upon a curtain which had been stretched across one end of the room.

After the meeting was formally opened the president stated that, before the reading and discussion of the paper, there would be a short entertainment, which had been specially prepared for the occasion.

This announcement met with vigorous applause, and an air of eager interest at once pervaded the audience.

Miss Walton waited patiently until quiet was restored, then resumed: 

“First I will read an original conundrum which is propounded by one of our members, and which you are requested to solve.”

Everyone was at once on the alert.

“My first,” read the chairman, “is a state of oblivion.

“My second is what comes to all things mundane.

“My third appertains to articulation, to a form of surgery, and to a profession.

“My fourth is applied to certain theories and fanatical tenets.

“My whole is a term employed to designate a certain form of philosophy which is also often misconstrued and misapplied.”

As Miss Walton was about to lay down her paper she was asked to read the conundrum again, which she did, while pencils were busy taking notes; then she observed: 

“Before the answer is called for we are to have a charade, which has also been prepared by a member of our club, after which you will please give your solutions before Miss Minturn reads her paper.”

A bell now tinkled faintly, and the mysterious curtain was raised, revealing a prettily furnished room and, conspicuous in a reclining chair, there lay a young lady apparently asleep, while two others, wearing black dominoes and lace masks, attempted to arouse her, Their efforts proved ineffectual, however, although she was pinched, shaken, commanded to awake, and even made to stand upon her feet.  But nothing availed; she was seemingly oblivious of everything.

“Alas! it is of no use,” solemnly observed one domino to the other, who sighed heavily, and mournfully shook her head, and the curtain was rung down.