eciation of your kindness to me and to Ruth lies too deep for
words. With the hope that I shall be in Overton before many weeks
to claim my own, and thank you and your friends personally,

"Yours in deep sincerity,
"ARTHUR NORTHRUP DENTON."

"Well, if that isn't in the line of a sensation, then my name isn't
Josephine Elfreda Briggs! And to think Ruth's father has actually
materialized and is coming to Overton? When did you receive the letter,
Grace?"

"It came just before the Easter vacation," interposed Emma Dean bravely,
without giving Grace a chance to answer. "I might as well tell you. I
took it from the big bulletin board, put it in my coat pocket to bring
to Grace and forgot it. Don't all speak at once." Emma bowed her head,
her hands over her ears.

Then an immediate buzz of conversation arose, and Emma came in for a
deserved amount of good-natured teasing.

"What is the date of the letter!" asked Elfreda.

"The twenty-sixth of February," replied Grace. "It must have been on the
way for weeks."

"And in Emma's pocket longer," was Miriam's sly comment.

"But he should have arrived long before this," persisted Elfreda. "I
wonder if he received Ruth's letter."

"Perhaps he didn't start as soon as he intended," said Anne.

"That may be so. Nevertheless, he has had plenty of time to attend to
his affairs and come here, too," declared Elfreda. "I wouldn't be
surprised to see him almost any day."

"Wouldn't it be splendid if he were to come here in time to see Ruth
usher at commencement?" smiled Grace.

"He'd better hurry, then," broke in Emma Dean, "for commencement is only
two weeks off. Shall you tell Ruth? Who is going with you to tell her,
and when are you going?"

"After dinner, all of us," announced Elfreda. "Aren't we, Grace?"

Grace nodded.

"Then I shall join the band," announced Emma. "Although I proved a
delinquent and untrustworthy messenger, still you must admit that at
last I delivered my message."

CHAPTER XXIV

CONCLUSION

The last of June, in addition to its reputed wealth of roses, brought
with it exceedingly hot weather, but to the members of the senior and
junior classes, whose eyes were fixed upon commencement, the warm
weather was a matter of minor importance. It was the first Overton
commencement in which the three Oakdale girls had taken part, and
greatly to their satisfaction they had been detailed to usher at the
commencement exercises. Arl