ched the Matson home, motherly Mrs. Matson took Mabel
into her arms as she had long since taken her into her heart. Then Clara
took her up to her room to refresh herself after the journey, while Jim
and Joe took care of Reggie and his belongings.

"Oh, I'm so glad that you've got here at last!" exclaimed Clara, as she
placed an affectionate hand on Mabel's shoulder.

"And you may be sure that I'm glad that I am here," was the happy
response. "I declare, this place almost feels like home to me."

"Well, you know, we want it to feel like home to you, Mabel," answered
Joe's sister, and looked so knowingly at the visitor that Mabel suddenly
began to blush.

In the meantime, Joe had taken Reggie to the room which the young man was
to occupy during his stay. Joe carried both of the bags, which were
rather heavy, for the fashionable young man was in the habit of taking a
good share of his wardrobe along whenever he left home.

"Some weight to one of these bags, Reggie," remarked Joe good-naturedly,
as he deposited the big Gladstone on the floor with a thud. "You must have
about three hundred and fifteen new neckties in there."

"Bah Jove, that's a good joke, Joe, don't you know!" drawled Reggie. "But
you're wrong, my boy; I haven't more than ten neckties with me on this
trip."

"Say, I'm glad to know you've got so many. Maybe I'll want to borrow one,"
went on Joe, continuing his joke.

"Of course you can have one of my neckties if you want it, Joe," returned
the fashionable young man quickly. "I've got a beautiful lavender one that
ought to just suit you. And then there is a fancy striped one, red and
green and gold, which is the most stunning thing, don't you know, you ever
saw. I purchased it at a fashionable shop on Fifth Avenue the last time I
was in New York. If you wore that tie, Joe, you would certainly make a
hit."

"Well, you see, I'm not so much of a hitter as I am of a pitcher,"
returned Joe; "so I guess I'd better not rob you of that tie. Come to
think of it, I got several new ties myself last Christmas and on my
birthday. I think they'll see me through very nicely. But I'm much obliged
just the same. And now, Reggie, make yourself thoroughly at home."

"Oh, I'll be sure to do that," returned Mabel's brother. "You're a fine
fellow, Joe; and I often wonder how it was I quarreled with you the first
time we met."

"We'll forget about that," answered Joe shortly.

Naturally the men returned to the living