w York nothing was seen of Kathleen, who had
taken good care not to enter the same car in which the five girls had
secured seats. Grace saw her again for an instant when, at the end of
the journey, the throng of passengers surged toward the iron gates that
separated them from the friends who stood anxiously awaiting their
arrival.

Elfreda's keen eyes were the first to catch sight of Mabel. "There she
is, girls! Doesn't she look beautiful?"

Mabel Ashe's charming face smiled an eager welcome as she hurried
forward with both hands outstretched to greet the travelers.

"You dear things!" she cried; "I began to believe I should never see any
of you again. Hurry right along. Our car is waiting and we are going to
break all the speed laws and be home in time for dinner."

"Wait a moment," laughed Grace. "This is the 'extra-delightful girl.'"
Grace introduced Patience to Mabel. A long, searching glance passed
between the two young women, then their hands met in a strong clasp that
betokened mutual liking.

"I am sure we shall be friends," declared Mabel.

"No surer than I am," smiled Patience. "I have heard so much about you."

"Grace wrote me about you, too," returned Mabel warmly. "I am so pleased
that you could come. This way to the car, everyone." She led them
through the station to where numerous automobiles were drawn up to the
sidewalk. "There is our car." She pointed to a roomy dark blue car. "Hop
in," she directed. "The sooner we reach home the longer we'll have to
talk. I am not going to the office again until the afternoon following
Thanksgiving. I begged so hard I was allowed a vacation for once."

In what seemed to Grace an incredibly brief space of time, the distance
between the station and the Ashes' winter home far out on Riverside
Drive was covered. The five guests could not help feeling a trifle
impressed at sight of the great stone house which Mabel called home.
During her college days it was Mabel's lovable personality that had
enshrined her so deeply in the hearts of the students at Overton. The
knowledge that her father was a millionaire carried little weight. This
thought occurred to Grace as they filed through the massive door of the
vestibule and into the beautiful hall furnished in English fashion. A
back log glowed ruddily in the big open fireplace, and the flickering
flames crackled a welcome.

"I wouldn't allow James to turn on the lights. I wished you to see the
hall just as it is. I lo