ng with friends.

"Well, well," sighed the old lady joyously, "here are all my own children.
I am so glad to see you. I understand that I am too late with my
invitation for an after gathering. Miriam has forestalled me," she added,
placing her arm around Miriam, whose face glowed with pleasure at the
caress.

"She has invited me, too, so I am not to complain. As many as there are
room can ride in my carriage. The rest will have go in Tom's."

"Tom's?" was the cry, "When did he acquire a carriage?"

"Come and see it," was Tom's reply.

They all trooped out, Hippy leading the van.

"I wish to be the first to look upon the miracle," he cried.

"It's a peach," he shouted, as the others came up, and he was right.

"O Tom, isn't it great?" Grace exclaimed.

Directly in front of Mrs. Gray's carriage stood a handsome Packard car.

"Aunt Rose gave it to me, to-day," he explained, his face glowing. "It
has been waiting a week for me. Come on, everybody, and we'll get up steam
and fly to Nesbit's."

Of course every one wanted to ride in the new car. David and Anne decided,
however, to go with Mrs. Gray, and with a honk! honk! the automobile was
off.

The Nesbit home was ablaze with light. Mrs. Nesbit stood in the wide hall
waiting to receive Miriam's guests.

"The first thing to do is to find food," declared David, leading the way
to the dining room.

The whole party exclaimed with admiration at the tastefully decorated
table. A huge favor pie in the shape of a deep red rose ornamented the
center, the ribbons reaching to each one's place. There were pretty,
hand-painted place cards, too, tied with red and gold, the sophomore
colors.

Mrs. Gray occupied the place of honor at the head of the table. She was
fairly overflowing with happiness and good cheer, as she beamed on first
one and then another of her children.

The young people did ample justice to the delicious repast served them.
The favor pie created much amusement, as the favors were chosen to suit
the particular personality of each guest. After every one had finished
eating, a season of toasts followed.

"Here's to dear Mrs. Gray," said David, raising his glass of fruit punch,
"May she live to be one hundred years old, and grow younger every day.
Drink her down."

Mrs. Gray proposed a toast to Mrs. Nesbit, which was drunk with
enthusiasm. Presently every one had been toasted, then Miriam rose and
begged permission to speak.

It was unanimously gran