s to which
I have attained? I suppose she didn't tell you of her dinner party. That
was after you had left last fall. It was a great bit of generalship.
Some of Ranald's foot-ball friends, Little Merrill, Starry Hamilton,
that's the captain, you know, and myself among them, were asked to
a farewell supper by this young lady, and when the men had well
drunk--fed, I mean--and were properly dissolved in tears over the
prospect of Ranald's departure, at a critical moment the Institute
was introduced as a side issue. It was dear to Ranald's heart. A most
effective picture was drawn of the Institute deserted and falling into
ruins, so to speak, with Kate heroically struggling to prevent utter
collapse. Could this be allowed? No! a thousand times no! Some one would
be found surely! Who would it be! At this juncture Kate, who had been
maintaining a powerful silence, smiled upon Little Merrill, who being
distinctly inflammable, and for some mysterious reason devoted to
Ranald, and for an even more mysterious reason devoted to Kate, swore
he'd follow if some one would lead. What could I do? My well-known
abilities naturally singled me out for leadership, so to prevent any
such calamity, I immediately proposed that if Starry Hamilton, the great
foot-ball chief, would command this enterprise I would follow. Before
the evening was over the Institute was thoroughly manned."

"It is nearly half true, aunt," said Kate.

"And by our united efforts," continued Harry, "the Institute has
survived the loss of Ranald."

"I cannot tell you how overjoyed I am, Harry, that both of my boys are
taking hold of such good work, you here and Ranald in British Columbia.
He must have a very hard time of it, but he speaks very gratefully of
Colonel Thorp, who, he says, often opposes but finally agrees with his
proposals."

Harry laughed aloud. "Agrees, does he? And do you know why? I remember
seeing him one day, and he was in a state of wild fury at Ranald's
notions. I won't quote his exact words. The next day I found him in a
state of bland approval. Then I learn incidentally that in the meantime
Kate has been giving him tea and music."

"Don't listen to his mean insinuations, auntie," said Kate, blushing a
little.

Mrs. Murray turned and looked curiously into her face and smiled, and
then Kate blushed all the more.

"I think that may explain some things that have been mysterious to me,"
she said.

"Oh, what, auntie?" cried Harry; "I am most