owd was Bill Glutts, but he took care to keep away from the
Rovers. Gabe Werner was nowhere to be seen, and the Rovers rightfully
conjectured that he had left the town.

The boys had hardly arrived when a carry-all came in from Clearwater
Hall containing Mary and Martha, as well as Ruth and May and a dozen
other girl students. There was a general handshaking, and then all took
a stand on the station platform to wait for the coming of two trains
which were to bear the various students in opposite directions.
Everybody had already procured a ticket, and the trains which were
expected were extras, for it would have been impossible for the ordinary
locals to have taken care of such heavy traffic.

"I am sorry you're not going to travel with us to New York," said Jack
to Ruth.

"Well, I'm sorry you're not coming my way," answered the girl, with a
smile.

"But you'll be down to our house directly after Christmas, won't you?"

"Yes, we'll be down the day after--May and I."

"Well, that will give us a whole day together, anyhow, before us fellows
start for Cedar Lodge," went on the young captain. Then he nudged Ruth
in the elbow. "Come over here," he whispered. "I want to show you
something that I don't want the others to see."

Together they slipped out of the crowd and around the corner of the
little railroad station. Then Jack brought out a large flat package from
an inner pocket of his overcoat. "I had these taken as a Christmas
surprise to mother and Martha. What do you think of them?" and he
brought forth several photographs of himself taken in his cadet uniform.
They had been taken by the leading photographer of Haven Point who made
a specialty of work for the two schools, and they certainly showed the
young captain at his best.

"Oh, how lovely, Jack!" cried Ruth in genuine pleasure. "I declare, they
are splendid pictures."

"Then you like them?" he queried anxiously.

"I certainly do! I don't think they could be better." She looked at the
three poses presented critically. "If it's all the same to you, I'll
keep this one," she said finally.

"Oh, Ruth, you don't want my picture, do you?" he questioned, and there
was a trace of wistfulness in his voice.

"Of course I do, Jack. I can keep this one, can't I?" and the girl
looked full at him in a manner that spoke volumes.

"Why, sure! if you want it," he answered quickly. "But, say! don't I get
one of yours in return?" he added.

"Well, I'll see about tha