pecting you! I knew you'd surprise
us! and I told 'em so last night when they were worrying about you,"
shouted the boy, dancing about them, and almost inclined to hug Ruth as
he had Mark. But he didn't; he only grasped both her hands, and shook
them until she begged for mercy. As soon as she regained possession of
her hands, she said,

"And here's Edna, Frank. Miss Edna May, Mr. Frank March."

"I'm awfully glad to see you, Miss Edna," said Frank; and "How do you
do, Mr. March?" said Edna, as they shook hands and looked at each other
curiously.

Then Frank was introduced to Uncle Christopher, who said, "My boy, I'm
proud to make your acquaintance. So you didn't expect us, eh?" and the
old gentleman chuckled as he thought of the quality and size of the
joke they had played on the inmates of "Go Bang" by surprising them.

Captain May and the gentlemen from Aroostook had not left the schooner
when the others turned towards the house, talking so fast as they went
that nobody understood, or even heard, what anybody else was saying.

As they came in sight of the house two well-known figures were leaving
the front gate, and the next minute Mark and Ruth had rushed into the
arms of their father and mother, and the latter was actually crying for
joy.

"It is all your doing, Uncle Christopher," she said to Mr. Bangs, as
soon as she could speak. "I know it is; for you never in your life have
neglected opportunities for giving people joyful surprises."

"Well, Niece Ellen, I won't say as I didn't have a hand in it,"
answered the old gentleman, his face beaming with delight. "But, sakes
alive! Mark Elmer, is this the place that I let you have rent free for
ten years?" and he pointed to the pretty house, and swept his hand over
the broad fields surrounding it.

"Yes, Uncle Christopher, this is the place. This is 'Go Bang,' as the
children have named it, and we welcome you very heartily to it."

"Well, well," said Uncle Christopher, mournfully, "what chances I have
thrown away in this life! eh, Niece Ellen?"

"You never threw away a chance to do good or make others happy, uncle,
I am sure of that. But now come into the house and get ready for
breakfast, which will soon be ready for you."

As the others went into the house, Ruth ran around to the kitchen to
see Aunt Chloe, and so surprised that old woman that she just threw her
floury arms about the girl's neck and kissed her, saying,

"Tank de Lo'd, honey! Tank de good L