irited senior charge
which was ably answered by the junior president. The class song composed
by Jessica was sung, then graduates and audience joined in singing "Auld
Lang Syne." Then the air was rent with class yells, while the graduates
received the congratulations of their friends and then repaired to their
banquet.

Wednesday brought Hippy, Reddy and David and also Donald Earle to
Oakdale, while Tom Gray and Arnold Evans appeared on Thursday afternoon,
to the relief of their young friends.

"Better late than never," called Tom Gray as he and Arnold hurried off
the train to where David and his three friends stood eagerly scanning
the train for them.

"We thought it would be never," retorted Hippy. "We were about to
postpone commencement until some time next week, and order the flags at
half mast, but now things can proceed as usual."

"Hustle up, fellows," commanded David. "We're not the only ones who were
anxious. The girls are all over at our house. There'll be a
foregathering and a dinner there, and an after-gathering at your aunt's,
Tom. So pile into my car and I'll take you up Chapel Hill on the double
quick."

Inside of an hour the two young men were crossing the Nesbit's lawn and
making for the broad veranda where a bevy of pretty girls stood ready to
greet them.

"We are so glad you got here at last," cried Grace. "If you hadn't come
on that train you wouldn't have seen us graduate. The next train from
your part of the world doesn't get in until ten o'clock."

"We missed the early train and had to wait two hours," replied Tom, "but
now that we are here, you'll find that you can't drive us away with a
club."

"We shan't try to," said Nora. "Now, if you were Hippy--"

"Nothing could drive me from your presence," interrupted Hippy hastily,
"so don't try it. Let's change the subject. That word club has an ugly
sound. It makes me nervous."

"Never mind, Hippy," said Miriam. "Nora shall not tease you. I'll
protect you."

"Nora, go away, I am protected!" exclaimed Hippy, and, getting behind
Miriam, he peered forth at Nora with such a ludicrous expression that
she laughed, and immediately declared a truce by allowing him to sit on
the rustic seat beside her.

It was a memorable dinner. The girls in their dainty white graduating
gowns, their eyes alight with the joy of youth, and the young men with
their clean-cut, boyish faces made a picture that Mrs. Nesbit viewed
with a feeling of pleasure that was