elcome the wayfarers.

Merritt they knew by name, and he began an apologetic effort to account
for their coming, but Bill took the matter in hand.

"Mr. Farrell, aren't you? And I suppose this is Mrs. Farrell. My name is
Brown and these are my friends, Mr. Sabaste and Mr. Grier; we are all
students at Marshallton. Went in to Guilford to the stores and couldn't
make it going back, though Mr. Merritt put up a good fight with his
little car. And now we are going to ask you if you can keep us for the
night,--table and spare room? Anything that is handy, for we don't want
to give you trouble and we'll pay----"

"Ah, the best. As if you are one fine hotel, because no such could give
to us more of comfort." This from Tony, who was always most liberal and
eager to please. So saying, he pulled out ten one-dollar bills and
gallantly tendered it to the lady, with a nod and smile at the farmer.

"That's right. The wife has all the trouble. You boys are welcome; eh,
Sarah?"

"But John, this is too much. I could not accept such a large amount for
so little."

"Mother," said one of the girls, coming forward, "you should not accept
anything at all."

"Well, now, Mary, I guess you're right. This is our daughter, young
gentlemen, and she always has her way."

"But she has not consider the way to justice," said Tony, his black eyes
flashing conviction. "We give that, or we not remain; even it is too
little."

"Yes, considering the storm, our predicament and our coming in on you
this way, unasked, we can't consent to less," Bill added.

"Mabel, come here, girl," said the housewife, laughing. "This is my
niece. She's making her home with us. Now, all you young folks and Mr.
Merritt enjoy yourselves while I get supper and father does the barn
work."

The boys never forgot that long, yet all too short winter evening; the
wholesome food; the dish of home-made candy; the fireside game of
"twenty questions"; the music played by Mabel on the old-fashioned
square piano, while Mary and Tony danced; the lively conversation and
Bill's exhibition of so-called mind reading--really muscle reading,
during which, with Mrs. Farrell and Mabel holding his wrists, he found,
blindfolded, a hidden pocket knife.

Merritt had slipped out early to open the radiator of his car, which he
had foolishly forgotten to do. He had come back and called Bill aside
for a moment.

"There's another car down the road, just beyond mine; a big one and
nobody abo