or him
about the elegant new station which the road had just constructed in the
city. Mr. Depaw very readily gave him an excellent position, one which
he could keep always if he so desired. And Bill was highly pleased
with his new work, so much so that he surprised them all one day in the
spring by leading into the once a young lady whom he introduced as his
wife. Of course Archie was very much pleased at this new development,
for he had often thought that his friend must be very lonely, living in
a boarding-house.

The days were all busy ones for Archie now. He had learned the work
so thoroughly that he was given more than ever to do, and he still
continued to write, too, for the Enterprise. He worked too hard,
however, and in April he looked so thin that Mr. Depaw sent him home for
a week's rest.

CHAPTER XXVI.

DECIDES TO VISIT HOME--A GREAT RECEPTION IN THE TOWN--A PUBLIC
CHARACTER NOW--DINNER TO THE HUT CLUB--DEMONSTRATION AT THE TOWN HALL--
A TELEGRAM FROM HIS EMPLOYER LEAVING FOR EUROPE.

IT was a beautiful April day. There had been a light shower in the
morning, and now everything looked as fresh and green as possible all
along the railway. Archie lay back in his comfortable Wagner seat,
admiring the beauties of spring, and thinking, too, of the days he spent
in walking along this very road. It seemed hard to believe that he
was now secretary to the president of this railroad, and that he was
returning home, after a year and a half, a very successful young man. He
had much to think of in the hours it would take him to reach the little
town. He tried to remember everything about the place, and his mother as
he saw her last, and it wasn't at all difficult for him to do so. But,
oh, how he hoped that things had not changed! He almost dreaded going
home for fear he would find things different.

He had changed, that much was sure. He knew that he had grown to
look much older than his years, and he knew that he was not looking
particularly strong. He used to be so sturdy, and he had such a splendid
colour in his cheeks. Mother would be sorry to see him now, but of
course he would be sure to improve very much during the week he was to
remain among old friends.

He was very anxious to see his boy friends, the members of the Hut
Club, and the boys and girls who were in his class at school. He had
telegraphed his mother that he was coming, so she would probably tell
the boys about it. He was sure they