Ruth was punctual to the moment, and after receiving the affectionate congratulations of the girls, she and Grace started for the station on the, to Ruth, most eventful errand of her young life.

"How shall I know him, Grace, and how will he know me?" she said tremulously.

"I don't know," returned Grace rather blankly. "That part of it hadn't occurred to me. Still, Overton is only a small city, and there won't be many incoming passengers. It's a case of outgoing passengers this week. I have an idea that we shall know him," she concluded.

When, at exactly 2:40, the train pulled into the station, two pairs of eyes were fixed anxiously on the few travelers that left the train. Suddenly Grace's hand caught Ruth's arm, "There he is! Oh, Ruth, isn't he splendid? Come on. Don't be afraid. I feel certain he is Arthur Northrup Denton."

Seizing Ruth's hand, she led her, unresisting, to meet a tail, broad-shouldered, smooth-faced man, whose piercing gray eyes constantly scanned the various persons scattered along the platform. His brown hair was touched with gray at the temples, and his keen, resolute face bespoke unfaltering purpose and power.

With Grace to think was to act. She took an impulsive step toward the tall stranger, confronting him with, "I am Grace Harlowe. I am sure you are Mr. Denton."

"Yes, I am Arthur Denton, and——"

"This is your daughter, Ruth," declared Grace hurriedly, pushing Ruth gently forward. An instant later the few persons lingering on the station platform saw the tall stranger fold the slender figure of Ruth in a long embrace.

"I was sure you were Ruth's father," declared Grace as, a little later, they were speeding through the streets of Overton in the taxicab Mr. Denton had engaged at the station. "The moment I saw you I felt that you could be no one else."

Ruth sat with her hand in her father's, an expression of ineffable tenderness on her small face. She was content to listen to him and Grace without joining in the conversation. Her greatest wish had been fulfilled and she was experiencing a joy too deep for words. Mr. Denton explained to them that his long silence had been due to a series of misadventures that had befallen him on his way from Alaska to San Francisco. He had received only one letter from Grace and none from Ruth, as he had left Nome directly after receiving Grace's letter. The others had evidently reached Nome after his departure and had not been forwarded to him. The boat on which he had taken passage had been wrecked and he had barely escaped drowning. He had been rescued by an Indian fisherman from the icy waters of Bering Sea, and taken to his hut, where for days he had lain ill from exposure to the elements.

At the earliest possible moment he had embarked for San Francisco, then journeyed east. He had purposely refrained from telegraphing until within a day's journey from Overton, fearing that something might occur to delay his meeting with his daughter.

Ruth, who had already planned to remain in Overton during the summer and work at dressmaking, smiled in rapture as she heard her father plan a long sight-seeing trip through the west which would last until time for her return to college in the fall. They drove with Grace to Wayne Hall, promising to return to the station in time to meet her friends and say good-bye to her, Mr. Denton assuring her that he hoped some day to repay the debt of gratitude which he owed her.

Three familiar figures ran downstairs to meet Grace as she stepped into the hall.

"We've been waiting patiently for you," announced Elfreda.

"Did he materialize?" from Anne.

"What do you think of him?" was Miriam's quick question.

"Come into the living-room and I'll tell you," said Grace. "We won't have much time to talk, though. It is after three o'clock now."

"No; come upstairs to our room," invited Elfreda. "We have a special reason for asking you."

Grace obediently accompanied the three girls upstairs. The first thing that attracted her eye was a tray containing a tall pitcher of fruit lemonade and four glasses. Elfreda stepped to the table and began pouring the lemonade. When she had filled the glasses she handed them, in turn, to each girl. "To our senior year," she said solemnly, raising her glass. "May it be the best of all. Drink her down."

"What a nice idea," smiled Grace as she set down her glass.

"It was Elfreda's proposal," said Miriam. "She made the lemonade, too."

"Then let us drink to her." Grace reached for her glass and Miriam for the pitcher.

"I'll do the honors this time," declared Miriam. "Here's to the Honorable Josephine Elfreda Briggs, expert brewer of lemonade, model roommate and loyal friend."

"Oh, now," protested Elfreda, "what made you spoil everything? I was just beginning to enjoy myself."

"The pleasure is all ours," retorted Anne.

"Besides, you are getting nothing but your just deserts. We are only glad to have a chance to demonstrate our deep appreciation of your many lovely qualities, Miss Briggs," she ended mischievously.

"Yes, Miss Briggs," laughed Grace, "you are indispensable to this happy band, Miss Briggs. You must be blind if you can't see that."

"Very blind indeed, Miss Briggs," agreed Miriam Nesbit. "But because you are so blind, Miss Briggs, I shall endeavor, in a few well chosen words, Miss Briggs, to make you see what is so plain to the rest of us." Whereupon Miriam launched forth into a funny little eulogy of Elfreda and her good works which caused the stout girl to exclaim in embarrassment, "Oh, see here, Miriam, I'm not half so wonderful as I might be. If you said all those nice things about yourself or Grace or Anne it would be more to the point."

"But it might not be true," interposed Grace.

"And we quite agree with Miriam," added Anne.

Elfreda surveyed them in silence, an unusually tender expression in her shrewd blue eyes. "I can see that I have a whole lot to be thankful for," she said after a moment. "Next year I am going to try harder than ever to live up to your flattering opinion of me. Then I know that I can't fail to be a good senior."

Just how completely Elfreda carried out her resolution and what happened to Grace Harlowe and her friends during their senior year in college will be found in "Grace Harlowe's Fourth Year at Overton College."

THE END.



* * * * *



HENRY ALTEMUS COMPANY'S

Best and Least Expensive Books for Boys and Girls



The Motor Boat Club Series

By H. IRVING HANCOCK

The keynote of these books is manliness. The stories are wonderfully entertaining, and they are at the same time sound and wholesome. No boy will willingly lay down an unfinished book in this series.

THE MOTOR BOAT CLUB OF THE KENNEBEC; Or, The Secret of Smugglers' Island.

THE MOTOR BOAT CLUB AT NANTUCKET; Or, The Mystery of the Dunstan Heir.

THE MOTOR BOAT CLUB OFF LONG ISLAND; Or, A Daring Marine Game at Racing Speed.

THE MOTOR BOAT CLUB AND THE WIRELESS; Or, The Dot, Dash and Dare Cruise.

THE MOTOR BOAT CLUB IN FLORIDA; Or, Laying the Ghost of Alligator Swamp.

THE MOTOR BOAT CLUB AT THE GOLDEN GATE; Or, A Thrilling Capture in the Great Fog.

THE MOTOR BOAT CLUB ON THE GREAT LAKES; Or, The Flying Dutchman of the Big Fresh Water.



Battleship Boys Series

By FRANK GEE PATCHIN

These stories throb with the life of young Americans on today's huge drab Dreadnaughts.

THE BATTLESHIP BOYS AT SEA; Or, Two Apprentices in Uncle Sam's Navy.

THE BATTLESHIP BOYS' FIRST STEP UPWARD; Or, Winning Their Grades as Petty Officers.

THE BATTLESHIP BOYS IN FOREIGN SERVICE; Or, Earning New Ratings in European Seas.

THE BATTLESHIP BOYS IN THE TROPICS; Or, Upholding the American Flag in a Honduras Revolution.

THE BATTLESHIP BOYS IN THE WARDROOM; Or, Winning their Commissions as Line Officers.

THE BATTLESHIP BOYS WITH THE ADRIATIC CHASERS; Or, Blocking the Path of the Undersea Raiders.

THE BATTLESHIP BOYS' SKY PATROL; Or, Fighting the Hun from above the Clouds.



The Range and Grange Hustlers

By FRANK GEE PATCHIN

Have you any idea of the excitements, the glories of life on great ranches in the West? Any bright boy will "devour" the books of this series, once he has made a start with the first volume.

THE RANGE AND GRANGE HUSTLERS ON THE RANCH; Or, The Boy Shepherds of the Great Divide.

THE RANGE AND GRANGE HUSTLERS' GREATEST ROUND-UP; Or, Pitting Their Wits Against a Packers' Combine.

THE RANGE AND GRANGE HUSTLERS ON THE PLAINS; Or, Following the Steam Plows Across the Prairie.

THE RANGE AND GRANGE HUSTLERS AT CHICAGO; Or, The Conspiracy of the Wheat Pit.



Submarine Boys Series

By VICTOR G. DURHAM

THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY; Or, Life on a Diving Torpedo Boat.

THE SUBMARINE BOYS' TRIAL TRIP; Or, "Making Good" as Young Experts.

THE SUBMARINE BOYS AND THE MIDDIES; Or, The Prize Detail at Annapolis.

THE SUBMARINE BOYS AND THE SPIES; Or, Dodging the Sharks of the Deep.

THE SUBMARINE BOYS' LIGHTNING CRUISE; Or, The Young Kings of the Deep.

THE SUBMARINE BOYS FOR THE FLAG; Or, Deeding Their Lives to Uncle Sam.

THE SUBMARINE BOYS AND THE SMUGGLERS; Or, Breaking Up the New Jersey Customs Frauds.



Grace Harlowe Overseas Series

GRACE HARLOWE OVERSEAS.

GRACE HARLOWE WITH THE RED CROSS IN FRANCE.

GRACE HARLOWE WITH THE MARINES AT CHATEAU THIERRY.

GRACE HARLOWE WITH THE AMERICAN ARMY IN THE ARGONNE.



The College Girls Series

By JESSIE GRAHAM FLOWER, A.M.

GRACE HARLOWE'S FIRST YEAR AT OVERTON COLLEGE.

GRACE HARLOWE'S SECOND YEAR AT OVERTON COLLEGE.

GRACE HARLOWE'S THIRD YEAR AT OVERTON COLLEGE.

GRACE HARLOWE'S FOURTH YEAR AT OVERTON COLLEGE.

GRACE HARLOWE'S RETURN TO OVERTON CAMPUS.

GRACE HARLOWE'S PROBLEM.

GRACE HARLOWE'S GOLDEN SUMMER.



Pony Rider Boys Series

By FRANK GEE PATCHIN

These tales may be aptly described the best books for boys and girls.

THE PONY RIDER BOYS IN THE ROCKIES; Or, The Secret of the Lost Claim.

THE PONY RIDER BOYS IN TEXAS; Or, The Veiled Riddle of the Plains.

THE PONY RIDER BOYS IN MONTANA; Or, The Mystery of the Old Custer Trail.

THE PONY RIDER BOYS IN THE OZARKS; Or, The Secret of Ruby Mountain.

THE PONY RIDER BOYS IN THE ALKALI; Or, Finding a Key to the Desert Maze.

THE PONY RIDER BOYS IN NEW MEXICO; Or, The End of the Silver Trail.

THE PONY RIDER BOYS IN THE GRAND CANYON; Or, The Mystery of Bright Angel Gulch.



The Boys of Steel Series

By JAMES R. MEARS

Each book presents vivid picture of this great industry. Each story is full of adventure and fascination.

THE IRON BOYS IN THE MINES; Or, Starting at the Bottom of the Shaft.

THE IRON BOYS AS FOREMEN; Or, Heading the Diamond Drill Shift.

THE IRON BOYS ON THE ORE BOATS; Or, Roughing It on the Great Lakes.

THE IRON BOYS IN THE STEEL MILLS; Or, Beginning Anew in the Cinder Pits.



The Madge Morton Books

By AMY D. V. CHALMERS

MADGE MORTON—CAPTAIN OF THE MERRY MAID.

MADGE MORTON'S SECRET.

MADGE MORTON'S TRUST.

MADGE MORTON'S VICTORY.



West Point Series

By H. IRVING HANCOCK

The principal characters in these narratives are manly, young Americans whose doings will inspire all boy readers.

DICK PRESCOTT'S FIRST YEAR AT WEST POINT; Or, Two Chums in the Cadet Gray.

DICK PRESCOTT'S SECOND YEAR AT WEST POINT; Or, Finding the Glory of the Soldier's Life.

DICK PRESCOTT'S THIRD YEAR AT WEST POINT; Or, Standing Firm for Flag and Honor.

DICK PRESCOTT'S FOURTH YEAR AT WEST POINT; Or, Ready to Drop the Gray for Shoulder Straps.



Annapolis Series

By H. IRVING HANCOCK

The Spirit of the new Navy is delightfully and truthfully depicted in these volumes.

DAVE DARRIN'S FIRST YEAR AT ANNAPOLIS; Or, Two Plebe Midshipmen at the U.S. Naval Academy.

DAVE DARRIN'S SECOND YEAR AT ANNAPOLIS; Or, Two Midshipmen as Naval Academy "Youngsters."

DAVE DARRIN'S THIRD YEAR AT ANNAPOLIS; Or, Leaders of the Second Class Midshipmen.

DAVE DARRIN'S FOURTH YEAR AT ANNAPOLIS; Or, Headed for Graduation and the Big Cruise.



The Young Engineers Series

By H. IRVING HANCOCK

The heroes of these stories are known to readers of the High School Boys Series. In this new series Tom Reade and Harry Hazelton prove worthy of all the traditions of Dick & Co.

THE YOUNG ENGINEERS IN COLORADO; Or, At Railroad Building in Earnest.

THE YOUNG ENGINEERS IN ARIZONA; Or, Laying Tracks on the "Man-Killer" Quicksand.

THE YOUNG ENGINEERS IN NEVADA; Or, Seeking Fortune on the Turn of a Pick.

THE YOUNG ENGINEERS IN MEXICO; Or, Fighting the Mine Swindlers.



Boys of the Army Series

By H. IRVING HANCOCK

These books breathe the life and spirit of the United States Army of to-day, and the life, just as it is, is described by a master pen.

UNCLE SAM'S BOYS IN THE RANKS; Or, Two Recruits in the United States Army.

UNCLE SAM'S BOYS ON FIELD DUTY; Or, Winning Corporal's Chevrons.

UNCLE SAM'S BOYS AS SERGEANTS; Or, Handling Their First Real Commands.

UNCLE SAM'S BOYS IN THE PHILIPPINES; Or, Following the Flag Against the Moros.

UNCLE SAM'S BOYS AS LIEUTENANTS; Or, Serving Old Glory as Line Officers.

UNCLE SAM'S BOYS WITH PERSHING; Or, Dick Prescott at Grips with the Boche.

UNCLE SAM'S BOYS SMASH THE GERMANS; Or, Winding Up the Great War.



Dave Darrin Series

By H. IRVING HANCOCK

DAVE DARRIN AT VERA CRUZ; Or, Fighting With the U. S. Navy in Mexico.

DAVE DARRIN ON MEDITERRANEAN SERVICE.

DAVE DARRIN'S SOUTH AMERICAN CRUISE.

DAVE DARRIN ON THE ASIATIC STATION.

DAVE DARRIN AND THE GERMAN SUBMARINES.

DAVE DARRIN AFTER THE MINE LAYERS; Or, Hitting the Enemy a Hard Naval Blow.



The Meadow-Brook Girls Series

By JANET ALDRIDGE

THE MEADOW-BROOK GIRLS UNDER CANVAS.

THE MEADOW-BROOK GIRLS ACROSS COUNTRY.

THE MEADOW-BROOK GIRLS AFLOAT.

THE MEADOW-BROOK GIRLS IN THE HILLS.

THE MEADOW-BROOK GIRLS BY THE SEA.

THE MEADOW-BROOK GIRLS ON THE TENNIS COURTS.



High School Boys Series

By H. IRVING HANCOCK

In this series of bright, crisp books a new note has been struck. Boys of every age under sixty will be interested in these fascinating volumes.

THE HIGH SCHOOL FRESHMEN; Or, Dick & Co.'s First Year Pranks and Sports.

THE HIGH SCHOOL PITCHER; Or, Dick & Co. on the Gridley Diamond.

THE HIGH SCHOOL LEFT END; Or, Dick & Co. Grilling on the Football Gridiron.

THE HIGH SCHOOL CAPTAIN OF THE TEAM; Or, Dick & Co. Leading the Athletic Vanguard.



Grammar School Boys Series

By H. IRVING HANCOCK

This series of stories, based on the actual doings of grammar School boys, comes near to the heart of the average American boy.

THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL BOYS OF GRIDLEY; Or, Dick & Co. Start Things Moving.

THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL BOYS SNOWBOUND; Or, Dick & Co. at Winter Sports.

THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL BOYS IN THE WOODS; Or, Dick & Co. Trail Fun and Knowledge.

THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL BOYS IN SUMMER ATHLETICS; Or, Dick & Co. Make Their Fame Secure.



High School Boys' Vacation Series

By H. IRVING HANCOCK

"Give us more Dick Prescott books!"

This has been the burden of the cry from young readers of the country over. Almost numberless letters have been received by the publishers, making this eager demand; for Dick Prescott, Dave Darrin, Tom Reade, and the other members of Dick & Co. are the most popular high school boys in the land. Boys will alternately thrill and chuckle when reading these splendid narratives.

THE HIGH SCHOOL BOYS' CANOE CLUB; Or, Dick & Co.'s Rivals on Lake Pleasant.

THE HIGH SCHOOL BOYS IN SUMMER CAMP; Or, The Dick Prescott Six Training for the Gridley Eleven.

THE HIGH SCHOOL BOYS' FISHING TRIP; Or, Dick & Co. in the Wilderness.

THE HIGH SCHOOL BOYS' TRAINING HIKE; Or, Dick & Co. Making Themselves "Hard as Nails."



The Circus Boys Series

By EDGAR B. P. DARLINGTON

Mr. Darlington's books breathe forth every phase of an intensely interesting and exciting life

THE CIRCUS BOYS ON THE FLYING RINGS; Or, Making the Start in the Sawdust Life.

THE CIRCUS BOYS ACROSS THE CONTINENT; Or, Winning New Laurels on the Tanbark.

THE CIRCUS BOYS IN DIXIE LAND; Or, Winning the Plaudits of the Sunny South.

THE CIRCUS BOYS ON THE MISSISSIPPI; Or, Afloat with the Big Show on the Big River.



The High School Girls Series

By JESSIE GRAHAM FLOWER, A.M.

These breezy stories of the American High School Girl take the reader fairly by storm.

GRACE HARLOWE'S PLEBE YEAR AT HIGH SCHOOL; Or, The Merry Doings of the Oakdale Freshman Girls.

GRACE HARLOWE'S SOPHOMORE YEAR AT HIGH SCHOOL; Or, The Record of the Girl Chums in Work and Athletics.

GRACE HARLOWE'S JUNIOR YEAR AT HIGH SCHOOL; Or, Fast Friends In the Sororities.

GRACE HARLOWE'S SENIOR YEAR AT HIGH SCHOOL; Or, The Parting of the Ways.



The Automobile Girls Series

By LAURA DENT CRANE

No girl's library—no family book-case can be considered at all complete unless it contains these sparkling twentieth-century books.

THE AUTOMOBILE GIRLS AT NEWPORT; Or, Watching the Summer Parade.

THE AUTOMOBILE GIRLS IN THE BERKSHIRES; Or, The Ghost of Lost Man's Trail.

THE AUTOMOBILE GIRLS ALONG THE HUDSON; Or, Fighting Fire in Sleepy Hollow.

THE AUTOMOBILE GIRLS AT CHICAGO; Or, Winning Out Against Heavy Odds.

THE AUTOMOBILE GIRLS AT PALM BEACH; Or, Proving Their Mettle Under Southern Skies.

THE AUTOMOBILE GIRLS AT WASHINGTON; Or, Checkmating the Plots of Foreign Spies.

THE END