ver," said Mrs. Matson fervently.

Just here a thought struck Joe.

"It's the greatest thing ever that you're going as far as Japan," he said.
"But why can't you keep on with us and swing right around the circle?"

"You greedy boy!" murmured Mabel.

"We've thought of that too," explained Reggie. "The governor promised
Mabel a trip round the world as soon as she got through with the finishing
school. She could have gone last year if she had chosen, but she got so
interested in baseball----"

"Reggie!" murmured Mabel, warningly.

"Well, anyway," said Reggie a little lamely, "she didn't go, and so I put
it up to the governor that there was no reason she couldn't go now. He
saw it the same way--he's a rippin' good sort, the governor is--and he's
left it to us to make the trip all the way round--that is, if I can get
through my business in Japan in time."

"If you don't get through in time, there'll be murder done," threatened
Joe.

In the animated talk that ensued all took a part. But toward the end of
the meal, Joe noticed that Jim was a little more subdued than was usual
with him, and that some of the sparkle and vivacity had vanished from
Clara's eyes and voice.

He glanced from one to the other and knew the reason. He knew how deep the
feeling was growing between the two and realized what the coming
six-months' separation would mean to them. A generous impulse came to him
like a flash.

"Listen folks," he said. "Surprises seem to be in fashion, so here's
another one. Clara's going along with us."

Astonishment and delight held Clara speechless--then she rose and flung
her arms impulsively about her brother's neck, and for the second time
that day Jim would have been willing to let her be a sister to him also.

Jim reached his brawny hand across the table.

"Put her there, Joe, old boy!" he said. "You're the finest fellow that
ever wore shoe leather."

"Won't it be just glorious!" exulted Mabel.

"There never was such a boy in all the world," murmured Joe's mother.

"But, Joe dear, won't it be too great an expense?" suggested Clara. "You
know it's less than a month since you sent us that thousand-dollar bill
that took us to the World's Series."

"That's all right, Sis," reassured Joe, patting her hand. "Remember I
cleared nearly four thousand dollars extra in the World's Series, and this
won't put much of a dent in that. You just go ahead and doll yourself
up--and hang the expense."

And so it was