of the coupe, and with
her hand in Helen's, she continued to watch the hurrying throng, and to
wonder vaguely if there were a sufficient number of houses to shelter them
all if they happened to think of retiring.

After what seemed to Randy to be a very long ride, the carriage stopped.

Together they ascended the broad sandstone steps, and as the butler opened
the door, the soft light in the hall showed the glowing red of the walls
above the carved oak wainscoting, and the odor of flowers floated out to
greet them.

Then down the stairway came a beautiful old lady, whose grace and dignity
bespoke the grand dame, as with gentle courtesy she moved toward Randy,
extending her hand in greeting. Without waiting for an introduction she
said,

"My dear, I am sure that you are Randy, and I am going to tell you that I
am Helen's aunt, and that I think I have been as eager to have you with us
as Helen has been."

Randy placed her hand in the one extended toward her, and looking frankly
up into the fine old face she said,

"It is nice to have you so glad to see me, will you let me love you while
I stay? I think I cannot help it."

"While you stay, and always," was the quick response accompanied by a firm
pressure of the young girl's hand, and Randy felt as if at once among
friends.

Miss Dayton who had been giving the coachman instruction in regard to
Randy's trunk, turned in surprise to see her aunt and Randy engaged in
conversation.

"I waived the ceremony of an introduction," said the elder woman with a
smile, "and I do assure you, Helen, that we are already quite well
acquainted."

"While I thought Randy was just behind me waiting until her belongings
were safely housed," Helen answered with a gay laugh, for she saw at a
glance, that her friend had found favor in Aunt Marcia's eyes; those
discriminating eyes which never failed to recognize the frank and the
true, or to detect the sham, however skillfully concealed.

"How lovely she is," thought Aunt Marcia, as Randy with Helen ascended the
staircase toward the room which was to be Randy's own, during her stay in
Boston.

"How handsome your dear old aunt is," said Randy to Helen, as they walked
along the upper hall. "Her hair is like the frost, and her eyes just
twinkle, twinkle, like stars when the night is cold."

"Why, what a pretty thought," said Helen. "Aunt Marcia was a great
beauty, and a portrait of her when she was presented at court, hangs in
the dr