he latter had briefly absented himself to go on a
mysterious errand to his aunt's home, which they guessed had something
to do with the secret.

They had been waiting together perhaps twenty minutes, when Hippy
launched his loud, cheerful remark, for which he was laughingly taken to
task by Nora.

"Why should I not announce that the momentous time is at hand?" he
demanded in a purposely grieved voice. "I am merely voicing the
sentiments of the multitude. Look at their eager, wistful faces and dare
to say I am not right."

"For once I'll stand by you," conceded Reddy graciously. "I never
expected to do it, but the unexpected sometimes happens." He sidled
nearer to Hippy as he spoke.

"Is that a threat?" flung back Hippy, taking several cautious steps away
from the approaching Reddy.

"It depends----" began Reddy.

He did not finish his speech. The sound of approaching feet on the
stairs turned the eyes of every one toward the wide doorway. A ripple of
fond surprise circled the room, as Grace descended the last step to be
met by Tom Gray. Into the room, hand in hand, stepped two veritable
foresters. In his suit of brown corduroy, with his high-laced tan boots,
Tom looked as though he were about to start on one of the long hikes in
which he so delighted. Attired in a trim suit of hunter's green that
reached a trifle below a pair of high-laced boots, the counterpart of
Tom's, except that they were small and dainty, a hat of soft green
velour upon her golden brown hair, Grace was a true forest maid.

An instant and they were surrounded by an eager, buzzing throng. Their
very appearance told its own story. Knowing them so well, those present
understood the meaning of their unusual attire. For half an hour the two
lingered among these friends who were so loth to part with them. Then
the grandfather's clock in the hall sent out its ringing chime of six
o'clock. Tom and Grace exchanged affectionate glances. "It is time to
say good-bye." Grace's clear voice wavered a little on the last word.
"But when the last good-bye has been said, won't you please all of you
see us as far as the gate?"

A unanimous assent went up from every throat as their dear ones hemmed
in the two foresters to offer them heartfelt good wishes and exchange
final good-byes. Heading a smiling procession to the gate, Tom and Grace
paused to say a last word of farewell to Mrs. Gray and Mr. and Mrs.
Harlowe, who had followed directly behind them. Grace'