“How long wil it bee fore you cum hom I luv you an I wanto see you Me n Jonny slided on my sled an we ran intu a fense an got hurted I lern my lesons, but I cant spel big words yet When I say I want my Randy ma dont cry but her ize is wet and ant Prudence wipes her glassis Hi put sum gum in Jonys cap an it got stuk to his hare.  When you cum hom I wil be so glad for I luv you

    “Yor litle
    PRUE.”

“The cunning little thing,” said Nina, “her funny letter shows just how they miss you at home, and how dearly she loves you, Randy.”

“That is what I meant when I said one day to you, Nina that it was hard, and at the same time delightful to be here.  I love father, mother and dear little Prue more than it is possible to say; I love the dear home, too.  Of course it is not like the homes which I have seen here, but nothing can make it less dear to me,” said Randy.

“I enjoy all the pleasures which Miss Dayton plans for me, and I have become attached to the school and to the pleasant friends which I have made here in the city; but sometimes in the midst of my study, sometimes when listening to rare music, the thought of home brings the tears, and for the moment, I am homesick, so homesick that I think I cannot stay.

“Then I remember that father and mother wish me to excel in my studies, and I crowd back the tears, and by reminding myself that with the spring I shall return, I try to be cheerful.”

As the bell called the girls to their seats, Nina whispered as she passed,

“O Randy!  The longer I know you, the more truly I love you;” and the whispered words made Randy very happy.

* * * * *

On the day of the little party the decorators converted the drawing-room into a veritable rose garden, glowing and sweet, the lovely pink blossoms sending out their fragrance as if doing their utmost to honor Randy, who, until that season, had known only the garden roses which blossomed near the farm-house door.

The lights were softened by delicate pink shades, and upon a pedestal beneath Aunt Marcia’s portrait, stood a huge jardiniere filled with roses the glowing petals of which seemed to repeat the color of the brocaded court gown in the picture.

In her little room, Randy, with sparkling eyes, and quick beating heart, stood before her mirror, mechanically drawing a comb through her soft brown hair.  Her mind was far away and she did not seem to see the girl reflected there.

“If they were all here to-night,—­” she murmured, and as the words escaped her lips, two bright tears lay upon her cheek.

“Oh, this will never do,” said Randy, quickly drying the tears, and endeavoring to summon a smile.

“Mother and father would surely say,

“’Be cheerful to-night, Miss Dayton will wish it.  Remember she is giving the party for you.’”

So, smiling bravely, she arranged her hair in the pretty, simple manner in which she usually dressed it, and proceeded to array herself in the white muslin which Janie Clifton had declared to be just the thing for a city party, and just the thing for Randy.