And Janie had spoken wisely.  Nothing could have been more becoming, or served more surely to show Randy’s fine coloring than the sheer muslin with its white satin ribbons.

As she stood looking at the transparent folds of the skirt, the tip of her shoe peeped from below the hem, and Randy laughed merrily.  She had quite forgotten to change her street shoes for the silken hose and white slippers which Miss Dayton had given her.

“How could I forget them, the first pretty slippers which I ever owned?” She hastened to put them on, afterward surveying them with much satisfaction.  They were such pretty slippers, decorated with white satin bows and crystal beading.

“Like Cinderella’s,” thought Randy, as she held back her skirts, the better to see them, and when later she paused on the stairway to look down upon the many rose hued lights in the hall below, she turned a radiant face toward Helen Dayton as she said:—­

“Oh, how kind you are to give this lovely party for me, just me.  I feel like Cinderella, only,” she added laughing, “I am sure that I shall not lose my crystal slipper when to-night the clock strikes twelve.”

“Nor shall you part with them at any time,” Helen replied, “but keep them in remembrance of this night when you enjoyed your first party.”

A fine trio they formed as they stood waiting to receive their guests; Aunt Marcia looking like an old countess in her stately gown of black velvet and diamonds, Helen, resplendent in turquoise satin and pink roses, and Randy in her white muslin and ribbons, a single rose in her hair.

Soon the young guests began to arrive, and very cordially were they greeted, Randy’s bright face plainly showing how heartfelt was the pleasure which her words expressed as each new friend was presented.

One guest had been bidden to the party who had not yet arrived, and Helen Dayton could not refrain from occasionally glancing toward the door, with the hope of seeing the delinquent.  The buzz of conversation and light laughter seemed at its height, when a late arrival was announced.

Miss Dayton heard the name, but Randy who was at the moment chatting with Nina Irwin, did not.

The young man in faultless evening dress made his way across the room to Aunt Marcia, then to Miss Dayton, then, with a merry twinkle in his eyes he turned to Randy who, still, talking with Nina, was unaware of his approach.

“Miss Randy,” said a familiar voice, and Randy started, turned, then with eyes expressing her surprise and delight she said,

“O Jotham, truly you cannot guess how glad I am to see you.”

“And do you think I can tell you with what pleasure I have looked forward to this evening?” Jotham answered.

“I have been longing to call upon you, but my days and evenings have been so completely occupied with study, that this is my first bit of recreation since I came to Boston in the fall, and until I received Miss Dayton’s invitation, I did not know where I might find you.”