“Tell us all about it,” pleaded Betty, throwing herself on the floor at Ruth’s feet.

“I have; just about.  You see Miss Burton’s father and mother are dead, and she hasn’t any near relations except a sister who lives way out in Seattle.  So Mrs. Hamilton has invited her to be married at her house, and it’s going to be a very private wedding.”

Distinct disappointment was visible in the girlish faces as Ruth finished.

“But.” she continued hurriedly, “there is to be a reception after the ceremony, and all of us girls are to be invited to help receive and the boys to usher.”

“How perfectly lovely!” exclaimed Betty.

“I don’t think so,” mourned Dolly.  “What shall we do with Ruth and Miss Burton both gone?”

“Tell them the rest, Ruth,” urged Arthur.

“The rest?  Oh, yes.  After the reception Uncle Jerry and his wife—­doesn’t that sound grand?—­are going off somewhere for a week, and Mrs. Hamilton is going to take me to New York to meet them.”

“And Mr. Hamilton and Mr. A. Hamilton are going, too,” added Arthur with great satisfaction.

It was Ruth’s turn to look surprised.  “Why how perfectly grand!  You never said a word.”

“Father just suggested it to-night and I thought I’d surprise you.  He’s planning to have four days there before you sail.”

“Fine old plans,” said Betty soberly.  “It’s all very nice for Ruth, but I feel as if all the dolls I ever had were stuffed with sawdust.”

“So do I,” added Dorothy, with a little catch in her voice.  Charlotte said nothing, but to the surprise of every one she put her arm around Ruth in a way that was more eloquent than words.

The Candle Club party threatened to end in melancholy fashion, but the irrepressible Joe came to the rescue as usual.  “Ruth can’t leave the country,” he announced decidedly.  “She has too much live stock to look after.  To my knowledge she owns half a horse, and the whole of a very enterprising kitten.”

Every one laughed, for all knew that Fuzzy’s latest escapade had been the theft of a string of sausages which he had proudly brought home untouched to show to his mistress.

“It’s just as well for me to go before my live stock gets me into trouble,” laughed Ruth.  “As for my half of Peter Pan, I shall will that to Arthur to keep until—­”

“Until you come back, of course,” interrupted Arthur.  “Your father may have you for a while, and then you must come back to Glenloch, and this time for a whole year.”

“Hear, hear,” came in eager chorus from the others, and the party broke up happily after all.

CHAPTER XIX

“Home, sweet home”

As the “Utopia” made her slow way out into the harbor Ruth’s eyes clung lovingly to the three people who were waving farewell to her from the end of the pier.  For some time she could see them distinctly, could tell which was Aunt Mary and which Arthur.  Then the figures on the pier began to melt into each other, the waving handkerchiefs became mere white specks in the distance, and Ruth looked up to find Uncle Jerry watching her with quizzical gaze.