“What is it, papa?” asked Ruth, beginning to get interested.

“It seems to me that if I leave you with any of our friends here in Chicago you will be constantly reminded of mamma and me and will miss us more than you would if you were in some place where we had never been together.  Just as I was thinking this all over for the hundredth time this morning a letter came from my old college chum, Henry Hamilton.  It was largely a business letter, but at the end he inquired for you, and said that they wished very much that they had a daughter growing up in their family.”

“Seems to me I’ve heard mamma speak of Mrs. Hamilton,” said Ruth musingly.  “Didn’t they play together when they were little girls?”

“Why, yes, of course they did.  Mrs. Hamilton was Mary Ashley, and you remember that funny story mamma used to tell you about the time they thought they heard a burglar.”

“Oh, yes, and how they went into Boston to a big fair and they lost Mary Ashley’s mother, who was taking care of them and had such a funny time getting home,” said Ruth.

“Well, I called on them the last time I went East, and found them living not far from Boston in a very delightful home, and when that letter reminded me of them today I thought at once that their home would be just the place for you if they were willing to take you.”

“Are there any children in the family?”

“One boy about sixteen,” replied Mr. Shirley.

“Dear me!  I wish he had a sister.  But, papa, have you any idea that they’ll want to take a strange girl into their family for a whole year?  If they will take me I shall be so much nearer Europe, shan’t I?”

“Of course you will, darling, and I somehow have the feeling that they’ll be glad to have you with them,” said Mr. Shirley.  “Now if you agree with me that it is best to try this plan, I’ll write tonight, for I’m sorry to say our plans must be made quickly.”

Ruth’s eyes filled with tears which she could not hide.  “It all seems so horrid to me when I think of being without you, papa,” she said slowly, “that I can’t make any choice.  You’ll have to do just as you think best, and perhaps I shall learn to be brave.”

Mr. Shirley hugged her tight for a moment without speaking.  Then he said tenderly, “Darling, go to bed now and try to sleep.  Perhaps in the morning things will look brighter to you.  We’ll talk it over then and see what is best to be done.”

Ruth kissed him and tried to smile, “Goodnight, papa; I’ll be a better chum tomorrow,” she said with an effort, and then went quickly from the room.

CHAPTER II

THREE CHUMS

“Why, how delightful, Henry,” cried Mrs. Hamilton, as she finished reading a letter which her husband had just handed to her.  “Of course we want the little girl to come at once.”

“Of course,” agreed Mr. Hamilton with equal heartiness.  “It will be nice to have a little daughter around the house to bring me my slippers and play and sing to me when I am tired.  But what will Arthur think of it?” inquired Mr. Hamilton with a note of anxiety in his voice.