Fortunately for her the sound of the door-bell made her run hastily down-stairs to receive her guests.  It was a relief to find Mrs. Hamilton in the big music-room, for though she was accustomed to meeting the three boys who had arrived first, they seemed strangely formal and unfamiliar in the dignity of their party clothes.  They were doing their best to be cheerful and entertaining, for all felt oppressed by the fact that there was to be a party in the Hamilton house without Arthur as host.

Joe, who with Frank and Arthur had formed a trio noted for its loyalty and good fellowship, looked as solemn as a boy who resembled a good-natured cherub could, and shook hands with Mrs. Hamilton and Ruth with a fervor that made them wince.  Arthur had been his hero and chum ever since they were small boys in knickerbockers.  They had gone to school together, and had been preparing for the same college when the accident happened which had so changed Arthur.  It had been the first real sorrow of Joe’s life to be shut away from Arthur, and he felt that he should never be reconciled to it.

Philip and John Canfield were brothers who had come lately to Glenloch, and were much liked by the boys and girls.  Phil, the elder, was a quiet, studious boy, much interested in mechanics and electricity, and preparing for a course in one of the well-known scientific schools.  He was devoted to his younger brother, who was a brilliant, artistic lad, but not very strong.  The family had come to Glenloch on account of the fine air, and the out-of-door life.

Glenloch young people were never late in arriving at a party, and almost before Ruth realized it ail her guests had come.

“What shall we do first?” she whispered to Charlotte, who was looking really pretty in her red dress, though a little pale still from her recent fright.

“Let’s play Twenty Questions.  That breaks the ice beautifully, for we always get so excited over it.”

Dorothy and Bert Ellsworth were selected as leaders and began at once to choose their supporters.  They had not progressed far, however, when an exclamation from Joe, who was standing in the background, made them all turn to look at him.  He was staring past Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton out into the hall, his eyes very big and round, and a broad smile on his face.  Before he could speak a voice from the hall, a voice that tried very hard to be steady, said: 

“Can you find a place for me on one of the sides?”

Then, and only then, Joe came to life.  Leaping toward the door he seized the owner of the voice by the shoulders with a force that threatened to overbalance him.

“It’s Art!” he almost shrieked, “by glory, it’s Arthur.  Of course you can have a place.  You can be on both sides.  You can own the whole party if you want to.”

“Hold on, old man,” said Arthur with a laugh as he started slowly into the room with Joe’s arm around his shoulders.  “Don’t rush me too hard, for I’m not so steady on my pins as I used to be.”