The two girls flew out of the house to see just turning into the yard a weary-looking girl who was unmistakably Ruth.  They rushed to meet her and half carried her up the steps and into the house, while Arthur shouted a rousing “found” through the megaphone.

“Is that the voice that’s been calling me?” asked Ruth as he followed them into the house.  “I believe if it hadn’t been for that I should have given up.”

“But where have you been and how did you manage to get lost?” questioned Betty.

“Oh, don’t ask me any questions now, but give me a looking-glass and some powder so that I can fix this dreadful nose before the others get here,” implored Ruth.  “I’m tired to death, but I started out to make myself look better before I came to your party, and I want to do it.”

The three girls vanished up-stairs, leaving Arthur to poke the fire and chuckle quietly over this truly feminine ending to the tragedy.

“She’s the real thing,” he said to himself.  “Doesn’t want to be pitied and fussed over.”

By the time the others had gathered, Ruth came down-stairs and was besieged at once with questions.

“It was so foolish of me,” she said as she finished telling her story.  “I might so easily have sent one of those small boys across the pond.  All I could think of at first was to go somewhere where I could take care of my poor nose.”  As she spoke she shut one eye and gazed with the other at her red and swollen nose.

“I think the swelling’s going down a little, don’t you?” she asked anxiously.

They all laughed, and Jack said almost as if he felt it a personal grievance, “I don’t believe you were so scared as we were after all.”

It was a jolly supper, but to Ruth, who ached from head to foot, it seemed as if it would never end.  She did her best to behave as usual, and succeeded so well that for some time no one noticed how pale and tired she looked.

As they got up from the table, Arthur said suddenly:  “Say, Phil, I’m awfully tired.  Do you mind getting out your old nag now?  And, Ruth, wouldn’t you like to go home too?”

“Oh, yes,” answered Ruth, so eagerly that the others realized at once the cause of Arthur’s sudden weariness.  No one said a word, but the girls almost fell over each other in their endeavors to assist her, and the boys rushed the sleigh to the door in great haste.

“Ladies first,” said Phil gallantly, and before Ruth realized what was happening, he and Frank had gently picked her up and deposited her in the sleigh.  Then came Arthur, and then the boys piled in on the front seat.

Mrs. Hamilton met them at the front door.  “I’m so glad you came home early, children.  Ruth, you must be tired to death after skating.”

“I am.  Oh, I am,” answered Ruth with a little laugh, and then she surprised herself by throwing both arms about Mrs. Hamilton’s neck and bursting into tears.