The Trumpeter Swan

felt that your mother ought to see you first and so did I. Until the last minute. Then I saw Jefferson driving by--I was down at the gate to wave to you, Randy--and I just came----" her gay laugh was infectious--the men laughed with her.

"You must let me out when we get to Huntersfield, and you mustn't tell--either of you. We are all to dine together to-night at your house, Randy, and when you meet me, you are to say--'Becky'--just as you did to-day, as if I had fallen from the skies."

"Well, you did fall--straight," Randy told her. "Becky, you are too good to be true; oh, you're too pretty to be true. Isn't she, Major?"

"It is just because I am--American. Are you glad to get back to us, Randy?"

"Glad," he drew a long breath. Nellie, who had wedged herself in tightly between her master and Jefferson, wriggled and licked his hand. He looked down at her, tried to say something, broke a little on it, and ended abruptly, "It's Heaven."

"And you weren't hurt?"

"N