“And she promised to take me to her home if you did not arrive,” said Randy.

“I am glad that I was prompt, that you might know how eager I was to see you, but had I been late, I could have asked for no kinder friend, or more charming home for you, Randy, than this which was so sweetly offered you to-night.”

After formally introducing them, and thanking Mrs. Seymour for her kindness, Miss Dayton led Randy through the depot to a side entrance, where her carriage stood waiting.

The coachman opened the door, and soon the little country maiden was being whirled through the city streets, and the blaze of lights from the huge store windows caused Randy to ask in wide-eyed wonder if there was “anything special going on.”

“Oh, no,” said Helen, “the streets are brightly lighted every night, and the people are walking, hurrying, rushing back and forth, looking into the windows of the great stores, as eagerly as if the doors were open for customers; then hastening away to some place of amusement, or to their homes.”

Randy leaned luxuriously against the cushioned back of the coupe, and with her hand in Helen’s, she continued to watch the hurrying throng, and to wonder vaguely if there were a sufficient number of houses to shelter them all if they happened to think of retiring.

After what seemed to Randy to be a very long ride, the carriage stopped.

Together they ascended the broad sandstone steps, and as the butler opened the door, the soft light in the hall showed the glowing red of the walls above the carved oak wainscoting, and the odor of flowers floated out to greet them.

Then down the stairway came a beautiful old lady, whose grace and dignity bespoke the grand dame, as with gentle courtesy she moved toward Randy, extending her hand in greeting.  Without waiting for an introduction she said,

“My dear, I am sure that you are Randy, and I am going to tell you that I am Helen’s aunt, and that I think I have been as eager to have you with us as Helen has been.”

Randy placed her hand in the one extended toward her, and looking frankly up into the fine old face she said,

“It is nice to have you so glad to see me, will you let me love you while I stay?  I think I cannot help it.”

“While you stay, and always,” was the quick response accompanied by a firm pressure of the young girl’s hand, and Randy felt as if at once among friends.

Miss Dayton who had been giving the coachman instruction in regard to Randy’s trunk, turned in surprise to see her aunt and Randy engaged in conversation.

“I waived the ceremony of an introduction,” said the elder woman with a smile, “and I do assure you, Helen, that we are already quite well acquainted.”

“While I thought Randy was just behind me waiting until her belongings were safely housed,” Helen answered with a gay laugh, for she saw at a glance, that her friend had found favor in Aunt Marcia’s eyes; those discriminating eyes which never failed to recognize the frank and the true, or to detect the sham, however skillfully concealed.