{{betlep206.png}}

talked a great deal, excited, too, over his birth-
day and wanting to play the host.

A chauffeur drove, which was just as well,
and after this group was deposited, drove off
again. With the rest, Betty was conducted into
the handsome new house, of brick and stone,
and introduced to Jack's mother, who was re-
ceiving with him. A very pretty girl, black-~
eyed and looking not a little like Jack, was his
first cousin, as introduced, vivacious and pleas-
ant.

A maid in newly furnished upstairs rooms
had helped the girls off with their light wraps
and scarfs, but Betty was more interested in
seeing Jack's relatives than the house. "Oh,
Dad!" called Jack as he showed his guests to
seats, "come in for a minute."

A tall, heavily built man with a very red face
came in from a room which Betty supposed was
their library from a glimpse she had of some
bookcases. He shook hands with the arrivals,
made a few jovial remarks and gave Betty a
special look over his glasses. "So this is Miss
Betty. I have heard of you. You may imagine
where. Jack is a good picker of -- friends."

Betty blushed a little, to her disgust, but
smiled warmly at Jack's father. Perhaps he
was nicer than he looked. Anyhow, it was pleas-

 [[206]]