They walked on down a winding road, through the woods and around the hills. Ruth began humming, "There's a long, long trail a winding into the land of my dreams." "That song has a lot of truth in it," he remarked. "The road is often a long one, and the night seems so long while waiting." "Yes, but the song also expresses the pleasure that many enjoy while pursuing the dreams and traveling with 'you.' It depends a lot on who the 'you' is." It was a pleasant October afternoon and there were many people riding and strolling through the park. Harold was thankful that it was cool enough for him to wear his light overcoat. A car honked behind them and they stepped out of the road. Golter drove past. He lifted his hat and spoke very distantly. Ruth had declined an invitation to go riding with him that afternoon. "Your special friend," Harold remarked. "Don't put too much emphasis on the special if you would be exact in your expression," she replied. As they were leaving the park they met two young ladies. "Why, Ruth, for the land sakes! I haven't seen you for a coon's age." "Mable, I certainly am glad to see you! What are you doing here?" "I am visiting my cousin. Miss Babcock, my cousin, Miss Welty." "And allow me to introduce my friend, Mr. King." After the formal recognitions of the introductions, Ruth said, "Mable, I haven't seen you since you moved to the capital." "No. This is the first time I have been any place." Mable Finch and Ruth had been friends at Zala. Soon after Ruth came to Wilford Springs, Mable had moved with her parents to the state capital. "How are your folk?" "They are well. Father sticks right to business. Mother and I tried to get him to go to the Shriners' convention this summer, but he thinks that the business wouldn't run if he were away." "Is your father still in the hotel business?" "Yes; you couldn't get him to do anything else. He is planning to build the largest and finest hotel in the city." "Will he build soon?" "Yes, he expects to consider plans at once." Harold and Miss Welty had walked a short distance away to look at a petrified tree that had recently been donated to the park and were out of hearing. "That's a swell looking beau you are with," said Mable. "He is a splendid fellow and a very dear friend." "He certainly looks good." "Mable, I want you to visit me while you are here." "I wish I could, but it will be impossible. I just ran down for the week-end with my cousin, but I'll tell you what I want you to do. Will you do it?" "Well," said Ruth, "it will depend just a little on what it is." Both girls giggled. "I want you to go home with me for a visit. This week we are to have our fall musical festival." "I am going to surprise you by accepting the invitation. That is, provided I can get off at the bank where I work." Harold and Mable's cousin now rejoined them and the four left the park with the crowd that was now homeward bound. Chapter XII