When Randy opened the little parcel containing Nina's gift, she was delighted to find a photograph, encased in a silver frame of exquisite workmanship. Nina's card was fastened to the frame with a bit of ribbon, and upon the card appeared this message: "You now see that I can be with you always." "Nina knew that I would rather have her picture than any other thing," said Randy. How swiftly the hours flew! At noon the car was very warm, for it was late in May, and it seemed almost like June sunshine which lay in long bars upon the red plush seats. Later, the air became cooler, and Randy had tired of the flying landscape until aroused by Jotham, who exclaimed, "Look out, Randy! This is the next town to ours." "Do you mean that we are so near home?" asked Randy, with sparkling eyes. Just at this point the brakeman's voice announced the station, and proved that Jotham had spoken truly. How beautiful were the orchards, with their blossom-laden trees! "Ah home is home after all," thought Randy. * * * * * As she stepped from the car a shrill little voice cried, "O Randy, my Randy! I thought you'd never come, but you did." Randy held her little sister closely, and laid her cheek against the soft curls. Then she turned to her father and saw a wealth of love in his eyes as he said, "_Now_ the home will be complete. It has been 'bout half empty with ye away, Randy. I'm glad ye're home again. I ain't able to say _how_ glad, an' Jotham, my boy, I'm glad to see ye, too. Ah, here's yer father. I haven't a right ter a minute more er yer time." With eager questioning Randy asked, "And mother and Aunt Prudence?" "Oh they're feelin' pretty spry now the day's come fer ye to arrive. They're full er preparations fer yer home-comin', an'--" "An' the big cake has got pink frostin' on top of it, an' my dolly has got on her best dress 'cause she knew you was comin', an' I've kept askin' Aunt Prudence all day what time it was, an' how long it would be 'fore you'd be here, an' Tabby's got a ribbon on her neck, an' the house an' barn has been painted, an' the cars an' engine ride behind our barn now, an' I guess that's all," said Prue, with a sigh, as if regretting that there was so little news. "Why that is a great deal of news," said Randy, "how did you remember it all?" "Oh, I've been savin' it up, purpose to tell you when you comed," said Prue. As they drove along the shady road toward home, they passed Jabez Brimblecom who thus accosted Randy:-- "Wal, wal I'm glad ter see yer home agin, Randy, or must I say Miss Weston, since ye've been to Boston?" "Oh please call me Randy, or I shall think you are a stranger, instead of an old friend." "Wal, Randy it _is_ then, an' glad I be ter hear it. My wife said when ye went off that she knew ye, an' that Randy'd be Randy anywhere 'n she's 'baout right 's usual." Every one whom they met had a word of greeting for Randy, until she exclaimed,