The building which had been taken for the use of the now firmly established Y. M. C. A. was fairly well adapted to the purpose, though a few changes had been made to suit the needs of the association.
It was a substantial residence, with a hall in the center, and large rooms on either side. The extensive cellar had been made into a splendid gymnasium, where basket ball as well could be played on occasion.
The double parlor made an excellent hall where entertainments were given, consisting of lectures and educational motion pictures. On the other side were two pleasant rooms where games, such as dominoes, chess and checkers, could be indulged in.
Altogether, it was a most comfortable place to spend the winter evenings. Even a billiard and a pool table had been installed, with the idea of keeping the young men from patronizing rooms where strong drink was apt to be sold. Better still, there was now a new bowling alley being built as an addition to the plant, which would prove unusually attractive to many fond of rolling.
A number of boys traveling toward this center of interest came together at some little distance away. Dick nudged his chum, Leslie, when he saw that Nat Silmore and two of his chosen friends made up the other detachment.
Nat seemed to be in a hilarious mood. Evidently, he was pleased over something or other, and whenever he laughed his cronies in duty bound joined in the merriment.
“Seems like we’re all out on the same errand this beautiful night, eh, Dick?” he remarked, with a chuckle, as the two parties merged in one, and pushed on toward the building with its many lights.
“Everybody’s doing it!” chanted Dit Hennesy, at which the trio gave a hearty laugh, and slapped one another roughly on the back, as though they were fairly bubbling over with glee, for some reason or other.
Dick did not exactly like the signs. He had seen Nat in this condition before, and to his observing mind it always presaged some sort of outbreak that had a bold prank attached to it.
His mind went back to a former occasion, when the big, overgrown boy had kept up his chuckling, though there seemed nothing humorous in the eyes of others; yet all of a sudden every light in the town hall had gone out, leaving Polly Cramer, who was in the midst of her graduation essay, almost hysterical with fright.