I lost no time in returning to the college to find Ray Wendell. From the campus I could see that his room was lighted up; so, hurrying up the stairs, I threw open his door without knocking, and had the news upon my tongue’s end when I discovered that Ray was not alone. Two of his classmates were with him; so, checking myself in time, I sat down quietly near Ray, and when the opportunity afforded itself I said in a low tone of voice,
“Come in the other room a moment. I have some good news for you.”
Ray looked at me quickly an instant, and then, excusing himself, rose and followed me. His feelings may be imagined when, without a word of preparation, I suddenly popped the news upon him.
For several seconds he could say nothing. He seemed to be almost afraid to believe it. “Harry, are you sure—there can be no mistake?” he asked in a whisper, his voice trembling with excitement.
I reassured him by telling him the source from which I had obtained the information. I could only guess at the effect of my words, for the room was dark and I could not see his face. He clasped my hand and pressed it warmly.
“Thank you a thousand times for telling me, Harry,” he said fervently.
“Don’t thank me—thank Miss Nettie,” I answered with a laugh.
Ray said nothing, but his face, as we rejoined the others, betrayed his struggle with his feelings, and it was some time before his voice resumed its customary calmness of tone.
A number of visitors dropped in during the evening, and by nine o’clock the room was well filled with students, and echoing with the sounds of mingled conversation and laughter. In this gay group Ray’s exceptional buoyancy of spirits passed unnoticed, and only I knew that his high color and sparkling eyes spoke of a happiness too complete for words.
Among the last of these visitors Len Howard came in. I was somewhat surprised at this, for he was seldom to be seen at Ray’s rooms; but a short time sufficed to convince me that he had some particular purpose in coming.