Part 10 (1/1)

Archie enjoyed this Hut Club dinner h of course the great event of his stay was the public reception at the Town Hall on the second evening after his arrival This was a truly grand affair The town authorities hired a brass band, which played inside the hall and out, and there was such a crowd in attendance that ht that Archie will never be able to forget He sat on the platform, in company with the mayor and other town officials, and he listened to several speeches congratulating hi the town

Then he had to get up and tell them all of his experiences, from the time he left until now He told it in a simple manner, but from the close attention he received it was evident his audience was deeply interested When he had finished, there were calls for ”three cheers for Archie Dunn,” and they were given with a will Then Archie, rising from his seat, called for ”three cheers for the President of the United States,” and they, too, were given, for Archie had told thes on the subject of the President's policy in the war After this there were three cheers for Mr Depahom one man said would be the next United States Senator fro closed with some cheers for the New York Enterprise, and then followed a long siege of handshaking for Archie, who stood beside his mother on the floor in front of the platforht for them both, and Mrs Dunn said afterward that she could never wish for anything more the rest of her life

The fourth day of his visit was a Sunday, and, to Archie's joy, brave Bill Hickson and his wife came up from the city to spend the day What a jolly ti, where they saw all the people, it seemed, whom they hadn't seen before, and in the afternoon there werewas spent quietly by the happy four, talking of old times and plans for the future The town authorities were anxious to give Bill Hickson a reception while he was in town, but the bashful hero declined the honour, and returned with his wife to New York by thedays Archie talked a great deal with his ained her consent to come to New York to live in a year's tiood a position, but now that she realised what a splendid beginning he hadto co seehtful in the cosy ho days of his visit in quiet rest He had alreadyback to the city feelingtime past, and this made Mrs Dunn very happy

But Archie didn't stay his week out at hoht he attended a reception in his honour at one of the neighbours' houses, and he was just in the er boy entered with a telegram for him He opened it at once, and read it aloud to the company:

”Dear Archie,” it said, ”return as soon as possible I sail for Europe on Saturday's steamer to rened by Mr Depaw, and there was great applause fro it But Archie's face was a study He wasn't sure whether he wanted to go to Europe or not, but of course there was no question about what he should do He at once telegraphed a reply, saying that he would reach the city to- train

Of course the reception soon broke up, and Archie walked quietly ho hian to plan things for him to do abroad, and soon she entered into the preparation for his departure with all her heart But Archie was not so soon lad, and he didn't rest until he made his mother promise to accompany him to the city on the morrow to spend the two days previous to his departure in helping hiet ready Mrs Dunn wasn't anxious to make the trip, but for Archie's sake she consented

And early the nextthey left for the city, where the ti At the pier they said good-bye Archie could hardly speak, but Mrs Dunn was brave ”Archie,”

she said, ”God has been with you so far and he will keep you yet And re You are sure to have friends about you always, for you have proved that you possess energy, perseverance and a good heart” She said good-bye without a tear, but as the stea back, a sweet mother seated on a coil of rope, with her handkerchief to her eyes

THE END