CHAPTER II.
BECOMING ACQUAINTED Once within the cool shadows of the livingroom, Mrs.Herndon again bethought herself to kiss her niece in a fresh glow of welcome, while the latter sank into a convenient rocker and began enthusiastically expressing her unbounded enjoyment of the West, and of the impressions gathered during her journey.

Suddenly the elder woman glanced about and exclaimed, laughingly, "Why, I had completely forgotten.

You have not yet met your room-mate.

Come out here, Naida; this is my niece, Phoebe Spencer." The girl thus addressed advanced, a slender, graceful figure dressed in white, and extended her hand shyly.

Miss Spencer clasped it warmly, her eyes upon the flushed, winsome face.
"And is this Naida Gillis!" she cried.