A CONGENIAL SEXTETTE As the five girls, escorted by Mabel, descended the broad stairs to the hall, a tall, rather stern-faced man, whose dark hair had just a sprinkling of gray at the temples, came forward from one end of the room to meet them.

Mabel made a joyful little rush toward him, holding his hand in both her own.

"I knew you wouldn't disappoint me.

Girls, this is my father.

Father, let me introduce you to the nicest girls in Overton." Robert Ashe's sombre eyes smiled a kindly welcome as he looked into the radiant young faces of his daughter's guests.