THE WELCOME WITH A BIG "W" Ben Badger sat perched aloft among the bare, spreading branches of a giant maple near one corner of the school grounds.

The maple stood at the curbing of the sidewalk.
Down below stood nearly a hundred High School boys of Gridley.
That Ben was on sentry duty was apparent from the eager looks that those below frequently cast up at him.

At times, too, the general impatience sought relief in questions hurled at Ben.
Finally, from the lookout aloft came down the rousing hail: "Here he comes! fellows! Here he comes! No---here _they_ come! The whole crowd---Dick & Co.!" A flutter passed through the crowd below, vet not one of the Gridley H.S.boys stirred from the ranks just within the school yard gate.
Back on the main steps of the High School building nearly three score of the young ladies were irregularly grouped.

They were silent, but expectant.
For "The Blade" had been read in many a Gridley home that morning.
The news had traveled fast over Gridley.

Though the paper had contained no announcement that Prescott would return to school, every High School boy and girl had felt sure of that.
Down the street, three abreast, came Dick & Co., with proud, firm stride.