i t t i 4 4-^ « Was Cnristmas Day. The snow *"s falling heavily in tlie streets. ^ere was holiday cheer in the air. *ne Christmas bells rang out their message of glau; *s3. The day seemed •"Ade for happiness. Arline, who had invited twelve' friends for Christmas dinner, stood St the front window waiting for her party to arrive. As she waited many ' sleighs flew by and happy voices rang' out, but she saw or heard not. for she was lost in deep thought. j Arline had promised to give Dudky Grant her answer on Christmas Dayr and although she had had two months ' to weigh this vital subject she had not, yet come to a decision. Dudley was I cons'dered by all the first families as' the most eligible young man of Ar-! line's circle. He was a clean, good- 1 looking, prosperous, healthy young man of fine family. If Arline had told any of lier friends that she hesitated accepting this paragpn thoy would have raised their hands in horror andi cried. -What more does she \vant?"j She iierself didn't knov.-. That was, the trouble. When he was not near she felt she loved him; but when he| was with her often she became dis-i satisfied. Deep in her heart was a' little uncertainty. Once he had ;ingrily kicked hsr bro-' ther's small tramp dog. This she could not forget. And then again, he raada, sport of her settlement work and her settlement friends. This she could not forgive. But she surely cared a{ freat deal for him, whether the feel-i ing was love or not â€" that was the! (juestion. Turning toward tlic librai'y tiiMe; she tenderly toyed with tlie rich red' roses that stood in the high Japanese, vase.' "He surely is thoughtful," .she murmured. | "My love is like a red, rod rose," sang out her small brother, with a twinkle in his eye as he passed through ^he room. "Say, Sis, can I be best man?" A joyous confusion was heard and the merry dinner party came bound-] ing up the front stairs. "We're starved," cried Harvey. ''We! collected, one by one. as we came along i â€" and we've brought our appetites j with us." j "That's good news." laughed Arline ' with sparkh'ng eyes, "for we have the' biggest goose in goosedom for dinner and Ihe rest of the family are going â- to Auntie's. Mother says we should j leave nothing but the bones." | "But v.here is Dr. Keith?" asked | Bernice as they removed ihair wraps. ! "rie is tha only one missing." 1 "Dr. Keith?" e:-:elaimed Dudley in ciirprii-e. "Arline. why did ycu invite ihat man- v.'ho lives in the settle-' inent?" "Qficaur,; he is a friend of nvinc". ;mswered the ycimg woman simply, l "He just teleph<';ied, hcwover, that he would be unable to ccme to our Christ- mas dinner as he had an emergency! call. A doctor never can cail his time his own, you know." i "I suppose not," asserted Dudley,! with a slirug of his shoulders, "if he! spends half his time with crying slum: babies. This Keith cares more for| his settlement practice than for all his | millionaire patients put together. I' wager this 'hurry call' was only to some little grutter creature." j Arline drew a long breath but said nothing. ; The jolly crowd was soon seated^ about the beautifully decorate<l Christ- mas table. Fun ro'.led merrily on, but somehow for Arline thei-e was a little rift in the lute of the words, "Only « little gutter creature." kept flashing across her mind. In the middle of the dinner, as the laughte'' was at its height, the maid handed a note to Arline, remarking:' "There's a little boy outside, ma'am. 1 He says he'll wait for an answer." i Arline opened the folded paper andj read : ' "M.v Tiny was thron don by ^ [ autoniobeel. Can you com back I with Jimmy. She oris for you. j Pleas com. I'm sory on christmus ' to ask you. She ,is vere sik. I respectfully Mrs. Huggins." i Without a moment's hesitation Ar- line arose and with a little tremor in hpr voice said: "My friend Tiny haj been hurt. Slie is crying for me. You all will forgive mi lif I go, won't you? You can have just as good a time v.''.liout me, and Tiny need? nie." The guests, knowing her interest in her settlement friends, readily assured her that they would take care of themselves â€" all but Dudley Grant. He remained silent. As she went for her. hat and c'oak he followed her. pro- t^ting. "It's all nonsense your rushing off in this way â€" spoiling our whole Christmas party. Besides, you prom- ised to tell me ' something to-day. Can't .vou send one of the maids to Tiny?" "Maids!" gasped Arline, opening wide her soft prray eyes. "Tiny lioesn't want a maid. She waats me." "Well, I want you too." stated Grant. "It's absurd for a hcKstess to leave her party. Quixotic. There is a thing as being too conscientious â€" " "Good-bye, Dudley," said .Yrline, ex- tending her hand, and there was a tone in her sweet vibrant voice that the man liad never heard. Before long Arline and Jimmy ar- rived at the tenement house. Jimmy led the way up three flights of stairs, through a long, narrow, dark hall and softly opened the door of a dreary little room. When Jlr.'-. Ilugg.ins -aw Arline her face lit up through her tears and siie said, "I knew you would come, honey, even on Christmas Day." « "I'm glad I'm "nere." softly answer- ed- .Aidine as she knelt down by the coarse bed and placed her /oft. cool hand on Tiny's fevered !)row. At first in vain she tried to quiet the child, but by degrees the little girl became calm, and lata in the afternoon sank back on her pillow in a deep and restful sleep. Then Ariine. rising, saw Dr. Keith for the first time since she entere i the room. As they -..iptoed into the next room she said. "So this was your emergency call?'' "Yes. but you did more for our Iittla friend than I could," he answered as he gazed upon her with deep, sympa- thetic eyes. "I knew you wouldn't fa'.l us ."hen Mrs. Huggins sent for you. God bless you. Utile woman." The doctor took both her hands in his and held them tight. Then again the troublesome words, "Only a gutter child," Hashed across her mind, and in answer the thought came, "This is a man," and all at once, as a beacon light fi'om the darkness, she knew her ow'n heart. Turning away so as to hide her real feelings, she murmured, ".\nd Tiny v,-ill get well?" "She surely will," the doctor an- swereii, coming close to her. "And now â€" as you were so successful with one patient, can you give your attention to another case?" •Now? To-day? On Christmas?" .Arline asked in surprise. "Y'es, to-dr.y and every other day," Keith replied with a quaver in his voicp. "You are the only one who can cure him." "Who is he?" slic softly asked under her breath. "A man who needs you more than Tiny â€" more than any one else in the world â€" a man who loves you with all his heart, witJi all his soul, with all his might. Will you accept the case?'' "I'll try, ' murmured Arline. and as Keith •pcned his arms, without a mo- ment's hesitation she nestled close to him. Then raising her radiant faca she said: "And on Christmas, too." Their Treasured Gifts "There's usually one gift that im- presses me more than all tl'.e others I wcelve on Christmas. It may be the toast attractive one or it may be the most expensive. Kxpense has nothing to do with the impression it makes; it \s the motive- of the giver that moves me. "I recall a little luniblev doily with exquisitely crocheted edge that came from a girl who formerly v.-oriied for me and ot whom I had not heard for three or four years. I had never given ^er a gift nor had she so honored me ietore. Ev<fy time I look at the doily my heart is warmed." The speaker was one ot a group of women engaged in Christ inns work. "I agree with you," said another member of the stroup. "The expensive gift Is as capable of inspiring the true Christmas sentiment as is the lowly one. The Christmas I love best to re- member was the one which brought me my watch. I was eighte'en, teach- ing a country school and sorely wish- ing tor a timepiece. My brothers and Bisters teased mo about it. 'Susie's wishing tor a watch,' 'Ever,^-atchfully waiting,' 'Waich and pray,' and tuch nonsense they flung at me. You never •aw a' more surprised girl th.in I on Christmas wonilug when 1 found a little gold watch in tee toe of my fltockir.g! 'From au over watchful tamily,' the card read ayd Alothor ox- plained how those little tormentors had been saving all the money they earned that year and supplemented by | contributions from Father and herself. ; had enough to buy a watch belonging j to au old lady who needed money woree than watches" "Last year." said a third member of the workers, 'a girl sent me a pretty breakfast cap. The ribbon had been care'Cully laundered. I almost wept over it for I knew how my friend must have wished she could buy new ribbon but not one word ot apology did she send â€" our friendship was too sincei-e to need that. She sent me a ;okeu ot love. It went straight to my heart and to my head as well, for I wore the cap she made in preference to a more costly one." An ^elderly woman paused ir." her knitting. "I cannot recall any gift that uplifted me so much," she said, "as two tickols to a play which came enclosed in a Christmas book from my aunt in the city. I was living in the country, then, working very hard, and as my children were small. I did not go to town mora than twice a year, 'ill ride out in the car,' my thoughtful auui wrote, 'and send you and John b:iok in it while I stay with the babies.' "The book \v:is the story 'of a wo- n);in with mm;;, obstacles to overconu" and how she made good. Those tv.i bits of cardboard and the book nv^ ]â- â- a Christmas gift whose helpfiili.o-;,-. lasted over :ii; ny other Cliristniascs Tho'aabtfulucss counts. \(3£risima8 Garol O little town of Bethlehem, How still we see thee lie! Above thy deep and dreamless sleep The silent stars go by; Yet in thy dark streets shineth The everlasting Light; The hopes and fears of all the years Are met in thee to-night. O holy Child of Bethlehem ! Descend to us, we pray; Cast out our sin, and enter in. Be born in us to-day. We hear the Christmas angels The great glad tidings tell; Oh, come to us, abide with us, Our Lord Emmanuel! 'A Christsnas Present for Uncle Bill." In the Good Old Days. Years :igo an English country gentle- man's home was "Liberty Hall' on Christmas Day. All the tenants looked to the "big house" for their JoIIIOcations. which varied according to the degree of their lord. .\t daybreak ou the evouiful day all the tenantry were gathered in the master's big hall, whither also were Invited a sprinkling ct th'j surrounding gentr.v. The strong beer was broached, and the black-iacks went plentifully about, with toast, sugar, nutmeg, and good Cheshire cheese. If the hackon (the great sausage) was not boiled by daybreak, two .voung men took tiie cook by her arms and ran her round the market-place imtil she was ashamed of her laziness. The tables were never cleared, but re- mained constantly spread throughout the joyful season with huge sirloins of beef, capons, turkey, geese, plum- porridge, rlum-pnddings. and mince pies. All were welcomed, and ate heartily, which gave rise to the saying, '"TIs i merry in the hall, when beards wag all." Even the small farmers made big outlays, their fare consisting ot "good Urlnks, a blazing fire in the hall, brawnepudding and sou^e. and mus- tard with all; beef, in-.itton. and pork; Bhred or minced pies of the best; pig. voal, goose, capon, aiid turkey; cheese, apples, and nuts, with jolid carols." - "" V--' "â- Queer Christmas-Trees. ! A Chvl«tma8-;reo of solid gold, two I feet high, and plentifully -supplied , with brauches, is not au ordinal y ; Sight or fashion. Such is the descrip- ! tlon of a "tree" given by i.n Irish gold- ; miner to the late Pope a few years : ago. The man had made a fortune tu | the Klondykc. and spent a larf;e slice ' of it on the gift mentioned. Very different was a "tree" impo- Tlsed by sog^ lUitish sailors wrecked : ofl the Wip Coast ot Ireland a few , years ago. '^^.anded on an islaud, and , unable to make the mainland owing ' to storiis and' lack gf adotiuate boats, to help pass the tit'nc und al.>o please the kiddles ot their temporary hosts, I the men resolved to make a Chriittjiias- { tree. ' ' •' ''^ I On that desolate spot â€" a mere rock In the aea -nether bush i>or shrub "Was ] to be found ; but after much searvhtog j they unearthed a ^relict umbrella- j frame. lOveu thi.-i wtn; 'ji alien to the ' Island, but the sailors did not trouble ; to discuss its prusunce or manner of Gomin?, They simply rigged va tow extra "spars" to its "mainmast," and with scraps ot green iiaper and rags converted the brolly into a passable ' Imitation of a lir-tieo. Odil pltjccs of i wood wore then fashioned into ships, Noah's ark animals, dolls, etc.. and the tree duly decorated with the-\oys. ! Rather nicvc quaint was a free an- nually .sol up by ,1 lady in TWladelphla. One t'hri^tm;is this huly's house j I'uught lire during tiiu iilght. the in-' mates being warned of their danser ' by the howli'is cf a doT .A-; a sort of reward, for several years afterwards the animal's mlsire-^s m;ido a tree In : its honor, the "dccoralioiis" including | beefsteaks and toy riits tor the iVir's 1 consumption aiu; amuscmei't Coming Events. I , I just sit and close Jly eye.s | And ro*s of cakes And appie pies i Go da!,c!ug iiuit. I Urowii turivey wLugs | And all the treats I " That Cl;;i-:tnias biings. ^^€4 .\*''-i^' â- jia Rhyme* For the Gilte You Give. "They iiadn t a single penujr ^ .\nd they couldn't bowow any. .^nd they owed exactly five cent* tot coal; So they thought they'd ruu away, But the tollkeeper did say, "You must pay me two cent* apieoe for toll." Do not you remember the old Saint Nicholas rhyme, and the downcaat family of three geese standing abash- ed before the stern tuilkeeper? Some- timoe at ('hristmas we feel as poTerty- strlckeu as the geese! There may be worlds of fun in a jolly Christmas with gifts limited to a cost of fira and ten cents each. For tho many dear friends whom one desires to greet in some way at Christmas, the inexpensive postcards which load the postman's Christmss pack are deservedly popular. Still, the purchased card sadly lacks the personal touch. A letter bearing a message In the handwritiug o£ the giver is more satisfying. A verse composed particularly tor the recipient is delightful, but an ap- propriate rhyme, copied In the friend's handwritiug, is nest best. Here are a few stauzus that I hare used: With heartiest holiday greetings ' I send this wee message, my dear. And wish for a merry CJiristmae ' And a bles;ied and glad New Tear. -V little more serious was the fol- â- lowing: A loving thought ot the old' friends, A loving thought of the new, A loving Lhuught of the Best ot Friends, Whose tender care of us never ends, May Christmas bring to you. This was seut to a chum of old days: You're the very best kind ot a very best friend, You never fail doing your part, .-^.nd I wish you a very glud Christmas From tiie bottommost depths of my heart. This was written for one from whom I have received many favors: The merriest kind of Christmas Is my grateful wish to yon. V.'ith thanks for your kindnesses man; And the very nice things you do. A com!)ination ot thes;> seemed mors appropriato for atiothor: It's loaded with hearty j;ood wishes This letter I'm writing to you, .\nd thanks for your favors so many And all the dear things you do. They aio more than I ever could reckon Thougii I tried ail the days of the year. May joy be your portion forever. Is my very best wish for you, dear! A girl named Mary perimns smiled at Jhis: A merry, merry Christmas, To .Mary, Mary, Mary, And a New Year full of gladness Without a tiling contrary The Lady Bountiful of the ocmmunl' ty received these lines: Merry Christmas to the kindest -Vud most helpful friend I know! May sho live long years to greet us And to bless us here below! To the friend who is sorrowful or suffering, a gift ot flowers or a piant In blossom Is always acceptable. These lines arc in keeping: A loving greeting for Christinas And %. thought that my heart holds fast! As the il'jwcr to the bud unopened yet. The future is to the past Sometimes it happens that the re- cipient has to know beforehand what the gift is to be. perhaps even pur- chase it. In such a case it restores not a little ot the missing joy of sur- prise to receive it wrapped In an un- expected way with some such jingle as this: Here's a s'priso, Ope your eyes! ^ Within this package here A gift for you is hid. You never guessed what it woald be; I'm sure you never did. Your hand tho string unties. Uohold! The sp'rise! Cash Is cold and love Is warm and a thought ot love warin<i the heart and gives the real Christmas joy. 'â- ^'- ^^it.^'' I'f^^v- :^'^'- "* %, ^. Christmas Cards. Seventy years ago there was uo Christmas cards. At the close of 1S44 one lonely greeting was entrusted to the post odlce, in England, and trom that one have sprung all the various 5ind beautiful specimens that form such lan imiiortant feature, both social- ly and co^iimercially. <>" l!\is season ot the year. ' This one Chrlst-nas-card is believed to have been sent by W. B. Oobson, U,.V. Ue had a friend from whom he had received many kindnesse.-. and at- tentions during the past year of whifth he wisTred to show his appreciation In somo way. After some thought he paiuied a •^ni.tU p'ctur*, symbolizing th,e spirit â- 1 Cl'rlstmus. and seut It by post to !!is Ivi>?t:d. It was a sketch of a family gatliering drlnkiiig n toast to â- â- .•\b-o:-! Kiieuds.'! etid surrounded by all thf comforts and lurtules of IiristiuiS time. 'i'hi;j sketch was nboiit twice tho Bixe '.'t the pest- .ird of to-day. and was va'ntej ou a piece of Bristol board. Under the Mistletoe. The harmless and good old Christ- mas custom of kissing under the mistletoe ia a porennlal source of dis- cussion and dispute, but have you any idea how It origiuated? This Is the story ; B;ilder, the Scandinavian god of poverty a#tl eloquence â€" so says the legend â€" sought iuiaiuulty from the violence ot his o:'-c;mle8 by extracting from everything. In earth, (li'o, and water, a vrom'.ao to do him no hurt. Foolishly, he forgot to obtain this ns- 9<iraiic6 from m!stletoo: find "Loake, his great enemy, on learning tUls, In- duced a hireling to shoot !<:iljer v,-lth an arrow mads from .i ho'iigh ot mistletoe. Now, the other gods and goddesses, on hearing of tho dcRth of B ilder- - who WB3 a great f;!vcrite with themâ€" • preyed ihat out of the lo>'e they bore him lie might bo ?estorcd to life. Thus, when this came to pass, mistletoe. In- stead of being an emblem of death, hecnmo the emblem ot love, and, u suih. was givsr. to !iie godd"e.; ot lore to keep and guard, whilst everyone v.ho ,>as3ei! ii:uler the bough sho hold in her hand ivns expoct-od to salute her with a lon.ier kls«. â€" â€"- -«-â- - , It Is better (>> make and keep ONS N 'w Year'i* re!<oUitlon t>: . to make and break a hundr. 1.