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A OOtnTNAS OAMb *£••• llatthe 48- rattSw* Are WMtetltt Jrtmr. w' Hief>ttrntwK«tr tndtht Kf tfaimuum of ltet.*ele jb oraitl tii the li<rt»t.»f that iCar Lin (bite tnr*f« im pearled; - r **£**• ft d turn wrttfil Htw l the nations that JcSoa is KjtgjT %e Tt»Jo c» in f e ltstot, > 4 And we oc'f) the won • * ? 1 * TPhftk « mo flow i thr nttrtrlha bl0M Jt> I - P nmUi lMWfit ihron.- M we « wit t > th - l' V' ly ovamrel th<r hting, Jba we cnvH in tola cradle oar Savior ana B«' ^ '• BAHII Druiim WURIWiP *»<*' *> 4ft CHAPTER I *w»* " *MWAAI<NMA* tlvHSeta dsysl'oforv* Chrstman, and all •ypreaents iu my pockets," thoarht SftMk 'Htrtiwu, an he strolled up Broad- with holiday charm* and tager shoppers. He stepped into T f* H||Vt6 cop are with similar ones the that hie sister IMMI just sent Rome,together with some unset stones and, for want of something bet­ ter Mr*t6 vilh his money, he presen e l lKmfwtft%itk buttons to match and ro­ an med his wa k. Hall im was one of Ihof^o, ipipr^lft tur*kv persons wtioae 6ther hid left him above the necessity naPter&l poenliar to the defendants <rf Adam. He had accepted a kind of smasure .|n * banking-hou«e, but the •fiHtQ^nfiT confinement affected his Kead; go that he re igned in favx>r of a nee.ly yonh who ne ir v lost his wits **h delight, and took to boring his drisids i for an occupation. Hallam senior had l>een an unscrupulous spec- viator, who made ont of everybody and om^thmg, and, having helped up wpafth for his children, die J universally 8 , •'Peepte hinted that Americans were 4Mtfdly gosdenou h for th * Mis<e*Hal- ftifc, <ahd" that titles, wi ll owners and s»st!es' attached, were a drug in the Buropean market. So Mrs. Hdiam look her daughters and younger >xra Christmas was to Frank Hallam but name for one d»y in the 36>. How jf where he would spend it d d not Rouble him. Whether l»e would find itkn^lf iif a pew in old Trinit •, listen­ ing to sublime chorals eloquent of di- le peace and good will to men, or in ebafb-room, excited over cards was a'Question of chance. A lid with a-lW- gM face nodding to h'm in passing made him forget self for a few mo- The boy held the lowest place cjp; the banker's stiff, was called Ben, Treceivel $1 a week for his services and . ®fcid alferaoted Hdlaai by his unfailing good temper and the faeuity of keep- i(t^ well if not warm in the thinnest of Aprs nnd most threadbare of cheap jĵ oqlen suits. . "Iwondfer what Ben expects for his ^Christm iB?" and for a few seconds Hal- •tfM pictured to himself the possible wants of Ben's heme; then a liaid touched his shoulder, and a tall fe Jow <A* » seal-skin cap and long ulster fell •alto step with him. ; , tHello, Prank I * "How are vou. Will?" 'All right." Wha-'s the latent* ' 1aye alt in iE&me. J UUi % »fjt' ** "My siisters are well, but mother "Imsn't been strong this summer, so still in the country. By the *wav, wlipre are you going to eat your _Hjiiristrnas dinner? Come up with me Baturdav night. Two or tUrce nice «Wa are going to spend the liolid»ys Witli us. We'll have good sleighing, and von can sling your skates over your riiotilder.* -•II Will Norris continued his list of at- •stvast ons' by describing the girls, their --ttHCtipua and exj>ec<ations.; and the tliat one was u young lady whom ff4Ballam, had Ion? wished to meet in- 'nlw1 *r:"' to accept the invitation. "If you hove anytinng in the way of . oostiunes put them in the valise," said wi 1,'ks lhefy p<rtetl. "The girls were * 4UitMi8sitag tableaux aad a masquerade." £ lie ncKt Batarday morning found Hsilhun at the depot, his own ba?giige tiiiougli, ready to uss st his traveliug companions. They soon ap- joeai^d,_ escorted by Will--three merry ]•" pHvetopi d in fnrs ami bine veils, j«j^^oco;tsined each ot'jer and Will, and 8i»e'n't tiie fcime fci'l tho train starte-1 inr qniriii" about their various i>ackages; *̂ ,TFV*<JV4I fotlnj Miws IJU Sortis quite am "***dffit^Rro2r as he P^cpected, and mana red to collect, her belongings and sit next A h©« in tlte ettr,. .asi v ftf0l)S UefoT-e they reached th ir sta- HitoTi th y !nd compared notes as to th »ir fivoriite' ftrttors and nchre^s s, songs, .dineea and pictures, and were deep n* frdm tlieir pet poet«, er- 4UfcW^ed over a box of Whitnev's al- .IgMuijiyls ^nd chtxjolatft cream1*. Will and lits two eh rg«n" smiled and joked over thisjjl; jiparafeeflirhrt ion, and thoroughly "jiijovwt the ̂ itnatio.i, e tch knowing that iu %ci^n large Solitaire diamond, and 1 cairi d the giver's portrait in her pend­ ant locket: 1 baa . The Norris conntry-«eat was some- •'*'%laft "tiitiire tnodern than the family wealth, so <h it it had a I possible later calnAW t >roTenu>tits and appliances for com- ,|l 'Jfjjjf' . , w- 88 *he wagon neared i'ae • Tfense'the door was flung wide open and seveia! l>ovs rushed oat, followed tur «t*»ttWr'dignitied sisters. ST $7UP Hallam saw framed by |ltiilNB(tof toe Preach windows on the second floor the fi'fure of a youns; girt * in ajeloae-fltting blaok dress. The ran tritfTuf f • Be^tnsI Bnn made golden the tot JS^'V' ̂ rown ^a'r above her forehead -JtfiK $4 ff"* a glow to her delicate features ••*><{ Sli -,r ? m- "er drea'ny gaze wan- 4ed indifferently over the noisy party pf. rather curious, Hallam j^ed hi* fair oharmer into the wide he a^kel Will about "ths Lfi» 4pwipf lady in black." > tOti, ;_Mi-n Bartow; pretty irirl, Tlie expression of Miss Bartow's eyes as she returned his bow, Ha'lam never forgot. Cariosity, contempt nnd anger were agaia succeeded by one of intense sadness as she looked away. A b»r»t of. laughter from the fire-plaoe, where Will and his cousin were sitting, took Hallam am >ng them. Luhad pnt on a dark silk, with bewitching bow* in her hair ajd at her throat. Her lo ket was mrsnn j and her hands were ri g- lem. The suppressed tittr-ring that at times went like a wave through the room was lost on Halla n, who grew more devoted as the hours passed. Mr. Norris wai happiest when all his chll Iren were ancrtind him. and, it being holiday times, the boys did pretty mnoii as they pieced abont retiring, Miss Bartow's control not extending beyond the school-room. Hal am rather enjoyed the noise, as it shielded his effec ive rem rks and Lu's timid replies. Jessie Norris, in a far corner playing eucha>", leaned over tho table to whisper with Wi 1. "Isn't she wild? Ska has taken off Iter ring." "Well, Ned will be here next week. I cues' this is her farewell flirt tiori, for he talks abont being married in Febru­ ary." " What wiTl she do when N°d comes?" asked another oousin, Mafgery by DMW* "She'll manage," said "Will. "STever fear. I say, Bis, Miss Bartow looks worried." > •> - "Well, it's very dull for her here, awav from her own people * . " Why don't slio take a holiday ?" "She is going dawn on ( hri*tm s Eye. It would never do to have her go soon­ er. The boys would run wild all day and spoil all one's amusement. £lwy want to l>e in everything as it is." Will wtiistledsoitJv lieliiud his cards. For several days sleighing and skat­ ing were in ord r for afternoon and evening. The mornings were spent in consultations over costumes and pi t- ure-i. Here HUtam was in his element, and Miss B trtow was also in reqnest, tuv ideas as to details being excellent. So it happened that often she and Hal­ lam discu -ised postures and backgrounds^ and when the st ge was »mt up t ^ey were t <e critics in front during rehears­ als, Hallam l>e ng we'l up in hi < parts. The principal personages had l»en very carefully divided between the grrls to avoid room for jealousy and give plenty for rivalry. Tho entertainment wa to conclude with a dance in which masks would be most welcome. "Why don't yon help ns, Mtss Bar­ tow ?" Hal am said to her one morning, while both were busy on the stage, she sewin? and he nailing. I really do not care about it." You have* taken so much of the dradgery off onr shoulders it isn't fair not to have some of the pleasure." His serious expression made her laugh. * To me it would be hard work, not pleasure. The associations th.it make all this agreeable to you do not affeot me." "True, but you will join in the mas­ querade? I think every person invited has accepted." "£ think not." Then she smiled gravely; the smallest expense con­ nected with a fancy dress was so utterly out of her power. " You seem to feel contempt for &tl our small efforts at amusement." "Not at all; on the oontrary, I envy you the faculty of so thoroughly enjoy­ ing them." "Are you going on the ervergreen party this afternoon?" "No. I have agreed to stay and fin­ ish thoSe draperies: for that reason the children are going to the woods. It will be a very nice excursion; the only one I should cire to.go on." • "I am to shoulder my ax and cut down whatever Miss Lu is pleased to .fancy." "I hope you will bring back plenty of laurel, it will dresb the room HO preiti y." "I'll try to," he said, returning to his scenic offer's, which in a few minutes were superintended by a bevy of critics in the doorway. Late in the evening tbe wood party came home, the wagon loaded with boughs of hemlock and little pines, quantities of shining laurel and the red- berried holly. The dining-room be­ came a miniatnre forest, where arches, wreaths, stars and crosses took form u^der skillful hands and were thence triumphantly carried and hung in par­ lor, hall and upper-room. "Wouldn't you like something spe­ cial, Miss Bartow?" asked Hallam, stopping^ near her as the piled greens would let him. "Yes, an anchor would embellish my domain, and perhaps have a good in­ fluence when I feel like despairing." "Do you know I think the spicy odors of these trees the best part of Christ­ mas." She looked at him from l>ehind her barricade, this time searokingly, pity­ ingly. , , "Do you?" He wont to cut the pasteboard anchor, wishing lie had only" thought that l ist remark. Then Lu called him to lis her twine and trim off her wreith. and watching her bright eyes he forgot the fiuer ones that hauntel him with their peculiar expressions of puszling inter- •) H-' -:•**>.,>. i i ii tiiUlf J«i - " !t' Clf APTElt lT. ! i' • . . A. OUUX Or CHBISTXAa. The long-looked-for day proved a tr .ing one to several of the most m- tere tedp rformers. Hillam's costumes had arrived and he and Will Norris spent the morning before a mirror, ask ng oaoli other " How do I look ?" Both looked well in the traditional Prince's drea-i, and having covered the chairs and tables with «elvet cloaks, cavalier hats, buck­ led shoes and their adjuncts, they put j on dominos and practiced fancy steps j till luncheon. The girls ha I admired j each other as nuns, Princesses, corsairs' | brides and water nymphs until exhaust­ ed, and were glad to resume the char­ acter of ordinary Americans and look after tho arrangeents for theevening'i ei-teit lininent. Kacliel had be«a requested to keep the children in the school-room, and htid succeeded at an expense o mental f ffort an 1 nerve power quite nnappre- ci tte l by her res'less, curious charges. She h td met all their liitle schemes for getting down "to the theater" wi h conntc ones of great attraction, had bro'ight them surreptitious cakes and Wa . is** ahe ? S too had about her, Mrs. |l faitAftdP'Ow lost h'+r propertv in some wav .*»*•!» amd the chi diwn were thrown on their I'*'* efefe1 'resources. Mother heard of this **" brought her up iu sprin r to • . spoiled." \ | t f /.HiSam wttd wr more. When he got! t<K»fiAaMmvlhf whole family had gathered in «^*jg .tue.'ys^Jor. a »d ho went ove-to a so^'n | to spa ik to Mrs. Norris, a gentle deli- i * ...O&Vi ,vom ». v'ho re .'e l every one j SWJ' * JMSS Bhrtow was hoi I a» Bh««w^ras hoi ing some | Clivis^nias nu I ^»l ^ n6r to WM« aHSs"d j «'e.ong her br- « I * * ' - 4 « h « s a i d , o l d h o m e . T %<*h \ • . -4 *i„' ' of pines , Wii. lii- >f T&XZ •***•*A*.4 •1J.3II C|,,t *!-»• ft [r.H*r«a." up o iriotts toward the staircase, she sat down before the scho il-r om fire, laid her weajpy head on her desk, and fell asleep, . • S on her waking thoughts besatno the redities of a dream. It w*s CliviH'nias ni' ht, and she was a «hild brothers and s'sters in her ilie I rge rooms were odor- and hemlook, a pleasant warmW* *p«rmeated btm tiie op«n ftnr place, in front ot wh<oh her grand' par nt~ dozed in easy-chairs. Nea** the table her father sat, reading aloud frem a brilliant picture-book, and a' his feet, e <gerly listening, was a blue-eyed, curly-haired child. At tho piano, with other little ones grouped around her, the mother played ancient carols and steadied the light* shrill voices. Toys were scattered on the carpet, and the Ohrtsfauft tr e, shorn of its fru ts, stretohed its branchsa protectingly toward alt Suddenly, in a manner peculiar to drauns, Rachel was her pnunl self--a tired, anxious t aoher; but, strange to relate, her de­ sires were all gratified. The modest house was well furnished, the children prettily dressed and her mother strong and happy-looking. A delicious sense of peace and freedom from oare stole over her stunned sensee; a strength greater than her own seemed to bo divining and accomplishing her plans. The clapping of a door roused her, and looking op Hallam was coming toward her, followed by all the girls ex- oent Lu. "O, Miss Bartow, we want you to take Ln's part in the 'Magio Mirror' aad the 'Sle -pmg Beauty,'" said Margery. » "Mr. Willetts has oome, and he wont let Lu do anything, he's so jealous." "But, sureiy, among so many youoan share her parts,. * "No; we have as muoh m we can do now. Then, Mr. Hallam has all his dresses. It will be too bad if his prin­ cipal tableaux are left out; and, beside, the programmes are all printed. Do, Miss Bartow. Lu has left all her things ready for you. You are the same height, and I'll dress your hair and help you all I oan." "Please take pity on us,* Hallam said pathetio.il !y. "And it's quite time to begin dress­ ing," said Lizzie Norris, the decided me1fS¥>er of the family. "Our tea will be sent up, so say yes and come. You'll oblige ns all." R ichel stood up. Out in the hall they met Mrs. Norris. "So you are going to help them out of their trouble. Now try and enjoy yourse f as much as possible; remem­ ber, I'm to have a reserved orchestra ohair." Hallam wwnt td htsroom, thoroughly relieved, and feeling grateful to Mrs. Bartow. . "Shell eclipse them i\ll," said Will, hearing everything while he waxed his mustaohe and put his curled wig on- straight. "I wish I were in your place." In the girls' room toilets progressed rapidly. By the time Lizzie had brushed and arranged Rachel's long hair and arrayed her in classic white robes, wliioh set off the perleot figure and made more dazzling the fair complexion, the girl, surprised at her own unsuspected beau­ ty, began to enter into the spirit of the thing and long for the entertainment to commence. "You look lovely!" said Margery, pausing in the act of powdering and staring at Rachel. "Does she?" said Lizzie, charmed, like a true artist, at the perfection of her own skill. "I never could have looked eo un­ earthly," said Lu, who stood arranging Iter fancy dress before a mirror, deter­ mined to be fasoinating in the one cos­ tume allowed her. "It's too bul we have to be on the stage," said Jennie. "I'd like to see the effect in front." * There was a-chorus of "I would, too." tr>T fli« 'Be°u- tyP" cried Johnny Norris, call-boy for the occasion. Rachel's progress down stairs aad along the hall was after the order of a triumphal march. Behind the scenes it was very warm. Mr. Will­ etts stood ready to touch the bell and raise the curtain. Sallam, in blue and silver, looking every inch a Prince, • iirew Will a sharp glance as Rachel walked on the stage. Of course the Princess had to be dis­ posed of first; but Rachel was quite equal to the occasion. Her first reclin­ ing position on the blue satin sofa was declared perfect. Hallam on one knee, touched her hand and bent over her. The "ladies and gentlemen in waiting" took their stations. "Must I close my eyes?" said Rachel. "Of course," in a loud whisper, amid suppressed laughter. "Now, Hallam,- look unutterable things," said Will. "Hush--ohl" The bell rang, the curtain slowly rose, and a murmur of delight and loud clapping of hands attested the sucoess of the pioture. "No enoores," said several. "Now, then, we're all to be wide awake." The second tableau was shown. In it the Princess has partly risen and is looking with pleased surprise at the Prince, who is clasping her hands. The attendants, equally startled, gaze with rapture on the lovely couple. This was a still greater success, and an enoore w.»s loudly demanded, but Rachel in a minute was off the stage and Hallam protested that it would not bear repetition. "What did I tell you?" said Will. "Ifn't she stunning?" Hallam turned away without speak­ ing. In all the succeeding tableaux Rachel's parta were well done. The "Magic Mirror" was the final one, and, more or less excited, the girls put on the most becoming dresses. Again, Hallam was the Prince, this time in white and scarlet, and Rachel his fair dream-Princess. Mirrors were so placed that as each girl passed slowly outside the scene her form was refl- cted in the one on the stage. The magician on one side waved his wand, while the Prince on the other watched each vision, kneeling with outstretched arms when the right one appeared. There was no disputing the fact that Rachel's was the loveliest form thus mirro-ed. Beneath the misty veil her eyes fl tshed and the color in her cheeks deepened with conscious beauty. Lu declared it was a good chance to admire her own best partv dress, and the trained skirt of puffed tulle oertainly did credit to its designer. "You will be back soon," Hallam said to Rachel, as they s'ood together on the stage watching the last light put ont behind the curtain. "I have no fancy dress." "Can't vou pick np a domino? Fm sure you lifce dancing." "I think I have played Cinderella pftnsably to-night, and, as the clock is striking 12, I shall put off my finery and return to my proper garb. Mr. Hallam, facts are stubborn things, and this sort of masquerading, thongh pleasant in its way, only makes oon tra*t. greatc." She left him, going swiftly along ths hall and ap the staircase, more like phantom than a crea ure full of sup­ pressed and originality He d vneed aad ate, aad in turn da- voted him -elf to the prettiest dresses in the room, but all in vain, the charm «Mhe evening had vanished, p 03APTER IK. M| omancAS niinnn. ̂ - m " Christmas Eve dawned cloudy, dark and oold. Miss Bartow oame to break­ fast in a waterproof suit, and Hallam soon understood that she was going down to New York. He got an idea, and when Rachel was buying her ticket at the little station Hallam oame up for his. "I thought I wo ld run down and get some things for tho hce," he explained. "There will be a la e train up, and Will has promised to let a servant wait for me. Do you live far from the dep*t?" "Yes, quite a distance, but one of my brothers will meet me." "No doubt you also have a lit le shop­ ping to attend to.' "Yes, a little." Bachel thought of her small yearly salary, a quarter of w- ioh w*s lying in her pocketbook, and already due for coal or rent. "Here is the train; let me take yotl* valise:" and, suiting the action to the word, Hallam then drew her arm in his, and put her on the car. The train was too crowded to admit of seats together, so Bachel, with her eyes on the cold, frozen landscape, indulged _ in bitter memories, and Hallam, sitting a few seats behind her, stud ed the $080 rf her small head, admired her pretty neck and s'.ouUlers, and envied the stout woman whose wraps and bags gave Rachel a sensation of being smothered. At Bridgeport they had to change cfes. Hallam saw that the down train was one hour behind, but had tact enough not to mention the fact until Rachel had taken a lunch. Then he unbuttoned his ulster and sat down be­ side her as if the heated, noisy waiting- room were tha most agreeable of tryst- ing places. ' - "We have an hour to wait, Miss Bar­ tow." "An hour! It will be dark when wo get in." "I'll see yon safely home. I hope yon will allow me tooall upon you, Miss Bartow." "Call on met When, where? Mr. Hallam, I am not in a position to re­ ceive calls from gentlemen." "Will told me something of your cir­ cumstances. * "He did! how mnch?" "Oh, no details." "Would you like to hear them?" She turned to him--her oheeks flushing, her eyes flashing. "Listen, my father had a business friend, a ric>., shrewd, successful man. Some years ago he persuaded my father to put everytliing he owned in an oil speculation m Pennsylvania. In six months the oil supply was declared to have given out; father was ruined, and the blow killed him. The worst of all was this: the whole transaction was a fraud from the beginning; tbe well never had been worth a dollar, and the men who oollected the mouey divided it among themselves. My father's Jfriand was named Jabez Hallam." "My father!" "Yes, I am sorry; but pernios it's better for you to he tr all this from me. You can judge now of some of my re­ flections during the last week. Your father was President of the oompany. Seeing you has brought to mind e?ery trouble of the past years " "Miss Bartow, this wrong shall be righted!" "Righted! impossible. Can you un­ do your father's work? Your family can live abroad; my mother has a flat on Seventh avenue. We have lost ev- erviiiiuf^, inj eiSicvS "fiS6 brothers were taken from school and put in cfiSSces ^here they are overworked und underpaid. With all our efforts we do not earn a comfortable living." "No wonder you hate me. All this week you have been thinking these things, while I--" "Yes, I have been filled with envy, hatred and all uncharitableness. No doubt I am unjust; I have tried to rea­ son with myself and; conquer my feel­ ings. It's easy enough to be a Christian in theory." "I hope you will try to faeone in prac­ tice, and think with more kmdne-s of my father. For myself, in watching you I have found out my own worthless- ness. Your industry and unselfishness have taught me a lesson that I trust will last for my ife." "Yes, hard work and self-denial are very admirable virtues in others, but when they are compulsory I don't be­ lieve they do their possessor much good." "I wish you would forget whom I am and hear me on my own merits." Her eyes sank before the look he fixed on them; her face grew white. "I came down to-day for the sole pur­ pose of telling you that I love you. If yotl will be my wife I will try and make you respeot the name you have cause to bate." For answer Rachel began to cry. While he b nt over her, assuring her that he knew she did not care for him, and that he only asked her to try aud do so, the rush outside proclaimed tin arrival of the down train. This time Hallam found a whole seat vacant, and before the cars reached New- York he had pursuaded Rachel to look on him in the 'i 'M of •>. As they went along tho platform Ra­ chel suddenly drew her arm from h s and caught hold of a lad who was look­ ing for her in every direction bnt the right one. H 11am felt himself forgot­ ten while she kissed the boy and asked several breathless, half-finu»hed quest­ ions. "How do yon do, Ben?" It was llachel's turn now to be sur­ prised. "Ben and I are old friends," said Hallam, grasping Ben s cold hand. "And now hadn't we bettor start?" "Rav, mother said if yon liked might have a pudding. I brought the )>a»ket with* me," was Ben's audible whi>|>er. Rachel saw Hallam's eyes brighten with fun. "All right, Ben, 111 help you with tho basket," he said, quickly. "Bat your shopping?" said Rachel. "I can do it af erward." So tlioy went into a large, br 'lliantly lighted urocery, and HalTam inspected the fomgn fru ts, wlii e Rachel had the e'erk weijrh the e ements of a plum- pudding, Ben's great eyes watching the sca'es. Nearer home, they stopped to buy a tree and some wreaths and stars, and thus freighted reached the door. Of course, Hallam had to go in to disen- cnmlier himself of -greens, valise and nmbrella, and, tea being ready, Mrs. Bartow said he must stav. The home-made bread and preserves were delicious, the tea refr« shing, and the faces around the table so g oil and happy that Hallam forgot his morning promises. Mrs. Bartow, in her moth- heart. If she knew who he was she made no sign, and, understanding from Bachel that the detention in the trains •would prevent his re1 urn to Mr. Nor­ ths' house, she invited him to eat his Christmas dinner with her. So it hap­ pened that, while Mrs. Hallam enjoyed the Christmas services at fit. Peter's, her son Frank helped the younger B »r- tows to st ne raisins and blanch almonds for their Christmas pudding, put up stars and wreaths as R>chel di­ rected him, s eadied the little tree in rs wooden stand, and then paid sundry visits to toy and candy stores, reaching his hotel at a very late hour. Beiore he slept he wrote to bis moth­ er in regard to returning to Mrs. Bar­ tow the amount, with interest, invested by her late husband in certain Pennsyl­ vania <«' wells. If the estate refused he pro|>osed to refund it out of his own share of his father's property. When he uncovered his head within the church doors on Christmss Day, cross, st -r and crown al>ove the altar bore for him a new significance. Senr tenees which heretofore had fallen un­ heeded on his ear now seemed full pf hidden meaning. He felt that he oeuid hope to meet Rachel's clear eyes with­ out a keen sense of mental shame, and whether she accepted or rejected his honest love he would yet win her admi­ ration and esteem. "We must hurry hom<\" she said when he joine l her after service. "The iable has to be laid, and there isu't a thing on the tree yet. I suppose you sent the boxes that came this morning. It's to be hoped they contain something for yourself, otherwise youll no^ get a present." .« " What I want isn't in a box." r Rachel had so much to say altout the music they had just heard that they were home before she had expressed all her delight. Mrs. Bartow, was going abont with a white apron over her best, black dress. In honor of the day the dinner would be served in the one parlor; so Hallam sat near the blazing fire, while R .chel and her sisters set the table. Thers was a delicious mingling of odors being e nstantly wafted from >he kitchen, ac­ counted fo- later by tbe appearance of h huge roasted turkey, some oranberry sauce, and last, but not least, the fam­ ous pudding. Happiness always took away Racliel's appetite, se she looked at her plate now and then, put a morsel iu her mouth, and kept up an unfailing supply' of merry jokes and quaint ideas, the while noting how Ben and Tom enjoyed thei dinner. While helping to drees the tree sVe observed Hallam in serious conversa­ tion with her mother. She looked in vain for some little thing for him. The boys had invested in small presents of use only to girls, while the girls had manufacture f a few artic es for them far more useful than orna ueotaL "Hell have to take one of us," said Addie, laughing. "Everything else is appropriated." "There are snapping mottoes and lots < f candies," said Ben. "Great novelties, I'm sure, to Mr. Hallam," rejoined Tom. "Anyhow, he's got everything he wants." "I don't know about that," Said "Hal­ lam, coming over to help light the tree. "You'll have to be satisfied with a box of sugar-plums," said Rachel. "If you will give them to me," and then m an nndeitone, as he touched her hand, "with permission to try for this." "Rather an unusual Christmas gift." "Exchange is no robb ry." "It is all so sudden. You must ha-, lieve in love at fir*t sight." _ "And so do you. 1 read it in your eyes the night of the tableau party." " ' Gath<; round the Christmas tree,'" shouted Tom. "Ray, give Mr. Hallam your hand." The Disappointed Candidates The candidate who gets left at the County Convention can be told by the way he grasps your hand, braces him­ self against the- gurgling emotion, and whisperingly inquires: • "Did you ever hear of a case like it?" You never dirt. You tell him that you never did, and he pulls you into a doorway and continues: "I'm done with polities forever J" "No!" "Yes, I am, and with the party, too!" "You don't say so!" "Oh, but I am. This thing has sat­ isfied me there is no such thing as hon­ esty in politics, and that a politician has no more word thau a dog. ^1 was sold out." ' ' ' " ' Possible!"' t 'Sold out andf He<T orrt! They used money to beat me. They lied about me. They played hvpocrite and knave. Here have served the party for nineteen long years and never asked for an oftice, and the minute I decide to accept the nomination for a little fifteen-cent posi­ tion they go to> work and beat me in convention with a wooden-head who doesn't know enongh to mark a barrel of pork. Corruption, sir--cor-rup-shun --and the whole ticket will be defeated on account o£ it." And the best of it ho takes you for a man who isn't posted. He dosen't be-, lieve you hare the slightest idea that he packed three or four eancuses, bought a dozen delegates,. teJd three lies to the other man's one, and was beaten be­ cause his delegates sold out. He takes you for an innocent, and he grasps your hand again> at parting and chokingiy says: "Corruption--vile corruption! Most barefaced fraud in American politics! Can't train with a party upheld by the practice of sneh principles--can't possi­ bly do it."--Detroit Free Pre**. WTH AJTTT TaUc Msnneri* Young children who have fcTwait till older people have eaten all there is in the house should not Open the dining- room door during ths meal and ask this host if he is going to eat all day. It makes the company feel ill at ease and lays up wrath in the parents heart. Children should not appear dis­ pleased with the regular courses at dinner and then fill up on pie. Eat tho less expensive food first and then or­ ganize a panic in the preserves. Do not close out the last of you? soup by taking the plate in your mouth and pouring the liquid down your childish neck. Yott might spill it, and it enlarges and distorts the mouth unnecessarily. When asked what part of the fowl you prefer, do not say you will take the part that goes over the fence last. This remark is very humorous, but the rising generation ought to originate some new table jokes that will be worthy of the age in whioh we live. Children should early learn the use of the fork and how to handle it. This knowledge can be acquired by allowing them to pry up the carpet tacks with this instrument, and other little exer­ cises such as the parent mind may sug- The child should be taught at OQge not to wave his bread around over the table while in conversation, or to fill his mouth full of potatoes and then con­ verse in a rich tone of voice with some one OTrt jp the yard. He might get his dinner down hu trpchea and cause his parents great anxiety. In picking up a plate or saucer filled with soup or with moist food, the child should be t^aght not to parboil his thumb in the contents of his dish and to avoid swallowing soup bones or other indigestible debris. Toothpicks are generally the last course, and children should not be per­ mitted to pick their teeth and kick the table through the other exercises. While grace is being said at the table, children should know that it is a breach of good breeding to smouge fruit cake just because their parents' heads are bowed down and their attention for the moment turned in another direction. Children ought not to be permitted to find fault with the dinner or fool with the cat while eating. Boys should, be­ fore going to the table, empty all the frogs and grasshoppers out of their pockets, or those insects might crawl out during the festivities and jump into the gravy. If a fly wades into your jelly up to his gambrels do not mash him with your spoon before all the guests, as death is at all times depressing to those who are at dinner and retards digestion. Take the fly out carefully with what natur­ ally adheres to his person and wipe him on the table-cloth. It will demonstrate your perfect command of yourself and afford amusement for the company. Do not stand up in your chair and try to spear a roll with your fork. Say "thank you" and "much obliged" and "l>eg par­ don" wherever you can work in your re­ marks, as it throws people off their guard and gives you an opportunity to get in your work on the pastry and other brio-a-brac near you at ths time. --Bill Nye. Hot That Kind of a Ham* The seventh passenger was » lady. Tliere was an abundance of room in the ear, bat as she entered an elderly man rose up with a great flourish and called out: "Take my seat, madam. I am* not the kind of a man to keep a seat in- the street ear and oblige a lady to stand up.,r She sank down with a half-bow of isksswlefls™""^ nprl he held put hand for Iter fare with the remark: "Some men are brutal enough to per­ mit a lady to stumble to the faro-bol and back, but that isn't me." He took her ticket and deposited it, and then hung to the strap and con» tinned': "And' I know men who think that passing a lady's fare to the box gives them the privilege of entering into con­ versation- with her about the weather, crops, ratte of mortality, politics, and so forth. That isn't me, however." The speech had its due effect upon all the passengers, including the victim, and the man let out another link by re­ marking : "Giving up my seat in the car to a lady does not entitle me to offer to assist her ofF the car, or ask if she is mar­ ried or single, or in any manner break drown down the stern barriers of social formality, and I know it. It is simply an act of: coartesy, and I .shall so oon* sider it." There wss> something painful in the situation ttr> the other six, but relief came by th® reaching the end of his journey. As he was ready to get off 'Ha looked back and said: "I have- seen men whose conoeit obliged them to lift their hats and bow to everybody- in the car before stepping off, but that isn't me, I shall step off without any formality, aud without hoping I will be missed." When the six looked back and1 saw him sprawled in the dust they wove glad of it?.--Detroit Free Press. The WfMf Kind sf Emotion* A laborer fell into an excavation and broke his leg, and among the crowd that gathered was one who took it upon him­ self to coavey the sad intelligence to the man'a wife. "Break the news an easy as you can," groaned the victim, "for my wife is very emotional and may be completely up­ set." The hearer of the message hurried en his way and in his excitement knocked at the door of the wrong house. It was opened by a woman who remarked that she didn't want to buy anything, and site was closing it with a bang when the man protested: "Madame, 1 have a message for yon." "What is it?*' "It ia in regard to your husband. Do not get excited, and don't be frightened, for it is only a tr fling accident. I came to announce to you that your husband has had a leg broken." "He has, eh? Been in his grave three yearrf and had a leg broken, eh? Now, ?'ou rascal, fly through that gate or 111 >reak every bone in your body!" She produced the hickory club nec­ essary to keep her word, liut the man flew. The Times Not Out of Joint;. It is all nonsense to croak about tt&e times and. declare that religious f&itii is going to<the dogs. The men who. can't think are ttlie ones who say this, while the men who do think know that there is more honest and solid belief in. all the essentials of religion than ever baf&re. A tlook ©f crows can't steal all Hie corn tilth s is in the world, though you: might think so when they fill the air with their ominons caw, caw, and a few men wlio dtoa'ft dare to believe in religion, because ••ligion doesn't believe in tliauiv can't shut up all the churches, even ii they die say the entire universe is ort the road I»> everlasting ruin.. We ean set these words to a dirge, if we pleaae: 1 dreamed a dream Inst Christmas «r«^ Cti a ]>eoi>le whoac God wan make " A dream of an old faith hu lfcto * A rama facie case: When a dock ia accused of being behind time there in something wrong on the face of it. AT Cleveland a man has invented a "vacuum gun." This is bad. It is al­ ways the empty gun that the small boy. "THIS insurance policy is a queer thing," said Dobbs, reflectively. "If I can't sell it, I cancel it; and if I cancel it, I can't sell it." "WHAT shall I do," asked a miserly millionaire of his physician, "for a tight­ ness in my ohest ?" "Start a home for Incurables," said the doctor. THE reasons that aesthetes so admire the stork is that he can stand for hours on one leg, and look as though he didnt know anything and didn't want to. A BONNET this season, in order to be of any account, must have five contrast­ ing colors to correspond with the chang­ ing colors on the faoe of the who, foots the bilL PEDDLKB to peasaal: "I have hero two different almanacs frOm whioh yon may choose. One of them contains the most holidays, but the other contains more good weather." LIGHTNING struck a Nevada man the other day while he wss swearing. It would, however, take a mighty sharp stroke of lightning to hit a Nevada man when he is not swearing. IF your son asks something of yon *rhich you know ought not to be grant­ ed, don't hesitate to say "No." It is a wise father, says the proverb, who no's his own son.--Boston Transcript. SHE went into a shop to buy some toilet soap, and while the shopman was expatiating on its merits about made np * her mind to purchase, but when he said' it would keep off chaps she said she didn't want that kind. , "Do YOU subscribe to all the articles erf tho Athanasian creed?" was asked an old lady. "No, I don't I I can't afford it! There's a collection next week for the Convention fund, and I can't do any more," was the reply. THERE are some mean men in this world. One of them got into the house of a clergyman, took his parrot out of the cage and left in its place another one which had been brought up in a down town saloon. It was tho night of the Mite Society, too, and the clergyman is in disgrace. Moral --don't keep a par­ rot.--Philadelphia Net vs. "JpHN," said the cashier's wife, drop­ ping into the bank in the midst of a shopping trip, you forgot to leave me that money this morning." "What name?" asked the cashier, without look­ ing up. "Name! name!" exclaimed the lady. "I am your wife." "No doubt, no doubt," answered the cashier, me­ chanically, and going on with his writ­ ing ; "but you will have to bring some one to identify yon." IF they keep on we shall have kid gloves reaching- to the shoulder.--De­ troit Fret Pre**. Let 'em keep on, my dear boy, till the kid gloves with a dainty pair of hands in them reach to the shoulder and rest there, and then when you bend down and brush a lovely little nose- 1*ith your moustache you'll think you aorw an old goat not to have had a pair of kids reaching to your shoulders before^--Boston Commercial Bulletin. WHO'LL TAKI7 OARE OF THE BABY? 8ava Joe to Bam to fierce debate Upon tho woman question, "You've a- Bweral well all other points, Now, here's my laot wwesUon: "When woman gi e* to «mrt her vote. Some miles away,, it may be, 'Who then, I ask, will atay »t 1M To rock and tend the baby?" -a He wasn't prepared for that kind arly, gracious way, completely won his of eniotkw.~-£«troi4 Froe Prtm, And a Christian chnrch, and. people and prcfta, Who believod they believed, IT--BUN or lees-- bnt they won't have a«ny more effect on the world than the- banging of a tin pan which sets itself wp> as the crack of doom. Infidelity is not and cannot be made a paying investment.--Rm* Dr. Cuyler. v- How to Yacefaata. Referring to a vaccination inquiry prosecuted at Norwich, England, Dr. Allnatt, of Cheltenham, writes that iu his youth he was instructed to dip the point of the lancet into the fresh lymph and iwwrt it tenderly, without drawing blood, under the skin of the forearm, and to protect tho wound with a slight compress. "I do not th.nk a case failed," ha says. But now aotne vac­ cinators use real instruments of tortnre. Ivory points are driven into tho flefvh, and * wounds ensue which become erysipelatous and in delicate constitu­ tions of weakly ohildron fatal. The old maxim of former day* was, "Never draw * Qnoth Sam: Town yo«*vemademy4SI!l : Appear a little breezy,. '-"wv ; hoped yoilVI pa»« thisKinestkm by, ; And (rive me HomethiiiireaAy, . • •; IBU» as the matter seems to tan » • ' \ On this potnt an its axis, Just get the one who reeked it when : She went to pay her taxes." THE screw-worm i» very destructive to stock in Texas, m hot weather. Whenever, upon any animal, there is the slightest scratch, the fly lays her eggs, which hatch out into screw worms that almost eat the animal alive. This explanation of how dangerous a scratch may be to an animal^ ia necessary to a proper understanding of the following conversation between two colored voters in Austin, on election day. "Ise mighty glad election days dm*t oome in July. Hot's ranch better ter hab election in cool wedkiier.'* "Wliuffor?" "On account ob db oandTdafees.'* "What's yer talkin"lK>ut, niggah?" "Ef v some ,ob de candidates was scratched in July as much as dev am to-day at de polls, de screw warns would hab jest walked off wid em, suah."--Texas Sifting*. Origin of State Fairs. The present system of fairs and cattle shows originated with Elkanah Watson, an Albany merchant, about 1810. His application to Boston for guarantee funds was met by ex-PVeeidient Aduus with a terse rebuff: "You will get no aid from Boston, ffibmmerce, literature, theology, medicine, tho university, and university politics.are all against you." Nevertheless, the- more liberal Legisla­ ture of New York in 1813 appropriated $10,000 a year for six years, to be di­ vided among its counties for the en­ couragement of. agriculture and manu­ factures. In, 1818, several months be­ fore the passage o£ this, act, several of the most prominent eitxzens of Wash­ ington county, mat m the Court House at Sandy Hill and organized a county agricultural society. The first reported fair was held at Salem in 1822, with entries for pramxama, a ploughing match, "plonghr-men in white frocks," and an address, delivered in the church. Fairs on a less, scale had been held every year before this in Argyle, Green­ wich, Hebron* Granville, Whitehall, and Kingsbury. The prizes were small, sad records scanty. The whole awards t>nm.l>ered scaroely 100.--Troy Times. Educational items. Mr. Whackem, an Austin teacher, was arrested lor an assault on one ot his pupils. He was reviewing his olasaes, and when he oame to this boy, whose name is Kosciusko Murphy, Jr.v his pupil failed to answer the simplest- question,. He was particularly defect­ ive in definitions. "You. dont know the meaning of any of the English words. Are there any words in any other language of whioh you can givo tho definitions?" asked Mr. Whackem, sarcastically. "Yes;I know the meaning ot some- Chinese words." "You do, do you?" remarked Whack­ em, in a still more sarcastio manner^ udo yon know what the Qfainese word for donkey is?" "Yes." " What is it?* "Whackem!" And Whackem took tbo hint, and did whack him with profuao liberality.-- -Pr }">' ijv.i'iivii. v» ...