Image provided by: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Lincoln, NE
About Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 25, 1904)
1 nbisi til. iviidr TT1 . T vm Christmas eve. Outride the star were glittering coldly and the ground was wti!t wlih snow. The city bls wire pealing merrily and Hie hadows cant by the flickering firelight danced so their music on the nursery wall. Peppy Jfora were sound asleep In their fmjg. white cots, but though their dolls had been put To bed quite early that. evening. they were wl3e awake and chattering noisily. Each was telling the other wtwt she hi'pil hare from Santa Ciaue, for most of rherr. had bur.g up a stocking, trusting to receive a Chrlet maa gift " I aha 11 fee disappointed If tie dneen't bring me phva silk free and a coral sjeckHl," said the Baaaar don. " Why, you had ne gw and necklace only the cither day." exclaimed the oil from Part. "What If I did? They are suite Id fashioned how!" (napped the Bazaar doll, who was fastidious about her ap pearance. She want by thta name, having been bought at a bexaar bf Kora'a mamma, 6he was rain and conceited and prided Herself otT'belng witty. AM the other dolls etested her, but they ware afraid at her and dared not show their dislike. " 1 want a rod stinstinde," sad a doll from Japan. ' And I should like a new set of furs," chimed In a Rus sian doM. "I wonder what Santa Claus will put In my stocking?" murmured the Dutch doll. " A chopper to chop yourself up for firewood, most like ly!" retorted the Bazaar doll, whose manners were extremely rude. The Dutch doll turned the color of a peony and sat up stiffly. " Wood lasts longer thaa sawdust," she remark!, and all the dolls laughed quietly. "I'm afraid Santa Claus won't bring me a present," sighed the Rag doll, sadly; " I haven't a stocking to hang up. I I suppose no one o ould lend me one?" she faltered. Every doll except the Bazaar dull that possessed a pair of stockings had lent one of them to some friend who wore only sandals or shoes, but the Bazaar doll had hung up both of hers for herself, trusting by ao doing to get a larger num ber of gifts. She glared indignantly at the timid Rag doll. " Toti van wh a stocking!" she Jeered. " Why, your feet tare nothing but senseless lumps of cloth. Tou ought to have bean given to a rag-and-bone-man's child for a present Instead of coming hwe. The Idea of your daring to ask for the loan of a stocking." The Rag doH sighed heavily, end, hanging her head, sank limply leto her corner and tried to keep back her tear. Then, one by one, the other dolls, tired of chattering, foil asleep tilt she only remained awake, and. thinking that no one would hear her, sobbed bitterly. Hello! What Is the matter, my dear? Why ore you cry ing?" said a voice at her elbow. in THE GNOMES' CHMSTMffiS Lob, IuUn, and Malgam BMpped out one day when the gate waa open, and loitered through tha wood, where the waking dreams are, and the old green beetle and father cock ouzel who knows of things Trom beginning to end wander, till they came ta the world itself. They came to H suddenly, over the edge and Lob said the word which took them there. Qrsat Imps!" ha exclaimed, aa they landed. Tha others gave hoed. Whan Lob used thai expression It generally meant business, but this time he Was merely giving verbal dignity to aa acuta feeling of dlneomfort. " Ain't it bloomln' ooid!" h added. Ha blew on his poor little fkngera, and his teeth chattered like dice rattled In a box. Then be sprang Into energy, dancing and stamping on the bard ground, which rang: and resounded to his long boots as when a woodman first cuts at a tough old oak, "He's talking human!" sniggled Malgam. " Bhut tip!" answered Lutln. " I'm Just about frozun." Malgam grewled and drew his woolly hair garments close. His nuhbly limbs Jouked more like geological specimens than ever, and the strange metallic veins which usually glistened about their surface like threads af shining precious stuff showed gray and deed. Lob checked his agility and looked around. " I thought Eeterells waa in a mighty hurry to let us go. I might hare remembered It was Christmas." "What's Christmas?" asked Lutin. mournfully. The green weeds which chiefly constituted his personal wardrobe were rapidly stiffening and his bowed, frog like legs trembled in the chill of the enow. " Christmas?" caught np Lob, contemptuous; "I forgot you weren't her last time." Wasn't IT" said li tin, trying to remember. Ne you disgraced yourself," " O Chat timer said Lutin. - res, that time! The time you broke all Santa Claus' best dolls. They only Just got another supply In time." " Christmas Is cold, to start with." commented Malgam. Any fool knows that," sniffed Lob; " that's why humans say " cold as Christmas.' " " Malgam always waa unlnformlng!" added Lutin. if a thing humane hare invented," continued Loh. pulU nig up his long boots and setting his red stocking cap at a roguish angle on his big heal. His body and legs were tiny, but beautifully proportioned; only his head was large. "They make what they call a feast of H, just at thla time of year." Why doa't they wait till It'a wanner?" " Because they're humane!" Lob's tone was decisive. " Give 'eea two ways of doing things, they choose the wrong 'un every time sure ha you're a mar Imp!" Again the cry of an infant rang through the forest and Loh looked up. " I shall have to Inquire Into thla." he said. " But what do they do at Chr1emaa ?" persisted Lutln; bs was an Inquisitive Imp. " I 'lay at taeing at peace a ad good a ill with everything and everybody.'" sneered Lob. "Snails! it's fun watching 'em. They take even themselves In. They eat too much end they drink too much and make every one else do the same and Call It being good. Creepy crawlers! If they'd UvA our Uvea they'd kaew what being good really is! Here, come along. I can't stand thie." And be trotted off up the road, followed by hie twe Strange ooraredes, in the direction whetice the crying came. They pueeed four or Ave small cottagte before they ar rived at a large gateway, wiuh ooa- of arms on the fronts ot the stone gate posts and large stone balls on the tone. Lutla sprang lightly, many feet la the air, and came dewa sitting oa the right hand etoae bail. Malgam looked VP at (lira, blinking, then he ewarmed up the Iron gate and clamb ered to tha opposite stone hall and there they eat, waiting. " Where is he? aaka4 La tin. afior pause. Down by that docsr there.' Malgun was peering hits tha shadow a Lulia followed his vase, and they saw their comjuinioa pending over a rough box which lay oa the flag stone tiadwr the banging porch. Then he stooped suddenly the Rag -doll saw standing betide " I I haven't a stocking to hang up no one would lend me one." she sobbed. " and I mm so unhappy; they all despise me because I am only an ugly Rag doll." "Ah, If only 1 were beaetifal like the Baiaar doll." she sighed. "Handsome Is that hanme dies," replied the Jack-in-the-box. "She wouldn't lend you one f hr stockings but hung w both for herself, eh? sine will Ire surprised whew she finds Santa Clan' gifts In ttiern tomorrow. I wonder If yon would like t come with me?" he a died; "I'm Invited te the Queen of the Fairies' Chriptmas party and will take you there If ro oar to go " "O. time vm m much: It would be lovely!" replld the Rag oll. Joyfully. " l v often heard Miss Pegjry and Nora talking about Fain land and should ao much like to see H." " lt roe help you rnto my box." said her companion, as the Rag doll seated herself within It, and It immediately rone up from the around and scared through the open window Into the silent world outside. On and oa they travf led, over snow clad trees, gleaming white fields, and froeen streams: beneath thorn lay sleeping cities, lofty mountains, rivers, lakes, and seaa. The Rag doll faced with Interest at the new world snread around her, and, peering down Into the deptha below, she felt quite giddy. On and on they sped till they came to a silver staircase. Here the box stopped, and. stepping from it, they climbed upwards towards a pair of beautiful gates that stood at the summit. They were most wonderfully wrought of Ivory and gold, and studded with precious gems. As the Rag doll reached them the gates sprang backward, and stepping ever the threshold she found herself In Fairyland. At first she was half blinded by the dazzling brilliance of the Bcene. but as her eyes grew accustoned to K she gsced round her In wonder and delight. On every side bloomed marvelous flowers and fruits far more beautiful than those of earth. Winding paths strewn with .gold dust lei past velvety lawns and cool green glades to delightful grottoes of crystal sod mif. where tinkling fountains cast Into the air their silvery sprays of water and snowy cascades fell foaming over the rooks. Birds of most exquisite plumage flew hither and thither, filling the air with sweetest melody, and on the tranquil surface of a gleaming rake graceful white wans ailed to and fro amid snowy Mies and purple Irises. Everywhere were banda of fairies, sporting, singing, and laughing. Some, nestling within the dainty flower cups, crouching beneath the leaves and mosses, and swinging from stem to stem of the swaying fern were playing at hide and seek. Some clasping hands, were dancing In a circle on the turf. while others, looking like a host of gorgeous butterflies, flitted through the air, mounted on beetles, moths, and dragon flies. closer and picked It up. "What's he doing?" whispered the frog like squatter oa h. iht " I believe It's a human. Here, we'd better get out of this!" and Malgam dropped off on to the snow some fourteen fet below with astonishing lightness and ease. Lutin waa by his side to an instant. " I'm going to stick by Lob," he hissed. " O, well." They looked through the bars. Lob had got to the gate with his burden and waa preparing for a spring. " Look out!" he cried, and the next moment he was on their side, his prize safely deposited between them. He stooped and drew back a rough piece of blanket which cov ered the contents. Malgam ground his teeth. "It Is a human." he Bald, wrathful; "what a forsaken fool you are!" Lob chuckled. " I'm going to have some fun with thla." He executed a quick little dance round the box tjn& finally stood on lta edges, straddled. Lutin drew near. " Is that thing alive?" he whispered, indicating the little morsel of flesh and spirit within. "I've hummed it asleep," laughed Lob; "don't you touch it!" he shrieked, .noting mischief In Malgam's gloating gaze, "It's a world baby don't you dare to touch it!" Malgam checked. " I shall tell Esterelle when I get bach," Ire grumbled out the threat and Bquatted on a stone bulk by the gate post. " Tell him wht you like when you get back," challenged Lob; " till then, keep your eye on your uncle," and he danced the other way round the box and Lutin, who was engrossed. " It'a beautiful," sighed ttie latter at last. " One of the best I've ever seen and I've seen some," assented Lob. ' Do you know anything about it?" Lob looked round. Then he covered the child up again, muttering over it. "That'll keep It warm," he explained; " they have to be kept warm out thla way." He pushed Malgam off the bulk and sat himself down on it. " I've bee here before," he said, and the other two Bquatted In the snow below and listened. "We're In a country hi the world that quaint blue ball we've watched often enough through the window you know the etarmaker's tower window." They nodded comprehension, I was here last summer." said Lob, looking about him; and the Christmas before that And I was here some two hundred human years ago but It's not changed much In that time." " Is that long?" asked Lutln. Long for them," retorted Lob. " But why do they put their babies out on the doorsteps?" persisted his Inquiring friend. Lob sniffed. " That's not the Big Man's baby, stupid! and that's where I'm going ts have some fun." He grew earnest. " Look here I got it all from the spider la the porch there; old friend of mint; remembered me perfectly. Last time I came by he'd just caught a wasp In his web and was having a bad time. I htlped him and he's Just told me that cold wasp was the best thing he'd ever struck." "We're talking of babiea." draaled Malgam. "not wasps." ' All tight." said Lob; " if only you wouldn't interrupt. Well, about an hour ago, after the humans had all gone ts bed they sit up this particular Bight te hear the bells talk, and make ready for Santa Claus " "Is he about?" asked Lutin. Some where!" snapped Lob; "let me finish. As I was saying, about aa hour ago a woman came along carrying this box not a beggar woman or one of the moos folk whe wan der here but a womaa the spider had seen before. Ehs had passed under his web once or twice when the Big Maa was aaay; and each time the Big Man's son had come to the door and welcomed her; and the last time, wbea she left him. iey stood talking quite close ts my old friend for quite a Ix'king tip In surpri her the Jack-!n-the-bvx. & S4'&it&jf- " en. -w-r The Jack-in-the-box ted the way to the river, where close to the bank, drawn by a pair of swans, a beautiful little boat, carved out of mother of pearl, lined with crtimy satin, and shaped like a ihell, awaited them. Mounted on each swan's back, guiding It with tiny silken reins, were two charming little fays daintily attired In silvery gauze with ailver san dals on their feet. As soon as the Rag doll and her friend were seated the swans moved slowly up the stream tiU they came at last to the palace of the Fairy Queen. Never before had the Rag doll beheld such a vision of dazzling splendor, for the quetn's palace was composed en tirely of diamonds arid opals, which flashed and sparkled like living fires with all the wondrous colors of the rainbow. A tiny herald blew on a silver trumpet to announce their ar rival, and presently they were ushered Into the palace of the queen. She was extremely beautiful, with golden hair which fell to her feet, violet eyjs and sort pink cheeks. She was seeled on a throne of ivory and wore a robe of tissue of gold moet beautifully embroidered with pearls and opala. On her head wa a tiny circlet of diamonds, and she held In her hand a golden scepter incrusted with precious stones. Seated on' cquchea of rose leaves and moving about In the hall were the Invited guests and the fairies b longing to the court, atl attired in most beautiful raiment, riany of their dresses being composed entirely of flower petal i. The queen bowed graciously o her visitors, and. after wtloomlng them, beckoned ahem to be seated; then"a ailver bell tinkled and a number of faary pages entered with tiny tables and Mil vers laden with dainty food and wines. The fays, bringing them cowelip wine, wood atra wherries, and many other deliracies. waited upon the Rag doll and her friend, who never before had tasted such delicious fruits and sweetmeats. Everything was nerved on golden plates, while goblets of purest crystal filled with a delicious drink made of honey and dew were lf "8 time; and then they kissed each other and she went .He'd never seen her since. And the Big Mai had come back and trouble had gone on Inside; ar.d then one day the son went out. too, and the Big Man closed tne door tienina mm. "But the woman was she pretty?" inquired Malgam. "He says beautiful, and he's difficult to please. Women are always so rude about spiders, yon see; and spiders are sensitive. This was how he saw her tonight. He'd been kept awake by all the tomfoolery Inside and he was watching up there,, Just an hour ago, some time after It had ceased and the lights had gone out, when he saw her pass outside the gate here, carrying this box. He thought no more of it till he heard a noise which woke him out of his first sleep. She must have got In by a back way, for there she was by the ?oor "Did she say the word to open It?" asked Lutln. "They don't open doors with words here; they're hardly clever enough for that this side." "O!" said Lutin. "No; she put the box down and drew back the cover and the spider saw the baby. Tou might have blown him away, he says. She didn't speak er cry, or anything like that; she Just stooped down and kissed it then looked at the door, gsve a short laugh, covered It up, and disappeared. Then we came and woke him up again." "Interesting!" said Malgam, rising; "what are you going tc do next?" V " I've got an idea," said Loh; "a megalopolous Idea." He invented words to express his meanings often, and always uuderstood them, even w hen no one elBe could. " The Big Man is no good to a baby; he's got plenty of children and none of them like him." "Marsh-marigolds!" ejaculated Lutin. " Now, Just down the road there lives a man, All By Him stlf. The children love him, but no one else knows him, and even the children see him only Just new and again. He had trouble once; and ever alnce that has lived all by himself la the eld house beyond the church. I'm going to give that maa a Christmas box. He's the only man In the plaee who doesn't get Christmas boxes and he's going to get one this time " He shouldered the roughly fashioned cradle and that which lay therein and stole up the village, the other two close behind him. Tbey had Just come to the church when Lob stopped and listened. "Quick, over here!" he whispered, and leaped with his burden over the low churchyard wall. Malgam and Lutln skipped after him with amazing celerity. He placed the box close In under the wall, and. clambering up. poked his great head over and rested his chin on the edge of the coping. The others did likewise. "What Is It?" asked Lutln, as the tramp of ponderous fet earee nearer. "A pleasemaa!" said Lob. " A what what?" aald Lutin. "A how how?" said Malgam. "A pleaseman!" said Lob. testily; "a thing they keep to look after things and punish mischievous people when he catches them." The Man in Blue was walking slowly, as deep In thought. He had had aa experience. As he was coming along the road from the next village some Iwe miles away he had heard the sound of wheels. Slipping Into the shadow of a large old holly tree he hid himself, and almost at once a light two a heeled cart came round the eomT and stopped close tq him. "What's the matter, dear?" said th wrapped up weman, as the man Jumped out and got hold of the horse's near for leg. "Stone la the beggar's hoof steady lad, whoa! that's all right!" He came back on her side of the cart. " You're not frightened?" She looked et him. " With you, dear why should I be?" " Tou're not sorry you did It?" " It was best for the dear little fellow he'd never have got through the voyage, traveling a we must travel" " The old maa will be wild." "Ah, but year mother will look after him they'll recog nise the necklace." " Tea, mother will be kjnd; Ood bless her!" ' 4 handed to the gweet. While the fenet proceeded a tend of fairt played soft muMc upon Silver harps nod flutes, while others sang sweetly In chorus. " t must lake yoa through my domains and show you something of FsR-yland." said the Fairy Qween as her gnests rose from Mie tables, and she led th way towards the porch, outciide whtoh a tiny gold.i oar drawn by a number of gorgeous 'butterfHes awaited them. ' BureJy e ean never enter hr carriage. We are much too bht." thought the Rag doJl. tml the qnen (nrkxl t one of her ladies In waiting and whispered something In her ear. A moment later the fairy returned with a crystal vase containing some magic potion. The Fairy Queen thn sprin kled a few drops of this liquid up n the Rag Doll and her friend, who found themselves suddenly shrinking In size till they were no bigger than the smallest of the fays. Then they stepped Into the car and seated themselves beside the Fairy Queen, svnd the butterflies bore them to a distant part of Fairyland. " I Bo not give preoents to girls and boy, like Santa Claus does." said the Fairy Queen. " but 1 send to the sorrowing ones of the earth a happy dream as my Christmas git. There are my dream weavers at work." rhe added, as they came to an open space In a charming glade, where a band of fairies were busily at work. AH around them were piled heaps of fragrant flowers whose petals they were casting Into a golden caldron set over a magic Are. " Popples for forgetfulness of sorrow, forget-me-nota for remembrance of delight, heartsease for contentment and Joy. roses for love and pleasure. Every flower has its use," aald the queen. From the bubbling contents of the caldron rose wreaths of fragrant warm vapor which the fairiee spun Into fantastic shapes. "The Dream Fairy will .scatter my dreams upon the earth tonight," said the queen; then she led the way through leafy glades where the little people of the wood dwelt. Tiny elvr-S. dressed In green with golden shoes on their feet, crept ont of the trees to do her homage, offering to her hazel nuts and neclar In acorn cups. And the Rag doll heard the winds plasing harps In the wood, making magic music unlike any heard upon earth. Then the queen took them to where the Mist Fairies clad In snowy geuee were at work weaving magic mists on the mountain tops, and to where the Rain Fairies in glistening coats of armor were busily bearing the rain drops to earth. "It Is their work to drie away the dust and cleanse the world for my Sun Fairies.'' she ead. Then they came to where the Sun Fairies dressed In shim mering gold were weaving with magic spindles glittering sun beams, and these they shot as arrows from a bow, piercing By Robert George Legge. She leaned to him. " It Isn't as 1f we weren't married," she said, and he took her hand and kissed It. When the wheels had died away the policeman came out and whistled softly. He had recognized the old squire's dis graced son. This was what he was pondering over as he came leisurely along, his tout stick under his arm. When he was opposite where the three heads were set, earnestly watching him. he stopped. Then he looked up at the church clock and grunted. Then he drew off his thick gloves, fum bled In his tail pocket, brought out a pipe, which he stuck In hie teeth, and a bit of paper, which he unfolded. "What's he dating?" whispered Malgam. "Don't know," snarled Ib. "Hold on!" They held on and the man approached. He put, his hand ou under Lob's very nose and drew It sharply along the wall There was an explosion end a sudden glare and they all fell off. Lob was back again in a second, spluttering. ' Great Imps!" the others heard him exclaim as they touched ground; and when they looked up he was In his old position, every Joint crackling with anger. They climbed back to find the wan with his two hands arched over the light, bending his head toward It. The next moment a puff of rank smoke set them all coughing and swearing and he straightened up and moved heavily away. " He's on fire!" said Lutln. "Well, I never saw a pleaseman do that before!" said Loh, wiping his ejjes. They were all three sitting on the wall row. " I should like to' show him something!" growled Malgam. with horrible sincerity. "Look here," said Lob; " let'a each get down a different chimney and yell for help. That'll fetch him up!" Malgam chortled. ' t "It'll fetch up the others, too," said Lutin; "and what about the baby, then?" "Burn the baby!" said Malgam; "let's have a go with be what-d'you-call-htmV " Pleaaeman they call him that because no one's pleased to see him; that's human all over. We'll have to let him go. Walt a minute, though." Lob skipped off and they saw him spinning round hi fi.emv in a frenzied whirl; the cutting snow powder rushed up from the road into the man's eyes and ears and hair; the sparks of his pipe flung stinging against his cheeks; his beard waa singed In a trice, his cape wrapped itself up in mad gayety over his head; and at the exact moment Lob, with one tragniflcently timed kick, sent his hat careering Jubilantly down the road. Then the little fellow came back, crackling. " That's done me good!" he said; " now let's go on." They recovered the box and proceeded. Morning grew to first dawn, and the red eastern messen gers were telling t.e last loitering star to hurry up and get out before the sun came or there would be trouble in about a couple of hours when the Man All By Himself woke up. He had had a beautiful dream. Now. he did not know it, but the dream had been sent last thing that morplng, because it was true by Lob, wrrh full Instructions, and dreams sre noted for the fidelity with wWt tlit-y carry out their instructions. For Instance, you never find a cucumber dream acting like a milk pudding dream each does its work differently and each does It well. And this was what he dreamed. The love of his life was not dead, as he had believed, but she had come to tell him that she was alive and more beau- iaaen ner nana, the little hand which could hold even his large heart with ease for all It wac so small, and together they wandered out among the atars till they came to the milky way. And all the road her talk was of lovs and hope and Joy. And they passed along the milky way, where the asphodel gad the amaranth grew, and the white child spirits played, tlil them came to the wondrous bower, and in the bower eat a divinely beautiful lady. Thm the love ef his life had taken him up to her who sat therein and aald gently; " Through sorrew has he come bec&uee I had to leave him give him a Christmas gift and let him be no more alone!" And the lady, amlling with the smile of all happy things, had leaned to 14m and placed a wonderful Jeweled casket In the mists with shaft of sought An llu y S.iw the Flow.r Falries whose dut M Is to tend inl guard the !jwors. paint ing their petals with w.wvlroi, colors, ind kissing fragrance into the tender, swelling bud?. " Now I will take you to nee the Water Pir.tes." said the queen, and they went towards the like, whi-re snowy lilies floated, and stepping Into one of them. It Shnk With them beneath the wster. The Wuter Sprites. drocd In ses g-ecn robes embroidered wfcth silver, came forth to we'eome th-m a'd shca-ed them their home which thf Ksk dojl Ih.vtrht vtus the most beau tiful she had ever se-n Their wi.'s Wirt hnn with trailing green moesee. rushes, an.1 wsh-r a oeds. mid their hulls lit with a soft green lifcht that fl1terd tlironth the celling of water overhead, while their tn!is and chairs wore formed of the cups and leaves of the ,itT lilit-e. Accompanying themselves on their harps of sold and m th(r of pearl, they sang to the Fairy Queen and hi-r guest" the most beautiful yet the s.dii"el song ever ntten-d, for It tId of the time when, because they a'cre not immortal, they iniipt puss away TV Cbjupetvt aT-ria.c5 from the beautiful earth forever. And at the bidding of the aueen, the Water Sprite showed the Rag dojl their wonder- , ful caverns stored with precious stones and wondrous treas ure, and so many Interesting things that the Rag doll was quite oorry when It was time to go. . Before you return to the earth," said the queen, "I will grant you anything you care to ask me." , " t should like to be beautiful and beloved." replied the Rag doll, and hardly hod she spoken when she was Imme diately transformed Into the most exquisite doll ever fash ioned. The Jack-in-the-box stared at her In admiration and de light. " Tou are far more beautiful than the Bazaar doll now," he exclaimed. Then he helped his companion Into his box. and she remembered nothing more till she awoke and found herself once again in the nursery. " Santa' Claus has brought a most beautiful new doll to Miss Nora and Peggy." said the dolls when they awoke next morning and wished each other " a merry Christmas," and , they all admired the lovely stranger and her charming dress and necklet. " She looks just as kind and sweet tempered as she la pretty. Thank goodness, the Bazaar doll won't be queen of the nursery any longer." cried the Dutch doll; then they all looked into their stockings to see what gift had been left there. And each or them found something nice except the Bazaar doll, for whom Santa Claus had left only a book entitled "Good Manners for Dolls." Why, where Is the Rag doll?" exclaimed one of the dolls later In the day. " Perhaps aue is attending her Christmas In Fairyland." said the beautiful stranger. his bund, saying: " open this when thou gettest back and cherish what therein Is!" And be said: " What is this, lady?" She answered: "A gift from Ood." And again he said: "But, lady, how know I that I am worthy such a gift? Tell me what Is herein that I may re turn It ere It la too late!" She smiled again, with the smile of all loving things, and replied In friendly wise: " It is a gift of love love fr some one not thyself!" Then together they went back and pawned through the stars and so oame back to the world. And when they came to the little back gate where the poets go In and out, and such as wonder may knoc-k. his love said: "Now hast thou that vhall comfort thee till we meet never to part again" and her kiss was on his lliw as he awoke He got up and looked from bis window at the first elms of s glorious dawn coming up over the edge of the earth, and the last stroke the bells broke f.irth. And through the sound of the bells be heard, as It were, a rhild crying. He listened and again It came, clearer, distinct. Imperative. Sd the Man All By Himself put on his warm coat over his pajamaa, and his big. soft, old slippers, and his well worn fishing hat, and went to the door that he might hear the better and know the meaning of the crying and there, oa his threshold ley the boa and the baby in It. And aa he stouped te uncover it the babe stopped crying and clutched at hie linger and smiled. And three little heads peeping round the corner of th porch broke Into broad and happy grins as the man smiled back at the babe, and, picking up the box, carried H in All By Himself no longer! ""No. X" jfc '