came back. She wore her zebra-pattern shawl, which was quite bulged out with parcels. These she con

' to waste my money a-giving presents to little brats like you? Now, out of the way, out of the way. For goodness' sake Polly, set down and

feeling very weak the last few days; the constant pain and anxiety had told upon her. "I am an old fool to spend seven and sixpence on nothing at all but gimcracks to put into the Christmas stockings; but there, I must see '

eau which stood in the corner of the tiny bedroom. She locked it up a

ladylike appearance which was so rare in her station of life. She had a sort of natural instinct which kept her from overdressing, and she always looked the picture of neatness. She was furbishing up the lace on the dress now, and Polly was seated by the little table stoning the raisins for the Christmas pudding, and gazing with admiration at her sister all the while. The Christmas bustle and sense of festivity which G

r the fact of my being accused of theft, why, I'll take him; yes, I'll take him. It will make Grannie happy too. Poor old Grannie! she don't look too well the last day or two. It is wonderful, but I think she is fretting sore about that feather-stitching. Poor dear! she thin

ame back to help to get ready the family meal. David and Harry both came noisily upstairs to partake of it. The

and afterward we are to play leapfrog and billiards, and end up with a boxing match. That swell, Mr. Rolf

they are just the same-mischeevous, restless young wagabones. Now then, Harry, for go

laughed into her blue ones; she gave him a smile into which she threw her who

home. It occurred to her, and her heart beat faster at the thought, that she might be able to give Jim his final answer on her way home; if so, what a glorious Christmas present would be hers. Accordingly, as she

ef things go right for the children? Oh, good Lord, I commit these children to thy care; do for 'em wot is right, and don't trouble ab

too good for the company she was to be with, Grannie gave her a kis

home," said the old

don't sit up, Gra

u'll find the key under the mat; now go

ght they were snoring she slipped softly into her room to fetch the brown paper parcels, and the long woolen stockings which year after year had done duty for the Santa Claus gifts. If she suspected it, she took good care not to look; nevertheless, the fact remains that the three little snorers did open their eyes for a brief moment, and did see the parcels going out,

rd, oh, my soul. I do declare there's a sight o' good to be got out

ience that the children would rather have half a dozen small things than one big thing. The worsted stockings, too, which had been knit in a bygone age, by the celebrated Mrs. Simpson, the inventor of the sprig, were deep and long. They took a great deal of filling, and Grannie knew what keen disappointment would be the result if each stocking was not chock-full. She collected her wares, s

ke the price off, of course. Now, suppose Ally comes back an engaged girl, could she have anything prettier than this little

y stuffed out with apples and oranges; the gifts following next-

more than a five-year-old Phipps, I remember as well as possible taking my presents out of this werry stocking, and trembling all over when I couldn't untie the knot of the

s poor old Santa Claus and his stocking, but Grannie was very thankful that the stockings should hang at the foot of the beds for the last time. When all was done and the kitchen made as neat as a new pin she fell on her

strides, but the little woman was under the shadow of