you precious child! but for you, I should
never have known this!"

"And if you had not given me the work-box," said Alice, "perhaps no one
would ever have found it out.

"But," continued she, excitedly, "let us see if there is any thing more
in there."

Again reaching into the hole in the mantel-piece, she sprung back with a
look of amazement that frightened Mrs. Reed.

"Why, Alice, what is the matter?" inquired the old lady.

"Matter!" exclaimed Alice. "Why, dear me! Mrs. Reed, there are lots and
lots of bags in there yet!"

"Is it possible!" said Mrs. Reed hoarsely. Then reaching her hand into
the hole, she drew out bag after bag, handling them very carefully, so
that they would not fall to pieces as the first one had done.

In the meantime Alice had pushed a table up near the fire-place. The
bags were emptied upon it, until the glittering gold made a heap that
struck Mrs. Reed and Alice with greater amazement than ever.

"Alice," said Mrs. Reed, "this is a blessing from Heaven that I do not
deserve. I can not tell you how thankful I am for it. My happiness now
will be in doing for others."

Alice said nothing; her heart was too full. A look of sadness came over
her face.

She was wondering whether Mrs. Reed would continue to love her, and
thinking, with a mingled feeling of fear and dread, that now her friend
was rich, perhaps she, the poor orphan girl, might not be so welcome at
the cottage as before.

Mrs. Reed seemed to understand somewhat the nature of Alice's thoughts.
"Cheer up, Alice," said she; "this is not a time to be sad! Come, help
me put away this gold.

"By the way, Alice, now is the time to use your pocket-book; you know I
told you it was handy to have things in the house, they might be
needed," she continued, smilingly.

"Why, certainly, Mrs. Reed; do you want to borrow my pocket-book? here
it is."

"Yes, my dear," replied Mrs. Reed, "I shall want a new one myself, and I
want to see yours. I wonder how many pieces of gold it will hold."

Then Mrs. Reed crammed the pocket-book full of gold pieces.

"There!" said she, handing it to Alice; "that is the Christmas present I
wanted to give you this morning, but did not have it."

"What! this for me! O no, no! I do not deserve it!" cried Alice.

"But you must take it, Alice, and listen; for I have something to tell
you. I want you to be my daughter now. I will have abundant means to
make both of us comfortable and happy."

"O Mrs. Re