ll confused, Hugh went over the hard snow
and among trees, not knowing what he did; and at last after wandering
a long time he came to a steep hillside. Here he slipped and rolling
down fell over a high place. Down, down, down he fell, and he fell."

"Oh! make him stop," cried little Hugh.

"He fell on to a deep bed of soft snow and was not hurt, but soon got
up, and thought he was buried in a white tomb. But soon he
understood, and his head grew clearer, and he beat the snow away and
got out. Then, first he said a prayer, and that was the only prayer he
had said in a long time."

"Oh my!" cried little Hugh. "I did think people could nevah sleep
unless they say their prayers. That's what nurse says. Doesn't she,
Alice?"

And just here Kris had to wipe his eyes, but he took the little
fellow's hand in his and went on.

"Soon he found shelter under a cliff, where no snow was, and with his
flint and steel struck a light, and made with sticks and logs a big
fire. After this he felt warm and better all over and fell asleep.
When he woke up it was early morning, and looking about, he saw in
the rock little yellow streaks and small lumps, and then he knew he
had found a great mine of gold no man had ever seen before. By and by
he got out of the valley and found his companions, and in the spring
he went to his mine, which, because he had found it, was all his own,
and he got people to work there and dig out the gold. After that he
was no longer poor, but very, very rich."

"And was he good then?" said Hugh.

"And did he go home," said Alice, "and buy things?"

"Yes, he went. One day he went home and at night saw his house and
little children, and--but he will not stay, because there is no love
waiting in his house, and all the money in the world is no good unless
there is some love too. You see, dear, a house is just a house of
brick and mortar, but when it is full of love, then it is a home."

"I like that man," said Hugh. "Tell me more."

"But first," said Alice, "oh! we do want to see all our presents."

"Ah, well. That is all, I think; and the presents. Now for the
presents." Then he opened a bag and took out first a string of great
pearls, and said, as he hung them around Alice's neck, "There, these
the oysters made for you years ago under the deep blue sea. They are
for a wedding gift from Chris. They are too fine for a little maid. No
Queen has prettier pearls. But when you are married and some one you
love