ing new. There were hyacinths from
Helen and Carie, Elsie's pincushion on the bureau, a table cover from
Constance, and on the sideboard a cunning teapot, with this touching
verse tied on the handle:

"Whene'er a cup of tea you drink,
Of me I hope you'll kindly think.
To make the memory more complete,
Be sure to take it very sweet."

This effusion did not need Carl's initials to tell her where it came
from. The last thing to be discovered was a beautiful chair to match
the desk, from Carl's father.

Late in the afternoon a happy face looked in on Aunt Zelie, and a
merry voice exclaimed, "It is going to be a success; and to-day has
been better than Christmas!"

CHAPTER XXII.

UNCLE WILLIAM IS SURPRISED.

Dora's housekeeping seemed to thrive from the first. Her mother grew
more cheerful and a little stronger, and she herself was rosy and
happy. It was so pleasant to come home every day after school and find
Fanny, their small maid, who came each morning and stayed till after
lunch, setting their own little table. And then, what a pleasure to
study at her beautiful desk!

"It is lovely, if it is over a confectionery, isn't it, Mamma?" she
would say.

It was her great pleasure to keep this small domain in the daintiest
order, and Saturday morning was sure to find her busy with her duster.
On this particular morning, as she was shaking it out of the window,
she saw Bess and Louise coming in.

"If you aren't busy, Dora, we want to talk to you about something."
began the last-named person before she was fairly in the room.

"I am just through, and delighted to see you," she said hospitably.

"It is about the afghan," Bess explained. "We can finish it easily
this afternoon, and the twentieth is Uncle William's birthday; don't
you think it would be best to give it to him then?"

"We asked the boys about the party and they are in favor of it, and
Aunt Zelie says we can have it. Now what kind of a party shall it be?
We want suggestions," said Louise, folding her hands in her lap, and
leaning back as if she had only to ask.

"Why not have a surprise party?--ask him to dinner as if it were
nothing special, you know."

"The very thing!" they both exclaimed.

"Why didn't we think of surprising the dear old duck, who is always
surprising us?" Louise added.

Bess shook her head at her sister. "That is not a becoming way in
which to speak of your uncle. But that is a good idea, Dora; you are