began to cry. Mr. Benton did not know what to do, his head was
troubling him, and he realized dimly that he might get into difficulties
with the police. He left Trouble in a room, trying to think what was
best to do to get the little boy back to his friends, and then Uncle
Toby came along.

After that things happened quickly. Mr. Benton slipped and fell, and
the blow on his head did what the doctors and nurses could not seem
to do for him. It brought him back to his right mind.

"And we'll soon have you out at my cabin, spending Christmas with the
Curlytops!" said Uncle Toby, when everything had been explained.

"Oh, what a happy time it will be!" said Mr. Benton.

That night he was taken out to the cabin, and there was reunited with
his little family. And such a gladsome, happy, and thankful Christmas
eve was never known before!

It seemed that the children never would go to bed, but at last they
quieted down and then--well, what always happens on Christmas eve took
place after that.

The Christmas tree was wondrously trimmed, empty stockings began to
swell out and there was even one for Skyrocket which was laden to
overflowing with dog biscuit.

The sun shone bright on the snow around Crystal Lake.

"Merry Christmas!" cried the Curlytops, as they rushed to see what Santa
Claus had left for them.

"Merry Christmas!" echoed their playmates.

"The happiest Christmas in all the world!" said Harry and Mary. For they
had found their father, long lost to them.

"I 'ikes Ch'is'mus," murmured Trouble, his mouth full of candy. "I 'ikes
Ch'is'mus an' Unk Toby an' everybody! I 'ike 'oo!" he said to Mr.
Benton.

"And I like you," said the father of Mary and Harry. "Only for you and
Uncle Toby I might not be here, happy with my family. Merry Christmas to
everybody!"

And so, with the gladsome echoes of "Merry Christmas" filling the air,
we will say good-bye to the Curlytops.

THE END

THE CURLYTOPS SERIES

By HOWARD R. GARIS

Author of the famous "Bedtime Animal Stories"

_12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. Jacket in full colors_

~Price per volume, 65 cents, postpaid~

[Illustration]

_Stories for children by the best author of books for little people._

1. THE CURLYTOPS AT CHERRY FARM
_or Vacation Days in the Country_

A tale of happy vacation days on a farm.

2. THE CURLYTOPS ON STAR ISLAND
_or Camping out with Grandpa_

The Curlytops were