dancing about and clapping their hands in delight. "And we didn't know
we were to have any at all. Mamma Vi you must have had it set up, and
trimmed it while we were gone this morning. Didn't you? Oh thank you
ever so much!"

"Your father provided it, and your thanks are due to him far more than
to me," Violet replied, with a smiling-glance in his direction.

At that they crowded about him, Max putting a hand affectionately into
his and thanking him with hearty words of appreciation, while the little
girls hugged and kissed him to his heart's content.

The servants had gathered about the door, little Elsie's mammy among
them, with her nursling in her arms.

"Oh pretty, pretty!" shouted the little one, clapping her hands in an
ecstacy of delight. "Let Elsie down, mammy."

"Come to papa," the captain said, and taking her in his arms carried
her to the tree and all around it, pointing out the pretty things.

"What would you like to have?" he asked. "What shall papa give you off
this beautiful tree?"

"Dolly," she said, reaching out for a lovely bisque doll seated in a
tiny chair attached to one of the lower branches.

"You shall have it; it was put there on purpose for papa's baby girl,"
he said, taking it up carefully and putting it into her arms. "Now let
us see what we can find for mamma and your brother and sisters."

His gift to Violet was some beautiful lace selected with the help of her
mother. He had contrived to add it to the adornments of the tree without
her knowledge. She was greatly pleased when he detached and handed it to
her.

Max was delighted to receive a Magic lantern and a Sleight of Hand
outfit, Lulu a game of Lawn and Parlor Ring Toss, and a handsome Toilet
Case. Grace had the same and beside a brass bedstead for her dolls, with
mattress and pillows, and a large and complete assortment of everything
needed for making and dressing paper dolls. That last was from Lulu.

There were books, periodicals, a type writer and games to be shared by
all three, beside other less important gifts from one to the other, and
from outside friends.

The servants too, were remembered with gifts suited to their needs and
tastes, and there were fruits and confections for all.

Examining their own and each other's gifts, peeping into the new books,
trying the new games, with papa and mamma helping, the children found
the evening pass very quickly and delightfully.

"We were going to hang up our stockings," G