y hearts and sweet surprise!
And we, whose childhood long since fled,
Would fain entreat old Time to pause,
To give us back our childish faith,
And simple trust in Santa Claus.

THE GIANT OF THE TREASURE CAVES.

(_Continued from page 347._)

Shocked beyond measure at the change in the fine, handsome Dick Peet he
remembered years ago, Jack looked at him. His heart died within him. He
had not, thank Heaven, killed his friend; but, alas! how little short of
that was the mischief he had done! Could Dick ever forgive him? Even if
he should, Jack could never forgive himself. Never should he forget his
first sight of the changed, ruined Dick, nor that it was his hand which
had wrought the change and ruin.

Estelle's touch roused him. 'Jack, dear Jack, come and speak to him. He
is ready to forgive. See, he is waiting to do so. Be very gentle, and
speak low. He will understand then.'

Jack's face was ashen, and his stalwart frame trembled as he approached
the chair in which the invalid reclined. Dick's eyes shone with some of
their old intelligence when he saw his former enemy, and his hands were
held out in eager welcome. It almost seemed as if he looked upon Jack,
not as an enemy to be pardoned, but as an old comrade with whom there
had been a grievous misunderstanding.

'I wonder if he remembers there is anything to forgive?' thought
Estelle, as she watched him.

Jack took the hands held out to him. He could barely mutter the
word--'Forgive!'

'As I hope to be forgiven!' came in clear, steady tones, such as Dick
had not been known to utter since his misfortune. There was a long
silence. Estelle's eyes were full of tears. Jack, his head raised, was
looking at Dick. But Dick's face was radiant with a joy that was not of
this earth. His great desire had been granted. He was lying back, still
clasping the hand of his enemy, but with his eyes on the blue sky he
could see above the trees. Presently, as no one moved, he looked again
at Jack, murmuring in his usual half-inarticulate way, but with a smile
which meant a great deal to the sailor, 'My friend!'

'To the end of my life, if you will let me!' answered Jack, fervently.
'Thank Heaven you are alive! But that you can treat me so, receive me as
a friend, after---- '

'Have waited--hoped--thankful!'

'What can I do for you? Let me do something!'

'You have come! All--clear--now!'

He began to look so faint that Estelle said hastily: 'We will c