ow,
especially as each one was in somebody's way, and the children under
everybody's feet. But before night the pantry was full of nice things,
the whole house was as fresh as a rose, and the parlors were adorned
with autumn flowers and green garlands.

Not only the kerosene lamps, but all the old oil lamps, were filled, and
every candle-stick, whether brass, iron, or glass, was used to hold a
sperm candle; so that in the evening the house at every window was all
ablaze with light. The front door stood wide open, and the piazza and
part of the lawn were as bright as day. The double gate had been
unlatched for hours, and everybody was waiting for the carriage to drive
up.

The hard, uncomfortable stage, which Horace had said was like a
baby-jumper, would never do for a sick man to ride in: so Billy Green
had driven to the cars in his easiest carriage, and aunt Madge had gone
with him, for she was afraid neither Billy nor the gentleman who was
with Captain Clifford would know how to wrap the shawls about him
carefully enough.

I could never describe the joyful meeting which took place in those
brilliantly lighted parlors. It is very rarely that such wonderful
happiness falls to any one's lot in this world.

While the smiles are yet bright on their faces, while Grace is clinging
to her father's neck, and Horace hugs his new "real drum" in one arm,
embracing his dear papa with the other, let us take our leave of them
and the whole family for the present, with many kind good-by's.

SOPHIE MAY'S "LITTLE-FOLKS" BOOKS.

[Illustration: "By and by the colts came to the kitchen window, which
was open, and put in their noses to ask for something to eat. Flaxie
gave them pieces of bread."

SPECIMEN OF OUT TO "FLAXIE FRIZZLE SERIES."]

LITTLE FOLKS ASTRAY.

"This is a book for the little ones of the nursery or play-room. It
introduces all the old favorites of the Prudy and Dotty books with new
characters and funny incidents. It is a charming book, wholesome and
sweet in every respect, and cannot fail to interest children under
twelve years of age."--_Christian Register._

* * * * *

PRUDY KEEPING HOUSE.

"How she kept it, why she kept it, and what a good time she had playing
cook, and washerwoman, and ironer, is told as only Sophie May can tell
stories. All the funny sayings and doings of the queerest and cunningest
little woman ever tucked away in the covers of a book will pleas