wned gloriously. All the little Middleton's were
made happy by the fruit of the Christmas tree. In the many kind
interchanges of gifts Ishmael was not entirely forgotten. Some loving
heart had remembered him. Some skillful hand had worked for him. When he
went up to his room after breakfast on Christmas morning, he saw upon
his dressing table a packet directed to himself. On opening it he found
a fine pocket-handkerchief neatly hemmed and marked, a pair of nice
gloves, a pair of home-knit socks, and a pair of embroidered slippers.
Here was no useless fancy trumpery; all were useful articles; and in the
old-fashioned, housewifely present Ishmael recognized the thoughtful
heart and careful hand of Bee, and grateful, affectionate tears filled
his eyes. He went below stairs to a back parlor, where he felt sure he
should find Bee presiding over the indoor amusements of her younger
brothers and sisters.

And, sure enough, there the pretty little motherly maiden was among the
children.

Ishmael went straight up to her, saying, in fervent tones:

"I thank you, Bee; I thank you for remembering me."

"Why, who should remember you if not I, Ishmael? Are you not like one of
ourselves? And should I forget you any sooner than I should forget
Walter, or James, or John?" said Bee, with a pleasant smile.

"Ah, Bee! I have neither mother nor sister to think of me at festive
times; but you, dear Bee, you make me forget the need of either."

"You have 'neither mother nor sister,' Ishmael? Now, do not think so,
while my dear mother and myself live; for I am sure she loves you as a
son, Ishmael, and I love you--as a brother," answered Bee, speaking
comfort to the lonely youth from the depths of her own pure, kind heart.
But ah! the intense blush that followed her words might have revealed to
an interested observer how much more than any brother she loved Ishmael
Worth.

Judge Merlin, Claudia, Mr. and Mrs. Middleton, and Ishmael went to
church.

Bee stayed home to see that the nurses took proper care of the children.

They had a family Christmas dinner.

And after that Ishmael excused himself, and went over to the Plow to
spend the evening with Reuben and Hannah. That evening the three friends
went to the theater, and saw their first play, "the Comedy of Errors,"
together. And it did many an old, satiated play-goer good to see the
hearty zest with which honest Reuben enjoyed the fun. Nor was Hannah or
Ishmael much behind him in th