snow-filled streets and the snow-filled years to a land of
warmth and light. The glow was still about his heart and the tingle
which the pressure of Kitty Clark's arms about his neck, and John
Clark's clasp of his hand had started still kept it warm.

At his door Livingstone dismissed his driver and as he cheerily wished
him a merry Christmas the man's cheery reply showed that Livingstone had
already found the secret of good cheer.

"The same to you, your honor; the same to you, sir," said the driver
heartily, as he buttoned up his pocket with a pat of satisfaction.
"We've had a good time to-night, sir, haven't we? And I wish you many
more like it, sir. And when Christmas comes along next time I hope
you'll remember me, for I'll remember you; I've had a little child in
that 'ere same horspital. God took her to Himself twelve years ago.
They're good to 'em there, rich and poor all alike;--and 't isn't every
night I can drive 'Santa Claus's partner.'"

Livingstone stood and watched the sleigh till it drove out of sight.
Even after it had disappeared around a corner, he still listened to the
bells. It seemed to him he had a friend in it.

Livingstone let himself in noiselessly at his door, but the softness
with which he turned the key this time was to keep from disturbing his
servants, not to keep them from seeing him.

He stopped stock still on the threshold. The whole house seemed
transformed. The hall was a bower of holly and mistletoe, and the
library, as Livingstone entered it, with its bright fire roaring in the
hearth and its festoons and wreaths, seemed once more a charming home: a
bower where cheer might yet make its abode.

As quietly, however, as Livingstone had entered, his butler had heard
him.

As Livingstone turned to take in all the beauty of the room, James was
standing before him. His face showed some concern, and his voice, as he
spoke, had a little tremor in it.

"When we found you had gone out, sir, we were afraid you might be sick,
and the cook has got something hot for you?"

Livingstone glanced about to find a phrase with which to thank him for
the trouble they had taken; but the butler spared him the pains.

"We thought we would try to make the house look a little cheery, sir.
Hope you don't mind, sir?"

"Mind!" said Livingstone, "I am delighted; and I thank you very much.
Mind? I should think not!"

The tone of his voice and the light in his eye showed that there was a
change in him