r kind father again, and her own father was standing
with them, and she heard these words,

"God holds us in his hand,
God knows the best to send."

And so she fell asleep, and in her dreams she again saw the shining
apple-tree, and the merry group under its branches.

On investigating the cause of the fire, it was discovered that Wili and
Lili had conceived the happy thought of turning the riddle into a
transparency, so that suddenly the company might see it shining with red
light behind it, like the motto behind the Christmas tree, "Glory to God
in the highest."

So they withdrew silently from the company, fetched two candles, climbed
upon some high steps, which had been brought when the placard was put in
place, and held the candles as near as possible to the card. As they did
not perceive any expression of surprise on the faces of the company at the
table, they raised their candles higher and higher, nearer and nearer,
until the paste-board suddenly took fire, and the flame quickly spread to
the bushes above.

The twins readily confessed themselves the cause of the mischief, and were
sent to bed with but a gentle reproof, so as not to spoil the general
effect of the festivity, but they were seriously warned never to play with
fire again as long as they lived.

Soon all was quiet in the great house, and the moon looked peacefully down
on the trees and the sleeping flowers in the silent garden.

CHAPTER IV.

ALL SIX.

"We shall not be able to remain here; Mrs. Kurd," were the first words
spoken by Mrs. Ehrenreich when she came to breakfast the next morning. "We
have come into such an objectionable neighborhood that we must move away
today."

Mrs. Kurd stood still in the middle of the room, quite speechless, and
stared at the lady as if unable to grasp her meaning.

"I am fully convinced of the absolute necessity of our immediate
departure," said Aunt Ninette, with emphasis.

"But indeed no more respectable, no quieter spot can be found in all
Tannenburg than this. You cannot hope to be more comfortable anywhere
else; either you or the gentleman," asserted the good widow as soon as she
had recovered from her surprise.

"How can you say so, Mrs. Kurd, after hearing that intolerable uproar last
evening? noises far surpassing anything that I described to you in my
letters as 'absolutely to be avoided.'"

"Oh, my dear lady, that was only the children! You know they were having a
family fe