Glenloch Girls

rief for her mother was so keenly new. Then, she and her father had been so occupied making the hard day easier for each other that it had passed almost pleasantly. But now, with

table, and every one missed the gay laugh and

e you?" asked Mr. Hamilton

hat it would be rank ingratitude to look m

"We can't have you looking sober. You know

she felt that it would be an impossibil

hed breakfast. "I'm going to pack and deliver some Christmas baskets this m

nk it almost the nicest part of Christmas. Mayn't I buy somet

ter clothing. There are four children, the oldest about seven and the youngest a baby, and I'm sure you will find a great many

or the next half hour as she bought little suits of underwear, warm petticoats and stockings, and red mittens enough for the entire family. She felt quite like Santa Claus as she walked down the street, for she had made

of satisfaction as she deposited her bundl

, where great fields of snow spread their dazzling whiteness, and the cool, crisp air blew the cobwebs from one's brain. Ruth learned a helpful lesson in the art of giving, for Mrs. Hamilton was a

w up before a neat little house. "I have just a little Christmas remembrance t

wholesome, though not especially interesting. She was putting an extra polish on her little parlor, which already looked spotless, and

," the woman said as Mrs. Hamilton shook hands with he

a year or two older than Ruth. The great dark eyes, looking out of the palest face Ruth had ever seen, lighted up with joy, and a flashing smile discl

ought a younger one along with me. Come here, Ruth, and let me make you acquainted with my frie

he first thing ees to get seeck so that my good aunt should ha

ed the thin hand. "The uncle and I, we care only for your

yes that her aunt retreated to the kitchen where Mrs. Hamilt

quaint little town of French Switzerland, and there Marie had been born and had lived until death had taken both father and mother within a year. Then, hea

f her mother and father, for her own loss seemed so terribly near. "I've lost my mother, too, M

how hard it is to be brave wh

ys brave. But tell me what happ

for now I can read a little and can also sew." As she spoke Marie took from a little bag lying

d admiringly. "How can yo

ttle girls," answered Marie much gratified at the praise. "An

its rows of pins, and watched intently while the thin hands

ul pattern comes so perfectly." "Isn't it wonderful, Ruth?" asked Mrs. Hamilton, com

and I'd like to learn, but I know I should tie

my country quite little children learn to make," urged

I shall ever have courage to attempt anything

id as they got into the sleigh. "You seem to know

st I couldn't give you, dear, s

when I'm so well and have father. Only it seems as though I never wanted my mot

uspect," said Mrs. Hamilton tenderly. "We are so grateful for what you have done for

d it hard. She was silent for a moment and then she cried gayly, "From now on I 'solom

hristmas greetings have arrived while we've been a

d was scrutinizing the addresses on several interesting looking packages.

n her hands and studied the outside. "It's too fascinating, and I really can't wait," she decided, and c

envelope. 'For the Social Six, whose acquaintance I hope to make in the near future.' How dear of him

nd so sweetly," said Mrs. Hamilton with a laugh

's only twelve years older than I am, you know, and he seems more like a brother th

I'd come out early to-day and play with Ruth. Besides, I

vered with seals, stamps and addresses, a

ding in Mr. Hamilton's care contains some little gifts for the girls and boys about whom you have written to me. They have all been so kind to you that I am glad to express my g

ard of?" said Ruth, turning to Mrs. Hamilto

get the girls and boys together," said Mrs. Hamilt

l dismay, "I don't see how you expect me to eat

consoled Mrs. Hamilton, "and then you won

g John with notes to the others. Every one in the house was busy, for each wanted to have a hand in making Ruth's first party in her new home a happy one. Delicious odors began to

novel way to give these presents," said Ruth as sh

you need to do is to make them into nice little pack

ing her. Then she went down-stairs to find the family assembled in the dining-room for a light and early supper.

topped him on his way to the stairs to say, "Do be down before any one comes,

g down," he an

hur, that's too bad of yo

hat it took all Ruth's courage to continue. She glanced around but there was no one within hearing, and at last

lk of this to any one, and he hadn't expect

persistently barring the way to the stairs. "I know that they are all longing to have you with them again, and that none of the good times seem the same without yo

rthur gloomily. "Perhaps they m

g more and more severe, "I think it's cowardly to shut yourself away from your friends and spoil everything like this. I dare say yo