The daylight had quite faded when Sibyl came quickly into the room bringing with her an icy breath which made my teeth chatter. " Have you been lonely, follie ? I hurried back to you as quickly as I could. Papa and I have been over the whole Parish since luncheon, and on our way home we looked into the church to see How the decorations were getting on. We gave the teaaud blan kets to all the old women—and, oh, Pauline, they were so pleased and so grateful to you I" " They need not be grateful to me, dear— I gave you the money to spend as you pleas ed. How warm your hands are 1 I expected you home half frosen."

" Ob, no! And I took the little coat to Bobbie White. You should have teen his face when he put his small thin hards into the poskets and pulled out all the toys—it was worth anything!" " Well, dear," I said, a little wearily, " I am glad you found a use for my present which gives you so much pleasure. 1 would hare bought you a pink silk, but you pre* ferred spending the money in your own way. And now tell me, have the Eyres come P" "Just come," replied Sibyl. "Marjory will he with you in a moment, she bade me tell you. And who do jou think it with them, Pauline P You would never guess!" I saw she was afraid of agitating me by telling me at onoe. She was kneeling by me on the rug | and now she put both arms round my neck, in her petting way. "I cannot guess. Don't Sibyl—it tires me."

" Somebody you fcave not Men for ten yean,"

I knew then who it wm. Had some strange half-prophetic instinct fiilled my mind with thoughts of him ? An odd half-sweet, half bitter pain thrilled my heart.
