The Press., 1884-12-25

Ine u0u8nt ,o1 tne &u0lonCo COulu now hardly be restrained, and the babies, hay ing been temporarily lowered by the sch- ing little arms of their respective nursss. were shot up once more to view tho rs- doubled grandeur. ,sE asi,
 The whole family had become 50 much interested in these small outcAsts that they had not noticed the flight of tims. Now some one glanced suddenly at the clock, and exclaimed,
 ..Its nearly half-past fivsi"
 The Brownlows looked at one another blankly. Poor Mrs. Brownlow's smart rib bons dropped in conscious abasement, while modification and pride struggled in their wearers kindly face, over which, af- ter moments silence, one large tear slow ly rolled, and dropped of.
 Mr. Brownlow gave himself little shake and sat down, as was his wont upon critical occasions. As his absent gaze wandered about the room, so prettily decked for the guests who didn't come, it fell upon lit. tle worn, gilt-edged volume on the table. At that sight. new thought occurred to him. "Clarissy," he said, softly, going over to his wife and putting his arm around her; "Clarissy, seein's the well-off folks haven't accepted, don't you think we'd better invite some of the others in ?" And he pointed significantly toward the win dow.
 Mrs. Brownlow, despatching another tear after the first nodded. She was not quite equal to words yet. Being q woman, the neglect of her little party cut her even more deeply than it did her husband. MT. Brownlow stepped to the front door. Nay more, he walked down the short flight of steps, took one little girl by the hand, and said, in his pleasant, fatherly way,
 "Wouldn't you like to go in and look at the tree? Come, Puss," (to the waif at his side) "well start first''
 With these words he led the way back through the open door, and into the warm, lighted room. The children hung back little, but seeing that no harm came to the first guest, soon Hooked in, each trying to keep behind all the rest, but at the same time shouldering the babies up into view as before
 In the delighted confusion that follow ed, the good hosts forgot all about the miscarriage of their plans. They com- pletely outdid themselves, in efforts to please their hastily acquired company. Bob spoke piece, the girls sang duets. Mrs. Brownlow had held every individual baby in her motherly arms before half an hour was oyer. And as for MT. Brown. low, it was simply marvellous to lsee him go among those children, giving them the presents, and initiating their owners into tho mysterious impelling forces of nion- keys with yellow legs and gymnaatic tend- encies filling the boys pockets with pop. corn, blowing horns and tin whistles now adsaulting the tree Git had been lighted throughout, and-bless it--how firm 1t stood now ) for fresh novelties, now div ing into the kitchen and returning in. an unspeakably cohesive state of breathless- ness and molasses candy ,2-all the while laughing, talking, batting heads, joking, until the kindly spirit of Christmas pres lent would have wept and smiled at once. Tor the pleasure of the sight al Esi "And now, my young friends" said MT. Brownlow, raising his voice, "weu have little ice-cream in the back room. Ladies first, gentlemen afterward r X So saying, he gallantly stood on one side, with 8 sweep of his hand, to allow Mrs. Brown low to precede him. But just as the words left his mouth there came sharp ring at the door-bell. "Its carrisge!" gasped Mrs. Brown low, flying to the front window, and back ing precipitately. s'Susie, go to that door an see who 'tis. Land sakes. sOhat a mess thls parlor's in P And she gsxed
 with 8 true housekeeper's dismay 1t the
 filtered carpet and dripping candles. l Deacon Holsun and Mrs. Hartwell,
 pa ]! announced Susie, throwing open the parlor door. ET7 @ c
 The lady thus mentioned came forward 1 with outstretched hand Catching glimpse of Mrs. Brownlow's embarrassed face she exclaimed quickly =. a a--
 "Isn't this splendid l Father and were just driving past, and we saw your tree
 through the window, and couldn't resist us, will you?" .; 5 '-s a1 "Mind-you?" repeated Mrs. Brown, low, In astOnishment. "Why of course not--only you were SO late-we didn't ex- pect"- 3%H Fes
 Mrs. Hartwen looked puzzled. s. l. Pardon mel don't think I quite understand"- s a'#3' lfs .f
 ''The invitation was for five. you know, ma am" t.e f.-7
 "But we received no invitation P MT. Brownlow, who had greeted tho deacon heartily and then listened with amazement to this conversation, now turn ed upon Bob, with g signally futile attempt at a whitening glauce. 5-.. -1. l Bob looked as puzzled as tho rest, for . moment. Then his face fell, and he flush cd to the roots of his hair. sr 5 .- IT.. "I-I-must have-forgot" stam- mered. a@t Forgotten what 2" za' ..0 ''The invitations-they'r in my desk now!" o.. A o :a8 55 Thus Bub, with utterly despairing tone l and reimbursement. ;s l. st-a Mrs. Hartwell's silvery little laugh rang out-it was as near moonlight playing on
 the upper keys of an organ as anything you can imagine-and grasped Mrs. Brown 1 lows hand. s;a f1 U sle l "You poor dear r she cried, kissing her hostess, who stood speechless, not know ing whether to laugh or cry, s'so that'a why nobody came! But who has clutter ed-who has been having such a good time here, then ?" }fsf t@ h&H4 le5 3.sYg g MT. Brownlow silently led the last two arrivals to the door of the next room; and pointed in. It was now the kind deacon's turn to be touched. "3oa &:a r{ s.E'Into the highways' he murmured. as he looked upon the unwashed, hungry little circle about the table. y&a1 9f3 1 "I sposa," said Mr. Brownlow. doubt fully "they'd like to have you sit down with 'ena, iust's If they were folks-if you didn't mind ?' a9e d3o acila!GiJss 4. Mind Iwish you could have seen the l rich furs and overcoat come off and go down on the floor in heap, before Polly could catch them 9s4a 7u aG 5 When they were all seated, MT. Brown low looked over to the deacon, and he ask