Year: 1875

scheme of her own. She did not tell
Kit, as she put them with smile in
to his hand, that they were the scrap
ed-together savings of year, hoard
ed up with care for the pleasure of
giving a Christmas tree to the school
children this Christmas tide.


Kit drew down the fair face to his
own and gave it a hearty kiss, and
then rose, saying more gravely than
was his wont:


81 declare, Madge, you are regu-
lar brick, and I feel no end ashamed
Of myself. l won't make any more
promises. Least said soonest mended
bu. you'll see if l don't turn over a
new leaf.'


So Kit went off to the post-oflice,
and Madgc sat down by the fire again
with a happy face, not to think over
her sacrifice, but to ponder long and
earnestly on the possibility of getting
the rest of the money to pay off Kits
rash debt.


Meanwhile, Kit passed out of the
vicaragc gate in the winter twilight,
and sauntered along past the church
and the pretty cottages that bordercd
the village road, with its wide mar
gin of sward and stately sheltering
elms, to the post-otfice.


He had paused ere he reached it,
however, before the most dainty of
these cottages, and gazed in through
the unshuttered window upon the
contest of parlors, where the freight
tiickercd on gilt-framed pictures and
tasty furniture, and fingered lovingly
around the bent head Of a young girl,
as she knelt by the chair of an elder
ly lady, sorting some gay-colored
woods on her lap.


The elder lady was Mrs. Helston, the
widow of the late vicar, and the
kneeling girl was Mary.


Kit heaved great sigh as he
gazed. At any other time he would
have rushed in upon them, sure of II
kindly welcome. But now he dared
not face their sad looks. His punish
ment had begun. Never mind; to-
morrow would bring Tom down, and
then all would be right. So think
ing, he fastened to the post-otfice,
and dispatched Maggie's savings.


He found his sister still over the
FIRE on his return. Her pretty fair
hair drawn up from her brow, as the
little hands had worked in it thought
fully, her blue eyes shining eagerly,
her small mouth firmly set.


exit, Pve been thinking, and I've
made up my mind. Tom must be
paid, whatever it costs, and father
mustn't be worried. You and must
do it, Kit. I have an idea, have
you!9'


"Not the ghost of one. wish l
had"


"Well, you must sit here alone, as
l have done, and think hard till you
have got one. And the first thing
tomorrow you will walk with me
into the town, won't you? And then
l shall see how mine will work"


"All right, Madge. Do you know,
| half think Toms in love with you.
He's always raving about your Won
derful hair. You let it down in the
tableaux last Christmas as Undine,
you know, and Tom can't forget it"


"Can't he?" said Madge, with a
curious smile, as she left the room.


Arriving at her own room she shut
herself in, and, putting on a pretty
white dressing gown, unfastened the
shining golden braids, and let the
wealth of glittering hair fall like a
cloak around her. Then she stood
in front of the glass and gazed long
and earnestly. AT last she turned
away with a slight sigh Of regret,
saying aloud, "Good-bye, old wig!
good bye, young Madge! What 4
fright you'll be by this time to-mor-
rOW!'


a bright, frosty morning, with that
delightful freshness in the ar which
makes the heart dance with joy,
whether it will or no. And there
was no want of will in the two young
people who set out together on their
expedition to the three miles distant
town, as soon as breakfast was over.


Kit and Madge were the wears
only children by his first wife, but
there were three little ones by the
present Mrs. Mawbray, and Madge
had early determined to work for
herself and cease to be burden on
her father as soon as possible. With
this view she had been acting rs pupil
teacher in a good school for the last
year, and, having now arrived at the
age of eighteen, considered it high
time to make her start in life. Kit
was source of anxiety and expense
to the family, which was an extra in
ducement to Madge to exert herself.
And she was glad of the opportunity
of discussing her plans with him on
this soul-chcering morning. Madge's
enthusiasm inspired Kit, and the three
miles walk was quickly accomplished
as the two chatted eagerly over their
resolutions and plans for the future.


81 felt uncommonly queer, l can
tell you, Madge, as l looked in at
Mrs. Helston's window last evening,
and for the first time in my life
daren't go in, knowing how cutup
they'd be to see me without Tom.
I've been downright ashamed of my
self ever since you gave me the
money. And so help me, heaven"
he added gravely, raising his hand
for moment. ~ won't run into
debt again, come what may"


"That's a good Kit; now l don't
mind anything" said Madge, as she
stopped at the chief hair-dresser's
shop, with her face all in glow
"Now you go and read the papers,"
she added, "and | will meet you in
half an hour at the post-otfice; and
mind, Kit, when you see me, you're
not to say word.'


Unsuspicious Kit went his way,
prcoccupied with plan of his own,
with plan of his own, namely, the
selling Of some new costly books, the
thoughtless purchase of which dur
ing his last term at Oxford had help
cd to bring him into such straigts,
and 1riycn him tn borrow of his moor