furs," whispered Jim, in a rapture. "See
Amanda with her coat. They have found the money. See Joe heft the
turkey." Suddenly he caught Hayward's arm, and the two crept away.
Out on the road, Jim fairly sobbed with pure delight. "Oh, Edward,"
he said, "I am so thankful they took the things! I was so afraid they
wouldn't, and they needed them! Oh, Edward, I am so thankful!" Edward
pressed his friend's arm.

When they reached Jim's house a great tiger-cat leaped to Jim's shoulder
with the silence and swiftness of a shadow. "He's always watching for
me," said Jim, proudly. "Pussy! Pussy!" The cat began to purr loudly,
and rubbed his splendid head against the man's cheek.

"I suppose," said Hayward, with something of awe in his tone, "that you
won't smoke in the parlor to-night?"

"Edward, I really can't. Poor woman, she's got it all aired and
beautifully cleaned, and she's so happy over it. There's a good fire in
the shed, and I will sit there with the pussy-cats until I go to bed.
Oh, Edward, I am so thankful that they took the things!"

"Good night, Jim."

"Good night. You don't blame me, Edward?"

"Who am I to blame you, Jim? Good night."

Hayward watched the little man pass along the path to the shed door.
Jim's back was slightly bent, but to his friend it seemed bent beneath
a holy burden of love and pity for all humanity, and the inheritance
of the meek seemed to crown that drooping old head. The door-mat, again
spread freely for the trampling feet of all who got comfort thereby,
became a blessed thing. The humble creature, despised and held in
contempt like One greater than he, giving for the sake of the needs of
others, went along the narrow foot-path through the snow. The minister
took off his hat and stood watching until the door was opened and closed
and the little window gleamed with golden light.

THE AMETHYST COMB

MISS JANE CAREW was at the railroad station waiting for the New York
train. She was about to visit her friend, Mrs. Viola Longstreet. With
Miss Carew was her maid, Margaret, a middleaged New England woman,
attired in the stiffest and most correct of maid-uniforms. She carried
an old, large sole-leather bag, and also a rather large sole-leather
jewel-case. The jewel-case, carried openly, was rather an unusual
sight at a New England railroad station, but few knew what it was. They
concluded it to be Margaret's special handbag. Margaret was a very tall,
thin woman, unbending as to car