They fell
against one another with a velvety sound, and gave forth a rainbow of
color, like precious stones in the light of the lamp.

She mused happily over them, the children's treasures, gathered so
carefully and given so generously.

"How cross I was to-day and all for nothing! I must be one of those
'hirelings' who are always 'looking for consolations' for I feel
consoled to-night; if only Hugh--"

A noise was heard in the little entry; footsteps and voices, and then a
pushing as of something being moved up the steps.

"What's that? It's Hugh's voice and there's someone with him!"

Ivy glanced expectantly toward the open doorway. Presently Hugh and
another boy, their faces reddened with exertion, appeared carrying some
object between them. Could it be--yes, it was a writing desk, such as
Ivy had often seen in dreams and store windows, but never hoped to
possess! Her heart gave a sudden jump and then seemed to stand still.

"Bub, be careful you don't scrape it against the side of the door!
Hello, sis--where's the best place to put it?"

Hugh tried to speak in a careless tone, but Ivy's scream of pleasure,
the sudden crimson roses that bloomed in her thin cheeks, and the
shower of stars which flashed through and dried the mist in her eyes,
brought a funny grip to his throat; he gulped and made a wry face.

"Say, Fatty, look out! You knocked my hand against the wall!"

Attracted by the noise, Mrs. Bonner came in, Claude awoke and everybody
crowded round to see the new article of furniture.

It was placed where Ivy could admire it at leisure, and the strange boy
having said good-night, Hugh displayed a lovely bronze key, unlocked
the lid and disclosed all its attractions.

"See this little drawer and the shelves, and the place for your ink and
paper, and the large drawer below, and then there's a secret drawer
I'll show you when the rest are not here," Hugh whispered the latter
part.

A secret drawer! Ivy clapped her hands--what a heavenly culmination of
attractions! And the desk as a whole, of quartered-oak with bronzed
handles and a shelf with a tiny mirror above, was indeed a beauty.

"Oh, Hugh, how--where did you get it?"

"I've been working overtime nights at Pearson's furniture store. The
old man's sick and his son had to stay home evenings. I bargained to
stay in his place and take it out this way! I kind of thought you'd
like it," Hugh explained breathlessly, glancing from his auditor