ing Guy comfortable.
That night the bed-post and rocking-chair were appropriated, and there
was a long, earnest talk. Agnes was not so much surprised as her sister
anticipated, when she found that Guy was a great way off from making a
fortune. For ever since the time Ruth refused to purchase her dress,
Agnes had been finding out things she never dreamed of before. It was
Ruth who was surprised to find that Agnes knew so much of the real state
of affairs. In one way it was a relief, now that she did know, and Ruth
felt that a great part of her burden had gone; but it was gone from her
to be laid on Agnes, and that thought was more painful than the burden
had been.

"It is to be divided equally, remember," said Agnes. "O, I am so glad
that I am earning money, Ruth."

Ruth urged that as she was older, she should bear the greater part of
the expense; but Agnes would not consent to this; and finally it was
settled that each should give half. Then they were perplexed as to the
manner of doing it. Agnes thought it best to tell him, and let him order
it himself; but Ruth was sure he would not take the money. Three months
before, she would not have hesitated to offer it; but he had changed
since then, and something told her he had resolved to be less dependent
in the future.

"I don't like concealments," urged Agnes; "I felt meanly in acting so
about your dress, Ruth."

Ruth smiled, and said: "You always had a tender conscience, child, but
there is no other way of doing this, I am convinced."

Agnes yielded to Ruth's judgment, and Martha was sent with the old coat
to the tailor, and told to say that Miss Ruth would call in the
afternoon.

"When is it to be done?" asked Agnes, eagerly, when Ruth returned.

"On Christmas eve; and only think, Agnes, it will be four dollars less
than we supposed. He will make it of the finest cloth too."

"Christmas is coming," said the children many, many times, during the
ten days that followed. Ruth's visit to the tailor, and "Christmas is
coming," said she and Agnes, as many times as the children. Yes,
Christmas was coming, it was drawing near, bringing gladness as it
always does; but something else was coming, and drawing still nearer.

The shadow of a great sorrow had fallen. Had they looked in Guy's face
they would have seen it; but they were busy with their little presents
for each other, and for Martha and Philip. Besides, they rather avoided
Guy, for fear he should read their se