But nothing could change the pleasant
and happy relations between the two friends, and a more contented and
cheerful household could not be found anywhere.

Happiness is a wonderful doctor and Miss Bennett grew so much better,
that she could travel, and when Hetty had finished school days, they saw
a little of the world before they settled down to a quiet, useful life.

"Every comfort on earth I owe to you," said Hetty, one day, when Miss
Bennett had proposed some new thing to add to her enjoyment.

"Ah, dear Hetty! how much do I owe to you! But for you, I should, no
doubt, be at this moment a shivering pauper in that terrible poorhouse,
while some one else would be living in this dear old house. And it all
comes," she added softly, "of that one unselfish thought, of that one
self-denial for others."

FOOTNOTE:

[C] From "Kristy's Queer Christmas," Houghton, Mifflin & Co., 1904.

VI

LITTLE GIRL'S CHRISTMAS

WINNIFRED E. LINCOLN

IT WAS Christmas Eve, and Little Girl had just hung up her stocking by
the fireplace--right where it would be all ready for Santa when he
slipped down the chimney. She knew he was coming, because--well, because
it was Christmas Eve, and because he always had come to leave gifts for
her on all the other Christmas Eves that she could remember, and because
she had seen his pictures everywhere down town that afternoon when she
was out with Mother.

Still, she wasn't _just_ satisfied. 'Way down in her heart she was a
little uncertain--you see, when you have never really and truly seen a
person with your very own eyes, it's hard to feel as if you exactly
believed in him--even though that person always has left beautiful gifts
for you every time he has come.

"Oh, he'll come," said Little Girl; "I just know he will be here before
morning, but somehow I wish----"

"Well, what do you wish?" said a Tiny Voice close by her--so close that
Little Girl fairly jumped when she heard it.

"Why, I wish I could _see_ Santa myself. I'd just like to go and see
his house and his workshop, and ride in his sleigh, and know Mrs.
Santa--'twould be such fun, and then I'd _know_ for sure."

"Why don't you go, then?" said Tiny Voice. "It's easy enough. Just try
on these Shoes, and take this Light in your hand, and you'll find your
way all right."

So Little Girl looked down on the hearth, and there were two cunning
little Shoes side by side, and a little Spark of a Light close to
them--just as