n's illustrated books of great variety to suit
little ones, from three years old to thirteen. The two nuns seated at the
table were busy writing in the books the names of those for whom they
were intended.

Another table was piled with woolen scarfs, socks, gloves, and night-caps
for the aged men and women, which the two nuns seated there were employed
in rolling up into separate little parcels, and labeling with the names
of the intended recipients.

Still another, and a longer table, was bright and gay with party-colored
scraps of silk, satin, velvet, ribbon, muslin, lace and linen, with which
half a dozen young nuns seated there were cheerfully engaged in making
dresses for a basket full of dolls, for the Christmas gifts to the
infants.

The blooming young nun Felecitie presided at this table. Seeing Salome
approach with Sister Francoise, she accosted her:

"Our holy mother told us that you would come in and help us dress these
dolls."

"And so I would have done, only I found some living and suffering dolls
to dress and feed," said Salome, smiling.

"Yes, I know, the babies of the Foundling. Well, we are dressing these
dolls for your babies," said the smiling sister.

"But do you suppose my tiny little ones will care for dolls?" inquired
Salome.

"Be sure they will; from six months old, up, boys or girls, sick or well,
babies will love dolls. I have seen a sick baby hug her doll, just as I
have seen a sick mother clasp her child," answered the sister.

"These are the recreations of charity the holy mother told me of," said
Salome, as she passed out of the work-room and went back to her own
sphere of duty.

On Christmas morning after matins, the Christmas gifts were distributed
in every one of the asylums, and every inmate was made happy by an
appropriate present.

At ten o'clock high mass was celebrated in the chapel of the convent, and
all the sisterhood assembled in their screened choir.

Three priests in their sacerdotal robes, and a dozen boys in white
surplices, were expected to serve at the altar. The chapel was profusely
decorated with holly, and the shrines were dressed with flowers. The pews
were filled with a congregation of a rather better social position than
usually assembled there in the convent chapel.

The services had not yet commenced. Salome bent forward with all the
interest and curiosity of a recluse, to look, for a moment, upon the
strangers.

She gave but one glance through t