have a gift."

But most gently they were silenced by a nod from the spirit to whom
Nina had first spoken.

"Dear child," she said, "we are the Christmas spirits,--Peace, Love,
Hope, Good-will, and all the rest. We come from above, and we are
laden with good gifts for mankind. To whomever is willing to receive
we give; but, alas! so few care for what we bring. They misuse it or
lose it; and that makes us very sad, for each gift we carry is most
good and perfect."

"Oh! how can they?" cried Nina. "I would be so careful of mine, dear
spirits. I would lock it away, and--"

But here the spirit interrupted her with a pitying smile and the
words,--

"But you should never do that, dear one. If one shuts away one's gifts
and does not let others profit by them, that is ill too. One must make
the best of them, share them with the world always, and remember whence
they come."

"Will you show me some of your gifts?" asked Nina, timidly.

The spirit drew nearer and took from her bosom a glittering gem. It
was clear and flawless, and though it was white a thousand sparks of
flame broke from its heart, and flashed their different hues to every
side. As Nina looked, wrapped in admiration, she felt her heart grow
big, and she felt a great longing to do some one a kindness,--to do
good to some one, no matter to whom.

The spirits gazed at her kindling eyes.

"There!" they cried in joyous unison, "Love has already given you her
gift. The way you must use it is always to put in everything you do.
It will never grow less, but will always grow more if you do as we say.
And it is the same with Hope and Peace and Good-will and all the rest.
If all to whom we give our gifts should use them aright, the world
would hold a festival all the year."

And at this all the blessed throng closed about her, and loaded her
down with their offerings, until she was quite overcome with gratitude
and emotion.

"All we ask is that you use them well," they repeated with one accord.
"Let nothing injure them, for some day you will be called to account
for them all, you know. And now you are to have a special gift,--one
by which you can gain world-praise and world-glory. And oh! be careful
of it, dear; it will gain for you great good if you do not abuse it,
and you need never be tired nor cold nor sad-hearted any more--"

"But I have no place to keep all these things," cried Nina. "I have no
home. I live anywhere. I am only a poor lit