d
saint. There he was just ready to climb down the chimney--another poster
pictured him on his annual journey driving his reindeer over the snowy
ground. And so on--it seemed as if every stage of the Christmas trip had
been photographed in colors.

"I will pin this life-sized portrait of Santa Claus over the fireplace
here," said Uncle Dick, "and you two girlies may get busy at once making
garlands of evergreen to drape about him, and also over these others,
for they must all have a touch of green; isn't that so, Alice?"

"By all means," answered his sister, with a laugh. "It's really a very
clever idea, Dick, to bring all these posters out, for they give a
festive touch to our decorations."

After two hours of hard work, in which hammer, nails, and stepladder
played a considerable part, the library was almost transformed in
appearance. Every window and picture was festooned with Christmas green,
and the merry face of Santa Claus was visible from the bookcases, the
desk, and many other nooks about the room.

"What about the pie, Auntee? Aren't we ready for it now?" questioned
Alsie and Emily with impatience, as a general survey of the room was
taken.

"This is just the time where we will have to be very careful," was the
reply. "Alsie, suppose you and Emily offer to walk out with grandmother
when she goes to meet Aunt Martha and little James, on the five o'clock
train, and as soon as you get her safely out of the house Uncle Dick can
bring the pie and other things into the library, where we can all have
a hand in fixing it up later. Of course I shall carry the key to the
library the rest of the evening, for after keeping the secret this long,
I am determined that mother shall have as much of the surprise and
pleasure as father."

Seeing a look of disappointment on the two little faces at the idea
of being banished just at the most interesting stage of the fun, Alice
continued reassuringly, "It is almost train time now, chicks, and you
know I can't go with grandmother to-day, so practice the Golden Rule and
run along. After your return from the station, you may come again to the
library for, as you know, grandmother will want to have a good hour's
conversation with Aunt Martha before tea-time."

No further urging was necessary. The two girls skipped away cheerfully,
and a few minutes later were out in the snowstorm with the little
grandmother between them, all three being well bundled up in coats and
overshoes.