front
parts of her hair, and rolled them as Mrs. Sinton had done; tied it at
the nape of her neck, then sat while her mother arranged the ribbon.

"If I pull it down till it comes tight in these creases where she had
it, it will be just right, won't it?" queried Mrs. Comstock, and the
amazed Elnora stammered,

"Yes."

When she looked in the glass the bow was perfectly tied, and how the
gold tone of the brown did match the lustre of the shining hair! "That's
pretty," commented Mrs. Comstock's soul, but her stiff lips had said all
that could be forced from them for once. Just then Wesley Sinton came to
the door.

"Good morning," he cried heartily. "Elnora, you look a picture! My,
but you're sweet! If any of the city boys get sassy you tell your Uncle
Wesley, and he'll horsewhip them. Here's your Christmas present from
me." He handed Elnora the leather lunch box, with her name carved across
the strap in artistic lettering.

"Oh Uncle Wesley!" was all Elnora could say.

"Your Aunt Maggie filled it for me for a starter," he said. "Now, if you
are ready, I'm going to drive past your way and you can ride almost to
Onabasha with me, and save the new shoes that much."

Elnora was staring at the box. "Oh I hope it isn't impolite to open it
before you," she said. "I just feel as if I must see inside."

"Don't you stand on formality with the neighbours," laughed Sinton.
"Look in your box if you want to!"

Elnora slipped the strap and turned back the lid.

This disclosed the knife, fork, napkin, and spoon, the milk flask, and
the interior packed with dainty sandwiches wrapped in tissue paper, and
the little compartments for meat, salad, and the custard cup.

"Oh mother!" cried Elnora. "Oh mother, isn't it fine? What made you
think of it, Uncle Wesley? How will I ever thank you? No one will have a
finer lunch box than I. Oh I do thank you! That's the nicest gift I ever
had. How I love Christmas in September!"

"It's a mighty handy thing," assented Mrs. Comstock, taking in every
detail with sharp eyes. "I guess you are glad now you went and helped
Mag and Wesley when you could, Elnora?"

"Deedy, yes," laughed Elnora, "and I'm going again first time they have
a big day if I stay from school to do it."

"You'll do no such thing!" said the delighted Sinton. "Come now, if
you're going!"

"If I ride, can you spare me time to run into the swamp to my box a
minute?" asked Elnora.

The light she had seen the previous nig