ed first the packages for each
little one; he who, without appearing to do so, guided them in their
march around the tree, so that all might find just the presents that
suited them. He seemed to Livingstone's quickened eye to divine just
what each child liked and wished. He appeared to know all that
Livingstone desired to know.

At length, he alone of all the guests had received no present. The
others had their little arms packed so full that Livingstone had to step
forward to the tree to help a small tot bear away his toppling load.

The next moment Kitty discovered a large envelope lying at the foot of
the tree. It was addressed,

_John Clark, Esq.,
Father of Santa Claus's Partner._

It was strange that Kitty should have overlooked it before.

With a spring she seized it and handed it to her father with a little
shout of joy, for she had not been able to keep from showing
disappointment that he had received nothing.

Clark smiled at her pleasure, for he knew that the kisses which she had
given him from time to time had been to make amends to him, and not, as
others thought, from joy over her own presents.

Clark knew well the hand-writing, and even as he opened the envelope he
glanced around to catch Livingstone's eye and thank him. Livingstone,
however, had suddenly disappeared; so Clark read the letter.

It was very brief. It said that Livingstone had never known until the
night before how much he owed him; that he was not sure even now that he
knew the full extent of his indebtedness, but at least he had come to
recognize that he owed much of his business success to Mr. Clark's
wisdom and fidelity; and he asked as a personal favor to him that Clark
would accept the enclosed as a token of his gratitude, and would
consider favorably his proposal.

Opening an enclosed envelope, Clark found two papers. One was a full
release of the mortgage on Clark's house (Livingstone had spent the
morning in securing it), the other was a Memorandum of "Articles of
Partnership" between Berryman Livingstone and John Clark, beginning from
that very day,--indeed, from the day before,--all ready, signed by
Livingstone and wanting only Mr. Clark's signature to make it complete.

Mr. Clark, with his face quite white and looking almost awed, turned and
walked into the next room where he found Livingstone standing alone. The
old clerk was still holding the papers clutched in his hand and was
walking as if in a dream.

"