g image on that noble, true face, and bore witness to the
fiery trial through which she had passed?

Few knew of the life of complete self-renunciation lived out in that
little home--the quiet acceptance and patient bearing of a life-long
sorrow, and the earnest endeavour day after day to follow closely the
Master's footsteps, and live his holy, blameless life. But some day in
the great hereafter, she knew the mystery of suffering would be
explained, and that there what was here sown weeping would be reaped in
joy and gladness; and knowing this, Aunt Judith was content to wait.

CHAPTER IX.

THE CHRISTMAS PARTY.

It was the evening of the party. The bustle and confusion which had
reigned throughout the day were now over, and the whole house blazed
with light; while the hall-door, standing hospitably open, seemed to
offer a gracious welcome to the approaching guests.

"How do I look, Win?" inquired Dick of his sister as they stood
together in the large drawing-room a little apart from the other
members of the family. "This get-up is awful," and the boy looked down
with a gesture of disgust on his elegant evening suit.

"You'll do beautifully," pronounced Win, pirouetting in front of him, a
blithe little fairy, with soft cloudy dress of glistening fabric.
"Don't look so fierce, dear boy, however, or you will frighten all the
young ladies from your side."

Dick struggled into his gloves. "Much I care so far as that goes," he
grumbled. "What I wish to know is, why one needs all this war-paint
and tomfoolery. Can a fellow not be allowed to enjoy himself without
dressing up a perfect guy? I feel every seam in my coat splitting, and
I tell you there will be a tremendous explosion soon. Just listen!"
and bending forward, the boy proved the truth of his words as an
ominous crack sounded, and Winnie's dismayed eye caught the glimpse of
a tiny hole in one of the back seams.

"Be careful," she cried in an awestricken voice; "there is a split, and
you'll make it worse if you wriggle about so. Be a good boy, Dickie,
and try to prove agreeable to every one."

Saying this, Winnie treated her brother to a charming smile, and then
tripped forward as the first bevy of guests were ushered into the room.

Dick made a grimace, twisted his neck, and vehemently denounced high
collars and white ties as being decided nuisances; then remembering his
sister's parting injunction, he attempted to call up an angelic smile
t