ng them over in the morning, Master Bertie," John said,
good-naturedly, though he could not help wondering at his forgetting his
wardrobe; but that was because he did not know Bertie, who never forgot
his friends, or neglected a single living creature that he once
undertook to care for.

"What a delightful surprise this will be for Eddie and Agnes!" Mrs.
Clair said, when they were alone in the parlour. "They are out for a
walk with Uncle Harry. It was only this morning they were saying what
gay times you would have at Gore House now your cousins are at home, and
that you would not think of us; but I knew better, Bertie."

"Why, Aunt Amy, I've scarcely ever spoken to my cousins: they're always
out enjoying themselves; and I was longing to come here. Was it not good
of Uncle Gregory to let me come, and give me such a long holiday? and
look, auntie, two sovereigns for a Christmas present, and" (dragging in
the hamper and parcel) "Aunt Gregory sent these--a workbox for Agnes,
and a book for Eddie, and such a knife for me! And it was she told John
to drive me over in the dog-cart. And, best news of all, when I go back
to the office there's to be a new arrangement. I'm going into Uncle
Gregory's private office and am to have a salary; think of that, Aunt
Amy! I'm beginning to make my fortune already, and I dare say I'll be
rich before very long, then Eddie and Agnes shall have Riversdale; but I
think I'll be a merchant always, and perhaps be Lord Mayor of London
some day, like Whittington, though instead of having a favourite cat
I've only white mice!"

Aunt Amy laughed almost as heartily as Bertie. It was good to see the
boy's happy, honest face, and hear his cheery voice. Whatever Bertie
Rivers undertook to do he certainly did with all his heart, and that was
the true secret of his happiness. While they were still enjoying the
idea of Bertie being a Lord Mayor, the door opened, and Uncle Clair,
Agnes, and Eddie entered the room, and it was hard to say whether they
were more amazed or pleased to see Bertie established there.

(_To be continued._)

THE CHILDREN'S OWN GARDEN IN AUGUST.

[Illustration]

Beds and borders which have been very showy and pretty from the latter
part of May to the end of July will now have reached their highest stage
of perfection. Such plants as geraniums, calceolarias, lobelias, &c.,
make an exceedingly small amount of growth all through the summer, but
so soon as the dewy nights an