es, but there were also many characters which
were unique and noteworthy.

Mr. Hepworth, who was in the parade, had chosen to represent the full
moon.

How he did it, no one quite knew; but all that was visible was an
enormous sphere, of translucent brightness and a luminous yellow color.

Mr. Fairfield declared that the medium must be phosphorus, but all agreed
that it was a wonderful achievement, and many thought it would surely
take the prize.

The sphere was hollow, and made of a light framework, and Mr. Hepworth
walked inside of it, really carrying it along with him. It so nearly
touched the ground that his feet were scarcely observable, and the great
six foot globe made a decided sensation, as it moved slowly along.

Patty remembered that Roger had declared he was going to take the prize,
and as she had knowledge of the boy's ability along these lines, she felt
by no means sure that it wouldn't eclipse Mr. Hepworth's shining orb.

And sure enough, when Roger appeared, it was in the character of a
Christmas tree!

The clever youth had selected just the right kind of a tree, and cutting
away enough twigs and branches near the trunk on one side, he had made a
space in which he could thrust the whole of his tall slender self.

To protect his face and hands from the scratchy foliage, and also to
render himself inconspicuous, he wore a tight-fitting robe of dark brown
muslin, which concealed even his face and arms, though eyeholes allowed
him to see where he was going.

In a word, the boy himself almost constituted the trunk of the tree, and
by walking slowly, it looked as if the tree itself was moving along
without assistance.

The tree was gaily hung with real Christmas trinkets and decorations, and
lighted with candles.

The idea was wonderfully clever, and though it had been hard work to
arrange the boughs to conceal him entirely, Roger had accomplished it,
and the gay decorations hid all defects.

The judges awarded the prize to Roger, who calmly remarked to Patty,
afterward, "I told you I'd get it, didn't I?"

"Yes," said Patty, "and so then of course I knew you would."

It was a rather tired party that went back to the Fairfields' house at
the close of the evening.

Nan and Mr. Fairfield issued strict orders that everybody must go to bed
at once, as there were two more strenuous days ahead, and they needed all
the rest they could get.

But next morning they reappeared, quite ready for fresh ex