ed to drive the
car. But when they reached the country shop, Patty laughingly refused
to let any of the party go inside with her, saying that her purchases
would be a Christmas secret.

She bought a great many yards of the material known as Turkey red, and
also a whole piece of white illusion. Some gilt paper completed her
list, and she ran back to the car, the shopkeeper following with her
bundles. They attended to some errands for Adele, and then whizzed
back to the house just in time to see the Christmas tree being put
into place.

"We're going to have the tree at five o'clock," said Adele, "on
account of baby May. It's really for her, you know, and so I have it
before dinner."

"Fine!" declared Patty. "And where do we put our presents?"

"On these tables," and Adele pointed to several small stands already
well heaped with tissue-papered parcels.

"Very well, I'll get mine," and Patty went flying up to her room. Mona
followed, and the two girls returned laden with their bundles.

"What fascinating looking parcels," said Adele, as she helped to
place them where they belonged. "Now, Patty, about the tree; would you
have bayberry candles on it, or only the electric lights?"

"Oh, have the candles. They're so nice and traditional, you know.
Unless you're afraid of fire."

"No; all the decorations are fireproof. Jim would have them so. See,
we've lots of this Niagara Falls stuff."

Adele referred to a decoration of spun glass, which was thrown all
over the tree in cascades, looking almost like the foam of a
waterfall. This would not burn, even if the flame of a candle were
held to it.

"It's perfectly beautiful!" exclaimed Patty. "I never saw anything
like it before."

They scattered it all over the tree, the men going up on step-ladders
to reach the top branches.

The tree was set in the great, high-vaulted hall, and was a noble
specimen of an evergreen. Hundreds of electric lights were fastened to
its branches; and the thick bayberry candles were placed by means of
holders that clasped the tree trunk, and so were held firmly and safe.

Adele's prognostications had been correct. For, soon after luncheon,
it began to snow. Fine flakes at first, but with a steadiness that
betokened a real snowstorm.

"I'm so glad," exclaimed Patty, dancing about. "I do love a white
Christmas. It won't interfere with your guests, will it, Adele?"

"No; if Mr. Van Reypen and Mr. Farrington get up from New York without
ha