ving their trains blocked by snowdrifts, I imagine our Fern Falls
people will be able to get here for the dinner and the dance."

The two men arrived during the afternoon, and came in laden with
parcels and looking almost like Santa Claus himself.

"Had to bring all this stuff with us," explained Roger, "for fear of
delays with expresses and things. Presents for everybody,--and then
some. Where shall we put them?"

Adele superintended the placing of the parcels, and the men threw off
their overcoats, and they all gathered round the blazing fire in the
hall.

"This is right down jolly!" declared Philip Van Reypen. "I haven't had
a real country Christmas since I was a boy. And this big fire and the
tree and the snowstorm outside make it just perfect."

"I ordered the snowstorm," said Adele. "I like to have any little
thing that will give my guests pleasure."

"Awfully good of you, Mrs. Kenerley," said Philip. "I wanted to
flatter myself that I brought it with me, but it seems not. Have you a
hill anywhere near? Perhaps we can go coasting to-morrow."

"Plenty of hills; but I don't believe there's a sled about the
place--is there, Jim?"

"We'll find some, somehow, if there's any coasting. We may have to put
one of the motor cars on runners and try that."

"They had sleds at the country store. I saw them this morning," said
Patty. "And that reminds me I have a little work to do on a Christmas
secret, so if you'll excuse me, I'll run away."

Patty ran away to the nursery, where Fraeulein, the baby's governess,
was working away at the materials Patty had brought home that morning.

"Yes, that's right," said Patty, as she closed the door behind her.
"You've caught my idea exactly, Fraeulein. Now, I'll try on mine, and
then, afterward, we'll call up Mr. Ferris to try on his."

* * * * *

At five o'clock the sounding of a Chinese gong called everybody to
come to the Christmas tree.

The grown people arrived first, as the principal part of the fun was
to see the surprise and delight of baby May when she should see the
tree.

"Let me sit by you, Patty," said Philip Van Reypen, as they found a
place on one of the fireside benches. "I've missed you awfully since
you left New York."

"Huh," said Patty, "I've only been gone twenty-four hours."

"Twenty-four hours seems like a lifetime when _you're_ not in New
York."

"Hush your foolishness; here comes the baby."

The tr