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There was to be a Christmas tree at St John's, and all the week the church had been the scene of much confusion But all the as over now; the church ept and dusted, the tree with its gay adornings was in its place, the little ones, who, trying to help, had hindered and vexed so one, as were their an boy to play the Christ in the chorus as they had been trained to do It was very quiet there, and very pleasant too, with the fading sunlight strea up the cross above it, and falling softly on the here the evergreens were hung with the sacred words: "Peace on earth and good will toward ister she sat down for afor her Not even the re over the land disturbed her then, as her thoughts went backward eighteen hundred years to Bethlehe And as she thought, that Child see presence to which she prayed, leaning her head upon the railing of the pew in front and asking Him to keep her in the perfect peace she felt around her now She had given Mark Ray up, and giving up had h she thought of hi God to keep hiht be, whether in the lonely watch or kneeling as she hoped he ht in so and the Christmas story told

A ainst the pocket of her dress, where lay the letter brought to her an hour or so ago--Bell's letter--which, after glancing at the superscription, she had put aside until ait out, she tore open the envelope, starting suddenly as another letter, soiled and unsealed,heart, which as yet would not believe, she took up Mark's, and understanding now much that was before mysterious to her Juno's call, too, cae so foul a wrong upon that young lady, she could find no other solution to the nation--Helen had scarcely been uided girl and in joy at the happiness opening so broadly before her That Mark would come to Silverton she had no hope, but he would surely write--his letter, perhaps, was even then on the way; and kissing the one she held she hid it in her bosoan boy had for several"Old John Brown" by way of attracting attention The boy was in a hurry, and asked in so forlorn a tone: "Is we going to play?" that Helen answered good-humoredly: "Just a few , which I've hardly played at all"