have been making out lists of Christmas gifts and would like to have
your opinion and advice in regard to some of them."

"You shall have them for what they are worth," she returned, taking the
slips of paper Max handed her, and glancing over them.




CHAPTER IV.


The parlor at Ion, full of light and warmth, looked very pleasant and
inviting this evening. The whole family--not so large now as it had been
before Capt. Raymond took his wife and children to a home of their
own--were gathered there;--Mr. Dinsmore and his wife--generally called
Grandma Rose by the children--Grandma Elsie, her son Edward and his
wife, Zoe, and the two younger children;--Rosie and Walter.

The ladies and Rosie were all knitting or crocheting. Mr. Dinsmore and
Edward were playing chess, and Walter was deep in a story book.

"Zoe," said Rosie, breaking a pause in the conversation, "do you know,
has mamma told you, about her new plans for benevolence? how she is
going to let us all help her in distributing her funds?"

"Us?" echoed Zoe inquiringly.

"Yes; all her children; and that includes you of course."