grate, and yielded herself to the spell of the quiet hour. The
strained, irritated nerves relaxed, and a strange, sweet peace stole
over her. As she gazed dreamily into the fire, a star seemed to rise
out of the glowing coals, and beam at her with a beautiful soft
radiance, and the words of the Evangel came into her mind: "And when
they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding joy; and when they
were come into the house they saw the young child, with Mary his
mother, and they fell down and worshipped him; and when they had
opened their treasures they presented unto him gifts, gold,
frankincense and myrrh." She repeated the words over and over to
herself. How simple and restful they were; how direct and genuine and
satisfying was this old-time giving! There it was--Gifts for the
Christ-Child--"They presented unto him gifts, gold, frankincense and
myrrh." She remembered reading somewhere that the gold represented our
earthly possessions, the frankincense typified our service and the
myrrh our suffering for his sake.

As she gazed into the fire, and mused, she fell asleep, and all these
thoughts were woven into the fabric of a dream--and who shall say that
God does not speak to his children still in dreams?

She dreamed that it was the morning of her birthday. She heard cheery
voices in the hall calling out to one another: "This is Marcia's
birthday. Wish you many returns of the day!" There was an excited
running to and fro between the different rooms, and gleeful
exclamations--but no one came near her! She sat up in bed listening,
and wondering what it could mean! Why, mother always came into her
room, and folded her to her heart, and said those precious things that
only a mother can say; and the children always scrambled to see who
should be the first to give sister a birthday kiss. Were they playing