GWENDOLINE. 121

mixed. She hung them up again, though she had a great time
trying to do this, for they were heavy and would slip from her
baby fingers; but finally she managed it, and, with the doll
clasped in her arms and her fingers grasping the candy cane,
she trotted back to bed again.

It was broad daylight when “Merry Christmas!” was
shouted by Allen, who waked up to find his stocking still
empty at the foot of his bed; but, determining not to seem

. disappointed, shouted his greeting lustily.

Mrs. Danforth and Aunt Mary soon came in, and found the
children all dancing with excitement, while Gwendoline stood,
still clasping the doll and the cane.

“Why, baby! where did you get those?” asked her
mamma.

“Santa Claus brought them,” she replied, smilingly. “TI
wented in and found them.”

“Why, when did you go?”

- “Oh, just now,” replied Gwendoline, who did not realize
that she had been asleep for four hours since her exploit.

By this time the other children had found their stockings,
Allen among them. “Oh,” cried they, as they drew out the
contents, “ how mixed up they are!”

“Clare,” cried Curtis, “here is a box of yours in my
stocking ; it has ‘ Clare’ on it.”

“ And here is something with ‘Curtis’ on"it in mine; and,
besides, I have a gingerbread boy instead of a girl,” said Theo.