Part 21 (1/2)

Besides the pleasure hich Ruby looked forward to Christmas on her own account, she looked forward to the pleasure she expected to give others, and I need not tell you that that is the secret of the greatest happiness in all the orld And so the days flew on, each one bringing the joyous ho nearer

CHAPTER XXIV

FINIS

There ca when the very lastin every roo as it had been in co, the last day before the holidays had really cohtful day, for there was soon

”It is just lovely to have such a higgledy-piggledy day,” Ruby exclaiht There was a rehearsal in the irls were ready for the evening's entertainirls ere not quite perfect in their pieces of music or their recitations, had to study and practise a little while; but beyond that, there was nothing but theout dresses, and talking over plans for the next day Every little while soirls would rush to see which happy girl was greeting her father or mother

Ruby's father came about noon, and she was very much surprised, for she had not expected him until afternoon, on the same train in which she had coentleman downstairs to see Miss Ruby Harper, she rushed downstairs so fast that she nearly tumbled down, and ran into the parlor, quite sure that she would find her father's ar to clasp her

For a moment she did not see any one else, and she fairly cried, very lad to see her dear father and feel herself nestled in his arms Then some one said,--

”Don't you see me, Ruby?” and Ruby looked around to find Ruthy, all s to see her surprise

”Why, Ruthy Warren!”--and Ruby fairly screa Why, it is too splendid for anything!

How did you ever come to think of it, and why did n't you tell ht of it at all,” Ruthy answered ”It was all your papa's thought, and I never kneas coht when he came over to ask malad, for it see to wait to see you, and it was such fun to come to travel hoirl in the school than Ruby that day, but I do not kno it could have been possible

She was going home the next day to see her dear mother She had her papa and her little friend Ruthy with her, to sy, and when she should go away in the nes alone at school, but she would belong to the happy party that were going to have a delightful Christether I do not knohat could have been added to her pleasure

The day passed very quickly, and Ruby took her papa and Ruthy for a long walk in the afternoon to show theue went like a mill-wheel, for she had so et the words out fast enough

At last it was supper-ti for the evening The girls , and Maude was delighted when she looked in the glass and saw her hair floating about her shoulders oncetill the next day, so she was not quite as happy as Ruby was

The girls were all veryschool-room had seats placed in one end of it for the audience, and at the other end were seats for the scholars, for the teachers, and the piano upon which the girls were to play

Ruby was fairly radiant with delight when the in came, and she was not troubled by any of the doubts that the other girls had that they ht fail She was quite sure that she knew her pieces so perfectly that she could not possibly forget anything; and cohtened her, it only stilad her papa was there, for it was so delightful to look into his pleased, proud face when she recited her piece She could not look at hiue, but she was quite sure that his eyes were following her, and the moment she had finished she looked at him and sa pleased his face was, and how proud he looked