a new story book for book-loving Madge, a silver stamp-box for Elsie, and for Amelia a pretty blue silk workbag fitted with needles, thimble, and scissors.  There was a box of bonbons for Louise and for the cross cook a gay fan which displayed the red, white, and blue of the American flag,—­“for I shouldn’t be so cross if I were not so uncomfortable in my hot, hot kitchen,” Anne said, waddling along with arms akimbo, “and I’m sure I can keep cooler with such a be-yu-tiful fan.”

“Now I’ve bought my duty presents, I’ll buy my love ones,” announced Anne, gayly.  “I’m going to buy Elsie another present—­a big box of ’chocolate creamth’—­she does adore them.  These three wise monkeys are for Pat.  There isn’t anything good enough for dear Mrs. Patterson, but I’ll get her a lovely big bottle of cologne.  Don’t you peep, Miss Drayton, while I choose your present,” Anne charged, as she tripped about the shop, selecting at last a pretty silver hat pin.

Miss Drayton laughingly asserted that Anne, chattering away in her assumed characters, was as good as a play and exclaimed that she had no idea it was so late and they must go at once to Mrs. Patterson who would be worn out waiting for them.  So Pat was dragged from the display of sporting goods, and they hurried to the ladies’ room where Mrs. Patterson was resting in an easy chair.  She was pale but smiling.

“I’m like you, Anne,” she said; “I had forgotten what good times there are in the world.  Before we go to luncheon, I want to know if Honey-Sweet’s mother approves of her.  I told you that her hair would grow, you know.  See!” She untied the strings and took off Honey-Sweet’s cap.  Instead of a bald head with a few painted ringlets, there were wavy golden locks of real hair.  It is no use to try to express Anne’s delight.  She couldn’t do it herself.  She laughed and cried and hugged first Honey-Sweet, then Mrs. Patterson, then both together.

A soft wet snow was falling, and amid its whiteness and the glittering lights and the merry bustle of the holiday crowds, the carriage turned homeward.  After such a happy day, nothing could ever be so bad again, it seemed to Anne, as she kissed her friends good-by and ran light-heartedly up the steps.

The gift-giving and gift-receiving and merry-making of the Christmas holidays brought Anne back into the circle of her schoolmates.  But her troubles were not over.  One afternoon early in the new year, Mrs. Patterson and Miss Drayton came for the promised interview with Mademoiselle Duroc.  She showed them the purse and jewels discovered in Anne’s possession, and told them the whole story.  Mrs. Patterson and Miss Drayton were amazed.  They had never before seen any of the articles.  Miss Drayton had packed Anne’s trunk on the steamer and had unpacked and repacked it at the Liverpool hotel and she was sure that the things were not in the child’s baggage.  Two of the rings were of considerable value.  The locket was handsome and looked like an heirloom.