Spot was scolded and forgiven, and wagged his tail so hard that it is a wonder it didn’t come off.

As for Jim, he got kisses enough that evening to last him for a lifetime.

This is the true end to a true story, but not the last end by any means.

For Jim is now a “boy” twenty-one years old, and Nelly “likes him just the same,” only a great deal more.

“They’ll think I’m Papa!”

ON THE WAY TO THE BLOOMING.

THE CHRISTMAS THORN.