"But it was Khwis, mamma. He did give us things. I do tell you it was Khwis Kwingle."
"Oh! he gave us things for you, and for me, and for Hugh, and he gave me this," cried Alice, who had kept her hand behind her, and now threw the royal pearls on the bed amid a glory of Eastern scarves.
"Are we all bewitched?" cried the mother.
"Oh! and skates, and sugar-plums, and books, and a doll, and this for you. Oh! Khwis didn't forget nobody, mamma."
The mother seized and hastily opened the blank envelope which the boy gave her.
"What! what!" she cried, as she stared at the inclosure; "is this a jest?"
Union Trust Co., New York.
Madame:—We have the honor to hold at your disposal the following registered United States bonds, in all amounting to ——.
The sum was a great fortune. The Trust Company was known to her, even its president's signature.
"What's the matter, mamma," cried Alice, amazed at the unusual look the calm mother's face wore as she arose from the bed, while the great pearls tumbled over and lay on the sunlit floor, and the fairy letter fell unheeded. Her thoughts were away in the desert of her past life.