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a lost christmas dinner by feed myron colby nicholas and margery dobson were an english lad and lassie who lived in a great old house at amersham in buckinghamshire not many miles from windsor castle which they had once visited and where they had seen the diminutive consequential king george ii who was then ruling eng land the house had been built in queen elizabeths time end its vast rooms antique stairways and projecting gables gave visible proof of age and faded grandeur it is true these were somewhat disguised by the new coat of paint and the stylish furniture of tho period which the present owner had provided but the mansion would not altogether relinquish its claim to an honorable antiquity one of its most distinguishing char acteristics was its turret of indisput able tudor architecture from the roof of which nicholas and margery as they watched the sunset could catch a gleam of great hampden the seat of tho patriot john hampden far up among tho chiltern hills the elder dobson was a welltodo able and perhaps not much slower j i would rather ride a horse like cousin jasper said nicholas i would play the knight them and you should be a distressed damsel that i had rescued and a fine mess it will make said the clothier our whole lnwul jjsxjsi c n huend mery with a mock imperiousness when the church that suited u her richlydressed we are as likely to keep christmas g ary all right things will go on smooth- pent laugh sir jas- ly fnougn per bowed low and galoped forward surely you know but it tootataa thfi wd p to me all the same but there is wa on flinty thomas the butler to call us to sup per so mistress we will let the mat ter rest echoes themselves died away it kept growing darker and tho crowd also grew thicker and some- nicholas kept his biichday despite r v v j lfll hh danbearers had to stop cvthier and cloth merchant like mjst of his class he was a busy prac tical man of business for more fa miliar with the rise and fall of goods in tho london market and the latest cut of coats and waistcoats than with political intrigues or scientific in vestigations one september night as the boy and girl sat in a corner of the grand sittingroom the clothier entered with a frown on his usual cheery face do you know what parliament has been doing mother he asked as he took a seat in his highbacked arm chair by the fireplace just think those old periwigs at westminster have been and taken eleven whole days from us and king george they say has given his sanction to their pro ceedings i think it is shameful are you so sure that they have done this asked mistress dobson in her quiet way and if they have how do you know that it is not right am i sure cried tho clothier somewhat irately for him all i know is what simon collett the haber dasher of hats and tobacconist who the change in the calendar and he had his oyster patties also which like a generous lad he shared withtmargery no further allusion was made in the dobson household to the introduction of the gregorian reckoning until the twentythird of december by the new style on the evening of this day which would have been the twelfth day by the old way of reckoning the dob- sons had a visitor to tea it was the mistress cousin the knight well sir jasper said the host as he cut a generous slice of capon foir his guest when do you keep christ mas this year why i keep it on the true day as a christian should answered the knight no one shall change the blessed day for me but how are we to know which is the proper day asked dobson glanc ing shrewdly at his wife how do we know exclaimed sir jasper why this is how we know whether the calendar be wrong or right the thorntree at quainton will know it always buds on christmas eve and blossoms on christmas morn ing and do you think the thorn will refuse to wcssom on our new christ mas cousin jasper inquired dame deborah truly it will the thorn will know the day mark that it was a slip from the sacred glastonburybush which tho holy joseph of arimathea stuck into the ground with his own hand pshaw the plant is only a haw- 3dbvl- has just returned from london told thorn a naturally blossoms that me he said it was so and that the new style would take eleven days right out of the year and when i came by the kings crown they were talking about it there but suppose they are right after all and that ve were eleven daysbe- hind the right time how then fa ther and deborah dobson looked in quiringly into her husbands face what then said the master shrugging his shoulders how do they know whether it is wrong or right and what business is it of theirs anyhow as it is they have just rob bed usof nearly a fortnights time which no king or parliament has a right to do a pretty kettle of fish they have made of it here was our nicholas eleven years old on the mor time of the year said the mistress incredulously many a time during our first years of marriage did i ride over to quainton to see the blooming then you dispute not that it blooms cried sir jasper certainly not answered his host ess but its no sacred bush for all that i ween even if that at glaston bury was which the soldiers of crom well cut down in the time of the pre tenders great grandfather i argue not with you for you will ever have the right sideof a question said the knight goodnaturedly but i will warrant you this slip at quain ton will not bloom for more than twelve days to come well we shall keep christmas here on the day after the morrow we altogether on account of the pressure torches and lanterns gleamed all along the road and there was a tu mult of many voices all england seemed coming out to tho blooming at last they reached the field where the precious thorntree stood and the two children dismounted from the se dan glad enough to stretch their limbs they found tho field all astir and countless lights moving around about the thorntree there was a great throng it is all nonsense to think that this will blossom tonight said a large burly man who looked as if he might be a butcher just look at it the plant is dead it was a quarter of twelve and all grew silent a tall man in a black garb and wearing a very white neck tie and lace under his great ruffed sleeves took his post just before the thorn he held a lantern in one hand and a heavy silver watch in tho other the thorn would bloom at twelve precisely if king georges christmas was right as yet there was no sign of a blos som the stock looked dead would it revive off n the distance rang a peal of bells it was twelve oclock christ mas day had come but the wonderful milkwhite bloom showed not king george and his parliament were clear ly in the wrong si lesson christmas lesson tho 8avloura birth luke 2 822 golden text- behold i bring you tidings of great joy which shall be to all the people luke 2 10 the little town of bethlehem some six miles south of jeruaatoni had a long and interesting history it was the home of naomi and of boaz in whoso field of barley ruth gleaned and found favor in his eyes it was tho home of their grandson jesse and o david his son and it was there sam uel anointed hira to be king over israel there was buried asahel god bless us cverv one ardent young warrior son oi davida a t i7 v sister slain in davids wars there f j each was the well of good water by the t as falth lts can reach gate from which three of the chief of m comes from tiny tim his mighty men brought david drink goj b us every one at the risk of their lives when the it echoes with a wealth of love town was temporarily held by a philisjthat wings its way to god above tine garrison it was from bethlehem with hopo and cheer that will not tiny tims carol dim- god bless us every one that the prophet micah saw in a vi 6ion of the future a victorious prince come forth of davids line who would deliver the land from its oppressors mid himself become his peoples peace t ess us every one micah 526 and there in strange i magic of kindly thought is there fulfilment of that prophetic hope the j music of carols in the air christ prince and saviour descend- front of the skirt is flared at the lower edge and the back is plain con trasting material is effectively used for the shawl collar vestee lower sec tion of the sleeves and chic bow at the left closing no 1457 is for ladies and is in sizes 36 38 40 42 44 and 46 inches bust size 38 requires 4 nicholas and margery stood hand in j yards 39inch plain material and vz hand on tho outer edge they could yard 36inch contrasting cut cross- slenderizing lines delightfully smart is this attractive frock having the modish surplice clos ing and slenderizing effect accom- j the active ministry of jesus plished by means of the bodice being peace and good will and joy are estab- cut in a deep point in front the ished among men then his kingdom ant of davids royal line was born in the days of tho infamous herod so- called the great it was to simple shepherds abiding in the field keeping watch over their flock by night that the vision of angels announced his coming and it has always been to men of simple faith doing the worlds hard work keeping their faithful watch that the vision and knowledge of him have most surely come the angels an nounced good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people and their song was of glory to god in tho highest and on earth peace good will toward men these have always been the significant words of the christian faith joy peace good will to all men and these were the signifi cant notes of the teaching and of all when as in the days of tiny tim god bless us every one christs soul itself is in that plea that sparkles like a christmas tree with bethlehems star its shining rim god bless us every one george ellistoru row and he was going to have a birth- j stand by king george cousin jas day party he as born on the 5th per and mistress dobson sat down of september i suppose you will al- her silver teaurn with such force that low well this parliament says that her towering headdress trembled tomorrow is the 16th so the boy has mother cried margery maynt lost his birthday and its a wicked nicholas and i go to quainton to see shame i say hero nicholas spoke i dont care if i lost my party he said if i have gained two weeks on sister margery you have gained no more than she has replied his mother margery is twelve and you are eleven just the same so rsay that in introducing this now stylo as they call it they have not dealt justly with you boy in robbing you of a birthday tho countenance of nicholas fell tho bloom jng of the thorn what child go ten miles and mayhap lose your christmas dinner dame deborah dobson looked some what astonished i tell you it wont bloom onyour new christmas said sir jasper de cidedly but if it should the children would want to see it said his cousin then wo may go mother cried margery jumping from her chair if your father says so and cousin then if i have not gained eleven ja3p6r wu vat yusha1 dear declared his ltofx 2gks25 mother and janet shall serve the ride 0 sedantafr i tormjn best dnner for you that she can get and dfln expressa desire to see the tho boy clapped his hands sg and you will make her cdok some oyster patties and please cook enough j so that margery can have some blooming and they can go and carry their masters children i will go too said the knight the children will need to sleep some- i where and my fathers halfsister will you shall haw the patties if you bo glad to welcomo them but i prom- will tori mo how many kinds of years i you they shall see no blooming we can reckon said mistress dobson nevertheless the children persisted don t ask me margery will tell in so 0 aflorno of and tho lad went to work with re- kssvkt rnis tay steed waited at the gate of tho doubled exertions upon the toy he was nlflnsi wh the t z n f m men siwon and daniel stood rith the said llluzzhztoz 3rg f s6dan bej adopt the new style he laughed tilfhls fcrjdo tohor daughter prltv v n- fat sides shook w h towi i fh pr tho te peoplo camo run- 1 but when the thorn-rrec- bloomed a wo havtsweteal year and the down tho stops nicholasdressed was its wont on the fifth day of janu fgnsrsge somrycar a a f wasitcoat silken small- m he matter became sehous tr mt5ear wife time the suntakes clothes silver fheebuckles and a i tt to the dispute the fat king ard hi v 1felww plrliamn ordered that both days om i tho same star anr one a to an furbelowed crimson style and new should be similarly tocr earth in netticoat wirvt ctvwro j l i catch a glimpse of the thorntree now and then by standing on tiptoe and craning their necks and they felt very much disappointed when the wonder ful blossoms did notappear one by one the crowd broke up and tho field ere long was almost tenant- less oh i am so tired and sleepyi yawned nicholas and i can hardly stand said mar gery i wonder where cousin jas per is the little folks looked around with some apprehension but no cousin jas per appeared and to add to their trouble neither simon nor daniel could bo found they did not know which way to go and so they did the best thing they could do got into the sedanchair closed the door and sank down on the cushions where they soon fell asleep they were awakened by a hearty voico crying ah here you are almost like the children in the wood only there lire no robinredbreasts to draw leaves over you but come go with me and get some breakfast they rubbed their eyes and looked up into the faco of sir jasper elan- chard and by his side they sav ths two servitors daniel and simon tho bells were ringing when they went out from the field but as they reached tho streets they found no one going to church the shops were all open and tho smiths hammer and the chimneysweeps voice were busy 1 in the church door stood the parish minister alone they will hang no mistletoe to day said sir jasper they will wait until the true christmas or that jt was as tho knight said it was in vain the minister talked ani scolded the people would not sing carols nor cut hollyboughs so vnj as the thorn- treo refused to boin the new way ir all rght for kings ajid queens perhaps they said as for us wo keepthe christmas our fathers kept and so there was no christmas din ner eaten that day in quainton when king george hoard at lon don how the people cf quainton and hose in the other villages refused to wise 20 cents our fashion book illustrating the newest and most practical styles will will have come the story it was evening when the two travelers reached the gates of- bethlehem they were tired after their long journey the road was dusty and crowded for many other people were on their way to bethle hem the emperor had sent ouf word that every one was to return to his own home town in order to have his name written in the emperors book the two travelers who reached bethlehem so late went at once to the little inn or hotel the inn keeper be of interest to every homo dress- shook his head every room is taken maker price of the book 10 cents the there is no room for you ho said copy how to ordee patterns write your name and address plain ly giving number and size of suh patterns as you want enclose 20c in stamps or coin coin preferred wrap it carefully for each number and address your order to pattern dept wilson publishing co- 73 west ade laide st toronto patterns sent by return mail himself ah sheila is smilin so sweet an beguilin theres never a sight in the world half so fair so happy im feelin for sheila is kneelin by a little white crib the worlds centre is there i his father an mother ourselves an no other know well why the blue of the sky is so dim the flowers aro failin tho rosy dawn palin theyre all in the pink cheeks an blue eyes of him his first christmas mornin i give you fair wamin the fairies have touched him the winsome wee elf your heart youll be losin without any choosin like sheilas an mine twill be there with himself marion mallette thornton the christmas rose in a manger cradled deep in the hay marys little jesus lay fast asleep i softly breathing horns locked low cattle kneel while- the wondering angels steal to and fro the gentlefaced girl who rode on a donkey looked at the man who walk ed beside her what shall we do she asked i am so tired there is a place where you may rest said the inn keeper then ho led mary and joseph to a little stable where cows and oxen lived there was straw on the floor that could be used for a bed it was the best that they could find in the crowded town that night out beyond the city walls in the fields where ruth had gleaned grain for naomi some shep herds were watching their sheep the shepherds sat on the ground they wrapped their heavy coats around them for the night was cold they watched the stars twinkling in tho sky and they talked together suddenly one of thorn shouted look at the light what is it a great light had appeared in tho sky it was so bright that at first tho shepherds could not see clearly then they saw that an angel was near thern he was speaking to them and they listened almost afraid of him do not be afraid ho said i havo good news for everyone tonight in bethlehem there is born a baby who is to be the saviour of the world this will bo a sign to you that what i say is true you will find the baby in a manger where once oxen ate thoir straw then all tho sky became light and a great crowd of angels appeared they sang glory to god in the high est and on earth peace among men in whom he is well pleased the shepherds thought as they lis tened that thoy had never heard such beautiful music all at once tho angels disappeared the sky was dark again and the stars were shining as before let us go at once and see the baby cried the shepherds so they left their sheep and came to the walls of bethlehem a sleepy gatcmnn opened the great gate to let them in when they found tho stable they found the baby lying in a manger just as the angels had said and there i the- holiday cake use any good cape recipe that will mako three large layers bako one layer in a pan at least two inches larger in diameter than tho other two layers when the cake is done put together with your favorite filling using tho largest layer on the bottom cut tho centro out of the top layer to within ono and a half inches of the edge all around thus making a ring and leav ing a hollow place in the centre of tho cake ice the whole with a cooked white icing with a pastry tube filled with orna mental frosting make roses by forcing tho icing through a medium roso tube and twisting slightly around at the samo time before the icing be gins to set thrust a smooth while or red threeinch candle firmly down into the centre of each rose if the cake is to symbolize the now year space nineteen of these rosea and candles in the hollow in the centro of the cake on the rim at the bottom of the cake made by the first layer extending beyond tho others space twentyfivo more roses and candles on the ring on top of tho cake space tiny christmas trees each may have tucked into its branches a little- slip of paper on which has been written a wish greeting or a new year for tune i the christmas trees aro made as follows procure very small pine conos and dip them into cooked icing that has been melted over hot water and tinted a soft deep green when the icing begins to harden sprinkle on a little granulated sugar to resemble snow crystals and touch the ends of some of tho branches with red fruit coloring a bit of fresh icing placed on the cake and tho tree pressed down firmly into it will hold it tightly upright to tho cake a good ornamental frosting is mado by beating an egg white slightly add ing a tiny pinch of cream of tartar and enough powdered sugar to mako tho icing hold its shape when forced through tho pastry tube december speaks nay no closed doors for me but open doors and open hearts and glee to welcome young and old i dimmest and brightest month am i my short days end my lengthening days begin what matters more or less sun in tho x sky when all is sun within ivy and privet dark as night i weavo with hips and havo a cheerful show and holly for beauty and delight and milky mistletoe old judca wakes to find i a rose about her heart entwined anne m robinson v- r is a ye soiattyear is mi ti of the sun ttrue said mlstros ns upon her bosom vo rangemont was to the people in gen- jonson de of hci jasper riding gravely hesldoa thtm they felt as vt6mttnir so- or- eigns x i anfquehnelifcirjeth going to t fifth rwi f j at ajnersham tfenaw chxiitmrls jifjtsiabsthy didw go toalntorhreirtrre oldtcjhrisj- hted with daughters te3 lhero in our england decembe tronation happened to occur on janu important event tho year was ordere conjrowwfl on hat day jjnlit sgorl but didi wjamuosiouanr achjkedigrya ch f gsma we save begun the yent wonder was nearly as weu versed in rjth he twentieth rf march- ow sivglbhhlatorytfhia sister 77 sbpsftt-iirtebcglrrrm- trjfiwtimwe said l christinas pi firsj cejcbraied as a x ran the girt it is much more- comfort- religious festival about ad 100 i0 v ryimas came the poor children missed ftli fisymctgiyujsfpc issflfiaosffilssighew niiholjit thtopffcik ofhbvsaxfi and margery dobson came ttespcnll butdidn t queen elizabcthrid in or swryof thek iiws without p wliilo high abovo them all i set ye twigs and christmas roses pure and palo rjeside him was mary his mothel- withon spring ivor snowdrop and her nearby was joseph i violet the shepherds told marywf thcufay keep so sweet and frail angels message nndall who heard the story wonderffpwoutv wh may k6ep coch morry sinking bird of all her happy birds that singing buihlj for ive a carol which 3ome shepherds heard onco in a wintry fiold christina g rossetti in a pag eant they hadsenthe baby jesus i shepherd wpbacvp wsherv skeep en the out iugh jh songs of ttfonksgivinjfts tvorpfotftlfthat they heard and seen rj r the close ok tkk lesson the herds sang thyirl thanksgiving to becnuseaey were so glad that had afsftom of the baby jcu nsifl- allowrir tf scj him gammed paper for use instead oi the wise twino in wrapping christmas parcels mfti brougluvgifts to the little king j bo mado thus take a largo sheet sbfey bjotfght the first christmas 0 your wrapping paper and paint it rtf31sw ej2j b ose coat of gumarabic mucilage auso wo remember tho baby who j w ni rrcf t n4 jiilthat any druggist will mako up for ii rv nirn itot m jioihool g 1ia7c1j nlttfffrrfiisiiical n-orr- f rtrfjj 3 y think how few of us give- lf j te him wnat j sifw to je3us to show how glad we ire for when the gummed as born pfivr tntromft onl ort n pni rlnisvfsisirf holirri isovnrivr va lr t rt svn itrfjtfijjhp fin srrf ilofhrrff rifter jyk fvrn rm tvnp o t rt mt nl tj p ii- i wsrrrofniritrji ioijoio 77 was born at christmas time but did you if you tell him what you want it ro i for when the gummed paper is dry i cut it into strips about one inch wide it can then be cut into pieces from two to hrco inches long or wound into a christmas party the husband rolls the strips aro drawn over a ct one of the guests arrived very late moistened spongo and aro used effec- f i havobnly como to take my wife lively to fasten ends of tho package homes ho explained i if you count your time wurth any- oh my dear mr blank said tho thing it may bo cheaper to buy th hostess why didnt you como gummed paper instead of making it better seo iirst sifts t c gras s at