CHRISTMAS WAITS.

THERE were to be eight of us, a double quartette; and the sleigh would hold only six. So I was to drive over in a cutter from Pike's and take the eighth voice.

And naturally, as we scudded along that evening, the mare and I, my thoughts turned on my future companion. They could not give me one of the boys. Either of my sisters? Well, perhaps. Mrs. Earl? Not if I knew it. I'm afraid she would be dangerous with a lone man. Miss Earl? If - But would her mother let her? But I kept my courage up, and indulged in castles in Spain of a mild type.

When I reached home I found the ladies going up stairs to dress. I seized my sister Alice, and made her promise that Miss Ethel should be late. Such was my simple plan of battle.

So when the first batch of ladies came down, I mildly suggested that we should immediately begin the embarkation, - a long and serious task, I assured them. To which dear Mary would have yielded, but Mrs. Earl thought they would wait for the others; "and, I'm sure, Master Morris, you and I need all the heat we can get before our ride."

Terrible hint! Was I doomed to have that harridan beside me all the evening? And her "Master Morris" too; as if I were four years old! Yah!

But when at last the two girls came down, I resolved on a bold move in the face of the enemy, and asked the fair Miss Ethel if she would go with my detachment, and was bearing her off in triumph when the dragon stopped us with hurried explanations that a cutter-sleigh was the coldest thing in the world, and that Ethel could not bear it; in fine, that she, the Widow Earl, would and should sacrifice herself and ride with me.

And she did, and I hope she enjoyed it. I did n't.

Well, we drove through the city, singing our carols at every house; and then south nearly to Dorton. That was our only out-of-town station.

You know how blind the gate to the Dilly's Avenue is. Well, Fred - he was driving - never can remember when he gets to it. So, as we came up the road at a pretty sharp pace, for this was our last point, I heard Mary cry, "Left, Fred, left, or we'll pass it!" And he hauled the borses square round; and we behind saw the old sleigh go up on one runner slowly, and then down on its side amid a fountain of shrieks and screams.

Fred was up in an instant, and had the horses by the heads. They, poor fellows, were used to him as a charioteer, and were not surprised. And, amid screams of laughter, all the passengers rose from their deep bed of snow. All? No. Where is Ethel? She does not move. She lies, still and white, under the light where she fell. And they rub her hands, and put snow on her white forehead, and she does not move. And they get out smelling-salts, and send up to the house for brandy, and she does not move. And I went away, and leaned against the mare, and looked at the cold, bright stars; for I could not look at her.

Then Harry came up and said, -

"We must wait till the harness is mended; it will be half an hour or more. You must take her with you, and make your horse go. You can get home in eight minutes, if you try. Mamma will know what to do."

And they lifted her in beside me, and I put my arm round her, and started the mare. I could not cluck to her, my mouth was so dry. And I felt the cold wind on my face, and I heard the poor mother sob as I put the mare to her best.

I did not dare look at Ethel's face; I counted the lamps in front of me, I counted the stars, - when she spoke.

"How cold my hands are!" said she.

"My poor, dear girl, I thought you were dead." And I made her put on my gloves.

"O no. But don't drive so fast, or we shall tip over again." So, nothing loath, I let the mare go her own gait. It took us a good half-hour to get home.

At first I would not let her talk; but she seemed so well, and so assured me that she felt strong, that at last I let her go her own gait too.

And what did she say, and what did I say?

O reader, what would you give to know?

M. B.