By ten o'clock Uncle d.i.c.k's family had arrived, and the big, stalwart son went into the sick-room to a.s.sist the pale, weak father into the library. A pang came to the heart of the former as he thought of what a contrast was this Christmas with the one of a year before, when the now wasted form had been so vigorous and handsome. A feeling of misgiving came as to what the next Christmas would bring to them.

When the chair was rolled into the library, what a sight was displayed to the wondering eyes of the astonished old gentleman!

The room was almost transformed in appearance with the elaborate decorations, and, added to this feast for the eyes, was the perfume of fresh flowers, for several boxes of roses and carnations had come in with Christmas greetings during the early hours of the morning.

Grandfather's breath was almost taken away. He looked at the eager faces gathered all round him, and said helplessly, "What does it mean?

I don't exactly understand."

"It's _your_ Christmas pie, grandfather, for we couldn't let the day go by without your having a taste. When you find all the good things that are in that pie I don't think you'll feel slighted, even if Aunt Bettie's _mince_ pie is denied," exclaimed Alsie enthusiastically.

"Yes, light in," added Uncle d.i.c.k, "and I'm here to help you, so we'll station ourselves around the fire and all a.s.sist _you_ to enjoy it, slice by slice."

For a little while, however, it was only inspected, as Alice told the story of how the idea had come to little Alsie, and how all of them had a.s.sisted in working it out. Uncle d.i.c.k finally lifted off the top and a perfect network of narrow Christmas ribbons was disclosed.

"Each ribbon holds a dainty morsel," said Emily, as grandfather reached forth his hand to grasp one. The first "draw" was a fortunate one, for it proved to be a tender note of love and greeting from one of his most faithful and valued friends. The next brought forth Aunt Bettie's biscuit man, which looked so funny that every one burst into laughter.

Then books and presents of many varieties followed. Every few minutes a card would be drawn out bearing a message from some dear relative or friend in a distant city or State. These tender reminders that so many of his friends were thinking of him with affection and sending him such cordial good wishes and hopes for recovery seemed to please Captain Gordon greatly.

As for the little "wifey"--she just sat at her husband's side and enjoyed the same measure of surprise and pleasure.

The package of receipted bills--gorgeously done up in Christmas style--was not forgotten, and brought forth the predicted satisfaction, even if there was considerable laughing also.

"Handle this with care," laughed Uncle d.i.c.k, as he gayly lifted out the tiny basket of eggs. "This is one slice of the pie at least that you can eat."

The lemon was pulled out in the course of time and proved not to be too sour for enjoyment. Alsie waited patiently for the envelope containing the "Reminiscence," and at last, when it came forth, she drew very close to grandfather to watch him open it. A puzzled look was on his face as he unfolded several yellow sheets of paper and recognized his own handwriting. He began to read a few lines, however, and a kindly smile spread over his countenance.

"I rather think this will interest somebody else, too. Suppose you read it aloud, d.i.c.k," remarked grandfather.

It was dated ten years before, and proved to be one of the vivid, interesting letters that none could write so well as Captain Gordon.

It was written at the time of Alice's memorable year's trip abroad with some friends. Alsie was then a tiny girl of two years. The letter gave a detailed account of one of baby's escapades. It read as follows:

"The Old Kentucky Home.

"My dear Alice:

"It pleases me greatly to know that my young daughter is having such a glorious time abroad with her friends, even though I do miss her sorely at home. The letter written by me a day or two ago, which will probably reach you along with this, informs you that we are all well at home, and it contains as much neighborhood gossip as Wifey was able to think of at the hour of my writing, along with considerable instruction about certain points in sightseeing. Your letter this morning, telling the amusing little story of the Italian baby, made me wonder if you wouldn't like a 'baby letter' in return. So here is the answer:

"Last Sunday morning your little namesake was dressed up in her prettiest white dress, with an abundance of blue ribbon adornment, and seated on the front porch, with careful instruction not to soil her clothes but to wait for mother to get ready to escort her to Sunday-school. It developed later that the first part of the injunction seemed to make an impression to the exclusion of the last order. At any rate, Alsie's mamma was somewhat delayed in her preparations, and when, twenty minutes or half an hour later, she appeared on the porch, no baby was in sight. A number of calls brought forth no response; a messenger was dispatched to the back lot, where the dandelions grow, another to the north side of the house, where the little maiden has been so occupied recently picking violets, while still other couriers were hastily despatched to all the neighbors. The report came back from all--no baby girl had been seen by anybody. The situation began to be a little alarming. The messengers were again started out, with instructions to go farther and report at once if any trace was found.

"Ten or fifteen minutes pa.s.sed, and by this time Alsie's mamma was in a most excited state of mind, as you may well imagine, and felt perfectly sure that the little curly-headed damsel had been kidnaped.

She was reproaching herself roundly for putting such a tempting morsel of humanity right into the hands of the cruel villians, when a sharp ring of the telephone brought the remnant of the family, who were not on searching duty, flying to the table in the hall, which as you know holds the receiver.

"Being the least agitated member of the group, I boldly called 'h.e.l.lo,' and was asked by a masculine voice if Mrs. Stratton's little daughter didn't have blue eyes and brown hair and if she wore a white dress with blue----

"It was not necessary to finish the description. My informant then stated that the little lady in question was at that moment occupying a high seat on top of the counter at the drug store, which you know is some five blocks away, and was surrounded by an admiring group of men and boys, to whom she was affably chatting. He said that she refused to be led away, but was quite happy to eat the candy, chew the gum, and play with the various other offerings that were handed out by the amused group of auditors.

"Of course I started at once, and a few moments later I walked in on the baby, who was sitting, according to description, on the counter, explaining, 'Must keep dress kean--mamma take me Sunny Sool.' When I entered she held out her little hands to me with such an innocent, happy smile that I had not the heart to scold; but it was some time before I could persuade her to return to poor mamma, to whom the scant hour's parting seemed almost a year.

"You can imagine the rest of the story, but to relieve your misgivings I'll a.s.sure you that the cunning little tot escaped the well-merited punishment.

"This is quite a letter, so I'll wait a few days to write again.

As you're probably in France by this time, I'll close my letter with an _au revoir_.

Yours, &c., R. A. Gordon."

Alsie's cheeks glowed with excitement during the reading of this letter, and at its close she exclaimed, "O, Auntee, have you had it all these years and never showed it to me?"

"It was among my foreign letters, dear, and I had not thought of it for some time, but I well remember what a pleasure it was to read that letter and hear of the escapade of the dear little baby namesake at home. I have always meant to show it to you when you were old enough to enjoy it," answered Alice.

After a good deal of laughter and comments among the various members of the family, the card bearing the order to look behind the piano on the left side was pulled out of the pie, and Uncle d.i.c.k was dispatched for the package. It proved to be the huge box containing the silken coverlet. Grandmother's enthusiasm was awakened at the sight, and she commented many times on its softness, warmth, and beauty.

Books, cards, and gifts of all descriptions from the little tots, were taken out, inspected and complimented, to the immense satisfaction of the younger members of the family and the entertainment of the older ones of the group.

It really seemed impossible to empty that pie, but after an hour or more had been spent in the occupation the ribbons began to grow thin.

"This is to be the last one," said Alice, slipping her hand over a ribbon that Captain Gordon was just about to pick up.

"All right--just as you like. There have been so many goodies in this pie that I hardly see how it would be possible for anything better to be saved for the last," answered Captain Gordon with a loving smile.

The last ribbon was finally drawn, and tied to the end was the "box of fruit" that Alice had taken such pains to make attractive. Captain Gordon slowly untied the ribbon and took the top off the box. He picked up a small sealed envelope bearing the inscription, "A plum from d.i.c.k,"

and in it was a shining gold piece. Each little envelope (and there were quite a number) contained a peach, a plum, a raisin, a currant, or a date. The "plums" were all gold pieces, but the checks were put in under other names--according to their value--and the silver pieces and bright pennies were all in the raisin and currant envelopes.

One envelope, bearing the name "Date," when opened disclosed a small card on which was written:

CHRISTMAS DAY.

When I "call to see" you, this "date" will be exchanged for a "plum."

HAROLD.

This occasioned a laugh, and Mrs. Gordon began at once to sum up the total.

"It's to buy you anything you want--a comfort and luxury fund,"

explained Alice, "and all the members of the family join together in giving it."

"Grandfather, we hardly knew what to call your pie. It was not a chicken pie, even though it did contain a bird and a turkey. It was not a lemon pie, even if there was a lemon in it. It could not be called an apple, peach, cherry or mince pie, though there _was_ plenty of fruit in that box, wasn't there?" said Alsie, with a laugh, when everything had been examined.

"I think I shall call it my 'Love Pie,' for never was a pie so highly seasoned or delightfully flavored with love as this has been," answered grandfather softly, "and I want the dear little girl who thought of it to know that I have enjoyed it more than any pie that I have ever eaten."

The invalid was a little wearied with the unusual excitement of the morning, and was soon ordered back to his bed for a little rest.

In the afternoon Alice went into the sick-room for a chat, while her mother went out for a little walk in the fresh, crisp air.

She told her father of how the silken comfort had been planned and made, and Captain Gordon, after a long pause, turned to her with what seemed to Alice the most beautiful expression she had ever seen on his face, and said, "Bring it to me, daughter."

She brought it forth and held it out to him that he might smooth its folds and look again at its rosy color.