184 TIHE GATE OF THE GIANT SCISSORS.



  Joyce drew a long breath when it was
all over, and, with her arm around Madame
Desires shoulder, smiled down at Jules.
  ",How beautifully it has all ended !" she
exclaimed. -I am sorry that we have come
to the place to say 'and they all lived happily
ever after,' for that means that it is time to
shut the book."
  "Dear heart," murmured Madame Desire,
drawing the child closer to her, "it means
that a far sweeter story is just beginning,
and it is you who have opened the book
for me."
  Joyce flushed with pleasure, saying, "I
thought this Christmas would be so lonely;
but it has been the happiest of my life."
  "And mine, too," said Monsieur Ciseaux
from  the other side of Jules's couch.  He
took the little fellow's hand in his. "They
told me about the tree that you prepared for
me. I have been up to look at it, and now I
have come to thank you." To the surprise of
every one in the room, monsieur bent over and
kissed the flushed little face on the pillow.
Jules reached up, and, putting his arms around
his uncle's neck, laid his cheek a moment