.

THE MOTHER--THE WIFE.
Bertram made up his mind at once that, for the present, at least, he would tell no one what the surgeon had said to him.

He had placed himself under the man's care, and there was nothing to do but to take the prescribed treatment and await results as patiently as he could.
Meanwhile there was no need to worry Billy, or William, or anybody else with the matter.
Billy was so busy with her holiday plans that she was only vaguely aware of what seemed to be an increase of restlessness on the part of her husband during those days just before Christmas.
"Poor dear, is the arm feeling horrid to-day ?" she asked one morning, when the gloom on her husband's face was deeper than usual.
Bertram frowned and did not answer directly.
"Lots of good I am these days!" he exclaimed, his moody eyes on the armful of many-shaped, many-sized packages she carried.

"What are those for-the tree ?" "Yes; and it's going to be so pretty, Bertram," exulted Billy.

"And, do you know, Baby positively acts as if he suspected things--little as he is," she went on eagerly.