.

SUGARPLUMS.
Those short December days after Bertram's return from New York were busy ones for everybody.

Miss Winthrop was not in town to give sittings for her portrait, it is true; but her absence only afforded Bertram time and opportunity to attend to other work that had been more or less delayed and neglected.

He was often at Hillside, however, and the lovers managed to snatch many an hour of quiet happiness from the rush and confusion of the Christmas preparations.
Bertram was assuring himself now that his jealous fears of Arkwright were groundless.

Billy seldom mentioned the man, and, as the days passed, she spoke only once of his being at the house.