_Subscriptions for the Christmas Dinner and Toy Funds are coming in steadily, and I am beginning to entertain high hopes of closing this year's account without a deficit. I have again to thank numerous old friends, whose names will be found in the list below, for the faithfulness and regularity with which they come to my assistance. This week's list is headed by an anonymous contribution of a hundred pounds. The giver is a gentleman whom, though his name is known to few, I regard as one of the most generous, and perhaps the most practical, philanthropist of my acquaintance. I have never known him to subscribe to an undeserving cause, and I have never known him refuse a worthy appeal. His gifts are made upon the sole condition that his name is not published. I am not prone to gush, and I will therefore refrain from commenting upon this rather unusual persistence in doing good by stealth. But I believe that deeds of this kind do not go unrewarded, and I can assure my anonymous friend that if he sets any store by the blessings of tired mothers and hungry children, they are his in abundance._ Uncle Joseph smiled a wry smile, and turned to the financial article. * * * * * The second was a lady. She rang the bell at Holly Lodge just as Philip reached the last page of "Merlin and Vivien." James Nimmo was still moistening earth's clay at the establishment round the corner, and Philip answered the door. Before him, standing on the doorstep, he beheld a tall, beautiful, and gracious lady. She was dressed in deep black, and looked old--quite thirty-five; possibly forty. She had a rather sad face, Philip thought, but it lit up wonderfully when she smiled, which she did as soon as she beheld the stolid, sturdy little figure in the doorway. "Is this Holly Lodge, little boy?" she asked. "Ye--es," stammered Philip. Evidently his visitor purposed crossing the threshold, and rules upon that subject were inflexible. The Beautiful Lady smiled again. "I think I know who you are," she said. "You are called Tommy." "Yes," admitted Philip apprehensively. "Only sometimes," he hastened to add. "I expect you have a grander name for state occasions," said the Beautiful Lady. Philip might have mentioned that he possessed several, but he had the good sense merely to nod his head. "Are your parents at home?" continued the visitor. "I am afraid there is nobody at home but me," replied Philip, nerving himself to shut the door. "That is capital," said the Beautiful Lady. "It is you whom I want to talk to particularly. So I am going to ask you to entertain me until your father and mother come home. Will you?" Unconscious of the length of the visit to which she had committed herself, the lady walked into the hall.