ALF of the month had ex- 

 pired and the old adage still seemed 

 all astray in its assertion, for, in 

 spite of the fact that the days had 

 passed the decreasing point and 

 were gradually gaining in duration, the cold, in- 

 stead of strengthening, gave place to a spring-like 

 mildness; and many a deluded bud began to swell 

 under the influence of the misleading warmth. 



But January has asserted itself at last. Day 

 before yesterday, toward nightfall, the heavy skies 

 began sending out feathery scouts, the earliest of 

 which fluttered aimlessly about as if undecided 

 whether to alight or to float back to their cloud- 

 homes. But after a time these few irregular fore- 

 runners were reinforced by myriads of their fairy 

 companions, until, at length, nothing was to be 



[97] 



