284 T^SE BED MOUNTAIN OF ALASKA. 
braid to the best advantage, and inducing the arms to 
take the positions alluded to, the Shadow crept away, 
and had well-nigh disappeared. But it returned again, 
thicker than ever, when he said, with a little choke in 
his voice, " I did mean to get 'em a little tree, with 
candles on it, and a picture-book or two ; but our pay 
ain't over-much, and we had sickness, and — and — " he 
was very busy doing up the bundle, and very clumsy he 
must have been, too, for it was a long time before the 
wide-looped, single bow-knot was tied, and the parcel 
carefully put away again. 
Mr. Broadstreet winked hard, and his eyes shone. 
" How long before you pass here on the way back ? 
he asked. 
" About thirty-five minutes it'll take us to get round, 
sir, on account of the snow. It's my last trip." 
" Very well. Now, conductor — ahem ! what did you 
say your name was ? " 
" Tryson, sir ; David Tryson." 
" Then, ahem ! Mr. Tryson — just ring your bell when 
you reach the corner there, on the up trip ; and dodge 
into that store where the lights are. You'll find a bun- 
dle waiting for you. Good-night, cond — Mr. Tryson, 
and a merry Christmas to you and yours ! " 
Good-night, sir ! God bless you, sir ! Merry — " but 
his passenger was gone. 
As he reached the sidewalk, Mr. Broadstreet turned 
and looked after the car. Whether it was the light from 
