From a drawing by F.H. Townsend. ( page 202 )]

The Upas Tree

A Christmas Story for all the Year

By

Florence L. Barclay

Author of "The Rosary," etc

G.P. Putnam's Sons

New York and London

The Knickerbocker Press

1912

COPYRIGHT, 1912

BY

FLORENCE L. BARCLAY

The Knickerbocker Press, New York

To

V.C.B.

53 22146 CONTENTS

PART I

CHAPTER PAGE

I. WHICH SHALL SPEAK FIRST? 13

II. THE SOB OF THE WOMAN 29

III. HELEN TAKES THE INITIATIVE 40

IV. FIRELIGHT IN THE STUDIO 44

PART II

V. THE INFANT OF PRAGUE 67

VI. AUBREY PUTS DOWN HIS FOOT 97

VII. A FRIEND IN NEED 113

VIII. PARADISE LOST 129

IX. THE PINNACLE OF THE TEMPLE 137

PART III

X. RONNIE ARRIVES IN A FOG 149

XI. THE MIRAGE 160

XII. A FRIEND IN DEED 174

XIII. RONNIE FACES THE UPAS 192