Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1869-05-07

mas brought good cheer and full larders t
every homo in the little village, a softe
glow to Hates check and a brighter smile t
Hates lips.
At last the tenth Christmas was near a
hand. The winter was a hard one. Upol
the morning of Christmas eve Kate and tn
children went forth to gather greenery. Youn!
Ethel now nearly as large as Kate herself
Dick upon the Shettle Tom and Harr,
armed with knives big enough to do seriou
damage to the holly trees.
Amongst them stood Kate /; time, in ia
king away the lightness of girlhood, had per
fected the maturer womanhood and very fai.
and loveable she looked, as with her hand
full Of cleaning holly, she stood in the win
try picture-a picture very unlike that of
Christmas on the other side of the world
where the seasons are turned upside dow
and Christmas day comes at midsummer
So thought a Isan that was leaning agains
the churct-yard gate. He had been stand
ing there for some time before the children
cam down the avenue, and moving a little
so as to bring the branches of a tree between
him and them, he still stood, until the THUG
Of his horses feet on the snow made hin
turn, aud as the squire trotted up, the mer
came face to face.
John Mellish refined in his horse, and
stared, stooIed down in his saddle, and grew
red as he cried:
"Not Brian !-and yet, by the Lord Har-
ry, it is. Welcome home, old fellow AS
he spoke, the squire had got down from his
horse, and was clasping Brian's hands
"Why didn't you write 2"
'Ill tell you some day old friend; let by
cones be bygones."
"Right, there: but see, lad, there's some
thing to mark the bygone," and, John poin-
ted to the group SO busily gathering green
cry, but which that instant catching sight
of him. broke up-the boys running forward
to meet him; leaving Kate ard Ethel alone
up to whom John and his cousin went.
'Ihave brought the guest of the year Ka-
tie her brother said ga guest come from
the other side of the world to keep a trust
made ten years ago; before you were born,
Dick, think of that )" and taking the Shell
ties rein, John ran down the road, calling
to the other boys to bring his horse.
Katie's eyes had darkened as Brian came
towards her, and the holly fell from her
hands, SO that both were ready to be put in
his. Beyond this double shake. the meet
ing was quiet enough to strike Ethel as a
very cold way of receiving IL friend, after be-
ing away ten years; but Ethel you see, had
a great deal to learn yet. They walked up
to the house together, and when Brian went
to speak to Mr.. Mellish, Kate disappeared.
What a dinner that was Surely some of
us have known or shared in the happiness Of
welcoming one long absent to his home fire
side and, after many days of exile by sea
and land, of strange adventures, perils and
hair breadth escapes, have felt the heart
grow full, as looking down the table past
familiar faces, the old face, changed and yet
the same, turns to US, and the eyes throw
back their answer Of affection and faith. So
at least, felt John Melish, and so too, felt
one true heart not far from John. But it
was not until later in the evening, when they
all standing about in the front room lis
to the Carol singers that Brian found
the opportunity Of saying, in Katie's ear:
81 never loved a woman but you, Kate,
and I've been faithful to my love through
al these ten hopeless years. May I ask for
my wages?
Kate had nc voice to make audible reply
but a warm hand stole into Brian's and he
Knew that after many days he had his re-
ward.