The Van Buren press. [volume] (Van Buren, Ark.) 1859-1914, 1869-01-26

wooer, but when the lover mounted ana
rode away, and Kate Was still Miss Kate,
the news spread like sunshine, and the
smile. came back again; aud Christmas
after Christmas brought good cheer and
full lsrders to every home in the little
village, . softer glow TO Kste's cheek aud
brighter smile to Hates lips
At last the tenth Christmas was near at
hand. The winter Was hard one Up
on the morning Of Christmas eve, hate
and the children went forth To gather
preenery. Young Ethel, now nearly as
tall as Kate herself; Dick upon the
Sheltie; Tom AMI Harry armed with
knives, big enough to do serious damage
to the holy trees.
Amongst them stood Kate; time. in
taking away the lightness of girlhood,
had perfected a maturer beauty of woman
hood, and very fair and laveable she
looked, as, with her hands full Of CLEAN
ing holly, she stood in the wintry picture
"A picture very unlike that Of Christ
mas on the other side Of the world, where
the seasons are turned upside down and
Christmas day comes at mid summer.
SO thought man who was leaning
against the churchyard gate. He had
been standing there for some time before
the children came down the avenue, and
moving a little 40 as 10 bring the branch.
es of tree between him and them. he
still stood, until the thud Of horses feet
on the snow made him turn, and as the
squire trotted mp. the men came lace 10
face.
John Mellish refined in his horse, and
stared, stopped down in his saddle, and
grew red as he cried -
Not Brian and yet, BY the Lord
Harry, It's. Welcome home, old fellow y
As he spoke. the squire had got down
from his horse, and was clasping Brian
hands. "Why didn't you write !"
I'm tell you, some day. old friend; lei
bygones be bygones." ~
Right, there-but see, lad, there's
something to mark the bygone," and
John pointed to the group 30 busily
gathering greenery, but which, that In
slant, catching sight OF him, broke up
the boys running forward to meet him
leaving Kate and Ethel alone.up to whom
John and his cousin went
81 have brought the guest OF the year
Katie" her brother said, "a guest come
from the other side Of the world to KEEP
tryst made ten years ago, before yot
were born, Dick; think OF that" and tax
ing the sheltie's rein, John ran down the
road, calling to the other boys to bring
bis horse.
Katies 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 meeting was quiet enough to strike
Ethel as a very cold way Of receiving
friend after being away for ten years
but Ethel, you see. had great deal t
learn yet. They walked up to the hous'
together, and when Brian went to speai
to Mrs Melish, Kate disappeared
What dinner that was! Surely some
of us have known or shared in the happi-
ness Of welcoming one long absent, to
the home Preside; and, after many days
of exile by sea and land, Of strange adj
ventures, 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, turn,
to us, and the eyes throw back their an
swer Of affection and faith SO, at least
felt John Mellish, and so, too. felt ont
true heart not far from John. But it wal
not until later in the evening, when the,
We're all standing about in the front room
listening to the carol singers, that Briar
found an opportunity of saying, in Kate
ear: .,
II never loved n woman but you, Kate
and I've been faithful to my love through
all these ten hopeless years. May ash
for my wages z"
Kate had no voice to make audible re
ply, but warm hand stole into Brian's
and he knes that after many days he hat
bis reward 1T