The Portland daily press., 1869-03-20
aHe wanted to see John, perhaps; won't

He wanted to see John, perhaps; won't
John 60 up and see him ?n
And John, who was one of the most good
naturee men in he world, went up to town
next day, taking Mrs. Melsh With him, and
they, having done some shopping, proceeded
to Bran's chambers, where they heard the
fat pronounced by the doctor, and learned
that Brian, having tired of reading law,
meant to try settlers life in Australia.
"You'll come back to US some day, old fel-
low?" was the squire's farewell.
SAY, in ten years I'll spend Christmas Day
with YOU"
swell, that's a bargain; in ten years we'll
lay knife and fork for you" su14esse 81
Brian laughed bitterly repeating, "In ten
wears" and Mrs Mellish coming up to him, put
her hands upon his shoulders and kissed him.
whispering cher blessing to Brian; you are
noble fellow"
She followed her husband down stairs. and
taking cab, they drove TO Eustan Souare
Kate was sitting by the library fire when
they reached home, and very Wistfullv the
girl looked at her elder sister, who SAID. as
she took off her shawl:
we have seen Brian, Kitty; he is much
petter, and has been ordered sea VOYAGE.
SO ne IS going to try how Australian air will
SUIT nun. de has promised to spend Christ
mas with us ten years hence. How did baby
get on without ~
Spring came; but the General was not
well, and the marriage was put off until
christmas, but when autumn came, the old
man was PROSTATE. He fingered so nearly
two years. Kate nursing him, and to her he
left his property. Once or twice during his
illness he had asked for news OF Brian, and
by his request, the squire had written to re-
lations and friends, but no tidings could be
obtained
min had a 10 To
said John, when he told the General the re-
suit of his inquiries. But the latter shook
his head.
"Nay, John. he is right. He that putteth
his hand to the plough and looketh back. is
not meet for the kingdom of heaven The
poor boy has done well; he will come back
in ten years, and when he does, tell him /
said So"
When the Generals warfare was over. and
the Old soldier had answered his last muster
roll. Kate remained altogether at The Ce-
dars; and, calling herself the old maid of the
family, was looked up 10 with much respect
by the rising generation of nephews and
n'eces. Nor was Kate's money id e: MANY a
wrinkled old face in the village grew anxious
when gossip gave out that Miss Kate had
another wooer, but when the lover mounted
and rode away, and Kate was still Miss Kate,
the news spread like sunshine, and the smiles
came back again i; and Christmas after Christ
mas brought good cheer and full larders to
every home in the little village, 4 softer glow
to Hates cheek and brighter smile to Kate's
lips.
At last the tenth Christmas was near at
hand. The winter was a hard one. Upon
the morning of Christmas eve, Kate and the
children went forth to gather greenery.
Young Ethel, now nearly as tall as Kate her
self; Dick upon the Sheltie; Tom and Harry
armed with knives, big enough to do serious
damage to the holly trees.
Amongst them stood Kate; time, in taking
away the lightness of girfhood, had perfected
the maturer beauty of womanhood, and very
fair and lovable she looked, as, with her
hands full OF cleaning holly, she stood in the
wlntry picture-a picture very unlike that of
Christmas on the other side of the world.
where the seasons are turned upside down
and Christmas day comes at midsummer. 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 little so as
to bring the branches of tee between him
and them, he still stood, until the thud of
horses feet on the snow made him turn. and
as the squire trotted up, the men came face
to face 4f es tsssiss1- .s,
John Mellish reined in his horse, and star
ed, stopped down in his saddle, and grew red
as he cried:
"Not Brian and yet, by the Lord Harry. it
is. Welcome home, old felloww As he
spoke, the squire had got down from his
horse, and was clasping Brians hands,
"Why didn't you write ?"
"I'll tell you, some day, old friend: let by-
cones be bygones.
hight, there; but see, lad, there's some
thing to mark the bvgone," and John pointed
to the group so busi'y gathering greenery, but
which that instant, 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.
u have brought the guest of the year, Ka-
tie,v her brother said, guest come from the
other side of the world to keep tryst made
ten years ago; before you were born, Dick;
think Of that" and taking the Shelties 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 meeting
was quiet enough 10 strike Ethel as yery
cold way of receiving a friend after being
great deal TO learn yet. They walked up to
the house together, and when Brian went to
Mrs. Mellish, Kate disappeared.
What dinner that was Surely some of
rs have known or shared 10 the happiness of
welcoming one loug absent to the fireside:
and, after many days of exile by sea and
land, Of strange adventures, perls and hair
breadth escapes, have felt the heart gro full,
as locking 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
Mellish, and so too, felt one true heart not far
from John. But it was not until later in the
evening, when they were all standing about
in the front room listening to tie Carol sing
Rrs, that Brian found an opportunity of say
ing, in Kate's ear:
Il never loved woman but you, Kate. and
I've been faithful to my love through all
these ten hopeless years. May ask for my
wages ?"
Kate bad no voice to make audible reply,
but warm hand stole into Brians and he
In l,at a tar h. haa H.