The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1869-07-22
" He wanted to see John, perhaps


wont John go up and see him 2"
And John, who was one of the best
latured men in the world, went up to
own next day, taking Mrs Mellish
With him, and they, having done some
shopping, proceeded to Brian,s cham
oers, where they heard the fiat pro-
nounced by the doctor, and learned
that Brian, having tired of reading
aw, meant to try a settlers life in
Australia. .a
"You'll come back to us some day,
old fellow ?" was the squire's fare
well. -s5
CAV. in ten years I'll spend Christ
mas Day with YOU" -r-.sse
We'll, that's bargain; in ten
years we'll lay knife and fork for
you." aa,F
"Brian laughed bitterly, repeating,
q In ten yaars," and Mrs. Mellish,
coming up to him, put her hands up
on his shoulders and kissed him, whis-
pering .sher blessing to Brian you are
a noble fellow"
She followed her husband down
stairs, and taking a cab, they drove to
Euston Square.
Kate was sitting by the library fire
when they reached home, and very
wistfully the girl looked at her elder
sister, who said, as she took off her
shawl:
I'VE have seen Brian, Kitty; he is
much better, and has been ordered a
sea voyage, so he is going to try how
Australian air will suit him. He has
promised to spend Christmas with us
ten years hence. How did baby get
along without me ?"
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 Bri-
an, and by his request, the squire had
written to relation and friends, bu
no tidings could be obtained.
"He might have had the grace tt
wlite," said John, when he told thu
General the result of his Inquiries
But the latter shook his head.
"Nay, John, he is right. He tina
putteth his hand to the plough ant
looketh back, is not meet for the king
dom of heaven The poor boy ha'
done well; lie will come back i'll tel
years, and when he does, tell him
said So"
When the Generals warfare wa
over, and the old soldier had answer
ed his last muster roll, Kate remained
altogether at the Cedars; and, call
ing herself the old maid of the fami
ly, was looked up to with much re
spect by the rising generation o
nephews and nieces. Nor was Kate
money idle; many a wrinkled ol(
face in the village grew anxious whel
gossip gave out that Miss Kate hat
another wooer, but when the love
mounted and rode away, and Kat
was still Miss Kate, the news spreat
like sunshine, and the smiles cam
back again; and Christmas afte
Christmas brought good cheer ant
full larders to every home in the littl
village, softer glow to Kate's cheel
and a brighter smile to Kate's lips.
At last the tenth Christmas was nea
at hand. The winter was hard one
Upon the morning of Christmas eve
Kate and the children went forth t
gather greenery. Young Ethel, nov
nearly as tall as Kate herself; Die
upon the sheltie, Tom and Harr
armed with knives, big enough to d
serious damage to the holly trees.
Amongst them stood Kate; time, i
taking away the lightness of girlhood
had perfected the maturer beauty O
womanhood, and very fair and lovabl
she looked, as, with her hands full G
cleaning holly, she stood in the win
try picture-a picture very much ml
like that of Christmas on the othe
side of the world, where seasons ar
turned upside down and Christina
day comes at midsummer. So though
a man who was leaning against tn
churchyard gate. He had been stand
ing there for some time before tn
children came down the avenue, an
moving little so as to bring til
branches of tree between him ant
them, he still stood, until the thud c
horses feet on the snow made hiI
turn, and as the squire trottcd up, tn
men came face to face.
John Mellish reined in his horsu
and stared, stoopod dowrl~n his sac
die and grew red as he cried:
"Not Brian land yet, by the Lor
Harry, it is. Welcome home, old fe
low!" AS he spoke, the squire ha
got down from his horse, and ws
clasping Brian's hands. "Why didn
you write?" r-t.
"I'll tell you some day, old friend
let bygones be bygones." .s ast.
Right there; but see, lad, there
something to mark the bygone," an
and John pointed to the group S
busily gathering greenery, but whic
that instant, catching sight of hin
broke up, the boys running forwar
to meet him, leaving Kate and Eth,
alone, up to whom John and his cou
in went. H
"I have brought the guest of IL
year, Katie" her brother said,
guest come from the other side of IL
world to keep tryst made ten yea
ago; before you were born, Dicl
think of that" and taking the she
ties rein, John ran down the roa'
!