Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1870-08-27

silently; the freight glitteriug on her
golden hair, her face shining strangely
sweet. He put out his arms aud drew her
into them, close-where no child. not even
his own, had ever nestled before. Oh
how much he had missed in life !-he
knew it now. He left her clinging hold
round his neck-her kisses dropped upon
his face like the plying dew from heaven
and he-was 1t himself, or another soul iu
his place!
Father, see"
Amy's voice had full, cheerful ring iu
il. Her married life had been happy.
Mr.. Golding turned at the call.
Here are Harry and the boys waiting
to speak to you," she said iu less assured
tone.
He shook his son.iu. laws hand heartily.
Old feuds, old things were over now, and
all was become new. In his heart, until
that trouble came, he had always liked
Harry Church. Then he looked at the two
boys, brave, merry little fellows, of whom
he might be proud.
Explanations ensued. Fortune had ia.
vored Mr.. Church; they had come back
for good, and were already looking out for
house.
"No house but miue," interrupted
Joseph Golding. "It will want tenant
when l am gone. You must come home
tomorrow"
"To-morrow will be Christmas day."
said his daughter, halfdoubtingly.
"All the better. If Christmas was
never kept in my house, it shall be now.
l shall not live to see another, Amy"
She looked up at the changed, thin face,
and could not contradict him. Some one,
going out to tho West Indies, had told
them how Joseph Golding was breaking {:
the news had caused thcm to hurry home
prematurely. Amy said to her husband
that if her father died, unreconciled to
her, she should be full of remorse forever.
"You will come home tomorrow, oil of
you," repeated Mr.. Golding. "And
mind, Amy, you do not 60 away again"
Buff the children should be too
much for you, father!"
"When they are, I'll tell you" he said,
with a touch Of the former gruffness.
" The old house is large enough"
He went out; and found his way to the
shops-open to the last on Christmas Eve
in the old town-looking for Christmas
gifts. New work for him but he en-
tered into it earnestly. Perambulating
the streets like bewildered Santa Claus
be went houe laden with books, and toys,
and jewels, and bon.bors. Mrs. Osgood
lifted her hands, and thought the eud Of
the world must be coming.
Help me to put these things away,
Osgood. Don't stare Is if you we're moon
struck. And, look here-there'll be CON-
pany to dinner tomorrow. Mind you send
in . good one"
=. The best that ever was seen on table,
master-if It's for them I think il may be
for"
"well, it is. Miss Any'seoning home
again"
Heaven be praised, sir. The house
has been bu, dull one since she left it,"
They are al coming. And they will
10, 60 away again, Osgood- If yoa want
more servants, you can get them
"I,'s the best Christmas Boz you could
have given me, master"
And they came Amy and Amy's
husband aud the pretty boys we're there
and, best Of all, the sweet little girl With
the golden hair, sitting next TO grsndpapa.
Il vss too happy q party for load nirsh.
And anoog them Joseph Golaisg ssv. or
fanc;ed he saw, a.oeker face, over which,
almost thirty yean ago, he had watched
the gravesed piled face sad and vs,fsl
no longer, bat bright with . strasgs glory.
Close over beyood him she seemed 10
stand; and he heard, or faneied that he
heard, q whisper from her parted lips,
though it might hare come only from his
own heart
Peace on earth, and goodwill toward nes."