The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1871-12-21
great flood of emotion but he ohoked

he rejoined, after long pause. Have
they bid you hate me I"
"They always told me you were far
away toward where the sur rose and 1t
l were good they would bring me to see
you some day. Every night say in my
prayers, God bless papa and mamma,
and God bless grsndpaps.
"Why didn't they bring you Z What
made them let you come alone I"
"Mamma sent me with John to give
you the letter." was the simple answer.
" The carriage is at the gate. waiting
for me-"
"Who is John 7"
"Papa's servant"
And-where are they staying 7"
"At the hotel. We only arrived here
this morning"
Mrs. Osgood, lowering in the hall,
looked on in wonder. Her master was
coming down stairs, calling for his hat
and coat, and leading the child. He
got into the carriage with her and it
drove away. Mr.. Golding was wonder
ng vaguely whether it was real.
They arrived at last, and the child led
him In, opening door at the end of q
long corridor. She spoke cheeringly.
Mamma, here's grandpapa. He
said he would come back with me-"
Mr.. Golding's head went off in a swim
Advancing weakness tells upon people
in such moments as these. He sat down |;
and there were Amy's arms-his own
Amy's-about his neck. Which of the
two sobbed the most, could not be told.
Why had he never known what he lost
through all those vanished yearsp
"Father, are we reconciled at last Z"
"I don't know, my daughter; until
you tell me whether you forgive me-"
"There should be no talk about for
giveness," she said. "You went accord
ing to your own opinion of what was
right. And perhaps was to blame, too.
Father, it is enough that God has
brought us together again in peace.
thought that no one could resist my
little Amy, least of all, her grandpapa." i"
He looked up. The child stood by,
silently the freight glittering on her
golden hair, her face shining strangely
sweet. He put out his arms and drew
| her into them, close-where no child,
not even his own, had ever nestled be-
fore. Oh how much he had missed in
life !-he knew it now. He felt her
clinging hold round his neck--her kisses
dropped upon his face like the pitying
dew from Heaven and he-was it HIM
self, or another soul in his placer
Father, see."
Amy's voice had full cheerful ring
in it. Her married life had been happy.
Mr.. Golding turned at the call.
Here are Harry and the boys wait
ing to speak to you," she said, In less
assured tone.
H shook his son-in-law's hand heart
lily. Old feuds, old things, were over
now, and ali was become new. In his
heart, until that trouble came, he had
always liked Harry Church. Then he
looked at the two boys, brave, mzrry
little fellows, of whom he might be
proud.
Explanations eusued. Fortune had
favored Mr.. Church they had come
back for good, and were alrt ady looking
for house.
"No house but mine," interrupted
Joseph Golding. at will want a tenant
when am gone. You must come home
tomorrow"
Tomorrow will be Christmas Day,
said his daughter, half-doubtingly.
"All the better. If Christmas was
never kept in my house, it shall be nov
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 the West Indies,
had told them how Joseph Golding was
breaking the news had caused them to
hurry home prematurely. Amy said to
her husband that if her father died, un-
reconciled to her, she should be full oil
remorse forever.
"You will come home tomorrow, all
of you" repeated Mr.. Golding. "And
mind, Amy, you do not go away again.
Buff the children should be toe
much for you, fatherw
"When they are, I'll tell you," he
said, with touch OF the former gruf.
ness. "The old house is large enough
He went out and found his way to the
shops-open to the last on Christina!
Eve in the old town-looking for Christ.
mas gifts. New work for him but he
entered into it earnestly. Persmbula.
ting the streets like bewildered Santa
Claus, he went home laden with books
and toys, and jewels, and bon-bons
Mrs. Osgood lifted her hands, and
thought the end of the world must bt
coming.
"Help me to put these things away
Osgood. Don't. Don't stare as if YOU
were moonstruck. And, look here
there'll be company to dinner tomorrow
Mind you send in a good one."
"The best that ever was seen on {
table, master--if it's for them think i
may be for"
"Well, it is. Miss Amy's coming
home again"
| "Heaven be praised, sir The hous,
has been but dull one since she left it.
"They are all coming. And they will
not go away again, Osgood. If 20,
want more servants you can get them.
"It's the best Christmas-box yo,
could have given me, MASTER"
And they came. Amy and Amy's hus
band and the pretty boys were there
and, best of all, the sweet little girl will
the golden hair, sitting next to grandps
1t was too happy party for loud mirth
And among them Joseph Golding saw
or fancied he saw, another face, owe
which, almost thirty years ago, he ha'
watched the grave-sod piled-a face sa'
and wistful no longer, but bright with
strange glory. Close over beyond hin
she seemed to stand; and he heard, o
fancied he heard, whisper from he
parted lips, though it might have. com
only from his own heart,
Peace on earth and goodwill toward men.