Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1873-02-06

color rushed to my face; a hot light
burned IN my eyes. Who but Marq him
self could have done this? l recognized
the flowers had left in my seat last
night; recognized the taste which had
arranged them; and then l forgot all
about the cold, and great joy filled my
heart as completely as the triumphant Or
gan notes now filled the church.
lie came in with Old Mrs. GOttO on his
arm, and behind him walked a STOPPING,
sun-burned gentleman, with gray hair and
face lined thickly by something that
had gone more deep than care. But did
not trust myself to look at Marc, and
when we came out into the church-yard
they were gone.
AS we fingered round the fire at home
| could not help fancying that Marq
would come in to us Just as he had come
that day year ago. Yet when | really
heard the footstep for which l had been
waiting so long, | did not da,e to turn.
The children clustered round him, so l
was the last whom he greeted.
"Nina, a merry Christmas"
The words were so gay and yet so earn.
est that | was ashamed of my own sudden
shyness, and tried to answer in the same
frank tone.
II am come, you see, Elsie" he said,
among us, land nobody says how nice it
again"
care you come to live at the Priory
now?" asked Tom, eagerly.
"No."
"Who was with you in church to-day,
MarOsn asked nv father
"Mr. Duncan, sir He is staying with
us over today; then he takes possession
of his own estate"
what! old Mrs. Duncan's step son?'.
we all exclaimed els he come bnck?"
Papa said, quietly: $50 thought"
eyes, he is come back-from the very
farthest corner of the earth, one might
say"
"And did you bring him back, Marqs"
I asked, feeling how proudly l was look
ing up into his face
ayes, Nina, | brought him back, with
the aid of many lawful and unlawful
means" he said, with the old smile on his
lips.
And-and-the wealth is his now?"
1.-THE wealth has been always his, Nina;
but there were some useless forms for me
to go through; and those, with our long
search and many journeys, have taken
up whole long year. Did you remem-
Der Duncan, sir" he added, turning to
papa. Odd you recognize him?"
Hardly, Marq. He was nothing more
than a handsome, careless lad in those
days; now he looks a middle-aged man
one, too, who has passed through hard
battle with the world, and, 1 fancy, with
himself, too"
81 wonder what old Mrs. Duncan would
have said if she had known how her will
would be Sighted" put in Tom, laugh
ing.
Perhaps" said, looking into the fire,
while the check next Marc grew very hot
indeed, perhaps she knew what Marq
would do
eff she knew him well she may have
guessed it," my mother added gently.
Yet thinking knew Marc so we'll
never had guessed it! He laughed, giving
Elsie hasty kiss, and depositing her on
my lap. " | must go now" he said, or
Mr.. Duncan will have exhausted all my
grandmother "reminiscences of his an
cestry. May come in for the evening?"
Every one answered eagerly except my
self but he smiled at me Just as if | had
done so.
What a happy day that was! And in
the evening, when the fires burned bright
est, and the shutters were shut and the
curtains drawn, MARC came
The urn had just been carried into the
dining-room, and l was in there alone,
making tea, when l heard him hang his
coat and hat in the hall.
We were SO many, | thought, that it
would not do for me to put in spoonful
for each of us and one for the pot, but l
did put in three extra ones for Marc. l
rearranging the flowers on the
table, and wondering whether Marc had
ever sat down to such formidable chill
dren's tea since he bad last been among
US. Then it was time to ring the tea
bell
AS I turned to leave the room he met
me, coming in with his old smile even
more bright and tender than it used to
be.
Nina, this is Christmas night"
And tea time," added, laug hing, as
he took my hands In his.
said I should come for my answer
on Christmas night"
You said so, but never came"
Dearest, you do not understand now
why | never came? Could l come until
| knew what life | asked you to share
with me? Could offer myself to you a
rich man, Nina, when | knew that very
soon | should be poor again? You,
know, would have understood me if |
had told you what meant to do; but it
would have been unfair to you in the eyes
of others. Tiff there had been no one
to claim the wealth, after all, but myself,
of course | could honorably have asked
you to share it with me; but nOt-not
while felt held it in trust. I was to
come for my answer on Christmas night,
Nina, and here am
'And, Marc, here | am, too"
And then his brave, happy face bent
down to mine, and neither of us spoke at
first in our full content.
nina, what have you thought of me
through this year of silence?' asked
Marc, presently. 'Has it tried your love,
my darling?"
l did not answer that, but shyly took
my place before the tea tray.
'Ah, little Nina, it is impossible that
you have trusted me just SO firmly and
entirely as l have trusted your"
knew had notch, 50 well l knew
it! And | told him so.
"4o on saw our wreath, Nina? Did it
tell you what meant it should?"
eyes, and more, Marq."
ut is very, very good to feel that the
waiting time is over" he said, leaning
over my chair, while I first looked un.
into the teapot, and then ask
ed him if he would please to ring the tea
bell.
presently. The tea will be all the bet
fnr c$n~