Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1873-01-25

old simple flowers from our own garden and
little gree nhouse, but thought how bright and
my own seat i'm the choir.
We tried over our new anthem in the fading
daylight; but papa, who stood to listen just
would rather hear the old one So we sang IL
once over; then with swimming eyes / went
away, and left the flowers lying there.
The snow lay ankie-deep upon the church
yard grass next morning, but a path was
cleared up to the porch, where the pure white
fakes chung de,ieately to the dark old wood
work. How cold the church was, 1 sat and
shivered in my place before even cared to look
at the effect Of our de corations. Eleanor's
was more beautiful than ever this year. Did it
make her very happy to live among such bean
uiul flowers? Would it make Marc happy?
Thinking o. him; my ewes wandered 10 where
upon that happy day year ago, wreath
had hung. And there, just in the old spot, wo-
ven OF the old flowers, another wreath was hang
ing n.w The color rushed To nv face; a hot
light burned in my eyes. Who but Marc him
self could have done this? / recognized the
flowers had left in my seat last night; 1 recog-
nize,i the taste which had arranged them: and
then forgot all about the cold, and great joy
hlled my heart as completely as the triumphant
Organ-notts now filled the church.
He came in with old Mrs. Gotto on his arm
and behind him walked q STOPPING sunbur mt
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 Marc would come in to
us just as he had come that day wear ago
Yet, when re ally heard the footsteps for which
l had been waiting so long, did not dare to
turn. The children clustered round him, 50
was the last whom he greeted.
Nina, merry Christmas.''
line words were 50 gay, and yet 50 earnest,
mat was ashamed of my own sudden shyness
and tried to answer in the same frank tone.
am come, you see Elsie, ;" he said, taking
her on his knee as he sat down among us, .sand
nobody says how nice it is to see me. think
Are you come to live at the Priory now?'
asked Tom, eagerly.
WHO was with you in church to-day, Marl?"
''Mr. Duncan, sir. He is STAYING with us
over to-day; then he takes possession of his own
"What. old Mrs. Dunean.s stepson,y we nj,
exclaimed. "Is he come back?''
Papa said quietly" So / thought
"Yes, he is come back-from the farthest
corner Of the earth, one may say"
land did you bring him back, Marq?' l
asked, feeling how proudly was looking up in
to his face.
:: Yes, Nina; I brought him back, with the
aid Of many lawful and unlawful MEANS" he
said, with the old smile upon his lips as he an
swered me.
And-and-the wealth is his now?'
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 remember Duncan, sir?'' he adj
him."
Hardly, Marc. He was nothing more than
handsome careless lad i'll those days; now he
looks middle-agcd man-One. too who has
passed through a hard and bitter battle with
the world and-I fancy-with himself too"
wonder what old Mrs. Duncan would have
said, If she had known her will would be
sighted" put in Tom, laughing.
Perhaps" said, looking into the fire,
while the cheek next Marc grew very hot, in
deed, Perhaps she knew what Marc would
:. If she knew him well, she may have guessed
it, my mother added gently.
Yet thinking knew Marc so well-never
had guessed it! He laughed, giving Elsie a
nasty kiss, and depOsiting her on my lap. a.
must go now, he said, "Or Mr.. Duncan will
have exhausted all my grandmOther's remini-
sciences OF his ancestry. May I come in for the
evening"" Everyone answered eagerly except
myself; but he smiled at me just as if 1 had
done 80.
What a happy day that was, And in the
evening, when the fires burned brightest, and
the shutters were shut, and the curtains drawn,
The urn had just been carried into the dining
room, and was in there alone. making the tea,
when heard him hang his hat and coat in the
hall.
We were so many, 1 thought, that it would
not do for me to put i'm spoonful OF tea for
each OF us and one for the pot, but did put in
three extra ones for Marc. 1 fingered, rear
ranging the flowers on the table, and wondering
whether Mark had ever sat down to such a for
nidable children's tea since he had last been
among us. Then it was time to ring the tea
bell.
AS turned to leave the room he met me-.
coming i'm with his old smile, even more bright
and tender than it used to be.
"Nina, this is Christmas night
I" And tea-time;" L added, laughing, as he
took my hands in his.
~ said I should come for my answer on
"YOu said 50, but never came"
dearest do yOu not understand now why
life asked you to share with me? Could /
offer myself to You rich man, Nina, when
knew that very soon 1 should be poor again?
Ton, 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 l could honor
ably have asked you to share it with me; but
not-not while felt held it only in trust /
was to come for my answer on Christmas night;
and here am
And then his brave happy face bent down to
mine, and neither Of us spoke at first in our full
content.
I" Nina, what have you thought of me through
this year OF silence?" asked Marc presently.
(" Has it tried your love, my darling?'
1 did not answer that but shyly took my place
+" All, little Nina, it is impossible that you
have trusted me inst so firmly and entirely as I
have trusted you."
knew i had notch, so well knew it!-and
Il told him so.
"You saw our wreath, Nina? Did it tell You
what meant it should?''
Yes; and more, Marq."
" 1t is very, very good to feel that waiting
time is over" he said, leaning over my chair,
while first looked unmeaningly into the tea
pot, and then asked him if he would please to
ring the tea-bell.
presently. The tea will be all the better
for standing a few minutes longer. Duncan is
50 anxious to see you, Nina. He says he must
always look upon us his two first and frmest
friends; and that the Priory must be always
home to US. But, dear, through this lonely
year, have been working for other aims be-
sides the-relieying Of my conscience. l have
been working for that home used to dream of;
and now feel it within my grasp
''And the roses and the jasmfne?'' asked,
looking up, and trying to speak easily, though
my cheeks were crimson.
He answered me quite differently from what
had expected: and had begun to put the SUI
gar into the cups at random.
Will you come with the roses and jasmine,
Nina? Surely, then l shall have waited long
enough. my dear One!"
~Oh, Marc. do ring the tea ell''
For / knew the tea would be individually
strong if we waited any longer, and everyone
would laugh at me for putting in so much extra
just for Marq.
Doodle SCRPRIsE.-A wife of nearly ten
years, having given her servant holiday, was
attending to culinary matters herself, and hear
ing her husband coming in the kitchen, thought
She WOufd surprise him az soon A he entered