Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1881-12-23


But during this time, even now, as he sat
there, message Of love was on its way to
him. Perhaps Heaven had been preparing
his heart to receive Il
He heard ring at the door-bell. Heard il
without paying attention to il. Rings were
nothing to him people did not come on bus
iness TO his residence, and of visitors he ex-
pected none. Down went his head lower and
lower with its weight Of thought
Meanwhile two people were admitted in
the hall below; n man and little girl. The
man had the appearance Of staid, respecta-
BILE servant. He took of the child's warm
cloak and hood. and sho stood revealed a
dainty, delicate creature of some eight years
old her golden curls dropping softly round
her face, with its large blue eyes and cherry
lips. The admitting maid not knowing what
to make of this called Mr. Goldings house.
keeper, old Mrs. Osgood. The latter went
into a tremor as she came forward aud look
ed at the face.
"Ifs Miss Amys child !" she exclaimed to
the man. nervously. ~ couldn't mistake the
likeness"
"AIss Amy's that was," he answered.
Mrs. Harry Church she has been this many
year"
~ know. 1t is as much as my place is
worth 10 admit any child of hers here"
"You are Mrs. Osgood," exclaimed the lit
tie girl. Mamma said should be sure to
see you"
members me"
"She talks of you often she says you were
always kind to her; nobody but you loved
her."
"Well, did love her The old house has
never been the same since she went out Of it.
What's your name, my pretty one2"
"Amy."
Amy I" repeated the housekeeper lifting
her hands rs il there wac some wonder in it.
"And mamma said you would let me go up
alone TO grandpa"
"And you &faH," decided Mrs. Osgood af.
ter minutes hesitation. "I won't stand in
the way of it, let master be as angry with me
as he will. He is up in the drawing-room all
by himself"
The man sat down to wait. And the child
went up alone.
Opening the door, she went softly in, not
speaking perhaps the stern-looking old man
sitting there with bent head, awed her to ST.
lence. Joseph Golding waking up from his
deep reverie, saw a letter held out to him.
He took it mechanically, supposing its mes
senger, hidden behind his large chair was
one of his waiting maids. With a singular
quickening of pulse he recognized his daugh-
ter's writing.
She had waited all these silent years, she
told him, because she was determined never
to write to him again until they were rich
enough for him to know that she did not
write for any need of his help They had
passed these ten years in the Indies and
Heaven had prospered them. Her husband
was a rich man now. and she wanted from
her father only his love-wanted only that
death should not come between them, and
r 1. a.
out having been reconciled to the other.
"How did this come here who brought
it ?" demanded Mr.. Golding in his usual i'm
perious manner.
II did, grandpa"
He sprang up at the soft timid voice, as il
some fright took him, and stared at the love-
ly vision, standing there like spirit on his
hearth-stone, with her white face and gleam-
ing golden hair Was it real Where was
he? Who could this child be2 But, as he
looked, the likeness flashed upon him-and
he grew hungry to clasp her to him. It was
the little Amy Of old days grown into beauty
for Amy had never been so wondrously fair
as this.
"Come here, my child; don't be afraid.
Tell me what your name is
Amy, grapdpapa."
Another Amy Grapdpapa He felt the
sobs rising up in his heart with great food
of emotion; but he choked them back.
"What have they told you about me ?" he
rejoined, after long pause. Have they bid
you hate me 2"
"They always told me you were far away
towards where the sun rose aud if 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 grand
papa" -
them let you come alone"
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 p
"Papa's servant"
"And-where are they staying 2"
AT the hotel. We only got here this
morning"
Mrs. Osgood, lowering in the hall, looked
| on in wonder. Her master was coming dowI
stairs, calling for his coat and hat and lead
ing the child He got into the carriage with
her and it drove away. Mr.. Golding was
wondering vaguely whether it were real.
They arrived at last, and the child led him
in, opening a door at the end of a long cor
ridor. She spoke cheeringly.
Mamma, here is grandpapa. He said hC
would come back with me-"
Mr.. Golding's head went of in swim
Advancing weakness tells upon people il
such moments as these. He sat down and
there we're Amy's arms-his own Amy's-
about his neck. Which of the two sobbeC
the most could not be told Why had he new
er known what he lost through all those van
| ished yearsY
Father, are we reconciled at last p
81 don't know, my daughter, until you tel
me whether you forgive me-"
"There should be no talk about forgive
ness" she said "You went according to
your own opinion of what was right. Ant
perhaps l was to blame, too. Father, it il
enough that God has brought us together in
peace. thought that no one could resist my
little Amy least of all, her grandpapa."
He looked up. The child stood by, silent
ly; the freight glittering on her golden hair
her face smiling strangely sweet. He pu
out his arms and drew her into them, close
where no child, not even his own, had eve
nestled before. Oh, how much he had miss
ed in life e!-he knew it now. He felt he
clinging hold around his neok-her kisse
dropped upon his face like the plying dey
from Heaven; and he-was it himself, o.
another soul in his place
Father, see."
Amys voice had full, cheerful ring in it
Her married life had been happy. Mr.. Gold
ing turned at the call
Here are Harry and the boys waiting u
speak to you" she said in a less assured tone
He shook his son-in-law's hand heartily
Old feuds, old things, were over now, and al
was become new. In his heart, until tha
trouble came, he had always liked Harr!
Church. Then he looked at the two boys
brave, merry little fellows, of whom he nigh
be proud.
Explanations ensued. Fortune had favor
ed Mr.. Church; they had come back 70
good, and were already looking out for
house.
mo house but mine" interrupted Josep
Golding. 'It will want a tenant when al
gone You must come home tomorrow"
Tomorrow will be Christmas day." sal
his daughter, half doubtingly.
Gan the better. II Christmas was neve
kept in my house, it shall be kept now.
shall not live to ace another, Amy"