American citizen., 1881-05-21

away, descended a portly woman ear
rying in her arms something carefully
wrapped up.
Now, Ross" cried Sir Austen.
"see-now for my grand surprise!
have not only brought you home a
mother and sister, but alittle brother
How proud 1 am to show my little son
to my big oner'
Ross drew back in astonlshment
"You did not tell me, father, that
you had another son."
mo-" laughed Sir Austen; 81 kept
it for you as a grand surprise. Hester
said you would be so pleased. So YOU
are, l am sure. See, Ross, the little
one has her ladyship's face and golden
hair
Ross bent over the child. The nurse
raised the thick veil that hid the tiny
rose bud face.
$50 this is my little BROTHER" he
said
The baby-eyes opened in wonder to
fix themselves upon his face, and the
baby-lips relaxed into a faint smile that
won the young mans heart. Ross
stopped down and kissed the tiny face,
and the nurse passed into the house
with the young under-nursc in her
wake.
II have brought family. Ross, have
l not P" said Sir Austen, laughingly.
" You look surprised"
II am surprised. l expected Lady
Cumnor, but not the other two"
Il wanted to write and tell you when
little Hugh was born but my wife said.
No; it would be pleasant surprise for
YOU"
$50 it is; but 1 would rather that
some one had written to tell me about
it. feel awkward, as though there
was something 1 could not understand.
Are you well pleased about it, father?"
Yes" he replied ~ am, indeed"
"Then." said Ross, with his old
affectionate manner, $50 am l."
Yet he wondered why Lady Cumnor
had wanted to surprise him and he felt
strange, half-shy suspicion that it was
not from any very kind motive.
ut is good to be at home again,"
said Sir Austen, as he looked round
when he and his son had entered the
house. 'Since left it, have seen no
place half so fair"
"You are looking well, SIR" said
Ross, glancing at his father. "You
seem at least ten years younger.
Il am very happy. Ross" replied
Sir Austen. putting his arm around his
sons neck. Il loved your mother
with all the love of my heart; and,
when she died, believed most honest
ly that all the love, brightness and
happiness of my life were buried with
her. For twenty long years l never
looked upon the face Of woman but
with indifference. 1 lived only for YOU"
81 know that" said the young man,
with deep sigh as he thought how
different it would all be now.
"When 1 saw Hester" continued
Sir Austen, 'it was to me as though
the sun had broken through dark
cloud. l loved her at once. Ross. 1
love her very much, but my matured
love is very different from
the passionate love 1 had for your
A man never loves twice in
life time in the same fashion; however,
l love Hester and my little son very
dearly"
They had loved each other very
much, these two men and their hearts
opened one to the other.
Ross, his handsome face growing pale
with emotion, "that, when first heard
of this marriage, l did not like i'll
was not happy. l could not bear to
think of any one else in my mothers
place. But, if you are SO happy, will
try tolove her. too"
'' That is like you, Ross. 1 never ex-
pected any difficulties from you"
Then Ross laid one arm over his
fathers shoulder.
81 am not quite sure, sill" he said,
''that do not feel just little jealous of
this younger son of yours. Ihave always
been first. am not sure how 1 shall
like rival brother"
Sir Austen laughed; but his lips quiv-
cred with emotion.
"You will always be first with me,
Ross" he answered. "You know that.
The baby-brother can never rival you.
Hark! Are those the Larchton bells?
How clearly we can hear them! take
it as good augury that on the night
bring my wife and baby-son home the
bells are ringing Peace on earth
What happy Christmas it is for me!
Ross, L feel quite young again-as
though | were beginning life instead of
ending It. l can hardly believe that
tall. strong, well-built man like you can
be my SON."
81 am very glad it is so,' said Ross.
"Have you done all wish about the
dShcu httSlcI.
Eyes; but it seemed to me almost
strange that you should wish for din
ner- party on the first night of your COM
ing home, father"
"If ever you marry, Ross" said Sir
Austen, smiling, ''you will find that it
is not always case of doing just what
you like. 1t was Hester who suggested
it. She said that in all probability we
should find family-party very trying.
did not ask her why"
"Her ladyship again! Why did she
say that. | wonder?'' thought Ross.
50 One word more, SIR" he said, "be-
fore you go-just one word. Will you
tell me something about this beautiful
girl who you say IS to be my sisterP
Who is she?''
"Your mother had cousin. Junia
l. Altra, who married Major John
Dynevor. Major Dynevor had join
ed the Carlists-I cannot tell you
why; and he was for some years
with them. After his death his
wife went to live in London. Before
she died she wrote to me. never saw
her; but had heard your mother speak
Of her; and Junia asked me to take
charge of her daughter. The girl has
no fortune, and she is not a near relative;
but she shall be like a daughter to me
Tor your mothers sake Her ladyship |
vas very nice about it; and the girl viii
be a pleasant companion for herr
"Now know of what she reminds |
nen' cried Ross. IL have been puzzling
over it ever since I saw her face. You |
know AIRY Scheffer's picture, The |
Christian Martyr'-the picture of a
7oung girl dead, floating down the river
With light like an aureole round her