The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1886-05-27

Harrild. if that were your son. come to
ask his fathers pardon for a fault CON-
mitted in a moment of rashness, and
deeply repented Off, rescued almost
miraculousiy from dreadful death. he
should have travelled back over stormy
seas to the home of his youth. humble.
contrite, purified
1T is he-my Arthur cried Reuben
Harrild, as the shadow advanced. Il
am very, very thankful. Dear friend,
you have made me your debtor for life.
Come Laura, let us welcome your
brother"
Upon my word" said little DR..
Bax, as Laura and her fathei eft the
room, "this promises to be the most
glorious Christmas Eve in my re-
membrance.
Laura was weeping on her brother
breast, while Reuben stood close, 1oid-
ing her sons hand
.'Dear sister," said Arthur, "but for
your sweet counsel this happy reunion
might never have been. Do not weep,
Laura; there is a great blessing in store
for you"
Arthur" she cried, stretching forth
her trembling arms, "you did not
come home alone?'
mo; a friend accompanied me
whom have learned to love-a friend
who, on the long voyage home, spoke
and thought of nothing but the wrong
he had inflicted upon the girl of his
heart. He saved my life, dear; but
for him l should have persisted in the
wilds: and he has come with me to ask
your forgiveness. You will forgive
him. will you not? He loves you per-
fectly, Laura, and has been very UNI
happy. Thank God! thank God! this
moment recompenses for alli''
At her feet knelt William Fairfield
She raised him to her breast; and on
that blessed Christmas Eve, under the
solemn splendor Of the starlit heavens,
the lovers were reunited, never more
to part in life.
1t was later than usual before the
Christmas party broke up. A happier
company had certainly never assembled
within four walls. There was gladness
around all, and every one appeared to
have grown suddenly younger. Even
Stephen Winkworth's countenance
wore a satisfied expression, and, much
to the establishment of the guests, he
was observed to smile upon two dis
unct occasions.
Where is your skeleton now, DR..
BaX?" asked Laura, IS she, William
and Alice stood by his side; 1.-THE silcle-
ton you were grumbling at last year?"
''Gone, my dearI' replied the good
doctor, gayly; hiding somewhere
that l may not get at him. All, Will
iami before you sleep tonight, fall
upon your knees and thank God for
the good he has bestowed upon you!
As for you, my dear, if / were not an
old 12an, | would run away with you,
willy rilly, and marry you tomorrow.
But as It is, suppose we must make
the best of our lots, and go on in the
same humdruEl way as ever. Stephen
Winkworth, he said, as Stephen APP
preached. will Jcu let William have
back his farm?'
Yes" said Stephea. with a trcmor
in his voice as his daughter kissed his
hand; Il have been wanting to offer it
back, but did not know how TO do
it,
Then everything is settled" said
DR.. Bax; land, excepting that we are
all very much happier, this Christmas
might be last Christmas, and the year
that has passed might have been mis-
take. A mistake, however" he added,
gently, (which will not, let us hope,
be set down to our disadvantage VIXEN
our life's account is balanced in the
ledger of old Father Tim e."
His dog-cart was at the door, ready
to take him on his regular Christmas
visits TO his poor friends How he got
into his OvercOat is a mystery. for
everybody at once tried to assist him
on with it, and the result was laughing
confusion. Laura's fair hands tied his
cravat round his throat, and Laura's
lips We're pressed to his cheek.
A most incXplicable hush fell upon
the guests, who were all hated and
cloaled and bemuffied, and who yet
made no stir to leave Mr. Wymer
looked at DR.. Bax, and fidgeted in the
Strangest manner-which brought soft
wrinkles into the DOCTOR eyes,
Il beg your pardon" said the law
yer, nervously, ''haveyou not forgotten
something's"
Possibly, possibly, my dear sir. Can
you give it Il name?"
Your baylor the poor?"
With beaming face and fearful eyes,
DR.. Bax produced it magically No
wizard, whether of the east, north,
south or west, could have done the trick
more neatly, for not a soul was able to
discover where the bag came from. He
opened its mouth and held it out. No
need to ask or urge. Willing hands
was resdy to declare most solemnly
that the paper packet which Miss
Wymer dropped into the bag contained
more than the usual lawyers fee of six.
and eightpencc. But had he done so,
Miss Wymer would probably have de.
clared that she had made a mistake.
So he wisely held his tongue.
"Do you not find it lonely" sug.
gested Mr.. Wymer, driving by your.
self in the cold air?''
81 might do so tonight" said DR..
BaX. Il confess / should appreciate
the company of kindred soul to whom
L could talk as l drive along TO my
friends. William, of course, cam
William laughed, and shook hi:
head.
81 beg your pardon" said AIR. Wy.
mer, twiiching a button off his glove:
IF 1 might be allowed TO-
DIR. Bax held out his arm and Mr.
Wymer sedately accepted it-though
he was SO long and the doctor so short
that they formed a queer conjunction
and they walked to the dog-cart to-
gether.
The doctor waved his hands and