The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-12-25

dren had met again, while soldiers"cheered
and the mountain train guns roared out
royal s%alutes, and the English flag was
once more set blowing from the Bala
Hissar Of Cabul. All the talk was OF
these events, and strange stories were
told Of dreams and omens and present
ments relating to them. And l liked this
better than the old cumbrous ceremonies
which were still kept intact in that lonely
hall. and which. indeed. greatly wearied
the squire. though he would not forbid
them. But as soon as dinner was over
he escaped to his private parlor. where
he proposed 10 80 comfortably TO sleep,
as usual. over his evening paper.
But this night something awakened his
heart. and he could not shut his eyes and
forget. Twelve years before his son
Willy had left him in a passion. His
mother had hoped and watched. and died
calling him home, but Willy had never
answered the call-and he had now been
forgotten. At this day his father sell
dom remembered the face that had been so
beloved. and his sisters sighed and spoke
Of something else.
This Christmas night, the Squire told US
afterward, he could not get Willy out OF
his mind. He kept reminding himself OF
the lad-how he could run and wrestle and
ride and hunt, how the men envied him
and the women loved him, and how
proud ne himself had been Of his beauty
ana cleverness. He became nervous with
the Iteration of the same thought, and
finally took the handkerchief OF his face
and stood up. The room had grown dark
ard the fire low. He rung for wood
and a man entered with an armful Of ash
logs. The Squire said: Us that you,
Baldy2' and the fellow answered.. My
name is William. l be a new man, sir"
The logs began TO blaze. the Squire
looked at the stranger, and when he
raised himself from the hearth he said:
Who are you. william? Where did you
come from2' Then the man loOkedoat his
master, looked straight into his eyes, and
the Squire rembled and went closer. Let
me see YOU he said hoarsely, " let me
see your facet" And the new mar said
softly:
Father
And the Squire told us that something
within him laughed %joyously. and that he
felt as II il was growing dark, but that
in the shadows he heard a voice saying,
Father, forgive me-" and that then he
had to speak. and the words. the only
words he could say were: Forgive thee,
why. | forgaye thee many a year ago!'
and with that he came 10 himself fully
anu ne was Suing IN MS cnalr ana a me
young cavalry officer was kneeling at his
knee and the servant I'm the smock f-ock
had disappeared. and he asked, quickly,
"Where is my Willy?'
Then he found out that Willy had only
put on the smock coat 10 see II willy
would be welcome for WHY'S own sake;
for he had become a great soldier. and
had been with Sale and Pollock, and had
taken his full share in all the brave deeds
that mad been lone that famous year In
India.
The company were dancing Money
musk" under the holly and mistletoe
boughs when the Squire and his handsome
son came into their presence again. And
all the lovely young girls looked at him,
and some OF the married women. remem-
bering his face. broke up the dance with
a glad cry. and surrounded both the
father and son with noisy Joy. But I no.
ticed that Willy very soon passed to the
side OF the beautiful Adelaide Piessy, and
said something to her In . whisper. ana
she smiled a. him for reply and gave him
hsr hand. And after that Christmas really