St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1898-12-21

her boy, the headstrong lad. who went
out the door ten years ago tonight and
never came back, though the atch-string
has been left outside every Christmas,
and she has watched till dawn for the
son who has never come; for somehow
the mother dimly feels that he will come
at Christmas time If at all. So she lis
tens, while Belle, mistrusting her
thoughts, takes up the toil-worn fingers
and kindly presses them.
The master has not changed. Time
seems unable to gain any advantages
over his, iron-bound individuality.
Whittier hair, more lines on the face, a
trhe grimer. steruer, more silent, per-
haps, but the family see no difference.
He has never spoken the name of his
absent son, but Betsey, the younger girl,
who, if anybody has the true under
standing Of her fathers heart, feels that
Hugh is misse !, and sorrowlully missed,
as the years go by.
The fire roars and crackles, the red
checked apples smile invitingly from the
table, the tins sparkle from the dresser,
strings of dried apples fang from the
Teams overhead, and outside a man is
looking through the window, the veri-
table Hugh, with huge backlog on his
shoulders.
He wears the same clothes that he had
on when he stole away, and his face is
beardess and almost as youthful looking
as then. He has evidently taken nolittle
pains to appear as like the Hugh OF old
as possible.
The backlog breaks as he is looking in
and scatters the Goals far over the kitchen
floor.
Strange" said Mrs. Hartwe'l. II
never see that done, not as | rec'lect,
since Hugh went away" and then Hugh
strides into the kitchen.
Here's your backlog, father" said
he.
"Lay it on the fire. You've been a
good spell a-gittin' Of it," was the old
mans reply, not muscle betraying Sur
prise at his sons unexpected return.
But the mothers heart gave a leap
that bid fair to burst it.
"Oh. Hugh, why did you leave your
mother"
II didn't know, mother-3hame on me!
the worth of mothers love" said
Hugh, cor never should have left her, y
kissing her worn iace mot for all the
weall b have gained"
"Your clothes have lasted well" said
his father grimly. "lf you're so rich
seems If I'd have new suit once in ten
years."
at was notion had, father, to keep
those to wear home when / brought the
| 1. L..e mn
count wealth in these parts. Here are
thousand dollars" handing him purse
Take it for my services father. Is II
enough"
Its sight morn you'd been wutl
if you'd stayed, something like smile
fitting across the old mans countenanct
as he spoke.
"Well, then" said the young man
good naturally, 1--WE are even."
He presented Mary and Betsey witt
, handsome sets oil jewelry and his mother
fine black silk; shook hands with hi:
prospective brothers in-law, and ther
looked around Tor Belle.
But Belle was gone, was even now
hurrying over the snowy road to he
own home, half a mile away.
Hurried footsteps came up behind her
her hand was taken and placed unde
, the arm of Hugh as he said, in a matter
of-fact way:
( "Ill see you home if you have no objec
TONS"
Belle could not answer. She wa
thinking of her own gray hair and o
Hughs youthful face. She did not real
ize how far the beauty OF the woman
surpasses that OF girhood when graciou
thoughts and noble purposes have help
ed Time to make his changes. She wa
thinking, IA woman is an old maid a
thirty. but a man at that age is young
"Belle, did the school-master kiss yo
that night? I've thought of it Tor tie
years. and now I'm going to ask you,
said Hugh.
mo, he didn't" said Belle, shortly.
But he was aiming straight tor yo
. when mother passed by"
"Well, lodged" said Belle, laughing
ly.
, This isn't love story it's only an oil
time tale of Christmas, Of endeavor ain
its reward; but l will say that whe
Hugh lett Belle az the door and attemp
ed to give her kiss he. was more SUI
4 cessiul than his whilom rival.
, She did not dodge.