The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-12-11

the circle of light cast by the lamp over the gate. This sentinel raised . shout. and out of the gate poured . crowd of children of all ages. boys and girls. These took rfotous possession of his valise, and of his stout staff. 4 number threw chains of woven ever greens around him. and gaily waved branches of holly bright with crimson berries. And laughing. dancing. sing- ing, racing, the happy band led the astonished man up the snowy avenue between the frozen, leahess' trees while the lodgekeeper shouted God speed and Merry Christmas' after the playful throng.
 What do you meanf What is itr' asked Win. as he was borne within sight of the great building by his laughing captors.
 But the children only sang, ana laughed, and danced. They pulled Will up the terrace steps with glee. and hurried him into the large entrance hall. Here Mrs. Trail was waiting with Dorothy by her side. The child ran to be clasped in the arms of Will. and the lady advanced with Q smile. In moment all the children had raced away into the interior of the house and were heard laughing and singing with 4IoSut yOuLhIuk NOlC08s
 What does 1t all meanf" asked Han- bury, releasing Dorothy.
 You will know that soon," said Mrs. Trail, smiling. 'Take Dorothy's hand She has supreme command here this evening""
 "But-" win looked round anx- iously and with rather pale face.
 Mrs. Trail understood, and laid . kind hand on his shoulder. "Wait," she said. softly. Christmas is here and your joy will be great"
 My joy? He looked inquiringly at her. to see that her eyes were filled with tears.
 Come along. father" cried Dorothy. preventing further speech. there's the loveliest Christmas . tree in the hall Srhe hall~ wn hung back. H. could not bear to enter the room where he had been disgraoed.. Besides. he did not see Ellen.
 "Gor' said Mrs. Trail. touching him sympathetically. Let Dorothy play her Christmas masQue to the end. As your sorrow was h the hall. 90 will be your joy"
 Mrs. Trail. you know~
 T know that some one is waiting to see you." said the, matron. with . sig niflcant smile. You foolish fellow, why don't you go and take the pleas ure which has been denied to you for 70 long. Dorothyl'
 Come, come!" cried the child, trill- ing like a lark, and she dragged her father along the passage. The next moment Will was in a blaze of light. and surrounded by e laughing throns of children.
 It might have been the evening so kAA hrfI- liant lamps, the same blazing Yule-log. the same holly and mistletoe, and in the centre of the polished floor the same grand Christmas-tree laden with gifts. No adult save himself was present. Everywhere the children laughed and danced, not knowing the thoughts of the man whom they surrounded so mer- rily. Dorothy was queen of the reveL She made Will sit down in Q comforta- ble armchair. which he did in a be- wildered manner, quite overcome by the sudden change from solitude te company, from darkness to light. Some great good was coming. What 1t was he hardly dared to think. but he trem- bled exceedingly, while the merry chill dren played their parts in this new Christmas masquerade.
 Dolls and cakes and fairy gifts for BOOu CIiCu 1ohOthy thU superior voice of ten years old. There are no grown-ups. father. so you must help. me to- give out the presents. can't reach some"
 Falling in with the child's humour, and wondering what 1t all meant, Win aided her to dispense the gifts. One child got a doll, another a brave can non, a third received ship. and so on. until the tree was stripped as bare as those In the snowy park. But one gift remained on the topmost bough. and Hanbury lifted up Dorothy that she might pluck this last fruit of the tree. addressed to himself. When he had 1t in his hand the child, who was evident ly carrying out instructions, departed with the rest of the children, and they scampered out of the room, waking the grave echoes of the old mansion with delighted laughter. Still wondering and surprised that he should obtain such an unexpected. strange present, VIII opened the envelope. Within was the confession of Frank Manners.
 What does this mean?" murmured Will to himself. and sat down to master the contents of the paper.
 When he had finished 1t fell from his shaking hand. He never expected that his innocence would be made clear in this way. Poor Frankv he thought, covering his eyes. He was sorry, after all. Perhaps Ellen may know the truth also. God be thanked for his great mercies."
 A hand on his shoulder made him look up. Before him stood Ellen, not now arrayed in dark garments. Her time of mourning for the ruined lives of herself and her lover was past. Dressed as she had been on that fatal Christmas Eve twenty years ago, she bent over the broken man, her eyes shining with love, and shining through tears that would fall. In her old fashioned dress she looked quaint, but in Wil's eyes she appeared lovely be- yond words. He rose silently to his feet and opened his arms. Without a word Ellen threw herself on his breast, and years of sorrow were swal- lowed up in that loving embrace. After time she spoke.
 My poor darling. why did you not speak?"
 How could IT" replied Will, softly. You loved Frank. and it would have been sad news for you to hear of his folly"
 "Follyi It was"
 NO dearest" he said placing his hand