The San Francisco call., 1904-12-18


wondering II he should obey the COM
mand, which, so unexpected II was.
seemed to be a call of Providence.
A wrestling with thoughts and feel
ings followed i will CO." he decided
at length, and there was shining light
in his eyes. Il am sure this unexpected
message means that the time OF BOr-
row is over. Ellen. no doubt. means to
take me back to her heart. But dare
tell her that am innocent p He smote
his hands together in perple1dty- NO!
To do so should have to betray Frank
He is dead, ard dear Mrs Manners has
passed away. but Ellen would grteve
bitterly did she know the truth have
borne much, and shall bear in silence
to the end. If Ellen welcomes me viii
spend happy Christmas. ard when we
part again more kindly feelings VIII De
left behind. I will CO."
And he did go. Late that afternoon
he walked to LiverpOOl-street station
dressed in his best clothes. which were
poor, enough. and carrying small
valise containing a change Of linen He
did not know if Ellen would invite hicm
to stop at the hall, but he had enough
money to procure a nights lodging
As he trudged between the lsafiess
hedges and over the frozen snow. his
heart grew light and swelled in his
breast with joy. He would see dear
little Dorothy. whom he loved so well;
he would see again the old hall. where
he had spent so many happy hours,
and above all he would gaze again on
that dear face which had haunted his
sleepless pillow through many weary
years Sad as had been the past un-
certain as was the future. the mans
faith made him happy.
So merrily he trudged along. and once
found himself singing under his breath
a carol of joy and hope. Everywhere
voices seemed to be hymning the sea-
son. On the common. as he walked be-
tween the gOrse and fern. crunching
the hard snow with swift steps, he
heard snatches Of Song from belated
peasants hOmeward bound. Will knew
many of the faces of those who passed:
but what struck him most was the
= absence of children. These should GER
tainly be everywhere on Christmas eve
But he did not see one until he came
within sight of the park gates. Then
a child peered into the wanderers face
as he came within the circle of light
cast Dy the lamp over the gate. This
sentinel raised shout and out of the
gate poured a crowd of children of all
ages-boys and girls. These took
4 riOtous possession of his valise and Of
his stout staff. number threw chains
of woven evergreens around him. and
gayly waved branches Of holly bright
with crimson berries. And laughing.
dancing, singing. racing. the happy
band led the. astOnished man up the
snowy avenue between the frozen, leaf
less trees. while the lOdgekeeper shout
ed a 'Godspeed and Merry Christmas''
after the playful thrOng.
What do you mean What is it2''
asked WILL as he was borne within
sight of the great building by his
laughing caDtOrs.
But the children only sang. and
laughed and danced They pulled VIII
up the terrace steps with gIee 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 a smile. In a
moment all the children had raced
away into the interior of the house
and were heard laughing and singing
with fresh. youthful voices
What does it all mean?" asked Han
bury, releasing Dorothy.
You will know that soon,' said Mrs.
Trail smiling. Take D0rothy's hand.
She has supreme command here this
evening"
But viii looked round anx-
iOusly and with rather pale face.
Mrs. Trail understood, and laid a
kind hand on his shoulder. Wait"
she said softly. christmas is here
and your joy viii be great"
My joy?" He looked inquiringly at
her. to see that her eyes were filed
with tears.
Gene along, father" cried Dorothy,
preventing further speech. there's the
lOveliest Christmas tree in the hail
you
The han." VIII hung back. He
could not bear to enter the room where
he. had been disgraced- Besides. he did
not see Ellen
Dolls aud cakes and fairy gifts for
good children cried Dorothy in the
superior voice of 10 years old There
are no grOwn-ups. father. so you must
help me to give out the presents. 1
can't reach some"
Falling IN with the child's humor.
and wondering what it all meant, VIII
aided her to dispense the gifts One
child got a doll. another a brave can
non. third received a ship. and 50 on,
until the tree was stripped as bare as
those in the snowy park. But one gift
remained on the tOpmcst bough, and
Hanbury lifted up Dorothy that she
might pluck this last fruit of the tree
1t proved to be a gOod-sized envelope
addressed to himself. When he had il
in his hand the child. who was evil
IDENTIFY carrying out Instructions. de-
parted with the rest OF the children.
and they scampered cut OF the room,
waking the grave echoes Of the Old
wondering and surprised that he
should obtain such an unexpected,
strange present. Will opened the en-
vslope. Within was the confession OF
Frank Manners
What does this mean?" murmured
VIII to himself and sat down to master
the contents Of the paper.
When he had finished it fell from his
shaking hand. He never expected that
his innocence would be made clear IN
this way. Poor Frank" he thought.
covering his eyes. He was sorry.
after all. Perhaps Ellen may know the
truth also. God be thanked for his
great mereies."
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
hot foV In al "a ut4