The mirror., 1923-11-08

you're turning my hair grey already"
Alice flashed him glance with laugh
ing eyes. eff it doesn't turn grey pretty
soon it never will, for it's most gone nowl"
she retorted.
"There you go again! Always calling
attention to my bald head!"
Mrs. Darlington put in-I never saw
two such kids for fighting in all my life!
They're at it every time they meet Why
I'm scandaiixed"
Darlington laughed, and Scott added
$50 am II"
"Yes-you look it," replied Alice dryly.
"Well, here we are-home at last" cried
Mrs. Darlington, as the motor drew up
at the curb. "Won't you come in for
few moments?"
The others declined pleasantly, saying
"We'll drive over this evening, and bring
Mrs. Scott along with u.s."
All shook hands, wishing each other
Merry Christmas.
Remember now-we'll be expecting
you," called Mrs. Darlington as the motor
purred and rolled away.
A few moments later, husband and wife,
having arrayed themselves for dinner, sat
in the library awaiting the sons return.
The mammoth open fireplace glowed with
the light of blazing four-foot logs; tongues
of flame leaping upward as if in sheer joy
at the scene before them-husband and
wife seated in great leather-upholstered
chairs, their locks of brown and black
tinged with grey as the result of years
of anxiety, grief and longing ng-longing for
the day-this happy day of reunion, of
JOY, of comfort and companionship to
to come at last. Somehow-they knew not
how-but each had heard, within their
own hearts, the faith and assurance that
this Joy would yet be theirs-that this,
their one most fervent prayer and re-
quest would yet be granted them.
Leaning upon her husbands shoulder as
in the days of old, the happy pair, as
youthful lovers, embraced; and, with eyes
dimmed by tears of joy, each confded to
the other the events which had filled the
years of their separation.
A motor stopped before the house; and
Robert Darlington, in company with his
old friend and benefactor, entered the
hallway.
"Mother!" called the Rector. "Are you
here?"
eyes, son." she managed to say; then
rising, she patted her husband upon the
head and whispered, "Sit still, dear-let
me bring Bobbie in here"
Stepping quickly, she met Robert and
the Doctor just entering the library door.
The son embraced and kissed his mother;
then hastily she whispered in his ear
"We have company, dear. Oh it's lovely
I found someone from Butler whom we
haven't seen for years. I-I-found him
in trouble when went to the Jail meeting,
before church this morning. Miss Paul
and Mr.. Scott helped me to get him out
and brought him home." She pointed to-
ward the fireplace where, above one of
the high-backed easy chairs, showed the
bowed head of a man with its fast grazing
hair.
The Rector smiled happily, and, gazing
with perplexity at the newcomer, said
"Mother, you are an Angel! I'll forgive
you for not attending services this morn
ing, for know that you were engaged
in kindly Christian act" whereupon the
son advanced to the side of the man seated
before the fire.
The man looked up, and the astonished
Pastor cried-"Father
"Bobbie!" sobbed Darlington.
As the tears of joy flowed from the eyes
of father, son and mother, Doctor Marsden
raised his hands in blessing, while Robert
Darlington Melt at his fathers knee in
Thanksgiving. Mrs. Darlington beheld-
Il 81 O. 1~.x