Year: 1868

should take charge of her. But to have hel
thrust upon him by the woman whose artful ma
neuvres had made his home so desolate steeled
his heart against her.


She was pretty, sweet-tempered child, with
grave, quiet ways, and intelligent beyond hel
years.


"When is grandpa's birthday, nurse 2" she
suddenly inquired, one day, nearly two months
after her arrival


"Let me see," replied Margery, her counte-
nance assuming contemplatiye expression. III
| is the seventh of this month-and declare il
this isn't the day | remember it WE'LL for it was
| also the birthday of my poor young mistress
| your dear mama. She would have been twenty
| four years old to-day if she had lived. Alack
alack it seems only yesterday that | held her
| in my arms"


| Here the faithful creature wiped away tear.
"Well, il it is his birthday, | must go and
give him this" resumed Estelle taking a small
| package from the pocket OF her dress. "Where
is he-in the library?'


"Yes. But what are you thinking of, child p
calculated Margery, regarding her young charge
with look of amazement. "You must not 60
| in there Judge Harding will be very angry. "
az shall be sorry to make him angry, nurse -
returned Estelle, with childish dignity quite in
keeping with the little serious face 'but prom
ised my dear, dead mamma that would, and
must do it,.


Old Margery looked after her with an express
sion of astonishment not unmlngled with admi-
ration as she left the room.


rShes "a Harding-oue can see that plainly, -
she muttered, as she resumed her knitting. 'Ihe
old Judge may shut her out from his heart but
he can't deny but what she's his own flesh and
blood"


Estelle paused Il moment at the door which
she had never before dared TO approach, and then
as il suuimoning all her resolution, softly turned
tie bnrnished mob and gided in.


Judge Harding sat in his easy chair, the very
picture OF dignified ease Looking only upon
his surroundings one would have called him Il
happy and fortunate man yet many way far
er, Lreasling the fury of the rude March wind,
his heart warm with thoughts of the dear ones
awaiting his 'retura, was tar happier than the
lonely and childish old man.


His face was partially turned from the door
and so softly did the little feet fall upon the
carpet that she had nearly reached his knee before
he observed her. In spite of all his self-conmand,
he started as his eyes fell upon that sweet face


As for Estelle, her courage failed her as she
met that stern, nquiring look.


T-beg your pardon she faltered 1 only
came in to give you this. Mamma bade me give
it TO you on your birthday, and could not
disobey her.


Judge Harding mechanically took the package
from her hand, and, with an evident sigh OF re-
lief, she turned to leave the room.


Stay, child, nterposed the Judge, there is
no hurry. Sit down.


Estelle quietly seated herself upon the velvet
covered ottoman to which he pointed, and Judge
Harding proceeded to open the package.


1t contained nothing but gold locket he well
remembered placing around his daughters neck
on happy birthday and hers whom he had once
/, do He fOunhnd tho SnrinO
and it few open. 1t was his own likeness, taken
in sitting position. Beside his chair stood little
girl about six years of age, one small hand trust
fully in his, the other resting upon his shoulder,
while the softly smiling eyes were lifted to bis
face with look of child-like confidence and love.


The warm tide of awakened tenderness that
swept over him melted every vestge of the ice
that had gathered around bis heart. In regard
to their unhappy estrangement, had not ne been
most to blame Did he not indulge her in every
idle whim, until her will grew strong and i'm
perious, and then curb her suddenly and harshly?
Had be dealt more gently with her, would she
have taken step that had wrought them both
such bitter woe?


AS he raised his eyes, they fell upon the little
form that was sitting where she used to sit so
many years ago. What marvellous resemblance
1t almost seemed to him that it must be her very
self.


All well did that 1notner KNOW tnat notnlnS
she could write would soften that stern heart like
this mute remembrance of what she once was to
hiua Ga plead eloquenuy for her orphan child
Tears Qushed from the old mans eyes, and rising
from his seat, he took the child in his arms.


my dear little Estelle he muttered-'my
precious birthday-gift come back after SO long
time to cheer my desolate home. Nauget out
death shall part thee and me-


That night, when Margery carried in the tea
things, she saw spectacle that made her kind
old heart rejoice, the child of her dear young
mistress was sweetly sleeping in her grand fathers
arms, whose eyes were fixed upon her with look
of pride and tenderness.


And giving her wiser love- more faithful
guardianship, she crowned his old age with peace
and Joy, whom he took from henceforth to his
heart as we'll as to his home-hs birthday gift.