CHAPTER I.

Te Aroha News, Volume I, Issue 30, 29 December 1883, Page 5

CHAPTER I.

A CHRISTMAS REVERIE. Gertrude Arnott lingered longer tihan usual over her accustomed task, as the tender twilight faded, and the sweet, cool air of evening fanned her cheek with its refreshing breath. It had been such a hot, sultry day ; not even the light, fresh breeze that blew up from the water could mitigate the scorching rays of the Christmas sun, as he shone forth in all his strength and splendour ever that fair New Zealand landscape. The bright blossoms that adorned Mrs Ar/iott's pretty, well-kept garden had hung their heads in drooping 1 ' languor till evening fell, and Gertrude had fastened her large garden apron around her, and given them a welcome shower from her -w ater-cans. Now a sweet fragrance filled the air, and the young girl sat down beneath a laden peach tree to rest awhile and enjoy the silent fragant beauty of the scene before her. It was Christmas Eve, and the subtle influence of this happy season shed its blessed peacefulness over Gertrude's loving heart. " She was happy, yes, very happy," she told herself, as she sat there in the deepening shadows. How could she be otherwise ? Then how is it that a shadow flits across the smooth, fair brow as she ponders over certain events of the year that is so soon to pass away for ever ? Her hat has fallen off, and lies on the ground at her feet, and the light wind plays with the yellow curls that fall in careless profusion over her neck and shoulders. She heeds it not as she indulges in a reverie 1 of the past", and o'er her softened features steals an expression of tender regret. She is thinking of her mother, who is a patient invalid, confined to her sofa for idays and weeks, yet ever shedding a gentle, Christian influence over the little household ; of her brother Gerald, the handsome, light-hearted youth, who is his foud mother's pride and delight, but who could not subdue his restless longing for adventure, so has obtained her reluctant consent thnt he may be a sailor. Christmas without Gerald seems dull and lonesome, though they have lately heard good tidings from their " sailor boy," and ! know that he is in good health, high spirits, and safe keeping ; yet Gertrude longs for a sight of his bright face, and misses his merry Christmas greeting. His mother lies on her sofa, wistfully looking out of the open window across the broad blue waters of uhe bay, and breathes a silent prayer for her dai'ling, looking back upon that faraway time when Gerald was but a prattling babe ; when for many a weary day she had watched and waited for the return of that other loved one, whose barque had been suddenly launched into the ocean of eternity. Gertrude can just remember her father's last farewell, her mother's anxious waiting, a visit from his ship's captain, her mother's sorrow, and her first black frock ; and to-night she is thinking of Gerald, fruitlessly wishing that he had chosen another life than that of a sailor. But it is not even this that causes the shadow to gather on her brow. She is thinking of her cousin, Helen, who is spending the Christmas with them ; of her bright, brunette beauty, her high intellectual capacities, and her probable rapid advancement in the sphere of labor she has chosen. And as she contrasts her own capabilities with those of her more talented young relative, Gertrude feels that life is exceedingly commonplace after all, and longs for the possession of some special gift, by which she might accomplish some life work worthy of the name and cause of Him to whom she has already given her heart and life. Gertrude may be happy, but she is not content ; her spirit chafes at the seeming narrowness of her sphere of usefulness, and she wonders why the desire of her heart is not yet granted to her, that she does not see her appointed work in the vineyard. " Lord, give me a work to do for thee. Thou knowest that I love thee ; give me an earnest of thy love, even a gift to use in thy service !" cries the eager, longing soul of the young girl : and as the shadows fall, and as the stars peep out one by one in the clear depth of the azure sky above her, there comes to her heart a message of sweet assurance- -"Behold, I have loved thee with an everlasting love; I will guide thee with Mine eye."