CHAPTER V.

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

CHAPTER Y.

FATHER AND SON. Ross Elliott was strongly contemplative during dinner,' though Helen strove to rally him by her genial humour, and Gertrude's tender eye* looked at him questioningly across the table. Mrs Arnott respected his silence, and even Jafter the girls had left the room to prepare for a country walk, Ross stood by the window looking out over the sea, seemingly lost in deep, earnest thought. Presently he drew a chair up to Mrs Arnott's couch, and sat down beside her. " What is it?" inquired the lady, " does anything trouble you ?" He took her hand, and replied in a husky troubled voice, " Aunt, I was thinking of my father. I wonder if he is still alive '(" Mrs Arnot started, and an anxious, troubled look came over her usually calm, gentle face. "Your father, Ross !" she exclaimed, in trembling accents. "What made you think of him. I fear that he will never return to you. I suppose he is either dead, or — . But, Ross, my son, do you wish to meet him ?" "I know he broke my poor mother's heart by his cruel neglect. I know that but for your tender love I should have been cast upon the world a homeless waif, uncared for by any earthly friend ; and yet today, my very soul seems to yearn after this absent, unknown parent, and I long to see him, to hear his voice, to be reconciled. Oh! auntie," continued Ross, " that he might return, and find pardon and peace, and lead a new and better life. Would that not be a precious token of His love at this blessed season ?" "It would, indeed, Ross," replied Mrs Arnott through her tears ;"butdo not think for a moment that / cherish any resentful feelingstowardsyourunhappyfather. He cruelly deserted and blighted the fair young life of my dearest friend, he wronged and defrauded my dear husband, and by a clever forgery obtained the full* control ot the little fortune that remained to us after your Uncle Gerald's death. But I have not been lef b destitute, the widow's God has cared for me and mj fatherless children ; they are both good and happy, and in you I have another proof of His love ; so I have fully, freely forgiven all the past, and if, after I am gone, Ross, your father should ever return, you may assure him of this, and remember, too, that your sainted mother left him her dying love and blessing." "But tell me, Ross," she continued, " what has made you think ot him to-day ?" Then he told her of the stranger who had entered the church porch, and whose peculiar manner had arrested his attention after service. "And the thought struck me, aunt,' he added, " that perhaps my poor father might be even such an one as he." ■ "Strange," replied the lady. "You say he seemed to be in poverty. May I ask if you relieved him from present pressure ? were you able to " "Just like yon, auntie," interrupted Ross. " Yes, I left half a sovereign in his hand, so that he need not want for a Christmas dinner or comfortable lodging. Was I not right in so doing?" "Yes, my boy, you did well. I do not like to think of any of God's children being in need at this blessed season, though, alas ! there are thousands who still laok Christmas blessing ; would that it were otherwise; would that the glorious light of social reform would arise and shine into the hearts of the people, that the Divine mandate might be universally obeyed, and the blessed law of love become the motive power in every government or constitution ; then, indeed, the whole world would rejoice beft>re Him who hath proclaimed ' Peace on earth, goodwill to men.'" Even as she ceased speaking, a low knock was heard at the door, and Ross, hastening

to" answer" it; preleiitly Tetufneaio the dining-room, accompanied, b^/a,, stranger, who. was, indee^^9p"?qtJierl'tJb^|hi|Hcquaintance of the morning. * v He had -improved- his appearance considerably, t howev.er, haying-. shaved ,and changed 'tiis -linen,. 'dressed 1 mV/iialr, and procured a respectable hat. Hi* boots, too, had been carefully .polished. He appeared much agitated as Ross introduced him to Mrs Arnott, with whom he had requested an interview. - "I have not .given you any name, madame," he said, hesitatingly, "because! feared you would refuse to see -me-; bjttfc'l stand before you now, a humbled, repjntant man, and ask you to give me your hand for his sake (pointing to Ross) to whom you have supplied a mother's place. I ask you to pardon, to receive restitution for, the past. Xam Percy Elliott, his father, and poor Elsie's husband. Catherine Arnott, can you forgive ?" Mrs Arnott looked from one to the other, and taking a hand of each, she said, with solemn earnestness, "I. do most fully, mo3t freely, in His presence, and it may be that she, too, looks down upon us now, and rejoices that her dying prayer is heard, and you are brought to the fold. Ross, your earnest wish is gratified, it is your father." " Ross, my son," exclaimed the old man, " I did not intend to make myself known, only to look upon your face once more, and for that purpose I stole into the church this morning ; but I was brought face to face with another One, and His words have followed me and held me fast. Ross, is it for me, that peace you spoke of ? May I take those blessed words I saw in the chancel, and rest upon them, "Behold, I have loved thee with an everlasting ove." For all answer, Ross grasped that outstretched hand, and replied in low earnest tones, whose depth of feeling Mrs Arnott long remembered, "Yes, my father, it is for you, the- Peace that passeth understanding, the Hope that maketh not ashamed, the Love that pardoneth and restoreth all things." Then the old man bowed his head, and the great tears rolled down his cheeks as he embraced his son, and murmured softly, " Ross, let us pray." We will draw a veil over that scene, as those three souls bow down before the great Heart of Love, and receive the promise of His eternal peace.