CHAPTER VI.

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

CHAPTER VI.

THE CHRISTMAS GIFT. Percy Elliott had returned to make full restitution of all that earthly good of which he had defrauded the widow and the fatherless, and a large sum of money was placed in the Bank to their credit. This should be equally divided between Gerald and Gertrude, and Mrs Arnott's heart beat high with the fond hope that her son would return and settle quietly at home. So Percy Elliott became the guest of the family at the Willows, and again and again he listened to the voice of his son, telling the old, old story of Peace and Love. By-the-bye Helen returned to her duties in the city, and they missed the lovely presence of the " sweet linger " from the choir of the little church. Old Mr. Elliott became much attached to the fair Gertrude, and once he told her how the sweet words she had chosen had brought him such comfort. Her eyes filled with tears as he caressed her with almost parental fondness, and presently Ross came and the rosy flush of maidenly confusion spread from cneek to brow as she strove to hide her face from his tender gaze. The old man smiled, and turning to his son, said softly, "Is it so ? Ross, my boy, she is as good as she is beautiful. I can read it in her eyes and on her brow. God bless you both." Then the heart of the young man came back to its true allegiance as he received from the hand of his gentle foster-mother his most precious Christmas gift. So Mrs Arnott's wish was granted, and before another Christmas dawned Ross and Gertrude were married. Thre^ years passed happily away, and again Helen Tracy was spending her brief holiday at the Willows. And one bright summer's morning a familiar form came bounding up the garden path, a well-known voice cried out, "Where's mother?" and i*rs Arnott held her sailor-boy close to her longing heart. •'I shall not go to sea again, mother," said Gerald, a few weeks later. "Surely a nautical chap like me can find a billet here. Perhaps our Harbour Board may need a hand, eh ! mother ? And then a fellow can settle down and play 4 Jack Ashore.' Shall I, Helen ! " whispered the handsome young sailor, as he drew Helen to the window. And the beautiful eyes drooped before his earnest gaze, as the sweet, soft voice murmured one little word of reply that evidently satisfied the ardent young lover, as he turned to his mother to ask her approval of his choice ; but the old lady had discreetly left the room. So Helen did not return to Auckland to resume her occupation, but having placed her sisters under the tuition of that excellent lady, Mrs Leyman, whose house afforded them a pleasant home, she prepared to link her fate with the "Ribbon of Blue." Soby-and-by there was another wedding at St. Agnes' Church, and the school children, the Ladies' Committee, and the Harbour Board were highly gratified to find Captain Arnott and his accomplished wife were to remain among them. Ross is vicar now, and Mrs Arnott lives at the pleasant vicarage, where she is loved and honoured as a true " Mother in Israel." And a tall, white-haired man lives at the Willows with Gerald and Helen, to whose children he is wont to relate the* most wonderful stories of his adventures in Africa during the Abysinian War, and to tell the sweet tender story of that Christmas morning, when weary of life's heavy burden, he entered the porch of St. Agnes's Church and listened to the sweet words of peace that brought him Christmas joy. It is Christmas morning at the Vicarage, and Gertrude, a little pale from recent weakness, stands by her husband's side with a new sense of happiness flooding her loving heart. For there, on Mrs Arnott's knee, lies a tiny treasure that has been given' to her in answer to earnest prayer. For all these years Gertrude has been longing for this most precious gift, a little child; a beautiful, tender blossom, on which to lavish the wealth of affection that God has implanted in every' true woman's soul. And now, as she stands in glorious sunlight of another Christmas morning, her heart is too full for words, and she lays her head upon her husband's breast and weeps for very joy. "What shall we call our wee blossom, Gerty?" says Ross, fondly* caressing the fair head that nestles to his heart of love. Gertrude looks up from her resting place and meets his tender gaze, as she answers earnestly : Ross,, ray husband, she is our Christmas gift, let us call her " Peace. "

The new Queen of Madagascar's name being interpreted, meaqs Cloud-full' Of* water. Long may she rain, , , "' " ]