Chap. III.—Heart Yearnings.

Te Aroha News, Volume II, Issue 81, 20 December 1884, Page 5

Chap. lll.— Heart Yearnings.

Again it was Christmas Day. I Away on the most rugged peak of one of the rugged hills that nave yielded rich golden nar vests to hundreds of enterprising miners, in the pursuit of whioh thousands have risked their all, and lost, ah ! even life itself, in the mad, adventurous speculation of the gold field. Here, on the brink of a precipice, stood a small tent, almost hidden from view by the tall ti-tree and fern which surrounded it. Hard by was a shaft some two hundred feet deep, where the golden treasure was supposed to be hidden. Heaps- of quartz lay around ; but to-day the windlass was idle, the claim protected, and the miners, with the exception of the solitary occupant of the small .tent aforementioned, gone to enjoy the usual ,GhrtetmaB .carousals in the township.. He was always accountedatrarige

and taoiturnby his, mates j indeed they had nothing in common except jthe same eager desire to wrest' from those rugged hills a golden prize that should secure them the pleasures of wealth and enable them to enjoy life. As he sat there on the heap of quartz, he —that is, Riohard Holt— did not appear very" hopeful of the realisation of these golden dreams. His appearance altogether rather tended to give one the impression that he was down on his luck, so unmistakably "seedy" was his whole demoanour. He loolced so forlorn in his loneliness that even the little dog, the only living thing in sight (except swarms of mosquitoes), came and licked his hand in canme sympathy with his dejection. Richard Holt looked up then, ana, patting the creature's shaggy head, said kindly, "Well, Snip, you and I are spending a dull Christmas after all; let's see -if there's a bit of tucker in the tent for you." He had not cared to get any food for himself — no, not even to boil the billy that morning ; but he found some meat for the dog, and, taking a crußt from the box, sat down by the tent door to munch it slowly and thoughtfully. Up from the township came the sound of the ohurch bell, and he knew that glad songs of Christmas joy would be ringing from many a happy heart. He thought of that Christmas morning more than fifteen years ago, when he had seen his child among the flowers, and listened to her simple talk among the lilies, that were not fairer than her own pure life. He thought of the years that had passed, of his own careless, fruitless life, spent for the most part on the goldfield, or among the Maories. And all at once Richard resolved to abandon his design of quartz planting, or rather specimen stealing, for which purpose he had remained alone upon the hill this lovely Christmas morning ; and take the next boat to Auckland with the vague idea of finding Lillie, and taking 'just another look 'at her in her bright, young beauty, for, Richard thought to himself, '* she must be almost a woman now, and as beautiful as her mother had been, in those far off times at Earlcote. There was no boat that day Richard found on consulting the newspaper, but early the next morning there was an excursion steamer, and his decision was quickly made. Having obtained respectable clothing, clean linen, and some ready cosh, he prepared for his impromptu journey ; and when he had indulged in the luxuries of hair cutting and shaving, and exchanged his digger's costume for a well ♦fitting suit of Mack, one could almost recognise him as the Richard Holt who had landed in New Zealand wtyh such ambitious hopes for that future which had proved so unpropitious and unfruitful. In a pleasant little cottage on the Newton Road Aunt Floss had found a refuge from business cares and perplexities, for she had suddenly discovered the fact that she was growing old. Her -dark hair was streaked with grey, her light footstep less fleet than of former years ; while an indisposition that had troubled her for some time past threatened to increase her debility, and compel the active, energetic spirit to learn that of times most difficult lesson " to suffer and be still." Slowly it had come upon her, the trial she so dreaded, and now she was quite unable to leave her couch, or engage in any ac Jive work. In Lillie she found a most devoted nurse and intelligent companion. Studious beyQnd her years, she had never ca^ed for the daily monotonous round of business life, but had chosen rather the occupation of teaching, and gradually risen in this position, until she had attained her present situation as mistress in one of the acadamies of the city. So she was enabled to maintain their simple household in comparative comfort ; yot to further insure the possibility of obtaining such little luxuries as invalids often require, Lillie devoted her leisure moments to literary pursuits, contributing to several local and Australian journals. These tributes of her pen gradually found favour with an appreciative public, until her nom deplumeb&came almost a household word, and many an eager hand hastily cut the pages of , the Saturday's journal to find the column contributed by "Phebe," or search the poets corner for her simple, tender rhymes. Her love of the beautiful had grown with ler growth, until it had become the prevailing passion of her life. Flowers, birds, poetry, and music, were among her chief pleasures, and in the enjoyment of these pure tastes her mind expanded, her soul became more and more responsive to the voice of beauty and purity, until Aunt Floss would often lie and watch the kindling eye, the expressive mouth, the profile of the well-formed head, as Lillie sat at her desk, s adftly penning the glowing thoughts that seemed to come to her waiting, listening soul, as the voice of some unseen, inspiring influence, that shed its soft radiance -voj. 1 her entire nature. For to Lillie to write was to live ; without this outlet for her imaginative fancy she would have become warped in thought and expression. When she was weary this formed her chief resource of recreation. When troubled by outward cares she would fall back upon this inner life, and find rest and comfort. Holding converse with her favourite authors, or drinking in the ennobling thoughts of her beloved poets, Lillie would forget the trials and vexations of the passing hour, and live a second life in the pure atmosphere of beauty. For although Lillie's young life had been so sheltered by the loving care of Aunt Floss, ' there had been a tinge of sorrowful loneliness, a depth of earnest longing after something more to love and live for, that kind Aunt Floss could never understand or enter into. Her nature was too deep, her spirit too sensitive, to be content with such a narrow sphere of love or labour, and like a pinioned bird the soul of the young girl longed to soar above the limits of her own existence, and learn the infinitude of love's power and influence. Often her young heart would go out in tender yearning towards the unknown father, whose life seemed to have been so full of failures and disappointed hopes. Aunt Floss had told her the story of her fair young mother's love, of her own birth and orphanage, and her father's bitter sorrow ; and Lillie longed to twine her heart's strong affections around that bereaved spirit, till perchance she might raise him from the depths ' of self-abandonment to a nobler, happier life. And always when she retired from busy duty, and in some quiet moment of seclusion, poured out her soul's request in the presence of her loving Father ; there was borne heavenward the r earnest longing of her inmost nature, that "he might be brought back to love and duty, and enter into the joy of a soul at peace with God." And now it was Christmas Day, and Lillie, having comfortably arranged her aunt's cushions, and provided every possible pleasure for that dear imalid, had joined in the gladsome service of the Christ*child, Binging out of a full heart the blessed .tidings of His love. That evening, they talked long and earnestly- of him who was so dear to both of them, Aunt Floss dwelling tenderly upon the memory of time r wfien he had given his child Christmas pleasing, and.crowne.d her fair brow jisjth .. a, wroatH of lilies.

jChap. 'Las£— Shristmas Blessing^ When Riohard Holt arrived in Auckland he hastened towards the former residence of Aunt Floss, but upon enquiry he found that she had given^up business and left that neighborhood some years previous. His hopes sank ; with a dull feeling of disappointment he turned into the nearest restaurant and called for some luncheon. Upon the table lay several periodicals. Idly he took one up, and as he waited, began to read. It was a Christmas article, entitled "A Message of Love," that he happened to catch sight of as he opened the paper. It bore the signature of "Phebe." Something attracted him strangely, and he read on to the end — read the beautiful thoughts that came from the heart of his own child, and knew not that " to his soul an angel spake, in tones of tenderest love." As he partook of his luncheon, he thought of these things, and a longing for a better, nobler life came into his heart. He turned over the pages of the journal. There were reports of various school examinations, and among other names he saw that of his own child. Something told him it must be her— "Miss Lillie Holt." Yes, he would enquire ; he would yet find her, his little Lillie. It was in the soft twilight of that lovely summer eve that Richard Holt Btood outside the fence, looking over into Aunt Floss's pretty garden, the delight of Lillie's heart. Some lovely roses clambered along the verandah in fragrant profusion ; but through their laden branches one could catch a glimpse of the pleasant parlor window, where Lillie oft sat writing in this quiet hour. And thus it was that Richard saw her. Between the white curtains glimmered a soft light, as of a lamp beyond, and in that thread of light appeared a fair head, the soft golden tresses brushed tightly back from the pure, clear brow ; the face, eager and intent, bent upon the open page, over which the small white fingers moved swiftly, answering to the thoughts of that busy brain. Very beautiful she looked to the father's yearning eyes ; how he longed to clasp her in his arms, and claim her as the one treasure life held for him. How like her gentle mother she had grown ; the same fair complexion, the same full eye and soft expressive mouth. What a depth of feeling there must be in that pure soul ; but would she pity or despise ? Would she welcome or shrink from the embrace of him who had so miserably failed in a parent's duty to his motherless child ? Oae faltering step forward, his hand is on the latch of the gate ; it clicks ; tlu figure at the window starts, rises ; the door opens, stands in troubled uncertainty, his soul's longing desire in his eyes. He opens; his arms as though to clasp a beloved object Lillie stands on the verandah one moment, looking, earnestly, searchingly at the stranger. He bares his head and advances slowly, as though half afraid the beautiful reality is but a dream after all, but she catches the faint murmur that falls from his quivering lips — "my child" — and with a glad cry of joy is clasped to her father's yearning heart. " Richard," said Aunt Floss, as they sat together in the pleasant room, LiFie still holding her father's hand, "you will never leave us again. "Sou will stay with me the 1 little while ' that yet remains to me, and then you will take care of Lillie." No, he would never return to thab old, aimless, fruitless life, but by God's help and the power of his daughter's pure, loving influence, he would learn to live, not unto himself alone, but to His praise who had sent him a message of mercy and drawn his erring soul homeward, by: .the beautiful influence of a wreath of lilies.