CHAPTER XII.

Home Again.

CHRISTMAS was drawing near, and the Bannister boys and girls were bright with anticipation. It was little wonder, for their father was due to arrive home from America shortly before the festive season. The actual date was not fixed.

Little Cissie Vane, too, was looking forward to Christmas, for she was to spend it with Miss Silver, her Uncle Derrick—with whom she had now made a home—also being an invited guest. The child was a boarder at the school which Eileen and Nora attended, and was as happy as the day was long.

Eileen's story and drawings had by this time appeared in "Sunny Hours," filling the little authoress with pride and delight and high ambitions for the future.

"I wish Christmas would hurry and come," said Eileen one morning; "I do want to see daddy most awfully!"

So echoed the rest!

At last came the breaking-up day at the school, and the youngsters, to celebrate the beginning of the holidays, decided in the afternoon to have a winter picnic. This meant tea and hot cakes on the frozen pond which adjoined the garden. The weather was unusually severe for the season, and the ice, so the children declared, was as firm as a rock. Mrs. Weston was quite agreeable to the plan, her only condition being that they should all wrap up well.

By tea-time a great round moon was riding in the heavens, making the world well-nigh as light as day. Dick, who of course was one of the party, entered into the spirit of everything, and was the gayest of the gay—at least, he was so until a very unfortunate incident took place.

In a venturesome mood, he presently made his way to a certain part of the ice that was overhung by trees and which the more cautious Teddy considered doubtful.

He had been there but a few minutes, when there came an ominous sound of cracking. With all speed Dick was about to leave the spot and join the others, when the ice suddenly bent beneath his weight, and then gave way altogether. A cry of fright escaped his lips, another instant and he had sunk beneath the icy water.

The Bannister children, realizing what had happened, were terror-stricken. Just as they were hurrying towards the gaping hole in the ice, a loud and well-remembered voice fell on their ears.

"Keep back—I'm coming!"

It was their father who spoke; none of them, as it happened, had chanced to hear his footsteps.

Scarcely a word of welcome did he receive. Dick's life was in danger; even daddy's home-coming was secondary to this!

The boy rose to the surface with a piteous cry for help.

"All right, don't be afraid!" shouted Mr. Bannister. "I'll save you!"

He next managed to place himself full length on the cracking ice, as near the edge of the hole as possible, and presently—it seemed like an eternity to the terrified watchers—he caught hold of Dick's outstretched arm, and by dint of great care drew him towards the firmer ice.

The relief of the children when the danger was past was so great that they were nearly ready to cry for joy.

Poor Dick, however, by this time was only half conscious, and Mr. Bannister, gathering him up into his strong arms, prepared to carry him to the house, bidding the others to follow.

Mrs. Weston, upon hearing what had happened, wasted no time in talk. It was she who had told Mr. Bannister on his arrival home where to find the young people; and well was it for Dick that she had done so.

With all speed Dick's needs received attention. And a messenger was dispatched to Mr. Grimwood explaining matters, telling him at the same time that although there was no need for anxiety on his nephew's behalf, he would not be able to return home that evening.

When Mr. Bannister had changed into dry clothing, and Dick was cosily tucked up in bed, the warmth of his welcome home more than made up for his chilly bath.

The delight of the children at once again having their father in their midst was unbounded, and Mr. Bannister—who had kept the exact time of his arrival a secret, intending it as a Christmas surprise—had all his work cut out to answer the questions that were showered upon him.

"I can never thank you enough, sir," said Dick to Mr. Bannister next morning, "for saving my life yesterday as you did. It was just 'splendid' of you!"

The lad, who was feeling considerably better, though not quite himself, had insisted upon joining the family at breakfast.

Mr. Bannister looked into Dick's pale face with a very kindly expression in his eyes.

"Well," said he, "one good turn deserves another, and, little as you know it, I and these youngsters here have reason to be very grateful to you. Do you remember,—" he went on, "writing a certain letter to your father and mother about the mortgage-box and how my boys and girls were trying to help pay off the debt?"

"Yes," replied Dick, looking very puzzled, "I remember quite well."

Then Mr. Bannister turned to his children, who were eagerly listening, and, like Dick, greatly puzzled.

"Little did you dream, kiddies," said he, and there was a good deal of feeling in his tone, "that indirectly your mortgage-box would be the means of the money being paid, but so it is!"

"Paid—oh, father!" cried Eileen, her eyes bright with joy and wonder. "Then we shan't have to leave our dear old home after all?"

"Dad, what 'do' you mean?" asked Teddy; and so questioned Nora and Frank.

Mrs. Weston's kind, motherly face was beaming; she was already in the secret.

Mr. Bannister hereupon explained how it was that Dick's letter had brought it all about. His story in brief was this.

A certain Mr. Sutton, a friend of Mr. and Mrs. Woodbridge, and, strange to say, a friend of the Bannister family also, was present when the letter was received.

As he was interested in the lad, it was passed on for him to read; the closely-written epistle, as it proved, giving him much food for thought.

Having reason to be grateful to Mr. Bannister's father for help in times past, he made up his mind to do something in the matter, and in the end, through his kindness—for Mr. Sutton was now a very wealthy man—every penny of the mortgage was paid.

The children could hardly control their excitement at the turn of affairs.

"Hip, hip, hooray!" shouted Teddy. "Three cheers for Mr. Sutton and for good old Dick!"

These were given. And Dick, crimson-faced, felt his cup of happiness full to the brim.

When order was again restored, Mr. Bannister had something more to say.

"There's one thing we mustn't forget, boys and girls," said he (his voice had now a serious ring in it), "you know whose birthday it is we are about to keep. We must remember to give Him thanks, who is the Author and Giver of all good things."

"We won't forget, daddy dear," replied Eileen thoughtfully.

And, to do them justice, none of them did forget.

Christmas morning dawned bright and clear. A covering of snow lay over the frost-bound earth, wrapping it in a soft, fleecy garment, which glittered beneath the wintry sun. Well indeed might the world seem a happy place to the Bannister boys and girls. Their father had come home, the mortgage was paid, and the Christmas bells were ringing out their message of peace and goodwill.