CHAPTER XVI.

"AS A LITTLE CHILD."

"The sun was low in the changing west, The shadows were heavy from hill and tree, As the watchman opened the gate of rest— 'I am willing with all my heart,' said he."

HARRY LASCELLES paused a moment ere resuming the tale he had been telling, for his listeners were overcome with emotion.

Dr. Warner was the first to speak. "Thank God," he said, "my boy had learned a lesson on the evil Of gambling; and I am thankful he was instrumental in saving a fellow-creature from that terrible sin."

"I always felt sure," interrupted Austin, "that Lewis was led astray and made the dupe of a set of sharpers who came here on purpose to catch some of the older schoolboys. I always knew Lewis's heart was right."

"Lewis's letter," continued Harry, "will give you full particulars as to what he is now doing; but I want to add that, ere the six weeks of my stay in Sydney had come to an end, Lewis had recovered strength; and he had come as a poor, weak sinner to Jesus, and received forgiveness through his shed blood. He is very distrustful of himself, but has obtained, by the teaching of the Holy Ghost, full confidence in the power of his Saviour to hold him up in the paths of righteousness. Truly it is in the spirit of a little child that he has entered into the kingdom of God.—But now, Austin, you had better read aloud your brother's letter to your father and sister; and meanwhile my grandfather and I will go into the drawing-room, where I hear the sound of little voices, and will await you there. I suppose I'll find my god-daughter among the party." And so saying, he and the vicar left the room.

Then Austin, drawing near his father, read aloud his brother's letter. We will not give details. Suffice it to say it was a manly, earnest letter, making full confession of all that had taken place ere he left home, and imploring forgiveness for the past. He wrote much of the kindness of Harry Lascelles, who, he said, had been the means, not only of restoring his bodily health, but also of leading him to the Saviour. He had also obtained for him the situation of assistant mathematical master in the University of Sydney, where in his spare hours he was to attend two or three classes in order to finish his education.

He longed much, he wrote, to return home, that he might once more see his father and his loved ones; but Harry had counselled him to remain where he was, believing that was his present duty, and he had thought it best to follow his advice. He thanked Austin much for all the brotherly love he had ever shown to him, and for the words of warning he had again and again spoken to him. There was also a kind message to Prissy; and his warm love to all, not forgetting the M'Ivors, who had been true friends to him.

There were tears of joy not a few shed during the reading of the letter; and together the three knelt at the throne of grace and returned thanks to God for the loved one who had been dead and was alive again, lost and was found.

"And now," said the father, "lead me to the drawing-room, that we may share the children's mirth. I cannot see their faces, nor the lights of the Christmas tree, but a bright light has to-night been shed on my heart by the Prince of Peace himself, which lightens and indeed dispels all darkness."

As they entered, the children ran to meet them, and led them in triumph to the tree in the centre of the room. It was indeed a lovely one, ablaze with lights and glittering ornaments, its branches covered as if with hoar frost, and laden with blight-coloured fruits and tastefully-arranged presents.

Little Ruth, in a pale blue dress, was seated on Harry's shoulder—the very queen of the company.

Never, surely, had a Christmas tree seemed more beautiful, never did Christmas carols sound more sweetly than they did that night, for there was true Christmas joy in the hearts of the singers and listeners.

"Ah, it has been so charming," was the declaration of Gabrielle M'Ivor; whilst Austin Warner, and more than he, said in their hearts that it was to Gabrielle's deft fingers and artistic taste that the tree owed much of its beauty; and that her silvery laugh and loving words had contributed much to the pleasure of the evening.

When the last hymn was sung—

"Hark, the herald angels sing, 'Glory to the new-born King; Peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!'"

And the last good-nights exchanged, Priscilla lingered for a moment in the drawing-room, holding Ruth by the hand, whilst Claude and Archie stood beside her. Harry Lascelles came forward to say good-night, kissing his little god-daughter as he did so; then said in a voice heard only by Priscilla, "Thank God, dear Sissy, that you have a work to do that angels might envy, and that you are doing it."

She smiled sadly and said, "But, Harry, it has not been always so."

"I know it," he replied. "I spoke of the present. Thank God, he has told us what he has done with all our past repented of sins and failures—cast them behind his back."

And once more saying good-night, he departed, and Priscilla retired to rest.