Won: A Christmas Story.

Hastings Standard, Issue 296, 13 April 1897, Page 4

Won: A Christmas Story.

[Specially Written fok thi: Hastings Stanbakd.]

[By Latthestina.]

<AH Ilii/hta Ftcwrrt'd.) Chapter V. (Continued.) One day Maud was surprised to receive a letter from Katie Clare. After sundry unimportant gossip Katie added " You were always so very kind to me, dear Maud, that I cannot resist the temptation of writing to tell you of my happiness. When I was with you at Ellmore Park, I had been sent there out of the way of an officer who was stationed with his regiment in our town. We had met at a friend's house, and fell in love with each other, but papa would not hear of an engagement as Mr Eoulston was not w T ell off, so I was sent out of the way to you. The regiment was to leave town soon after 'Xmas, and it did leave ; but Edgar Eoulston was not with it, for an old aunt of his had died while I was with you, and left him enough to live on comfortably. On his explaining things to papa he gave his consent to our engagement, so Edgar wrote at once to me, and sent his photo too, and it was that that Harry gave me the day you entered the drawing-room. I would have told you about it then only you seemed so cold and distant that day. I had been vainly trying to fix it in the locket when Mr Ellmore entered the room and did it for me. Papa sent at once to recall me, and we were then engaged. Edgar sold out of the regiment, and we were married a month ago. After spending our honeymoon in the South of England, we are now settled down in our own home in dear old Ireland. Now, dear Maud, I must say good bye; Oh! be sure you must come and spend a long, long time with me, and even if you come on your honeymoon we have plenty of room here, and numberless nooks and corners for a lovers' retreat. Yours affectionately, Katie Roulston. Maud's thoughts on reading this letter can better be imagined than described. Keen self-reproach for her cruel answers to Harry were mixed with a sudden delicious hope that he would still be true, and some day ask her again. Ah, well! She had brought her suffering on herself. she would wait patiently for a chance to answer him differently, and, if the chance never came—well, she could still love him always. The daily dread of hearing that he had married Katie being removed, Maud's old spirits returned, and she was the life of the house. How she enjoyed the rides through the many pretty scenes, sometimes along the gravelly river bed beneath the yellow Kawhai, sometimes through the green fields, often amused at the gambols of the pretty lambs. Everything around spoke of peace and happiness, and Maud felt happy too. In the country where Homewood was situated the neighbors were necessarily scattered, but there nothing was thought of a ride or drive of some miles, so much pleasant intercourse was kept up. As the busy time drew near it seemed very strange to Mrs Lester and Maud to see the men busy with shearing, and in the hay fields and to know that Christmas was drawing near— Christmas accompanied by bright smiling days and lovely blue skies, instead of to them, ice and snow. " I think it is a mistake, Mr Lister ; I cannot believe that it is so near Christmas, but for the guests coming and our preparations I could not realise that there are only two more days to it." Maud stood thinking of that past Christmas, and wondering how Harry would spend his in the dear old home. Then sadder thoughts followed of the dear father who had always been so kind to her, and of his sad and sudden end : and, wishing to be by herself, she put on her hat. Passing through the orchard she came to the pretty river flowing so calmly between its willow-fringed banks. She went beneath a large willow, whose shade was very pleasant, and, leaning against its trunk, watched the river, whose rippling waters were brightened by the sun's setting rays. Everything spoke of peace, and soon its soothing influence was felt by her, and her usual calmness returned. Maud stood looking around at the large, and to her, strange-looking house of wood, the garden with its beautiful llowers, the orchard with its abundance of fruit, at the paddocks when' the cattle and sheep stood idly, at the newly-made stacks of hay, then back to the river at her feet, which she idly watched, the thoughts of Harry and home tilling her mind. " Dreaming Maud?"' A voice that seemed to belong to her thoughts asked. Then she suddenly realized that Harry stood before her, and a great gladness tilled her heart, and lit up her face. '• Ah ! Harry." " Well Maud," said Harry, cheered by the gladness of her face. "Are yon sorry to see nie. I'd you know why I came? Oh, Maud, must Igo back again alone?" he asked as he held her hands. ••How you startled n Hirry. I never dreamt t>f y..nr In i 11 New Zealand. Of r-tsirs.- lai ' > see yon. Oh! htrc c :».» * Mr Lister," and Man.l i'itrud.:e« d theiu. Mr List, r, with trite N. \v Zealand (■■>:in:r\ h■ i it.il::y. mvir.d Harry to stay, so tin s thrt-f returned to the ho:;-,. ll. t rr\. 1 ..n. :■> - ty. wishlr.s? hi-, ts, ■-; av. y v, hj• :v !-«•. Ail thi• l.i'» Ma", i aril tbi two Mr- Li-t-r'-i w. a- i "-v «■» U-« s, arranging I t-ryihiiv f>r th* eomfort of the numerous giie.*ts, and preparing for the cvt-uujjr's daiivc.

Maud quietly frustrated all Harry's attempts for a trfc-a-trl-'. The party was most enjoyable, and, despite the bent, dancing was indulged in l.tvgoly, and many of thoic present were reminded of the Old Country by the bunch of 2n*c*w Zealand mistletoe which hung in the centre of the large wool-shed, which had been turned into a famous ball-room, prettily decorated with nikan palms and ferns. No chance had Harry that day of resuming his interrupted conversation. The party broke up early and the ladies, thoroughly tired out, were glad to retire at once to their rooms. The next day those who wished went to church, some six miles distant. Maud would not ride, but drove with Mr Lister, and Harry rode. On their way home Mr Lister and Maud were some distance ahead of the others, and Harry was trying to talk to them as he rode beside the gig, when suddenly a sheep jumped up in front of his horse, and so startled it that it suddenly reared, then swerved sharply aside, throwing Harry, who wao riding carelessly, and did not see the sheep. In an instant Mr Lister stopped his horse, and Maud jumped out and went to where Harry lay, white and still. " Oh, Mr Lister come, I believe he is dead," she exclaimed in such a voice of anguish that he read her secret. " No, no, not dead, Miss Ellmore, only stunned. There is a creek near, I will go and get some water. He soon returned with a wet handkerchief, and and the soft felt hat full of water which he threw over Harry. (To be Continued).