| OCR Text |
Show THE MYSTERY OF THE WINDOW. Concluded from last week. And this attitude he kept for more than a year. .His daughter and son-in law might write him suppliant sup-pliant and honest letters, they went back unopened. Mary's room with the window was dark and silent and dusty, the outside shutters closed upon the glass. "If I had never given her the window," the Squire said, "I should still have my treasure. It was by that he entered. Oh, knave and envious robber rob-ber to take my one jewel!" During that year the Squire's granite face feil in bags and wrinkles. Mr. Pomeroy, the rector, meeting him one day about the time of pheasant shooting," was so moved at his altered appearance ' that he went up to him and wrung his hand impulsively. impul-sively. Mr. Pomeroy was an Irishman, and often did not pause to think before acting. And, to his amazement, the Squire wrung his hand in return. "I abide by the miracles of the New Testament, Pomeroy," he said, as he went off. "The Lord heals the sick and cripples. There is nothing about doctors." doc-tors." That was the rock they had split on long ago. But now Mr. Pomeroy answered pacifically that he also abided by the miracles. So that the two men parted friends. As the result the Squire went to church on Christmas day, the first time he had been to church J for many years. And when he returned home across i the snow, feeling his loneliness in a new, acute way, the old butler told him that visitors awaited him in the drawing room. He went in all of a tremble, for he guessed who they must be. and he did not know yet if he could forgive Edgehill, although it was Christmas day. He had never been angry with Mary at all. But who was this coming to meet him. clad in furs and velvets; fair and smiling, although the tears were running clown her face, hardly limpintr as she came? Why, it was Mary, his own girl. And in her arms she held a bundle of white . ilk and lace. Before he could do more than gasp the bundle was in his arms. "It is your grandson." said Alary. "See. he i like you. Now you will forgive us. since you have a grandson According to Goodwin, who stood in the background, back-ground, the Squire's eyes filled with tears. His face worked as he looked down at the crumpled face of his grandson. Then he extended his hand gravely 'to. Edgehill. Then he kissed Alary. Then he shook his fist at Goodwin, but she was not afraid. "You will let me have him sometimes." he said. "Goodwin will nurse him. and he will have your room witji the window for his nursery." And so that was the end of the Squire's anger upon a Christmas day. Katharine Tynan, in tho Cathojic Weekly. London. I |