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.