So a few more days went by and at last Christmas morning dawned. A solitary watcher paced up and down the platform in front of the depot awaiting the arrival of the incoming train, his impatience not permitting him to seek the warmth indoors as many others were doing. Up and down, up and down, he paced, the dark eyes glowing in their suppressed eagerness when at last the whistle sounded on the clear, crisp air and a few minutes later the thundering train discharged its load of human freight, and was again putting away on its eastern course. A tall, fair-haired woman was seen casting searching glances about when a pair of arms were laid upon her shoulders. She was gently turned about, almost at the same moment a pair of moustached lips pressing hers,
“Margaret, my rare, sweet Margaret!”
“Wilbur!” Another kiss followed, then quickly she was assisted to a seat in the waiting cutter, snugly tucked in with warm robes and furs and in a few minutes more they were speeding along over the frozen snow.
“My mother, is she well? and Imelda, and Alice, and her babies, and all the rest whom I have not seen, are they all well and happy?”
Wilbur laughed. “One question at a time if you please, my girlie. But as to each and all I can give the same answer, so will I answer them all at once with the one little word ‘Yes,’ and they have sent me along to greet you, not but one and all are just as eager and impatient to greet and welcome my darling. Only they have kindly conceded the privilege to me to be the first to embrace my girlie, for which I certainly am thankful. For when that bevy of women once have you in their clutches—there now! I retract that word, but it is certain when they have secured you I may not hope to again speak to you in a hurry. For some time at least they will own you.”
By this time they were leaving the turmoil and noise of the city in their rear and as the roads were quiet and deserted, the arm of the young driver gently stole about the slender waist of the woman at his side. Nothing loath the fair head rested against his shoulder while the blue eyes looked up into the black ones with love unutterable. Again their lips met in a clinging kiss.
“O sweetheart and lover, it seems so good once more to be able to nestle in your arms.”
To press her still more closely was his only answer. Thus laughing and talking, loving and kissing, they enjoyed to the utmost that drive in the crisp, cold air, and soon they arrived at their destination, where many open arms were extended to receive the fair Margaret.
“My darling!” and
“My own mamma!” were the caressing words exchanged as Mrs. Leland folded her daughter to her heart. But not for long was she permitted to hold her there. Imelda’s brown eyes were beaming with love and pleasure. Alice was eager for a kiss, her two pretty babies wanted to be noticed by this new auntie. Then Imelda drew her aside where the hazel-eyed Cora was standing with one arm laid lovingly about the shoulders of a pale-faced young man. Margaret needed no introduction. By letter she had long since known of the finding of both of Imelda’s wayward ones, and a single glance told her all. She took the girl’s face between her hands and gently kissed the cherry lips.