Trust Company needs men like you, Mr. Colton, and so
does the Street!' Isn't that lovely?"

"And that's not all, Old Gentleman!" shouted Phil. "We are going to be
married in a month. What do you think of that!"

"And Mr. Eggleston is willing!"

"_Willing!_ Why, you don't think he would offend Mr. Stockton, do
you?"

Gregg had them in his arms now--Madeleine a bundle of joyous laughter;
Phil radiant, self-contained, determined.

For a brief moment the three stood silent. A hush came over them.
Adam's head was bent, his forehead almost touching Phil's shoulder, a
prayer trembling on his lips. Then with a sudden movement he led them
to the portrait, and in an exultant tone, through which an unbidden
sob fought its way, he cried:

"Look up, my children--up into your mother's face. See the joy in her
eyes! It is all her doing, Phil."

"Oh! my beloved, now you know."

* * * * *

The picture has never been taken from Gregg's studio. It still keeps
its place over the mantel. There is rarely a day that one of the three
does not place flowers beneath it; sometimes Madeleine and Phil
arrange them; sometimes Adam; and sometimes little blue-eyed,
golden-haired Olivia is lifted up in Gregg's strong arms so that she
may fill the jar with her own wee hands.

THE END

TRANSCRIBER'S NOTE:

Minor changes have been made to correct typesetters' errors; otherwise,
every effort has been made to remain true to the author's words and
intent.

End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Colonel Carter's Christmas and The
Romance of an Old-Fashioned Gentleman, by F. Hopkinson Smith

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