Page:Augusta Seaman--Jacqueline of the carrier pigeons.djvu/304

278. “He never died—but there was excellent reason why be should be considered so. Come, children! will you not kiss your father?” And he held out his arms to the  two. Then the spell was broken. Doubting no longer, Jacqueline and Gysbert rushed  nto his embrace, while Jan blubbered in his  joy like a great baby, and Dr. de Witt tore  around the room, alternately laughing and  crying, and trying to shake hands with Jan. The confusion lasted many minutes, during which time Vrouw Voorhaas came unassisted  to her senses, and smiled understandingly on  the scene.

“Oh, my boy and girl!” said the father at last. “God has brought us through many strange trials and vicissitudes to the happiness of this meeting! But now, if it pleases Him, we shall never part again.”

“But father,” answered Jacqueline, “we can scarcely yet realize that thou art our  father, so much dost thou seem like one risen