Squatter sovereign., 1857-09-05

> mons. They were too niefry In the pa
; Tor to heed the long absent one when h
asked for admiitance. A bitter thouul
like this was passing through my mind !
heard the sounds from the parlor an
saw the half suppressed smile upon III
servants face.
4 hesltated Tor moment before I mad
myself known or asked after my famil,
and while / stood silent, a strange ar
partition grew up before me. From he
hind the servant peered out small golde
head, tiny, delicate form followed. and
sweet childish face, with blue eyes, wa
ihted up to mine so like those Of on
who had frightened my boyhood, that
started back with a sudden feeling of pair
What is your name, my little one e
asked. while the wondering servant irel
the door,
=. Gle Led up her hand as If 10 shad
the eyes, had seen that very attitude i,
another. in my boyhood, many and man,
time, and answered in sweet bird-lik,
voice: Mary
And wha else 2 asked quickly.
Mary Moore Chester lisped the child
My heart sunk down like lead. Her,
was an end to all the bright dreams ane
hopes of my youth and manhood Frank
Chester, my boyish rival, who had otter
tried, and in vain. to usurp my place be.
side the girl, had succeeded at last. and
had won her away from me This was
the child-his child and Mary's!
/ sank body and soul beneath the blow.
And hiding my face in my hands, lean.
ed against the door. The little one eazed
at me grieved and amazed, and put up her
pretty lips as it about to cry. while the per.
picked Servant stepped to the parlor door
and called my sister out. TO see who it could
De Il At conducted himself SO strangiy.
/ heard light step. and pleasant voice
saying.
Did you wisl, to see my fathen sir q "a
| looked up. There stood a pretty
swee. faced maiden of twenty, not much
changed from the dear little sister | had
loved so well. looked at her for a mo.
ment, and then, sitting the tumul. of nv
heart by mighty effort, / opened nv
arms and said:
Lizzie. don't you know me g
Harry! Oh my brother Harryr she
cried and threw herself upon my breast.
/ could not weep. drew her into the
lighted parlor and stood with her before
them all.
There was rush and cry OF ioy, and
then my father and mother sprang towards
me, and welcomed me home with heartfelt
tears! Oh, strange and passing sweet is
such greeting to the way worn wanderer!
A nd as held my dear mother to my heart
and grasped my fathers hand. while Liz
zle s.ill cluns TO me, felt that. all was
not Yet lost. and though another had secrF.
ed llte's choicest blessings, MANY iov re.
nained for me in this dear sanctuary Of
home.
There were four other inmates of the
room, who had risen on my sudden en-.
rance. One was the blue eyed child whom
had already seen, and who stood beside,
Frank Chester, clinging to his hand. Near
'y stood Lizzie Moore, Mary's eldest sis
er, and In distant corner, to which sh.
lad hurriedly retreated when my name
vas spoken, stood IL tall and slender figure.
lalf hidden by heavy window curtains that
ell to the floor.
When the first rapturous greeting was |
'ver, Lizzie led me forward with a |
IHild grace and Frank Chester grasped |
ny hand.
Welcome home, my boy : he said with
ne loud, cheering tones remembered SO /
veil. you have changed so that should |
sver have known you but no matter for
nat-your heart Is in the right place, |
now
'How can You say he has changed g
aid my mother, gently. ITO be sure, he
'oks older and braver, and more like a
ian. than when he went away-but his
yes and smile are the same as ever. Ii
) that beard chat changes him SO. He is
ny boy STILL"
Heaven help me? AT that moment
lit like boy, and it would have been
lessed belief to have wept upon her bosom
had done in my infancy. But kept
own the beating of my heart and the
emor of my lip. and answered quietly. as
looked in his full, handsome face:
You have changed too, Frank, but /
ink for the BETTER |.
oh. yes-thank you for that compli. :
en,, he answered with hear:y laugh. :
ly wife tells me grow handsomer eyery :
iy.'
His wife .-co, IL I hear that name and
,ep silent still :?
"A nd have you seen my little GIRL z he ,
lded lifting his infant in his arms, and =
ssing her crimson cheek. Il tell YOU =
ere is not such another in the world
ont you think she looks very much as f
II mother used to-
Very much.' faltered.
Hello e cried Frank with a suddenness .
at made me start vielontiy, i have for. !,
tten to introduce you to my wife; / be- h
We you and she used to be playma,es in e
ur young days-eh. Harry 2 and he !,
lpped me ON the back. For the sake Of :,
times. and because you were not here - =,
the wedding. I'll give you leave to kiss "
once-bus mind, old fellow, YOU are :,
yer to repeat the ceremony. Come, here -
e IS, and for once want to see how Won :, =
IL manage those ferocious moustaches of -
nrs in the operation 81 81
He pushed Lizzie, laughing and blush. +.
towards me. A CLEAN of ligh, and
pc, almost too dazzling TO bear, came =,
r me, and / cried out before ,houeht. ..