Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1857-07-01


face-low words of welcome-a future home
and Mary for its mistress-all these delight
were hidden within that little ringof gold.
| - H1i - . "
CHAPTER II. : -
Tall, bearded, and sun -bronzed, I have knock
ed at the door of my fathers house. The light
; in the parlor windows'an and the hum of conver
sation and cheerful laughter showed me tha
2 company were assembled there. hoped my
> sister Lizzie would come,to the door, and tha
I might greet the. family when no stranger ey'
was looking curiously on. =.
But no-a servant answered my summons
They were two merry in the parlor to heed th'
long absent one when he asked for admittance
A bitter thought. like this was passing through
my mind, as heard the sounds from the par
lor, and saw the half suppressed smile upon the
servants face. ,.,
hesitated for moment before I made my
self known or asked after the family. Anc
while I stood silent, strange apparition grew
UP before me- From behind the servant peep.
ed out small golden head, tiny, delicate
form followed, and a sweet, childish face, with
blue eyes, was lifted up to mine-so like those
of one who had frightened my boyhood, that
started back with q sudden feeling Of pain.
"What is your name, my little one" / ask
ed, while the wondering servant held the door
She lifted up her hand as if tc shade her
eyes, (I had seen that attitude in another in my
boyhood, many and many time and answer
ed in sweet brd-like voice:
"Mary Moore"
"And what else,' asked quickly.
"Mary Moore Chester" lisped the child.
My heart sank down like lead. Here was
| an end to all the bright dreams and hopes of
| my youth and manhood. Frank Chester, my
| boyish rival, who had often tried, and tried in
vain, to usurp my place beside the girl, had
succeeded at last and had won her away from
me- This was his child-his child and Marys !!
sank, body and soul, beneath this blow.
And, hiding my face in my hands, leaned
against the door, while my heart wept tears of
blood. The little one gazed at me grieved and
amazed, and put up her pretty lips as if about
to cry, while the perplexed servant stepped to
the parlor door and called my sister out, to see
who 1t could be that conducted himself so
strangely.
heard light step and pleasant voice, say
"Did you wish to see my father, sir"
looked up. There stood q pretty. sweet
faced maiden of twenty, not much changed
from the dear little sister had loved so we'll.
looked at her for moment, and then, stilng
tue tumult of my heart by mighty effort, l
opened my arms and said:
"Lizzie, don't you know me-"
"Harry, Oh, my brother Harry" she cried,
and threw her arms around my neck. She
wept as if her heart would break.
l could not weep. drew her gently into
the lighted parlor, and stood with her before
them all. -
There was rush and a cry of joy. and then
my father and mother sprang towards me, and
welcomed me home with heartfelt tears. Oh,
strange and passing is such a greeting to the
way-worn wanderer. And as | held my dear
Old mother to my heart, and grasped my faith
er's hand while Lizzie still clung by me, felt
that all was not yet lost, and though another
had secured life's choicest blessing, many q joy
for me in this dear sanctuary of
home.
There were four other inmates Of the room
who had risen on my sudden entrance. One
was the blue eyed child whom had already
seen, and who now stood behind Frank Chester,
clinging to his hand. Near by stood Lizzie
Moore, Mary's eldest sister, and in distant
corner, to which she had hurriedly retreated
when my name was spoken, stood tall and
slender figure half hidden by the heavy window
curtains that fell to the floor.
When the first rapturous greeting was over,
Lizzie led me forward with timid grace, and
Frank Chester grasped my hand.
"Welcome home, my boy" said he with
lound, cheerful tone | remember so well. You
have changed so would never have known
you; but no matter for that, your heart is in
| the right place, know"
GLOW can you say he is changed, said my
mother, gently. To be sure, he looks older
and graver, and more like man than when he
went away-but his eyes and smile are the
same as ever. 1t is the heavy beard that
changes him. He is my boy, still.
"Aye, MOTHER" answered sadly, am
your boy STILL"
Heaven help me! At that moment felt
like a boy and it would have been blessed re
lief to have wept upon her bosom as had
done in my infancy. But | kept down the
beating of my heart and the tremor OF my lip,
and answered quietly, as 7 looked in his full,
handsome face,
eyes; you have changed, too, Frank, but I
think for the better"
"Oh, yes-thank you for the compliment" ,"
he answered with hearty laugh. "My wife
tells me grow handsomer every day."
His wife could I hear that name and keep
silence STILL
"And have gbu seen my little girl" he ad-
led, lifting the infant in his arms, and kissing
her crimson cheek. ~ tell you, Harry, there
is not another such in the world. Don't you
think she looks very much as her mother used.''
every much," I faltered.
"Hcllo!" cried Frank with suddenness
that made me start violently, 81 have forgotten
to introduce you to my wife; I believe you
and she used to be playmates in your young
days. Yes, Harry" and for the sake of old
times, and because you were not here at the
wedding, I'll give you leave to kiss her once
mind, old fellow, you are never to repeat the
ceremony Come, here she is, and for once, I
want to see how you will manage those fero-
cious mustaches, in the operation"
He pushed Lizzie, laughing and blushing to-
wards me. A CLEAN of light and hope almost
two dazzling to bear, and l cried out before
thought:
Not Mary"
1t must have betrayed my secret to every
| one in the ROOM But nothing was said. Even