Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1857-04-24

CHAPTER II.
Tall, bearded and sun bronzed, | knock
ed at the door of my fathers house. -
The lights in the parlor windows and the
hum of conversation and cheerful laugh
ter showed me that company were assem-
bled there. / hoped my sister Lizzie
would come to the door, and that | might
greet my family when no strange eye was
looking curiously on.
But no--a servant answered my sum
mons. They We're too merry in the par
lor to heed the long absent one, when he
asked for admittancc. A bitter thought
like this was passing through my mind,
as heard the sounds from the parlor
and saw the half-suppresscd smile upon
the servants face.
| hesitated for a moment before made
myself known, or asked afterthe family
and while | stood silent strange appa-
rition grew up before me. From behind
the servant peorcd out a small golden
head tiny, delicate form followed. and
a sweet, childish face, with blue eyes,
was lifted up to mine like to those of
one who had Frightened my boyhood,
that | started back with sudden feeling
Of pain.
What is your name, my little one 2
| asked, while the wondering servant
held the door.
She lifted up her hand as if to shade
her eyes, q had seen that very attitude
in another, in my boyhood, many and
many time, and answered, in q sweet,
brd-lilc voice:
" Mary Moore"
q" Aud what olse2 asked quickly.
Mary Moore Chester" lispcd 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 Mary'sl
/ sank, body and soul, beneath the
blow. And, hiding my face in my hands,
| leaned against the door, while my heart
wept tears of blood The little one
gazcd at me, grievcd and amazed, and
put up her pretty lip as if about to cry,
while the perplexed servant stepped to
the parlor door and called my sister out,
to see who it could be that conducted
himself so very strangely
| heard light step and pleasant
voice saying
Did you wish to sec my father sir y
| looked up. There stood pretty,
sYeet-faced maiden of twenty, not mu ch
changed from the dear little sister had
loved so well. | looked at her for
moment, and then, stlling the tumult of
my heart by a mighty effort, opened my
arms, and said
+" Lizzie, don't you know me =
3" Harry Oh, my brother Harry"
she cried, and threw herself upon my
breast She wept as if her heart would
break.
| could not weep. / drew her gently
into the lighted parlor, and stood with
her before them all.
There was rush and cry of joy, and
then my father and mother sprang to-
wards me, and welcomed me home with
heartfelt tears! Oh, strange and pass
ing sweet is such greeting to the way
worn wandercrl And as held my dear
old mother TO my heart, and grasped my
fathers hand, while Lizzie still clung
beside me ! felt that all was not yet lost,
and though another had secured life's
choicest blessing, many a joy remained
for me in this dear sanctuary of home.
There were four other inmates Of the
room, who had risen on my sudden en-
trance. One was the blue-eyed child
whom had already seen, and who now
stood beside Frank Chester, clinging to
his hand. Near by stood Lizzie Moore,
Mary's eldest sister, and in distant cor
ner, to which she had rctreated when
my name was spoken, stood tall and
slender fgarc, half hidden by the heavy
window curtains that fell to the floor.
When the first rapturous greeting was
over, lizzie led me forward with a timid
grace and Frank Chester grasped my
hand
Welcome home, my boy" he said
with the loud, cheerful tones | remem-
bercd so we'll "You have changed so
that should mover have known you; but
no matter for that-your heart is in the
right place, ] know"
How can you say he is changed p
said my mother, gently. TO be sure,
he looks older, and graver, ana more like
man than when he went away-but bis
eyes and smile are the same as ever 1t
is that heavy beard that changes him. ---
lie is my boy still.
Gay, mothor," / answered sadly; 81
am your boy still"
Heaven help me! At that moment !
felt like boy, and it would have been a
blessed relief TO my infancy. But ]
kept down'the beating Of my heart and
the tromor of my lip, and answered qui-
city, as | looked in his full, handsome
flce.--
" You have changed too, Frank, but
/ think for the better"
r." Oh, yes thank you for tha! com