The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1857-12-04

IL, r s.,sfH -
had spent in that same room, Thus
sat, when the door was slowly opene
and female appeared within the apar
ment. She was bright-eyed, beantifl
maiden, and when she first entered n hal
! py smile was on her face. But the smilt
faded away, and her lips trcmbled. Sh
only stood there with her hands half G,
tended, gazing tremblingly upon th
youth. In a moment more her ubrigh
eyes oysrran with tears, and then Charlie
started up. Heeonld do no more. Wh
eIse shodld he b. brought hither lon VIII
LEFT thus! WHY placed on such prota
toni HI hssit.ted no more. ,With'on
qnick step he sprang forward, and with
out on. word, caught the fair girl TO hi
bosom. l a...U.. .H, rrl I. ..'r4n "a
p..aiarv," he uttered, as he gazed int,
the sparkling eyes Of the fair being wh'
sill elnng sondly to him, "yoa love IN
still-yoa forgive me all = and trust IN
once more y ~,
"Yrs," she mrrmured, and ere sh'
could speak further, her father came int
he room.
"Aha, so yoa'vc found him, have you
lIary'" he cried, ina happy, JOYOUS tone
"Mr. Williams uttered Charles, still
holding Mary by the hand, and speaking
with difficulty, al hope lam not deceived
Oh, you have not brought Inc here to
kill me! Yoa cannot have passed thin
cup to my lips only 10 dash it away
again" '.r -.H .r. .
"Of course not" returned the merchant.
"But you must knoS the whole truth,
aud for fear my child may not tell you
all, I'll tell YOU myself.
This noble girl has never ceased TO love
you, and when you were the lowest down
she loved YOU the most. u...ur lr
She came to me aud asked me il she
could. could not tell her nay, and she
went to the work. She had suffered
much, and, Charles, il remains with YOU
to decide whether her future shall be one
OF happiness or not. She knew that you
were down, that your money was gone,
and that your false friends had iolsakcn
you. Then it was that her love for YOU
grew bold and strong. She wondered il
yoa would rcpulse her. She knew not
what might be your feelings, and to save
herself the pain of direct repulsc from
you, she assumed a disguise, so that she
might approach you without being known
and yet 10 gain some idea of your feelings
and save YOU il she could. | think she
has done well. At any rate she has re.
gained you 10 herself, and it must now
be your own fault it the silken tie is loos-
cned again." .rr .-.
With these words, the father left the
apartment.
"You, Maryl YOU in disguise :" quer.
led Charles, Us soon us he could speak.
AYE, dear Charles; and YOU know
why | did it. Here, do you remember
Il" And as she spoke, she drew from
her bosom u small silken purse, and took
therc.rom sixpencc. . .
The youth recognized it in an instant.
"Oh," he cried, as he strained the no.
bic gill to his bosom, "what can | say.'
own hearts trllest love
let INV life in years to come tell my
gratitude. oh, my all in life is yours,
and INV last breath shal. bear your name
in gratitude TO God" -
And Charles Aubrey never forgot his
promise. With this noble companion by
his side, he travelled up the hill, and in
his path the flowers OF life grew thick
and fragrant. -
Upon the wall ofhis sitting room hangs
a picture. 1t isa splendid painting o.
the prodigal sons retarn. Upon the face
of n heavy gilt frame, visitors notice n
small blemish, bnt which, upon closer cx.
proves 10 be small silver
coin. Oar readers need not be told why
that bit o.! metal is thus carefully prescrr'
cu. r ... .... ...'