Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1857-04-29

stoop. with greatfnl Gears, to pick up the
handkerchief whenever 1 chose to throw il a,
her feet
But now | know that had Mary met me
then, she would have dispised me. She was
as far above as the heavens are above the
earth. Perhaps in the scented and affected
student she might have foi nd plenty of sport !:
but as for loving me, or feeling the slightest
interest IN me, save a regret that [ should
make such an unlimited donkey of myself
L know her better now
India was my salvation, not merely because
of the plentiful share of gold laid up. bu:
because my earnest labor counteracted the
evil in my nature, end made me a better man.
And when at the end of three years pre-
pared 20 return. l wrote nothing to the dear
ones L was about to meet, of the reformation
which knew had taken place.
They loved me as I was" T murmured to
myself, land they shall find for themselves
| If | am better worth the loving as am"
packed up many token. from that land
of romance and gold. for the friends was to
meet The GIFT for Mary Moore was, one I
selected with a beating heart A ring Of
rough, virgin gold, with my name and hers
engraved inside; that was all, and vet the lit
tie toy thrilled me strangely, as 1 balanced
it upon the tip of MY finger
To the eyes Of others it was but a small.
plain circlet suggesting thoughts perhaps by
its dantiness. Of the dainty white hand that
was to wear it. Rut to me-oh. to nle-how
much was embodied there A loving smile
on beautiful face-,ow words of welcome
"a happy home, and sweet face smiling
there-a group of merry children to climb
my knee-all these delights were hidden
within that little ring of gold.
CHAPTER II.
q tall, bearded, sun -bronzei man, knock
ed at the door of my fathers house The
lights in the parlor windows, and the hum of
co 1versation and cheerful laughter. showed
me that company were assembled there. |
hoped my sister Lizzie would ccme to the
door, and that | might greet my family when
no strangers eyes were looking curiously on
But no-a servant answered my summons
They were too merry in the parlor to heed
the long absent one when he asked for ad-
mittance. Some such bitter thought was
passing through my mind, as I heard the
sounds from the parlor and saw the halfsup
pressed smile upon the servants face
| hestated moment before | made myself
known, or asked after the family. Aud while
stood silent a strange aprarition grew up
before me. From behind the servant pecred
out a small golden head-a tiny, face and blue
eyes were lifted up to mine, so like-so like
to one that had Frightened nay boyhood, that
l started back with sudden feeling of pain
50 What may your name be, little one p I
asked, while the wondering servant held the
door.
She lifted up her hand as if te shade her
eyes, q had seen that very attitude in anoth-
er, in my boyhood. many and many time. }
aud answered in sweet bird like voice,
Mary Moore"
And what else ?'' asked quickly.
Mary Moore Chester" lisped the child.
My heart sunk 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 in vain, to
usurp my place beside the girl. had succeeded
at last, and had won the woman away from
rue This was his chiid-his Child and Ma
ry's. And must go in there, aud meet her
once again, and then 90 away forever, and
die, if God would let me 1.
| sank. body and soul, beneath this blow,
And hiding my face in my hands L leaned
against the door. while my heart wepi tears
of blood. The little one gazed at me, grieved
and amazed, and put up her pretty lip as if
about tt cry. while the perplexed servant
stepped to the parior door, and called my SIS
ter out, to find out who it could he that con-
ducted SO strangely.
heard a light step, and pleasant voice
saying.
g Did you wish to see my father. sir 2?
looked up There stood pretty sweet
faced maiden of twenty, not much changed
from the deer little sister | had loved so well.
l looked at her moment and then s,iling
the tumult of my heart by mighty effort, l
opened my arms. and said
- Lizzie don't you know me 2"
q 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; ard
then my father and mother sprang towards
me, and welcomed me home with heart-fe
tears On. strange, and passing sweet, is
such greeting to the way worn wanderer !!
And as l held my dear old mother to my
heart, and grasping my fathers hand, while
Lizzie still cluug beside me, | felt that all
| was not yet lost, and though another had Sc
cured lifc's choicest blessing. many joy re-
msined for me in this dear sanctuary of home
There was four other inmates of the room,
who had arisen on my sudden entrance. One
was the blue eyed child whom / had already
| seen, and who now stood beside Frank Ches-
ter, clingng to his hand. Near by, stood
Lizzie Moore, Mary's eldest sister, and in q
distant corner, where she had hurricdly re-