Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1857-04-18
MARY MOORE.-AL LOVE STORY.

Cousins My hrst recollection Is OF q boy, IN
red frOck and morocco shoes, rocking a cradle;
in which reposed n sunny haired, biue-eyed
baby, not quite year Old That boy was my
self-Harry Church; that blue-eyed baby was
Mary Moore
Later still, l see myself at the little school
house, drawing my little chaise up to the door,
that Mary might ride home. Many a beating
have I gained on such occasions, for other boys
besides me liked her, ard she fear, was some
thing of hirt even in her pinafores. How ele-
gantiy she came tripping down the steps, when
I called her name! how sweetly her blue eyes
looked up At Inc! how gaily rang out her merry
laugh, That fairy laugh, No one but Mary
could ever bring her heart so soon TO her lips,
| followed that laugh from my days Of child
hood till grew an awkward, blushng youth
followed IL through the heated noon of man
hOod-and now, when the frosts of age are sill
vering my hair. and many children climb my
knee and call me - father" L find that the
memories of youth are strong, and that even IN
gray hairs, L am following its music still.
When was fifteen, the first great SORROW Of
my life came upon my heart. L was sent to
school, and was obliged to part with Mary.
We were not TO see each other for three long
years, This, to me, was like sentence of death
for Mary was like life itself to me.
But hearts are tough things after all.
left college in all the flush and vi gOr Of my
nineteenth year. 1t was no longer awkward
and embarrassed. had grown into a tall,
slender stripping, with a very good opinion of
myself both in general and particular. If l
thought of Mary Moore, it was to imagine how
/ would dazzle and bewilder her with my good
looks and wonderful attainments-ncver think
ing that she might dazzle and bewilder me
still more. l was 4 coxcJmb, know; but, as
youth and good looks have fed, l trust L may
be believed when l say that self-conceit has left
me also.
An advantageous proposal was made to me
at this time, and, accepting it, l gave up all
IDEA OF profession. and l prepared TO 20 to
the Indies. In my hurried visit home of two
days, saw nothing OF Mary Moore. She had
gone to a boarding school at some distance, and
was not expected home till the following May.
L uttered one sigh TO the memory OF my little
blue-eyed playmate, and then called myself
d" man again"
I'm year" thought as the vehicle whirled
away from our door in year, or three
years at the very most, will return, and, if
Mary Is as pretty rs she used to be, why then,
perhaps, | may marry her
And thus settled the future Of ayoung lady
whom had not seen for four years 1 never
thought of the possibility of her refusing me
never dreamed that she would not condescend
to accept my offer.
But now / know that had Mary met me
then, she would have despised me. Perhaps
in the scented and affected student she might
have found plenty Of sport; but as for loving
me, or feeling the slightest interest in me, /
should have perhaps found l was mistaken.
India was my salvation, not merely because
Ot my success, but because my labOriOus indus
try had cOunteracted the evil in my nature, and
made NE better man. When, az the end Of
three years, prepared to return, said moth
ing of the reformation in myself which / knew
had taken place.
They loved NE as I was" I murmured to
myself "a and they shall find out for themselves
whether / am better worth loving than former
ly"
packed up many a token, from that land of
romance and gold. for the friends / hoped to
meet. The gift tor Mary Moore / selected with
beating heart 1t was a ring of rough, vir
gin gold, with my name and hers engraved in
side-that was all, and yet the sight of the lit
Tie toy strangely thrilled me, as l balanced it
upon the tip of my hnger.
To the eyes Of others, it was but a small
plain eirclet, suggesting thoughts, perhaps, by
its elegance. of the beautiful white hand that
was to wear it. But tome-hOw much was EN-
bodied there A loving smile ON a beautiful
face-loW words of wecOme-a future home
and n sweet smiling face-a group Of merry
children 10 climb my knee-all these delights
were hidden within that little ring of gold,
CHAPTER H.
Tall. bearded and sun bTunZed, knocked at
the door of my fathers house. The lights in
the parlOT windows and the hum of cOnversa-
tOn and cheerful laughter showed me that CON-
pany were assembled there. / hoped my sister
Lizzie would come to the door, and that L
might greet my family when no strange eye was
looking cuTiOusiy
But mo- servant answered nv summons
They were too merry In the parlor 10 heed the
long absent one, when he asked for admiItance
bitter thought like this was passing through
my mind, "a heard the sounds from the parlOr
AID saw the halI-suPPressed smile upon the SER
wants face.
hesitated for moment before made myself
known, or asked after the family; and while L
stood silent strange aPparitiOn grew up before
me From behind the servant peered out a small
golden head; a tiny, delicate form followed and
sweet, childish face with blue eyes, was lifted
up II mine-sD like to those OF one who had
Frightened my bOyhOod, that started back
with sudden feeling of pain.
- What IL your name, my little one!"
asked, while the wondering servant held the
door.
She lifted up her hand as if to shade her eyes
(l had seen that very attitude in another, in my
boyhood, many and many time,) and an
swered, in a sweet, bird-like voice;
- Mary Moore"
And what else 9' / asked, quickly.
- Mary Moore Chester Iisped the child
Ny 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
ut last, and had won her away from me This
was his chld-his child and Mary's,
| 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 gazed at me, grieyed and
amazed, and put up her pretty lip is if abou I
TO cry, while the perplexed servant stepped to
the parlor door and called my sister out to see
who il could be that conducted himself SO very
strangely.
heard light step, and pleasant voice
saying
. Did you wish to see my father, sir?''
looked up. There stood a pretty, sweet
faced maiden Of twenty, not much changed
from the dear little sister had loved 50 we'll
looked at her for a moment, and then, stilling
the tumult of my heart by mighty effort, |
opened my arms and said
- Lizzie, don't you know me! %