Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1857-10-01
CHAPTER III.

that little ring of gold.
CHAPTER III.
Tall, bearded, and sun bronzed, | knock
ed at the door of my fathers house. The
light in the parlor windows and the hum
OF the conversation and the cheerful laugh
ter, showed me that company were assem-
bled there. / hoped that my sister Lizzie
would come to the door, and that | might
greet my family when no strange eve was
looking curiously out.
But nO-a servant answered nv s11m-
mons. They were too merry in the parIor
to heed the long absent one when he asked
for admIttance A bitter thought like this
was passing through my mind, as heard
the sounds from the parlor, and saw the
half suppressed smile upon the servants
face.
L hesitated for a moment before made
myself known or asked after the family.
and while | stood silent, a strange appari-
tlon grew up berorc me. From behind the
servant peered out small golden head, a
tiny, delicate face, with blue eyes, was up
to mine-so like those of one who had
frightened my boyhood, that / started back
with sudden feeling of pain What is
your name my little one?' | asked, while
the wondering servant held the door.
She lifted up her head as if to shade
her eyes, q had seen that very attitude in
another, in my boyhood, many and many
a time, and answered in sweet bird-like
voice, Mary
And what else? 2 said quickly.
Mary Moore Chester isped 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 in vain, to usurp my place be-
side the girl, had succeeded at last, and
had won her away from me. This was his
child and Mary's.
| 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 grie-
we'd and amazed, and put up her pretty lip
as if about to cry, while the perplexed ser
want stepped to the parlor door and called
my sister out, to see who it could be that
".
| heard a slight step and pleasant voice
saying:
Did you wish to see my father, sir p
| looked. There stood pretty sweet
faced maiden of twenty, not much changed
from the dear little sister | had loved so
well. ! looked at her for moment, and
then stilling the tumult of my heart by
mighty effort, opened my arms and said
Lizzie, don't you know me!
Harry. Oh, my brother Harry she
cried and threw herself upon my breast.
She wept as if her heart would break
There was rush and cry of JOY, and
then my father and mother sprang towards
me, and welcomed me home with heartfelt
tears Oh, strange and passing sweet i
such greet to the way worn wanderer :
And as | held my dear old mother to my
heart, | grasped my fathers hand while
Lizzie still clung beside me, l felt that all
was not lost, and though another had secu-
red life's choicest blessings, many Joy re-
manned for me in this dear sanctuary of
home There we've 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 stood
beside Frank Chester, clinging to his hand.
Near by stood Lizzie Moore, Mary's eldest
sister, and in distant corner, to which she
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 rapturQgs greeting was
over Lizzie led me forward with timid
grace, and Frank Chester grasped my hand.
Welcome home, my boyp he said and
with the loud cheerful tones remembered
so we'll. You have changed SO that l
should never have known you but no mat
ter for that-your heart is in the right
place | know
How can you say he has changed 2
said my mother gently. TO be sure he
looks older and graver, and more like a
man when he went away-but his eyes and
smiles are the same as ever! 1t is that
heavy beard that changes him. He is my
boy still
Ay, mother | answered sadly, i am
your boy still
Heaven help me At that moment |
felt like boy, and it would have been a
blessed relief to have wept, upon her bo-
som as ] had done in my infancy But