The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1857-05-08

"Ihey loved me as was" ,mur,nured
TO myself, "and they shall find out for them.
selves whether | am better worth loving
than formerly"
packed up many token, from that land
OF romance and gold, for the friends
hoped TO meet. The gift for Mary Moore
selected with beating heart. It was a
ring Of rough, virgin gold, with my name
and hers engraved insile-that was all,
and yet the sight Of the little toy strangely
thrilled me, us | balanced it upon the tip
ofmy finger
To the eyes Of others, it was but a small
Pia'n r'rclet, suggesting thoughts, perhaps
by It's elegance, OF the beautiful white hand
that was to wear it. But to mellow
much was embodied there A loving
smile on a beautiful face-low words of wei.
come--a future home, and Il sweet smiling
face--and group Of merry children to
climb my knee-all thoso delights were
hidden within that little ring ofgold
CHAPTER II.
Tall, bearded and sun bronzcd. knocked
at the door of my fathers house. The LIGHTS
i'll the parlor windows and the hum of con
vcrsation and the cheerful laughter showed
me that company were assembled there.
hoped my sister Lizzie would come 10 the
door, and that nigh, greet my family when
no strange eye was looking curiously on.
But no-a servant answered my summons.
They were too merry in the paror to heed
the long absent one, when he asked for nd.
mittancc. a bitter thought like this was
passing through my mind, as heard the
sounds from the parlor and saw the h,If.sup.
pressed smile upon the servants face.
| hesitatcd for moment before made
myself known, or asked after the family;
and while stood silent Il strange apparition
grew up before me. From behind the SER
want pc"re,! out as,naIl golden head tiny.
delicate form followed, and sweet. childish
face with blue eyes, w:.S lifted up to mime
so like to those CT one who had frightened
my boyhood, that started back with IL sud
den feeling of pain.
"What is your name, my little one ?" 7
asked while the wondering scrvan. held the
door,
She !iftcl up her lanl as ifto shade her
eyes had seen tlla. very attitude in another,
in my boyhoo'l, many and many n tmc)
an' answered, in sweet, birL-like voice;
''Mary Moore"
"And what else e l asked, quickly.
"Ma,y Moore Chester" lispc.l the child.
My heart sank down like lead. Here WAS
an end to all the bri ght dreams and hopes
Of my youth am! manhood. Frank Chester.
my boyi>h rival, who had often tried. and
tried III vain, TO nsnrp my place beside the
girl, had succeeded at last, and had Won her
away from me !! This WAS his child-his
Child and Marys!
| sank, body and soul, beneath the blow.
And hiding my face in my hands, I leaned
against the door, while my heart wcpt tears
OF blood. The little one gazcd at me eriev-
cd AMI amazed, and put up her pretty lip as
II ahon! to cry, while the pcrplexcl servant
stepped TO the par'nr door and called nv
sister out, to see who it could be that con-
ducted himself so very strangely.
heard light step, and a pleasant voice
SAYING
"Dd you wish to see my father, sir?
looked up. There stood pretty sweet
faced maiden Of twenty, not much changed
IRON the dear little sister had loved so
well. looked at her for moment, and
then, silling the tumult of my heart bv
mighty effort, opened my arms, and said:
"LlZzic, don't you know meg
"llarrv ! Oh, my brother Harry y she
cried, and threw herself upon my breast
She wept as il her heart would break.
! could not weep. drew her gently in
to the lighted parlor, and stood with her
before them all
There was rush and cry ofjoy, and then
my 'ather aud mother sprang towards me
and welcomed me home with heartfelt tears
Oh, strange and passing sweet is such
greeting to the wayworn wandercr ! And,
as | held my dear old mother to my heart,
and grasped my fathers hand, while Lizzie
still chung beside me, felt that all was not
yet lost, and though another had secured
LIES choicest blessing, many a joy remain
cd for me in this dear sanctuary of home
There were four other inmates of the room,
who had risen on my sudden entrance. One
was the bluecycd child whom had already
seen, and who stood beside Frank Chester,
cllnglng to his hand. Near by stood Lizzie
Moore. Mary's eldest sister, and in distant
corner, to which she had rctreated when my
u"'i'o was SPokcI, StOON ta1l ana slender
figure, half hidden by the heavy window
curtains that fell to the floor.
When the first rapturcous greeting was
over Lizzie led me forward with a tmid
grace, and Frank Chester grasped my hand.
welcome home, my boy !' he said with
tho loud, cheerful tones Ifrememberede g 20
we'll. "Ion have changedTso that should
never have known you but no matter. for
that-your heart is in the right place, I
known"
"Ilow can you say he is changed !" said
my mother, gently. "To be'sure, he looks
older, and graver, and more Ikea man than
when he went away-but his eyes and smile
are the same as ever. 1t Is than heavy
beard that changes him. He is. my boy
still"
"Ay, mother" answered, sadly; AZ am
your boy STILL"
Heaven help melss.At that moment 1
felt like boy, and it would haSs been a
blessed relief to my infancy. Rut. / kept
down the beating Of my heart and tremor
OF my Zip, and answered quickly, as i look
ed in his full, handsoge,fac s.a',h. .
= ttYou have chanoad SEfoo, I1.ss,J, l.. T