The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1857-11-11

it was ring of rough, virgin gold, wilt
my name and hers engraved inside tina
was al and yet the sight of the littl
toy strangely thrilled me as 1 balanced
it upon the top of my fioger,
To the eyes of others it was but
small. plain circle,, suggesting thoughts
perhaps, by it's elegance, of the bcautifu
white hand that was to wear it. But t
mellow much was embedded there A
loving emilio on beautiful face-iov
words of welcome, future home, and Q
sweet smiling face group Of merr,
children to climb my kuees-all thes,
delights were hidden within that little
ring of gold
CHAPTER II.
Tall, bearded, and sun bronzod,
knocked at the doorof my fathers house.
The lights in the parlor windows and the
hum of conversation and cheerful laugh
ter, showed me that company were as
sembled thore. hoped that my sistcr
Lizzie would come to the door, and that
L might greet my family when no strange
eyes were looking curiously on.
But no-a servant answered nv sum.
mons.-They were too merry 10 tho par
lor to heed the long absent Of one when
he asked for addmittance. A bitter
thought like this was passiugitbrough MY
head as [ heard sounds from the parlor,
and saw that half suppressed smile upon
the servants face.
| hesitated for q moment before r
made myself known or asked after the
family, and while stood silent, a strange
apparition grew before me. From be-.
hind the servant peered out small gol
den head, a tiny, delicate form followed
and sweet childish face, with blue ewes
was lifted 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 hand as If to shade
her eyes, I had seen tha, very attitude
in another in my boyhood, many and ma.
ny time and answered 10 u sweet bird
"o0 Voioo mary
"And what elso ?" l asked quickly,
MARY More Chester, lisped the child.
My heart sank down like lead. Here
was an end to all the bright dreams and
hopes ofmy youth and manhood. Frank
Chester my boyish rival, who had often
tried, and in vain, 10 usurp my place be-
eide the girl, had succeeded at 'ast. and
had won her away from mo This was
his child-his child and Mary's.
sank, body and soul, beneath this
blow-And, hiding my face in my hands
l leaned against the door, while my heart
wopt tears of blood The little one gag
ed at me, grieved and amazed, and put
up her pretty lip as if about to cry, while
the perplexed servant STEPPED to the par.
lor door and called my sister out, to see
who it could be that conducted himself
so strangely,
! heard light step, and a pleasant
voice saying:
SDo you wish 20 see father sir 2n
looked up. There stood a pretty,
sweet-faced maiden of twenty, not much
changed from the dear little sister l had
loved so we'll. I looked at her for m o.
meni, and then still ng the tumult of my
heart by mighty effort, l opened my
arms and said
"Lizzie, don't you know me 2"
Harry Oh my brother Harry |" she
cried and threw herself upon my breast.
She wept as if her heart would break.
There was q rush and cry of ioy, and
then my father and mother sprang to.
wards me, and welcomed me home with
heartfelt tears Oh, strange and pas
sing sweet is such greeting to the way.
worn wanderer And as held my dear
old mother to my heart, and grasped my
fathers hand, while Lizzie still olung
beside me, felt that all was not lost and
though another had secured lifes choicest
blessing, many joy remained for me in
this dear sanctuary of home.
There were fonr other inmates of the
room who had risen on my sudden en-.
trance, Ono was the blue.eyed child
whom had already seen, and who stood
beside Frank Chester clinging to his
hand. Noar by stood Lizzie Moore,
Mary's eldest sister, and in distant cor.
ner, to which she had hurridly retreated
when my name was spoken, stood a tall
and slender figure. half hidden by the
window curtains that fell to tho floor.
When the first rapturous greeting was
over, Lizzie led me forward with a timid
grace, and Frank Chester grasped my
hand.
"Welcome home, my boy !" he said
with the loud, cheerful tones I remem'
bered so we'll "You have changed so thai
l should never have known you but no
matter for tbat-your heart is in the
right place, l know"
How can you say he has changed ~
said my mother gently. To be sure he
looks older and graver, and more like a
man, than when he went away-but hi,
eyes and smile are the same as ever ! 1t
is that heavy beard that changes him.
He is my boy still"
"Ay, mother, | answered, IL am your
boy still"
Heaven help me AT this moment
felt like boy, and it would have beer
a blessed relief to havo wept upon hel
bosom as had done in my Infancy. Bu
kept down the beating OF my heart
and the trcmor of my lips, and answered
| auiatly AZ / lookod in his full handsom,