The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1857-09-02
CHAPTER II.

Tall, bearded, and sun bronzed, 1
knocked at the door of 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 there. 1 hoped that my sister
Lizzie would como to the door, and that
I might greet my family when 10 strange
eye was looking curiously on.
But no--a servant answered my sum-
mons. They were too merry in the par
lor to heed the long absent one when he
asked for admittance. a bitter thought
like this was passing through my mind,
as I heard the sounds from the parlor,
and saw the half suppressed smile upon
the servants face.
I hesitated for moment before l
made myself known or asked after the
family, and while stood silent strange
apparition grew up before me. From
behind TIE servant pcered out a small,
golden head, a tiny, delicate form fol-
lowed, aud sweet childish face, with
blue eyes was lifted up to mine--so like
those of one who had frightened my
oyhood, that started back with sud
den 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, Il lad seen that very attitude
in another, in my boyhood, many and
many time,) aud answered in sweet
bird-like voice: " Mary"
"And what else ?'' asked quickly.
"Iary Moore Chester" lispcd the
child.
My heart sank down like lead. Here
was an end to all the bright dreams and
hopes of my youth end mauhood--
Frank Chester, my boyish rival, who
had often tried, aud in vain, to usurp
my place beside the gill, Fad succeeded
at last, and had won her away from me!
This was his chilG-his child and Ma
ry's.
I sank, body and soul, beneath this
blow. Aud, hiding my face in my hands,
leaned against the door, wbilo my
heart wept tears of blood. The little
ore gazad at me, grieved and amazed,
and put up her pretty lip as if about to
cry, while the perplexcd servant stepped
to the parlor door and called my sister
out, to see who it could be that conduct
ed himself so strangely.
heard light ster, ard pleasant
voice, saying:
Did you wish to see my father, sir?"
I looked up. There stood a pretty,
sweet-faced maiden of twenty, not much
changed from the dear little sister had
loved SO well. [ looked at her for mo-
ment, and then, stilliDg the tumult Of
my heart by a mighty effort, I 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 a rush and a cry of Joy,
and then my father. an mother spraug
toward me, and welcomed me home with
heartfelt tears! Oh, strange and pass
ing sweet is such a greeting to the way
worn wanderer And as held my dear
old mother to my heart, and grasped my
fathers haud, while Lizzie still clung
beside me, felt that all was not lost,
aud though another had secured life's
choicest blessing, many joy remained
for me in this dear sanctuary of home.
There were four ether inmates of the
room who had risen on my sudden en-
trance. One was the blue eyed child
whom L had already seen, and who stood |
beside Frank Chester, clirging to bis
hand. Near by stood Lizzie Moore,
Mary's eldest sister, ,and in distant cor
ner, to which she had hurriedIy 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 rapturous greeting was
over, Lizzie led mo forward with tim.