Preble County Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1857-1859, 1857-06-11
CHAPTER II.

1
CHAPTER II.
TALL, bearded and -bronzed, l
knocked at the door of my fathers house
The lights in the parlor windows and
the hum of conversation and cheerful
laughter, showed me that company were
assembled there. / hoped my sister
Lizzie would come to the door, and that
might greet my family when no strange
eye was looking curiously on.
But no; a servant answered my sum-
mons. They were too merry in the parlor
to heed the long absent one when he asked
for admittance. A bitter thought like
this was passing through my mind, as l
heard the sounds from the parlor, and
saw the half-suppresscd smile upon the
servants face.
l 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 the servant peered out small
golden head-a tiny, delicate form fol-
lowed, and a sweet, childish face, with
blue eyes, was lifted up to mine--so
like to those of one who had frightened
my boyhood, that started back with a
sudden feeling of pain.
What is your name, my little one ?"
1 asked, while the wondering servant
held the door,
She lifted up her hand as if to shade
her eyes, { had seen that very attitude
in another, in my boyhood, many and
many time,) and answered in a sweet,
bird-like voice
Mary Moore"
'"And what else p I asked quickly.
MARY Moore Chester" lispcd the
chill Id --- -----
My head sank down like lead. Here
was an end to all the bright dreams
and hopes of manhood. Frank Chester,
my boyish rival, who had often tried
and tried in vain, to usurp my place
beside the girl, had succeeded at last,
and had won her away from me! This
was his child-his child and Mary's!
I 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, grieved and amazed,
and put up her pretty lips as if about to
cry, while the parplexed servant stepped
to the parlor door, and called my sister
out, to see who it could be that conduct
ed himself so strangely.
1 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 so we'll. 1 looked at her for mo-
mcnt, and then, stilling the tumult of
my heart By mighty effort, I opened
my arms and said:
g 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.
1 could not weep I drew her gently
into the lighted parlor, and stood with hel
before them all.
There was a rush and cry of joy, and
then my father and mother sprang to-
wards me, and welcomed me home with
heartfelt tears. Oh, strange and passing
derer! And as L held my dear ole
mother to my heart, and grasped my
fathers hand, while Lizzie still clune
beside me, felt that all was not yet lost
and though another had secured life:
choicest blessing, many joy remained
for me in this dear sanctuary of home
There were four other inmates of the
room who had risen on my sudden en-
trance One was the hiEo-cycd chile
whom had already seen, and who now
stood beside Frank Chester, clinging t.
his hand. Near ny stood Lizzie Moore
Mary's eldest child and in distant cor
ner, to which she had hurriedly retreateC
when my name was spoken, stood a tall
and slender figure half-hidden by the
heavy window curtains that fell to the
floor
When the first rapturous greeting wa:
over, Lizzie led me forward with timiC
grace, and Frank Chester grasped my
hand
Welcome home, my boy!'' he sale
with the loud, cheerful tones I remem
bered SO we'll. "You have so changed
that 1 should never have known you
But no matter for that; your heart is il
the right place, know
"How can you say he is changed ?
said my mother, gently. "To be sure
he looks older, graver, and more like ,
man, than when he went away, but hi!
eyes and smiles are the same as ever. [
is that heavy beard that changes him
He is my boy still =
| cay, mother" 7 answered, sadly, ="
am your boy still"
Heaven help me? At that moment