Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1858-05-21

There was something in the look and
tone of the man, as he spoke these words,
that made the youth start. The blood
rushed to his face, and anon he turned
pale.
If you would like the merchant
resumed, in the same low, strange voice,
-" You may come and board with me. -
| will not deceive you Charles. Until
| could know that you would entirely
reform | dared not carry you to my
house. But am satisfied now now /,
II you please, you may inform Mrs.
Swain that you shall board with her no
more. She will not be disappointed
for ! have spoken with her on the sub
ject,"
With these words Mr.. Williams left
the store, and as soon as Charles could
recover from the strange emotions that
had almost overpowored him, he called
for the porter to come and lock up, and
then having locked the great safe he
took his departure.
On the next morning he came to the
store, and when his employer came, he
informed him that he had given his no.
tice to Mrs. Swain.
" Very well, replied the merchant,
this evening go home with me-"
Evening came, and Charles Aubrey
accompanied his old friend home. Tea
was ready, the rest Of the family having
eaten an hour before. After tea Charles
was conducted into the sitting room,
where the lamps were burning, and
where Mr.. Williams informed him he
could amuse himself by reading.
Charles sat down there, and his en-
ployer went out, but he could not read
His heart beat wildly in his bosom, and
his soul was strangely worked upon. o,
how natural everything there appeared.
And how many blissful hours he had
spent in that same room Thus he sat,
when the door was slowly opened, and a
female appeared within the apartment.
She was a bright eyed, beautiful maiden,
and when she first entered, happy
smile was upon her face. But the smile
faded away, and her lips trembled. She
stood there with her hands half extend
ed, gazing tremblingly on the youth. -
In moment more her bright eyes over
ran with tears, and then Charles started
up. He could do no more. Why else
should he be brought hither? why lef
thus? why placed on such probation
He hesitated no more. With one quicl
step he spring forward, and without one
word he caught the fair girl to his bosom
Mary" he uttered, as he gazod into
the sparkling eyes of the fair being who
still chung fond!y to him, you love M
still-you forgive me all-nnd trust me
once more =
Yes" she murmured, and ere she
could speak further, Mr.. Williams en-
tered the room.
Aha, go you've found him, have you,
Mary| he cried in joyous, happy
tone.
"Mr. Williams, uttered Charles, still
holding Mary by the hand, and speak
ing with difficulty, 81 hope | am not
deceived. Oh, you have not brought
me here to kill me? You cannot have
passed this cup to my lips only to dash
it away again 2"
"Of course not, ," returned the mer-
chant.
" But you must know the whole truth,
and for fear my child will not tell you all =,
I'll tell you myself This noble girl has
never ceased to love you and when you
were the lowest down, she loved you the
most She came to me and asked me if
she might save you'll she could. could
not tell her nay and she went to work
She has suffered much, and, Charles, it
remains with you to say whether her fu-
ture shall be one Of happiness Or not.
She knew that you we're down, that all
your hope, that your money was gone,
and that your false friends had forsaken
you. Then it was that her love for you
grew bold and strong. She wondered
if you would rcpulse her. She knew not
what might be your feelings, and to save
herself the pain of a direct repulse from
you, she assumed disguise, so that she
might approach you without being known
and yet gain some idea Of your feelings,
and save you if she could. / think she
has done well. At any rate, she has re-
gained you to herself, and it must now
be your own fault if the siiken tic is
loosencd again"
With these words, the father left the
apartment.
You, Mary? you in disguise 2" que
ried Charles, as soon as he could speak
Aye, dear Charles, and you know
why / did it. Here, do you remember
it," And as she spoke, she drew from
her bosom small silkcn purse, and took
therofrom a sixpence.
The youth recognized it in an instant
Oh" lie cried, as he strained the
ncblo girl to his bosom, "what can
say: Mary--Mary-my own hearts
truest loye--let my lie in years to come
tell my gratitude. Oh, my all in life is
yours, and my last breath shall bear your
name in gratitude TO God"
And Charles Aubrey never forgot his
promise. With this noble companion by
his side they Travelled up the hill and in
his path the flowers Of life grew thick
and fragrant
Upon the wall Of bis sitting room hangs
a picture. 1t is a splendid painting Of
the Prodigal Sons return. Upon the
face Of the heavy gilt frame, visitors no
tice a small blemish, but which upon
closer examination, proves to be a small
silver coin. Our readers need not be
told Why that bit Of metal is thus care
fully preserved.