Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1859-09-16

serves Wnetner am Delter WOrtn loving
than formerly
I l packed up many a token, from the
land of romance and gold, for the friends
l 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 inside-that was all,
and yet the sight of the little toy strange
ly thrilled me as L balanced it upon the
tip Of my finger.
To the eyes of others it was but small
plain circlet, suggesting thoughts perhaps,
by its elegance, of the beautiful white
hands that was to wear it, But to me,
smile on beautiful face-low words of
welcome; a future home, and a sweet
smiling face--a group of merry children
to climb my knee-all these delights were
hidden within that little ring of gold
Tall, bearded and sun bronzed, knock
ed 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 was assembled
there | hoped my sister Lizzie would
come to the door, 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 par
lor to heed the long absent one when he
asked for admittance. A better thought
like this was passing through my mind,
as l heard the sounds from the parlor,
and saw the half suppressed smile upon
the servants face.
| hesitated moment before m ade my
self knowu or asked after the family.
And while L stood silent, a strange ap-
partition grew up before me. From be-
hind the servant peered out small gol-
den head-a tidy, delicate form followed,
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's your name, my little one?' I
asked while the wondering servant held
the door.
She lifted up her hands as if to shade
her eyes q 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 ? asked quickly.
! Mary Moore Chester lisped the child.
MY heart sank down like lead Here
was an end to all the bright dreams and
hopes of my youth and manhood. Frank
/ Chester, my boyish rival, who had often
tried, and tried in vain, to usurp ny,place
beside the girl, had succeeded at last, and
! l. e.
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 about to cry, while the per
picked servant stepped to the parlor door
and called my sister out to see who it
could be that conducted himself so strange
Ily.
heard a light step and pleasant voice
saying:
DO 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 | looked at her for a mo-
ment, and then stilling the tumult of my
heart by mighty effort l opened my
arms and cried
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.
l could not weep / drew her gently
into the lightod paler, and there stood
with her before them all.
I 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
sweet is such a greeting to the way-worn
wanderer And as | held my dear old
mother to my heart, and graspcd my
fathers hand, while Lizzie still clung be
side me, | felt that all was not yet lost,
and though another had secured life's
choicest blessings, 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 bue-eyed child
whom | had already seen, and who now
stood beside Frank Chester clinging TO his
hand, Near by stood Lizzie Moore, Mary's
eldest sister, and in distant corner, to
which she had hurriedly retreated 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 raptvrous greeting was
over, Lizzie led me forward with timd
grace, and Frank Chester grasped my
hand.
Welcome home, my boyp he said
with the loud cheerful tones | remember.
ed so well, you have changed so that |
should never have known you; but no
matter for that-your heart is in the right
place | know
, How can you say he is changed'' said
r my mother, gently TO be sure, he looks
y older, and more grave, and more like a