The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1861-11-07

In year," / thought as the stage
whirled away from our door, Sin a
year, or three years at the very most,
1 will return, and if Mary is as pretty
as she used to be-why, then perhaps
l may marry her." tsa f7s
/ stroked my building moustache
with complacency, while l settled the
future of young lady had not seen
for four years. 1never thought of the
possibility of her refesing me-never
dreamed that she would not stoop with
grateful tears to pick up the handker-
chief whenever / choose to throw it at
her feet. SIS ~ n.5s1 1nt .a
But now l know that had Mary met
me then, she would have dispised me.
She was as far above me as the heav-
ems are above the earth.e Perhaps in
the scented and affected student she
might have found plenty of sport; but
as for loving me, or feeling the slight
est interest in me, save a regret that
should make such an unlimited donkey
of myself know her now. f-
India was my salvation, not merely
because of the plentiful share of gold
| laid up, but because my earnest labor
counteracted the evil of my nature, and
made me better man. And when at
the end of three years / prepared to
return, / wrote nothing to the dear
ones / was about to meet of the refor
nation which / knew had taken place.
81" They loved me as was," l mur-
INJURED to myself, sand they shall find
for themselves if / am better worth
the loving as am" fr...
packed up many a token from that
land of gold, for the friends l was to
meet. The gift for Mary Moore was
one selected with beating heart. A
ring of rough virgin gold, with my
name and hers engraved inside; that
was all, and yet the little toy thrilled
me strangely as l balanced it upon the
tip of my finger.
To the eyes of others it was but a
small, plain circlet, suggesting thoughts
perhaps by its daintiness, of the dainty
white hand that was to wear it. But to
me-oh, to mellow much was en-
bodied there A loving smile on a
beautiful face-low words of welcome
a happy home and sweet face smiling
there-a group of merry children to
climb my knees-all these delights
were hidden within that little ring of
gold! $40
| CHAPTER III. r -.-
A tall, bearded, sun-bronzed man,
knocked at the door Of my fathers
house. The lights in the parlor win
dows, and the hum of conversation and
cheerful laughter, showed me that COM
pany were assembled there. L hoped
my sister Lizzie would come to the
door, and that | might greet my family
when no strangers eyes were 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. Some
such bitter thought was passing through
my mind, as | heard the sounds from
the parlor and saw the half-suppressed
smile upon the servants face. j.
i hesitated moment before made
myself known, or asked after the family
And while stood silent strange ap
paration grew up before me. From be-
. hind the. servant peered out a small
golden head-a tiny, delicate form fol
lowed, and sweet childish face and
, blue eyes were lifted up to mine; sc
like-so like the one that had bright
) ened my boyhood, that / started back
! with sudden feeling of pain. &
J "What may your name be, little
, one ?" / asked, while the wondering
servant held the door.
She lifted up her hands as if to shade
) her eyes, Il had seen that very attitude
in another, in my boyhood, many ant
t many a time and answered in sweet
r bird-like voice, aaae' -. frs
Mary Moore" - 9a Ea
! And what else ?'' / asked quickly
: "Mary Moore Chester" lisped th,
y child. eaf'o. saagal.e
t NV heart sunk down like lead. Here
/ was the end to all the bright dreams
D and hopes of my youth and manhood
] Frank Chester, my boyish rival, wht
e had often tried in vain to usurp m,
I place beside the girl, had succeeded a
4 last, and had won the woman ava,
s from me! This was his child-hi
Y child and Mary's. And l must go il
c there, and meet her once again, AM
It then go away forever, and die, if Coz
}. would let me! .naii9Sle haa a!.a
|, l sank, body and soul, beneath thi
i. blow. And hiding my face in my hand
e l leaned against the door, while m
a heart wept tears of blood. The littl
e one gazed at me, grieved and amused
and put up her pretty lips as if abou
|. to cry, while the perplexed servan
d stepped to the parlor door, and calle'
IS my sister out to find out who it coul
l. be that conducted so strangely.
J. / heard light step, and pleasan
= voice saying:
1 "Did you wish to see my father sir !?
l. / looked up. There stood a pretty
l. sweet-faced maiden Of twenty, not muc
J. changed from the dear little sister
It had loved so WELL / looked at her
II moment, and then stilling the tumu
1T of my heart by mighty effort, / opene
I my arms, and said:
~ -ssT ;,1;o don't Won L N n 81, ~, n -, T----