Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1862-08-07

aoout 10 meet or the refOrmatlons which l
knew had taken place "They loved me as
was" | murmured TO myself, " and they shall
hnd for themselves if am better worth the
loving as am"
packed up many token from that land
of gold for the many friends | was to mees-
The # for Mary Moore was one I selected
with beating heart. A ring of rough virgin
gold. with my name and hers ingraved inside.
That was all, aud yet the little toy thrilled me
strangely as balanced it on the tip of my fin.
ger. To the eyes of Others it was bot snaH
plain circlet suggesting thoughts, hy its dain-
tiness, OF the dainty white haud that was to
wear it, But TO me-oh, me, how much was
embodied there A loving smile on a beauti
! full face-low words Of wecome--a happy
home aud a sweet face smiling there-a group
Of merry children to climb ms knee-all these
delights were hidden within that little ring of
| gold.
A tall, bearded, sun bronzed man. knock
! ed ut The door Of my fathers house The lights
! i'll the parlor windows, aud the hum of conver
! satou, and the cheerful laughter showed me
! that company were assembled thera | hoped
that my sl>ur l. zze would come TO the uoor
and that | might greet my family when no
strangers Eyes were looking curously on
But no-a servant answered my summons ;
they were to merry in the parlor to head
the long abseut one when he asks for ad-
mittunce Some such hitter thought was
passing through NY mind, as | heard the
sound trom the parlor and saw the half sup
pressed smiles upon the servants face
| | htSitated q moment before | made my.
self known. or asked for the family. Aud
while | stood silent q strange apparition
grew up before me. From behind the servant
peered out suali, golden head, a tiny delicate
form followed, and q sweet childish fuce and
blue eyes acre lifted up to mine so like the
one that had brighteued any boyhood that
started back with sudden feeling of pain
What may your uame be, little Que ?"
asked, while tho wondering servant held the
door.
She lifted up her hand as if to shade her
! Il had seen that very attitude IN another, in
my boyhood, many and many q tine) and
answered in q sweet, bird like voice.
Mary Moore"
"And what else p asked
Mary Moore Chester" sped tue little
child.
NV heart sunk down like lead Here was
an end to all the bright dreams and hopes of
my youth aud manhood. Frank Chester, nv
bovish rival who had often tried in vain to
n>nrp my place beside The girl, had succeeded
! at last. aud won the woman away from me -
This was his chd-his child and Mary's.-
| Aud | must go in there aud meet her once
again, aud then 90 away forever and die--if
God would let Inc
| sank body and soul beneath this blow and
hiding my face in my hands [ leaned against
the door The little one gaZed 1T me grieved
aud amazed, and put up her pretty lips as if
about to cry, while tue perplexed servant step
ped to the parlor door aud called my sister out
TO lin o.J who it could he that conducted him
81, If so strangely.
beard light step and pleasant voice,
saying.
Did you wish to see my father, sir ?"
| !, oked up. There stood pretty, sweet
faced maiden of twenty, not much changed
from the dear little sister had luved SO well !:
looked at her a moment and then stilng the
tumut of my heart by mighty ef1Ct, open
cd my urllS and said
| Jennie, don't you know me ?"
Harry On my brother Harry p she cried,
and threw herself upou my breast. She wept
as if her heart would break. | could not weep
drew her gently into the lighted par.or, aud
slood with her before them all There was
rush aud cry OF joy aud then my mother and
nv father sprang towards me, and welcome me
home with heartfelt tears Oh, strange and
passing sweet is such greeting TO the way
worn traveller A nd as held Old mother to
my heart and graSped my fathers hand, while
Jennie chung beside me, telt that all was not
yet lost, and though another had secured life'S
choicest blessing. Many JOY remained for
me in this dear sanctuary of home.
There were four Others, inmates of The room
who Aad arisen my sudden entrance. One
was the blnc eyed chd whom | had already
seen, and now stood by Frank Chester, cling
: to his nd. Near by stood Lizze, Mary
Moores eldest sister, aud in distant corner,
where she had hurridly retreated when my
name was spoken, stood tall aud slender
figure hall hidden 10y the heavy window cur
tain that fl on the foor.
} When the first rapturons greeting was over
Jetne led me forward with tlmid grace, and
aud Frark Chester graSped my hand.
Welcome home my boy, he said with the
loud cheerful tones | remembered so WE'LL
You have changed so much | never would
) have known you-but no matter for that your
heart is in the right place | know.
How can you say he is changed?' said my
mother, gently. To lie sure he looks Older
, aud graver aud more like man than when he
r went away, but his eyes and his smiles are the
same as ever. 1t is that heavy beard that
changes him. He is my boy STILL"
God help me? At that moment felt like
q boy and it would have been blessed relief
! to hare wept upon her BOSOM as had done in
: my infancy. But kept down the beating of
my heart and the tremor of my lip, and
answered quietly, as l looked n his full hand
some face
"You have changed too Frank, but think
for ho hattpPD ~