Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1866-08-04

packed up many token, from that land
of romance and gold, for the friends hoped
to meet. The gift for Mary Moore ] selected
with beating heart it was a ring of rough,
virgin gold, with my namc and hers engraved
insidc-that was all, and yet tho sight of the
little toy strangely thrilled me as | 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 hand that
was to wear it, But to mellow much was
embodied there! A loving smile on bcauti-
full tacc-low words of welcomc--a future
home, and II sweet smiling face-all these dc.
lights were hidden within that little ring Of
gold
CHAPTER II.
Tall, bearded aud sun.bronzcd, I have
knocked at the door of my fathers house. -
The lights in the paror windows and the hum
of conversation and cheerful laughter showed
me that company was assembled there. l
hoped my sister lizzie would como to the
door, and that might greet my family when
no strange eye was looking curously on
But no--a servant answered my summons
They were too merry in the parlor to heed tho
long absent one when he asked for admittunce
A bitter thought like this was passing through
my mind, as heard the soundsfrom the par
lor, and saw the halfsuppresscd smile upon
the servants face.
hcsitated for moment before made m =
self known or asked after the family And
while stood silent, strange apparition grow
up before me. From behind the servant
pccrcd out a small golden hcad-a tiny, deli
cate form followed, and sweet; childish face
with blue eyes, was lifted up to mines so like
to those of one who had frightened my boy
hood that | started back with sudden feel
ing of pain.
What is your name, my little onc?" !
asked, while tho wondering servant held the
door.
She lifted up her hands as if to shade her
eyes, | had seen that very attitude in anoth-
or in my boyhood, many and many tinc,)
and answered in sweet, bird like voice:
"Mary Moore"
Aud what clse2" asked quickly.
Mary Moore Chcstcr!" lispcd the child
My heart sank down like lead Hero was
an end to nll 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 my place beside the girl, had
succeeded at last, and had won her away from
me! This was the child-his child and
Mary's!
sank, body and soul, beneath this blow.
And hiding mytfacc in my hands, leaned
against the door, while my heart wcpt tears of
blood. The little one gazcd at me, gricvcd
and amazed, and put up her pretty lips as if
about to cry, while the. perplcxcd servant
stepped to the parlor door and called my sis
ter out, to sec who it was that conducted him
self so strangely
! heard light step, and q pleasant voice
saying:
/" Did you wish to see my father, sir"
looked up. There stood pretty, sweet
faced maiden Of twenty, not much changed
from the dear little sister I had loved so we'll
| looked at her for moment, and then, still
ing the tumult of my heart by mighty effort,
| opened my arms and said:
"1izzio, don't you know me ?"
Z" Harry! Oh, my brother Harry" she
cried, and throw herself upon my breast. She
wept as if her heart would break.
could not weep. l drew her gently into
the lighted parlor, and stood with her before
them all.
There was rush and cry of joy, and then
my father and mother sprang towards me, and
welcomed me homo with heartfelt tears Oh,
strange and pressing sweet is such greeting
to the way-worn wandcrer And as / held my
dear old mother to my heart, and graspcd my
fathers hand, while Lizzie still cung beside
mo, felt that all was not yet lost, and though
another has secured lifc's choicest blessing,
many a JOY remained for ne in this dear sane
tuary of home.
There were four other inmates of the room
who had risen on my sudden entrance. One
was the bluc.c eyed child whom l had already
seen, and who now stood beside Frank Ches-
ter, cinging to his hand. Near by stood Liz
zie Moore, Mary's eldest sister, and in dis
tant corner, to- which she had hurricdly re-
treated when my name was spoken, stood
tall and slender figure, half hidden by the
heavy window curtains that fell to the floor.
When the first rapturous greeting was over,
Lizzie led me forward with a timid grace, and
Frank Chester graspcd my hand.