The New era. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1865-1871, 1867-04-11

and a sweet childish face, with blue
eyes, was lifted to mine-so liket to those
of one who had frightened my boyhood,
that l started back with sudden feel
ing of pain.
| "What is your name my pretty?" I
asked while the wondering servant held
| the door.
Mary Moore"
"And what else?" / asked quickly.
| She lifted up her hands to shade her
eyes-I had seen that very attitude in
another, in my boyhood, many and
many time-and answered, in sweet
birdlike voice
"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
trid, and tried in vain to usurp my
place beside the girl, had succeeded at
last, and had won her away from me.
| This was thechild-his child and Ma
| rvs.
l 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 if about
to cry, while the perplexed servant
stepped to the parlor door, and called
my sister out to see who it was that con-
Quoted himself so strangely. I heard a
light step, and pleasant voice saying
"Did you wish to see my father, sir?o
I looked up. There stood pretty,
sweet faced maiden of twenty, not much
, changed from the dear little sister l had
loved so well. l looked at her for mo
ment, and then shilling the tumult Of
my heart, by a mighty effort, l opened
my arms and said
"Lizzie don't you know me?o
"Harry! Oh my brother Harryw she
cried, and threw herself upon my breast.
| She wept as if her heart would break.
| into the lighted parlor, and stood with
her before them all.
There was a rush and a cry of joy, and
then my father and mother sprang to-
wards me, and welcomed me with heart
Ffelt tears. Oh, strange and passing
sweet is such a greeting to the way-worn
traveller. And as l held my dear old
mother to my heart, and grasped my
fathers hand, while Lizzie chung beside
me, l felt that all was not yet lost, and
although another had secured life's
choicest blessing, many joy remained
| for me in the dear sanctuary of home.
Thsre were four other inmates of the
room who had risen on my sudden en-
trance. One was the blue-eyed child
whom bad already seen, and who now
stood beside Frank Chester, clingipg to
his hand. Near by stood Lizzie Moore,
Mary's eldest sister, and in dists Mt cor
ner, to which she had hurriedly retreat
ed 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 rapturous greeting was
| over, Lizzie led me forward with timid
grace, and Frank Chester grasped my
hand.
| "Welcome home, my boy!" he said,
with loud cheerful tones remembered
so we'll. "You have changed SO that
never would have known you; but no
matter about that-your heart is in the
right place, know"
"How can you say he is changed %
said my mother, gently. "To be sure
he looks older and graver, and more like
man than when he went away; but
his eyes and smile are the same as ever.
1t is a heavy heart which changes him.
He is my boy STILL"
GAY mother" / answered sadly, II
am your boy STILL"
Heaven help me! At that moment I
felt like boy, and it would have been
blessed relief to have wept upon her
bosom, as had done in infancy. But
kept down the beating of my heart and
the tre,nor OF my lip, and answered
quietly, as I looked into his full hand
some race
"You have changed, too, Frank, but
I think for the better"
"Oh, yes-thank you for the compli-
ment," he answered with a hearty
laugh, my wife tells me / grow hand
somer every day."
His wife. Could l hear that name
and keep silence still?
"And have you seen my little girl -
he added, lifting the infant in his arms
and kissing her crimsoned cheek. II
tell you, Harry, there is not such an
other in the world. Don't you think
she looks very much like her mother
used to-"
every much!" I faltered.
''Hallo!" cried Frank with II sudden
ness which made me start violently, II
have forgotten to introduce you to my
wife; believe she and you used to be
playmates in your young days-yes