The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1867-04-23

Il
asked, while the wondering servant held
the door.
"Mary Moore"
"And what else2" I 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
a time-and answered, in sweet, bird.
like voice:
"Mary Moore Chester"
+ Ny heart sunk down like lead. Here
was an end to all my bright dreams and
hopes of my manhood. Frank Chester,
my boyish rival, had often tried ,and tried
in vain, to usurp my place beside the girl,
had at last succeeded, 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 my face in my hands
/ leaned against the door, while nay heart
wept tears of blood. The little one gazed
at me grieved and amazed and put her
pretty lips as if abeut to cry, while the
perplexed servant stepped to the parlor
door and called my sister out to see who
it was conducting himself SO strangely.
I heard light step, and pleasant voice
saying:
ibid you wish to see my father, sir2'
| looked up. There stood pretty,
sweet-faced maiden of twenty, not much
changed from the dear little sister I had
loved so we'll. I looked at her moment,
and stilling the tumult Of my heart by a
mighty effort, opened my arms and said:
Lizzie, don't you know me?n
Harry Oh, my brother Harryp she
cried. and threw herself upon my breast.
She wept as if her heart would break.
/ could not weep. drew her gently
into the parlor, and with her appeared be-.
fore them all.
There was rush and a 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
traveller. And as held my dear old
mother to my heart, and grasped my fa-
theirs hand while Lizzie clung beside me,
| felt that all was not yet lost, and al
though another had secured ife's choicest
blessing, many JOY remained for me in
the dear sanctuary os home.
There were four other inmates Of the
room who had risen on my sudden en-
trance, One was the blue-eyed child
whom | had already seen, and who now
stood beside Frank. Chester clinging to
his hand. Near by stood Lizzie Moore,
Mary's elder sister, and in distant cor
ner, to which she had hurriedly retreated
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 timid
grace, and Frank Chester grasped my
hand.
Welcome home, my boyl' he said
with loud, cheerful tones I remembered
so we'll. aYou have changed SO that ]
never would have known you; but nc
matter about that-Jour heart is in the
right place, | know"
aHow can you say be is changed?" said
my mother, gently. "To be sure he looks
older, and graver, and more like a mar
than when he went away, but his eyes and
smiles are the same as ever. tits heavy
heart which changes him. He is a boy
still.n
aAh, mother" I answered sadly, aI an
your bogstill.p
Heaven help mel At that moment ]
felt like boy, and it would have been a
blessed relief to have wept upon her bo-
som, as / had done in infancy. But
kept down the beating Of my heart aud
the tremor Of my lip and answered qui-
etly, as / looked into his full, handsome
face:
"You have changed too, Prank, but
think for the better"
"Oh, yes-thank you for the compli-
ment, be answered with hearty laugh
.sMY wife tells me that I grow hand
somer every day"
His wife. And could ] hear that name
and keep silent still?
ssAnd have you seen my little girl" be
added, lifting the infantin his arms, and
kissing her crimsoned cheek. II tell
you, Harry, there is not such another in
the world. Don't you thin4 she looks
very much like her motherused tor"
"Very much, faltered.
aHalloI' cried Frank, with sudden
ness which made me start violently; g
have forgotten to introduce you to my
wife; I believe she and you were play
mates in your young days-yes Harryl
and he slapped me on the back, "for the
sake Of old times, and because you we're
not at the wedding, | viii give you leave
to kiss her once-but mind, cid fellow
you are never TO repeat the ceremony
Oome-here she is, and /, for one, want
to see how you will manage those fero-
scious mustaches of yours in the opera
tion.p ~
He pushed Lizzie, laughing and blush
ing, toward me. A CLEAN Of light, al
most too dazzling to bear came over me,
and / cried out before | thought:
{ aNot Maryl"
It must have betrayed my secret to ev-
cry one in the room. But nothing was
said, even Frank, in general soobtuse, was
this tine silent. kissed the fair cheek