The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1867-04-18

cause of my success, but because my
laborious industry had conntcracted
the evil to my nature, and had made me
q better man. When at the IN ofthrea
years ! prepared to return, ! said moth
ing of the reformation in myself which
| knew had taken place.
They loved me as was, murmured
to myself, and they shall find ont for
themselves whether | am better worth
loving than formerly.
l 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 ring of rough, virgin
gold, with my name and hers engraved
insidc--that wassall and yet the sight
Of the little toy strangely thrilled me as
| balanced it upon the tip OF my fin
ger.
10 the eyes of others it was but a
small, plain circlet, suggesting thoughts
perhaps, by its elegance, of the beauti-
tul white hand that was to wear it. Blu,
to mellow much was embodied there
A loving smile on Il beautiful tace-low
words Of wclcomc--a future home and
Il sweet smiling facial these delights
were hidden within that little ring oi
gold.
Tall, bearded and sun bronzed,
knocked ut the door of my fathers
house. The lights in the parlor win
dow, and the hum of conversation anc
cheerful laughter showed me that com
pany was assembled there. | hoped
sister Lizzie would come to the door
and that | might greet my family when
no strange eye was looking carelessly
on.
But no--a servant answered my sum
mons. They were too merry in the
parlor to heed the long absent one who
asked for admittance. a bitter thought
like this ran through my mind as
heard the sounds from the parlor and
saw the half suppressed smile on the
servants face.
| hcsitatcd u moment before making
myself known or asking for amy Of the
family. And while | stood silent 4
strange apparition grew up before me
from behind the servant pecrcd out a
small golden head, tiny, delicate form
followed, and II sweet childish face, with
blue eyes, was lifted to mine--so like
to those of one who had frightened my
boyhood, that | started back with a
sudden feeling ofpain.
"What is your name, my pretty p" !
asked while the wondering servant held
the door.
"Mary Moore"
"And what else" / asked quickly,
She lifted up her hands to shade her
cyes--I had seen that very attitude in
another, in my boyhood, many and
many atime-- and answered, in 4 sweet,
birdlkc voice
"Mary Moore Chester lisped the
child.
My heart sank down like lead. Here
was an end to all the bright dreams ant
hopes of my youth and manhood,
Frank Chester, my boyish rival, who
had often tried, and tried in vain, tt
usurp my place beside the girl, had sue
ccedcd at last and had won her away
from me. This was the child---his
child and Mary's.
L sank, body and soul, beneath this
blow. And hiding my face in my hands
l leaned against the door. while my
heart wcpt tears Of blood. The little
one gazcd at me, grievcd and amazed,
and put up her pretty lips as if about
to cry, while the perplcXed servant
stepped to the parlor door, and called
my sister out to see who it was that
conducted himself so strangely, ]
heard II light step, and Il pleasant voice
saying
did you wish to see my father,
siry
| looked up. There stood a pretty,
sweet faced maiden oftwenty, not much
changed from the dear little sister had
loved so well. | looked ut her for 4
moment, and then stilling the tumult OF
my heart by n mighty effort, l opened
my arms and said
"Lizzie don't you know me|
"Iarry! Oh my brother Harry =
she cried, and threw herself upon my
breast. She wopt as if her heart woult
break
| could not weep. drew her gen
tly into the lighted parlor, and stood
with her before them all.
There was u rush and 4 cry of JOY
and then my father and mother sprans
towards me, and welcomed me HON,
with heartfelt tears. Oh, strange ant
passing sweet is such greeting to th'
way worn traveller. And rs | held IN,
dear old mother to my heart, and grasp
ed my fathers hand. while Lizzie clun;
beside me, felt that all was not We
lost, and although another had st
cured lilc's choicest blessing, many
Joy remained for me in the dear sanctu
AIRY OF home.
There were four other inmates of tn
room who had risen on my sudden et
trance One was the blue eyed chill
whom had already seen, and VIII
now stood beside Frank Chester, clins
ing to his hand. Near by stock Ii;
zie Moore, Mary's eldest sister, and
distant corner, to which she had hu
riedly retrcated when my name Wi
spoken, stood Il tall and slender tigu
half hidden by the heavy window GU
tains til t fell to the floor.
when the first rapturous greetiI
was over, Lizzie led me forward with
timid grace, and Frank Chester gras
ed my hand.
"Welcome home, my boy" he sal
with loud cheerful tones l remembe
, cd so we'll. "You have changed
that never would have known yol
1 pt