Owyhee bullion. [volume] (Silver City, I.T. [Idaho]) 1866-1867, 1867-06-13


the slightest interest ia me, | should
have, perhaps, found myself mistaken
India was my salvation, net merely 10
cause of my success, but because my la.
borious industry there counteracted the
evil of my nature, and made me better
man. When, at the end of three years,
prepared to return, l said nothing of
the reformation in myself which l knew
had taken place.
They loved me as I was, murmured
to myself, and they shall find out for
themselves whether l am better worth
loving than formerly.
1packed 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 wa, a
ring of rough, virgin gold, with my name
and hers engraved inside--that was all !:
and yet the sight.o the little toy strange.
ly thrilled me as ] balanced it upon the
tip of my finger.
To the eyes of others it was but a
small, plain circle, 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 beautiful face-low
words of welcome-a future happy home
all these delights we're hidden within
that little ring of gold
Tall, bearded and sun bronred | knock
ed at the door of my fathers house. The
lights in the parlor window and the hum
of conversation and cheerful laughter,
showed me that company was assembled
there. | hoped sister Lizzie would
come to the door, and that might greet
my family when no strange eyes was
looking carelessly on
But no--a servant answered my sum
mons. They were too merry in the par.
lor to heed the long absent one who ask
ed for sdmittauce. A bitter thought like
this ran through my mind as I heard the
sounds from the parlor and saw the half.
suppressed smieon the servants face.
| hesitated moment before making
myself known or asking for any of the
family. And while | stood silent strange
spparition grew up before me; from be-
hind the servant peered out a small
golden head, a tiny, delicate form follow
ed, and a 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 sudden feeling
of pain.
"What is your name, my pretty?"
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 an
other, in my boyhood, many and many
time-and answered, in sweet, bird-like
voice
"Mary Moore Chester"
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
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
his child-his child and Mary's.
l sank, body and soul, beneath this
blow. And hiding my face in my hands,
I leaned against the door, while my heart
wept tears of blood. The little one gazed
at me, grieved aud amazed, and put up
her pretty lips as if about to cry, while
the perplexed servant stepped to the par
lor door, and called my sister out to see
who it was that conducted himself so
strangely. I heard light step, and
pleasant roice saying
"Do you wish to see my father, sir ?"
| looked up. There stood a pretty,
sweet-faced maiden of twenty, not much |
changed from the dear little sister | had
loved so well. I looked at her for mo-
ment, and then, stilling the tumult of my |
heart by mighty effort, opened my |
arms and said
"Lizzie, don't you know me"
Harry! oh, my brother Harry! she