Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1868-12-04


ring of gold.
Tall, bearded and sun -bropzed, KNOCK
ed at the door of my fathers house. Tb'
lights in the parlor windows and the hun
of conversation and cheerful laughter
showed NE that company was assembled
there. hoped sister Lizzie would come
to the door and I may greet my family
when strange eye was looking careless
lily on. But no, a servant answered my
summons. They were too merry in tbs
parlor to heed the long absent one whe
asked for admittance. A bitter though
like this ran through my minl as | heard
the sounds from the parlor and saw the
half suppressed suile on tho servants
face.
l hesitated moment before making
myself known or asking for any of the
family. and while [ stood silent, strange
apparation grew up before me. From
behind the servant peered out small
golden head, tiny, delicate form follow
ed, sweet, childish face, with blue eyes;
50 like those of one who had frightened
my boyhood that started with sudden
feeling of pain.
''What is your name, my pretty? Z"
asked, while the wondering servant held
the door.
MARY Moore"
"And what else p 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 bird like
voice:
Mary Moore Chester"
My heart sunk down like lead. Here
was an end to all my bright dreams and
hopes of my youth and manhood. Frank
Chester, my boysh rival, who had always
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.
I sank, body and sonl, 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 lips as if about to cry. while the per-
picked servant stepped to the parlor door
and called my sister out to see who it was
that conducted himself so strangely. [
heard light step and pleasant voice
saying:
Did you wish to see my father, sir ?"
I looked up There stood pretty.
sweet faced maiden Of twenty, not much
changed from the little sister had loved
so we'll. | looked at her for moment
and then. stilling the tempest of My heart
by mighty effort, [ opened my arms and
said:
Lizzie, don't you know me?'
Harry! Oh! my brother Harry !"
she cried and threw herself upon my
breast.
She wept as if her heart would break.
I could not weep. | 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 toward
me and welcomed me home with heartfelt
tears. Oh strange and passing sweet is
such greeting to way-worn traveller.
And as | held my dear old mother to
my heart and grasped my fathers hand.
while Lizzie clung beside me, felt that
all was not yet lost. and although another
had secured life's choicest blessing, many
a JOY remained for me in the dear sanctu-
ary of 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, clingirg to
his hand. Near by stood Lizzie Moore,
Mary's eldest sister, and in distant cor
ner to which she bad hurriedly retrcated,
when my name was spoken. stood tall
and slender figure, haif-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 the loud, cheerful tones I ber-
ed so we'll.
"You have changed so that I never
would have known you; but no matter a.