The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1868-06-03
The ehild-his child and Mary's.

and nlGlnS my Iace IN my ndnOS leaneu
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 paror
door, and called my sister out to see who
it was that conducted himself SO sostrangely.
I heard light step, and pleasant voice,
tDid you wish to see my father, sir ?"
I 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, I opened my
arms an said
sI4izzie, 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.
1 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 towards
me, and welcomed me home with heartfelt
tears. Oh, strange and passing sweet is
snch greeting to the way-worn traveller.
And, as 1 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 Sc
cured life's choicest blessing, many a joy
remained for me in the dear sanctuary OF
home.
There were four other inmates Of the
room who had risen on my sudden entrance:
One was the blue-eyed child whom l had
already seen, and who now stood beside
Frank Chester, clinging to his hand. Near
by stood Lizzie Moore, Mary's eldest Sis
ter, and, in distant corner 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 raptuous greeting was
over, Lizzie led me forward with timid
grace, and Frank Chester grasped my
hand.
'Welcome home, my boy!" ne said with
loud cheerful tones, | remembered so we'll.
ssYou have changed; but no matter about
that--your heart is in the right place, l
know"
sHow can you say he has changed ?"
said my mother gently. "To be sure he
looks older and graver, and more like a
man than when he went; but his eyes AMI
smiles are the same as ever. 1t is heavy
heart that changes him. He is my boy
still"
Gay MOTHER" I answered sadly, 81 am
vour how still"
Heaven help me At that moment felt
like boy, and it would have been bless
ed relief to have wept upon her bosom, as
as I had done in infancy. But kept
down the beating of my heart and the
tremor of my lip, and answered quietly,
as looked into his full handsome face
"You have changed, too, Frank, but l
think for the better"
go, yes-thank you for the compliment" !"
he answered with a laugh, "N1y wife tells
me I grow handsomer every day"
His wife. Could I hear that name and
keep silence still?
"And have you seen my little girl?" he
added, lifting that infant in his arms and
kissing her crimsoned cheek. "l tell you,
Harry, there is not such another in the
world. Don't you think she looks very
much like her mother used to"
"Very much" faltered.
"Hallo!" cried Frank with suddcnncss
which made me start violently, 81 have
forgotten to introduce you to my wife;
believe she and you used to be playmates
in our young days-yes Harry!" and he
slapped me on the back. ''For the sake
of old times and because you were not at
the wedding, I will give you leave to kiss
her once-but mind, old fellow, you are
never to repeat the ceremony. Conc
here she is, and for once want to see how
you will manage. those ferocious nous.
taches of yours in the operation"
Hepushed Lizzie, laug Ching and blushing,
towards me. A CLEAN of light and hope
almost too dazzling to bear came over me,
and 1 cried out before I thought, "Not
Mary"
It must have betrayed my secret to eve
ry one in the room. But nothing was
said; even Frank, in general so obtuse,
was this time silent. 1 kissed the fair
cheek of the young wife, and hurried TO
the silent figure looking out of the Win
dow.
"Mary-Moore," l said in low, eager
tone, "have you no welcome to give the
wanderer?"
She turned and laid her hand in mine,
and said, hurriedly-
'sI am glad to see you here, Harry?"
Simple words and yet how blessed
they made me. would not have yielded
her up that moment for an Emperor's
crown. For there was the happy home
group, and the dear home fresidc, there
sweet Mary Moore. The eyes 1 had
dreamed of by day and night, were falling
beneath the ardent gaze Of mine, and the
sweet face I had SO long prayed to see
~xxo, ~ o,o Lo-,Jo IL,