Middletown transcript., 1868-02-08

loving than formerly.
l picked up many token from that
land of romance and gold, for the friends
hoped to meet: the gift of Mary Moore
L selected with beating heart; it was
a ring of rough, virgin gold, with my
name and hers engraved inside-that was
all; and yet the sight of the little toy
strangely thrilled me az l balanced it
upon the tip of my finger.
To the eyes of others it was but q small
plain circlet, suggesting thoughts, perhaps
by its elegance, of the beautiful white
hand that was to wear it. But to me
how much was embodied there A low
ing smile on beautiful face-low words
of welcome--a future home and sweet
smiling face-all these delights were hid
den within that little ring Of gold. '.
Tall, bearded and sun-bronzed, | 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. l hoped sister Lizzy would come
to the door, and that l might greet my
family when no strange eye was looking
carlessly 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 admittance. A bitter thought like
this ran through my mind as 1 heard the
sounds from the parlor and saw the hall
suppressed smile on the servants face.
L hesitated a moment before making
myself known or asking for any of the
family. And while stood silent a strange
apparition grew up before me; from be-
hind the servant peered out small gol-
den head, tiny, delicate form followed,
and sweet childish face with blue eyes,
was lifted to minc--so like to those of ono
who had frightened my boyhood, that
| started back with sudden feeling OF
pain. n.'a '. 7fst'' 81 .J t+'Rf 'i'
=" What Is your name, my prettyT |
asked while the wondering servant held
the door. 'iI'-. .-H 80 14
Mary Moore" .o a-n f''a - 2
And what clsc?" 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 a sweet, bird-like
voice ' 'a TO-
Mary Moore Chester" lisped the child.
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 the
child-his' child and Mary's.. h'' -5"''f,.
l H 4 H.rf. r. =. u :. q .
| sank, body and soul, beneath this
blow. And hiding my face in my hands
| leaned against the door, while my heart
wept tears of, blood. The little one gaz-
ed at me, grievcd and amazed, and put
up her pretty lips as if about to cry, while
the perplexed servant stepped to the parlor
door, and called my sister out to see who
it was that conducted himself SO strange
ly. | heard light step, and pleasant
voice saying ' ~ 81 n
% Dc Did 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. l looked at her for q mo-
ment, and then stilling the tumult of my
heart by,a mighty effort, l opened my
arms and said i'i.'-f ~
q Lizzie, don't yol know me ?''S
=" Harry! Oh, my brother Harry!" she
cried; and threw herself upon my breast.
She wept as if her heart would break.
"'l could not weep. ! drew her gently
into the lighted parlor, and stood before
them all. t'f
There was rush and cry of joy, and
I then my father and mother sprang towards
me, and welcomed me home with heartfelt
tears, Oh, strange and passing sweet is
such greeting to the wayworn traveller
And as | held my dear old mother to my
heart, and graspcd my father's hand, while
Lizzie clung beside me, l 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 sanctuary oi
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, cliging to
his hand. Near by stood Lizzie, Moore,
Mary's eldest sister, and in distant cor
ner, to which she had hurriedly retreated
when my name was spoken, stood a tall
and slender figure half hidden by the
heavy window curtains That fell to the
floor.
| When the first raptprous greeting was
| over, Lizzie led me forward with tim
ID grace, and Frank Chester grasped my
hand EA
!" Welcome home, my boyv' he said,
with loud cheerful tones l remembered SC
well. tJ'' You have changed 50 that / ney-
er would have known you; but no matter
about that-your heart is in the right
| place, 1 know" y ,ssah 'sl''Hsia diNF
I How can you say he is changed p said
my mother, gently. q To be sure he looks
older and grayer, and more like man
than when he went away; but his eyes
and smile are the same as ever. 1t is q
heavy heart which changes him. He is