The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1869-02-04

then stiling the tempest Of my heart, by a
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.
f.! | could not weep. | drew her gently in.
to the lighted parlor, and stood with her be-
fore them all.
There was a rush and cry of Joy, and
then my father and mother sprang toward
me, and welcomed me home with heartfelt
tears Oh, how sweet the greeting to the
way-worn traveller. And as l 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 10Y remained for me in the dear
sanctuary Of home.
| There were four other inmates of the
room, who had risen on my sudden en-
trance. One was the blue eyel4child whom
| had already seen, and who stood beside
Frank Chester, clinging to his hand Near
and in a distant corner, 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 rapturous greeting was
over, Lizzie led me forward with timd
grace, and Frank Chester grasped my hand.
Welcome home, my boy" he said with
the loud cheerful tones | remembered so
/ hnv nbo tbot T
would have known YOU; but no matter about
that-your heart is in the right place,
know"
{" How can you say he has changed ?"
said my mother, gently, ''to be sure he
looks older and graver, and more like man
than when he went away, but his eyes and
smiles are the same as ever. 1t is a heavy
heart which changes him. He is my boy
4 still"
"Aye, mother" | answered sadly,
am your boy STILL"
Heaven help me- At that moment l
felt like q boy, and it would have been a
blessed relief to have wept on her bosom,
as had done in infancy. But kept down
the beating of my heart and tremor Of my
lips, and answered quietly as looked into
his full and handsome face:
You have changed, too, Frank, but l
think for the better?'
20, yes--thank you for the compliment, .
ho answered with a hearty laugh.
My wife tells me | grow handsome ey-
cry day
His wife. Could hear that name and
keep silence still?
And have you seen my little grl?" he
added lifting the infant il his arms, aud
kissing her crimson cheek, II tell you Har-
ry, there is not such another in the world
Don't you think she looks very much like
her mother used y"
"Very much" faltered.
Halo = clied Frank, with sudden
ness which made me start violently. IL
have forgotten to introduce you to my wife
| believe she and you used to be playmates
III your younger days-yes, Harry! and
he slapped me on the back, ''ior the sake
of old times, and because you was not al
the wedding, will give you leave to kiss
her once--but mind old fellow you are not
to repeat the ceremony. Come-here she
is, and for one want to see how you man
age the operation.'
He pushed Lizzie, laughing and blushing
towards me. A gleam oflight and hope al
most too dazzling to bear came over me,
and | cried out before | thought, "Not
Mary"
l must have betrayed my secret to every
one i'll the room. But nothing was said
Even Frank, in general obtuse. was this
time silent. | kissed the fair cheek of the
young wife, and hurried to the silent fig
ure looking out of the window.
"Mary-Mary Moore" said in a low
eager tone, shave you no welcome to give
the wanderer::'
She turned and laid her hand in niue,
aud said hurredly-
II am glad to see you here Harry" SIM
pie words, aud yet how blessed they made
me. | would not have yielded her up that
moment for an emperor's crown. Fol
there was the happy home group, and the
dear fre-side, with sweet Mary Moore.
The eyes | had dreamed Of by day ant
night, were falling beneath the ardent gaze
OF mine, and the sweet face l had Ions
prayed to see was there beside me. | new
er knew the meaning Of happiness until that
moment.
Many years have passed since that hap
py night, and the hair that was dark ano
glossy then, is fast, turning gray. | have
grown to be all old man, and can look
back to a happy, and | hope well spent
life. And yet, sweet as it has been,
would not recall single day, for the love
that made my manhood bright, shines also
upon my white hairs.
An Old man! Can this be so? AT heart
am as young as ever. And Mary, with her
bright hair parted smoothly from brow
that has a slight furrow upon it, is still the
Mary Of other days. To me she can never
grow old or change. The heart that held
her infancy, and sheltered her in the flush
and beauty Of womanhood, can never cast
her out until life shall cease to warm it.
Not even then, for love still lives above
Sidney Smith was once looking through
the hot-house of lady who was proud OF
her flowers, and used not very accurately
a profusion Of botanical names. Madame
said he, have you the Septennis psoriasis
NO said she, Il had it last winter, and |