The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1870-01-08

that ! selected Tor Mary Moore was with
beating heart; it was a ring of rough virgin
gold, with my name engraved inside-that
was all and yet the sight of the little toy
strangely thrilled me as | balanced it upon
the tip of my finger. To the eyes Of others,
it was but small circled, suggesting
thoughts perhaps, by its elegance, of the
beautiful white hand that was to wear it.
But not to me how much was embodied
there All these delights were hidden
within that ring of gold
Tall, bearded, sun burnd, Isknocked at
the door of my fathers house. The light
in the windows, and the hum of conver.
sation and cheerful laughter showed me
that company we're assembled there. /
hoped that sister Lizzie might come to the
door, and | might greet my family when
no strange eye was looking carelessly on.
But no, servant answered my summons.
All too merry in the parlor to heed the
long absent one who asked for admttance
A bitter thought like this ran through my
mind as | heard the sounds from the par
lor and saw the half suppressed smile on
the servants face. | hcsitated a moment
before making MYSELF known or asking for
any of the family, while | stood silent
strange apprehension grew up before me.
From behind the servant peered out a
small head, tiny, delicate form followed a
sweet childish face, with bright blue eyes,
so Ike those Of one who had frightened my
boyhood, that started with feeling o1
pain.
"What is your name my pretty?" |
asked the child while the wondering ser.
want held the door.
"Mary Moore"
"And what else [ said, quickly.
She lifted her hand to shade her eyes ;
| had seen that very attitude in another,
in my boyhood days, many and many u
time, and answered, in u sweet, bird like
voice. "Mary More Chester"
My heart sank like lead Here was an
end to all my dreams and hopes of my youth
and manhood. Frank Chester my boyish
rival, who had often tried in vain to usurp
my place beside the girl had succeeded at
last, aud won her away from me. This
was the chid-his child aud Mary's.
sank, body and soul beneath the blow,
and hiding my face in my hands, | leant
against the door, while my heart wept tears
Of blood. The little one gazed at me,
grevcd and amused, and put up her pretty
lips as if about to cry, while the perplexod
scvant stepped to the Tarlo, door and
called out my sister to see who it was that
conducted himself 50 strangely.
| heard light step and a Pleasant voice
saying:
Did you wish to see my father, sir p
[ looked up. There stood pretty swce
faced maiden Of tTecty, not much changed
from the little sister / loved SO we'll
looked at her moment, aud then stiIIin.
the tempest Of my heat b., a mighty effort
opened my arms aud said:
"Iizzie, don't you know me?"
"IIarry Oh my brother Harry" sh
, c.ied, and threw herself upon my breast
, she wept as though her heart would breok
could not weep. I drew her gently
into the lighted paror, and stood with he
! before them all. There was a rush and
, cry OF joy and then my father and mothc
sprOng toward me AMI welcomed pe will
, heartfelt tears
= Oh! strange and passing sweet in sucl
p a greeting to way worn traveller. Ant
, as held rny dear Old mother to ny heart
o while Lizzie clung beside me, [ felt tina
= all was not yet lost, aud although anothc
= had secured Efe's cboa3est blessings man,
joy remained Tor me in the dear sauctua
' ry Of home
! Thee were four other inmates of III
: room who rose upon my sudden appear
= ance. One was the blue eyed child whor
| had already seen, and who now stoo
: beside Frank Chester, clnging to his han
9 Near by stood Lizzie Moore, Mary's oldes
!, sister, and in a distant corner. to whic
- had hurried when rny name was spoken
4 stood a tall and slender figure; halt hidde
= by the heavy window curtains that fell t
the floor.
- When the frs! rapturous greeting wa
- over Lizzie led me forward with timi
:. grace, and Frank Chester graspcd n,
4 hand with a cordial pressure.
P. "Welcome home, my boy!" he said wit
the loud cheerful tone l remembered s
b we'll. "You have changed SO that l nevt
~ would have known you; but no matte
n about that--your heart is in the right plac
- | know.
q Chow can you say that he is change
a said my mother, gently. "To be sure, }
n looks older and graver and more like a ms
10 than when he went away, but his smil
are the same as ever. 1t is heavy hea
to which changes him. He is my boy still
w w Heaven help me At that moment
n felt like boy still, and it would have be,
No a blessed relief to have wept upon h
~ ~ bosom, as l Lad done in infancy, but
~ kept down the beating heart aud the IL
I'll NOR Of my lip, and answered, quietly, as
>" looked up into his full, handsome face;
~ "You have changed to, Frank but no
f a FOR the better"
| "Oh yes. Thank you for the comp
m ment," he answered with hearty laug
as My wife tells me grow handsomer eve
ay day.'
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