The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1871-07-13

fore she became very much attach
ed 70 her adopted brother. But it
was not until she found that be
was lost to her that she knew how
dear he was-how as they grew up
together her tenderest feelings had
entwined themselves about him and
he become a part Of her very exis-
| tence.
When Frank was quite young, a
| neice of Mr. Lees visited the fami-
ly. She was gIoriously beautiful
brunette with exceedingly bright
and fascinating manners. Ere
Frank was aware of it his heart
was taken captive by the dark-eyed
maiden. His love was returned
and soon they were united in mar.
riage.
Very happily did they live togeth-
er up to two years previous to the
time our story begins, when Anna
had fallen sick; aud after lingering
many long weary months, she at
last closed her eyes forever on this
world and slept peacefully in the
church-yard.
Her husband, being weary with
watching and broken in spirits from
grief, resolved to quit the home that
reminded hiuSsso much of his loss,
and seek relief in distant lands.
Leaving mis- little daughter with
"Aunt MabeL" as she had been
taught to call her, he crossed the
ocean, hoping that new scenes and
surroundings would tend to soften
his SORROW and restore his shatter-
ed health.
Patiently and unmurmuringly
had Mabel borne her trials through
the past years. She had seen the
one dearest to her on earth unite
his fate with another; she had seen
him happy without her love; she
had bid him goodbye and witness
ed his departure to another landj
all this had she looked upon with
dry eyes and calm exterior; but
when she read of his contemplated
return, her heart was filed with
emotion. When at last she found
herself alone in her own room, the
long pent up tears gushed freely
from her eyes and down her pale
cheeks; but they were tears of joy,
and the weary heart was soothed
and comforted by them. How
sweet to think that in a few weeks
she would hear that dear voice once
more, and look into those deep,
dark eyes. At length calming her
self, she went up to the bed side
where little Anna was sleeping, and
pressing a kiss upan the rosy lips
Of the siumberer, she knelt beside
her and prayed God to bring their
loved one safely and speedily back
to them.
1t was a month after the receipt
of Franks ietter, when, one even
ing as the family sat in the parlor,
rapid steps were heard on the por-
tico and across the hall, the door
opened suddenly and the son, bro
ther and father stood before them.
Allrushed simultaneously to greet
him, and he declared that all the
pleasure he derived from his travels
was not equal to that experienced
upon being so kindly welcomed
home.
1t was decided that the father
and daughter should remain at
Beech Lawn" Frank renewed
his partnership with Mr.. Lee, and
everything was adjusted to the sat
isfaction Of all
Her brothers presence seemed to
add much to MabePs happiness;
she would sit for hours listening,
entranced, while he told her Of his
wanderings in other lands. One
evening in the month of June, when
the birds sang sweetest and the
flowers bloomed brightest, the bro
ther and sister stood by the window
looking out upon the broad sheets
of light the moon cast over lawn
and hillside; they had been con
versing upon the usual subject,
when Mabel asked rather abruptly,
"Why did you leave those enchant-
ing scenes so much earlier than you
expectedr'
would you really like to know"
asked Frank, while he bent down
and looked searchingly into her
eyes. Come with me then out in
the moonlight, and I viii tell you
why the charm of the Old World
could not hold me there" As she
tremblingly took his arm and fol
lowed him from the house, he con
tinued, Mabel, for the past six
months one form and face has been
continually before me; turn where
I would it was ever present. and my
heart yearned so for a look into the
soft-blue eyes, and to catch the mu-
sic Of the low, sweet voice, that I
yielded to its dictates and came
back TO plead its cause. VIII you
listen o me tonight and decide
the eause for my waiting, anxious