The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1871-08-01
THREE YEARS ABSENT. 4

TOW u NY lie cAlHe uPOh my Itttib. n \
wassentfoschool, and was Soblfged 4o
part with Mary. We were not to see
each other for three long years. This,
to me, was like q sentence of death, for
Mary was like life itself to me. But
hearts ard tough things after Sp.
I1eft college, IN Jll the flush of my
nineteenth year. | was no longer awk-
ward or embarrassed I had grown into
a tab. slender STRIPPING, with very good
opinion of myself both in general and par
ticular. IF 1 thought of Mary Moore it
was to imagine how. I could dazzle and
bewilder her with my good looks and
wonderful mental attainments, and never
thinking she might dazzle and bewilder
me still more. l was coxcomb, | know,
but as youth and good looks have fed, [
trust that may be, believed when I say
that self conceit, has left me also. ...... 49,,
An advantageous proposal was made
me at that time, and accepting It, I gave
up all idea Of a profession, and prepared
to go to India. In my hurried visit home
of two days, I saw nothing of Mary Moore.
She had gone to a boarding school at
some distance, and was not expected home
until the following May | uttered a
sigh to the memory Of my little blue eyed
piaysniate, and then called myself ga
mai" sagain1 brG aad Zee tuo Iigu.. ,a'r
In a year, thought as the vehicle
whhled away from onr door---inita year,
orthree years at the very .most--I will
return, and fMary is as pretty as she
used tobe, why them, perhaps, il may
marry her, bo-GH siidE 1air -.ds, oaou
And thus | settled the future Of ia
young lady whom | had not seen for four
years, L never thought Of the possibility
Of her refusing me-neyer dreamed that
she would not condescend to accept my
offer. .,..,,... .......''.,,.,
But now know that had Mary met
me then she would have despised me
Perhaps in the scented and affected stu
dent she might have found plenty of
sport but as for loving me, l should
have found myself mistaken. India was
my salvation, not merely because Of my
success, but because my laborious indus
try had conteracted the evil in my tiature
and had made me better man When
at the end Of three years, I prepared to
return, I said nothing of the reformation
of myself, which | knew had taken place.
They loved me asI was, / murmured to
myself, and they shall find out for them,
selves whether L am better worth lowing
than formerly. buG ,wni 9dt 10 s7sailo odf
picked up many token from that
land ofromance and goldI for the friends
Ehoped cto meet. The gift for Mary
Moore I selected with a beating,heart, ip
was airing of rough virgin gold, with my
name and hers engraved insidevthat
was all, and yet the sight of theIlittle toy f.,
strangely thrilled me as / balanced it.
upon the tip Of my finger, Lid. brs na,,y,l
To the eyes of others, it, was but a.
small, plain circlet, suggesting thoughts
perhaps, by its elegance, of the Beautiful
white hand that was to wear it. q But NOT
to mellow much was embodied there
all these delights were hidden within
that ring of gold b'1D99o
Tall, bearded and sun bronzed, knock
ed at the door. oflmyfather's house. The
lights in the parlor window, and the hum
Of conversation and cheerful laughter,
showed me that company was assembled
there. III hoped that sister Lizzie would
come to the door, and L might greet emy
family when no strange eye was careless
ly looking ona09os OH (omit oLi la yl.f9ra
But no, servant answered the sum-
mons They were too merry in the par
lor to heed the long absent one who asked
for admittance, A bitter thought like
this ran through my mind as | heard the
sound from the parlor, and | saw the
half suppressed smile on the. servants
face isrd Lm 1hguoui ion HI"lHI
hesitated a moment before making
myself known or asking for any of the
family. And while stood silent a
strange apparation grew up before me
from behind the servant, peered out a
golden head, tiny delicate form and a
sweet childish face, with blue eyes, SO
like to those of ono who had frightened
my boyhood, that ii startled. me with
sudden feeling of pain. l T. .'rta al
" What is your name, my pretty" /
asked, while the wondering servant held
the door. }pl!ti .,lia sioi'l' q
Mary Moore.p pi.49 la7 a,l,.1n9
And what else% l asked quickly. d
She lifted up her hands to shade her
face. / had seen that very attitude in
another, in my boyhood, many and many
a time--and answered in sweet, bird
IKE volceinn sLil noma sl. 3l teG "A
Mary Moore Chester" lispqd the
child. .,.t .,t,