The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1873-12-25

raising her with gentle hand, he commence
pacing rapidly up and down the elegantly
furnished apartment Miriam remained stand
ing where her father had left her, and dreamil!
said;
"Years ago the angels struck their COLDER
Tyres, and Heavens melodous strains dropped
their celestial harmony down where wile
Judea stretched afar her silver-mantlet
p'"Glorry; to God,o the sounding skies rang
loud with their anthems, "Pesce on earth
good will to men," The young girl became
eloquent in her warm and earnest appeal, the
dreamy voice rang out clear and muslcal hel
eyes sparkled with holy radiance, and hel
cheeks glowed with the crimson flame, the
warm rich blood had kindled there.
With sudden burst of warmth and eager
ness she exclaimed, "Oh, Father! extend youl
good will toward our absent one.' Let peace
once more fold her snowy wings over our house
hold. Close not your heart against our Rlchare
but search to the uttermost ends OF the earth
if need be. TO find him and bring him back tc
our long desolate home"
Mr.. Kent still continued his walk up and
down the further end of the apartment-seem
ingly unconscious of the words that had just
been uttered. But any one who could have
looked upon his face would have observed that
it had considerably softened in expression, ano
that the hitherto proud eyes were dim with
tears. He needed not the cessation OF his
daughters voice, or her departure from the
room. A servant had entered with message
and Miriam had gone to fulfill it. She went
to the door as directed, and there stood young
man, pale, wan and haggard, his clothes cov-
cred with silvery snowtlakes. But notwlth'
standing the change that time and long illness
had produced, the loving, sisterly eyes of Mlrl-
am saw through the disguise, and knew that
the long lost brother had returned. She threw
her arms around his neck and wept tears Of
Joy.
parently absorbed in his sad and bitter
thoughts.
"Fatherw He raised his head at the sound
of his daughters voice but as his eye fell
upon the stranger by her side, he started with
an expression of mingled inquiry and sur
prise.
Father, am I forgiven" calmly asked a
low. Guiet voice. The familiar music touched
chord in the old mans heart, and flash,
like sudden sunshine, illumined the cold,
naughty face.
"Richard, my boy, welcome homer he ut
tered in voice trembling with emotion, the
while he advanced toward the young man,
leaning heavily on Miriams arm.
The long-lost son that was found was clasped
in his fathers arms, while prayer, rich with
gratitude and thanksgiving, was waited up
ward from each of the three hearts thus united
once more.
Richard raised his head from his fathers
shoulder and letting his eyes wander inquir-
ingly around the room, said: "Where is
mother ?"
The father and daughter exchanged glances
but Richard interpreted the look Immediately,
and calmly said: "She is dead 1t is well
Il will soon meet her, for am dylng!'
''No, no r' the old man exclaimed, "no, my
boy, not so bad as that! We will soon make
you we'll again with our tender care and nurs-
ing" and he drew an easy chair up before the
glowing CRATE, in which he placed his son,
either side, where they could look upon the
beloved features SO long lost to them.
"Father," Richard began, in low, tremb-
ling voice, after long interval of silence, Il
have been i'll for nine long, weary months, and
T would never have come home if | had not
felt that was dying. l so yearned for a
glimpse of the dear home faces ere closed my
eyes forever upon the light of this world.
Thank God am at home; now [ can die in
peace, with nothing more to wish for"
His head sank wearily back, while an ex-
preston of calm peacefulness and content stole
over the pallid features. The large, bright
eyes rested lovingly upon each of the dear ones
seated near him, and then were uplifted as if
in prayer. The silence was unbroken save by
the low sobs of the gentle girl, whose hand
was tenderly clasped in that Of her brother.
The pale lips parted once again, murmuring
the one word Mother" and then the glory of
the uplfted eyes went out forever. A holy
smile wreathed the silent lips, and radiance
settled slowly down upon the calm young
face-a heavenly light, it may be, streaming
down through the open gates of the celestial
city.
The long, weary illness, and the excitement
occasioned by his return home, were too much
for the feeble frame and long suffering heart.
The wanderer was at rest
Just as the pure spirit of Richard Kent de-
parted, the glad, sweet chimes of the Christmas
bells broke suddenly upon the still, frosty air,
falling with mournful sound upon the hearts
of the bereaved ones. But as they gazed upon
the calm, restful features of their beloved
dead, they could now murmur that he was
indeed "at home"-in heavenly home
and was even then blending the music of his
voice with that of the angels in the glorious
anthem
''Glory to God in the highest
Peace on earth--Good will towards men,"