The Van Buren press., 1874-04-28
sank, body and soul, beneath this
nlnw. and. hiding my face in my hands !


leaned against the door, while my heart
wept tears OF blood, The little one gazed
at me, grieved and amazed, and put up
her pretty lips as if about to cry, while
the perplexed servant stepped to the par
lor and called my sister out to see who il
was that conducted himself so strangely
l heard light step, and pleasant voice
saying: q,
Ibid you wish to see my father, sir z
looked up There stood pretty
sweet faced maiden of twenty. not much
changed flom the dear little sister had
loved so we'll | looked after her for
moment, and then stiling the tempest OF
my heart. by 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,
and wept as If her heart would break.
| l could not weep l drew her gently
into the light parlor, and stood with her
before 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, strange and passing sweet is such
greeting to the way-worn traveller. And
as 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 lifes most choicest
blessing, many a Joy remained for me in
the dear sanctuary of home.
There were four inmates Of the room,
who had risen on my sudden entrance.
One was the blue eyed child whom l had
already seen, and who now stood beside
Frank Chester, clinging to his hand
Near by stood Lizzie Moore, Mary's e)d-
est sister, and in distant corner, to
which she had hurriedly retreated when
my name was spoken stood 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 ,imid
grrce, and Frank Chester grasped my
hand
Welcome he me. my boy" he said,
with the loud cheerful tones | remem
bered so we'll You have changed 80
that never would have known you; but
but no matter about that, your heart is
in the right place, | know. .
"How can you say that he is changed 7
said my mother. gently. ITO be sure
he looks older and graver, and more like
a man than when he went away, but his
eyes and smile are the same as ever. 1t
is heavy heart that changes him. He
is my boy still. "
"Aye, mother, " answered sadly, Il
am your boy still "
Heaven help me at that moment felt
like boy, and it would have been a
blessed relief to have wept upon her bos
ON as had done in my infancy. But |
kept down the tremor of my lips, and
answered quickly, as | looked into his
full, handsome face.
"You have chnged, too, Frank, but l
think for the better.
"Oh, yes--lhank you for the compli
ment, " he answered with hearty laugh
MY wife tells me grow handsomer
every day"
His wife Could hear that name
and keep silent still
"And have you seen my little girl p
he added, lifting the infant in his arms
and kissing her crimsoned cheek. 81
tell you, Harry, there is no such other in
the world. Don't you think she looks
very much like her mother used to p
Every much, ialtcred
Hallo!" cried Frank, with sudden
ness which made me start violently, ~
have forgotten to introduce you to my
wife; believe you and she used to be
playmates in your younger days-yes,
Harry" and he slapped me on the back
-" for the sake Of old times, and because
you were not at the wedding, will give
you leave to kiss her once, but mind, Old
fellow, you are never to repeat the cere
mony. Come, here she is; for one
want to see how you will manage those
ferocious mustaches Of yours in the ope
ration
He pushed Lizzie, laughing and blush
ing, toward me. A CLEAN Of light and
hope almost too dazzling to bear, came
over me, and cried out before l thought,
mot Mary"
must have betrayed my secret to
every one in the room. But nothing was
said even Frank, in general SO obtuse.
was this time silent kissed the fair
check of the young wife. and hurried to
the silent figure looking out of the win
dow.
"Mary--Mary Moore" said in n
low eager tone, " have you no welcome
to give the wandercrl"
She turned, and laid her hand in mine
and said hurredIy--
II am glad to see you here, Harry. "
Simple words and yet how blessed
they made me. would not have yielded
her up at the moment for an emperor 5
crowR, For there was the happy hymn
group and dear home fireside, with sweet
Mary Moore The eyes had dreamed
of day and night were falling beneath the
ardent gaze of mine, and the sweet face
l had so long prayed to see was there
beside me. | never knew the meaning of
Happiness until that moment.
Many years have passed since the hap
py night, and the hair that was dark and
glossy is fast turning gray, am now
grown to be an old man, and can look
back to 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 so bright, shines