The Andrew County Republican. [volume] (Savannah, Mo.) 1871-1876, 1874-02-13

| ocli, aiiiu eASy Siiaii uil out lOT tleIu-
selves whether am better worth loving
than formerly.
1 picked up many token from that,
and of romance and gold for the friends
hoped to meet. The gift for Mary
Moore l selected with a beating heart !;
it was ring of rough virgin gold, with
my name and hers engraved inside
that was all, and yet the sight of the
little toy strangely thrilled me as I
balanced it on the tip of my finger.
To the eyes of others it was but q
small plain circle, suggesting thoughts,
perhaps, by its elegance, of the beauti-
ful white hand that was to wear it. But
not to mellow much was embodied
there-all these delights were hidden
within that little ring of gold.
Tall, bearded, and -bronzed, I
knocked at my fathers house. The
lights in the parlor window, and the
hum of conversation and cheerful laugh
ter, showed ME that company was as
sembled there. l hoped that sister
Lizzie would come to the door, and l
might greet my family when no strange
eye was looking carlessly on.
But no, servant an swered my 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 mo mind as l
heard the sound from the parlor, and saw
the half-suppressed smile on the SER
wants face.
/ hesitated moment before making
myself known or asking for any of my
family. And while / stood silent a
strange apparition grew up before me !;
from behind the servant peered out a
golden head, tiny, delicate form and
sweet childish face with blue eyes, so
like those of one who had frightened
my boyhood, that I started with sud
den feeling of pain.
"What is your name, my pretty?" l
asked, while the wondering servant held
| the door.
MARY Moore
"And what else ?" Iasked quickly.
She lifted up her hands to shade her
face. had seen that very attitude in
another, in my boyhood, many and
many time-and answered in sweet
bird-like voice:
"Mary Moore Chester"
NV heart sank down like lead. Here
was an end to all the bright 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, and had won her away from
me. This was the child-his child and
Mary's.
1 sank, body and soul, beneath this
blow, and, hiding my face in my hands
1 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 step
ped to the pallor and called my sister
out to see who it was that conducted
himself SO strangely. l heard light
step, and pleasant voice, saying:
Ibid You wish to see my father sir ?"
l looked up. There stood pretty,
sweet faced maiden of twenty, not much
changed from the dear little sister l had
loved 80 we'll. I looked after her for
moment, and then stilling the tempest
of my heart, by n mighty effort, I
opened my arms and said:
"Lizzie don't you know me 2"
Harry oh, my brother Harry !"
she cried, and threw herself upon my
brest, and wept as if her heart would
break.
i could not weep. drew her gently
into the lighted parlor, and stood with
her before them all.
There was rush, and a cry of JOY,
and then my father and mother sprang
toward me, and welcomed me home with
heart felt tears.
Oh, strange and passing sweet is such
a greeting to the way-worn traveller.
And as I held my dear old mother to my
heart, and grasped my fathers hand,
while Lizzie clung beside me, 1 felt that
all was not yet lost; and although an
other had secured life's most choicest
blessing, many Joy remained for me in
the dear sanctuary of home.
There we're four inmates of the room,
who had risen on my sudden entrance.
One was the blue eyed child whom 1
had already seen, and who now stood
beside Frank Chester, clinging to his
hand. Near by stood Lizzie Moore,
Mary's eldest sister, and in distant
corner, 10 which she had hurriedly re-
treated when my name was spoken,
stood tall and slender figure, half hid
den by the heavy windows curtains that
fell to the floor.
When the first rapturous greeting
was over, Lizzie led me forward with
a timid grace, and Frank Chester grasped
my hand.
Welcome horne, my boy - he said,
with the loud, cheerful tones I remem-
beEed so we'll. You have changed so