Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-03-23
icopclsded ftom frst psCe. /

kOVHSA0NSN
| sank, body and soul, beneath this
blow, and, hiding my face in my hands !
leaned against the door while my heart
went 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 parlor,
and called my sister to see who it was that
acted SO strangely. l heard light step
and q pleasant voice, saying:
do you wish to see my father, sir ?''
looked up. There stood pretty
sweet faced maiden Of twenty, not much
changed from the dear little sister had
loved so we'll. looked at her for mo-
ment and then, sitting the tempest of my
heart, by mighty effort l opened my
arms and said:
Lizzie don't you know me p"
Harry oh, my brother Harry cried
she, and threw herself upon my breast,
and wept as ii her heart would break
could not weep. 1 drew her gently
into the lighted parlor, and stood with her
before them all.
my father and mother sprang toward me,
and welcomed me home with heartfelt
tears.
greeting to the way worn traveller. And
as held my dear old mother to my heart,
and grasped my fathers hand while Lizzie
chung beside me, felt that | was not yet
lost, and although another had secured
life's most choice blessing, many a JOY re-
NAMED 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 who now
stood beside Frank Chester, clinging to
his hand. Near by stood Lizzie Moore,
Mary's eldest sister, and in distant COR
ner, to which she had hurriedly retreated,
when my name was spoken, stood "A 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 timid
grace, and Frank Chester grasped my
hand.
Welcome home, my boy ~ he said
with the loud cheerful tones remembered
so well. "You have changed SO that
would never have known you; but no mat
ter about that, your heart is in the right
place, l know"
How can you say that he is changed"
said my mother, gently. ITO be sure he
looks older and graver than when he went
away, but his eyes and smile are the same
Us ever. 1t is a heavy heart which chang
es him. He is my boy STILL
AYE, mother" answered sadly, 81
am your boy STILL"
Heaven help me at that moment felt
like boy, and it would have been bless
ed relief to have wept upon her bosom as
/ had done in my infancy. But l kept
down the tremor Of my lips, and answered
quietly, as looked into his full, handsome
face.
"You have changed. too. Frank, but I
think for the better"
"Oh, yes-thank you for the compliment"
he answered with a hearty laugh. My
wife tells me / grow handsomer every
day."
His wife Could hear that name and
keep silent still
land you have seen my little girl ?" he
added, lifting the infant in his arms, and
kissing her crimson cheek, II tell you,
Harry, there is no such other in the world.
Don't you think she looks very much as
her mother used too ?"
Very much" faltered.
"Halloo !" cried Frank. with sudden
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-"tor 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
not to repeat the ceremony. Come, here
she Is /; l do for one want to know how you
will manage those ferocious moustaches of
yours In the operation"
He pushed Lizzie, laughing and blush
ing toward me. CLEAN of light and
hope almost too dazzling to bear, came
over me. and cried out before / thought,
Not 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 cheek ofthe
young wife, and hurried to the silent fig
ure looking out of the window.
"Mary-Mary Moore ?" said in a low,
eager tone. ''haye YOU no welcome to give
the wanderer P
She turned and laid her hand in mine
and said hurriedly
II am glad to see you here, Harry"
Simple words, and yet how blessed they
made me. l would not have yielded her
that moment for an Emperor's crown
For there was the happy home group and
dear home friends with sweet Mary Moore
The eyes had dreamed of day and night
were falling beneath the ardent gaze Of
mine, and the sweet face | had so long
10 see was there beside me- never knew
the morning Of happiness until that mo.
ment.
Many years have passed since that hap
by 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 a happy, and hope well spent
life. And yet as sweet as it has been,
would not recall u single day, for the love
that made my manhood SO bright, shines
also upon my white hairs.
An old man Can this be so At heart
am as young as over. Aid Mary with
her bright hair parted smoothly from
brow that has slight furrow upon it, is