Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-11-22

OF blood The little one gazed at me, grieved
and amazed. and put up her pretty lips as II
about 10 cry while the perplexed servant
stepped to the parlor and called my sister
out to see who It was that conducted him.
self so strangely. heard light step aud
u pleasant voice, saying;
did you wish TO see my father, sirY"
Looked up. There stood pretty, sweet
faced maiden of twenty, not much changed
from the dear little sister had loved so
well. looked at her for a moment, and
then, stilling the tempest of my heart by
mighty effort. | opened my arms and said
Lizzie, don't you know me %
Harry, oh, my dear brother Harry !" She
cried, and threw herself upon my breast and
wept as if her heart would break.
could not weep. drew her gently into
the light parlor aud stood with her before
them all.
There was 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 % the way-worn traveller And a.
I ! held my dear old mother 10 my heart, and
grasped my fathers hand, while Lizzie chung
beside me- ! felt that all was not yet lost
and although another had secu ed lile'-
choicest blessing, many JOY remained for
me IN the dear old sar ctuary of home.
There were four inmates of the room, who
had risen on my sudden entrance. One wa
the bue-eyed child whom | had ALREADY
seen, and who stood beside Frank Chester,
chnging to his hand. Near hy stood Lizzie
Moore, Marys eldest sister, and in a distant
corner. to which she had hurredly retreated
when my name was spoken, stood tail
slender figure, half hidden by the heavy
window curtains that fell 10 the floor
When the first rapturous greeting wa.
over, Lizzie led me forward with a timid
grace, and Frank Chester grasped my hand
Welcome home, my boy he said with
| the loud, cheerful tones remember so well.
You have changed so that never would
/ have known YOU but no matter about that,
/ your heart is in the right place, know
How can you say he is changed p said
my mother, gently. To be sure he look,
older and grayer, and more like a mau than
[ when he went away but his eyes and smile
are the same as ever. IL is heavy heart
that changes him He is my boy still"
Aye mother" ! answered sadly, q" ! 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 bosom as had
done in my infancy. But kept down the
tremor of my lips and answered quickly, and
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 hearty laugh. My
wife tells me grow handsome every day."
His wife Could | hear that name and
keep silent still ?
.f. Il 1
added, lifting the infant in his arms, and
/ kissing her crimson cheek 81 tell YOU.
Harry, there is no such other in this world
Don't you think she looks very much as her
mother used TO r.
Very much" | faltered.
" Halo cried Frank, with suddenness
which made me start violently, " have for
gotten 10 introduce you to my wife; be-
/ lieve 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, aud 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 ceremony. Come, here she is ]
I for one want to see how you will manage
those ferocious moustaches of yours in the
operation"
He pushed Lizzie, laughing and blushiue,
toward me A CLEAN Of light and hope, al
most 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 thi,
time silent ! kissed the fair cheek OF hi,
young wife, and hurried to the silent figure
looking out of the widow
Mary-Mary Moore ," | said in low,
eager tone, have you no welcome to give
the wanderer2"