Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1877-10-18

there he soon began to regain his
health and spirits. In two weeks he
was as strong as ever, and at the end
ola month the marks Of dissipation
mad all left his face. Then he returned
to Sown and entered the store. Amos
Williams gave him lucrative station,
and babe him remember nothing of
the past save the one great lesson he
had learned.
Charles he said, you know the
widow SWAMP
Yes, SIR
well. have engaged board for you
there. l nope the arrangement will
suit you"
Yes. sir returned the youth with
emotion.
From thst time Charles Aubrey
went ON nobly and truly in the path
he had marked out.
Little did Charles Aubrey know how
closely he had been watched. Mr..
Williams knew bis every movement,
even to his prayers which he poured
forth in the privacy of his own apart
meut. Thus passed away three months,
and at the end Of that time Mr.. Will
liams called the young man into the
counting-rOom one evening, after the
rest of the people had gone.
'Well, Charles the merchant COM
menced, how would you like to change
hour boardin2-place"
There was something in the look and
tone of the man as he spoke these
words, that made the youth start. The
blood rushed to his face and anon he
turned pale.
sIfyou would like the merchant
resumed, In the. same low, strange
tone, you may come and board with
ne. 1 will not deceive you, Charles.
Until / could know that you would
entirely reform, l dared not carry you
to my house. But / am satisfied. l
have not doubted you, but ]. woald
prove you. And now, IT. you please,
you may inform Mrs. Swan that you
shall board with her no more. She
will not be disappointed, for have
spoken with her on the subject
With these words Mr.. William left
the store, and as soon as Charles could
recover from the strange emotions that
had almost stoverpOwered him, ne called
for the porter to come and lock up, and
then having locked up the great safe
he took his departure.
I On the next morning he came to the
store, and when his employer came, he
informed him that he had given his
notice to Mrs. Swan.
Very well,' returned the merchant.
This evening, then, you will 60 home
with pe.'
Evening came, and Charles Aubrey
accompanied his old friend home. Tea
was ready, the rest of the family hav-
log eaten an hour before. After tea
Charles was conducted to the sitting
room, where lamps were burning, and
Mr.. Williams told him be could amuse
himself by reading. 49,
Charles sat down there, and his en-
ployer went out, but he could not read.
Thus he sat, when the door was slowly
opened, and female appeared in the
apartment. With a quick step he
sprang forward, and without a word
he caught the fair girl to bis bosom.
Mary he uttered, as he gazed into
the sparkling eyes of the fair being
who still clung fondly to him, You
still love me-you forgive me ali-and
trust me once mOre?
Yes she murmured; and ere she
could speak further her father entered
the room.
'A-ha, so you've found him, have
you, Nary? he cried in a happy, joy
Gus tone.
'Mr. Williams uttered Charles, still
holding Mary by the hand and speak
ing with difficulty; L hope I'm not de
ceived. o, you have not brought me
here to kill me. You cannot have
passed this cup to my lips only to dash
it away againv -
OF course not, returned the mer-
chant. But you must know the " hOie
truth, and for fear child may not
tell yea all, I'll tell you nyself. This
noble girl has never ceased to love you,
and when you were the lowest down,
sho loved you the most. She came to
me and asked me If she might save
you if she could. ] could not tell her
nay, and she went at the work. She
has suffered much, and, Charles, it re-
mains with you to decide whether her
future shall be one of happiness or not.
She knew that you were down, that
your money was all gone, and that
your false friends had forsaken you.
Then her love for you grew bold and
strong. She wondered if you would
repuIse her. She knew not what
might be your feelings, and to save
herself the pain of direct repulse from
you, she assumed disguise, so that
she might approach you without being
known, and yet gain some idea of your
feelings and save you If she could. /
think she has done well. At auyrate
she has regained you to herself, and it
must now be your own fault if the
silken Tie is lOosed again.
With these words the father left the
apartment.
You, Mary?' You in disguise?' he
queried, as soon as he could speak.
Ay, dear Charles; and you know |
why did il. Here-dO you not re-
member it?' And as she spoke she
drew from her bosom a small silken
purse and took therefrom a siXpence.
The youth recognized it in an instant.
obi he cried, as he strained the
noble girl to his bosom. what can
say? Mary-Mary--my own hearts
truest love--let my life in the years to
come tell my gratitude. o, my all of
life is yours, and my last breath shall
bear your name in gratitude to God!
And Charles Aubrey never forgot his
promise. With this noble companion
he travelled up the hill, and in his path
The flowers of life grew thick and frag
rant.
Upon the wall of bis sitting.room
hangs picture. 1t is splendid paint
ng ofthe Prodigal Sons Return. Upon
he face Of heavy gilt frame visitors
notice small blemish, which upon
closer examination, proves to be a
,msll silver coin. Our readers need
lot be told why that bit of metal is