Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1898-07-14

asked for admittance. a bitter thought
like this ran through my mind as l
heard the sound from the parlor, and
saw the half-suppressed smile on the
servant face.
l hesitated moment before making
myself known or asking for any Of my
family. And while l stood silent a
strange apparition grew up before me:
from behind the servant peered out
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 p
l asked, while the wondering servant
held the door.
Mary Moore
"And what else ?" asked quickly.
She lifted up her hands to shade her
face. l had seen that very attitude in
another in my boyhoOd many and
many a time-and answered in a sweet
bird-like voice.
Mary Moore Chester. "
Ny 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.
sank, body and soul, beneath this
blow, 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 parlor and called to my
sister to see who it was that acted so
strangely. I heard light step and
pleasant voice saying:
"Do you wish to see my father, sir ?'
l looked up. There stood pretty,
sweet-faced maiden of twenty, not
much changed from the little sister l
had loved 50 well. l looked at her
for a moment, and then stilling the
tempest of my heart, by a mighty eff
fort, l opened my arms and said ;
Lizzie, don't you know me p
Harry oh, my brother Harry !"
she cried, and threw herself upon my
breast, and wept as if her heart would
break.
could not weep. I drew her gen
tly 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 heartfelt tears.
Oh, strange and passing sweet is
such a greeting to the way-worn trav-
eler. And as l held my dear old
mother to my heart, and grasped my
fathers hand, while Lizzie clung be-
side me, l felt that | was not yet lost
and although another had secured
life's most choice blessing, many 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 who now
stood beside Frank Chester, clinging
to his hand. Nearby stood Lizzie
Moore, Marys eldest sister, and in a
distant corner, to which she had hur-
riedIy retreated when my name was
spoken, stood a tall and slender figure
half hidden by the heavy window cur
tains that fell to the floor.
When the first raptuous 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 remem-
bered so well. you have changed 50
that never would have known you |;
but no matter about that, your heart
is in the right place, I know"
How can you say that he is
changed ?" 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 smiles are
the same as ever. 1t is a heavy heart
which changes 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
blessed relief to have wept upon her