Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-11-28
THE WELCOME HOME.
By Isabel Aldridge,

OSHSHtSu. " n.y. AAAJ $780, SAiAao' SouAsA
dance for Joy. Just think. he's been away
for nine months, almost year, and now
he is coming home for two weeks vaca-
ton What good times we're going to have.
And 1 shall invite you Ito every one Of
Them" Alice answered, laughing.
Il would give anything to have my
brother come home" Elizabeth went on,
wistfully. HE has been gone for two
years. and we have never had-a letter from
him at ALL
"Deafie. tell me- how did he come to go
away?' Alice questioned, sympathetically-
''He. like good many boys of his age,
thought he was abused, and was dissatis-
fed with his lot. He refused to work on
the farm, and loafed instead. and so got in
with set of boys that did him more harm
than good. The rest is simple enough One
night he didn't come home; we have never
heard from him since" Elizabeth bent
close over her work to hide the quivering
of her lips. IF he only would come home"
she continued earnestly; but I'm afraid
he never will just two years ago today
he left this house for the last time, and
ever since father and I have watched and
waited. and 1 have always kept his room IN
order. SO that if perhaps he should come
everything would be ready
Alice was silent. How could she comfort
Beth? Betsy. dear, he will come home
some day and say he is sorry for his past
Hlc fefndpS ne IS only Willing because he
is afraid he will not be welcomed"
Then If that IS the c. Sc Beth inter-
rupted hastily. The need not wait longer,
for father and 1 will give him most
hearty welcome. But there is use hop
ing; I have hoped in vain ever since he
went away" There was despairing note
in Beth's voice.
Alice silently folded her work, and with
a few more hopeful words took her de-
parture. She knew that it was almost
useless to look for the missing brothers
return, but still she did want to comfort
Beth so much.
L think will stop at the post office and
see If there is a letter from VIII. He'll
probably say just when he will come
home Oh, won't I be glad to him.
though The walk to the post Office and
from there home was short, and in few
minutes Alice had entered the sitting room
at home.
are you really here?" Mrs. Weston in
quired. Il didn't know but what you had
decided to stay all night at Beth's. l want
ed you to go over to the post office for
Wilie's letter"
Il have it right here, mother dear Alice
said. seating herself opposite her mother.
land I'll open it directly and see what he
says"
Dear mother, father and the bunch"
she read are you thoroughly prepared
for my coming? If not, better begin at
once to prepare, for I'll reach home, if all
goes WELL on Friday at 10 am You can
imagine how anxious / am to see you all
Just tnlnk. nome loE tWO WechS by tlic
by, l am going to have company all the
way on the trairl-a young man I met in
the city. Won't that be nice! He spien-
did fellow, too. His family ought to be
proud of him when they see him. IL tell
you how it came about. Two weeks ago,
while riding in a car. L noticed young
man sitting in Il corner with hve or SIX
noisy fellows beside him: he evidently
was with them. for they included him IN
their rough talk; but for the most part
he sat quiet, and 1 observed a disguised
look pass over his face once or twice as ne
glanced at his companions. l tried hard
to keep from staring at him, pat TO save
me couldn't help it.
He was tall. we'll built man, and-.well,
l don't think I'm bad looking myself, out
I never hope to be as handsome as ne
Just listen to the cynceit of that BOY.
mother" Alice said laughing. siouiu
say Mrs. Weston answered stniilis, uue
read on, my dear Alice picked up the
letter and continued. He had deep-sel
ewes, and I noticed in them restless, care.
worn expression and something ak TO
homesickness. He had my sympathy at
once. But all of sudden, Whi1e was
studying him (Which was very improper,
know his face seemed fam liar. Whe
had I seen him before? L could not think
1 puzzled and puzzled but of course could
not remember anything.
after I left the car. but three days after
ward I saw him coming down ire street
with a decidedly detected appearance, ana
L MADE up my HHu W eSh nm II =" tt-Ati1N'
So when he came up aecosted him / beg
your pardon, but your face is tribe
familiar Will you please tell me your
name? Most certainly he replied. Per-
haps you have heard it before, Mr.. Bell
Thank you,' I answered. 4 have heard
the name before, but where is a uestion,'
and after a short conversation we parted.
l thought and thought until my brain
buZZed. and for some reason or other L
persisted in connecting his name with
home. Then, two days ago, l saw HIM
again. and 1T came over me that Mr.. Bell
was the very image of the Elizabeth Bell
that Alice is so fond of. Naturally / stop
ped him to question him, and sure enough
he is that brother of Beth's that ran away
from home. He must have taken me for a
friend, for he poured into my sympathetic
his history; how he had run away and
lived a pretty tough life here for two
years: how he'd become d 'sgusted with the
fellows and the Life he was living, and in
consequence had reDented of his wrong
dongs and felt the first pangs of homesick-
ness; how he had decided to go home: how
he'd put off and put off going home be-
cause he was afraid his father would not
welcome him, and he added that he knew
he couldn't stand it. if his father should
shut the door on him. and how he'd finally
made up his mind to go, welcome
welcome. | was heartily sorry for the fell
low and I invited him to go home with me.
You may be sure he accepted the invitation.
for l expect he was sadly in need of a
friend.
big brother is coming home too Break
the news gently to her Alice, for the effect
of shock might be serious. Well I really
think I'll end this lengthy epistle and pre-
pare for bed
Goodby until Friday Your loving son
and brother. WILLIAM
why, mother. how queer that Beth and
| We're talking about her brother this very
afternoon. Alice exclaimed in surprise.
"Oh, and aren't you glad for Beth? And
to think that Willie should find him.
For mercy's sake. daughter" Mrs.
Weston said laughingly don't tumble
everything together SO. I am surprised
and pleased to think that Mr. Bell will
come home Friday"
Mother, can't l run over and tell her
right away, please?' Alice asked coaxing-
ly
Well i suppose you might but don't
stay long,, was the reply.
Alice quickly adjusted her hat on her
brown hair and was soon on her way to
Beths. 1t did not take her long to reach
the house. and running lightly around to
the back. where she knew she would find
Beth, knocked on the door and peeped in.
Sure enough, Beth was sitting by the
table pairing potatoes, so without further
ceremony Alice pushed open the door and
entered the room.
'Oh, Betsy, dear: Betsy. dear, good
news she cried joyously seating herself