Year: 1862

feeling the slightest interest in me, save q
regret that l should make such an unmiti-
gated donkey of myself, I know she would
not.


India was my salvation not merely be-
cause Of the plentiful share of gold I had
laid up, but because my earnest labor had
eounteracted the evil of my nature and
made me better man. Andwhe at the
end of three years | prepared to return, |
wrote nothing to the dear ones I was about
to meet of the reformations which | knew
had taken place. They loved me as
was. I murmured to myself. ''and they
shall find for themselves if am better
worth the loving as am. -


Ipacked up many token from that land
of gold for the friends I was abou. to
meet. The gift for Mary Moore was one
l had selected with a beating heart-a
ring of rough. virgin gold, with my name
and hers engraved inside. That was all,
and yet the little toy thrilled ne
strangely as I balanced it upon the tip of
my finger. To the eyes of others it was
but a small, plain circlet, suggesting
thoughts, perhaps, By its daintiness, of the
the dainty white hand that was to wear it.
But to me-oh, me-how much was en-
bodied there A loving smile on beau
tiful face-low words Of welcome-a hap
Ply home and a sweet face smiling there
a group of merry children to climb ny
knee-all these delights were hidden with
in that ring Of gold.


A tall, bearded, sun-bronzed man, I
knocked at the door of my fathers house
The lights in the parlor windows and the
hum Of conversation and cheerful laughter
showed me that company were assembled
there, I hoped that my sisterLizze wo'd
come to the door, and that l might greet
my family when no strangers eyes were
looking curiously on. But no, servant
girl answered my summons they were too
merry in the parlor 10 heed that long ab-
sent one when he asked for admittance.-
Some such bitter thoughts were passing
through my mind as / heard the sounds
from the parlor and saw the half suppress
ed smile on the servant face.





I hesitated moment before Imaie MY
self known or asked after the family And
while | stood silent a strange apparitiun
grew up before me- From behind the ser
want pecred out a small, golden head--a
tiny, delicate form followed, and sweet,
childish face aud blue eyes were lifted up
to mine, SO like--so Ike the one that bad
frightened my boyhood, that l started
back with sudden feeling of pain.


What may your name be, little ono?''
I asked, while the wondering servant held
the door.


She lifted up her hand as if to shade
her eyes--I had seen that very attitude in
another, in my boyhood, many time
and answered in sweet, bird ike voice


Mary Moore"


g And what else?' asked.


Mary Moore Chester" lisped the lit
tie child.


My heart sunk 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 tried in
vain to usur p my place beside the girl,
had succeeded at last and won the woman
away from me ! This was bis child-his
child and Mary's. And | must 20 in
there and meet her once again and then
90 away for ever and die--if God would
let me.


sank body and soul beneath this blow,
and hiding my face in my hands | leaned
against the door. The little one gazed at
me, grieved and amazed, and pouted her
pretty lips as if about to cry, while the
perPlezed servant stepped to the parlor
and called my sister out to fud out who
it could be that conducted himself SO
strangely.


heard light step, and pleasant voice
saying:


did you wish to see my father, sir -


l looked up. There stood a pretty,
sweet-faced maiden of twenty, not much
changed from the dear little sister | had
loved SO we'll Hooked at her moment,
and then sitting the tumult of my heart
by mighty effort, opened my arms and
said;


"Jeannie. don't you know me-"


Z" Harry Oh, my brother Harry =
she cried, and threw herself upon my
breast. She wept as if her heart would
break. l drew her gently into the lighted
parlor, and stood with her before them all
There was a cry Of JOY, and then ny moth
er and my father sprang towards me and
welcomed me with heartfelt tears. Oh,
strange and passing sweet is such a greet
ing to the wayworn traveller. As held