Year: 1867

: because Of my success, but because my
laborious industry had counteracted
the evil to my nature, and had made
me better man. When at the end of
three years l prepared to return, l
said nothing Of the reformation in my
self which | knew had taken place.


They loved me as l was, murmur-
ed to myself, and they shall find out
for themselves whether | am better
worth loving than formerly.


| packed up many token from that
land of romance and gold, for the
friends l hoped to meet; the gift for
Mary Moore | selected with a beating
heart; it was ring of rough, virgin
gold, with my name and hers engraved
inside-that was all; and yet the sight
of tho little toy strangely thrilled me
as | balanced it upon the tip Of my
finger.


To the eyes of others it was but
small plain circlet suggesting thoughts
perhaps, by its elegance, of the beau
tifuI white hand that was to wear it.
But TO mellow much was embodied
there! A loving smile on beautiful
face-low words of welcome "a future
homo and a sweet smiling facial
these delights were hidden within that
little ring of gold.





Tall, bearded and sun bronzed, |
knocked at the door of my fathers
house. The lights in the parlor win
dow, and the hum Of conversation and
cheerful laughter showed me that com
pany was assembled there. hoped
sister Lizzie would come to the door.
and that [ might greet my family
when no strange eye was looking care
Iessly on.


But no, a servant answered my sum.
mons. They were too merry in the
parIor to heed the long absent one who
asked for admittance. A bitter thought
like this ran through my mind as |
heard the sounds from the parIor and
saw the half suppressed smile on the
servants face.


hesitated a moment before making
myself known or asking for any Of
the family. And while [ stood silent
strange apparition grew up before
me; from behind the servant peered
ont small golden head, a tiny, deli
cate form followed, and a sweet, child
ish face, with blue eyes, was lifted to
mine-so like to those of one who
had frightened my boyhood, that |
started back with sudden feeling of
pain.


! what is your namo my pretty" /
asked while the wondering servant held
the door


Mary Moore


'And what else" asked quickly.


She lifted up her hand to shade her
eyes-I had seen that very attitude in
another, in my boyhood, many and
many a time-and answered in asweet,
. Olfu-llhe voice -


Mary Moore Chester lisped the
child.


My heart sank down like lead Here
was an end to the bright dreams and
hopes of my youth and manhood
Frank Chester, my boyish rival, who
had often tried, and 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 door, and
called my sister out to see who it was
that conducted himself SO strangely. l
heard light step, and a pleasant voice
say


Did you wish to see my father,
sir p


/ l looked up. There stood a pretty
sweet faced maiden Of twenty, not
much changed from the dear little
q sister | had loved so well. looked
at her for moment, and then stilling
the tumult of my heart by mighty
effort, and opened my arms and ex
claimed


Lizzie don't you know me?'
Harry! Oh my brother Harry y
she cried, and threw herself upon my
breast She wept as if her heart would
break.


, / could not weep. Idrew her gently
into the lighted parlor, and 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 a greeting to the
p ,rovworn travaler And "a hold NV