Year: 1871

HT WAS oME no s. q


lovely Spring-like days which
! az SO often glide into the cold win
90 ter months to cheer US with
their bright sunshine and balmy at
mosphere. It was near the close
Of the day and as the sinking sun
sent its parting rays in a thousand
different directions, one found its
way into the Office Of Henry Lee,
the most talented and popular law
yer IN the town of -. As the
bright little visitor flashed in at
the window and across the table
over which he was leaning, he look
ed up from the piles Of books and
papers, which showed so plainly
how the day had been spent, and
exclaimed:


"Ah, this has been a busy day,
but can rest now"


His brow cleared, and a pleasant
smile fitted over his open, genial
countenance as he thought Of his
home and the loved ones waiting
to welcome him there. Mr.. Lee
was not what the world would term
a handsome man, yet his was a face
that one could not look upon with
out turning to look again. He was
Of medium height with well pro-
poFtioned form, which forty years
had only seemed to render more ro-
bust. His features, though irregu-
lar, were lit up by a pair of eyes of
peculiar bluish-gray, mild and soft,
yet, at the same time, seeming to
penetrate to your innermost soul.
His jetty hair was pushed back from
a forehead which bespoke frank
ness and honesty; and as he laid
aside his books, took his hat and
stepped out in the open air, with
his form erect and face beaming
with bright smile, his appearance
was altogether prepossessing.


He passed rapidly on, and quit
ting the busy portion of the town.
soon came in sight of his home
Upon slight eminence, gradually
sloping into the smooth lawn be-
meath, stood a large and handsome
residence, while here and there a
wide-spreading beech still exulted
in its. native grandeur; yet there
was not the least appearance of stiff
ness in the scene. The circling av-
enue, the sparkling fountains, and,
in spring and summer, the trailing
vines and innumerable flower plats
that studded lawn and hillside with
all the varied hues of the richest
gems, only filed the mind of the
beholder with happy visions ofeass
ard elegance.


On the evening that our story
begins, three figures were seen on

the broad stone steps leading to
the portico in front of the house.
The oldest, a lady who had appa-
rently reached five and thirty years,
was a perfect type of wife and
mother; pure, good and noble, the
fair, sweet face, soft brown eyes and

hair, with the graceful figure, were
unmistakable evidences of beauty
and loneliness in younger days
Near her sat fair young girl, of
eighteen, her soft blue eyes gazing
upon he surrounding scene, with
a far of, wistful look. Her sunny
hair rippled away from the pure
brow, and falling in a glittering
mass upon the tapering shoulders,
caught the glow Of the skies and,
as it were, casts a halo over the pa
tient sad face. The third person
was a little girl Of five summers,
whose dark, rich complexion, deep,
black eyes and hair, rendered her
very unlike her companions. Soon
fourth party was seen ascending
the hill and as he came up and join
ed the group, the picture was com
plete Need tell you reader, that
this was the home and family of
Henry Lee?


Mr.. Lee was soon seated with the
little girl upon his knee; drawing
letter from his pocket and holding
it up before her he asked, would
my pet like to hear from her papay'


"Oh, yes, grandpa; is that a let
ter from himg' cried she. LET me
give it to aunty. Iknow it is for
her."


A faint tinge suffused the pale
face Of Mable Lee as she broke the
seal and perused the contents Of
the letter.


1T is only a hasty note" said
she, announcing his speedy return
home"


Little Anna elapped her hands
with delight, while Mr. and AIRS.
Lee expressed the gratihcation they
felt upon hearing the news. Soon
the tea bell summoned them to the
dining room, and while they partaze

of the tempting repast spread be
fore them and discuss the absent
ones return, we win take = peep IN
to the history OF the wanderer.


Frank Grey was the adopted son