"'Oh, he's left the country--is in England, I believe. He joined those dastard "Mormons" and kept it dark. But we found him out. However, he escaped, and last I heard of him, he was in England, making the devil of a time there, preaching his doctrines.' "'So the prejudice is just the same,' I thought sadly, as I footed it to my home. "My heart grew heavy as I thought of the last time I had struggled along that road in the dark stormy night; then I pushed the thought from me and dwelt on the future. Now that I had returned, prosperous and happy, I could persuade them. "I was changed from youth to manhood,--they would see what the Gospel had done for me. "At last the home was reached. I entered the gate. As I walked through the garden, which was lightly frosted with snow, I looked from right to left, upon the unchanged scenes. Years seemed like days, and it seemed as though I were a boy again, returning from school for the happy Yule-tide greetings. My heart with a bound forgave the last ten years, and I longed to grasp my father's hand and tell him so. And my dear mother? She must be aged now, but still the same sweet, tender heart! "With trembling hands I knocked on the door, that had been closed to me, all these years. "My eldest sister opened it. Two little girls clung to her skirts. She looked many years older, and lines of care furrowed her face. "She didn't know me. "'Well, sir?' she asked quietly. "'Is Mr. or Mrs. Madson at home?' I asked controlling myself with effort. "'Both dead, sir,' she answered shortly. "'Dead!' I exclaimed aghast. "'Yes, sir?' she answered sadly. 'The plague, two years ago, took my father and my two sisters. Sad times here then.' "'And the mother?' I asked trembling. "'O, she, poor thing, died nine years ago. She doted on her only son, who joined the wicked "Mormons," and it broke her heart. She just wilted like a flower and died.' "I grasped the railing of the porch for support. "'You're pale, sir!' she exclaimed in sudden pity. 'Did you know them? Who are you?' "'Don't you know me?' I cried in agony of spirit. I'm your brother--Mon!' "For a moment she looked at me in dismayed astonishment, then her face contracted in anger. She lifted her arm, and pointed to the gate. "'How dare you enter here! You killed your mother, broke your father's heart! Have you come back to torment me?' "'I have come to help you,' I answered brokenly. 'To help all--but only you are left. Oh, listen to what I have to tell you--in our mother's name, listen!' I pleaded. "'Never!' she answered hoarsely. 'I hate the very sight of you. Go, I say, or I'll have you sent!' "I turned and fairly staggered down the old familiar path to the gate. "There I turned, but she stood angry and unrelenting. "So this was my home-coming! I hardly know how I made my way back to mission headquarters. When I reached there, for a time, I was completely overcome by this heart-rending experience.