During the first years of his
sojourn in California, he was unfortunate, and was several times brought
to the brink of the grave by sickness. After a time fortune smiled upon
his efforts, till he at length grew immensely rich, and finally left the
burning skies of California to return to England. He landed at New York
and intended, after visiting the Canadas, to sail for England. The
brother and sister had parted in their early youth, and it is no wonder
that they failed to recognize each other when each had passed middle
age. The brother was most changed of the two. His complexion had grown
very dark, and he had such a foreign look that, when convinced of the
fact, Mrs. Harris could hardly believe him to be one and the same with
the stripling brother from whom she parted in England so many years ago.
He was, of course, not aware of his sister's marriage, and he listened
with sorrow to the story of her bereavement and other misfortunes. "You
must now place a double value upon our family ring," said he, as he
replaced the lost treasure upon his sister's hand; "for it is this
diamond ring which has restored to each other the brother and sister who
otherwise might never have met again on earth.
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