American Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1855-1860, 1855-10-18
cItAPTER II.

CHAPTER II.
Stuart Elmore had been away nearly
two years, when Mr.. Carter was laid be-
side his wife in the ehdrch-yard. How
desolate poor Allie felt then
I A few days after her fathers death, she
/ went to her room to peruse letter she had
Just received from Stuart II was written
in alively, cheerful straini and almost be-
fore she knew it, the glooth and despair
which had enveloped her were fast vanish.
ing, and she was taking a calmer view Of
her situation than before since her fathers
death. when the maid informed her that
Mr.. Newton was down stairs and wished
10 see her.
Mr.. Newton had been Mr.. Carter's law
yer.
After few commonplace remarks, he
said che had called on rather unpleasant
business, but he was in some haste, and
must without delay inform Miss Allinda
that instead of her fortune of one hundred
thousand dollars, which she had expected,
her fathers estate was insolvent, and she
penniless.
Mr. Newton furthermore said, in as dry
and unconcerned manner as possible,
that 'he would call with the papers at any
time Miss Allinda would mention, and they
could examine them together
Allies face was very pale, and she
grasped the arm Of the sofa for support
and when at last Mr.. Newton was silent,
she said in q hoarse voice--I will see you
tomorrow at ten
every well bid you good morning."
and Mr.. Newton bowed himself out of the
house. VII f
Allie walked slowly up to her room, sat
down by her table, and leaning her ach-
ing head upon her hand, tried to collect
her scattered thoughts and remember all
that Mr.. Newton had said.
At last she started up and walked the
floor rapidly, saying to herself, Can it be
true that lam penniless orphan? that
must now support myself? How can l
do it? All that's the question Let me
see how much have left of my last quar-
ter's allowance'--and opening her writing
desk, she took out roll Of bank notes.
"Well, | have seventy dollars to begin
WITH" said she. e %g r.,
"And now, how can support myself {?
Can't | give music lessons? Yes; I'll do
that But where shall l go? l cannot
stay here. o. if only had some friend 10
advise me ! But no,--my fathers only
brother parted from him in anger five years
ago, and will neUer go 10 him III beg
| Ercf ~ tlN.nl, flof ka xrN,,ll
come 10 fathers funeral Oh, how could
he be so wicked And Mr.. Elmore has
been dead year, and cannot wait to
hear from Stuart before doing something.
No, / must d. the best l can without
friends to advise me. But | hope it is not
SO bad as Mr.. Newton says et
That hope was quite destroyed upon ex-
aiming her fathers papers the next day.
She soon resolved to sell off everything,
and pay the creditors as much as possible,
and then 60 to New York. e..
To resolve with Allie was to do; and put
ting on her bonnet and shawl she went out
to call on the principal creditor, who was,
fortunately. an honest, kind-hearted man.
With him Allie left the whole business,
and she could not have done better. The
sale was managed so that the debts were
all paid, and enough remained to swell AL
lies little sum to one hundred dollars.
The night before the sale, Allie wrote
long letter TO Stuart, telling him all that
had befallen her, and her plans for the flu
ture. r- t,E H.
Then her trunks were packet, and after
! paying and dismissing the servants, Allie
wandered over the house taking last look
of everything. Her parents portraits she
/ had taken from their frames and placed in
her trunks, with choice selection from
her large pile Of music, few books, pair
Of small porcelain vases, which were the
first gift Of her father. E
Her hand had graspcd many an article,
but she had resisted the impulse, and with
the above exceptions, nothing had been
removed. .a ..i- @.s .ff
Oh! twas sad indeed to go through that
elegant home, and take last look Of all
which had made that home SO pleasant, y
She fingered long at the piano. Gould she
part with that? 1t was bard, but stern
necessity looked her in the face and said
she must. Allie sat down and ran her
fingers over the keys. They gave out a
wailing, melancholy sound. And then, in
the deep. silence of the night, Allie played
Benthaven's Grand Sonata for the last
time, she said to herself. as she finished
the piece. She bowed her head upon her
hand, and wept long and violently.
The little alabaster clock upon the man
tel rang out the hour of two. Allie start
ed up. In three hours the hack would
come to take her to the railroad station.
She closed the piano and arranged the
rich spread SO that it would show its own
richness, and the elegantcarving of the pi.
ano. ..a4suss. .t XXI 81
Every article in the room was arranged
to the best advantage. 1t was half past
three when her task was ended.
Allie surveyed the room with sort Of
agonized satisfaction. What should she
do next? She went to the ewindow. The
night was calm and clear; the moon rode
high in the heavens, and the holy stars
looked down brightly upon the orphan
Allie was seized with a sudden impulse to