Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1856-12-10
SARAH PERcIvAL;
The Bride OF ale ..IIeuae or Geld, 2,

NJ vas claq ,ll lxes. =. :

CHARTER T.
1t was cold raw, November day. The air
was piercing, auda Hurry Of snow, that had fall
len since morning, gave an aspect of inexpressi-
BILE drearineSs to the mountain scenery around
the little village of Montespan, which boosted
only one great house" This was the residence
of retired city merchant whose lines had ..fal-
len In pleasant places, and who had made his
home perfect dream OF beauty The inhabit-
ants OF the village looked up with the greatest
respect TO Squire Perciyaln and his family
His carriage, his horses his great dinner par
ties. at which his elegantly dressed and manner
ed wife greeted her city guests with the dignity
OF a queen-his house and grounds-nay even
the diamond ring and pin he wore, were objects
of wonder and curiosity, TO. the simple folk who
deemed themselves highly honored by his So
jonrn among them.
ful teiress of all this splendor, who had passed
NEST of her life IN New York--to dance well.
sing well, dress well, and ccqnet with grace.
We're all the things that she cared for
While Kate had been absent from her parents
another had been growing up in the house
though not IS daughter to them. Sarah Per-
ciyal was the daughter of a younger brother of
the family, who, dying poor and unfortunate
left his only child to the care of his brother
Richard, with the earnest prayer that She might
never miss the love and tenderness she had al.
ways known. That prayer was heard, but new
SA auSWeFeu- EOI ferclTaI, cold
hard, ambitious man, could not be expected to
pet and fondlc the lonely child, and his stately
wife looked upon her as an intcrloper who might
one day interfere with the plans and projects of
her darling Kate
OF the mother ofthis child nothing was known
Mr.. Richard Percival only shook his head when
any one made inquiries about her and lnuttered
something about poor Frank and an s:nnfor-
tnnnte marriage Rumor had pronounced the
lady beautiful and fascinating, and Mrs Perci-
val trernbled in her SOUL when she looked at the
healthful, animated face of the little Sarah and
saw in her brown hair and large dark ewes. a
promise of that loveliness tbathad won the faith
er's heart,
The higll-spirited Sarah chafed inwariiy at
many look of dislike and many a taunt from
the wife of her benefctor, but the world was
wide and cruel, and while her uncle was tacitly
Kind to her, she dreaded to begin the battle
from which. she felt, even then, she could never
come out quite unscathed. Butwhile she waited.
the memorable hand ofFate was stretched forth
to lead her out into that world from which she
ishrank, and Destiny accomplished that which
she herself might never have had the courage
TO undertake.
| In the very prime of life-strong, healthful
and hearty, her uncle, the head of the family.
was suddenly cut down. OF the gallant host,
the indulgent husband, the dashing man of bus
mess, nothing remained but a cold, motionless
body, with q shrouded face lying quietly in one
OF the great chambers of the great house The
servants passed that door with suspended breath
and quickened tread 81 the widow in the soii-
tude of her own room wondered if her mourning
would become her, and ifthe will of the dead
man had left her mistress of the whole fortune
the daughter wandered disconsolately up and
down the handsome pariors, wishing herself
back IN the gay boarding school she had left;
and IN the whole house, ofall who had flourish
1 ed on his bounty and shared the shelter of his
4 roof. only real Tn0uFnar rarnoipad ~
was the daughter of his dead brother to whom
IN life he had never giycna caress or q word of
praise.
i A cold, measured voice pronounced Sarah's
name, and looking up with sudden start she
saw her aunt standing beside her gazing. down
upon the corpse with collected air
hat are you doing here, Miss Perciyal?"
she asked. in freezing voice. ''Why are YOU
not in your room? 1t is cold enough here to-
she stopped short, glanced at the corpse and
shivered slightly. eSf4s y nrss7
hd o net %9 ths s Saad ala ashns axay
the tears, and rising to go.
sYou will pardon me, Miss Perciyal, if I find
no occasion for this violent display of grief on
/ ''Madami" s
I "ohl don't look at me in that way said the
4 lady, drawing herself up in a stately manner
/ 81 hate hypocricy, Miss Percival-I hate all
crocodile tears" If she did not exactly add the
words, land hate you, her looks showed it,
I and Sarah left it so.
| Madam she said Indignantly, 81 am at
loss to know what you mean. have nothing
to gain or lose by my tears for my uncles death
i st am aware of that, but did not know that
you might be, was the sarcastic reply itYour
uncle.s fortune is. ofcourse, all .willed to his
/ rightful heirs"
Sarah looked from her arrogant face to that of
the corpse before she dared to venture reply.
| w hat would the dead man have said to a con
yersationl like this, held over him before he was
laid in his coffifs
You have wronged me- she said, with dig.
nity-'yet canpot feel angry here. The pres
snee of the dead is surely enough to soothe the
j Mrs, Perciyal cast glance. of fear toward tho
unconscious body of her husband, and taking
Sarah by the arm, led her to her dressing room.
and shut the door. s.
Now, Sarah, ifyou please, we win sit down
4 here and talk of Your future said the selfish old
I Iceberg, in cold and unfeeling voice
She Seated herself on the sofa and motioned
the girl to her side. Asilence of some moments
tensued. AT last Sarah looking up from the
I floor, found those dark eyes bent upon her with
1 deep scrutiny, as ifthey would read her very
( thoughts
with an indulgent smile
4 cannot Talk of anything am ignorant Of. ~
1 terry to me- - =
"If you prefer staying here, of course we will
Try to accommodate you. But i must tell you
that neither Miss Percival nor myself purpose
remaining here long after the funeral. She viii
return TO her school and shall trayel-so YOU
VIII have no one left but the servants for corpa-
/ ny" 81 -.
4 The protfer of a home was seemingly made in
kind way, but all the proud blood of the Per-
ciyais rushed to Sarah's cheek. at the covert i'm