Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1856-12-11
DAILY yIRGlNIAN.
SARAH PERCIvAL;
OR, t
CHAPTER I.
ny MRS. cAnoLiss IsenAnAx.


msrnng, gave an aspect Of inexpressble dreariness
to the mountain scenery around the little village of
Mon,cspan, which boasted only one great house
This the residence OF retired city merchant,
whose lines had " fallen in pleasant places" and who
had made his home perfect dream of beauty. The
inhabitants Of the village looked up with the great
esl respect TO esquire Perovai' and his family
His earrnRe, his horses, his great dinner parties, At
which his elegantly dressed hammered wife greeted
her city guests with the dignity of queen--his
house and gronnds-pny, even the diamond ring and
pin he worc were objects OF wonder and curiosity,
10 the simple folk who deemed themselves highly
honored by his sojourn among them. -
As for Kate rcrcival--he only child aud rightful
hciress ofnl this spondor, who had pusscd most Of
her litc in New Yorko dance well, sing well, dress
well, and eoquet with grace, were all the things
that she cared for.
While Kate had been absent from her parents, an
other had been growing up In the house--though not
ns daughter to them. Sarah Perciyal WAS the
daughter OF younger brother of the family, whody-
ing poor and uniortunatc left his only child the
care OF his brother Richard with the earnest prayer
that she might never miss the love and tenderness
she had always known. That prayer was heard, but
never answered. For Richard Pnrcival, cold, hard
ambitious man. could not be expected TO pet and fon-
die the lonely child and his stately wife looked upon
her interloper who might one day interfere with
the plans and projects of her darling Kate
OF the mother of this child nothing known.
Mr.. Richard Percival only shook his head when any
made inquiries about her. and muttercd some-
thing about poor Frank and IN unfortunate mar
rage" Rumor had pronounced the lady beautiful
and fascinating, and Mrs. Percival trembled in her
soul, when she looked at the heathfu animated face
of the little Sarah, and saw In her brown hair and
large dark eyes, promise of that loyeness that had
won the fathers heart
The gh-sprited Sarah chafed inwardly at many
n look OF dislike and many taunt from the vile Of
her beneiactor, but the world wide and cruel
and while her uncle tacitly kind to her, she
dreaded to begin the battle, from which, she felt
even then she could never come out quite unscathed
But while she waited, the inexorable hand of Fate
wna stretched forth to lead her out into that world
from which she shrank, and Destiny accomplished
that which she herself might never have had the
courage to undertake.
In the very prime Of life-strong hcathful and
hearty, her uncle the head of the family was sud
denly cut down. OF tho gallant host, the ndulgent
husband, the dnsbng man of business, nothing ro-
maned but a cold, moonless body, with shrouded
face lying quietly in one Of the great chambers Of the
great house. The servants passed that door with
suspended breath and n quickened tread-the widow
in the solitude Of her room wondered IL her
mourning would bccoLic her and f the will of tho
dead had left her mistress Of the whole fortune
the daughter wandered disconsolately up and down
the handsome parors, wishing herself back In tho
gay boarding school she had left; and in the whole
house, ofall who had nourshed on his bounty and
shared the shelter Of his roof only real mourner
remained, and that was the daughter of his dead
brother TO whom in life he had never given a carcss
or n word of praise.
A cold measured voice pronounced Sarah's name,
and looking up with sudden start, she her aunt
standing beside her gazing down upon the corpse
with n collected mir.
"What are you doing here Miss Percivar she
asked, In freezing voice. why are you not in
your room2 1t is cold enough here to-" she stop
ped short glanced ut shc corpse and shvered slight
II did not mind the cold--I only wanted to see him
more,' said Sarah dashing away ths tears, and
rising TO go.
"You will pardon mc, Miss Perciva i'll find no oc-
for ioIo ~ af -
MADAM =
"ohl don't look at me in that way" said the lady,
drawing herself mp in stately manner ~ hate hy-
pocrisy. Miss Percival-I hate all crocodile tears"
If she did not exactly add the words, "and hate
you,' her looks showed it, and Sarah felt II 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 unce's death.p
~ am aware Of that, but did not know that you
might bo," was the sarcastic reply "Your uncle's
fortune is, Of course all wed to his rghtful heirs"
Sarah looked from her arrogant face to That Of the
corpse before she dared to venture reply. What
would the dead man have said TO conversation like
this, held him before he laid In his coffin
"Yon have wronged me-" she said, with dignity
"ye,l cannot feel angry here. The presence Of the
dead is surely enough to soothe the living"
Mrs. Percival cast glance offear towprd the un-
conscious body Other husband and taking Sarah by
the arm, led her to her dressing room and shut the
door. 49,
"Now, Sarah, if you please, will sit down here
in cold and unfeelrg voice.
She seated herself on the sofa and motoned the
girl to her side. silence of some moments ensued.
At last Sarah looking up from the hoor found those
dark eyes bent upon her with deep scrutiny, II
they would read her very thoughts
'Well,' said the lady leaning towards her with an
indulgent smile.
al cannot talk OF anything am ignorant Of"
the ambiguous reply. "My future mystery to me-"
"lf you prefer staying here, of course we will try to
accommodate you. But must tell you that neither
Miss Percval my self purpose remaining here long
after the funeral She will return to her school and
shall trayel--so you will have one left but the
servants for companyP
The proiier of home seemingly made in kind
way but NIL the proud blood of the Percvals rushed
Sarahs cheek, at the covert impertinence Of the
speaker.
81 thank you Madam" she answered, stfly, "but
will not intrude upon your hospitality any longer
will make arrangements for a future home and re-
to 1t at once" a
Mrs Percival elevated her eyebrows superciliously.
"And pray what do you intend doing, if may be
SO impertinont MS to ask? Doubtless you are aware
that in this plain every day world Of ours must
either labor be possessed of sufficient property to
support herself"
.of course--and |, being without the property,
must of course work. was the spirited reply ~ can
do t,Madam-it may seem strange and hard at first,
but shall learn after time And He who tempers
the wind to the shorn lamb win aid me-
.yery goodl very good"
Mrs Percva had not the slightest objection to such
arrangement provided she was not called upon 70
unloose the strings of her purse in the cause
She sat a few moments apparently in deep thought
and then turning to Sarah, remarked,
You are probably aware that city life like New
York is a dangerous place for a girl as young =
you-and as" she was going to add beautiful"
hut checked herself and said /" inexperienced" IN.