Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1856-12-10
RICHMOND WH1G.
ARAH PERavAL
THE BRIDE OF THE -Housr OF GOLD.
~ MA cAaolss rsoaAHAx.
cHAPrER 4

his elegantly dressed and hammered wife greeted her city
guests with tho digoiy Of queen-his house and
groands-nay, the diamond ring and pin he wore,
objects Of wonder and curiosity TO the simple folk
who deemed themselves highly honored with his soourn
As Tor Kate Perciva-,he only child and rghtfu hcircss
Of I'll this spicndor Who had passed most Of her lie in
Eev York-to dance we'll sing we'll dress we'll and CO.
quct wh grace al the things that she cared for.
while Kate had been ,b.eot from hcs parents another
had been growing the housc-though not as daugh
thca Sarah Percivsl the daughter OF young
brother Of the family Who dying aud unfortunate
ie his only child TO he care Of his brother Richard
with heanest prayer that she might miss the love
and tenderness she had aluays known That prayer was
heard but never answered For Richard Percva cold
hard ambitious could not be expected 10 pet an5
fonde the lonely child and his stately wife looked upon
her nteopcr uho might day Interfere with the
plans and projects OF her darling Kate
OF the mother OF the child nothing vas known. Mr..
Richard Perciva only shook his head when made
inq ures about her. aud mutcng something about poor
Frank aud "unor,unste Marriage" Ramos had pro-
nounced the lady beautiful and fascinating and Mrs. Per
civa cmbed in her SOUL when she looked at the health
fal animated face oil the little Sarah and in her
brown hair and largo dark eyes, promise Of that lowell
ness that had won the fathers heart
The hgh-spiied Sarah chaied inwsrdly at many look
of dislike and many taunt from the wife OF her beneac
Tor, bu; the world wide aud cruel and while her
Gle tacy kind her, she dreaded begin the bat
tie. from which she felt them she could never come
out quite unscahed But while she waited the inexora
bio hand Of Fate stretched forth to lead her out into
that world rvm which she shrank, and Destiny
pshed that which she herself might have bad the
courage TO undertake.
In the very prime OF c-srong healthful and hearty,
her uncle the head Of the family suddenly down.
or the gallant host the indugent husband the dashing
Of business, nothing remained but cold, motion
less body with shrouded face, lying quietly in oil
tho great chambers Of the great house The servants
passed that door with suspended breath and quickened
tread-the widow in the solitude OF her room
dered IL her mourning would become her, and the will
Of tue dead had Left her mistress OF the whole for
tunethe daughter wandered disconsoaiey and down
the handsome parors wishing herself back in the gay
boarding school she had left and 10 the whole house. Of
all who had aourshed his bounty and shared the shell
Of his roof only real mourner remained and that
the daughter Of his dead brother to whom in life be
had never given n caress or word of praise.
A cold measured voice pronounced Ssrah's name and
looking up with sudden start she her standing
beside her gazing down upon the corpse with collected
air.
"what arc you doing here Miss Percivas" she asked
In freezing voice. why are you not in your room,
1t is cold enough hero to" she stopped short glanced
the corpse and shivered slightly.
al did mind the cold only wanted to him
more, said Sarah, dahins away the tears and rising
ogo.
sion for this violent display Of grief your part"
"Madamln
ooh don't look in that way" said the lady, draw
Ing herself up in stately manner. 81 hate hypocrisy,
Miss Perciva-I hate all crocodile tears" IL she did
exactly add the words, 'and hate you her looks show
ed il, aud Sarah felt it so.
MADAM" she said Indignantly, al a loss know
what you mean have nothing TO gain or lose by my
for my uncle's DEATH
81 am OF that but did not know that you might
Is,
of course all vled to his rightiu heirs"
Sarah looked from her arrogant face that Of the
before she dared to venture reply. What would the
dead have said to conversation like this held
him before he was laid in his cofiin'
You have wronged me-" she said with dignity-"yet /
cannot feel angry here The presence OF the dead
ly enough to soothe the living"
Mrs Perciva cast glance Of fear toward the
scious body OF her husband and taking Sarah by the arm
led her TO her dressing roon and shut the door.
Nov, Sarah If you please, we will sit down here and
talk OF your future, said the selfish old iceberg in cold
and unieeling voice.
She seated herself the sofa and motioned the girl
her side. A silence OF some ensucd At last
Sarah looking up from the hoo found those dark
bent upon her with deep scrutiny, they would read
her very thoughts
"wc" said the LADY, leauiug towards her, with an iu
dugent smile.
81 cannot talk Of anything am ignorAnt of was the
ambiguous reply. my future il mystery to me-"
'If you prefer staying here OF course will try TO
accommodate you But must tell you that neither Miss
Percva myself purpose remaining here long after the
funeral Sho will return TO her school and shall travel
you will have left but the servants for
pany."
way, but all the proud blood OF the Percivas rushed
SArahs cheek, at the covert impertnence Of the speak
81 thank you Madam" she answered, sthiy, 'bu,I will
not intrude upon your hospitality any longer. / will
make arrangements for future home and remove to
once"
Mra Percival elevated her eyebrows superciousy.
"And pray what do you intend doing II may be i'm
pertinent 10 ask Doubtless you thatn this
plain everyday world Of ours either labor or
be possessed Of sufficient property to support herse?"
"of course-aDd ], being without the property, must
Of course work, the spirited reply. II do it,
Malsmit may strange aud hard at first, but shall
learn alter time And lie who tempers the wind the
shOrn lamb will aid me-"
Every good very good"
Mrs PercivaI had the slightest objection such
arrangement provided che called upon unloose
the strings OF her purse in the
She sat few moments apparently in deep thought and
then turning 10 Sarah remarked,
hlv ~ c;fr FL ~.
IL dangerous place for girl young you-and as"
she going beautiful" but checked herself and
said inexperienced instead 'why do you go in.
10 some quiet countypace aud try and support yourself
by teaching school or something Of the kind This al
most the only respectable situation In which young girl
eau establish herself nowadays Miss Percival."
81 never should make good teacher-I have not pa
thence and don't like children, either" said Sarah.
"Notlke ehldreni Dear me, how very shocking !" and
the lady applied richly chased vinaigrette to her nose
rs if she would forget the very idea.
THAT is"-stammered Sarah, feeling IL she had com
mited some great crime-"I should like them aroun,
constantly. And have made up my mind to tr,
and find some sewing TO do in the city"
"A seams,ress! young lady who has the good FORTUNE
20 be connected with my family"
"You mistake-it ia not yours-bul nv own said Sa
rah, with flashing eyes.
The lady waved her hand imperiously and went on
III makes little difference. young lady who ha
been brought up In my house sewing grill IL
Disgrace and shamel If you persist in this deter
mnaton, Miss Percival, you must not expect L
coubtenance you in any way. As n teacher I mich
have received you Into my house-indeed / think 20
might have assisted Kate in her music or something
that kind for you really play very WELL you know-bu
sewing gir-faughi"
"You need not say any more said Sarah rising fror
her seat With angry air. You may rest assured tina
wherever am, shall intrude upon you. TIL
name OF Pereival cannot shake OIL do wish Il
because Il my dear fathers Bot IL can never brin
us nearer 70 each other Madam. You need not proclaim
the relationship that exists between vs. aud you ma
rest assured shall not. But--mark my words Mr.
Percvaf there IL any virtue in honest effort and ur
firing zeal you vii day be sorry for what YOU bav
row sad-you will one day be sorry that you we're nc
kinder TO the homeless orphan-you will one day
proud 70 own me-and in that day Mrs Pcrcival, wi
not aoknosledge you"
She tur.ed 70 leave the ROOM but the lady called h,
back. Perhaps, as sho looked upon the proud lace
the girl add met her knding glance some prophet
fancy diuly Swallowed forth what she one day 70
AZ least her voice was kinder when she spoke again
you TOO quick tempered Sarah. I was only sho,
ing Won ihcan thinrs In a rnrldlv Nrht If n,.nr..