The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1856-12-16
SARAH PERCIVAL.-
- OR,
THE BRIDE OF TIVE HOUSE OF GOLD,
CAk IN4RAHAM
CHAPTER |.
MRS. CAhvLi.e INaRAHAM.

THE BRIDE OF TIVE "H0USE OF GOLD :,
DY MRS. CAkoi.ise INGRAHAM.
CHAPTER l.
nwas . cold, raw, Novemberday. The air was
MERGING and furry Of snow, that had fallen since
IN ,rniug I'VE al aspect of mex pressbe drearue,
to tue mountain scenery around the little village OF
No,isspsu which boas.ed only one great house 4
This was the residence Of \ retired merchant
vba,e lines had ''fsen In pleasant places" and
who had made his home perfect dream of beauty
The inhabitants of the village looked up with the
greatest respect to Squire Pereival" and his fam
iiy. His carriages. his horses, his great diBner
psr.ies, at which his elegantly dressed and man
nered wife greeted her city guests with the dignity
of a uueeu-his house and his grounds-nay, even
the diamond ring and pin be wore-were objects
of wonder and curiosity TO the simple folk, who
deemed themselves highly honored by his sojourn
among them.
A. for Kate Pereival-the only child and right
mos. OF her life 10 New York-to dance well sing
well dress WELL and coquet with grace, were ali
the things that she cared for
While Kate had been absent from her parents.
another had been growing up in the house, thou b
not as daughter to them. Sarah Perclvai was
the daughter Of q younger brother of the FANNY,
who dying poor and unfortunate, left his univ
child to the care Of his brother Richard, with the
earnest prayer thas she might never miss the low
and tenderness she had always known. That
PRAYER was hes I'd, but never answ ered. For Rich
ard PereivaI, = cold hard, ambitious man, could
no, be expected to pet and foudle the lonely child
aud his stately wife looked upon her as an inter
loper, who might one day interfere with the plans
and pre iects of her darling Kate.
OF the mother of this child nothing was known.
Mr. Richard Percivsl only shook his head when an
ooe made enqai / S about Der, and mu.tered 81 me
thing about poor Frank aud an unfortunate
marriage Ramon had pronounced the lady beau
titnl and fascinating ard Mrs Percival tremble6
hos 4yho cd Mt ha hosi
mated face of the little Sarah, aud saw ir her
brown hair and large dark eyes, promise Of that
Ijvaliness that had won the fathers heart
The high spirited Sarah chafsd inward at manv
look of dislike and many taunt from the wife
Of her ben sfaetor, but the world was wide and
cruel and while her uncle was tacitly kind 10 her.
she dreaded to begin the battle, from which she
felt, even then, she could never come out quite I'm.
scAthed But while she waited the memorable
haod Of Fate was stretshed forth to lead her ont
accomplished that which she herself might never
have had the courage - undertake.
In tho very prime of life-strong, healthful aud
h,arty har unc o. the head of tbs family was and
dsnly cut down OF the gallant host, the indulsent
bu. band, the cashing loan of business. nothing re-.
NAMED but . coid motionless body, with shrouded
face iyiag quietly of the great CT ambers of
the grea: house. The servants passed that door with
snsp nd ID breath and 8 ouckened tread-ths wild W
IN the Solitude Of her own roon wondered if her
mourning would bssoue her, and il the will of the
dead man had left her mistress OF the whole fortune
the daughter wandered dscoosolately up and d WIN
10 handsome pariors wishing herself back in the
gay bosr"ing school she had left; and in the who.
house, of eli who hsd fourished On his bounty and
shared the shelter OF his roof only real meurner
remaioad aud that tbs daughter of lis dead bro
Their 10 whom in life be had mover given cares. or
Q word of praise.
A cold, m. aeured voice pronounced Sayah's name
ano looking Nth sudden start shs saw her aunt
stsndns bss de her gazing Gov upon The corpse with
Q collected air.
What are ysu doing here, Miss Percva, q, ar,
asked, in freezing vo ce. why you not In
your room! 1t ix cold enough her to- she s,oun-c
Snort glanced al the corpse and shivered sligh,Iy
Il did not mind tbs cod-I only wanted t. see him
ones more" said Sesah, assaing away tho teas and
You viii pardon me, Mis- Percval, if find No
oaessioa for this violent display of grief en- your
part"
Madam"
"Oh! doutlook at me in that way" said the la4v.
drawing hen.lf up in q steIy manner Il hst, by.
poorly. Miss PercvaI-I hate ali crocodile tearsn
you" her looks showed it, and Sarah felt it 60
"Msiam," abs said, Indignantly, Il am at loss to
know what you meaa. have no hing to gain or lose
BY my tears for my unco's death"
q! am aware OF that, but did not know that Won
might be-" as the sarcastic reply Your uncle's
fortune IT, CT urse ali will to bis rghtfui h-irs"
ssrsh looked from her arrogant face to that of tire
eerp,e before she dared to venture a reply. What
would the dead an have said conversation like
this held over him befor he was laid bis coffin!
igu have wronsed ma she said, with dignity
-
dsaa 10 surely enough 10 soothe the living"
Mrs retc'vai east glaucs of fear toward the un-
eonseous BODY Of her husband. and taking Sarah by
door. N11 'nu' ''e
Now, Sarah If you piess.. we will sit down here
In cold aud unfee ing voice
ne seated herself on tbs sofa and motioned the
firi TO her side .ience of some nome rs ensusd
AZ last Sarsh iroklns up from he floor found RI e
ark eyes bent upon her with a dsep scrnt;nu a. ;f
they would read her very thoughts
veil" said ths lady, leaning :owardsh her with an
=, Il cannot tax Of anything am ignorant efn v,,
lna ambiguous reply my future - a mystery to
II yoa prefer staying here, Of course W. will .,u
to sseommodste you But must tell YOU that nsil5,
o. Miss Fere'vs nor myssIf purpose rsmtinin, h..
.ons tsr the fuperal she will return to her school
tne ssrva T. for company" ' '1'
no prcner OF home WAS seemingly majs In =.
.ee wy put all The proud blood Of the Percivals
Of d. eheek, at the covert impsrtiIepcs
Il thask you, Madam" she answered. a;Hx ,,,l
VIII no, in.fude upon your hospitality any jon,ar
move To !, :, TOR future homo and 70.
Mrs. Pefcvai elevated her eyebrows gu ou,.
And pray wha. do yeu intend do;ns ,,,
-! IS to AK Doubtless 70. are 49,
in IN tns plain, everyday word Of onr. nns go.
saona,, OF 90 Possessed of efficient property 70
rrn.. -. soerse-and being without tn. n,on.xr
=: It. \ Msssm v1ran wa. the spirited reply can
~. snsii learn after time. And I. .~ho ,.
{ .vsaoo 20 ths shorn lamb will cid me
very good very .o,d"
u.h :, ..desai had not the slisht.st ob,.c,,o,
anon ~ n1sement, provided she was not cai,.S
ceoss. '"o sHlhes OF her purse In the
and then moment: apparently In deem thou,bt
4. Ion are probably swsre tbss leo,
shs vss Place for si a, youn. .. yon 1o
herself snS ~. .oaa 20 add 'bsaufn. but cbects
sappsr I. soso qui.t ooun.ry pse. and
Of that ii.ii ,H by teaching school or somstb,rs
nc. 80. NJ. yoans RI can establish h., a's
Palace a.. sson'd m IKE good te ,sbar-I h.
.a1k. eoat Hke children sftha, - n"s
Ia. n !. NE children? D,.,
f,ssss g ~ lady sppn 4 reIly e sss.g shock
"se shs would forget The , very |
'"''sd Sarah, feeling .. II n. s.,