The daily union., 1856-12-11
SARAH PERCiyAL,
Or
THE BRIDE OF THE HOUSE OF GOLD"
by mrs. ekRoLfRE INGRAHAM.

and furry of snow that had fallen since morning. gave
aspect of inexpresibe drearhess 10 the mountain
merry around the little village OF Montespan which boasted
only "great house." This the residence Of re-
tired city merchant whose lines had fallen in pleasant
places" and who had made his home perfect dream OF
beauty The inhabitants Of the village locked with the
greatest respect TO esquire Percva" and his family His
carriage bis horses his great dinner parties at which bis
elegantly dressed and manueied wife greeted her city
guests with the dignity Of queen his house aud
grounds--nay the diamond ring and pin he wore
objects Of wonier and curiosity TO the simple folk
who deemed themselves highly honored by his so}ourn
among them.
As for Kate Percvalthe only child and rightul heir
of all this spendor who had passed most Of her life in
New Yorkto dance we'll sing WELL dress we'll aid coauet
with grace 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 as daugh
ter to them Sarah Percva the daughter OF younger
brother of the family, who, wing poor and unfortunate
left his only child 10 the of bis brother Richard with
the prayer that che might miss the love and
tenderness she had always known That prayer heard
but answered for Richard Percival cold hard
ambitious man. could not expected to pet and onde the
lonely child and his stately wife looked upon her as an in
teroper who might day interfere with the plans and
projects of her darling Kate
OF the mother Of this child nothing known. Mr.
Richard percva only shook his head when any made
inquiries about her, and muttered something about poor
Frankp and unfortunate marriage" Rumor had pro-
nounced the lady beautiful and fascinating and Mrs. Per-
cva trembed in her soul when she looked at the heathn
animated face of the little Sarah and in her brown
hair and large dark eyes promise of that loveness that
had won the fathers heart.
The hgh-sprited Sarah chafed nwardly at many
look of dislike and many taunt from the wife of her ben
eactor but the world wide and cruel and while her
uncle tacity kind to her. she dreaded to begin the
battle from which she felt even then she could
quite unscathed But while she waited the nexorabe
hand fate stretched forth to lead her out into that
world from which she shrank and destiny accomplished
that which she herself might have had the courage
10 undertake
In the very prime of e-strong, healthfu and hearty
her uncle the head Of the family, suddenly cut down
OF the gallant host the ndugent husband the dashing
of business nothing remained but cold motonless
body, with Shrouded face, lying quietly in of the
great chambers of the great house The servants passed
that door with suspended breath and quekened tread
the widow in the solitude 6f her room, wondered if
her mourning would become her. and If the will of the
dead had left her mistress of the whole fortune the
daughter wandered dsconsoatey and down the hand
parors, wishing herself back in the gay boarding.
school she had left and in the whole house. of all who
had ourshed his bounty and shared the shelter of his
roof only real mourner remained and that the
daughter of his dead brother to whom in life he had
given a earess or word OF praise.
cold measured voice pronounced Sarahs name, and
looking up with sudden start she her standing
beside her. gazing down upon the corpse with collected
air.
"what are you doing here, Miss Percval 2" she asked
in freezing voice why are you not in your room
1t cold enough here to- she stopped short glanced at
al did not mind the cold-I only wanted to see him
once more said Sarah dashng away the tears and rising
to co.
%You will pardon me, Miss Percva if find no occa.
sion for this violent display OF grief on your part"
Madam
aOh don't look at me in that way" said the lads
drawing herself up in stately manner I hate hypoc-
risy, Miss Percival- hate all crockode tears Il she
did exactly add the words "And hate you" her looks
showed it. and Sarah felt il so.
MADAM" she said Indignantly ~ am at loss to know
what you mean. have nothing to gain or lose by my
tears for my uncle's death"
al am of that but did not know that you might
be-" the sarcastic reply "YOur unces fortune il,
of course all willed to his rightful 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 over him
before he was laid in his coffin
"You have wronged me" she said, with dignity ayet
feel angry here The presence Of the dead is surely
enough to soothe the living
Mrs Percival cast glance of fear toward the
scous body Of her husband and taking Sarah by the
led her to her dressng-room and shut the door
"Now; Sarah If you please, will sit down here and
talk Of your future said the selfish old iceberg in cold
and unfeelng voice
She seated herself on the sofa and motoned the girl to
her side. silence Of moments ensued. At last
Sarah looking up from the hoor found those dark eyes
bent upon her with deep scrutiny as If they would read
her very thoughts
"We" said the lady, leaning towards her with an in
dulgent smile
al cannot talk of anything am ignorant Of" was the
ambiguous reply. "Ay future is a mystery to me-"
"l you prefer staying here, of will try 10
commodate you. But must tell you that neither Miss
Pecya myself purpose remaining here long after the
funeral She will return TO her school and shall travel
you will have left but the for company
The profer Of a home was seemingly made in a kind
way but all the proud blood Of the Percyas rushed to
Sarahs cheek at the covert mpernence of the speaker
"I thank you, madam she answered stiy, "but will
not intrude upon your hospitality any longer will make
arrangements for future home and remove II at once
Mrs. Perciya elevated her eyebrows superciiously.
And pray what do you intend doing, II may be so
impertnent as TO ask Doubtless you that in
this plain everyday world Of either labor
be possessed Of sufficient property support hersef7
"0f course and being without the property, OF
course work. the spirited reply g" do IT, mad.
IL may strange and hard at first but shall learn
after time And He who tempers the wind to the shorn
lamb will aid me-
"Yery good very good
Mrs Porcival had the slightest objection to such an
arrangement provided she called upon unoosc
the strings Of her purse in the cause.
She sat few moments apparently in deep thought and
then turning to Sarah, remarked,
"You probably that city like New York is
dangerous place for girl young youand as she
going 10 add beautiful but checked herself and said
inexperienced" instead "Why do you 90 some
quiet country place and try and support yourself by teach
ing school something Of that kind This Is almost the
only respectable situation in which young girl
tablish herself nowadays, Miss PercvaLh
! never should make good teacber-I have not pa
tence, and don't like children either" said Sarah.
Not like children Dear me, how very shocking r and
the lady applied richly chased vinaigrete her nose
as If she would forget tae very idea.
"That is" stammered Sarah feeling If she had COM
mitted great crime should not like them around
and find some sewing to do in ;he city"
seamstress young lady who has the good fortune
TO be connected with my family
You mistake-it Is not yours-but my own" said Sa-
rah, with flashing eyes
The lady waved her hand mperiousy, and went on
II makes little difference young lady who has been
brought up in my house to sewing girl IL Ia dis
nd l.sa