The States and Union. [volume] (Ashland, Ohio) 1868-1872, 1869-09-15
81 supposed so. dear. until three

years ago, replied the mother sadly
"Your father was merchant and ship
owner, a partner of Colonel Nichols
But two years ago Colonel Nichols in
formed me that the outstanding debt
of the firm more than balanced the as
sets; in short, Amy, that he was OF
the verge of bankruptcy, his fortune
and ours alike wreckedw
81 don't like Colonel Nichols /" sale
Amy, thoughtfully. eff he lost al
his money with ours, how does he live
in such grand style? To whom dt
his ships and great home belong?"
''To his nephew, Ally Bell. Colo
mel Nichols is Ally's guardian. The
Colonel has nothing of his own, ex
cepting a farm or two up-country
which were not risked in the business.
Amy contracted her little brows re
fectively, and was about to reply
when the garden gate swung on is
hinges, and a boyish figure came light,
ly up the walk.
cts Ally, mother-it's Ally Bell y
exclaimed Amy, all smiles and blush
es. 'Tll bring him to you"
The young girl ran lightly down
the verandah steps and met the new
conner, linking her arm in his, and
drawing him gently towards the house
He was lad of seventeen, an or.
phan, the nephew and ward of Colonel
Nichols. Bright and gay and hand
some, Allen Bell was also impetuous,
ardent, and intelligent-one of those
noble, manly boys who mature early
into grand and noble men. Boy a.
he was, he loved Amy Lester with q
pure and chivalrous love, which bade
fair to deepen in time into the great
love of his life.
He was the bearer of letter from
his uncle to Mrs. Lester, and having
delivered it, he strolled with Amy down
the wide garden walks into the cool
shadows of grove at the bottom OF
the garden.
''Pve been expecting you this good
while, Ally" said Amy, with charm
ing frankness. 81 thought you would
be down here to try those scientific
experiments to-day =
"We'll try them tonight, Amy, re
piled Ally. ''The blue lights show
better at night. Pm getting along
finely in my chemistry, Amy. l like
it best of all my studies.'
81 am sure you do" said Amy,
earnestly. 'You are the incest boy
ever saw !"
Ally Bell laughed aloud. Amy's
childlike simplicity and outspoken
truthfulness were her greatest charm
in his eyes.
"The sight of that brig yonder," said
Ally, "reminds me that [ promised to
meet Col Nichols on board of it di-
rectly after l delivered that letter to
your mother. | must go now, but you
may expect me as soon as it's dark "
He clasped her in his arms and kiss
ed her. ....
For minute the youthful lovers
stood at the garden gate, towards
which they had slowly walked, and
here they parted soberly-Ally to go
down to the brig where he had engag-
ed to meet his uncle, and amy to re
turn to her mother.
She found Mrs. Lester, the open
letter in her lap, silent and motionless
as a statue, her attitude that of pro
found despair.
"What is it, mother % cried Amy,
in wild alarm, spring:ng to her side.
Mrs. Lester looked at her daughter
with u woe-stricken face.
go, Amy!" she cried, turning to
that brave childish heart for comfort
Colonel Nichols writes me that we are
beggars! He reminds me that he has
asked me three several times to marry
him. And, Amy, he says he knows
your father to be dead, and he offers
himself to me for the last time, He
reminds me of ny ill-health, of your
youth and helplessness. And he says,
and Mrs. Testers voice broke down
in n tempest of sobs, that on the one
hand he offers me wealth, comfort, and
happiness, on the other poverty and
sorrow. If I refuse him, lie swears to
turn us out of our home tomorrow !''
"Oh. mother ~ exclaimed Amy,
with sharp cry, rs she hid her face
i'll her mothers bosom.