New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-08-14

prise.
"Isupposed go dear. until three ago." replied
tho mother, sadly. "YOur father was amerchant and
shipowner partner Of Colonel Nichols. But two years
ago Colonel Nichols informed in the most depoate
that the outstanding debts Of the firm moro than
balanced the assets in short Amy that he was on the
verge bankruptcy his fortune and ours alike wrecked!
The business closed by the Colonel who has sup
ported since, declaring that small sum renamed TO
us after the settlement This sum must be nearly ex
| hausted nowl"
"I don like colonel Nichols said Amy thougAtuIIy
II he lost ali money with ours, how does he 1--we In
such grand stylei To whom do his ships ana sress
house belOngP . H.t
ITO his nephew Ally Bell Colonel Nichols ia Ally's
guardian The Colonel has nothing of his Own, excepting
two up country which were not risked in the
business '...
Amy contracted her little brows reHectively.T
"Why does Colonel Nichols cOmehere much, motherf
she asked after pause. "You have not been yourself
since his call Of yesterday You have sat all day looking
seward, and than once have found you crying
What did he say to disturb you so, motherT ,.
A deep flush crept slowly into Mrs. Testers. pure
round cheeks and the sad look deepened in her eyes
"You are old enough and thoughtful enough TO have
my confidence Amy. she said, hafhesitatingiy COL
Nichols came yesterday to reerate his belief In your
fathers death and to offer his hand IN maFriage!
Amy looked shocked. U.I % 1..
"And you refused him. mother a. she questioned
eyes Amy told him that, living or dead, David
Lester held my whole hearth The Colonel "ouid net
accept my answer, but pleaded his love like boy and
finally declared that must think the matter over ana
send him an answer this morning.
"And you sent it, mOtherP
ono Amy" returned Mrs. Lester, uneasily. There
was something in the ColOnels manner that made ms
fear to say no. and could not say yes do not Ike MN
better than you DO Amy. Ibeeve him to be bad ana
an unscrupulous Ihave even doubts OF ms non
esty in settling up the arm business"
nd wal 0d
swaying with her emotions her sunny eyes glowing with
earnestness and determination.
"Dear mother" she SAID with quiet womanlinesss
Colonel Nichols should have his answer tonight Ana
that answer must be Ny father will return one OF
these days and he nd uAwaiting for himi know
that Heaven will have mercy, and send him homo TO usT
The lovely inspired face land mpetuOus, assured man
ner thrilled Mrs Testers heart with renewed hope she
was about toIrepy when the garden gate swung on s
hinges, and boyish figure came lightly up the walk
"Its Ally, mother-ips Ally Bellw exclaimed Amy, all
smiles and bushes " I'll bring him TO you"
The young girl ran lightly down the versndah steps
and met the newcomer, linking her arm Ia his. aud
drawing him gently toward the house.
He lad Of seventeen, an orphan, the nephew ana
ward Colonel Nichols the former partner in business ef
David Eeser, aud the lover David Testers supposed
widow Bright and gay and handsome. Allen Bell was
also impetuous, ardent aud intellgent-one OF those
noble, manly boys who mature early into grand ana
noble men, Boy he was he loved Amy Lester with
pure and chvalrous love- which babe fair 70 deepen IN
time into the great love Of his life.
He was the bearer Of letter from his uncle 70 MIS-
Lester and having delivered it, he strohed with Amy
down the wide gardenwaIks into the cool shadows Of
grove at the bottom OF the garden.
ave been expecting you this good while, Ally" said
Amy with charming frankness. Thought you would
be down here try those scientific experiments todayF
"We1l try them tonight, Amy" replied Ally. Tho
blue lights show night I'm getting along finely
in my chemistry Amy. like it best of all my studies
Why, how plainly you see our house from here" he
added IN a Of SURPRISE al did not know you had
such fine view Of it,
81 did said Amy; adding naively I watched 1t from
here many time! IT'S splendid house. Ally. and I've
just discovered that belongst you. You must be very
| rich"
Ally smiled
lam - he said "Do you see that brig down by tho
wharf, Amy. looking ready to start on her voyager
Amy signihed that abe saw IL.
That and another ship belong to me-" said Ally, stiiI
smiling money in the bank, railroad stocs and
farms. My father earned them all with his own head
and hands But the best Of all my riches, Amy is the
spotlsss he left me- and the boys face and tone
grew grave. "There better, purer, more
honorable than my father, and 1t Is my greatest
wish that Lmay resemble him"
clam sure you do" said Amy, earnestly. ".You are
| the incest boy 1 ever sawl"
| Ally Bell laughed aloud. Amy's childke simplicity
and outspoken truthtuness her greatest charm tn
his eyes.
am older than you Amy" he said" older in years.
and great deal older in mind have knocked about at
school while you have lived here with your birds and
your flowers seeing scarcely any bat your mother
am old for my age Amy shall 20 10 college this year,
and by and by when shall have graduated Isha settle
| down TO some business and shall want to be married.
| VIII you be my wife, Amy"
childish flush lit up Amy's cheeks. but the question
seemed her decidedly natural and matteroffaet She
replied to it, with her usual frankness:
"Of course WILL Ally. should like to live with you
| always But mother must live with us, and Colonel
Nichols must go away. And oh, Ally should want yoa
to send ship around the world search for fathert
| He may be wrecked on desert island. like Robinson
| Crusoe, you know
| Ally met these requirements with prompt assent.
He had contemplated keeping house. he said, without
Mrs Lester and TO his uncle he was not fond OF him.
| and should be glad to send him away.
al don't like him better than you do, Amy" he said.
seriously There's something wrong about him. He u
| always fawning me in way doHt like. Ibeieve.
Amy he would DO glad If something were TO happen 10
me- he is the next heir 10 all OF fathers prop
erty II should die before OF age L don't be-
eve he ever loses sight Of that fact And speaking Of
| him, reminds me that promised to meet him on board
the brig directly after delivered that letter to
mother must go now, but y0u may expect me soon
| as it's dark"
| He clasped her in his and kissed her
~ feel strangely, Amy" he said looking solemnly
down her childish face and sunny eyes feel as
something fearful going to happen You love me-
| don't you, Amyi"
"You know love you, Ally next to mother" cried
| Amy earnestly. "Your preseutment is nSthing."
For minute the youthful lovers stood at the gardeR
gate toward which they had slowly walked, aud hero
they parted soberyAy to go down to the brig where
he had engaged meet his uncle and Amy 10 return 70
| her mother .... ....