The weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1869-18??, 1869-12-15
Harold SCOTS Bride.
BY HELEN DIXON.

BY HELEN DIXON.
The wind came sweeping down from the
mountain georges in ftful gusts, as young
girl wendell her way YEARLY along the drea-
nv road which led from the mountain to
level plain, from whose bosom busy city
lifted its tall spires.
1t was cold, gloomy day in November,
and the lone wanderer-for Amy Lee was
indeed wanderer, without home or friends
pulled her faded shawl more closely about
her and hurried on, while ever and anon
tear would tremble moment on the long
eye-lashes and then roll slowly over the cold
! cheeks.
Three or four miles back on the lonely
road q woman was sitting before the warm
fire in her comfortable home Her hands
lay idle in her lap, while she gazed into the
fire with a stern look upon her beautiful
face. As she sat thus, man, tall, handsome
and young, not over two-and twenty at
most, entered the room.
"Where is Amy, mother 2"
The woman turned upon her son q look
of mingled anger and scorn.
'6he is half way up to Chester by this
time, presume, as sent her away a couple
of hours ago."
"Sent Amy Lee awayl Surely, mother,
YOU are not in earnest!" and Harold SCOTS
face was blank with amazement.
The woman smiled scornfully and assured
him that the girl was gone.
"Why have you sent her away--on such
day as this, too2"
"Harold, do you think shall allow you
to make love to a servant 2"
II understood, madam, that when you
brought,Amy Lee home with you it was
with the intention of making her one of the
family. You liked her,you pitied her friend
less condition, and"
u never meant she should be my sons
wife, though" 10
"There was little danger of that, said
Harold, with sigh.
"You like her, Harold; yes, 1 will say
more-you love her-love your mothers
servant7 -a
know she has loved you ever since YOU
came home. So when saw her love was
returned Isent her away"
"f knew she cared for me, as you think
she would soon be back here, though not as
q servant"
"You would marry that beggar, who can
not even tell who are her parents Listen,
Harold, l wish you to marry Estella Clarke.
Mrs. Clarke and were friends in girlbood,
and when you were three years old we agreed
together that you and her little May should
in time unite our families But May was
stolen from her crib by band of gipsies, as
was supposed, and was never recovered. So
when her sister Estella was born, I accepted
her for your future wife, in place of the lost
May. Have you seen her lately, Harold
She has grown very beautiful"
u haven't seen her in year, nor do T
ever wish to see her again." said Harold
grufiy.
After pause he asked:
Lee2"
"She went alone, of course. You don't
suppose / would send the carriage to take
beggar, do youa A few miles walk never
hurts such as she. Besides the rain would
have spoiled the new harness." was answer
ed. .
1.-THE harness will go out in the rain, never
theless," said Harold, as he put on his over
coat. SHOW long did you say she had been
gonet''
Harold did not wait for his mother to re-
ply, but hurriedly left the house. A minute
later he was driving at break-neck pace in
pursuit of Amy. Mrs. Scott called for her
smelling-salts, and gave way to violent hys-
terics. .,
In the meantime Amy, nearly worn out
with her long walk and dripping with rain,
was drawing near the city of Chester She
had no friends there; knew of no one even
to whom she coull apply for situation, but
she had few shillings in her purse, and on
this hopedrt be able to live till she could
find employment Heart sick she sat down to
rest. She was near large brick building
with front piazza. ..-4..
In one OF the windows was group of
children, looking out at the driving rain,
and the homeless girl who was exposed to
its fury.
at was in such a house as this the gipsy
told me l was born-a brick house with a
broad piazza and near city. o, if she had
told me my parents names, might find
them How happy those children are O,
that ], too, had home, even tile humblest,
where l might be cared for" murmured
Amy.
just then door was opened and Young
girl enveloped in cloak, emerged from
the house. She went up to Amy, who rose
with the intention of resuming her tiresome
walk.
"You seem tired, and mother sent me out
to ask you to come into the house. Your
clothes are very wet and you are shivering
with cold too, SO come right along" said the
girl, and with a heartfelt athank you, YOU
are very kind, Amy followed her back to
tho house, -
my name is Es.ella Clark. What is
yours9"
Amy gave her name, though she hardly
knew that she did so. She was tbinkin9
of Harold Scott. This was the girl whom
his mother would have him marry, and
pang of jealousy shot through Amy's heart
as she looked again and again at the beauti-
tul girl by her side. She thought she had
never seen any one bali so lovely. Estella,s
eyes were blue and her complexion light and
clear, while her own eyes were black and
her skin that of brunette, and vet a stran-
ger would have detected strong resem.
blance between these two. In form of fea.
lures, though not in color, they were alike.
Amy wasconducted into the room. throuoh
the window of which she had seen the han.
py faced children. A matronly lady placed
q chair for her before the glowing fire and
unfastened and removed her hat and shawl.
When Amy's clothes were dry and she was
rested and refreshed, she arose to depart.
Then the lady who had been watching
her intently and with yearning look on
her sweet face said:
."H you will tell me where your friends
live, ! will prderthe carriage and have you
taken home" a'o s 0o''
~ have no friends, no home" answered
Amy, and her lip and chin quivered.
mo friends 7" echoed Esfella in wonder.
Something prompted Amy to lay before
those people The stsry Of her liie, as she 70.