The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1869-09-08
The SECRET SORROW.
BY sAtLit.

y just run over to conlnle with YOU, am.
fsee feverylliing is in order tn rcceiv
/, the bride" said blue eyed romp of
girl, as she ran into the room wler
Amy Dnnlnp VIA reading.
Laura, I have told YOU that her ar
rival or non arrival is Il matter of in
difference to me. So that she does no
interfere with my books, and keep
her advice to herself, | shall not car,
ANYTHING about her" And the girl, .
strange. dreamy lonking creature, will
no pIetensi"ns to beauty, and almos
a sloven i'll attire, rose to her feet from
on! OF deep arm chair.
"Amy Dunlap! I am surprised a
YOU" said Lanra, impnlsivelv. "Dt
You mean to say that your feelings ar.
not wounded; after yonr father ha.
been widower ever since Your brit
Won do not intcnd to resent lis nov
bringing you stepmoti'er, and on,
perhaps you will lislike9"
l cannot dislike her before I hav,
+. seen her. do no, care anything about
her. Father told me several months
ago OF his intended marriage, and said
he would not ask me to the wedding,
as they would he married in church,
and come home Immediately. They
will be here this morning. Now do
not ask me another question, Laura,
but wait and see how you like her. l
shall treat her with respect. know
nothing of amother's care and love, and
certainly do not expect any from her.
She is as old as father, and I hope she
will make him happy. AS for myself.
lnever expect any happiness to fall to
the lot nf Il poor plain little body. such
as am. My books, birds and flowers
are all | need, excepting, of course, the
society of my teasing FRIEND" said she
laying her hand on Laura's shoulder
unfortunately.
Laura drew long breath, and then
said:
''lf | only knew whit has changed
you so, Amy, Int since your visit to
New York. You have lost all interest
| in everything. 1t is strange that n
young girl will make rechse of her
self. You care nothing for amusemcnts.
nothing for dress, and here You pass
day after day, gloomy book worm,
with wealth and everything to make
You gay, cheerful and happy.
A gloomy shadow seemed to cloud
the girls pale face at this tntbnrst
| from Lanra, bnt she made no reply,
only to consult the clock. SAYING, sit
is time forthe arrival of the train, and
I suppose in few moments my father
| will he here"
A carriage drnte mp before the door
as she spoke, and Laura, with girls
curiosity, pecred ont to sec Mr.. Dun
lap alight and hand ont tall, qneenly
looking lady in the prime of lie, then
escaped by the side entrance into her
own home in the adjoining house,
leaving Amy standing in tlie middle of
the room, with a face whose pallor did
not indicate the indifference she had
ljust expressed.
The servants We're all in the hall to
welcome the stranger. aad after q kind
word to each, Mr.. Dunlap nshered his
wife into the library, where Amy was
standing.
My dear, this is our little daughter
Of whom ! have told you so much; and
daughter, here. is your mother. l hope
we will all be happy together"
Amy offered her hand, but the words
of greeting dice. on her lips as her step
m.ther took her affectinnately in her
arms, saying, ~ WAS prepared to see
a little girl bnt I am happy to see that
the little girl is a Young lady"
Amy looked up into the frank, pleas,
ant face of the lady, and her kindly
smile melted all her fears as she saw
the spiritut love heamiDg in her eyes.
Where have / seen her before,
though. Amy, as the next day they sat
together in the library. Her eyes have
a strangely familiar look Where have
seen them.
Days and weeks passed on. Amy
did not in any way change her mode
Of living, and her step-mother often
tried affectionatrly to urge her to be
more cheerful, but found ALL eff
forts unavailing. She was always po-
lite and attentive, buta gloomy shadow
seemed always to obscure her face,
and she moved as ifin dream.
Mrs. Dunlap was a woman OF rare
gond sense. She truly loved her step
laughter, and would have given much
20 have seen her different; yet she cu.,-
5entetl herself with observing herclose-
IL and waiting for time to reveal the
cause of her hidden sorrow, for she
,elt assured she had some real cause
or grief unknown to her father or the
ray Laura, who had fallen in nve with
she dreaded steI, mother, and told llei
Is hat Amy had always been tuuder ~