The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-08-14

Eyes, child. Your father, Amy, my husband
wrecked on q desert island or lanaulshing on
hostile shore. 1t Ii I'VE years since he left US or
that fatal voyage TO China-fve years since heard
his voice or looked upon his lace He sailed on q
day as fair as this, but his ship was mol
heard OF after reaching the Pacific. Perhaps she
to my conectures. II ne were living 1t seems as II
he would have returned, or found some way of com
municating with me. My reason assures me that
be is dead; yet, Amy, / can only think OF him az
living"
at is SO with me. mother" said Amy, with q
tremuous culver OF her lips. ~ dream often that
he is lving-that he Is coming home p
"We need him in a hundred ways" said Mrs. Les
ter, signing. ~ anything were to happen to me,
Amy, shudder TO think what would become of you.
You have been brought up in luxury and would feel
kceny any change to poverty"
"Are we not rich, then, mother" asked ANY, In
II supposed so until three years agon replied the
mother sadly. Your father was Q merchant aud
shipOwner, partner Of Colonel Nichols But two
years ago Colonel Nichols Informed me, In the most
delicate manner that the outstanding debts OF the
that he was on the verge Of bankruptcy his fortune
and ours alike wrecked. The business was closed
up by the Colonel. who has supported us since. de-.
carng that 8 small sum remained to us AFTER the
settlement. This sum must be nearly exhausted
now"
fully. If he lost all his money with ours, how does
he live in such grand stylef 10 whom do his ships
and great house belongW
Allys guardian. The Colonel has nothing Of mis- own
excepting farm or two up country which were not
Amy contrac ted her little brows renectively.
"Why does Colonel Nichols come here SO much,
mother ?" she asked alter pause. "You have not
SAL ali day looking seward, and more than once
have found you crying What did he say to disturb
deep dush crept slowly into Mrs. Lester's pure,
round cheeks and the sad look deepened in her eyes,
'You are old enough ana thoughtful enough TO
insy. Colonel Nichols came yesterday to reiterate
his belief in your iather's DEATH and TO oer me his
hand In marriage"
"And you refused him, motheri" she questioned:
ayes. Amy; told HIM that, living or dead David
Lester held my whole heart me colo1e Mould h NOT
and finally declared that must think the matter
over ana send him an answer tins morning"
"And you sent it, mother~
"No, Amy" returned Mrs. Lester, uneasiy; "there
was in NE Go lionel manner that m made os
like him better than you do, Amy. believe him to
be bad and interruptions man. ! have even
doubts Of his honesty In settling up the firm bust
nesS.n
Amy arose and walked to ana fro, her childish
figure swayjng with her emotions. her sunny eyes
glowing with earnestness and determination.
ness, Colonel Nichols should have his answer to-
night. And that answer must be no NY father
wans for o HIM '' Know that Heaven uS w have
mercy and send HIM home to u.s.,
The lovely inspired face and impetuous assured
hope. She was about to reply when the garden rate
swung on Its hinges and boyish figure came lightly
ats Ally, mother-irs Ally Bell p, exclaimed
Amy, all smiles and bushes. In bring him to you"
The young girl ran lightly down the veranda
his and drawing him gently towards the house.
He was lad Of seventeen, an orphan, the nephew
and ward Of Colonel Nichols the former partner in
ters supposed widow. Bright and gay and handsome,
Allen Bell was also impetuous, ardent and lntelii-
INT nf fhnan NH mil h1un I'm ofnra
early into grand and noble men. Boy as he was, he
loved Amy Lester with pure and chivarOus love,
which bade tar to deepen in time INTO the great love
He was the bearer Of a letter from his uncle to
Mrs Lester, and having delivered 1t he strolled
cool shadows Of grove at the bottom OF the garden.
"I've been expecting you this good while Ally, y
you would be down here to try those scientific ex
We'ii try them tonight, Amy" replied Ally. 18th,
finely IN my chemistry, Amy. like 1t best OF all ny
studies. Why, how plainly you can see our hous
| not know you had such fine view Of !"
81 did ~ said Amy; adding naively, "Iwatched
Ally, and I've just discovered that IL belongs to you
| You must be very rich ~
a am ~ he said "Do you see that brig down BY
the wnarf ANY, looking ready to start on her voy
ANY sipnined that she saw 1t.
still smiling 81 nave money in the bank, railroad
a1 head ana hands, but the best Of All
riches Amy is the spotless name he left me-" an6
the boys face and tone grew grave. "There neve
father, and 1t Is my greatest wish that may resem
| BILE him."
~ am sure You do,n said Amy earnestly. "Yor
| Ally Nell laughed aloud. Amy's childlike sim
plicty and outspoken truthiuness were her creates
| ii am older than YOU Amy,n he Stakeholder In
| years and great deal older IN mind. have
knocked about at school, while you have lived hert
| with your birds and your flowers, seeing scarcely
| any one but your mother. / am old for my age
Amy. shall 90 to college this year. and BY and by
| some business and shall want to be married. vii
| you be my wife, AmyW
A childish nush lit up Amy's cheeks, but the ques
ton seemed to her decidedly natural and matter-of
fact She replied to 1t with her usual frankness:-
"0f course VIII, Ally should like to live with
You always. But mother must live with us, ant
Colonel Nichols must 20 away And oh, Ally,
should want you to send ship around the world t.
search for father He may be wrecked on deser
island like Robinson CrusOe, you know"
Ally met these requirements with o prompt as
sent. He had not contemplated keeping house, h
was not fond OF him. and should be glad to send hin
away.
| said, serlously. There's something wrong abou
| him. He IL always fawnlng on me IN way dom
Ike believe, Amy, he would be glad II somethin
heir to ali Of fathers property II should die befor
come OF age. don't believe he ever loses sight
that fact: And, speaking OF him, reminds me that
promised TO meet him on board the brig drectl
| after l delivered that letter to your mother.
must go now, but you may expect me as soon as ~
dark.n
| He clasped her in his arms and kissed her.
al feel strangely, Amy" he said, looking solemn
down into her childish face and sunny eyes, II Iet
"a II something fearful were going TO happen. 70
| love me, don't you, AmyW
.You know l love you, Ally, next to mother,
cried Amy, earnestly. "Your presentment
| nothing"
For minute the youthful lovers stood at th
garden gate, toward which they had slowly walked
and here they parted soberly-Aly to 90 down to tn
brig where he had engaged to meet his uncle, an
Amy TO return to her mother.
She found Mrs. Lester, the open letter In her LAY
Silent and motonless as statue, her attitude ths
Of profound despair.
"what Is It, motherf" cried Amy, in wild alarm
springing TO her side.
Mrs Lester looked at her daughter with wot
stricken face.
30, Amy ~ she cried, turning to that brave, chilt
lsh heart for strength and comfort "Coonel Nlch0
writes me that we are beggars; that we arc an