Year: 1874

Lester leaned from her uncle's carriage


to take last look at the home she was


leaving forever.


She had lived since her earliest child.


hood with ali uncle who fairly idolized


her and now he had died, and contrary


to all expectations, had left the whole


OF his princely fortune to his sister, to


whose home Amy was now going.


1t was through binding tears that


she looked back, for this aunt VINO had


offered her shelter was proud and cruel,


and Amy instead of being received as a


daughter, was to be merely the com.


panion of her naughty cousin Maude.


While these thoughts were passing


through her mind, the carriage stopped,


and looking out she found she had ar


rived at her future home. There was
no one at the door to welcome her save


her uncle who with Joy beaming on his
countenance assisted her to alight, and


having saluted her in a kind and


fatberly manner whispered in her ear,


my poor Amy you need not expect
much welcome in there, (pointing to the
house, but be assured that you will al


ways find Q staunch friend in your
uncle" his eyes filled with tears as he
spoke, but he hastily wiped them away,


and before she had time to thank him,
| the door opened and she was in the
presence of her relations, her aunt
merely gave her the tips of her fingers,
without deigning to speak while her
cousin Maude lightly kissed her on the
cheek, and thinking that she had done
all that was necessary she drew back
and stood at some distance from Amy,
looking at her as if she were a living
curiosity. The tears sprang to Amy's
eyes at this reception, but she forced
them back. and with proud composure
leaned against the wall as if waiting to
see what would be done next. "Dinner
is waiting" said her aunt, "the servant
will show you to your room, and when
you have laid aside your wrappings,
you can come down and dine with US,
but remember, this is the last time you
will be permitted to be so familiar, but
suppose it will not make much differ
ence, for being servant yourself you
will not object to eating with them.
Amy's eyes flashed fire, and drawing
herself up proudly she replied, "Aunt
Esther you may call me a servant and
treat me as one, but never, though you
should close your doors against me,
would SO demean myself as to sit at
the table with your servants" Her aunt,
pale with anger, was about to strike
her, when her husband sprang forward,
seized her hands and holding them
firmly, said, 81 have hitherto remained
silent and have listened with patience
to all the affronts which have been
heaped upon this innocent child and
will now speak as master of the house.
Amy will not only eat with us now but
always, and more than that, she will ac-
company us to Saratoga next week, and
Amy, my dear, if your wardrobe is not
sufficiently filled, you can let me know,
and your aunt will see that you are
properly provided for not word now ?"
(as Amy was about to thank him) "but
be of and get yourself ready for dinner
as quickly as possible, or it will not be
fit to eat," so saying he rang for the
servant who conducted Amy to her
room, he followed her with his eyes
until she was out of sight and then re-
turning into the room he repeated to
himself, "poor child, poor child"


When Amy reached her own room,
having dismissed the servant she could
restrain herself no longer, and throwing
herself on the bed she gave vent to
paroxysm of tears, having relieved her
mind somewhat by this means she sat
up and looked around.


1t was a small room with but one
window there was a strip of carpet at
the foot of the bed which looked as if
it had been in use for several genera
tions, besides the bed, a bureau with
small mirror attached to it, toilet Ia
BILE, one chair, q wash-stand and an old
but capacious closet comprised the
whole furniture of the room, and after
unpacking them, she again threw herself
on the bed and sobbed herself to sleep. |


The house was all confusion for the |
remainder of the week owing to the pre- |
parations for departure, nevertheless
Amy did not escape the taunts of her |
aunt and cousin, but she bore them in |
silence, resolving that on her return
home she would apply for situation as
teacher in some Academy, never dream
ing of what was in store for her:


At tlength the day of their departure
arrived, and its close found them enter
ing one of the principal hotels in Sara
togo. dear, me. how glad am
that we are here, said Maud, throwing
her satchel on the hall floor, "Amy pick
that up and take it up stairs, for am
not able am so tired" 81 cannot do
it Maude, said Amy, "you see that my
arms are already too full, and although
you may think it, can assure you that
r 10 of ssNFa.,,,,o r,otl |
listen how impudently Amy is speaking
to me, Amy 1 command you to pick
that up" Excuse my impertinence
Miss, said a young man stepping for
ward, who had witnessed the whole
scene, "Allow me to assist you, and be
picked up the satchel as he spoke, and
turning to Maude he said. "Good even
ing Miss Meredith, will you present me
to this young lady," Maude started
and turned pale, for the stranger was
none other than Mr.. Carl Evans, the
rich and handsome young lawyer, over
whom all the young ladies were in
ecstacies, Maude included. 20 Mr..
Evans, am delighted to see you, said
Maude, have you been here long"
"Only since yesterday" he replied, and
then repeated his former request. She
bit her lips with vexation, but replied,
o certainty, 1 had forgotten about it.
Mr.. Evans this is Amy Lester, my wait
ing maid, she is distant relation of
ours but is very poor" then turning to
him laughingly, she said, "now assist
her if you will. He made no reply, but
with little smile lurking around the
corners of his fine mouth, he relieved
Amy of her load and and requesting
the waiter to lead the way, he strobe up
stairs, followed by the two girls, one
filed with antonishment,t the other anger,
and having deposited the bundles safely
in corner of the room, he retired, not
however before speaking to Amy and
that their acquaintance
might be continued.


One evening when they had been in