New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1852-10-12

the surprise ane 1elt.
| GO Russell Castlearden and myself were college
chums," said he.
| A smile broke over Hates fine features, and
made her look so enchanting that Percy almost
reelcd in his saddle
GO indeed!'' she slowly uttered; and even
wIitv 10 chatted about her supposed family, she
| bc,an to think, She saw in an instant that the
chance had presented itself of realizing the
daring scheme she had formed Being natu-
rally If an impetuous temperament, she did not
pause to weigh the consequences; and the gal
liant Percy, after trivial conversation, rode off
undeceived, and as madly in love as 1t is posi-
Bile for man to be. Kate, too, was sensibly i'm
pressed. a strange futterjng about the heart,
and meaning sparkle in her splendid eyes, told
Of the firstlings Of wild worship, which neither
time nor circumstances could destroy. Percy
followed up the advantage he had so easily
! gained, and, to the great scandal OF the house,
became n constant visitor at Castlaarden House.
His attentions could not be mistaken, but they
were misinterpreted.
But Kate, although she noticed the altered
demeanor of the servants, Needed 1t not.
spell more potent than any ever conjured from
the necromancer's store house of horrors was
upon her, she yielded to the wild deliriuul, the
terrible mutiny it had created in nature. Percy
her Reginald the handsome, the brave, the
noble Reginald, had declared his passion, and
she had almost driven him crazy by the confes-
sion that he was lord of her heart. On the tenth
day of their courtship, the enamored pair stole
to a quiet little church in the western suburbs,
and were married The bold signature of Regi-
maid Percy was traced in the Register book,
while under, the trembling hand OF Kate re-
corded the name of 's 'sCorinda Estella Castelar,
len' As she did SO, the blood rushed upon her
heart, and she half repented, hut glance at
Reginald, and the memory of the slight she had
endured at the hands of the said Cornda, reas-
sured her Her purpose became as infcxible as
marble.
81 vowed would wed with the proudest. and
| have kept my oath. Cornda has wealth, |
have beauty; and wonder which is the rich
est" thought she, as she took her seat in the
carriage by the silent Reginald, who pressed her
hand gently within his own, and gazed upon her
in mute Alteration.
Kate returned to the Castlearden House,
while Reginald sought his club in n state border
ing on lunacy On the morrow Kate left the
: mansion under the pretence Of visiting some
friends in the country. hut in reality, to accom-
s pany Reginald to Brighton, where they spent
t the honey moon. which was somewhat abridged
by an announcement in the morning papers that
the Castlearden family would be in town at the
r end of three days.
e ssI had better see your father first said he
: soothngly.
c g Oh, no, no. uttered Kate, turning deadly
y pale, &C let me return at once"
e What have you to fear, love-: said he
: soothiDgly, "my family is one Of the best in the
: land-I am heir presumptive to peerage.-
: Good heavens what is the matter, my darling
q loye?" p"
e Kate had tainted A glimpse she had taken Of
: the future showed her a hideous scene. When
she recovered, she passionately entreated to be
:, allowed to return. Her object was to postpone
IS the dreadful expose as long as possible. Regi-
y nald reluctantly gave his consent, and the same
IS evening found Kate in her neat little chamber
l<,f g.. ,,,ol nf
e shawl, and herself sobbing as her heart would
1t break
II F." He will despise me, he will hate mel" she
e groaned; and to lose him when | have discov
It cred that love him to distraction, is horrible
= Re 5inald, will you, can you forgive me-
Il Kate was SO overwhelmed that she had a hys
of terlcal attack. Her cries alarmed the house
and presently she was subjected to the tortur
e. of shower bath, varied by the inhietion @
r. burnt feathers and brown paper, with coPiou
supplies cf vinegar
The old house keeper shook her head tn
IN | cook coverty shed tear; and even the builder
Bllo had seen several generations of Lowell,
IS ,Eomen declared that it was pity, but me
I'd would be men, and SO long as the young womel
OF eaivanted, they must take the consequences. .
What will my lady say" inquired tn
ho Aeeper, after she had adjourned to he
to room, leaving Kate in refreshing sleep.
l. Don't tell her anything-mum's the word
e. Besides, think we ought to have dropped her
line when that sprg Of fellow first cane.''
At This advice was too sensible to be resisted, an
T. it was resolved that Kate should be- CUT an
e. left entirely to herself and her wrongs, if sh
f had any. In the morning she rose consderab bl
Mt BETTER but pale and stern looking She ha
to evidently prepared herself for Drawing the worst
ty Reginald came early to see her, and was mex
pressibly shocked to find her so altered. II
ne exerted himself to reassure her, and succeede
ed so far as to coax few truant smiles into he
~ countenance But resolute as her charactc
S. was, she experienced a heavy depression
lie spirits. Her absorbing idea was the dread
H. losing her husband. Death, disgrace, anythin
ed but that shocking alternative. Kate had i'll
mense courage, but it required opposition
vi bring it into play; and this she was soon
ne have; for the day after her return, while 81
ce was sitting in the drawing room, listening to h
a. hopeful plans for the future, couple Of cal
he riages drove up to the door, followed by q pa
k. tering in the hall, which drove all the bloc
C. from her face.
H. Fear nothing, love, while am near you
de said Reginald, throwing his arm around he
lie and pressing her fondly to his side.
lis 81 will not--I ought not,'' she stammere
&c hut when the truth is disclosed, you will not
ne What--my dearest prettiest wife =
's Bless you for that word. But when II
st. lord comes, and you know all, will you not ha
me and leave me-
% Hate you--leaye you:' CALCULATED Reginal
amazed at her troubled manner; but before
/" could ask for an explanation, the door opene
I'd and my lady Castlearden was observed to sta
ger back, to the immense discontinue Of II
ur lord, and the utter prostration of a young lac
ho in pink.
mt What--whats the matter'' exclaimed h
Ter lordship, rubbing his nose So Nlatter--wh
IN, look there p screamed her ladyslip.
IT, His lordship looked at the direction indicate
he and certainly did rccoil pace or two at VIII
ho saw. His sons stood agape at his elbow, al
she his daughters, with burning cheeks and hashil
,ut eyes, clustered around their mother. Their
,rd right before them, with face very pale, b
very calm and decided, stood Lord Perc
the proudly supporting the sinking form of the h;
m nsensible Kate.
H. "Percy Percy why what the dickens dt
to all this mean - said his ordship angrily tt
her pantomime in my house is stngular-extraor'
of nary-very."
lrd 'My lord, said Percy, 'I owe you ma
lin, apologies, but love must be my excuse
let '' Lover' cried her ladyship, looking apopl
lw, tically indignant, as she made fruitless
in tempt to thrust her daughters from the room
lad eyes, Lady Castlearden-love, and love
ing pure as that of the angels said Percy, eager
se A pause ensued, which he broke by a faint
ing tempt at a smile, saying, &c this position NJ
|, a appear equvocal, but it is sanctioned by Il