The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1855-07-04

PAGES from the house, poor Lucille had
lain, crouching in the sitting heat, for ma
ny hours; anxiety to accomplish her OBJ
ject, and the fear of detection, having in
duced her to take up her station much
earlier than was necessary.
The excessive heat, and the want of
nourishment, had made her very faint,
though her child, whom she had fed and
rocked to sleep in her arms, lay still and
peaceful as waxen image of infancy.
She had dressed herself with Unusual
care, and bore, in light basket on her
arm, some of the choicest specimens of
her skill-delicate, notwithstanding buds,
and gorgeous tropical flowers initiated
with wonderful accuracy and grace.
At length her child awoke, and she be-
gan to fear from his restlessness that she
should be obliged, for that day at least, to
give up her plan; when from the lofty door
of the chateau, Madelaine de Beaucour,
attended by a lady and gentleman, enter
ed the grounds. Lucille's eyes dilated,
and her bosom heaved; but no! it was not
he, she saw that at a glance, and her gaze
was again riveted on the lady. Something
like disdain flashed across her beautiful
face as she looked, and then faded into an
depression of relief and congratulations:
truth to tell, the lady, with all the adjuncts
$ eff wealth and luxury around her, could
not bear moments comparison with the
dark-eyed Quadroon, and Lucille felt this
tinstinctVely.
Awhile she paused, irresolute, then ca
resssing her child, slowly advanced, with
her stately tread, to where Madelaine had
seated herself but her tongue failed her,
and she could only Silently display her
gracefully y-fashioped flowers.
The lady looked on coldly, and made no
answer to her companions warm COM
ments on the rare beauty of the mother
and child. Her gaze was directed to the
profered flower-basket, and after turning
over it's contents with a careless hand she
glanced at the Quadroon.
eYour own work, I suppose? All! l
would have purchased some, for they are
! really very well done, but you have nothing
fall white, 1 see, and these gaudy colors
hardly suit my complexion.
! ~ "Strange, is it not?" she continued
turning languidly to her companion, "that
the absence of refinement in these people,
I should be SO perceptible even in their dress;
they all prefer those glaring colors. 2 =. s
"Nay," he answered quickly, but with
Il TO cho
had displayed, "if they have all the gor-
geous beauty of this splendid creature
they should wear no other hues"
Lucille stood motionless, only her curl
ing lip betraying that she was conscious
of their words Would the white mag
nolia, or the silver lotus, please the lady
Madelaine?p she asked, in her soft, rich
I voice.
Eyes; either would do,' replied the
lady. "You may make me wreath of
the white magnolia, I think, and bring it
here by next week--not later" she added,
with half-smile, and waving her hand in
token of dismissal. But the young girl
I by her side had started up--"Ohl Mad
elaine, the child, have you noticed it? 1
never saw anything half so lovely! What
magnificent eyes! May / not hold him a
moment" she continued, with a pretty be-
sceching look at Lucille, and already ta-
king one tiny hand in hers.
4 The mothers face softened, though she
held the boy yet closer to her bosom.
Therese, Therese, of what are you
dreaming?" exclaimed Madelaine, angrily,
rising from her seat. "I forbid you to
:. touch the child; every other girl, of COM
mon modesty, shrinks from these low-born
I creatures, and the offspring of their de-
pravity;" and she swept haughtily into the
7 chateau with her companions the abashed
Igirl giving a deprecating glance at Lucille.
The Quadroon followed Madelaine's re-
treating steps with look of fiery disdain;
and long after the party had disappeared,
still she stood, transixed to the spot, ev-
cry muscle quivering with suppressed an
ger.
Her boys soft fingers wandering in won
der over her averted face, recalled her
thoughts, and she turned away with step
, Iof yet statelier pride than the lady.
Through that night and the next, and
again the next two women sat together
in the cavern Of the gray rock. OF nought
pure and holy was their talk; for as the
hours sped by, the beautiful face of the
younger woman was transformed to some
thing like the bitterness and cruel rage of
the elder. Her occupation accorded little
with the expression of her features, for she
was skilfully fashioning into all but living
beauty, the snowy flowers and swelling
buds of the white magnolia.
"Are you sure that it cannot fail, moth
er" she whispered, after long pause.
i - As sure as that the sun will rise to-
morrow" 8
But, You have not tried it" she added,
d lhurriedly, with a creeping -shudder.
f For an answer the old crone tottered
8 across the room, and uplifting the folds of
i a bright-hued shawl, which lay heaped up
jr,,, a. Al.