New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1859-12-19


that she apologcticay suggested that She believed
g May was in the sitting-room.'
This sitting-room was the most delightful apart
ment of the house. 1t occupied the lower story of
the octagoh wing in which the Judges library was
situated. The windows to the floor opened on Il
wide yerandahed balcony, at either end of which
were steps leading into Il narrow strip of flower
garden here separated only by low, white fence
from the beautiful eNpanse that sloped with gem
tie descent to the banks of the river.
In it was assembled everything for comfort, eve
rything that was homelike and beautiful, but
nothing for show ostentation
Judge Hawthorne, advancing slowly, his football
was lost in the thick carpet, and his presence at
the door was not perceived by the occupants of the
room.
The sash of the east window was lifted, the
blinds thrown open, and the soft breeze playfully
daed with its white drapery.
May in simple fresh tinted morning dress,
was seated at table drawn close up to the win
dow, intently occupied.
BY her was a young man whom Judge IIaw-
thorne recognized as her attendant of the previous
evening, and whom, consequently, he knew must
be Alfred Livingston
He was bent over her, until his fair locks almost
mingled with Mays raven ringlets, and as Judge
Hawthorne looked, conviction struck him like a
pang, that Alfred loved her.
The familiarity Of his position, too made it seem
probable that the love was already sanctioned for
he sat with one arm careessly passed across the
back of Mays chair, the other elbow resting on
the table, while he pretendedly directed and
assisted her in placing a rare specimen of moss
he had that morning brought her, in an herbarium,
but in reality took advantage of his proximity to
study the wanderings of a blue vein that mean
dered over her white temple and downcast lid.
The few words that passed between them were
so low to be inaudbe at that distance and Judge
Hawthorne paused moment, irresolute whether
to enter or turn away, but finally advanced quite
to the center of the room, before the Good morn
ing was spoken which attracted their attention.
Then both started; but although a bright flush
sprung to Mays face, she was perfectly composed,
and gave her salutations with a warmth that might
have satisfied the most eXactng father yet from
some unassignable cause, they failed to give the
pleasure to Judge Hawthorne that might have been
anticipated.
Possibly to the same cause might have been
traced the fact, that whereas his manner was gem
orally courteous and cOnciliating in the extreme,
his acknowledgment of the Introduction of Mr..
Livingston was coldly polite, and his recollection
of the boyish freedom of Alfred's visits, when re-
minded of them, apparently slight
Altogether he was SO different from the Judge
Hawthorne of the night before, that May turned
on him wondering and somewhat troubled look,
and as all her buoyancy of spirits, and unaffected
efforts to restore the mental atmosphere to its usual
temperature were unavailing, she was really glad
,,f l,o,,
took his leave though, for fear lie might feel
real offence she followed him to the front door, to
tell him she would stand in need of his services
as cavalier for ride on the following day.
Alfred was peculiar type of manly beauty.
His features were of the purest aquiline Hair al
most womanly i'll its profusion, of unaduterated
golden color; complexion perfect blonde entirely
sutfused with flush of pink which did not at all
amount to ford: eyes keen and penetrating. of
light blue: figure tall and erect, and carriage
1.-the graceful and dignified. Add to this a we'll
balanced mind, heart the home of every noble
impulse, and temperament ardent and entllus
astic and it would not be wonderful if he had found
the way to make May love lin. when to his pres
ent destinations were joined the memory Of happv
childish associations.
As he took Mays hand in the goodbye clasp, he
looked into her eyes with an earnest, inauiring
gaze, which brought the ready blood to her face
although she did not understand it; and as he
turned and walked hastily down to the gate, she
followed him with a musing and, if the truth must
be confessed, an admiring glance, though alas for
the hopes that he nnrsed so fondly, in il was
mingled no lcaycn of love.
In the meanwhile, and even while INDUCING it,
Judge Hawthorne had bitterly reproachcd himself
for his uncalledior GOODNESS: and rs he passed out
on the verandahed balcony in subcommittee he
wondered what could have made him SO weak as
to yield to selfish impulse that probably wounded
one of whom he knew nothing but what was good
He resolved there should be no recurrence of it
and under the Influence of this determination his
manner was so changed when May entered. after
Miss Pollys summons to luncheon, that she WAS
more puzzled than ever at the sudden transition.
The day passed happily away, though Judge
Hawthorne did not come out from his gravity and
reticence as he had the night before. There was
music again, but this time it did not lapse his soul
in inarticulate and enhancing bliss and when his
head rested again on his pillow. it was not to be
overwhelmed by pillows OF rose-tinted sleep. but
to lie awake many hours trying to investigate the
direction in which he had commenced so suddenly
and blndly to drift, and sternly resolving that no
wave of circumstance should have power to carry
him to what must ultimately prove disappointment
and destruction of the peace which had been Sc.
cured at the value of the five best years of his life,
He thought to himself that May was young, in
telligent and lovely, and was reasonable to sup
pose would have many sutors: that Alfred I.v-
ingston was manly in person and fascinating in
address, and that what was more natural than that
Al. ,,tI l. all,