New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1860-05-14

tive me tfmes COUSIN VnStoT, i DO not knu
rs my own heart to-day; am afraid You misunde
IT stand me. Another time-to-morrow-- let n
O. pray you that this subject may be dropped betwee
+ us foreyerf
That cannot be- answered CASTOR positively
10 6 but you are agitated viii wait have sta
$. tied, have frightened you with my vehemence.
6 will try and satisfy my hungering love with til
i, nierssl you have given it. and to-morrow-to.mol
" row. my idol, my queen,n he added with prou
Ii rapture in his voice. IA
a. Imogene shuddered and faint, and overcome
Q silently signed for them to move forward on III
4 homeward path.
Il Gaston's splendidly handsome face was aglo,
8 with radiance, and as he rode at Imogene's sid
his graceful athletic figure was uplifted, until h
! filed the ideal Of victorious royalty. III
/ Mine, mine" he repeated a Thousand times t
himself as he gioated over his fancied right of DO.
session, and if he noticed Imegenes pale face an
dropping figure at all, it was only to imagine it th
! result Of agitation and emotion.
Before their ride was ended two incidents CON
drmed Imogene's apparently intuitiye perception
her suitor's dormant self.
AS they were riding at a quick gait, the suddel
movement of some domestic animal in its shad,
lair by the roadside caused Gaston's dscile, 70
4 pampered and high-spirited mare, to shy, and, &C
csmpIished as was his horsemanship, he barrel,
saved himself from being unseated.
No feeling of consideration for the faithful ami
NAL that had borne him safely for months suggested
the word Of reproof, allsuffieient for the ntegen
steed; but the whip and spur were cruelty piled
and his passion growing by indulgence, he ever
drew his knife and inflicted cut, before Imogene!
cry of horror could stay his rash hand.
4 All, deep indeed were the sinister lines tina
I wreathed themselves around the naughty mouth
debasilg it. with all its beauty to level with the
ugliest form that belongs to harsh and imbruted
natures, and the brilliant fash of the black ewes
SO magnetic in its effect, seemed lurid and threat
ening, as though originating in Stygan pits Of the
soul.
\ Imogene's accession of GOODNESS and reserve rri-
tated still more Gaston's already ruffied temper
and, although he regretted his loss of selfcontrol
he secretly resented her manifestation OF disan.
proval.
When they entered the park and cantered mn to
the lattice fence they found Willard returned and
awaiting their arrival
Imogene, with an increase of regret at her indie
cisfon, and determined when next they met to
speak to Castor in terms SO plain that even his
over-confidence could not misapprehend her, held
out her hands for Wizards assistance in dis.
| mounting.
TWAS, as matter Of course, quickly and eagerly
rendered, and, when CASTOR turned from throwing
the rsins over his horse's neck, he saw the dear
privilege that he had looked forward to as the de-
lightful termination Of his ride-the time when he
had bethought him to speak words of apology and
prayers for orgveness-bestowed upon another
and Imogene resting, even for the thousandth part
of q second, in the support Of another's arms.
jealousy and rage swelled in his heart, and mad
dened in his brain; carried away by the hideous
and dreadful passions that shrined themselves in
so easket, all the moral guilt of murder was
on his SOUL and rudey forgetful of his position as
host, and the generosity incumbent on superior
strength, he showed Willard with an oath and
blow to one side, and attempted to place Imogenes
hand in his arm. Il.
She drew back, white and trembling for such
gross rudeness had never before been enacted in
her presence, but with unmistakabls determination
in her air, as she said
You forget yourself, sir, strangely; asked
Cousin Wizards assistance
Turning away, as CASTOR stood in speechless
frenzy she found Willard clinging to the lattice for
support, with his handkerchief pressed to his lips
Come, Cousin willard she said kindly and
with an attempt at caimness, Come with me to
the house,
The invitation was silently accepted, but she
saw with concern that the short space was trav.
ersed by Willard with the greatest difficulty, and
the anxiety was changed to fright and dismay,
when in crossing the hall, he staggered and fell
faintng on q lounge, while the handkerchief, loos-
ened frow his clasp, revealed ensanguined spots,
and permitted the crimson current to pour its small
but insidious stream from his mouth.
CHAPTER Nv.
To call for Mrs. Nieoll's assistance to apply the
cool, refreshing water, and the pungent, vigifyng
essence to dispatch messenger for the physician,
all occupied but short space Of time.
Willard recovered from the swo0n, but the hem.
orrhage was prolonged and violent, and taking
into consideration the. length of time that must
necessarily eapse before medical assistance could
arrive, the apprehension arose, both to Mrs. Nicoll
and Imogene, that it would be too late.
1mogene suffered torture of suspense for the
idea haunted her that unthoughtedly she was in.
in reducing him to this condition, and
she felt that should he die, the moments wavering
that had given CASTOR cause for hope, and SO led
to this result would cause her lifetime of regret
When DR.. Morse arrived, employed the first |
iicoosSal5 uSdis Itnci dHu iudue WITH
view to finding the origin Of the attack, Willard
had the magnanimity to refrain from any allUosn |
to Gaston's name, and cast an appealing look5to /
lmogene, which she understood as silent prayer |
that she too would abstain from giving information
as to what had TRANSFERRED.
CASTOR, without having discovered the frightful |
effect Of his conduct retired to the privacy of his
room, to nurse the white heat Of his jealousy and
rage, and at the same time to devise the means of
restoring himself to the sunshine of Imogene's
slances and smiles. When information reached
him Of Wizards condition he remained sulkly and
and only cursed the fate that gave rim
mogene's sympathy and attention.
The night was far advanced when the sedatives
employed had the desired influence, and the suf-
erer sunk into sleep.
Late as it was, however, Imogene could not close
Ter tear-laden eyes without penning the words
hat would make CASTOR understand that her con.
usion and indecsion were the result Of his impet-
losity, and of her never having previously given
! thought as to her own feelings towards him, and
lot of overwhelming love, as he had nnhappiy
imagined, and she had unfortunately found herself
90 weak to explain.
He found the note next morning lying on the
able at his bedside, where Thaddeus had placed
{. His first act after reading it, was to rise and