New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1868-04-08

Monitta to the carriage.
Chapter H.
Let US pass over the years of Monitta's
girlhood, only lingering TO say that no care
or expense was spared by the Bedfords to
educate and exalt her. And we'll she repaid
them, for at the age Of eighteen she was
woman of rare requirements as well as
grace, and halfwild, halfcivilized beauty.
The gazelle is brown and very beautiful in
the softness and clearness of its color and
the natural grace of its delicate form, and
so was Monitta, only more beautiful than the
gazelle as the light of the soul broke
through her black eyes and flushed the
rich olive cheeks with its varied passions.
All, YES, Monitta was very beautiful, and
almost irresistible with that half.wild, half
civilized charm of novelty about her. And
SO thought Edward M0ntray, whose visits
had become almost daily.
Mrs. Bedford loved the child of her adOp-
ton devotedly; nay the child had cast the
witchery of her strange power SO entirely
over her that she felt that it would be al
most impossible to i've without her, and
her heart had been pleading so strongly TO
keep her that it had been two years since
she had spoken to her of her mission among
her people. And now that she marked the
growing attentions of Edward Montray, and
that the young girls eye frightened at his
coming and saddened in his absence, her
heart was anxious for the child Of her love,
and her conscience troubled her for listen.
ing to the pleadiBgs Of her heart rather
than the voice of duty.
"Monitta, my love, come to my room;
wish to talk with you"
a smile of loving tenderness played over
the young girls features as she bowed as
sent. A smile that ever lit up the dark
olive face when Mrs. Bedford profered q
request, however trivial The Indian girl
worshiped her, and her smallest wish
was delight. Monitta had all the vivid
imagery natural to her race, which seemed
intensified by education, but in point Of
fact had only found channel of expression,
and in her passionate heart had enshrined
her benefactresG as a creature nearly allied
to the Great Spirit whom she had taught her
to adore.
As Mrs. Bedford seated herself Monitta
glided to a low ottoman as her feet, laid her
hand over on her lap, and raised her great
liquid eyes beaming with love up to her
face. Mrs. Bedford clasped the brown hand,
and raised the young girl to her feet. my
child, come to my arms; / wish toteel your
head pillowed on my heart while talk with
you.n
This seemed to Monitta very like a. sacri-
lege of the holy veneration mingled in her
love for her white mother; but she knew
not thought Of disobedience to the beauti.
full white spirit she worshiped in her lady
mother
'sNow, Monitta, have you forgotten the
promise gave your dead mother to return
you to your people, to teach them of the
Great Spirit who is to save their souls ~
The light of gladness went out from the
young girls eye, and like astricken bird the
pinions of her spirit fell heavy and dead
about her heart. She giided from the arms
of her mother, sank upon the floor beside
her, and raised her eyes imploringly to her
face.
OOH mother, can not, can not. Your
child has listened 10 the love songs of her
white brother until her heart is his Next
fall she ~ &c ks vic. Tcii, iy mother
if the white wings Of your spirit should
cease to fan the heart Of your child she
would droop and die. Oh! do not send her
away. Mother, can not go.n
80 God! my poor, poor child. !, who
love you so much, am to blame for this"
Now the head was erect, and the eyes
were almost naughty in their proud flashes.
Does my lady mother deem her Indian
child unit to wed with her white brother 2
II so, Monitta wiz put away the frappings of
the white woman, wrap the Indian blanket
once more about her, and go back 10 her
people, ever to pray for, the white brother
and mother she has left behind her.n
''M0nitta, did / think this, would you
have been folded 10 my heart but moment
ago would you have won from me a love
greater than that 1 bear for my own chill
dren2 Oh, child Of my love, would to God
that Edward Montray were half as true to
you'll Il is through him that tremble for
you. ! fear that yon have given your pure
love TO ono who knows not how to value
heart and mind above the c0nVentionalities
Of the world.n fa
The proud look was gone, and the light of
a happy heart was again playing over the
II do not believe this, mothe; but this
night he shall tell me in your presence if it
be true or nOt.n .s e4ass
This is what was going to propose to
you, my darling. Now 60 and dress. wish
you TO wear your black poplin and scarlet
shawl, and your coral and pearl tiara, and
have your hair brought in heavy folds across
the head, with full puts covering the back.
I win meet you In the paFlor.a
As Monifta that evening entered the par
lor never had abe looked so brilliantly beau.
hfui- And 20 Mrs. Bedford gazed upon the
strangely fascinating girl, with thewitchery
OF an impassioned, loving heart cast about
such glowing, natural beauty, she wondered
how man could prefer the appreciation Of
society upon his marriage TO happiness with
such woman. And her heart was aching
with an actual pain for the young girl she
loved 30 tendeFly.
As Edward Montray looked upon Monitta
that evening, he excused his conduct by
deciding that mortal man could not resist
such q creature.
garden this beaatiful eFehingl / leave to-
morrow, and twin Be some days ere We
meet again.7
I'm & halfhour we may have a walk
through the garden, but first wiak You 70
tell me in the presence Of nay mother III YOU
mean to fulfill your premise 70 mmkesme
your bride In the fan It Is not ] who
doubt you, but ! wish TO Aavs ny mother
Mrs. Bedford hxed her eyes full anon him
with look which sofely con9uaed him.
well, really, M0nitta, thia 10 q atrange
way Of trapping me TO make lore before
another. ! would much prefer talk with
you in the GARDEN
This was halfearnest yet ssmewhat
awkward attempt et pleasantly. For he
could not PEI easy under the steady eye Of
The SA5is aspect Of sfSnissa was now
changed; the form was erect the proud