New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1868-08-23
q accept" l said, hardly audible.


l heard him iucredulously. No story he
could tell would change him.
Remembering then that we had been
standlhg, ne led me to seat; and still
standing before me said:
Il am OF race over which hangs a
curse. The blood of insanity is in my
veins. AT this moment can not conceal
anything from you. My father died sui
eide, an insane horror guiding his knife.
For generations back, here and there upon
ourgenealogy, has been the black mark
that seemed set there by some angry deity.
And most fatally have we loved. Those
whom my fathers loved returned treachery
Tor devotion, and suffering developed the
horrible thing lurking within them.
My father, fearful above all things, that
had Inherited the darkness that struggled
Tor mastery within me, endeavored with the
efforts OF despair to guard me from every
trouble. From childhood to manhood my
path was hedged in by watchtul kind
ness. Twas warned never to love, never
to give my happiness into the keeping OF a
woman, Tor woman had wrecked his lire.
Futile advice you will say, and indeed it
was. | followed it until now, because |
have known no temptation to depart from
ht' LAFU JGutE dSU lily IdluGT ultu. IJ1lll
tell you that that shock. though it deyel-
oped no insanity, yet made me, in my in
most heart, a man OF gloom? From nv
earliest youth l have been taught that
woman cursed our family. Yet now !
laugh at the possibility OF my life being
cursed.
"a noted physician for the insane said
to me: "A woman who shall indeed be
your counterpart, who shall fulfill your
whole existence for you-such one shall
save you. Then would you find Joy to
recompense me- did not think upon his
words, but now I realize them. You are
niue, as l am yours. My love is like
revelation. My life opens in 10y"
He sank on his knees by me. and hid his
face in my hands. Upon us in that supreme
moment descended the chrism of entire and
mutual love.
have now only to tell the infliction that
awaited me. A week later I sat alone at
room, and silently prophesying the Bright
ness OF the days 10 come, Tor In nv ex1lt.
ant heart was no place for fear or despond-
ency. Could mot with the power of love
conquer beautiful future? No cloud
should linger above the head of him 7
loved.
A sudden Jingle Of bells along the lonely
road in front of my door, and looking
through the window | saw the futter of
crimson, the heavy folds of velvet, and
with sigh OF wonder L knew my cousin.
Mrs. Vanstone, had come.
"Where is he?" she asked, giving me a
peck on the cheek.
Then | knew wherefore she had coma
Lut what ;pst;,o+ ,,,t,. -. / -
here? Meanwhile she had settled like
feather upon my lounging- chair. and was
looking keeuly at ne from undert the tafntly
curl d eyelashes.
who ~ asked, looking very coolly at
Ter.
"Oh, the man, the cbeyalier, the Sir
Philip. You've had one here or seen one
| know: Bring him for'ard and let me
pitch him out o. Yinder:, for 7 feel like Mr.
Els aunt. Come. don't evade."
was angry. Why did she ALWAYS sr-
"You mean Mr., StarbpckY" T said % Ue
has gone"
She dropped her gay, debonair manner.
and looked with swift sharpness M me,
He has not been mere" she said.
. Yes" ........
NC laHSbCA SdblIiCdllJ.
"The flirt. the breaker of vo,,an's
hearts? But of course you were safe. All ?;
The last with an indescribable infection.
In spite of myself | felt my fa2e pale
slightly. My ready suspicion and iealonsv
ipTang up fiercely. and vet | knew better
'ut she should not know what thought.
" Relate to me-" she said, "what sent
lin here"
| told her the bare facts of the case. and
ben waited her speech.
"0f course he made love 10 you?' with
oft, haunting smile
Certainly" | said, ioily. -
She looked at me with blank face
"What are you saying?" she asked
81 am replying to you.o
ibid he offer himself?'' in low tone, as
awed by the celebrity of affairs.
Yes"
and you?"
Il accepted him.
A few moments of silence; then a CAV.
"But it is not six months since he was
ngaged to Olivia Hunt, and is now for
ught know" -Ile,
you speak falsely, y l said suddenly sit
ng down, my hands growing cold.
did he tell you so?''
NO"
She nodded her head. "He hasn't an
lcome OF a thousand year,
Now was relieved. That was the trou-
lie after all. -.
Il don't care" l said.
She saw she had made false move. and
ent back to the SUBJECT of bis previous
Engagement. listened in silence, At
st she said, with polite anger:
"You have waitad lona anorob or1T