The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-01-19

conjecture. But IL skilled not TO speculate
on that Fight he must.,or except the dis
honor that was now branded on his name
the contumely-the scorn-the cold and chill
ling haughtiness of his companions. This he
could not do. To nature SO proud and sem
sitive, death would be preferable. While
These rfections were passing rapidly through
his mind, he rose and rung for his servant
then drawing his writing desk to him he
rapidly indicted the following note:
"Capt. Barry
Will you hayel the kindness ito
meet me at Kings, under the Planters, at 5
p NJ Your attention to the time and place,
will confer favor for which 1 shall feel deep
ly obliged.
Your friend
WARREN HAYES"
"On Clem's making his appearance the note
was handed him with instructions 10 take it
at once to its address He then finished his
toilet and went slowly down stairs. How he
dreaded meeting his sister. Her upbraidings
on the previous day had not ceased to rankle
in his heart He knew that she was right in
the opinion she expressed. Did she know
all, what would be her feelings toward him
Her resentment now was only such as that
stimulated by a naturally sensitive heart,
against an unproyoked indelicacy to one of
her own sex, high in her esteem as friend,
trusted and revered. To what additional
lengths would it extend, did she know that
he was even now contemplating fatal meet
ing with the man who had punished him for
his ,tnmanliness?
AS for Warren himself he felt that he had
been justly punished, and but for the disgrace
involved he would have let the matter pass;
but that he could not do now without wearing
on his brow brand as ineffaeeable as that of
Gains He must go on. To him it was i'm,
possible to hesitate. Push forward he must,
let the consequences be ever so disastrous.
Great was his surprise, therefore, when his
sister met him in the hall, with smiling mp
turned face for his morning kiss; and then
led him, with much affected dismay at his
slothfulness, to the pleasant little breakfast
parlor, where his meal awaited him.
"Now, you see, Warren, notwithstanding
your sloth, what delicious little breakfast
have prepared for you. These hot rolls are
really perfect-the steak is done to the most
approved nicely; and as to the coffee, It's aroma
is simply. enhancing. Now, look that you do
justice to my care for your comfort, under
pain of my serious displeasure."
Thanks, thanks my dear sister; it is all
that even an epicure would desire, and a far
less tempting repast would satisfy my appetite,
You make me appreciate more and more the
inestimable treasure 1 have in my sister. l
shall have to do great many good deeds to
become worthy of such blessing" and the
young man really believed it. If there was
a holy sentiment in his heart, it was love for
his sister. Her beauty made him proud, and
he reverenced her for that mate goodness of
heart, which made her an object of love to
every one. Scornful of other peoples opin-
ions-regardless of the estimate the world
might place on his morality. he was yet jeal-
Gus of her good opinion. To appear well
in her eyes-to become the recipient of her
praises or endearments he would be willing
10 make any sacrifice,
Sorely troubled was he, therefore, lest
ny sOuS MOIu Suc ohOuAl Gail up Jue lIduS-
action with Bartrelle He wanted it buried
from her memory. By no sign, word or
deed would he disclose to her his present
intentions--not for the world would he have
her know them. If the meeting resulted dis
astrously to himself, he could trust to her
affection to forgive him; if otherwise, the
necessity he was under of avenging his honor
must mitigate her resentment. He little
dreamed that his attempt to appear calm and
unembarrassed afforded her the strongest
assurance that there was something in his
mind he was endeavoring to conceal. She
had not forgotten the conversation of the pre-
ceding day-n6r was she ignorant of his
absence the night before. She knew that
something was about to transpire in connec-
ton with his difficulty with Bartrelle, and
with all her woman's strength of resolve she
determined TO find out what it meant To do
this she well knew that all her wits must be
enlisted. Her strong affection for her brother
her woman's horror of blood-incited her to
the effort.
"Well, Warren, what lady fair was made
the recipient of your distinguished attentions
last evening? The interview, I judge from the
hour of your return, was protracted one.
Come tell me all about it,"
Il must plead not guilty, fair Milly. No
lady went into ecstacies over her toilet on my
account last night I knelt not at Cupid's
shrine. My visit was to a business agent, and
our interview referred solely to matter of
dollars and cents, bowed not to the god or
goddess of love-last evening, my pretty one."
"Come, come Warren, You can't deceive
mel Was she fair, rich, alluring? In short,
her name? l must know / am absolutely
dying of curiosity You know havn't any
bachelors of my own nanny won't let
them court mel OH dear; more's the pity,
I wish she would" and the rosebud mouth
puckered itself into an expression of such
bewitching huinor, that with even the weight
pressing on his heart, Warren Hayes was