The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-04-26
BARTRELLE.

CHAPTER xIv-coNTINUED.
The circumstance to which the lady allu-
ded occurred but few moments before Hayes
entered the ball room. 1t was this Not
withstanding the enmity Warren Hayes bore
her cousin, he loved Laura Taylor-loyed her
with all the ardor of his fierce, impetuous ma
ture and the knowledge that his passion
was hopeless but infamed his affection and
intensity to the desires of his heart. Indeed,
his feud with Bartrelle was mainly attribu-
table TO his love for his cousin. Since, how
ever. his rencounter with Bartrelle he had
never even dared address her in common
civility. But he feasted his eyes in watching
her whenever opportunity offered. And when
tonight respondent in beauty and grace, she
moved across his surprised and startled
vision, he gazed upon her as if his eyes
would never get their fill. Never in his life
had he loved her as on this night. 1t seemed
to him as if Heaven, angry at his misdeeds,
had put her in his way but to taunt him with
q loneliness that he might never possess.
II appeared, too, that this silent homage he
had rendered her had not passed unobserved,
as the question of his present Uis-a-uis clearly
intimated. So unexpected was the interroga-
tory that the tell-tale blush rose to his fore
head and fired his cheek, but he determined
TO brave it out
ga tall, splendid looking lady, you said ?"
'Ah, such were my words"
"Let me see-yes, think 1 do remem-
Der"
awell, think you ought" rejoined his tor
mentor "you took sufficient pains to OBJ
Serre."
"Ahl-au-yes-" he stammered..
"Ithought you were coming verses to her,
until / saw her turn and regard you with
look, to say the least, was very expressive"
For when Laura had become aware, as she
did during the evening, that Warren Hayes
was subjecting her to persistent gaze, which
under the circumstances she felt to be insult
ing, she turned and met his gaze with a
glance of such chilling haughtiness that he
shrank back into the crowd utterly abashed
and crest-fallen.
"Perditionl" he exclaimed starting up,
''you saw that, did your"
"Hs, ha, ha," laughed the lady, "of
course I saw it-drole, wasn't it?-ha, ha,
hal"
"Y-e-s, rather drole"
"And how silly you looked, monsieur, ha,
ba, hal"
"Did II" muttered Hayes, almost choking
with wrath and vexation.
"Indeed, you did, monsieur" replied the
memorable lady, ''and 1 pitied you beyond
expression"
81 am deeply grateful, mam'selle, and that
may in future be able to requite your kind
sympathy in my behalf, 1 trust you will let
me see the features l am now more than Gu
rious to behold"
''Some other time, monsieur, will crafty
you, but not now; and must leave you also,
as see yonder person with whom 1 am
DESTROYS Of speaking"
"Mam'selle, let me be your messenger"
Excuse me, monsieur, 1 must 60 alone. !"
And without waiting for further part
ing, she glided from the recess and
mingled in the crowd. But warily as
she moved she did not escape the sharp eyes
that followed her. Hayes saw her approach
Laura Taylor, and whisper something In her
ear. A moment afterward they Withdrew to
menced an earnest conversation Cautiously
approaching the coneealment, he saw the
stranger remove her mask, whilst her whole
attention was engrossed by her companion.
As she suddenly turned her head, he caught
glimpse of her features
''God Of heaven I" he exclaimed, stagger-
ing back, sit is the outlaws daughter-yes,
cannot be mistaken what brings her here,
and how is she known to yonder proud girl 2"
Surprised and astonished beyond mea-
sure he gloomily strobe away. Had he
fingered moment longer. he would have
heard that which would have filed his savage
heart with joy; for they were discoursing Of
certain plans and intentions, the knowledge
of which by the federal officers would have
been worth princes ransom.
Yes, it was Zeral HowIcame she here
what makes her SO far from the lines of the
army, where SO late we left her sleeping the
sleep of WEAKNESS and exhaustion She
Came on mission of dread-she was pursuing