The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-02-16

BARTRELLE.
CHAPTER CONTINUED.

AS tie boat containing BarJrelle neareu INC
dock, Major Hartwell took from his pocket
small card and hastily penciling on it few
lines, he leaped ashore and handed 1t to his
negro servant whom he had ordered to meet
him there.
uTake this" he said " to Col. Taylor's as
fast as your legs can carry you, and give it to
him or Miss Laura. Hurry! Don't stand to
look; he isn't dead!" and with the speed Of
the antelope the boy darted away on his mis-
sion.
Let US precede him.
The same breakfast parlor-the same scene
of domestic comfort, luxury and happiness;
but the father and daughter were alone seated
at the table. Smiles and pleasant words OF
endearment were passing between them, and
thoughts of the absent one made music in the
| heart of one of them, lighting up the radiant
face, and giving to the tone of her rich, clear
voice a monotone of happiness so intense
and sweet that it fairly gushed in melody.
Oh! how sweet is a maiden's voice-how
rich-cloar, when the heart is happy and the
| spirit of the future filings over heart and mind
hope and beauty linked in radiant visions.
| Inc DTl8ultutu COiOI VI llOI AdCC o-AOhNN
the seal of health, and the deep, dark eyes
brim-fuIl of love and sympathy, shone with
| glorious light. Very, very beautiful looked
the young girl, and happy. She loved and
was beloved in turn, how could it be other
wise?
Such thoughts as these were passing thro'
the mind Of the old Colonel, as he looked
| 10 tho lOvalv
woman. Who could help loving her? None;
not one, who could look down through those
darkly glorious eyes into the pure heart that
throbbed in her bosom-a heart instinct with
love for human knd-sympathetic for every
woe-strung with impulses that would soften
every i'll, alleviate every sorrow. How soon,
alas was this Eden of the heart to be turned
into grief.
The messenger of evil was even now upon
the threshold-the magician's wand was even
now suspended above her.
Such was the situation of the family at Col
Taylor's when q servant entered the breakfast
room, ushering in the messenger Of Major
Hartwen His excited state and frightened
looks created a general CONSERVATION. In his
hand he carried the card his master had given
him.
"Why! what's the matter my man?-what
has scared your" exclaimed the old Colonel,
springing from his chair and approaching the
frightened negro.
'Dis tell you sab! Please massa, it's awful ~
"Ah! what? Give me the card!"
A single glance at the hurriedly written
lines told him all. 1t ran in these words:
"Have room at once prepared Dick is
dangerously, though, L hope, not MORALLY
wounded, in a duel with Warren Hayes"
''Merciful God! my boy my poor boy!
burst from the writing lips and the strong
man reeled like a stricken child.
"Father! father, what is it? Tell me tell
me is he dead? Oh! in mercy tell me, what
has happened Richard"
Talk not of agony until you have seen the
anguish of woman's heart. Pale as ashes
was now that face so lately radiant, and the
wild eyes were swimming in nameless terror.
The servants frightend looks, and her fathers
quivering lips told her that some terrible woe
had befallen. What, she did not know save
that it related to her cousin. Her very life
seemed hanging on the answer. White and
still cleaned the anguished face-wild and
full of agony were now the lately luminous
eyes.
"Ohl father, tell me or my heart will
break" moaned the poor girl, with beseech-
ing looks.
my poor child, be calm. The tidings are
not FATAL but your cousin has been danger.
ously wounded in a duel with Warren Hayes.
He may recover-it is not"
"Dead! dead! deadl" walled the stricken
girl, and good angels wing swept across
her vision and took from her heart its con
seriousness of woe Like death was now the
pale, suffering face. The fearful swoor
seemed to snap the very springs of life.
! My child! my child! look up!-hes no
dead. not dead, Laural Oh, Godl it ha!
killed her." and the distressed father flung
himself beside the apparently dead or dyint
girl, and kissed her amid broken sobs anC
tears and entreaties to look up.
But there was ministering angel presen
, poor Amt Betsy. With tears streaming
, dswn her dusky face, she lifted her maste
up, and tenderly, OH so tenderly, laid tn
head Of her young mistress in her lap. Wit
an almost breaking heart but with judiciou
care she applied restoratives, and soon loy
e quivering moan issued from the pale lips-th
/, death like eyes opened at last. God wa
/. | mercifull
] Lookup, my chile. You mus be stron
now de poor boy needs help; an he'll die
3 we don't help him. Be strong now, my chile
4 for de poor lads sake Dey'll bring him HON
in q mint, and dar's no room prepaid. Yo
E mus git up my chile-you mus git up"
3 The words of the old woman acted hk
, electricity on heart and brain. No dru
could have acted with the magical char
: they produced.
0 "Help! oh God! yes, and lie swoonin
. here! Quick Aunt Betsy, the room! Liza
Il all of you, leave me and fix his room. The
e say lie yet lives; fly fly, 1 say, and prepar