The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-09-27

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81 shall unite to your vsntcres," said the for
egner, evidently understanding the purport
though not the words of Loners e2treaty. And
| he backed quite out and offered his chair to our
| poor confused pet was just coming to the res
cue, when Herbert who had knack of appear
ing at the right moment on this evening" stepped
forward.
you have forgotten that was to have the last
| waltz, Violet" he said al have been seeking
you; come" He took her unresisting hand
gave his brother who was about to interfere, a
look that viii called silencer,r and led her
away. They did Aot go back into the ballroom
Wien reached the hotel, found my Violet in
"You are over.excited, my DEAR" said, and
began to take of her ornaments.
Il am in such trouble, don't know how to tell
| ycu. Will you ever forgive met"
Dear child, you have done no harm"
DO you know, do you really?"N
| Eyes, was there, watching you. We quite in.
| TENDED TO show you the rooms some evening, and
M. Bell would have explained the game to you.
There was no harm in your going. but Lionel was
to blame for taking you in your ball dress" After
this the little soul sobbed all the more. put her
into her bed and sat beside her, holding her trust
lng little hand in mine, until her breathing became
regular, the tears dried on her face and she slept
Perhaps another tear fell upon II as kissed her.
but know that thanked God for his mercies,
and for the beauty and brightness in this pleasant
world.
lam sorry to have to tell you that my old favor.
| during the next month. Miss Prue was in a state
allowed her.
"The young man must have his fling - said the
kind general; be has never seen anything of the
Fort before. He'll soon come straight again.
Don't worry him, PIue; be ia good lad"
IVORY him What expressions, brother
Counsel, advise, are now to be spoken of as men
speak of-of aggressive dogs. Worry, indeed %
At last, however, things were getting too bad.
Lionel took his seat at the green table soon as
the doors were opened, and scarcely left it again
until they closed for the night. We all besought
the general TO interfere.
"Our little plans for Violet will all be ruined by
bis present thoughtlessness," l urged. Then the
father told his sen be must either give his word not
to Ie-enter the gambling saloon or return with
them all to England, and at once. Lionel chose
the former alternative. He must have felt
grateful to his father, who had allowed him
TO run On in his own way and given him
al necessary moneys without word OF COM
plant, until check was absolutely necessary.
So Lion acquiesced with a good grace, and
now sought to pass his time. and forget his
craving for play, in fresh burst of love making.
But in Violet there was change that chilled these
thoughts Of his. She did not turn from her merry
faced friend; that might have augured hope in the
winning her back but she met him without any
of her wonted interest and sprightliness. She did
not care il he came, stayed or went. She did not
mind walking with him, but she showed neither
liking nor Discrimination when such walking was
proposed. We all saw the change, and / &C.
knowledge that had been hasty, and that the
woman's feelings still slumbered in the little
breast.
"Perhaps she will never care for any >" said
VIII. This is the second lover in six months"
" She has never been beloved YETI answered,
fearing to say more, as had been so maDifestly
wrong in my former idea. My husband shook his
head.
You are very queer creatures, you women,
very queer, and not to be sounded at all. You're
either too shallow or too deep; it's not for me to
81 " WOnld haVa IN
that handsome young fellow all the more pertna-
ciously, just because he was thoughtless and fool
hardy, and turned his back upon them bit, and
hanbered after forbidden pleasures"
That would have been so if a girl-if Violet
had loved him. But, indeed, matters went too
fast and too smoothly; we might have been sure
they could not all end in rose. cOlor."
a. The old theory about its being unfortunate to
win the first rubber? Cards and love have some.
thing in common
"Hsve they though? Then will thank you for
some information about -
But let us on to another subject, with which
XiQlet has paiRip8 .aRav G6ftradrcy0fy and IN:
satisfactory frame Of mind for weeks after the ball
at the Redoute. She made desperate love to the
dear old general. and turned her back, as Will
says, on her old friends. i never found out what
pessed between her and Herbert when he led her
home on that eventful night; but know that she
stunned him, could not be induced to take a walk
with him alone, and scarcely answered If he spoke
TO her. And yet caught her eyes earnestly fixed
upon bis face sometimes, and | knew that she
heard, ay, and eagerly listened to the few words
he spoke. He WIS not much with ia; he liked
walking. and would often start away with his
knapsaek on his back, for two or three days
tour.
October was coming upon us now, aud we be-
gan TO speak Of going home. had resolved
that nothing but absolute necessty-or a good
husbaDd-should take our darling from Us again.
She was such blessing and comfort, and so con-
siantly reminded Us, by her very name even, of
spring and sunshine, and all that Is sweet and
pure in Natures day of promise. ~
How long might she be with us2 | thought.
held letter from Mr.. Ashley In my hands. had
told him my wishes and opinions honestly, and he
had responded with all possible, Kindness. He
would rot take her away. How about that hand
| some lover with the tawny name?
We elders were sitting out in the beautiful
| avenue listening to the energetic band and the
two in my thoughts were walking leisurely up and
| down. Lionel's arm had been offered and reject.
ed, and be bad folded his hands upon his back,
| Violet, little pouting, little uitiing wholly
charming, toyed with her parasol looked provok-
iney into bis face, and gave him pert answers in
her own pert way. At last he grew impatient of
her nonsense, and must-I judge from later con-
| fessons-haye said something like
"You are making fun Of me, Violet. am in
| esrnest and will not be laughed at. tell you
plainly, once for all. i love you, and want you to
be ny wife. am tired Of all this play. Letthere
| be an end to it,"
~ don't think made the beginning?
"YOu did. thought you beautiful that very
first day, when | placed your little foot In the
wishing place. wished then that you might have
| put il upon my neck instead, and called me your
Slave. ] would have done your bidding fast
| enough"
Now you know me better you want me to do
| yours. Thanks; don't care about a master at
present" And she laughed merrily enough. Then
| he stood still. fronting her.
| "VioIet," he said, =" ask you for the last time,
will you he my wife? know Mrs. Bell would like
it, so weuld my father be wants me settled; and
| surely your father could not object Violet, may
| We write and ask him ~
mo ~ she said, and saw her plant her foot and
parasol firmly down into the ground. mo, no, no
len thousand times, no And tell you, Lionel, you
will never change me, not if you worry me all the
| few days stay together, you will never change
ne Idon't love you, and I don't love Mr.. Otto,
! though you have picked up that silly story, and
/ choose 10 say so, and-and-and-l don't think
I know what love is, and-and-I don't wish to.
| There !"
"Let me teach you. can, and will,
"From you could never learn it. Let rs be