New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1870-07-05

LILLrr,s JEAA0UsY.

course. But il you do, Mr.. Mortime
you need never speak TO me again"
And pretty, coqu4Eitsh Lille Lawto
nodded her head de6antly aa the amuse
gentlemen sitting beside her on the sofa
-sBut Lille, she il my own fEst cousin
and courtesy demands should pay he
this tribute ofjEespect. Beides being {
guest ct my mothers house, ! feel -"
al don't care : iig for all that Yol
know You are very particular whom al
low to associate with Ne; and, Will, I an
sure have AS good right to insist on Sc
lectiDg Your lady friends"
Her flushed cheeks denoted IN earnest
ness Of purpose that amused. while it an
noyed, Will Mortimer. a8
''But see here, Lille, darling. View
the subject in . plain, common sense
light. Ought Iaot; am ] not in duty, II
respect, In courtesy, under obligations to
sustain my characterof . gentleman to .
lady who is q guest at my mothers house.
He gave her full time to reply.
s:Of course, you are. OF course, you
can pay her any quantity Of attention, and
yet not neglect me. do say, Will, since
Kate Westbrook came, you have sighted
me shamefully." 'Af s-t o-t
This time the quick color came to hi:
brow. = 49,
..Liliie, when? Howl"
She tossed her little head indiferently.
"Never mind now. But ON this question
Of the masquerade ball. Here have l been
anticipating it all the autumn-have pre-
pared lovely masquerade suit and now,
one day before, you come and tell me
that-Oh! wish she were in Egypt"
Lillian"
Very seldom did Will call her so; and
his low, stern, commanding tone struck q
cold chill to her heart.
'tYou needn't think by saying Lillian
change my mind. am fairly i'll, so great
is my disappointment" ,.
''But why should you be disappointed
The mask ball is coming off ! am going"
"And with you this Miss Kate West
brook. As if would 60 to ball with a
gentleman who escorted two ladies! You
know / would not. You have heard me
say it dozen times.' I'd AS 81 ...sa
Lilies pretty face was clonded very
visibly, and she twisted her engagement
ring on the taper finger as she spoke. .
VIII looked hurt. He looked annoyed.
he even flushed up. as though he might
be angry. Yet there was world of truest
love in his voice when he spoke:
Darling, you will 60, won't you! Please
do! I assure you, cousin Kate won't
make the crowd that the third one is said
to make" aH A'g.. s'''tas5f
His bright, handsome face was very
noble-very lovable, rs he spoke; but
Lille would not be silent. '@
IF she goes, / stay. If 60, she stays.
You have my Medean and Persian deci-
sion" =. - 6,'.l'.
Her voice was cold and constrained, and
she curled her lips in faint smile Of con-
tempt. SOD sl.sd -.
"tilllie, dear, Kate has been promised
she would attend this ball.
He spoke patiently and kindly.
Every well, then. take her. / am sure
your path Of duty, Of respect, of courtesy,
is open before you" a,.,ss i.
Her sarcastic repetition CALLED him to
the very soul; but he loved her, so he did
not rail again.
"But you, darling9"
He had his arms on her shoulders; but
she shrugged them carelessly of.
"Me? Oh. am,of no consequence. I
can remain at home-or, perhaps, go with
Captain Sayres.
What wicked demon ever prompted her
to add the last few words, she could not
tell; but her eyes danced, and she smiled
q little smile of challenging derision.
"With Captain Sayres, Lillian Lawton
Oh, never!'
He was thoroughly aroused now. he
had been striving to quench the rising
anger in his heart; but now, with this
thrust at her hands, it burst forth in an i'm
petuous torrent. -.
HE is bad man, and you know it /!
You know that there is no blacker stain on
q human beings name than that which
taints his reputation. You know this
Lillian !"
ITO be sure! But what of that? You
are going with Miss Westbrook. Why
shouldn't 60 with Captain Sayres? He's
q Notwithstanding man and q splendid
dancer
Her cool sarcasm did not tend to soothe
Wills feelings. -
Gillian, 1 command you in this thing.
You dare not disobey. When you know
the nature of the man, you will allow me
20 conduct you to the masquerade.
"Dare not disobey! That is rich-ex'
ceedingly rich!"
Her mellow yet cold laugh resounded
through the room, and fell nockingly on
his ears.
"Lillie, you know have ever loved
Won. You know I love you now, and that
Il is this very affection that ID alarmed
and terrified at the bare idea of the risk te
yeur reputation you threaten yourself
with. warn you, Lille, not to 60 with
that unprincipled man. You will always
regret It to the last day of your life.
aThen take me yourself alone if yeu
wish to avert SO fearful catastrophe.
His face grew darker and sterner.
nm 80 Ia cb;ldish fnld Won i bad