The Louisianian. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1870-1871, 1870-12-25

? conscious OF that drop OF blood In IN,
that, ii known, would damn me to a Lii,
: below me-
Unable to listen to the talk, I rose anc
the room, in that moment hating
left hem all
i Irecall the convalescence of Ralph
Molyneux as one recalls a dream In
which one has lived and acted, but whose
scenes can never be really believed in.
| Being en- invalid, he knew that he
might insist upon things which would be
refused to him when well, though learn
ed that few could refused him anything.
you have not the heart to deny q
sick man" he would say to me 'hring
the children in here, and I win assist
you with their lessona"
From the moment Of his accident there
seemed an intimacy between us, which he
would allow no coldness Of mine to over
come
Mingled and strange as were my feel
ings at that time, I confess that he ex-
ercised a power over me subtle and strong
and sweet, q power that I struggled
bitterly against, for not the less strongly
did I disapprove of his belief and life.
Such were my days until the time
came, when he was recovered and going
away to his home in Alabama.
had resolved that I would have no
parting interview with him. I was afraid
and unhappy at thoughts Of such an
interview. I was sure that he at least es-
teemed me, and I thought it likely he
would forget my social station as gov
erness, for in such degree he was hbe-
ral and enlightened.
1 succeeded in arranging 80 that Mrs.
Wyndham appointed the day of his de-
parture as the one ON which / should
accompany the children upon q days
visit to their aunt, who lived dozen miles
away. In my heart I think she was
rather glad to do it, for could not but
know, in spite Of her politeness, that she
looked upon Ralph's attentions to her
governess as the height of absurdity. For
tunately my conduct had been such that
she could not censure me.
The day had passed-must I say to |
me it was day Of mortal WEAKNESS and
detection With myielding resolution |
lid not allow myself to think that pro-
badly had seen Ralph Molyneux for the |
last time that he had entered q path |
led forever away from me. I would not |
think ; but I felt dreadful, q poignant
depression.
We were halfway home, riding slowly
along in the slanting rays of the wester-
ing sun, when suddenly Belle exclaimed,
half rising from her seat:
There's Ralph coming to meet us II
hope he'll take me in his wagon!"
1 felt my face blanch as she spoke. and
I saw bowling rapidly toward us Ralph
in a light open carriage I lad III ,ught
him away-I had schooled myself to be-
lieve that should never see him again :;
and it was hard for my self-possession to
see him here, close to me, bending q
glance of fiery entreaty and reproach
upon me, as he signalled the driver to
stop.
He rode by the side OF our carriage,
took off his hat, and bending toward me
said :"I beg you will favor me by riding
home in my wagon"
"But do not see the necessity-"I
began, totally unprepared in this sudden
meeting.
"But see the necessity. In a stin low
sr- voice." If you have any humanity, you
will yield"
That indescribable tone penetrated to
my soul. For my Life in that instant l
could not have spoken But he did not
wait for me to speak. He had sprungI
rom his carriage and, opening the door
'f our barouche. held mp his hands for
ne to descend
1t was out Of my power to hesitate fur
her. Ileaned forward, touched his hands,
md then stood by his side while our car
ringe drove on.
He put me mp to the seat and eat down
beside me without saying word His
horse started forward, but not in the di-