New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1870-04-17

handsome face! impossible; 1 will not be-
! lieve it,"
Not only possible. madam, but very
true.n
AFTER al the care have taken to rear
| her, TO engender ambition, pride, and per
| feet contempt for all not rich and elegant, to
| have her love 8 sailor a person 80 far be-
meath her, that it is positive impudence Tor
| him to entertain such feelings. Do not
| mention the subject to me again, it is too
alb urd. Prevent any private communica-
| tons between them, rldlcule any confession,
or seItimentalism on her part. and show her
| the Improperly of Laura Douglass ever
| wedding man living upon a salary. 1t
| would soon disench&nt her, TO feel your
| scorn and disapprobation, and as you, by
! your silence, approved of the secret cores
'o,ience, you are the proper person 10 point
! cut lis improperly"
| Mrs. Douglass, Inaver interfere between
! mother and daughter, and as | hear Laura
coming l will withdraw"
! As I spoke l stepped through the open
| window into the garden, and CHANGING back
| saw her enter from the hall, looking very
lovely, her raven curls caught back by sim
! gle white, creamy Camelia bud.
| what has occurred. dear mother Why
| do you greet me with trown? 1t is the
! first, my mother, | ever saw upon your
! brow"
sit is the first time wac ever sufficiently
provoked with you, to feel you deserved u
| frown OF dlspieasure.'
! The tears came in her eyes as she fondly
| smoothed her mothers brow with soft, yet
| hesitating fingers. ''SInle upon me, mama,
and tell NE my oferse. Explanations often
| prove the innocence Of The objects of our
| displeasure."
"You know, Laura. that the happiness of
my future life depends upon you marrying
man perfectly eligible III every respect.
esteemed aud honored by friends and &C
| Qualntances; one whose wealth AID position
in life command respect; one in whose keep.
| ing loving mother would intrust the hap
plnesS of an only child"
'Oh, mother. l know who you refer to.
| Do not ask me to marry man I do not -
never can love. We are not only dissimilar
| in disposition. opposite in opinions, habits
| and wishes, but he is my fathers senior by
several years"
''Of all this 1 am perfectly AWARE coldly
said Mrs. Douglas, s'but with your education
| you could never be happy with q poor man.
Happiness and poverty are Incompatible"
"Ah, no, mother; thcre are some men who
| can make humble home place of happi-
| ness" said Laura, throwing herself upon
her knees beside her mother. Twining her
| arms around her, she added: 81 judge by
your words you know | have INDUCED in
dreams of happiness, and have already in
judiciously disposed of my heart. am in
deed glad that you have discovered that
! love, for it precludes the necessity OF con.
| fession.'
"You have always been a good, obedent
child, Laura, but l see you are now disposed
to disregard your fathers wishes in this
| matter"
"You have ever been kind and consider
ate, mother, and to show my gratitude, you
| expect me to marry a man detest, and can
not esteem. You wish to place me in
home of luxury and wealth, but devoid of
all happiness. Oh, mother, not only con-
| fess that love Lawrence, but have plight.
ed my word to be his wife,
"You will not see Lawrence again for a
year, and ere that time you will see the
folly of loving man who can not aDpre
| ciate refinement, and is q more suitable
mate for your dressing maid, than my
| daughter. Ere the expiration of the twelve
month you may If you desire, be the envied
mistress of Stanton Hall"
| Remained to hear no more, but turned to
witness the arrival of the aged sutton of my
| young pupil, and thought if | were the
! daughter, how little compulsion would be
necessary to make ne his bride and mis-
tress of his extensive possessions. walked
slowly through the garden, and resolved as
| sOemnly az Miss Laura, that she should
wed the object Of her affections, thereby In
/ creasing my chances of securing the man
! she desp sed. | Immediately returned to
my room and proceeded TO dress and we'll
was pleased with the white face and neat
! figure reflected from my mirror. | took
| most unusual care with my toilet, and turned
away smiling with satisfaction. As [ en-
! tered the dining room | saw at glance all
! that had occurred since the arrival of Mr..
! Stanton. Mrs. Douglass had no. found an
| opportunity to communicate her fears to her
reverend tayorite while he sat regarding
| Wi Oka nf Nm Cd aH
she stood by the window abstracted and ST.
! lent. The Judge regarded both with sur
prise and displeasure, evidently his suspi-
| cions were being aroused to the truth. No
one appeared at ease excepting myself. /
advanced with a smile and cordially wei.
| coined Mr.. Stanton back to his native land
and was rewarded with apleased smile and
warm pressure of his hand. | sought my
usual chair opposite Laura, and was graft
| fed by seeing Mr.. Stanton's gaze several
| times wander from her face to mine. Mrs.
| Douglass made no attempt to continue the
conversation and gradually perfect silence
| fell upon the entire party. felt relieved
| leave the table. Laura and l followed
her. She complained of headache,
and with significant glance at me
| left the room. AS the door closed behind
| her, Laura twined her arms around me, and
gently drew me upon the sofa. Miss
Fletcher, you are the only one who seems
to realize that am not still child, incapa-
BILE of thinking for myself. advise me. Is
| i. my duty to allow my parents to dispose
Of my hand regardless of my happiness?
| When tell you of all I have experienced
| during the past few months, you will agree
with me in thinking that l am capable of
acting Independently in affairs where
my future happiness is concerned. 1t
| is unnecessary to tell you of the great
love bear my cousin Lawrence, and you
know the wishes of my parents. MY father
respects you more than any woman of his
acquaintance. Mother regards you as being
exceedingly conscientious, and believe
your love for me equals that of sister.
| Advise me, and promise to act Immediate
| ~ as you advise
| l kissed the tears from her cheeks, and
assured her Of my great love for her. ''The
| good opinion of your parents is certainly
very fiattering but it lie more gratifying to
! feel your deep love and confidence, which
you have just proven by coming to me for
advice and assistance. l will advise you,
! just as I would act myself under similar
circumstances-be governed entirely by the
| dictates OF your conscience and the prompt
| ings of your own heart. Do not entirely
disregard the wishes of your parents, but
| give no promise that would reflect misery
and unhappiness upon yourself | do not
think they desire you to wed Mr. Stanton
particularly, but any man Of equal wealth
and power"
But how can I ever tear the image OF
Lawrence from nay heart; although this is
my first love, and am so young, it is none
| the less sincere"
is your great love reciprocated."
'If may believe his ardent protestations,
his solemn vows Of coDstancy, our love Is
| mutual"