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

"'Pu niieut Inoulent tnen
said quietly, but with intensely passion
ate emphasis /: "We love. You shall b
my wife !'
In that instant / felt for him such nd
miration and love, such utter devotion
that had the gulf between us been les
wide / believe 1 should have bridge,
forever that which separated u.s.
1nsensibly drew back pace as re
Piled:
1T issimpossible that I should MARI,
you. Let us not talk further upon it
Will you take me home ?"
care you already married p ho aske,
IN voice 30 controlled as 70 be har1l,
recognizable.
"No. beg you will not urge thi,
matter" / said slowly. "Do you not be
heve me when I tell you the objection is
msuperable ?"
Neither Of us is married. There car
be nothing insulmontable between us.
claim you"
He advanced again to my side, and
would have taken my hand, but mo-
toned him back, resolved nowto tell hin
all.
"The objection is this" said hardly
"You are a white man and stakeholder,
while I am a negro and have been O
slave. My mother was quadroon, and
am DR.. Malcolm's daughter, Of
county. Georgia Do you ace the obiec-
ton ?" and smiled in relentless sarcasm
ut my own and hin sufferings
There was such conflict of feeling in
my soul that / would then have thanked
Heaven for sanity and consciousness.
He received the words al if had dealt
him a tangible blow, for he staggered
back, and learned helplessly against n
tree.
1 looked on remorselessly. I hated
Every white man in the world, I thought
And this mal-he was not going to leave
he one person in the world to respect.
But / was mistaken. He looked at
ne with gathering strength aud resolve,
LIZ face suffnsed with light M though he
lad just emerged from darkness.
He stood erect, and said:
Il offer You my heart and hand, be-
ause love you. VIII you marry me
Answer me rs one human being speaks
0 another"
I stood motionless and dumb, his
words and gaze thrilling, elevating my
Oul
Finally thought and reason returned
o me. There flashed through my mind
Il the truth. He had felt the prejudice
:yainst my race, even if the power of
Dve and my presence had subdued it for
time. Shoull he ever, under any cir
feel it again for one instant.
hat instant / knew would be fearful
cath to my happiness
At length I sGd, faltcringly, though |
rmly:
"NO. At this moment know that
on feel, love conquers all, but the habits
( life are not conquered in 30 short |
me, even by such power"
Az 1 spoke, 1 felt the sorrow of all my
ears rising to oppress me. I had then |
o hope Of happiness in life from su-
RENE love, and that hopelessness made
" words what 1 would have had them
30 far as mere words go.
He remained silent few moments. !;
[e saw that WIS sincere, and he did |
Ut try to change my decision.
He said slowly, his gloomy eyes glow
Y within their depths with q half
hope:
1t was that night, after Molyneux had
zen ut last safely brought home. laid in
IS chamber, and made comparat vely
,mfortable by the sedatives ths doctor
lministcred, that Major Wyndham
'und opportunity to relate the news he
nd heard in the town, of the rumors OF
not loud as yet, but murmuring
it'll a deep significance.
The Major grew excited as he talked.
q advocated immediate revolt from the
elerL Government, waxed wroth at
70 lght of the dolnineering coniuct of
le North