The Louisianian., 1870-12-22
RLEANS A,THURSDAi, DECEMBER 0m, 1870.

sia, was my father. But even aside from
that, was half stunned by the feeling
that possessed me on hearing him speak
thus.
"I've heard the Doctor had few rather
white negroes, remarked Wyndhnln with
u cynical smile.
"Let them go; shan't hunt them up, y
said Ralph, referring to his own property.
''There's where you are wrong" re-
sponded Wyndham; and Ralph turned
without reply to see if We had come down,
while the Major walked away.
He looked us if he were about to utter
some gay sentence, but my face, which
could not master nnmediatly, deferred
him. He came closer to me and said in
Il low, soft tone:
"Yor. are offended, and l have a sense
of guilt as if it is I who am the culprit
What is it,
l had recovered myself sufficiently to
reply calmly:
"You viii say it is only political diff
ference, SO why/heed We discuss it?
think was surprised TO learn yoa held
slaves
'But you knew was Southerner and
had money!" he said, still in that soft 'lc-
cent that had u suggestion of sadness IL
it.
Yes. But some way it seemed impos-
sible to think of YOU us a STAKEHOLDER
said with elrnestness, looking at his ex
quisito face and not being able to reahz'
tile truth.
"And is that great compliment from
you 7" he asked.
"The very greatest" replied.
"And still 1 nave forfeited it," still
looking at ne with deep eyes, more pow
erful than any had ever seen.
(Which densn't make the least differ
ence i'll the world" responded, with i'll
accent OF coldness for which l was CRATE
ful
THE children are ready, as you see,
1 continued; take them before it geT.
toward sunset"
"You are also ready?" without stirrins
from his positioii by my side. though botl
the little girls were tugying ut his hands
l looked at linn Win ful and dlstan
glance, while I WIS glad that could re
ply with truth:
Mrs. Wyndnam met me a few moments
ago aud requested me to remain ut hom,
ami assist her i'll reading Cunsuelo."
He turned away without another wor,
and led the children toward the stables
where the pony was being put into theil
especial carriage.
looked after them moment. In al
probability that man owned my sister
ior, though l had not seen her since ,
child, l had known i'll vague way tina
l had Il sister Fannie, who, for some rea
sou, was always kept upon distant estat'
vi my fathers. Sne was net his fsvorite
as l was, AMI now, after years of entire
ignorance concerning her, l heard Of he
III this way.
went into the house and sat down
with Mrs. Wys,dham. AS l turned ovel
the leaves of my book, the carriage role,
down the approach with the negro drive
in front and Ralph Molyneux riding hi
| own horse by the carriaSe.
81 thought you would like to be reliev
ed from the care of the children awhile,
said Mrs. Wyndham, setting herself bac'
preparatory to listening, and looking III
terrogatively at me as she did SO.
81 am very glad to remain" l answer
cd.
We sat in q room whose windows look
ed toward the west, whence faint breez
tiuttercd the curtains, and the leaves o
the China trees without. The sun wa
iu cloud nearly all the time, only rarel.
sending a shaft Of light between tn
shadows.
[! Tread on for two hours, at the end o
which time Mrs Wyndhaln rose, partet
the curtains, and reayeled to our eyes til
cause Of the early darkness, for the SUI
was within half au hour of setting.
The greenish black Of the clouds fore