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

stanton called ana MrS. douglass requesteu
me to break the news of Laura's marriage
to him. When I entered the parlor he was
looking over Laura's music, holding mag
nifcent bouquet Of flowers in his hand.
"Ah! good morning, Miss Fletcher; see
you looking SO well that the question Wouid
be useless. How is Miss Laura he COntin-
ued. without noticing my silence.
''She Can not see you this morning. MI.
Stanton"
is she not well ?" he asked au1iously.
''Sha is rot at home: be seated, Ar. stan
ton, | have some painful news tor you.
Would it gr!eve you much to lose Laura ~
| ASKED abruptly.
what do you mean, Miss Fletcher, is
Laura deugerously ill?n
81 mean that Laura Douglass can never
be your WIFE | answered, vaiuly trying TO
disguise the pleasure the words gave NE.
tCan never be my wites Pray explain
yourself. Have | not the promise OF her
parents. with the assurance Of her willing
consent ~
"rhere is q stronger voice II the matter
now: mean her husband"
"Her husband!H he repeated, with gen
uine surprise.
patiently repeated to him the whole sto-
ry taking care TO omit my motive in taking
such deep interest III Laura's happiness
He sat perfectly quiet until had concluded
the room | glanced at his face but read
nothing but disappointment and chagrin.
"Miss Fletcher he said, resuming bis
seat beside me-, II have been grossly de
ceived by Judge Douglass, yet 1 am glad
that ahe has married the man she loves, Tor
it has spared NE many unhappy days. |
admired Laura, and would have been proud
to have seen her mistress OF my house. l
have noticed her half concealed aversion to
me, and felt that there WAS 10 love for ne III
her be art; yet had known she loved anot her
| would never have annoyed her with my
attentions From my heart / wish her
every happiness, and if she will receive me
as friend, it will afford me much pleasure
to continue my visits here" He arose and
offered his hand in adieu as l stood before
him his earnest gaze caused the red blood
to dye my cheeks. | hastily withdrew my
hand, and taking the flowers, raised them to
nv face to conceal the happy expression l
knew was playing around my eyes, Begging
me to accept the flowers, and murmuling
some thing about calling again, he babe me
good morning. | threw myself upon the
sofa to analyZe my own heart. Was it pos
sible that [ loved this man, almost old
enough to be my father; yet time had dealt
gently with him, and as l recalled his erect
figure; noble, intellectual forehead, and gen.
tie refinement, forgot his wild, dissipated
youth. the great disparity Of our ages, and
only remembered that | loved him. Once |
coveted the luxurious ease his wealth would
bring: now felt to be his wife my cup of
earthly happiness would be filled TO over.
flowing.
When l returned to Mrs. Douglass room,
she inquired all that had passed. repeated
the conversation, with few omissions. A
few days later Laura and her husband were
with us again. She looked So happy aud
bright that all knew she had won the for
givness of her parents. Lawrence they had
always loved, but objected to his poverty,
but now that he brought wealth they
welcomed him as q son. MIR. Stanton, true
to his ward, called upon them, Laura came
dancing into the garden, where Lawrence
and were gathering flowers. Lawrence
dear. look, are these not beautiful she eX-
claimed, holding a tiny basket out that he
might admire its contents. 1t contained an
assortment of the richest pearls, looking so
pure and white. in their dark velvet bed
''Mr. Stanton gave them, and said with
your permission they were mine. May
keep them dear ~ she asked innocently.
IL see it would almost break your heart
to return them, SO this Is my answer and
Lawrence smillngiy tWined them around
her neck. NOW be off and thank him."
81 paused long enough for that, but he
asked me to send Miss Carrie to him, as ne
wished to consult her about something"
.
70 give dinner and wished me to appoint
the day. | appointed that day week. After
short conversation was called to Mrs. Doug
lass. l saW Mr.. Stanton no more until We were
welcomed with stately pOliteness at Stanton
Hall. l never grew weary OF admlring the
house; every thing was arranged with ele-
gauce, comfort and beauty. The house it
self was situated on q slight hill in the
midst of green meadows and waving woods,
almost on the bank of the river. 1t was
built Of brown stone Ill that substantial
cube, that allows the greatest amount ct
room and comfort attain4ble in the given
space. 1t was almost completely sur
rounded with ornamental shrubs and flOw-
ers. The stiffness of its outlines was broken
by several deep bay.windows and the taste
full veranda tlat ran across the front, so
that it was an elegant ana pleasing build
ing. l amused myself in the library until
our host summoned US to dinner. In pleas
ant conversation the hours flew by IN
needed, until Mrs. Douglass suggested the
propriety of our returning home. AS We
stood prepared to return, Mr.. Stanton ap-
preached me, and said
''Miss Fletcher, if you do not fear the night
air. it will give me much pleasure to drive
you home" Then l noticed his pony phae-
ton stood waiting, and accepted OF his escort
Bidding me wait until he had seen Laura
and Mrs. Douglass comfortable in their car
riage, he left HE. How light and happy |
felt! In the east the moon with crimson
flush on her broad bosom smiled brightly
upon us. The myriad stars shone out IN all
their sparkling spiendor. Returning, MIR.
Stanton said {:
Il fear have kept you waiting
"No, l DO not think | could soon tire of
this scene.'
Assisting me to my seat, he tossed coin
to the groom in attendance, and springing
IN beside me, we started - at rapid pace.
For awhile We -ndllg3d in an animated con-
versa.ion, and the ponies thinking we had
forgotten them, had several times degener-
ated into canter, from which, with a
gentle hand he had brought them back to
their proper pace. When about half the
distance was accomplished, and they ap-
peared quiet, We became SO absorbed IN our
conversation that he gradually became
careless, and permitted the ribbons TO lie
loosely 10 his hand. The sudden scream of
q night bird was sufficient to arouse them to
their full speed. The ghostly moonbeams,
the dancing shadows filled their sensitive
brains with terror, and they few on at a
rate that ere long alarmed their driver. l
sat perfectly quiet, although much alarmed.
Across the road, at its lowest point, ran
little stream; the white moonbeams falling
on its ripping bosom made it look like a
sheet of silver. With pointed ears they saw
the imagined danger too late to avoid 1t.
The cool waters springing up in gilt
teriDS shower under their small hoofs
gave additional terror to their e1-
cited nerves. They strained up the
opposite bill in frenZled haste. Here was
the last cress.road. With sudden wrench of
his strong arm, Mr. Stanton succeeded in
forcing them around the curve. They
passed it in safety, but nearly overturn-
ing the light buggy, then his strong arm
could not prevent them from leaving the