The Louisianian. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1870-1871, 1871-02-05

fast friends, his horses, and his Yacht,
and his young charge had an this Will
grown in virtue and lovliness, and was
tit mate for the most irreproachable j,
the land.
i "Pshaw ]" said Merrivale, as one morn
ing he strobe in petulant mood the inlait
floors of his lbrary-into the contents O
which. by the way, he rarely glanced
this irresolution is unworthy Of m,
manhood I am the master here. Iwil
see this timid beauty, and know tn,
worst at once" .'.......
He touched the bell-rope, and ordered
a servant to send Miss Martha to him
She soon appeared, looking 80 uncon.
sciously innocent that Merrivale thought
her more beautiful than ever. -.
In a few hurried, impassioned tones
the now confessed lover poured forth
the long pent secrets of his heart. He
represented in glowing colors the wealth
that was his, and the queenly life she
might lead if she would but consent to
share his fortunes
The girl listened with burning cheek
to his words, of which each syllable was
an insult; then, turning calmly, reproach-
ed him with his perfdy.
ut was cruel" she quietly said; ut was
unworthy the aim ola man who would have
the world believe that he has o reputation
to maintain and desires to recommend
himself in the eyes of women. feel bit
terly the sting, but You have warned me
in time. Tempt me not, sir. There is
one who will and can protect me-"
"Not that dissolute and degraded brute,
your father" retorted Merrivale, in
pretty passion at this dreaded rebuff: He
has sold you to me, and you must be
aware that you are i1retrievably mine.
But go to your apartment. You will
learn to decide differently when you re-
fleet upon the advantages you will throw
away by refusal.
She was going, but at this moment the
door was opened, and there stood, on the
threshold, young and manly figure, to
whom Martha fed as frightened bird
to its nest. He was clad as becomes o
clerk, but there was in his air a glow of
manly resolve, which rendered him at
that moment the superior of his employ
er, as Captain Merrivaie was.
"What brought you here, sir, at mo-
ment SO inopportune9" ?" asked Merrivale,
with shame and anger. |
II heard voices" replied Lawrence
Ashton pale but collected, "and deemed |
It my duty to attend. 1t appears that I
was just in time to prevent the consume
hon Of an act Of deliberate villainy." |
'You may congratulate yourself that
you have exposed an eayes-dropper,"
Merrivale said. "Henceforth you are no
smylOye Of mine. Go. We are strangers
II stir not without this lady, who has
yiven me right to protect her, which it
'eems she refuses to YOU"
Captain Merrivale touched the bell
ope.
'See this young man out of the house,
nd let him never return" he said to the
erving man who answered the summons:
and do you, miss, return to your apart
aent and await my pleasure"
II obey" replied young Ashton, 'but
is to your disgrace and confusion. Fear
ot" he added, turning to Martha, as he
7as on the point Of departing, you shall
q delivered OF once, at any cost, even
bat Of life. |
Left to himself the captain paced his
partment in deep discomfort Fooled in ,
is own lair-defeated by . weak and
uny boy. He decided not to be thus
earded, and even tho desperate extreme
I an offer of marriage was not the most
,mote of his calculatonR The strictest
rders were left with the duenna, but
,mehow it happened that during the
.rlier hours of evening the garden gate
vung open, and q slender figure. bear .
3 q bundle, and very plainly clad and 7
,iled, glided noiselessly from the shadow
the protecting mansion, and, entering !
carriage, which was in waiting at no Il
eat distance from the spot, was driven Il