The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-09-23

sit Ia In now. Miss india" said Clair,
earnestly, and taking advantage OF your
mood. "trusting your heart may be found
II, unison with the flow OF the waters,
let me Law before you q subject upon
which I have been longing to speak, but
dared not venture until now. All, sweet
one do not tremble SO. / know you
love me even as love- yes adore you.
Is Ii not 80. my In p
"Hushl Has 1t indeed come to this p"
The girl had sprung to her feet and
was glanoing fearfully around with that
same hunted look In her great deep
eyes that Clair had noticed there before.
The young man sat quite still. gazing as
In dream, and dreading 10 awake to
the reality.
~ would have spared you this pain, !"
India went on hastily. when Mr..
Ellsworth left me, one short hour ago, /
breathed long sigh of relief that what
! had been expecting and trying to
avert In his case was over, trusting 1t
might be the last. God knows / have
prayed to be spared this last trial have
watched myself closely, guarded against
encouragement Of any, save friendly az
tentions, aud Aattered my vanity with
thoughts OF success, / find that | was
mistaken. Let me be plain now, 1t is
time. | am to be married-oht how [
loathe the road lin three weeks, 10 a
gentleman who drew me into a betrothal
contract when was but child. did
not know what / was doing, and was,
besides, influenced by parental author
ity. Since becoming of age I found my
Intended husbands attentions, and
pressing OF his suit, very disagreeable,
finally requesting release from my en-
gagement. This was refused. I have
tried TO cultivate love, but the little god
is v illful aud flies from me, Prevailed
upon at last to name day for our
union, resolved to have few weeks of
rest and quiet before taking upon my
self vows that are hateful because Of
their moekery; and, ss Aunty and Myr=
tie. with several other friends, were
coming to Grey Sands. Informing my
future lord and master that for one
month at least / was bound to be my
own mistress, and bidding him modest or
Interfere with my pleasure at his peril.
came with them. Fate seemed to fol
low me. 1t was on the sea shore at
Long Branch, at ebb Of tide, that first
met Marshall Endicott. That was the
first serious tidal-turn In my young life.
The tide was coming in when you dawn
ed upon my vision. bringing glow OF
love with you. But nowF'--
India paused suddenly, as shadow
fell Across her white dress-the shadow
OF q tall stranger, who advanced toward
the two seated Ia the arm chair. with
anger visible on every feature,
Clair Cornell sprang to his feet. His
face was ashen in its paleness, but his
voice was stea 1y as he said, eoldly
"Presuming that address Mr. Endi-
colt, will say that although / love
India deeply and devotedly-love her
,S r1lInSt, 1,,ur@rh<, S1 sYxp ,F
any attempt either to win or encourage
attentions from me. or any other gen
tleman. This is due her from me. and |
give IT, ttot Is d right fer fott te de-
tnand-you whom she never has loved
but merely to shield her from needless
censure. Misunderstanding toward her
with sweet, sad smile-"see! the tide
is ebbing; gol Farewell, sweet ruler
Of my hearth" and snatehing her hand.
fairly crushing 1t in his agony, Clair
Cornell quickly laid 1t down and was
gone.
upon my world" sneeringly re-
marked the dark stranger, standing
with folded arms. and looking down
upon the trembling girl as she sat gaz-
ing after Clair's retreating form, this
is fine piece Of business, TO be sure
High time / was locking after my
beautiful runaway"
mot another word"
Marshall tsndieott reeoiled q few steps
as India staggered to TO her feet and
raised her eyes, full Of whitening soorn
TO his face. you have done your worst.
Mr.. Endicott, Heretofore | have been
not only blind, but weak. At this mo-
ment can see, and am strong. Your
own action has broken the last slender
cord that bound me to you. You knew
the chain was calling. you took advan.
tage OF my stern sense Of honor to hold
me to a promise made In childhood. at
time when / really did not know | had
a heart. Since coming to Grey Sands |
have taken my first Lesson IN love, al
though was an unwilling pupil, and.
until you came had kept my troth with
you. But you have now added insult to
injury, and | place my foot upon the
past. grinding 1t into dust. Let me
never see your face again Col"
One glance into that beautiful deter
was in earnest: and, with muttered
curse. he tNrned.on his heel and strobe
away,
The hotel was in eommotion when
India made her appearance. Frank
Ellsworth had put out to sea in q slight
row boat. with a look in his eyes that
made friends tremble for his reason.
Clair Cornell had ordered his luggage to
follow him. and gone off without word
Of explanation. Eyes full of wonder
aud inquiry followed India's every step,
but she made no sign only, when alone
with her aunt in the silence Of the night.
she pleaded, with white lips:
Take me home, auntyl Please take
me home"
The cliffs and rocks on the beach at
Grey Sands were shrouded in the gold
tinted purple haze Of a glorious Indian
summer, as Clair Cornell made his sec
ond advent there in obedience to sum-
mons from India Crawford.
II have just learned your address"
she wrote and hasten to tell you that
am free. IL you love me, comep
He went. And standing upon the white
shell strewn beach, Clair looked once
more into the beautiful dreamy eyes,
while India plighted to him her troth
as the tide came in!