The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1878-12-22

! Yes, there she was talking to Lawley most
earnestly-nay. even whispering In his ear.
AS L looked, they rose from their seat and
walked toward the room where was sitting
! would not let them see me; indeed / was
| not fit to be seen by any one. The maid would
| have been justified in her remark that | was
Intoxicated, had she seen me then. I had
ripped open the tight jacket, and the gilt but
tons hung on single threads, and looked as
detected as myself. My hair was all ruflled
and Withholding. AS they came | retreated
behind a curtain, which concealed a seat in q
window recess.
"Your name was Linedy' Lawley was
saying as they sat down "Did you ever
know man called Cuthbert? He is friend
of mine, and | have heard him mention your
name
"Cuthbert? Oh yes! 1 met him in the
country last spring"
81 think he rather admired you, did he
not -
"'Ob, don't know. ] daresay he has for
gotten me by this time"
"a first love affair" said Lawley, laughing.
Exactly" and she laughed too
81 fancied that he said he was engaged to
you
II believe we did consider ourselves en-
gagged, but he has seen more Of the world
since, and has doubtless found many he adj
mires more than me-
'And perhaps you, Also have found many
whom you admire more than him.
"PerhapS | have.
"Shall remember you to him when l see
him."
Certainly, if he cares to hear about me-
But it is surprising how soon one gets over o
first love. But see, they are beginning u
waltz; shall we goY' My heart beat so fast.
] could hear it In the still room Outside the
window saw the snow falling fast and thick
gasped for breath. The air inside the house
seemed to poison me; | hardly knew where
was, what | did. The dancers seemed to
swim before my sight as reeled through the
hall.
| met the groom at the door as was going
out.
"My master wishes me to go to St Martins
with telegram, | said. Get the tandem
ready Immediately quickly as you can
and take this for your trouble from my mas
ter land put asovereign in his hand.) Come
and tell me when all is ready"
In five minutes was in the box bidding the
groom in n shouting voice to let the horses
60 Where was | going to 2 ! did not know
myself. | had only one thought-to get
away from this cursed place-to be out Of
hearing of Amy's changed voice to be away
The long, straight carriage drive was before
me- | dashed the leader and held the reins
slack. Away we dashed. A sensation of joy
GUS freedom from the hot room and the ghast-
ly gayety thrilled through me. The excite
ment gave me wild delight. The keen air,
as we fled through it, seemed to turn the boil
ing blood in my veins to ice | could not have
Ing aloud The horses were fresh, and
could not have stopped them even II ! had
wished. did not wish. What matter if
were killed? No one would care. except per
haps my little brother in India. But there
was no fear of overturning; the road was
broad and straight, and the horses would be
tired before we reached the park gate. Again
/ beat them with the whip. This mad drive
was doing me all the good in the world.
Stay! What is that in the distance shining
In the moonlight The frozen river The
bridge Is narrow, and must be wary. |
tighten the reins to check the horses speed;
1t only urges them on; The bridge Is near
mow for it We are not quite straight a lit
tie pull OF the off rein-bah have pulled the
wrong one crash, When consciousness re-
turned, | found myself diyested of my livery,
lying in strange bed. There was a dreadful
pain in my head, and a horrid thirst parched
my mouth By my side somebody was sit
ting holding one OF my hands. with her face
buried in the bed-clothes put out my other
hand to rub my eyes, but let 1t drop with q
scream and then noticed that 1t was tied up
had Just occurred, but knew who it was sit
ting by me. When screamed she looked up.
1t was Amy, and she was sobbing.
"Oh Harry, she cried amid her sobs, chow
wicked | have beeni | have been deceiving
you; but it was not altogether my fault 1
recognized you after dinner and was hurt be-
cause-even disguised as you were-you had
never spoken to me after 50 long a'separa-
JloD, Shb SOI1e Time III my own room, ana
then | came down to Mr.. Lawley, who told
me the whole secret, and persuaded me to say
what | did. We both of us knew you were
behind the curtain. But it is not true, Harry.
DO you suppose have ever thought of any
one but you have loved any one but your"
Then there is no truth about Count Trico-
lEa?"
The most odious man in the world
But the ring you gave him.
was only mourning ring that my father
left for him"
pressed the little hand that was in mine,
and she stopped down and kissed me- Was
not this enough to repay me for all p
NOW you must be very quiet, or / shall
go; for your arm is broken and your head all
cut by the ice, and you are very feverish"
She continued. "The wheels caught against
buttress of the bridge, and the trip is smashed
to bits. Your friend is in terrible state of
anxiety about you; but the doctor would not
let him see you-nor me either, until | told
him you would not be happy until had con
fesSed. Now go to sleep"
In three weeks, by the aid of Amy's indie
fatigable nursing, | had recovered / returned
to Mr. Fosbery's, and, with hope before me Of
shortly marrying her loved, | put all my
energy into my study. | was fortunate
enough to pass my examination well and in
another year was on my way, with Amy for
my bride, to India.