Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1879-05-03
NELLIE GRAHAM;
OR,
"Heneefasth We Are Strangers
CHAPTER II.
BY w. A. LeSUEUR.

turned and walked rapidly away.
He had an engagement to meet at IL
o'clock. 1t was now very hear that
hour. He had hardly gone half the dis
lance towards the place Of appointment
before the gloomy night notes Of the old
city clock told that the midnight hour
had arrived.
"Ah! twelve alreadyw he said excit-
edly. He struck more rapid pace,
looking neither to the right nor the left
until he had traversed the distance OF
several blocks along Sixth Avenue. The
residences on this beautiful thoroughfare
were occupied by the wealthy and arls-
tocratic, and embraced one of the most
pleasant and quiet promenades OF the
CITY. Choice flower gardens tronted
magnificent structures, which were in
turn shaded by heavy and spreading
water oaks that lent cool charm to the
fragrance of rare flowers.
The moon threw it's full light upon the
lovely scenes that characterized this
avenue, enhanced by the swelling fra
GRANGE of opening buds, but Hampton
was too much engrossed with some pet
scheme to be moved by them.
Finally, stopping in front OF a large
and elegant mansion, he rang the bell.
The gate opened Immediately, and a
lady stood before him. She was attired
in full ball costume, and was evidently
in waiting for some one. She said, in
querulous tone:
"Ah! brother, is it you' You are
later-much later than l thought"
eyes, Laura, and l lam as glad to be at
home as You are to see me" he answered
linking her arm within his and walking
towards the house.
"Well," she said excitedly, ''in com
pany with that miserable puppy Aines
worth, left Mrs. Hartwells sometime
after YOU did. We reached here hal
an hour ago, and you may rest assured
Twas glad when he left me alone. He's
good enough fellow to make conven
fence of, but he annoys me with his ev
erlasting rattle-trap tongue. Then
was in no humor for conversation, after
the fine game played tonight, and
was rejoiced when he left"
"No doubt you were," said Hampton
"after being the instrument in breaking
off the engagement. You've probably
broke James heart, he was so devoted
to Nellie, As for her-she didn't carr
so much for him."
mo, sir-there's where you are il
error" she retorted. "Just reverse TIL
picture. If he had been SO devoted tt
her, he would have taken the drink"
"H-u-s-h p he spoke in quick under
tone. "Other ears than ours may b
listening, and our vital secret exposed
Wait until we get into the house, ant
we will be secure from observation"
They proceeded in silence to the draw
ing room, where they were soon seated
in close consultation.
A quick glance would create the i'm
preston that Laura Willard was pretty
Let us look at her more closely.
Her features are tolerably good-higl
forehead, cheeks full, but deeply coloret
with paint; aquiline nose, chin in keep
ing with the general contour of he,
face. But her eyes, beautifully arche'
with dark, silken brows, black, eve
restless and sparkling, bore some indie
Unable expression-anything but swee
and soft, more sinister. while her heat
was covered with a profusion of darl
curls. Herform was rather slender, an,
when she choose, could be charmingl,,
graceful. When in pleasurable moot
her face wore q smile that was CALCULATED
to charm and attract.
Tonight she was apprehensive of
thousand discordant elements-fear tina
the plot she had concocted would prov
disastrous. The consequence was, darl
and forbidding expressions characterized
her face and naughty language dyed tn
coral of her lips.
In an enlarged type Hampton possess
ed the same features as his sister, thoug]
the cunning Of his countenance wa
more perceptible. Thismark was evident
ly created by license to dissipation
and the unlimited freedom of his pas
sions.
Laura re-opened the conversation b,
asking:
"Well, how did she act on the rout
home 2"
''Nellie, you mean~
eyes, of course"
ooh, you could see plainly that some
thing was wrong. But l tell you tn
candid fact, she is too proud and deter
mined to retract her angered words S
Pm safe on that score, and you may con
graduate yourself upon occupying pc
sition of equally fine promise"
sThank YOU" and she bowed her hea
mockingly.
''No Thomas yeti wonder what dc
tains him." said Hampton suddenl
changing the subject.
81 am expecting him every minute"
III hope the scoundrel hasn't got o
another one of his sprees."
eff he has"
'It would prove fatal to mew uncoI
sciously muttered Hampton, then II
Numbering himself, he said:
"Ring for refreshments, Laura. II
getting dull and sleepy aud must abs