Daily Republican. [volume] ([Wilmington, Del.]) 1874-1890, 1888-06-28
a PRmUIoUs PAIE.

l tonSo. hhu uAeu uu tOWh IN Lou
isiana as offering the best chances fol
q struggling lawyer, but think should
have given up very often In despair Il
had not had Affects letters to cheer
me.
| After time began to get a few
clients, and among the number were
Colonel Alvarez, who owned large
plantation and hundreds of slaves. He
had, moreover, beautiful daughter,
LeoHora, whose rare loneliness showed
the Spanish blood in her veins.
soon became constan. visitor al
the Colonel's home, for the spell OF
his daughters eye was upon me.
did not cease to love Alice, but was
fascinated by this beautiful Southern
siren, with her starry eyes.
One night while ON my way to the
Colonel's house | wandered q little
from my accustomed paths and sud
denly came upon q man and woman
standing in the moonlight, her hand
upon his shoulder, his arm encircling
her waist. paused in the shadow OF
the magnolia moment in hesitation.
| 80 your father is inexorableP" said
the man, and saw his face clearly.
YES" was Leonors's answer. 1--WE
can only wait and hope"
at only had few thousands I'd
marry you in spite of all the fathers
In the world"
Dear Alphonso," she murmured,
holding up her face to be kissed, II
must leave you now or shall be
missed"
Stepping aside to let the "dear AL.
phonso" pass, returned home with.
out paying the intended visit.
The scene 1 had witnessed had q
curious effect on me. / did not think
II made me jealous. for l was not at
I all In love with Leonora. 1t served,
! however, 10 break the enchantment or
| whatever 1t was that bound me, and
from that time l ceased to be q visitor
+, at the CQlonel's house.
At last q letter came from Alice,
whom / had so long neglected
Through some gossiping correspon-
dent OF friend of hers the news
reached her that / was paying court 10
wealthy planters daughter. Up.
braiding me with my breach of troth,
which wrung my heart, she released
me from our engagement.
had laid up some money latterly,
. ana, Scss..33as, had just won an i'm
portant suit, for which / had been
paid several thousand dollars.
My resolution was quickly taken.
~ can afford 10 marry Alice now"
l said to myself; land though we can
not haYe quite the palace we were
wont to dream of, we can live com
fortably and trust to love to make up
| the rest"
As Tor my little affair with Leonora,
l felt sure Alice would forgive 1t when
she knew all. ..--
On the day fixed for my departure a
note was brought me, directed In a
lady's hand. 1t was signed III. A"
found on opening it,
You surely cannot CO." it said,
"in spite of your GOODNESS of late,
without saying adieu to one who has
always sought to treat you kindly.
will be at the magnolias, on the wind.
ing path, at 8 this evening, which
will leave you time to reach the up
| ward boat"
That the note was from Leonora
Alvarez, the contents, as well as the
initials subscribed, left no doubt. L
awakened my curiosity. Why ask mt
to meet her at such placer Could i
be that she loved me, after alll Al
any rate, it would be next to rudeness
not to comply with her request.
] sent my luggage to the landing,
and in good time, not to keep the lad
waiting, took the path to the magno
las.
1t was nightfall when l reached
them, but, as it behooyes a gentleman
in such circumstances, was ahead o
time,
l had not been waiting long when 6
stealthy step behind drew my atten
ton; but, before | could turn, a stu n
ming blow on the head felled me to thu
earth.
On returning to consciousness
found negro STOPPING over me
whom recognized as one of Colone
Alvarez's slaves, whom / had made 6
friend of by divers small gifts o
money.
"What's the matter, Tom9" asked
"Gollyi nufl's the matter Why
you's been knocked down anC
robbed Jes feel you pocketsi"
Springing up made rapid search
Sure enough-my pocketbook and al
l had in the world was gonel
,. Poor Alice" was my frs
, thought; tive cannot marry now"
81 know who done it, said Tom
at aiE't been minnit sence. | seet
it all from back yer in de bush, bu
dasn't speak. You jes' come dis way
, Massa Warren"
Fiading had my pistols left, fol
lowed Tom as he crept through thi
bushes as softly as cat.
"H'shl' warned the guide at length
holding up finger.
.'Lookee darl' he whispered.
Out on the road, where Tom pointed
stood an open carriage. A lady seatee
within held the reins. 1t was ligh
enough to distinguish her features
They were Leonora's. In the man s
dlscerned thoae of "dear Alphonso."
"Have you got it2" she asked.
Eyes" was the answer, "and he'll
never know who did it. We can aflore
TO marry now, and trust to luck after
| wards"
Before Alphonso could take hi
place at Leonora's side, my hant
was on his collar and pistol at hi
breast.
my money or your lifei" l ex
claimed.