Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-12-10

o'clock ill the morning when the bell rang for the starting of tho veSSel-a gorgeous summer day, the sky blue and cloud less, the Mississippi dancing i'll the SUD- shine
 Amongst the passengers on board the boat were Augustus Horton, his sister Adelaide, Mir. Moniresor, Silas Craig and William BOwen.
 This latter parsonage had exchanged his ragged skin jacket and patched cot ton shirt for costume which aped that worn by the fop' of New Orleans.
 He followed close at the heels of Silas Craig, to the evident annoyance of the lawyer, who seemed. however, unable to shake him of
 Augustus and his party were bound for Hortonviile. the plantation and villa of which we have already spoken, and which was situated .pon ti,. banks Of the river, some miles beyond that belonging to Si- las Craig.
 The attorney was also bound for his plantation. whither he was taking Will liam Bowen, who was henceforth to act as his ovcrsecr.
 Augustus Horton was elated at the success of his villainous plot. He had lodged the only rival whom he feared in a felon's jail; he felt that Camilla Mora quitos might now be easily won but big heart-ir the protiigate who yields only to the dictates of passion can be said to have q heart-was full of the image oi Cora the Octoroon.
 Just as the boat was about pushing off, two young men stepped on board. The first was Mortimer Percy. the second Gilbert Margrave, the young engineer and artist, who carried a sketch book,i in order, 1 suppose. to catch some of the beauties of the Mississippi banks as we glide past them.
 T< %oJ kto% %,,,H mer, have far graver reasons for being here. come to meet some one."
 "A lady?"
 "Yes."
 And her name is-?"
 ''Miss Cora LeSlie."
 "Good Heavens. my dear Gilbert, are you in earnest? You know this girls historyI'
 "I do; and in my eyes that very history fenSeless woman must ever be to the mind of an honorable man. I received 8 message this morning from MT. Leslie s old slave. Toby. informing ma that his young mistress is to come on board the boat at the first station, and begging me to be there to meet her, as she might have need of my services"
 And you took the hint?"
 "Gladly--proudly."
 My dear Gilbert, I'm afraid you're very far gone," exclaimed Mortimer, laughing.
 Adelaide Horton's heart sank as she received tho young engineers cold saluta- ton. She felt that he Gespised both her. self and her brother for their conduct tc Cora. Mrs. Montresor and Adelaide soon withdrew to tho saloon, for the sight oi Gilbert Margrave was painful to the inn petuous girl.
 The scene on board the Selma was 6 gay and animated ono. In the center ol the deck German band was stationed, and every now and then some sprtghtly waltz or polka sounded on the summer air.
 Close against one of the paddle-boxes group of eager gamblers had seated themselves round card-tab,e, and it was amongst these that MT. William Bower planted himself, while Silas Craig con. versed in an undertono with Augustus Horton.
 Gilbert Margrave and Mortimer Percy stood near the side of the vessel talking on indifferent subjects.
 Presently the bell rang again, and the steamer stopped at the first station which was situated at a short distance from Gerald Leslie's plantation.
 '.Miss Leslie knows nothing es yet o