Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-11-23

i tAAo o9k0s 0AOIt4u10Ee B8lQ HIS 8u0Gs ssyou are surely not going to fall in love with Miss Leelie."
 Mot the least danger, my dear aunt. Though l would not say as much for poor Gilbert here."
 .Pshaw! Mortimer" exclaimed the young artist. reckoning: ''it Is the paint er's privilege to admire beauty without loving it."
 swered Mortimer; ..but unfortunsteiy. sometimes certain little rosy-legged gentleman, with 8 bow and arrows, called Cupid. steps in; the painter for gets his privilege, and the man falls in love with the artists model"
 .'Well, must leave you, gentlemen" said Mrs. Montresor; ''I think I sec Adelaide and Miss Leslie coming this way, so if you want an introduction to the young South American you must ob- tain it through my niece. Au revoir, naughty boys!'
 ''Stay, my dear aunt, you will forgive MT. Margrave when tell you that he is as determined an abolitionist as yourself, or any of your friends in New York. He means sailing for South America in a month, armed with some new inventions in machinery, which he declares'ought to eupersede slave labor.'
 "Yes, madam" said Gilbert, earnestly; ''your nephew well knows my opinion upon this subject, and though his inter- ests may be allied to tho hateful barter, which should call a blush to the cheek of every honest American, I know that his heart Is with us, the abolitionists of slavery"
 "Let me shake hands with you, MT. Margrave," exclaimed Mrs. Montresor; ''I declare to you that so hateful to mo is tho slave trade. and all connected with it, that were 1t not necessary for me to ncvfv vi marriage with his hare -brained boy, l would never again set foot upon the ac- cursed soil of Louisiana, but I must not say more to you now, for here come the young ladies. Adelaide is but child as yet. and has never thought Seriously of the matter; while her brother, Augustus, like his father before him, is a determined and the elegant, although portly, Mrs. Montresor glided from the room, her rich robes of sky-blue mofre antique rustling around her.
 "Gilbert," said Mortimer, hurriedly, as soon as his aunt was out of hearing, remember, I beg, do not breathe to mortal one hint of what I just now told you, with regard to Miss Leslie's origin. ] suspect some painful mystery here, and would not, for the world, that any idle talk of mine should cause this poor girls gentle heart one throb of sorrow or one thrill of shame"
 "You may rely upon me, Mortimer" exclaimed Gilbert, with enthusiasm. My lips are sealed forever" He had scarcely spoken, when the two young girls approached, arm in arm.
 There was marked contrast between tho two friends. Young as Adelaide Horton was, she had already all the fin ished elegance and easy confidence of woman Of fashion. Frivolous, capricious, and something of coquette, she was born to charm in 0 ballroom, and to creature of an utterly different nature. Like some wild flower from the luxuriant forests of her native South she seemed destined to bloom with a sweeter per- fume in loneliness. To blossom for the silent stars and the midnight skies; to expand her fairest petals to the sunshine of one loving heart. II do not care to see my cousin Just now," said Mortimer, ssso I will leave you, Gilbert, to mako yourself agreeable to the young ladies. while go and smoke cigar ln the balcony opening out of the conservatory:
 The young man strolled through the cartained doorway, leading into the cool retreat, as his cousin and her friend en- tered from the ballroom.
 "Here, at least, my dear Cora, we shall be able to breathe." said Adelaide, as the two girls approached Gilbert. "Ah, MT. Margrave," she added, DOT ceiving the young artist, ''it is here, then, that you have been hiding yourself while a hundred lion-hunters have been trying to chase you. Cora, allow mo to engineer, artist, poet-lion! MT. Mar grave, allow me to present to you Miss Cora Leslie, my friend, and the most elegant waltzer in my aunts crowded assembly,"
 II beg, Mr. Margrave," said Cora Leslie, that you will not listen to Miss Horton's assertions: she only grants nc this eulogy because she knows that she waltzes better than L.
 Twill you permit me to be the judge of that, Miss Leslie?" said Gilbert, '.and, in order that may be so, grant me your hand for the next waltz?"
 "Oh, yes, yes," cried Adelaide, laugh ing, we'll waltz with you. I promise for Cora. Now, pray go back into the those good people who are pining to stare you out of countenance, which Is the only English tribute to genius. Go now. you shall summon Cora as soon as the first notes of the waltz strike up.' "Au revoir. Miss Leslie, till come to claim your hand"
 Gilbert bowed and left the ante-room, AOt WAIAOut OIO CuIu uSlNSl1C RlduCc At the innocent face of the fair Louisianiap 'There goes another of your admirers, Cora, cried Adelaide, as she flung her. self into one Of the luxurious easy-chairs | while Cora seated herself on a sofa, a few paces distant and laid her bo- Quet of hot-house flowers on tiny table at her side: II declare, Miss Cora Leslie, that begin to think I did very unwise thing in persuading my dear, good-na. l tured aunt to give this farewell reunion to our English friends, for you had only to make your appearance in order to steal every admirer I have. It is gen. eral desertion to the camp of the enemy. I should not wonder if Mortimer himself joined the renegades. and left ne to sing willow for my inconstant swain.' But I thought from what you told me, Adelaide, replied Cora, laughing
 'tthat MT. Percy was by no means a very enthusiastic or romantic person." 'Oh, no, indeed," said Adelaide. with an impatient sigh; ''you are right there, my dear Cora, never was there such @ cold-hearted, matter-offaot being as that | cousin and future husband of mine. If be pays me 9 compliment, it Is only an artful way of drawing attention to one of | my defects, which, l will own, are rather numerous. If he ever utters an afec. tionate word, always feel convinced | that he Is laughing at me- Imapine