Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-11-23

A glittering jewels A- tJlszN flashed in the &2aSS9zxm lamplight; th @ . Ss@e7TA rival queens of
 rank and beauty shone side by side upon the aristocratic crowd: the rich perfume of exotic blos- soms foated on the air; brave men nnd lovely women were mot together to as- sist at the farewell ball given by the wealthy American, Mrs. Montresor. on her departure for New Orleans with her lovely niece, Adelaide Horton, whose chal 9.ing face and sprightly manners had been the admiration of all London during the season of 1860.
 The naughty English beauties were by no>means pleased to see the sensation made by the charms of the vivacious young American, whose brilliant and joyous naturo contrasted strongly with the proud and languid daughters of fashion who intrcnched themselves be- hind barrier of icy reserve, which often repellod their admirers.
 Adelaide Horton wGs a gay and light hearted being. Born upon the planta- ton of wealthy father. the cribs of beaten slaves had never disturbed her infant slumbers for the costly mansion in which the baby heiress was reared was far from the huts of the helpless crea- lures who worked sometimes sixteen hours a day to swell tho planters wealth. No groans of agonizcd parents torn from their unconscious babes; no cries of out ragged husbands, severed from their newy-wedded wives, had ever broken Adelaides rest. She knew nothing of the slave-trade, as at very carly ago tho planters daughter had been sont to Eng land for her education. Her father had died during her absence from America and she was thus loft to the guardian ship of an only brother, the present pos scssor of Horton Vile, as the extensive plantation and magnificent country seat were called.
 On Adelaide attaining her eighteenth year, her aunt, Mrs. Montresor, an in- habitant of Now York, and the widow of rich merchant. had crossed tho Allan tic at Augustus Horton's request, for the purpose of giving her niece a season In London. and afterward eecorting her back to Louisiana.
 She found Adelaide all that the most anxious relatives could have wished elegant, accomplished, fashionable. we'll bred; a little frivolous. perhaps, but what of that, since her lot in life was to be a smooth and easy one. Mrs, Mop- tresor was delighted, and expressed her qualification very warmly to the Misses Beaumont, of West BromptcI, In whoso expensive but fashionable seminary Ade- laide had been educated.
 
 crowded ballroom - an ante-chan:Lcr where the atmosphere was cool, and where the close neighborhood oi q ioEn- tain plashing into it's marhio bas. n in an adjoining conservatory refreshed lho wcarled ear, two young men lounged lazily upon q satin-coyered couch, watch ing the dancers through tho open ball. room door.
 The first of these two young men was a South American, Mortimer Percy, tho partner of Augustus Horton, and tho first cousin of the planter and his pretty sister Adelaide.
 Mortimer Percy was 0 handsome young man. His fair curling hair clustered round a broad and noble forehead; his large intellect; his delicate aquiline nose and chiseled nostrils bespoke the refinement of ono who was by nature gentleman i; but satirical expression spoiled an otherwise beautiful mouth, and an air of languor and weariness pervaded his appearance. He seemed ono of those who have grown indifferent to life, care- less alike oi its joys and sorrows. His companion coptrasted strongly with him both in appearance and man ner. With complexion bronzed by OK posture to Southern suns, with flashing black eyes, a firm but flexible mouth, shaded with a silky raven mustache, and thick black hair brushed carelcs.ly back from his superb forehead, Gilbert Mar grave. artist, engineer, philanthropist, poet, seemed the very type of manly energy,
 The atmosphere of a crowded bail- room appeared unnatural to him. That | daring spirit was out of place amidst the narrow conventionalities of fashionable life; the soaring nature needed wide ! savannas and lofty mountain tops, dis fant rivers and sounding waterfalls; the artist and poet mind sighed for tho beau l tdful-not the beautiful as we soc it 1 n a hot-house flower, imprisoned in Q Chin 8 vase, but as it turks in the gigantic cup of the Victoria reg'a op the broad bosom of the mighty AmaAoa.
 But Gilbert Margrave was one of the lions of 1860. An invention in machin- 1 cry, which had enriched both tho inven- tor and the cottonspinners of Manches- ter, had made the young engineer 1 celebrated, and when it was discovered that he belonged to . good Somersetshire family, that he was handsome and ac- complished, ap artist and poet. invita- tions focked ip upon him from all the fashionable quartefs of the West-end. He had been silent for some time, his ] gaze riyeted upon ono of the brilliant 1 groups in the ballroom, when Mortimer Percy tapped him lightly on the shoulder '
 "Why, man, what are you dreaming | off" he said. laughing; "what entranc. ing vision has enohained your artist l glance1 what fairy form. has bewitched l your poet soul7 One would think you were amid solitudes of some forest on the banks of the Danube instead of s ballroom in Grosvenor Square. Confess, l my Gilbert. confess to your old friend, | and reveal tho nymph whose spells have transformed you into a statue." Gilbert smiled at his friends sally, The two young mon had met upon the continent, and had travelled together through Germany and Switzerland.
 ''The nymph is no other than yonde, lovely girl. talking to your cousin, Mise Horton," sald Gilberti "look at her
 Mortimer. watch the graceful head, the silky raven hair, as she bends down te whisper to her companion. Is she not loveiy7"
 Few who looked upon tho young girl o1 whom Gilbert NatErAye spoke. paul6 well have answered otherwise than ir the affirmative, She was indeed lovely in the first blush of youth, with tho inno cence of sa angel beA4ning in evsyJ !