Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-12-24

Tn nGAYy
 masses far below her waist; her slende, yet rounded figure was set of by the soft folds Of her simple cambric dress. which displayed her shoulders and nr ma
 In all their statuesque beauty
 One murmur of admiration spread through the assembly as the Octoroun took her placo at the tahie
 All there had heard of the loypline ga ot Gerald Leslie's daughter. vet few had exPecte cd to soc her 90 lovely.
 Eyeglasses were raised. spoctaoles put on. and looks of insolent admiration were fixed upon the unhappy girl.
 But she saw them not-the center ot every eye, she was scarcely conscious oi how much she had to endure. Her whole being was absorbed ill one thought. Her father; would he coIne. would he rescue her?
 When for one brief insia ant she lifted her eyes, the crowd of faces swan before her. as if hidden from her by veil of mist.
 The sounds of the many voices fell as confused murmurs upon her ears.
 one was listening for the yolce which should announce to her that he!,, was near
 But that longed flor voice did not come and she heard inst cad the harsh accents oi the anctioneer dwelling upon tho charms which were to be sold to the highest bidder
 At that moment two men entered the building from opposite doors.
 One of these was Augustus Horton, the other Gilbert Margrave.
 Gerald Leslie and the engineer had passed night of utter wretchedness
 All the ready money that the ruined planter could command consisLa.. of a few thousand dollars. and Gilbert Mar grave had only the sum which he had brought With him for his travelling ex- penses.
 To communicate with England was impossible, though the young man had ters of credit on banking house in New York, but he well knew that nothing but ready money could save Cora from her infamous prosecutors.
 The entire sum at his command was 8 little over twenty thousand dollars
 Gilbert Margravo was the first to bid.
 "Five thousand doiiars!'
 ''Six thousand 70 cried Augustus Hor- ton. @ -.-t
 A laugh circulated among the assem- bly,. "I guess you begun bit too low, stranger. said one of the planters.
 Seven thousand"
 '"Ten! P cried Augustus.
 ''Guess we'll teach you what a slave sale is, Brtisher.'' said anotaer man ol and thrusting it iuto his mouth.
 Gilbert Margrave's cheek grew rale: he felt that the man he hai 10 deal With was not to be beaten.
 Twelve thousand, fifteen, twenty"
 For moment there was pause; Gill bert drew hs breath. For one brief in- s'ant he thought that the pianyer's ca price might be less powerful. than his asarice. Ha knew not thu Augustus Horton's love for Cora was full of pas sionate determination
 Five d-twenty thousand dollars" cried the planter.
 Gilbert was silent. Throughout this scene the Octoroon had never on.e lifted her eyes from the ground; hu,, at his oninoGs silence. she slowly raised them. anG iooked iinpior.ngly at har lover
 IL Was q glance of despair which aa- swerea this mute appeal All hope was over.
 'SI1tkes me your pretty welt eiear:.d out. sirree," said one of ihe msn E..o had spoken before.
 The bidding continued. the excitement Of the scene had become int"nsc. Thirty, Hye-and-t thirty, forty thou and dollars were bidi fGrty-fye, fifty thousand
 The last bid came fIsm Augustus Hor- ton, and the auctioneer's hammer de- ecepded with an ominous sound
 Cora was his,
 Gilbert Margraye sprana forward, aa If he would have struck tho planter, but B friendly hand was laid upon his shoul- der, and he was dragged back by 0 group or Americans.
 Better keep your dander down, stranger one of the men whispered in his ear, ''aur folks arc not oyer fond of your countrymen just now, and they | wouldn't make much work of taking out | their bowie knives. Let him have the | gal. Was there ever such noise about | 3 handsome siave?' |
 Augustus Horton walked up to the l place where Gilbert was standing, sur | loundsd by these men.
 "1ve beaten ypu hefQre to-day, MT. Margrave." he said, with a sheer, s.and | hink I've had the pleasure of giving you } second licking this afternoon.
 Again Gilbert would nave sprung upon Jim, but again he was restrained by 1 ,hose about him.
 We've another duel to fight yet. Mir. Horton" said the Engiishman, ..and in hat you may not come off so easily"
 I've citizens of New Orleans don't | fight about Golared gals" answered the planter, turning upon his heel, cons and walking toward the pot where Cora stood, side by side with Toby and the other slaves.
 GllDert Margrave released himself rom tho arms of those who held him.
 ''1 must follow him, he said, .I must peak to him. I pledge you my honor hat will attempt no violence, but tell '"u must speak to him. Life and death lang on this matter, How csh go back o Gerald Leslie and tell the broken 'earted father that I was powerIess to ave his only child?"
 Gilbert found Augustus standing at & title distance from the group of slaves contemplating Cora with the insolently glance with which the master urveys his property.
 She was 70 longer tho woman who had corned and detied him. She was his lave, his purchased slave. over whom he law gave him full and indlsputabie uthority.
 "Mr. Horton." said Gilbert, in a voic hoarse by emotion, '.let nc peak to you for few moments?" The planter bowed supcrciliously. We'll, sir2 he said, as they withdrew to solitary corner of the auction room. You are aware that had my means nabled me, 1would have outbid you just ow in the purchase of Mss Leslie Augustus Horton laughed aloud.
 Miss Leslie" ho repeated scornfulIy. ha ell l