Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-12-02
THE OCT0ROON|
4 s7oar OF SLIPPERY DAYS.

pavilion, faithful IFS dog who listens for tho footsteps of his beloved master. tho slave Toby might have been seen on the day following that on which Cora lad, paid her unwelcome visit at the house of Augustus Horton.
 Gerald Leslie was at his office in New Orleans, where business often detained him when the best wishes of his heart would have kept him by his daughters side.
 Tho summer afternoon was hot and sultry. and all the windows were open. The slave seemed to be listening eagerly for some sound within.
 "All is silent" he said, sorrowfully; ''that pretty bird sings no more. What has happened? Something, 1 know. l saw by her sad face when she returned from New Orleans yesterday, that all was not we'll with tho sweet young mis- tress. Tho sorrows of those he loves cannot escape the old eyes of poor Toby"
 At this moment light footstep sounded behind him, and Cora Leslie emerged from the pavilion. The young girl was dressed in the thinnest white muslin. which foated round her graceful figure aerial as some vapory cloud in a summer sky. She was pale, and mourKful shadow dimmed the orient splendor of her large black eyes. She descended the marble steps slowly, without perceiving the faithful slave who had risen at her approach, and who stood aside regarding her earnestly.
 Miss Cora is sad, !" he said presently ''will she forgive the poor slave if he pre- | sumes to ask why?' She started at the sound of the mulatto $ voice, and turning toward him held out her hand silently. Toby took the little hand in his and raised it to his lips. Miss Cora does not deny that she is l sad" he repeated. Not SO much sad, Toby, as be- | wildered," replied tho young girl. ''My reception at the house of my old school plexity. What could be the meaning of | Adelaide Horton's conduct?" 1 Forgive me, Miss Cora, if l remind you that your father particularly re- l Quested you not to leave the house dur l ing his absence
 | II know, Toby, Iknow. But why that request? Why am l Q prisoner here? cative of sorrow than joy at my return to Louisiana? Why. on my first visit to tho | friend of my youth, do l find the door | shut in my face?"
 But the English gentleman who con- ductcd you homo explained the reason of that Miss Cora?'
 No, Toby; MT. Margrave endeavored l IO cNlltillI, DuG III uolIS So HC oliiS IC- vealed his embarrassment. There is some secret in all this. Some mystery | that Hark!"
 The sound which arrested Cora's at tention was tho trampling of a horse s hoofs upon tho carriage drive below tEe terrace.
 "HulloaI cried a voice from the same direction. "Huiloa. there! Is there nrv one to hold my horse?' | yis cyrloiDnnl rn,a
 Ut is MT. Augustus Horton" said Toby looking over the balustiade. | ..Adeiaide $ brother! Then 1 will set l.im.'
 But in your fathers absence, Miss Cora?' murmured the slave, anxiously. II will sec him. repeated Cora; he may come to offer an explanation Heaven knows it is needed.
 'Hulloa ! is every one asleep here? cried the voice below.
 Coming, maSsa,' answered Toby | running down the terrace steps. l Three minutes afterward Augustus Horton made his appearance in the flower garden, where Cora awaited him He bowed carelessly to the young gir without raising his hat, but fixing upol her lovely face gaze of ardent admira tion.
 He carried a light riding whip in hi: hand and was smoking a cigar, which h. u d.d not remove from his mouth.
 Miss Cora Leslie, I presume?" h. said.
 Cora bowed
 "Mr, Leslie is not at home, I under stand?'
 II am expecting his return at an moment, MT. Horton,' answered Cora. ' Something in tine planters famllia O manner, and in his ardent gaze filled tn C young girl with indignant surprise, an 2 she looked at him with a glance of as IS tonishment as he flung a sealed packe T. upon the table, and seated himself, with 1T out invitation, in one of the rustic chairs
 II have some papers to restore to you father" he said but that is not tn whole object of my visit. My sister tol 7. me that you were lovely, Miss Leslie but l now perceive that in such case = woman never tells more than half tn
 truth"
 Cora had remained standing durin
 this speech. Sho now seated herself i
 the chair opposite to that taken by th K young planter, and said, calmly: o51 Pardon mo, MT. Horton: but in e. agined that the object of your wis
 here"
 "Was to reply to the letter addresse
 by you to my sister, Adelaide? Yes, Nils
 Leslie, that letter proved to us that sI Margravc had not properly acquitte
 himself of the commission which he Ill
 dertook."
 "How so, sir?'
 My sister much regretted not boir
 able to receive you. yesterday, and should have shared those regrets, hs
 she not chosen me to bring you her e
 cuses."
 V ''It is not an excuse which requir
 MT. Horton. but an explanation" replie
 Cora, with dignity. - Augustus shrugged his shoulders.
 "What further explanation can you II
 quirc, Miss Leslie" he said; "the prep
 rations of her approaching marriage?
 little touch of headache, perhaps? Is h.
 this sufficient to explain all?" No, sir, it is not. Because I wou rather hear the truth, bitter as tn
 truth may be. than these discourteo'
 mockeries which put me to the rack. NJ , Percy's opposition to my return f ' America; my fathers emotion on
 holding me; the strange isolation
 which I am kept; and lastly, your si
 ter's extraordinary conduct of yeste - day--all these prove to mo that son
 terrible fatality overshadows me;
 tality of which am ignorant, but whie
 lam determined to discover"
 Nay, Miss Leslie, what is that y
 would seek to know? Why not be co