Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-12-20


 m traversed the winding pathway, fol. lowed by Toby.
 At tho door of tho carriage Gilbert Margrave clasped tho Octoroon in his arms. and. pressing her to his heart, ex- claimed with emotion, farewell, my beloved! Even this brief parting is pain and anguish to me. May Heaven bless and guard you"
 There had been a silent spectator of the interview between Gilbert Margrave and Cora.
 Gerald Leslie had been standing be- hind the striped blinds in his apartment. which overlooked the terrace, watching the meeting of h,s daughter and her lover.
 He saw them descend the terrace steps. and he thought that Cora had readily consented to depart.
 He heard the carriage wheels roll away upon the smooth gravel road. and the bitterness of his feelings utterly overcame him. "She is gone!" ho OK gretful look upon the home she is leav- ing. She is glad to fly with this man; she loves him she is his Ungratefui girl But what then, was it not my wish? She is saved at last. Thank Heaven for that! She Is saved, anI am alone! l shall never see my child again."
  @ chair. while his head fell forward on his clasped hands.
 He had remained thus for some mo- ments, when the door behind him was gently opened. and a soft foots,ep stole toward him.
 He raised his head. and boheld his daughter knceling ut his feet
 She twined her arms about his neck, and he clasped her to his heart with pass sionate emotion.
 Cora" he exclaimed: Cora. Is 1t you?"
 Dearest father, how could you think that your daughter would consent to de- part without you"
 Alas, alas. my unhappy child!' mur- murcd Gerald.
 ''But, my father, why this terror. this agitation? What is it ycu fear?
 "Nothing, nothing, Cora. Shall not be here to guard and save you? My Cora, my darling. you love mo then. you forgive me?'
 forgive your My father it is who would ask forgiveness"
 Once more the planter strained her to his heart.
 ''This moment repays me for all have suffered" he exclaimed, "oh, Heaven, am too happy" Then rising with a s:s- ture of terror. he cried, "ilappy, did 1. say? Happy, when-hark !"
 He paused, claspiag Cora in his arms, and listening intenils.
 The voices of several men were to be heard in the vestibule beio,y and ;It the same time hurried footsteps souu.le,i on the stairs. Toby rushed breathies5 lnao the room.
 .:Oh, massa, massa, tho dreadful day has come at last! MT. Craig Is below with the sheriffs; he has come to take possession of the estate-of aiiE "Already?' exclaimed Gerald Leslie; ''then we are lost. The agitation of tho morn ng had been too much for the Octoroon: this last shock completely prnstrated her, and she sunk, faIEt,ng, into her fathers | arms.
 "My daughter!' cried Gel~.iI: my | child-Toby, the child you i'l.rse.. IS | there no escape, no way to save h"r; The Iutliaito wrung his hands in sils i.t | luminating his dusky face, be eS- claimed | "Stay. massa; the garden below tiis communicates with the piantaliun; if | we could reach that they could never l find us. They are all below iE ,he ves- | ubule-wait, wait! !! | He rushed from the room, leaving Gerald Lesli; in utter bew.lderment as to what he was about to do; but in tree minutes he appeared at the open window of the apartment. standing at the top of ladder
 l "See, massa," he cried. two will save her yet. Give her into Toby's arms, and he will save her, though his own life pays the price of her liberty" | 1t was too late. As the faithful ml- latto stretched forth his arms to receive the prostrate form of the unconscious girl. 8 harsh voice in the garden below exclaimed:
 | "What are you up to- there. you uig- ger? l see you. If you don come down quicker than O streak of greased lightning. 1 guess you'll get lit of lead in your precious carcass thatIl bring you down sight faster than you went up. Come down, you o.d cuss, will you?'
 The speaker was one of the men em- ployed by tho sheriff. who had crept round from the vestibuie 10 the gardens to sec if there were any doors or win- lows by which some of the live stock might escape.
 The LIVE STOCK" Is tho nan,e given to the slaves upon plantation. Human beings, with hearts capable ot grief and affection, fidelity and love--but in the eyes of the auctionecr, mere cat sle to be knocked down by his hammer to the highest bidder.
 Amongst the live stock was counted Cora, the Octoroon, the lovely and ac- aomplished daughter of Gerald Leslie, ;he destined bride of Gilbert Mar grave. !