Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-11-30
THE OCTORO0N
4 sTnnY OK sEAJEaF DAYS.

A S7flIE OK SLI FIERY DIYS. the beloved, looks on you with indif- ference, while another usurps the earnest devotion of his poet soul.
 Adelaide Horton had ample time for in indulgence in those waking dreams which are often so dangerous. A school girl, young, romantic and frivolous, ig- norant of the harsh ways of the world. palaces in lovely dreamland, which were only too soon to be shattered to the ground.
 Gilbert Margrave came to New Orleans armed with those brilliant schemes of inventions in machinery. which might, as he fondly hoped, supersede slave la- bor, though not initiating against the employment of the many.
 He came we'll furnished with letters of introduction from powerful men in Eng land. to the planters and merchants of New Orleans; but though he met with much politeness and hospitality, the Louisianians shrugged their shoulders and shook their heads when he revealed his opinions and tried to win their ap- proval of his plans. They looked upon the handsome young engineer with feel enthusiast. and, like all enthusiasts. no. doubt little of madman.
 One of the flrst houses at which Gill bert Margravo presented himself. was that of Augustus Horton. He found Adelaide and her aunt alone in their favorite morning room one lounging in her rocking chair, the other as usual, busy at an embroidery frame.
 The young creole looked very pretty in her loose and floating morning robe of India muslin, richly trimmed with Valen- ciennes lace, and peach-colored ribbons. Her hair was arranged in clusters of short ringlets. which trembled in the summer breeze, waited in through the Venetian blinds of the veranda.
 AS the name of Gilbert Margrave was announced, the animated girl sprans from her easy-chair and, dinging down her book ran forward to receive lhe long looked-for visitor.
 At last p she exclaimed. "I was suro you would come, but have looked out for you so anXiously-I mean we all have" she added. blushing.
 "A thousand thanks for you kind well come, Miss Horton. Believe me, your house is one of the very first to which l have directed my steps,"
 "How good of you to remember us7"
 "Say, rather how selfish, replied GIL bert. Do you thIuk it Is no happiness. in foreign country, to find one circle at Feast where one Is not Q stranger?'
 May, MT. Margrave," said Mrs. Mon tresor; twill you not call us circle Of friends?'
 But pray sit down." exclaimed Ade- laide, pointing to a low chair near stand of perfumed exotics in one of the win dows, ''sit down and tell us all your ad- ventures by land and sea, especially the latter. and how you have survived the hair-breadth 'scapes and ventures of the briny Atlantic"
 Gilbert Margrave told, in few words, tho particulars of his voyage, which had been rapid and a pleasant one; "so rapid passage" he continued with a smile. "that trust am yet ln time to assist at the wedding of Miss Horton and my old friend Mortimer Porcy." A shade of vexation crossed Adelaide s pretty face.
 II really do not see," she said, ''why all the world should be ill such a hurry l for this marriage. There is surely time enough. One would think l was in dan- ger of becoming an old maid, or else that 1 everybody was desirous of getting rid | of me-"
 II do not think there is much fear of either contingency" replied Gilbert laughing.
 1.-The truth is, Mir. Margrave," said Mrs. Montresor, "that my dear Adelaide is spoiled child, and because her cousin happens to be very sensible, high-prin, l cipled young man. but not exactly a hero 1 of romance, she thinks herself called upon to affect contempt for him. Bu l know her better than she knows her self. and am certain that, at the bot tom of her heart, she cherishes verl sincere affection for Mortimer"
 "How can you know what's at thu bottom of nay heart, when I don't know myself, aunt Lucy?" exclaimed Adelaide l impatiently; upon my word l think nc girl was ever so cruelty used as I hav' been. Other people mako up Q mar riage for me, other people tell me whom love, when I ought to know grea deal better than they do. It's reall. Ishameful?"
 If the real cause of Adelaide's indig nation could have been known, it woult have been discovered that her anger wa not SO much aroused against her aunt a. against Gilbert Margrave, for the indli ferent manner in which he had spokel of her approaching marriage.
 Anxious to quell the storm, of whicl he little knew himself to be the cause the young engineer endeavored to tur1 the conversation, and in order to do so he asked @ question which had bee trembling on his lips from the very first "Your friend, Miss Leslie," he said "the star of your farewell assembly ly-yo' often see her, suppose, Miss Horton
 Gilbert Margrave little knew that thi
 very question only added fuel to the fir
 already raging in the breast of the i1r petuous girl.
 "I have never seen Cora Leslie sine
 our arrival in New Orleans, she ar
 swered coldly.
 "Indeed But thought you such ir
 timate friends. Miss Leslie-she is DO
 ill, hope?"
 f His evident anxiety about Cora tel l ribly irritated Adelaide Horton. |. "That question I cannot answer.
 know nothing whatever of Miss Leslie
 for. I repeat, wo have not met sine
 we reached America"
 May ask why this is so, Miss Ho,
 toni"
 Because Cora Leslie is no fit assoc
 ate for the daughter of Edward Ho ton."
 The blood rushed in crimson to , rent to tho face of the young enginee He started from his seat as If he ha
 been shot.
 "m Heavens name, Miss Horton" |. exclaimed. what would you insinuate
 surely nothing against the honor of"
 Il insinuate nothing, MT. Margrave | I4l& S1 1,ir, ov>lx ko11