Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-11-27
THE OCqQROOu.
4 NY01.J OF GLxTERY DiTS.

He relcc-,od her slender hand, gave eos-c direcNons to the driver. and in an- other moment the horse started, and Cora felt that she was on her way to her fathers residence.
 The sun was sinking in bed of crim- son glory. and the dnsky shadows clos ing Tn the streets of Now Orleans. The houses and public buildings were dimiy visible in the declining light, as Cora looked out of the carriage window. The place seemed strange to her after her long residence in England. She had no memory of anything she saw, and felt | that she was an utter stranger in her native land.
 Bnt tho had not long to think of these things. The carriage drew up before her fathers house, and tho door was opened by the black servant, Cnsar. Without waiting to ask any questions, she hurried into the hall, after dismiss l ing the driver; but as she was about to l inquire for her father, another negro ser l vant emerged from one of the doors open ing into the hall, and advanced to meet her
 He was past middle age. His hair was Erizzled with patches of gray. and his face had an expression of settled melan- choly rarcly seen upon the negro coun- tenancc. He was dressed in loose linen | appearance altogether denoted hts station, which was that of confidential man and general servant, factotum to his master, MT. Leslie.
 l This mans name was Toby. He had served tho planter faithfully for five-and- twenty years.
 "Mr Leslie can see no one this even- Ing" he said as he approached Cora. | "He will not refuse to soc me" nur- mured the young girl; "he cannot dony himself to his daughter
 His daughter" exclaimed the negro, 1 with an irrepressible burst of enthusi- rsm; ''his daughter, Miss Cora, that was country. Cora, the child I used to nurse In tho years that arc gono by; ah, forgive me, forgive me, forgive tho poor old ne- gro slave, who is almost wild at the tight of his young mistress!' r
 The faithful creature fell on his knees at Coras feet and, clasping her hand in both his own, covered 1t with kisses.
 "You remember mo then?" said Cora
 "I remember the little child that used to carry in my arms, not the beautiful young lady from the happy English land !; but the young lady has still the soft voice and the sweet smile of the little child, and she is not angry with poor Toby because he Is beside himself with joy to see her onco again."
 q "but tell me-my father whero Is ho? Do not detain mo longer when I should rush into his dear arins Y "Your father--r' A sudden change came over the slaves manner. "Your father, Miss Coral He thinks you still in tho free English country, and when he hears that you have returned-' Tho ne- gro paused with an embarrassed counten- ance, as he uttered these words.
 What then?' cried Cora. If have returned without his knowledge, am I rot his daughter; and who, in his hour of sorrow. has better right to be at his | side?
 "Yes, Miss CoSa. but"
 ''Tell me where is he?"
 "In that room. Miss Cora," answered she negro, gravely. pointing to the door of the study.
 Without waiting for another word Cora softly opened the door, and gliding into the room, stood fo- moment nutey re- garding her father. The Venetian shut lers were cl,sed. and a shaded lamp burned upon tho planters desk-a lamp that left the room in shadow, and threw it's full light upon tho careworn face of Gerald Leslie. Tho papers before him lay unheed ,d on the desk, with a half burned cigar by their side. lis finely nodded chin rested upon his hand his brow was contracted by painful thoughts ana hlS dark brown eyes were nXcC gloomily upon the ground. He had not heard Coras entrance. The young girl crepC softly to his sido. anC dropping on her knees at his feet, clasp. Ing her hands about his left arm, which hung loosely over the arm of his chair
 Father" she murmured, "deares father!''
 It was with no exclar, ton of joy, but with cry of something nearer akin tc agony. that the planter turned and be. 4 held his only daughter.
 "CoraT' he exclaimed; "Cora, yo1 here!'
 "Yes, dearest father. know-I kno W d that it is against your commands that d have come, but felt that 1t could not b,
 against your wishes"
 Gerald Leslie's head dropped upon hi
 breast with gesture of despair. 'It needed but this" he murmured
 ito complete my ruin.
 These words were uttered in a voice 6, low as to escape the ear of Cora; but sh ' could still perceive that her coming hac o not given her father the pleasure she hat e fond,y hoped to have seen written In hi :, face, when he first beheld her. s Father. father" che cried piteously l. clasp1ng her arms about his neck, anc 1T gently drawing round his head, so as tc
 be able to look in his face; father, cal
 It be that you do not love mel"
 Not love you. Cora, my darling, m 7. darling!' Claspins his child to hi breast. Gerald Leslie burst into pas
 sion of sobs.
 This was her welcome homo.