Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-12-21
4 sToaY ok sLAnKRY DAYS.

would come alone. May ask why you are accompanied by these people?"
 ..Merely as matter of precaution, answered Silas; II have no doubt these gentlemen will find their presence use less; for of course you are prepared to meet your engagements. You have not forgotten that this is the day that your acceptance for hundred thousand dol lars falls due. MT Horton has given me full power to act in his name as well as my own. Have you the money re ady, my dear MT. L"sIie?"
 Gerald Leslie felt the sting of the mocking sheer with which these words wera accompan.ed
 '1 am not yet prepared with the money" he answered.; "but 1 have every reason to hope that the New York steamer will bring tho required sum be- fore night"
 '.It is from the house of Richardson you expect the money, believe" said Siias Craig.
 sIt is"
 sIn that case I am sorry to inform you that a telegram has just reached New Orleans announcing the failure of that house"
 Gerald Leslie clasped his hands in si- lence.
 Was that your only resource, Mir. Leslie?' asked Craig
 Still the planter made no reply,
 "You see, then," continued the lawyer. ''that the presence of these gentlemen is not altogether useless. You can pro- ceed at once to business, he added, turn ing to the men.
 Cora Leslie wondered at tho silent de- spair of her father.
 "Why bow your head, dearest father?" she said, ''if your ruin leaves no stain upon your honor We do not fear poy- erty. Let us go!''
 Craig looked at tho Octoroon with q sarGonic smile.
 II could have wished that your father had explained to you why you cannot follow him from this place, Miss Leslie" for me to make"
 What, sir?" exclaimed Cora, looking alternately from the lawyer to her fath her.
 Gerald Leslie clasped her in his arms.
 My daughter was born in England, MT. Craig" he said. ''She has nothing to do with this husiness!
 ''Your memory fails you this morning. Mir Leslie, ans @ered Silas your daughter was born on this plantation, and is the child of a certain Quadroor slave, called francillia. The proofs are in my possession. y"
 What of that?" asked Cora; what matters whether was born in England or LouiSiana?
 from his pocket.
 .'Since your father will not enlighten you, Miss Leslie" he said, ''the law must answer your question" He opened the book and read aloud from one of it's pages:
 "'The children of a slave belong to tho owner of the mo:her.' In other words. " added the lawyer. as he replaced the book in his pocket, ''Mr. Leslie is your master as we'll a5 your father; you are, therefore, his property, or that of his creditors.'
 "Father!" cried Cora, wildly; do you hear what this man says? You are si- lent! Oh, heaven, it is then true!' For moment her anguish Overcame her; then, turning 10 Craig, she said !: "What, then, would you do with me, sir?"
 Alas, my poor ehild,' answered sllas, with affected compassion, you will be sold with the others" With shriek of horror the Octoroon buried her face upon her fathers breast. "Soid! she exclaimed, ill a stifled voice 'sold r | The mulatto Toby stood by, contem- | plating the scene with mute despair. .sNlr Craig, said Gerald Leslie. twill not all that ! possess suffice to pay the l debt I owe? Why this useless cruelty [ Do you fear that the produce of the sale will not be enough to repay you? If it should be so. swear to you that will employ the last hour of my life to en- deavor to liquidate your claim. If, then, there yet remains one sentiment of pity ln your heart, do not rob mo of my childs
 eff were disposed to grant your prayer, l MT. Leslie" answered Silas, ''the law ie ] ipo A ha | s.No, no; who could question your right to do as you please in the matter!' You forget" answered tho lawyer ''you forget the fifty thousand dollars | due to Augustus Horton; l am here tC represent hls interests as well as my | own"
 Augustus Horton" cried Cora; ssyou hear, father, you hear. 1t is to delive, mo to him that they would separate mt from you"
 l 'Reassure yourself. Miss Leslie," sait Silas Craig; .sthe law requires that tho slaves upon 8 property shall be sold b. l public auction. That auction will take place at noon tomorrow. MT. Leslie has only to repurchase you-if he can com mand the means.
 But Cora heard him not.
 The name of Augustus Horton awak l ened all her terror of the persecution O a base and heartless prof1igate.
 She imagined herself already in hi | power--his slave-his to treat as his will passion prompted.
 Wild with terror, she clung convulsivel, to her father.
 No, mo-" she cried; s'do not abandon me. shall die; shall go mad. Do yo' forget that that man Is the murderer o my mother?' l Silence, silence!' whispered Gerald "unhappy girl. do not infuriate him"
 T hope, Mr. Leslie,' said Craig. a Cora still chung to her father, ''that yol will not oblige us to have recourse to vio l lence."
 kill mo, kill me, sooner than abandon me 10 that man," cried Cora.
 The muiatto drew knife from hi
 pocket and handed it to the agonize
 father.
 Kill her, master" he whispered .sbetter that than she should meet the fat | of her mother"
 Gerald Leslie pushed the slave fror him with gesture of horror. No, no he exclaimed; "all hope is not yet lost
 Between this and to- o-morrow surely some thing can be done. I will see Gilbert
 We will save you, Cora, my beloved; W
 will save YOU"
 Two of the men approached the fathe
 and daughter to take the OctOrOon frOI l GerAlI'S a arms