Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-12-11
FHE OCPQRCOu.
A SToHF OF SLAyERY DAYS.

I
 stranger here, and your noble cont.uc
 of today may compromise you in th, | eyes of every coloniSt in Louisiana
 Your place is not here by the side of me- | an Octoroon; you should be with Ade
 laide Horton, high-born daughter O | the European race.'
 ''1f nobility of race is to be judged O.
 by tho elevation of the soul, it is you
 and not Miss Horton, who can claim the | loFtiest hirth,' replied Gilbert, witt | emotion.
 "You deceive yourself, Mir. Margrave, , | said Cora; "Adelaide has genet oue | heart, and know that in secret she re. | grets our broken friendship-you. above al others, should be indulgent to he, fuults.'
 'I?'
 ''Yes,'' replied Cora, her long black l ey clashes dropping beneath the English | man s aTd It gaze amongst al! he: | English admirers, there Was one alone | for whom she felt any real regard. Do l you know whom | mean?" No, Miss Leslie, nor do 1 wish to | know answered Gilbert. with energy l flor amongst all the young girls who adorned the farewell ball given by Mrs. | MontresOr, there Was one and one alone | to whom my daZZleu cy"s turned as the star Of the brilliant throng. Do you | know whom 1 lMean!' Cora did not answer; bat vivid blush sutfused her face at the young engineer s question.
 "See, continued Gilbert, opening his sko ch book: do you remember the bouquet which you left upon siue table in the anterOoni. In the center of that bouquet hloomed this tiny blue tiO3er, which we EnGli-hmcn call the forget-.ue- not. 1t is withered now. Say. Cora can you forgive the hand which stoto the blOSsOm?'
 The blush faded from the cheek of the Octoroon. and clasping her hauds en- treatinSly, she exclaimed with earnest ''Oh, Mr. Marsrave, reflect. An idle word, idly spoken, may occasion evil of which you cannot dream. IL is to your honor, ! appeal. You would not i!tiict new sorrow upon a heart already almost broken. What would Iha. flower say? that in it's brief hour of bloom and fresh- ness Cora Leslie Was admired The flower has withered, and the hopes of m% life have faded like tho frail petals of that poor blossom
 ''No Cora. no. Tho flower has but one meaning-says, I love you""
 'Mr! cried Cola, with an exclamation almost Of terror. But do you forget who l am? Do you forget that l am an Oct tOrOon, the daughter of a Slave?'
 Il forget all, but that l love vou"
 Do you not know that in this coun- try It is cOnSiGe. ed d disgrace to bestow an honorable affection upon a creature of the dool ed race. and that tie shame attached to me would attach itself al-o to yCu:
 Il know all, Cora, but love you l love your cried Gilbert. falling on his knees at 'h" young Sirj'- feet.
 Cora sank into q ,!.uir and covered her face with her hands
 Cora. you weep"
 II dO.' she leui.eu, in falierinr ac cents, Il feel myself so dcsrisc,I at, abandoned in th:s cruel country; and i k 90 sweet to hear words of love and com soiaton from-fronI rnc--
 ''Ah, Cora. speak--speak, I inp!orc!
 "trom one We love v
 "CoIa, my ador"d.' exclaimed Gilbert with rapture. cl;t~ping her hand and seat ing himself by her.
 They had not be Il unWatchcd during this interview. The eyes of jealousy were upon the un. onScious lovers. fnl Adelaide koT; on had emerged from ti.. saloon, and gli!ing at the back of the little table, had h' art, the latter part oi their conversation.
 SEe knew tn" worst now. This m"n- thls man to whom she had given her heart, una krd is:.d unsou.ht loved and was beloved by the ncspised daughter O. a slave. Wounded pride. jealousy, re- Vengc. hum!lia iGH, al mingled in the pase!ona G emotion of that moment Blind with anger sine knew not what she did.
 By this time the deck of the Selma was crowded with passengers. Augustus Horton still carried the New Orleans pa per in his hand and was talking to Silas Craig about the attack upon Mir. Leslie
 Confess now, you sly old fox, he said, toI r1,i article? Why be too modest to own so good d work?
 Gilbert Margrave started from his seat
 "Now, Cora" he whispered, sI can no longer remain silent. have now a right to defend you.
 The captain of the Selma at this mo- ment joined the group around Augustus Horton.
 You are talking of the article in the New Orleans Messenger are you not gentlemen?" he said
 I've are, captain" replied Augustus, ''and hero is the authOr," he added pointing to Craig.
 Then. allow mo to compliment you, sir said the captain, addressing Silas. "1Ou have done service to society and l hope the cclonists will take warning,"
 ''1hat they will never do," said Ade- laideHorton. advancing to the center of the group, ''while you permit d mulat- tress to take her place on board your boat amongst the free citizens of New Orleans
 She pointed as she spoke to Cora, who had advanced with Gilbert Margrave.
 There was a simultaneous movement Of surprise amongst the passengers, as if pistol had suddenly been fired upon the deck.
 As Adelaide uttered these words, Mrs Montresor and Mortimer Percy emerged from the saloon. and watched the scene which was taking place.
 What do you mean, Miss Horton?' asked the captain. "Oh Adelaide, Adelaide, murmured Mortimer, '.this s deSpicable !!
 Terrified at and ashamed of what she had done. the jealous girl hid her face in her hands and retired rapidly from the deck, followed by her aunt
 Il will tell you, sir, what Miss Horton meant, said Cora, advancing to the captain; ''shc would have told you that l am Gerald Leslie daughter"
 ''ln that case, madam" replied the captain. '' you must be aware-'
 That my place is with the slaves at the other end of the steamer Pardon me, sir. for having forgotten my real po- siton p
 With one proudly G;SnainfuI o,ance nj