Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-11-25
TIE OCPQR()0lQ
fl a2OrY OE ;-ERI D1 IFS.

"Alas. Miss T,nslic," replied the young Souf,l Anl.'rir;sn. the planter finds h!iu- ee!t he;uren the horns of a terrible d- i"mna ne must either beat his slaves or suffer from their laginess. l will own to you that Mir. Leslie is not considered too indulgent q master; but he NnIY fellows the example of the greater number of our colonists. However it is not he, but his OverSeer who was the chief cause of this revolt. Your father would have inter- fered; in attempting to do so he was seriously wounded: but let mo once more assure you that he was entirely out of danger when 1 left New Orleans"
 And did he give you no message for memo letter?' asked Cora.
 No, Miss Leslie.'
 "What, not wOrd?'
 "Your father did not know that I should see you," replied Mortimer, ''and it is on this very subject that l wish to ask you few questions; not prompted by any vain curiosity, believe me, but because you inspire mo with tho warmest interest"
 Speak, MT. Percy" said Cora, seating herself
 Mortimer drow a chair to the sido of that on which Cora was seated, and placing himself near to her, said gravcly.
 Tell me. Miss Leslie, in what manner do you usually receive your fathers let ters?"
 Through one of his correspondents who lives at Southampton"
 Then they are not directly addressed to you."
 "They arc rot"
 ''Were you very young when you left Louisiana?"
 II was only five years old, replied Cora.
 ''So young! Your memory can recall nothing that occurred at that time. l suppose"
 "Oh, yes," answered Cora; "but mem OrieS so confused that they seem rather to resemble dreams. But there is one recollection which no time can cracc. It is of woman. young, beautiful, who clasped mo in her arms, sobbing as she strained me to her breast. 1 can still hear her sobs when l recall that scenc.'
 Has Mr. Leslie ever spoken to you of your mother?" asked Mortimer.
 Was it she?" cried Cora. eagerly.
 II do hot know. Miss Leslie, for at that time 1 was still in England, where, like you, 1 received my education."
 "Alas,' exclaimed Cora. her beautiful eyes filling with tears, "whO could it be if it was not her? No, MT. Percy, have never known even the poor consolation of hearing people speak of my mother. Every time I have veutured 10 address my father on the subject, he has replied
  my heart. All that I could ever learn was that she died young, at New Or leans. l dared not speak upon subject which caused my poor father such pain fuI emotions"
 But he has always eyinced the great est affection for you, Miss Leslie, has he not?" asked Mortimer.
 'Oh, MT. Percy" replied Cora, her eyes kndling with enthusiasm, "what father ever better loved his child. Every whlm, every childish wish has been gratiticd. l but one; alas, that one prayer he would never grant.
 | And that prayer was-?'
 That might join him in New Orleans. On his last visit to England. q year age, | 1 implored him to take me back with | him :; but he was deaf to all my entreat ies. refuse to take you with me- perhaps it was the climate of Louisiana that ho | feared; that climate may havo been the cause of my mother $ death"
 II was sure or it, thought Mortimer, l ..she is entirely ignorant of her origin
 All that 1 could obtain from him in answer to my prayers, continued Cora, | twas q promise that this separation should be the last: nud that he would sell hle- plantation at the earliest oppor- tuuity, and come and establish himself in England.
 And since then.' said Mortimer, has he renewed that promlse?
 ''With reservations that have made me tremble,' replied Cora, "1 fear that | his affairs are embarrassed, and will de tain him from me long after the prom ised time of our reu"iOn.' | Alas, Miss Leslie, you are not de- ceived,' said Mortimer, earnestly; 'Mr. Leslie has experienced great losses. The death or Mr. lreNtrton, his partner, who was killed i'll duel year ago, at the very time of your fathers return from England revealed deficiencies that he had never dreamed of. He was obliged to have recourse to heavy loans and since that, the revolt of his slaves, ill damaging the harvest, has given the finishing blow to his difficulties.
 Then my father Is ruincd Mr. Percy, cried Cora, clasping her hands; "ols, do not imagine that the aspect of poverty alarms me; it is not of myself that think, but of him. What q life of anx icty and effort he has endured, in order 10 establish position, which he only seemed to value on my account. Never has he allowed me to hear one express sion of uneasiness drop from his lips never has he denied the most eXtrava . gant of my caprices. An, if he bu knew how gladly I would exchange al this worthless splcndOr for the happi ness of sheltering my head upon hi noble breast. If he could but tell how dear the humblest home would be 10 m. after the loEg isolation of my youth Who can tell now how long our separa ton may endure!
 Nay, Miss Leslie" said Mortime aoothingly; your fathers position i :. far from desperate, though he may re quire long time and considerable cour age in order to extricato himself from hi: ditficulties.
 "A long time! Somo years, perhaps? asked Cora.
 II fear so.
 And during this heart-rending strug gle, exclaimed the young girl, "he vii not have a creature near him to cOmfor 1T sustain him. And if new danger should menace him-for this revolt ha been avenged by the blood of the slave leaders, has it not?-and fresh crueltie may cause new rebellion. Oh, heaven
 the thought makes mo tremhle Nc my father shall not be alone to struggle . If he suffers I will console him; if he
 in danger will share it with him." - "What do you mean, Miss Leslie?