Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-12-20
THE 0CTaR0On|
4 s1owY oF sLAFERYDaYs.

sae from my embarrassme at. but found trade in a state of convuision from the threatened war between the North and South, and my mission failed. l have now but one hope. Tho house ot Richardson. of Broadway, have promis- ed, if possible 10 advance the sum i require. The money is to arrive by the next steamer. But even this is forlorn hore. for. when left Now York, dark rumors were a.loat of the approach. ing bankruptcy of that very firm. II this should happen, l am utterly lost. I shall remain to the very last 10 struggle against evil fortune. but must remain alone. Teil me then, Mr. Margravc, do you still persist in your proposal for my aaughter's hand!"
 "Can you doubt it?"
 "With perfect knowledge of her story remembering that she is the off spring of slave-that she is an Octoroon P
 remember nothing but that love her and would have her no other than she is
 "I was not mistaken in you. Gilbert Margrave.' replied MT. Leslie, with sup pressed emotion, "you are n man of honor and it is to tha; honor coniide. You must fly from New Orleans with Cora. We must not expose her to the violence Of populace. furious against her because of her fatal birth-because she is slave. The word does not cause you the horror it inspires ill mo, yet you are no doubt aware that the condition of the child is the same nS that Of the mother"
 "But why not affranchise herr"
 .' Atfranchise her." exclaimed Gerald Leslie. Would the law permit me! No, cannot purchase her freedom until she attans her thirtieth year, unless indeed I could have my motives approved by the magistrate Of the parish and three-fourths of a jury. And do you think those motives would be approved at such a time as this. when the public mind is infuriated against all those who would weaken the bonds of slavery? You shudder- to behold the love of a father powerless against the laws of this land. It is terrible, is it not?'
 It Is infamous, exclaimed Gilbert. but what is thera to be done?
 "You must leave Louisiana, Your marriage can only take place in 8 free state, for here you cannot make Cora your wife without swearing that you have negro blood in your veins See the British consul, obtain from him the means of leaving in safety, and implore him 10 grant Cora 8 shelter at his house until you're ready to leave New Orleans. You can conduct her thither at daybreak tomorrow. Closely yelled, she will at that early hour escape observation. To you contlde tho task of preparing her for this step. You will have little diifl- culty in persuading her, for she loves you, and she will leave Louisiana with out one pang of regret. Nay. MT Leslie," said the young man; you wrong'her believe me-" Gerald Leslie checked him by rapid gesture.
 "For pity's sake not a word, he mur- mured "At some future day, when the bitterness of all this suffering has become tt memory of the past; when she is happy, and-has well nigh forgotten me-then recall to her the name of her father; tell her-tell her that loved her. It will be better for both that We should bo spared the pang of parting; so 1 will see her no more. though it is my very life which lose in losing her. You will write to me, Giibert?"
 .Yes, yes, dear sir exclaimed the | Englishman, clasping his hand. Farewell, then; farewell, Gilbert, my son. You will be kind to her for my sake; you will love her dearly, will you not? Farewell He wrung the hand which clasped his, and then breaking rom Gilbert Margrave rushed into 1he house. The young engineer slowly followed l him, and retiring to his own room, made l all preparations for the journey. l It was already long past midnight, and l Gilbert was too much aGltated to require rest.
 A. early dawn his arrangements were l complete, and summoning Toby, he gave 1 the faithful mulatto a message to carry l to Cora $ apartments. This message was an earnest request l that the young gi:i would meet him in 1 the gardens below without delay. l He had not long to await; he de- l Scended to the terrace, and in iass than l ten minutes he wa joined by the Octo- l room, who looked pale and anxious in the early morning light.
 She scarcely paused for their custo, | mary greeting
 l My father arrived last night, Gil l bert," she said, ''and you and he were
 together for some time, were you not? We were, Cora"
 Tell me, tell me then. what passed
 between you?
 ..He communicated sad news to me
 Cora! A thousand dangers threaten us
 He trembles for you, and he commands
 our immediate departure from louisi
 ana. 1t is for that purpose that l sum
 moned you so early. We are to starr
 this very morning.
 Leave Louisiana, and without hin?
 .Yes, without him. He is determined
 to stay until tho last, to light agalnS
 ruin; but he will not have you share
 his danger. The carriage will be read.
 in few moments, all arrangements art
 made& am to take you from here t'
 the house of tho British consul, ant thence, please heaven. to free state
 where am to make you my wife,
 But why does my father dismiss m
 thus-without ono word of affection O farewell?'
 May, Cora. replied Gilbert Margrave
 ssdo not accuse him. His last words wer
 words of love, broken by sobs Of an
 guish
 And you told him that should con
 sent to this partingf'
 II did, Cora
 ..Oh, Gilbert, could you think me S
 base? Was it not to share my father
 sufferings that I came from England t
 Louisiana? ?and can he think that 1 shoul
 be 50 pitiful coward as to forsake hir
 in his hour of peril? No, no; while h
 remains his daughter will stay by hi
 side; when he flies she will accompan
 him"
 Cora. Cora-angelic grill Let it b ,1-sy, ,<N