Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1892-10-21
CORA,7RE 0CTOROON
BY MISS NJ. E. BRADDON.

ton perceived her start of surprise as
she beheld this man.
One would think" he said. with
something of a sheer. that the lovely
Donna Camilla MOraquitos had re-
cognlZed an acquaintance in the pit of
the theater."
Camilla did not reply to this remark.
1t was growing late and Don Juan had
not returned. His daughter was una
bic to repress feeling Of uneaSiness at
his heightened absence. The Span
Iard's affection for his only child WIS
the one strong passion Of his heart. No
lover could have been more attentive
than he to his daughter slightest wish.
strange" murmmed Camilla, as
the atter-plece drew to a close; my
father never fails to keep his word. vet
1t is now three hours since lie Iett us"
The curtain fell, and the audience
rose to leave the house.
Il VIII 90 and look for your carriage,
Donna CHm;ilja." said AnguStns: per
haps | mIy find yoUr father waiting for
you III the corridor WitnouC."
He left the box and returned in about
three minutes to say J,.at the carriage
was at the door. CamiIlia'S anxious
eye detected something OF agitation in
his manner
My tttuer," she said; did you see
him."
No. no." he answered, in rather a
confused manner, Offering his arm to
Camilla, Il have not seen him vet.
= It pray let me lead YOU to your car
rl;t.ee, the corridors and Hobbies are ter
r,Hlv crowded."
He took 10 notice whatever of Pau
line COrSi. who followed us best she
could, but who was speedily separated
Il 4 ~,
rapldlty with which Augustus hurried
CanlllIa through the passages and
down the staircase.
BY the time they had reached the por-
ticU OF the tlleHter. they had complete
ly lost sight OF The French governess.
Augustus handed the Spanish girl so
quickly into Il carriage that she was
aOt able to take amy particular notice
oi the vehicle; but when seated inside,
She saw. from the CLEAN Of the lamps
without, that the cushions and Innings
were Of Il different color to those of her
own equlpage.
Mr.. Horton" she exclaimed, this is
not my carriage" Augustus was stand
llIg ut the door us She spoke.
No matter!" he said; I'VE have no
time to lose: drive on" he added, adj
dressing Tie negro Oh the box, and at
carriage and drew up the window.
Camilla WAS beWiluered and alarmed
by his conduct.
You have forgotten Pauline" she
exclaimed; I'VE are leaving her behind
MS"
"MademoseIle Corsi must shift for
herself" answered the planter, as the
carriage drove rapidly away, and turn
iiIg oul of the brilliantly lighted thor
D"ghiart, plunged into one OF the dark
est streets Ill New Orleans. Il have
wished 10 spare you all anxiety, Donna
Camilla, but concealment can no Ion
ger avail. \ our father has been taken
i'll, and has sent for YOU"
My father i'll! dangerously ill?"
Il 10 not say that"
But perhaps il is not so. Oh, Hea-
ven, my beloved and hOnored father
that nOUIe and generous friend who
never denIed Il wish OF my heartfelt
tIem to drive faster, for PHYS sake!
Let us lose no time i'll reaching himp
S:le turue, to Augustus Horton with
claape,t n.t,IIs raised i'll supptIcation.
~ the very moment when she thus
appealed To nlm the carriage passed
corner Oh Il street at Which there was
.dinp.
Inc light of this lamp flashed upon
= lace OF the Planter aS they drove
rapidiy by.
HrIef as the moment was, Camilla
fancied she detected smile of triumph
upon the countenance of Augustus
Horton.
A thrill of horror crept through her
veins as she thought that perhaps this
alarm about her father was some vile
subterfuge of her rejected lover.
Shp hnI will q
careless and unheedng ear, of deeds of
darkness done i'll the city of her birth.
She knew that the wealthy members
Of New Orleans society were not over
scrupul0uS i'll the qualification of their
vller pasSions-and she trem1Ied as she
thought Of her helpleSsneSS-bu she
had the brave spirit OF her fathers
race, and she had sufficient presence of
mind to conceal her terror.
She determined upon testing her
companion.
why did not my father send his own
carriage for me?" she asked.
Because Don Juan was not taken
III at the Villa Moraqlitos. lie was at
tackled in Il gambling house at the
other end Of the city, and it is thither
I'm taking YOU"
My father stricken with illness in a
gamlng-house." said Camilla. my
father a gambler"
"Ay, thas surprises you no doubt.
There are many secrets in this city of
ours, Donna Camilla, and your father
knows how to keep his. 1t was to
avoid all scandal that brought you
away from the Opera House by spe-
cleS Of Stratagem. 1t would not have
dome for that brilliant assembly to
know whittier was bringing YOU"
1T IS to some Infamous haunt then?"
said C;,m;il
All vices are Infamous" answered
the planter. 1t is to the haunt OF the
rich and i,lie-the aristocratic and dis
sipated. Bat perhaps your Womam!y
nature shr:nks from this ordeal. ii it
be 50, | Will drive yOu home without
delay. There is no absolute necessity
for your seeing your father Tonight.
Tomorrow he may he we'll enough to
return to the Villa MUraguitUS, and ia
tht meantime | do not think there is
any serious danger"
THESE last words were uttered slowly
AMI lpsitatmglV. us il the speaker felt
them To he untrue, ana uuiy spoke
them Ill his desire To Comfort his COIN
pamIun.
C;tmIlia's suspicious were completely
d!speHed.
You 10 net Aink lie is in dancer?"
she exclaimed. Can yod Imagine CT
militia MUrtlIu!t0S So poor Il coward aS
TO sHrlnA from visiting her beloved
father BECAUSE lie lies III gambling
house? Had he been stricken III tue
most infamous den in New Orleans. |
would enter 1t alone TO coUl4ort and
succur him."
Hat there been lamp near to illu-
mile the planters face 1T this moment