Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1892-08-05

father" 7
/ Her lovely countenance gloWed will
enthusiasm as she spoke; while hel
tiny hands were clasped in an ecstasy
of delight.
| Mortimer Percy's face grew strange
| ~ mournful as he looked upon THE
excited girl.
"One moment, Miss Leslie" he ex
claimed earnestly, pausing, with hi:
| remember what [ said to you III Gros-
yenor Square, on the night Of my aunt's
BALI"
Yes, perfectly"
You remember that then told you
| that [ feared your fathers welcome
/ might not be 50 warm enc as youl
| loving heart would lead you to desire
I If tonight you shGdld find it SO, re
| member my warning. and do not doubt
| your fathers affection, even should he
| receive you somewhat coldiy. Remem-
| Der, too, that come what may. and
should the hour of trouble fal! upon
| you as it sometimes does on the young.
est and the fairest; remember that Won
| have always friend III Mortimer Per
! cy. and do not scruple to appeal tG
| him"
lie clasped her hand in his as lie
| spoke. and she returned the friendly
| pressure.
| There is mystery III your words
which / seek III vain to fathOm, Mr.
| Percy" she sail; land | know that
| your warnings ill me with a strange
| fear; but | know. too, that you have
| been very good to Inc, and should sor-
row come, will not hesitate to appeal
to you and your cousin Adelaide"
Adelaide is a good little girl" an
sWered Mortimer with Il sigh; but
| shall be better able to serve YOU than
| she. Goodnight, Miss Leslie"
lie released her slender hand gave
some directions to the driver, aid III
another moment the horse started and
Cora felt that she was on her way TO
her fathers residence.
The S'ul WAS sinking in a bed of
crimson glory. and tie dusky shadows
closing III the streets Of New Orleans.
The houses and public buildings were
dimly visible in the declining light, as
Cora looked out Of the carriage win
dow. The place seemed strange to her
after her long residence i'll England.
She had no memory Of anything She
saw and felt tjtstt she was ali utter
stranger i'll her native land.
But She had not long to thiu. of
these things. The carriage drew up
before her father S house, and the door
was opened by the black servant,
Caesar Without waiting to ask any
questions, she hurried into the hall, af-
ter dismissing the driver; but as she
was about to inquire for her father
another negro servant emerged from
one Of the doors opening into the hall.
and advanced 10 meet her
lie was past middle age. His hair
WAS grizzled with patches Of gray, and
his lace had All expression OF settled
melancholy rarely seen upon the negro
cOlutenance. lie was dressed in a
loose linen jacket and trousers, and his
1nanner and appearance altogether de-
noted his station, which was that Of
confidential man and general servant.
factotum to his master, Mr.. Leslie.
This man s name was Toby He had
served the planter faithfully for five
and-tWenty years.
Mr.. Leslie can see no one this even
ing he said as lie approached Cora.
lie Will not refuse to see me-" muir
INJURED the young girl; ''he cannot deny
himself to his daughter"
Ills daughter!" exclaimed the negro,
with an lrrepresSible burst Of cnthuSi-
assn; his daughter, Miss Cora that
was way across the sea-yOnder III the
free country. Cora, the child [ used to
forgive, forgive the poor old negro
slave, who is almost wild at the sight
OF lis young mistress"
The faithful creature fell on his
knee 1T Cora's feet and, claSping hel
hand in both his own, covered it with
kisses.
you remember me then?" said Cora.
Il remember the little child that [
used to carry in my arms, not the beau
tiful young lady from the happy En-
glISh land; but the young lady has still
the soft voice and the sweet smile of
the little child, and she is not angry
with poor Toby because he is beside
himself with Joy to see her once again"
Angry with you'll" exclaimed Cora:
Nbut tell me-my father, where is he?
DO not detaln me longer when | should
rush into his dear armsw
Your father" A sudden change
came over the slaves manner. "Y our
father, Miss Cora! He thinks yoa still
i'll the free English country, and when
he hears chat you have returned-"The
negro paused, with All embarrassed
cOuntenaHce, as he uttered these words
What then" cried Cora. IF have
returned without his knowledge am I
not his daughter; and who, in his hour
OF sorrow, has Il better right to be at
his side?"
Yes, Miss Cora. but"
Tell me where is he?"
I'm that room, Miss Cora" answered
the negro, gravely, pointing to the
door of the study.
Without waiting for another word
Cora softly opened the door, and Gid
ING into the room, stood for moment
mutely regarding her father. The We
netian shutters were closed, and a
shaded lamp burned upon the planters
desl1-a lamp that left the room in
shadow, and threw it's full light upon
the careworn face of Gerald Leslie.
on his desk. with half-burned cigar
by their side. His finely nodded chin
rested upon his hand, his brow was
contracted by painful thoughts, and his
dark brown ewes were fixed glOomily
upon the ground.
He mad not heard Cora entrance.
The young girl crept softly to his side,
and dropping on her knees at his feet,
clasping her hands about his left arm,
which hung loosely over the arm OF his
chair
Father" she murmured, dearest
father"
Ii was no exclamation OF joy, but
With q cry OF something nearer akin to
agony. that the planter turned and be-
held his only daughter.
Cora" he exclaimed; Cora, you
here"
Yes. dearest father. I know-I
know that it is against your commands
| that have come. but | felt that it
| c nd not lie against your wishes"
Gerald LesIie's head dropped upon
his breast with gesture of despair.
1t needed but this" he murmured,
to complete my ruin"