Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1892-08-19

has happened? Something, know.
saw by her sad face when she returned
from New Orleans yesterday, that all
was not well with the young mistress.
The sorrows of those he loves cannot
escape the old eyes OF poor Toby"
At this moment a light footstep
sounded behind him, and Cora Leslie
emerged from the pavilion.
The young girl was dressed in the
thlnnest White muslin, which floated
round her graceful figure aerial as some
vapGry cloud in summer sky. She was
pale, and 4 mournful shadow dimmed
the orient splendor of her large black
avaS She descended the marble steps
SLOWLY, WltuouI percelVlng the faithful
slave who had risen at her approach,
and who stood aside regarding her
earnestly.
Miss Cora is sad" he said presently;
will She forgive the poor Slave if he
preSumes to ask Why"
She started at the sound of the mu-
latto' 5 voice, and turning toward him
held out her hand silently.
Toby took the little hand in his and
raised it TO his lips.
Miss Cora does not deny that she is
sad" he repeated.
Not so much sad, Toby, as bewilder-
ed" replied the young girl. My re-
ception at the house OF my old school
fellow has tiled my mind with per
plexity. What could be the meaning
of Adelaide Horizons cnnductP"
Forgive me, Miss Cora, Ii | remind
you that your father particularly re-
quested you not to leave the house
during his absence"
Il know, Toby, I know But why
that request? Why am | a prisoner
here? Why is my fathers manner
more indicative of sorrow than Joy at
my return to Louisiana? Why, on my
first visit to the friend Of my youth, do
l find the door shut in my face?"
"But the English gentleman who con-
Quoted you home explained the reason
Of that, Miss Coral
NO, Toby; Mr.. Margrave endeavored
to explain, but in doing SO he only re-
vealed his embarrassment. There is
some secret III all this. Some mystery
that Hark!"
The sound which arrested Cora's at
tention was the trampling of horses
hoofs upon the carriage drive below the
terrace.
."Hulloap cried voice from the same
direction. "Hulloa, there! Is there
any one to hold my horse?"
y ' IoIl'ls OASlttllllCNI WI
ut is Mr.. Augustus Horton" said
Toby, looking over the balustrade.
"Adelaide's brother! Then | will see
him."
But in your fathers absence, Mis-
Cora?" murmmed the slave. anXiously
Il will see him." repeated Cora; che
may come to offer an explanation
Heaven knows it is needed"
"1lulloa! is every one asleep here?'
cried the voice below,
Coming, massa," answered Toby
running down the terrace steps.
Three minutes afterWard Augustu!
Horton made his appearance in thu
flower garden, where Cora awaited him
He bowed careeSsly to the young Cir
without raising his hat, but fixing up
on her lovely face gaze of ardent al
miratiOn.
He carried a light riding whip in his
hand and was smoking u cigar. which
he did not remove from his mouth.
Miss Cora Leslie, L presumew III
said.
Cora bowed.
"Mr. Leslie is not at home, I under
stmd?"
Il am expecting his return, at an,
moment, Mr.. Horton" answered Cora
Something i'll the planters familiar
manner, and i'll his ardent gaze tilleC
the young girl with indignant surprise
and she looked at him with a glance o
establishment as he. flung a sealed pack
ct upon the table, and seated himself
without invitation, i'll one of the ruSti
chairs.
Il have some papers to restore t,
your father" he said; but this is not
the whole object Of my visit. My siste
told me that you were lovely, Miss Les
lie, but now perceive that in such f.;
case u woman never tells more than
half the truth"
Cora had remained standing during
bis speech. She now seated herself il
the CHAIR opposite to that taken 10y tn.
young planter, and said, calmly
pardon me, Mr.. Horton, but I ina
gined that the object of your yiSi
here"
"Was to reply to the letter addressed
by You to my sister, Adelaide? Yes
Miss Leslie, that letter proved to Il.
that Mr.. Margrave had not properl,
acquitted himself of the commission
which he undertook"
"IoW SO, SIR"
"My sister much regretted not being
able to receive you, yesterday, and
should have shared those regrets, haC
she not chosen me to bring you hel
excuses"
ut is not an excuse which I require
Mr.. Horton, but al explanation, re-
piled Cora. with dignity.
Augustus shrugged us shoulders.
Nv lat further exp natiOn can you
require. Miss Leslie" he said; "the
preparations Of her approaching mar.
rlage? A little touch of headache
perhaps? Is not this sufficient to ex.
plain alp"
NO, sir it is not. Because I would
rather hear the truth, bitter as the
truth may be, than these courteous
mockeries which put me to the rack.
Mr.. Percy's opposition to my return to
America; my fathers emotion on be-
holding me; the strange isolation in
which [ am kept; and lastly, your Sis
ter 5 extraordinary conduct Of yester-
day-ail these prove to me that some
terrible fatality oyershadows me: fa-
tally Of which | am ignorant. but
which [ am determined to discover"
Nay. Miss Leslie. what is that you
would seek to know? why not be
content to reign by your grace and
beauty? for the fatality OF which you
speak can cast 10 cloud upon your love
illness: and even the jealousy of our
wives and sisters cannot rob you of
your sovereignty"
t DO not understand you, sir"
"And vet | endeavOred to make N.Y.
self understood. All, Miss Lesiiel we
are but strangers, newly met within