Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1892-07-29
CORA. THE OCTOROON.
BY MISS NJ. E. BRADDON.
CHAPTER II.
THE FATAL RESOLVE.

aAt last!" exclaimed Adelaide; $50
you have actually condescended to
honor my aunt's assembly with your
gracious presence, my dear cousin.
Perhaps you were in hopes you would
not see me-"
perhaps you were in hopes I should
not come" retorted the young man.
was awaiting you with Impotence.
But pray don't be alarmed, it was not
On nv own account, but on that of Miss
Leslie that [ wished to see you. My
friend is anxious to ask you about her
father"
duce me to Miss Leslie" replied Nor
timer
"Mr. Mortimer Percy, cotton merch-
ant and slave proprietor, my cousin
and my future husband, as my aunt
says"
testing" said Mortimer, grraavely;
SIS your news bad them" exclaimed
his cousin.
cit is not altogether as favorable as I
should wish"
ooh, in Heavens name, speak, Mr..
Percy" cried Cora, pale with agitation,
"what has happened to my father?"
treasure Yourself, Miss Leslie" re-
piled Mortimer, when l left New Or
leans your father was rapidly recover
ing"
"He has been i'll, then?"
"He was wounded in revolt Of the
slaves on his plantation"
"Wounded!" exclaimed Cora; "oh, for
PHYS sake do not deceive me, Mr.. Per-
cy! this wound-Was it dangerous?"
ut was no longer so when [ left Lou
isiana, give you my honor"
Cora sank into chair, and buried
her face in heg hands.
"You see, Adelaide" she murmured,
after few moments silence, "my pre-
sentiments were not unfounded. Dear
est father, and ] was not near to watch
and comfort you'll"
Adelaide Horton seated herself by
the side of her friend, twining her arm
alfectionately about Cora's slender
waist.
STRANGE" thought Mortimer Percy,
as he watched the two girls, zone word
from me, and my cousin would shrink
from this lovely and innocent creature
with l0athing and disdain."
The prelude of waltz resounded at
this moment from the orchestra and
Gilbert Margrave appeared to claim his
partner.
"Ah!" exclaimed Adelaide, cit is you,
Mr.. Margrave! Ny poor friend has just
heard some sad news"
Sad news, Miss HOrtOn!"
Eyes, there has been a revolt of the
slaves, in which her father we'll nigh
fell u victim. Thank Heaven, the re-
suit was less terrible than it might
have been"
While Adelaide was speaking to Mr..
PQrou
the chair on which Cora was seated,
and bending over her for moment
said, in low voice, ''let me speah to
you alone, Miss Leslie"
."Alone!" exclaimed Cora, with new
alarm, then turning to Gilbert, she
said calmly, II trust that you will be
SO kind as to excuse me, Mr.. Margrave,
and ask Adelaide to favor you with her
hand for the next waltz. I wish to
speak to Nh. Percy about this sad af-
fair"
Cora insists upon it, Mr.. Margrave,"
said Adelaide, "and you must there
she added, turning to Cora, 'that we
only consent on condition that we find
you smiling and altogether restored to
good spirits on our return. Now, Mr..
Mortimer Percy, after this [ suppose
you will leave off praising the virtue OF
your pet negroes"
What would you have my dear cou-
sin?" replied Mortimer; when dogs are
too violently beaten, they are apt to
bite"
They should be tied up them" retort-
ed Adelaide as she took Gilbert's arm
and hurried to the ballroom where the
dancers were already whirling round
III udtSe deur-tenps.
Cora rose as she found herself alone
with the young planter, and no longer
attempting to conceal her agitation,
exclaimed, anXiously.
you say, Mr.. Percy; do you really mean
that it is ill-usage which has urged my
fathers slaves to this revolt?"
Alas, Miss Leslie" replied the young
South American, "the planter finds
himself between the horns of a terrible
dilemma; he must either beat his
slaves or suffer from their laziness. [
Will own to you that Mr.. Leslie is not
considered too indulgent a master; but
he only follows the example of the
greater number of our colonists. How
ever 1t is not he, but his OverSeer who
was the chief cause of this revolt.
our father would have interfered; in
attempting to do so he was seriously
you that he was entirely out Of danger
when | left New Orleans"
and did he give you no message for
memo letter." asked Cora.
mo, Miss Leslie"
what. not a wOrd?"
~ our father did not know that I
should see YOU" replied Mortimer,
and 1t IS on this very subject that [
wish to ask you few questions; not
prompted by any vain curiosity, believe
me, but because you inspire me with
Warmest interest,""
Speak, Mr.. Percy" said Cora, seat
ing herself.
Mortimer drew chair to the side of
placing himself near.to her, said grave
Tell me, Miss Leslie, in what man
ner do you usually receive your fathers
letters?"
Through one of the correspondents
who lives at Southampton"
Then they are not directly addressed
to YOU"
They are not"
Were you very young when you left
louisiana"
Il was only five years DID," replied
so youngI Your memory can recall
nothing that occurred at that time, I
suppose"
oh, yes" answered Cora;" but men,
cries so confused that they seem rather
to resemble dreams. But there is one
recollection which no time can efface.
1t IS OF a woman, young, beautiful,
who clasped me in her arms, sobbing
as she strained me to her breast. /
can still hear her sobs when recall
that scene"