Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1892-09-23

grave, Sdlu IOId. Autldlue lids
generous heart, and / know that in Sc
you. above all others, should be in
duloent to her faults"
"I?"
Yes" replied Cora, her long black
eyelashes dropping beneath the En-
glishman's ardent gaze; amongst all
her English admirers, there was one
alone for whom she felt any real re-
gard. DO you know whom | mean"
NO, Miss Leslie, nor do wish to
know" answered Gilbert, with energy;
"fOr amongst all the young girls who
adorned the farewell ball given by Mrs.
Montresor, there was one and one
alone to whom my daZZled eyes turned
as the star of the brilliant throng. DO
you know whom l mean"
Cora did not answer, but a vivid
blush suffused her face at the young
engineers question.
"See," continued Gilbert, opening his
sketch book; do you remember the
bouquet which you left upon a side
table in the anteroom. In the center
of that boquet bloomed this tiny flower,
which we Englishmen call the forget
---a-not 1t is wlthered now. Say,
Cora. can you forgive the hand which
stole the DIOSscTc'
The blush faded from the cheek Of
the OctOrOOn, and, clasping her hands
entreatingly, she exclaimed with ear
neStneSS-
"Oh. Mr.. Margrave, reflect! An idle
word, idly spoken, may occasion evil OF
which you cannot dream. 1t IS to your
honor appeal You would not intict
new sorrow upon a heart already al
most broken. What would that flower
say? that in its brief hour OF bloom and
freshness Cora Leslie was admired.
The flower has Withered, and the hopes
of my life have faded Like the frall pet
ais OF that poor blossom"
NO. Cora. no! The flower has but
one meaning-says, L love youH
Me" cried Cora, with an eXclama-
ton almost Of terror. But do YOU for
get who | am? DO you forget that |
am an Octoroon, the daughter OF a
slave"
Il forget all, but that love YOU"
"DO YOU know that Iii this country it
is considered II disgrace to DeStoW an
honorable affection upon j creature OF
tie dcSpiSed race, and that the SHAME
attached to me would attach itself also
to YOU"
Il know all, Cora, but love you'll
love YOU" cried Gilbert falling on his
knees at the young girl 5 feet.
Cora sank into IL cham and covered
her face with her hands.
Cora. you Weep.
81 do" she replied, in faltering ac-
cents, Il feel myself 50 deapaed and
abandoned in TINS cruel country; and t
is 50 sweet TO hear words Of love and
consolation from-trom one"
".Nh. Cora, spcdk-Speak, l implore."
From one We love"
Cora, my atiOred," exclaimed Gil
bert, with rapture, c!asr;ng her hand
and seating himself bessie her.
They had not been unmatched during
this interview. The eyes of jealousy
We're upon the unconscious lovers. for
Adelaide Horton had emerged from
the saloon, and gliding at the back OF
the little table, had heard the latter
part OF their conversation.
She knew the worst now. This man
this man to whom she had given heI
heart. unaSked and llnSOught. loved
and was beloved by the despised daugIl-
ter of Il slave. Wounded pride. jeal-
ousy, revenge, humiliation, all mingled
III the passionate emotion of that mo-
ment. Blind with anger, she knew
not what she did.
BY this time the deck of the Selma
was again crowded with passengers
Augustus Horton still carried the New
Orleans paper in his hand, and he was
talking to Silas Craig about the attack
upon Mr. Leslie
Confess now, you sly old fox" he
said, laughing. you are the author Of
this article? Why be too modest to own
SO good a work."
Gilbert Margrave started from his
seat.
"Now, Cora" he whispered. Il can
not longer remain silent. | have now
a right to defend YOU"
The captain of the Selma at this mo-
ment joined the group round Augustus
Horton.
You are talking of the article in she
New Orleans Messenger, are you not
gentlemen?" he said
I'VE are, captain" replied Augustus
land here is the author" he added
pointing to Craig.
Then, allow me to compliment Won.
sir" said the captain addressing Siias
You have done a service to society
and hope the cOlonists will take warm
ing"
That they will never do" said Ale
lalde Horton, advancing to the center
OF the group, while you permit mu-
lattreSS to take her place on board voul
DoaJ amongst the tree citizens OF New
Orleans"
She pointed as she spoke to Cora
who had advanced with Gilbert Mar.
grave.
There was simultaneous movement
of surprise amongst the passengers, as
if pistol had suddenly been fired up
on the deck.
AS Adelaide uttered these words
Mrs. Montresor and Mortimer Percy
emerged from the saloon, and watched
the scene which was taking place.
What do you mean, Miss Horton?'
asked the captain. Obi Adelaide
is despicable."
Terrified and ashamed of what she
had done, the Jealous girl hid he1
face in her hands and retired rapidly
from the deck, followed by her aunt.
Il will tell you, sir, what Miss Hor
ton meant" said Cora, advancing tt
the captain: she would have told yol
that am Gerald Leslie's daughter"
In that case, madam" replied thu
captain, you must be aware"
That my place is with the slaves al
the other end Of the steamer. Pardon
| me. sir. for having forgotten my rea
| positioEl"
With one proudly disdainful glance
at Augustus Horton, Cora slowly re
tired. The passengers watched her il
silence, wondering how the strang'
scene would end.
Gilbert Margrave advanced to Au
gustuS Horton. and addressed him in
tone of quiet determination, far NOR
impressive than the loudest passion.
Mr.. Horton" he said; the insult in
| f1icted upon Miss Leslie was also offer
ed to me- since was by her side at TIL
time. Whether her cause be just o