Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1892-09-23
CORA, THE OCTORO0N
BY MISS N. z. BRADDOH.

Il shall be here to protect her, at the
worst; but tell me have you any idea
how if was that this mulatto Toby ap-
piled to me above all people"
"The instincts of the desplSed race
are strong" answered Mortimer; @he
knew. no doubt, that you felt no I'M
common interest in his young mistress.
See, is not that Miss Leslie yonder,
amongst the passengers, dressed III
black"
1T is; she is coming this way with
Toby"
Il will leave you then, my dear Gil
bert" said Mortimer, and pressing his
friends hand, he strolled INTO the sa-
loon.
Cora Leslie was pale as lily. Her
black robes seemed to increase this al
most unearthIy pallor, but they could
not take from her. her beauty. She adj
vanced slowly: looking about her with
q glance of terror, while tine faithful
mIIlatt0 followed close at her side.
Presently she perceived Gilbert Mar
grave, who silently awaited her cOm-
ing.
The crimson blush which suddenly
dyed her cheek revealed how LITTLE she
had expected this meeting.
"Mr Margraye." size exclaimed.
"Pardon me. Mss Leslie" replied the
yOang engineer" If | have yenturcd
to make myself without your permls-
sion. yOur COMPANION upon this Jour
ney-but tie hope THAT / might be able
To render YOU 5Dlne service mas induced
me even to brave yDn dlSplcaSure."
Cora lookea earnestly at Toby; the
faithful creature 5 eyeiidS fell beneath
THAT Sr,irciiiitg gaze. "Ah, Mr.. Mar
grave" Size said. 1T was Toby who told
yoJD OF this journey"
"F0r.IVc ne. dear young mistress"
exclaimed the ;nstltttG; Il thought that
! was doing right"
81 am deeply affected with this proof
Of vour Kindness Mr.. Mar~rave," said
Cora: but | regret that Tobys indls-
erection should nave imposed upon you
a task which will, as | believe, be use
less"
'IIoweyer that may be, Miss Leslie
it is Il task which | accept with pride
and joy"
At this moment the little group was
approached by the captain OF the Sci
ma whose sharp eyes had eSpled the
dark skin Of Toby amongst his arlSto-
cratic passengers.
"iuIlO! what are you doing here, mig
GER" he exclaimed; don't you know
your place is ut the other end Of the
vessel"
The muIattO retired without q word
but not without Il push from the lndlg-
naut captain.
Poor Toby" mrrmWed Cora, as she
followed with her eyes the faithful
slave
"You see, Miss Leslie" said Gilbert
"the company Of Toby would have
been no protection to you"
IL should have gone with him, Mr.
Margraye. Is not my place his? An
l not an OctoroonY"
"YOu know all. them"
Eyes. Alas, see that it was only
/ who was ignorant"
"A chance word from Mr.. Percy re
vealcd the secret TO me, Miss Leslie
upon that very night when first | saw
you"
"Oh, Mr.. Margrave, | do not seek tt
deny my origin. See, [ wear mourn
ing for my mother, and my journey o.
to-day IS a pilgrimage TO her grave"
A couple OF chairs near Gilbert Mar
grave were unoccupied; one Of these III
offered to Cora. and, taking the other
seated himself by her side.
"A noisy laugh from group on decl
at this moment arrested their atten
ton
This group was composed of Sila
Craig, William Bowen, and two o.
three other passengers, all gathered
round Augustus Horton, who was read
ing paragraph aloud from a New Or
leans newspaper. The following were
the words Which greeted Cora's ears
The conduct OF Mr.. Leslie IN daring t.
folst the child Of one OF his slaves upon TIL,
~
ment he has met. The citizens OF New Oh
leans have shown their Indignation at hi
otfrnSr, by abandoning all communication
with him Gerald Leslie walks the street
OF his native city stranger and a ruined
man"
"Oh, this is Infamous" exclaimed
Gilbert MargraVe; that man know
that You are here and he reads that par
agraph on purpose to insult you.
Will not endure it."
He was about to rush toward Angus
tus Horton. but Cora caught his arm il
her slender hands and arrested hi
stenS.
sake, Mr.. Margraye, not one word
The sting OF the insult Will be lost i
umotlced. Let him think those crue
words are unhcard"
1t was indeed as Gilbert Margraye
supposed. Augustus knew of Cora
presence In tie hoat--hc had seen he
with Gilbert 10y her side. and he wa
determined to be reveuged upon he
for the contempt With which She hat
treated him.
This was the planters love. The loy
Of the protligate Who seeks to humli
ate his victim i'll order that he ma
Subdue her.