Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1892-08-19
CORA, THE OCTOROON
BY MISS NJ. E. BRADDON.

whatever danger L may incur OF be-
Ing either ridiculcd or perse cuted, /
shall never conceal my detestation of
prejudice and tyranny, and my sympa-
thy with the weak" answered Gilbert
proudly. Pardon me. if l speak warm
ly Oh THIS subject. Miss Horton; il is
not to be supposed that you and l
should think alike. We represent the
opposite sides OF the Atlantic"
Nay. Mr.. Margrave." replied AIDE
laide, whose brief outburst of anger
had passed like thunder cloud in a
sunny sky, 1T is who should ask par
don. [ fear | am a passionate and
heartless creature, but | cannot help
feeling some Indignation against Mr..
Leslie for the cheat he has put on u.s."
Adelaide Horton scarcely dared own
to herself that it was jealousy Of Gill
bert'S evident partially for Cora rath-
er than anger against the young girl
herself, that had been the cause of her
cruel words.
Augustus Horton entered the room
at this moment, and Adelaide present.
ed her brother to the young engineer.
There was little sympathy between
Gilbert Margrave and the planter of
New Orleans. Augustus had never
quilted the Southern States. except on
the occasion Of one or two brief visits
to New \ DIRK. His ideas were narrow.
his prejudices deeply rooted. He was
by no means free from the vices of his
fellOw-citizens; he was known to fire.
quent the gambling-houses, which in
spite of the law promulgated for their
suppression, still existed in New Or
leans; but he was known, also to be
prudent. even in the midst of his dissi-
4 10
the splendid estate left him by his
father.
But hospitality is an universal virtue
with the creoles. and Augustus babe
the young engineer hearty welcome
to his house.
They conversed for some time on in
different subjects, and Gilbert. having
accepted an invitation to dinner for
the following day. was about to take
his leave, when he was prevented by
the entrance of the slave, Myra.
The girl approached her mistress
with an embarrassed manner unusual
to her.
MXra:" asked Augustus impatiently.
What are you standing there for?
Why don t you speak,"
"Oh, ifyou please, massa," stammered
the girl, there is q young person be-
low Who asks to see my mistress, and
who calls herself Miss Leslie"
Gerald Leslie'S daughter here" eX-
claimed Augustus. This is TOO much.
This is what her father exposes us to
III not teaching this girl her real posi-
ton"
what IS to be done?" asked AIDE
laide, turning pale.
Can you ask" replied her brother.
surely there is but one course. | will
ask Myra here" he added. pointing to
the young quadroon. Tell me, girl,
What do you think of this young per-
SOM"
why. massa, I-I-thought in spite
OF the WhlteneSS of her skin, she must
be"
"Of the same rank as yourself; is it
not so:"
Yes. masSa."
cry well. then; do you think it pos
slble that your mistress could receive
her as VIsitor-as an eqnal%"
ON, no. massa." exclaimed the girl.
That is enough. You can let her
know this"
Myra c0urtesied, and was about to
leave the room, when Gilbert Margrave
arrested her by an imperiOus motion of
his hand.
Stay" he exclaimed. pardon me,
Nh. Horton, if L presume to say that
this must not be. | had the honor of
meeting Miss Leslie one evening at the
house OF your aunt. Permit me- there
fore, to spare her an insult which [
should feel myself bastard in t0lerat-
ing. Allow me to carry your answer
to Miss LeSlie:"
you, sir" exclaimed Augustus Hor-
ton.
"Oh, pardon me, Mr. Horton. if I ap-
pear to make bad return for the kind
welcome you were so ready to offer to
stranger: bat remember that the Gus
toms and pref udices of the South are
new to me, and forgive me if | say
that the conduct which on your part
would be only natural. would become
OH mine al abominable coWartiice"
Sill" cried the indignant Augustus.
Before he could say more Gilbert
Margrave had bowed deferentialy to
the ladies, and to the angry planter
himself
ooh, it is too clear-he loves her.n ex-
claimed Adelaide, when they were
alone.
"And even if he does" said her aunt,
quietly: what difference can it posi-
bly, l,:ihe to Miss Adelaide jHrtUn that
ls-Nlrs. Mortimer Percy that is to
be-"
Crimson bushes mounted to AIDE
laide S face at this remark. She made
no answer, but with an angry look at
her ;ant, hurried from the room.
This display Of emotion had not es-
capcd the penetrating eye Of her
brother.
pray, what is the meaning of this,
my dear aunt" he asked
Il very much fear, Augustus. that
your sister has no great inclination to
marry her cousin, Mortimer Percy"
"And the cause Of this inclination is
some foolish preference for the inso-
lent European who has just left u.s."
"Jnhappily, yes"
"This is too humiliating." exclaimed
Augustus, walking rapidly up and
down the apartment; my sister de-
grades herself by evincing marked
prediction for man who is inditfer-
ent to her. and the object of her admi-
ration does her the honor to prefer a
slave"