Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1893-12-08


this bitter hour are spared her. The
blood of the best French families of
Louisiana for generations back was in
her veins; she was beautiful, edu-
gated. accomplished. Just as you are:
10 man could have dreamed that a
drop Of baser blood was hers. What
of that? For a hundred years her
mothers had been slaves; by the cruel,
monstrous law of this state, that con-
dition is yours | may free you; may
give you by will all that have; but
that you were born in bondage and
lived thus, in law, can never be de-
MED. And I tell you this, I, your IA
ther, for whose grievous sin you are
punished, as it is written in the Scrip
lures"
She understood the shocking truth at
last. Wiz low cry she sank down,
her arms thrown across an ottoman,
her face hidden upon them.
/ was instantly by her side.
Look up, Coralie!" cried. Moth
ing shall separate US; be of good
cheer"
She raised her eyes; hope family
shone in them.
"You win despise me, Dorr."
For what? ! have heard nothing
that can change my purpose or weaken
my love"
but the people who have known
me"
''They shall know you now as my
honored wife. If there is anything for
you to live down, let me help you do
her tears. She took my hand and led
me to her fathers chair.
'You hear what he has just said,
were her words. "He loves me, spite
of everything. have nothing to give;
because am your slave. tits for you
to say May l love hfm?"
The archness, the mock humility
with which she turned from the dis
tress and reproach in which her IA
Tiers words had left her, to this serio-
comic aspect of the situation, are not
to be described. Mr.. Bostock was COM
pletely won. He rose from his chair,
he clasped us both in one embrace,
tears wet his furrowed face.
"At last" he said, with sigh Of in
finite relief, that dreadful burden is
rolled from my soul TO keep that
secret have shed blood, | have spent
abundant gold, 1 have become prema-
turely aged, and suffered in mind as
men rarely suffer. Let me right the
wrong that did this dear child, SO far
as can, when my passions gave her
life; let me make my peace with an
offended God, if that be possible; let
me see you two happy together-and
then let me depart. Cory, forgive
your erring, miserable father. ! have
sinned, as other men sin; but have
suffered as they have not"
She answered him with kiss.
I'm the morning." he continued, lie
Fevre shall ride over to Thibodeaux,
and bring Mr. Coteau, the lawyer. The
deed that / have never dared 20 do, be-
cause then the people would know your
story, Corry-I Win exesute. | will de-
clare your manumission, in writing
signed, sealed aud acknowledged; il
shall be placed among the public rec
ords-and then, child, you win be ai
free in law as you ever have been In
fact. In the next hour my will shall
be made. Everything shall be yours.
We sat upon the ottomans at his
feet-we two-and in the seclusion o.
that room we heard from his lips the
story of his errors and sufferings. The
overseer raped at the door, and called
out that he must see Mr.. Bostock, but
was answered that he could not be dis
turbed. The servant who came 20 cal
us 10 the table was sent away. The
hour was given 90 the past.
We listened attentively, Coralic anC
i, for we were both concerned in the
strange story, and / especially wa
eager TO hear the things explained thai
had puzzled me; yet, ever and anon, al
returned the pressure OF the hand
my heart bounded exultingly forward
The past was no more terror; the fu
turc was secure. Upon none could the
fair September sun rise so brightly TO
morrow as upon us two, the darling'
OF fate!
So thought, as sat there, claspine
her hand and listening 20 Mr.. Bostock'i
confession.