Pittston Gazette

              PITTSTON, Ll'ZKRNK CO., PA., FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, IHSil. KNTlltLINHKl) 1*3 bit Of. .VI.. Ho IS. Oldest v ewsnauer \ Oil] 1151 D vauev A Weekly Local and Family Journal. VOUTBOir. sum si ias. His evidei i. anxiety nbout Cora ter-1 Adelaide Ilorton. | the pn.vit.on. nn.i "Beware, young lady!" Tho mulfttl(D appeared in answer to the summons or his young mistross. I'ora sank on her knees, the tears streaming from her eyes, her clasped' hands uplifted to Heaven. night, in one of the secret chambers of a certain gambling house; where, on being pursued thither by her infuriated father, tho unhappy girl, overcome by despair, drew a dagger from her bosotn and stabbed herself to tho heart. This is what will be said, unless I am much deceived in human nature." K «lC t tho money lou snail na same pure white material s whole length of tie' tenr.ro. i —wneie otners wouiu oo mgniy Vibit.'u.i-D of tlw theater anil tho cafe, you are forever brooding over tho-e ftupid book "Other men are perhaps born tu f-irtune," answered 1'auJ, A\ith quiet dignity; "remember, dear sir, i have io achieve it." "Nay, Paul; how do you know w hat ntentions a certain elderly Spanish gentleman may have with rogiitd to a - i l - _ _ « i her guitar, enchanted" her obsequious listeners, Paul toilod In his lonely ehamj ber, only looking up now and then from his books and papers, to listen for a few brief moments to the sounds of revelry and laughter below. Thrmt t- mv l"t: C1. ot"' sunm A blucn of c inison popi""* 1 "Listen to what people say of M Preverton's death; ho lost heavily i know notl ft t. I r«-1 I en n not. !fDvt f Mis* Leslie; answer. I of which won Jilk'il with the rn Kartlen,- in e\C|uieitCD or'ier  tlio pavilion, while, oxactly nppoi-Rstho 1 '! mod i "Toby, you will conduct this gentlonian to the gates of my father's grounds, and remember that if l'« ever again dares to present himself hero, it will bo your duty to refuse him admittance. You hear?" "Alas, beloved mother I" sho cried, "marl.vr to tie* base anil cruel laws of this arviiiM-d land, it is after (ifteen years ' ha I youi daughter learus your unhHtipy 1 mie; after llfteeu years that sho weeps for yon memory \\'!th-ivCl ami w rn'. Torn ; lay; ho could not pay up; ho was iusuttod by a stranger, ami Stabbed in a kind of duel, the murderer's party oarrving off the body. A fortnight aftor- ivo have not mot since A !to\\f That had k wo roar I fnv I A inC why this is so, Miss Hor- Oo oth r thin s in 1 th Do» h's i veranda, a rustic table and some garder chairs were placed beneath the luxurious Shade of a banana tree. ' Laugh nn!" he exclaimed, ae a sar- My alisrnt K '■' upon tlie.i Hlv 1 lurn-«l thrm o'er «n . anl the body was found in the Missis Ippi; the face could not bo recognized o t'ora Leslie is no fit asgoeiiO dai;.'.rhter of Edward l!or- Yes. mistress." "Oh, misery?" exclaimed Camlliia. "And even should tho worthy citizens of New Orleans fail to put this interpretation upon your death, a few judicious whispers dropped by my chosen friends —a smile of triuiqph, and a shrug of tho shoulders from myself will soon set afloat any report I ploaso. So think twice beforo you use that pretty plaything, Donna Camlliia," added tho planter, pointing to the hilt sho grasped in her hand; "think twice if you are prudent, and remember that death to-night, and In this house, Is not death alone—it Is disgrace I" castic smile curved'his finely-molded lips; '"laugh on, frivolous and ignorant ones—whisper unmeaning compliments, ami murmur inanities to my peerless Ca- I do not fear you; for it is not thus slio will bo won." Tlwn «iro p Ci U ir bl.Ki.n up n t but from papers found in the pool corpse was known tCD be thai of Seated on tho steps leading from tar pavilion, faithful as a dog who listens fo: the footsteps of his beloved master, tin slave Toby might havo been seen on the day following that on which Cora had paid her unwelcome visit at the huu*« of Augustus Ilorton. • Co, sir," said Cora, looking at Augustus for the first time since she had risen from her scat; 'lam but a stranger in New Orleans, and you have done much to enlighten me as to tho character of its inhabitants. You havo dono well to choose tho hour of a father' - absence to insult his only daughter. Go!" ( HAFfER IX. document called a will?" '•Heaven forbid, tir,'' r«• j■ 11, -i i an "that I should over seek to fiith hi tlio . Intentions; and if you allude to yon ■ ■« if, permit me to tako this opp. rtuuity of dealaringthat I would not accept one dollar, even were your misguided generosity to seek to bequeath it to me." "Santa Maria, Mr. Lisimon, and why not, pray?" asked Don Juan laughing at the young man's impetuosity. "Because I would not rob her who has the 6ole claim upon your fortune." "My littks Camillia; she will be rich enough in all conscience. Ah, r&ul," idded tiie Spaniard, looking somewhat searehingly at Lisimon, "it is a serious matter for a father to have such a iaughter as Camilla Moraquitos to dispose of; a beauty and an heiress ! Whero .n all New Orleans shall I find the man rich enough or noblo to be her husband?"Hui IVtD liv«-U o wei-p f that miner 1 rover Iood rushed in n crimson tor ho I'aro of t I'.I I'li BR Cora Anil the « i here 1 pjppi » I th.-e » a ■rton vault. Tin* police failed Jio murderer. On Gerald Iips ton—it was therefore buried in the I seat as it ho hat! ■img engineer nor Toby was aware that there had been a listener during the latter part ol their conversation ; but it was not the less a fact. (Jerald Leslie had returned unobserved by either return Augustas Ilorton was a rich man; he belonged to ono of tho best families in Now Orleans, and tho old Spaniard know of no ono bettor suited as a husband for his beloved daughter. lDon Juan therefore encouraged the young planter's addresses, though at the sumo time thoroughly resolved to throw him off, should any richer or more aristocratic suitor present himself. CamUii« know nothing of her father's 1C t«ntlors. All her admirers were alike indifferent to her, for her heart was Irrevocably given, and her faith irrevocably pledged to Paul Lisimon- While these changes had been slowly Its! iving toe.e I knew fi 1' w-ll from Europe, he examined the papers of his lato partner—which hail been sealed up. That for which Leslie looked most anxiously was a certain document, the receipt for ono hundred thousand dollars, paid to. Mr. Silns Craig, attorney and nioney-lendor. Ho did not find it!" ev hiimed what woi naiue, 3 \CD'i insinuate And yet. bow ;tr*HK ■. nnlie il it of The w r s that pleiJ no swiet and s 1' Unleft thft little h-ait that preset- 1 Around my n»ck. iu 'i tny brent. mor of Gerald Leslie was at his office in New Orleans, where business often detained him when the best wishes of his heart would have kept him by his daughter's side. J ins n«D; h Mr. Margrave, tell you )u speak ; friend. h( iice- "I obey you, Miss Leslie," answered Augustus, white with rage, and trembling in every limb with suppressed passion. '•Lelieve me, I shall not forget our interview of today, and shall tako an opportunity to romind jouofit on some futuro occasion. For tho present I am your debtor; but trust mo, the hour of ion of whom y ir me. Whatev Now y a"-* hive pa fed an.) borne e way 'I he wrds and hxAs of that dear D ai : My em11r "r;n8 I tret li in vain, Put th • Ch 11 will iic\ r come b c You shall have the-money, William ! "I ain't in no hurry, ' replied Uo'wen "Sow I want to take a Bijuint at wha' ever lies behind yonder map. Oi'll I The summer aftornoon was hot and sultry, and all tho windows were open. The siavo seemed to bo listening eagerly for some sound within. The young girl buried her face in her hands. She shuddered, but she did not speak. KIUA speakers, and, arrested by the passionate gesturos of the mulatto slave, had lingered to the background, anxious to discover the cause oi his agilatiou. of the excited Ob, wor *s and t mi s oC byifon« \ en s. llow cnulil ye f ill on carel s-s eaiD? suppressed a half-mutterod oath, but reiuctautlv touched a Spring. A door Hew back. They entered a long, narrow Hilas \ rlioking 81'Usation hail i CD:i; ..i' t iio yo III;; cnsfinwr Ciil I ill* 1 10 til sett lement will come between us, when you shall pay dqarly for this insolence. In tho meantime," he added, turning to tho mulatto, "in order to teach your young mistross her proper position, bo good enough to relate to her the story of Frnnciiia." Augustus Horton perceived that involuntary shudder, and an exclamation of triumph escaped his lips. "Ah, proud Spanish woman, you whom tho wealthiest and most aristocratic Creole of New Orleans U not worthy to wed, you no longer defy mo then. You tremble though thoso stubborn lips refuse to entreat—those haughty kneed cannot stoop to kneel—you tromblo! Now listen to me!" I i Dps "All is silent," ho said, sorrowfully; "that pretty bird sings no more. What has happened? Something, 1 know. I saw by her sad faco when she returned from New Orleans yesterday, that all was not well with tho sweet young mistress. Tho sorrows of thoso lie loves (•(innot escapo the old eyes of poor Toby." At this moment a light footstep sounded behind him, an.t Cora Le-lie emerged from tho pavilion. Why unreS4»Oi a've were ye me*. Sweet lovii.jf deedsP Oh vain rt-Rrei : Teai« em nut bring "'J flowers agii Nor words of I v nub' eded tii n - Only «look of sad su-p is-, And ulwp oin e.l cliildisii eje?. At its end wan a vie.v of a largo gambling !l Wll Ctlil il it- 'll!' o \S liut lln'1! \va: His anger was terrible when ho found that tho fatal secret which It had been the business of his life to conceal from Cora, was now revealed. But he still lingered, anxious to hear all. working amongst the heads of the house- Hiding liniv much ho inul hold, the hand of Timo had not been ; iiilo_ in tho humbler chambers of the Villa CHAPTER VII. i" n iv. i-vcn by ihat fear .With one snvngo glaqco at the indignant girl, ho hurried down tho torraco steps, sprang into tho saddle, put spurs to his horse, and rode off at a gallop. "I'rancilia!" exclaimed Cora; "Fran"cilia! what could ho mean? Speak, Toby, tell me, who was this Francilfa." Paul LI simon winced as if he had received a thrust from a dagger. "You will consult your daughter's heart, sir, I trust," he murmured hesitatingly, "oven beforo tho claims of wealth?" ibirajjuitos. owrC iii lwr veins. she is. "Toby, her kneC'9, my mother?" murmured Cora, rising from toll iUi' where Uid they bury White hairs were mingled in the black locks of the mulatto • oinan Peplta; the • negro.--s Zara was bent with ago, and j Tristan,* the negro lad, had become a G c6'» be»t gr t to a« Dropped f oni His l»anl on lif ch clay e » EARLY a month m | hail ffl :n'i{U In* in ass unnotk e • I o arrival of the plan ln\lii The young girl was dressed in the thinnest -white muslin, which lloated round hor graceful figure aerial as some vapory cloud in a summer sky. ' She was pale, and a mournful shadow dimmed the orient splendor of her largo black eyes. Sho descended the marble steps slowly, without perceiving tho faith!u! slave who had risen at her approach, and who stood asido regarding her earnestly "Her gravo is half hidden in the thickest depths of a wood of magnolias upop the borders of Silas Craig's plantation. I carved a rustic cross pud placed it at the head." Ho pushed a chair toward her. S.ho sack Into it and, as if with an effort, removed her hands from her faoo. '1 be) lintr the U i»ers uclieedeU li Virginia i of N c w and still liitij; to man—a n:an with powerful passions and a subtle ami cunning nature, hidden beneath of pretended ignorance An.l look ng back, in af er years. With aching heart", through stre.11 i g t ar W'e stretch our Ijigiiig a- uis in vuin— Orion hart or anil' Horitai Miss iii your Tiio mulatto hung his head and was silent. Whatever struggle she had endured in these few brief moment?, sho had conquered herself onco more, and her face, though pale as death, was calm as that of a statue. The old Spaniard's brow darkened, ind his somber black eyes fixed th •m-jeives upon Paul's face with a sinister ind penetrating gaze that boded lirtle good to the young uian. No mora was said upon the subject between tlie two nu n. Paul did not relax hia industry by one iota after this conversation. Crw" Athlaiilo Horton and Cora Loslie (teiitni for i ;i* her "Speak, I say," repeated Cora. "Francilia—was—a slave belonging to Mr. Leslie, Misa Cora." "Well, then, what could sho have in common with me? Why did that man east her name in my face as an'insult?" * Toby made no reply. "You do not answor mo. Good Heavens ! a terrible light flashes upon mo. Speak, speak!" cricd tho excited girl, grasping tho arm of tho slavo in her slender hand. "Toby, speak I" The mulatto fell on hi* knees at tho feet of -his young mistress, and cried Imploringly,He eoid i sing grotesque songs and nice hnlf-savage dances, as in the early Ttu1 (raavuie-' l *t ne'er com - bri 11 had not met st at MiS: I  into iv-i it i-. "\ou will conduct mo to the spot, TobyV" asked Cora. 1 days of A", V. C. bxerver T li a y o u n g Creole. L ad neve exalted then [ltiiueul At this moment Gerald Leslie rushed forward, and, springing toward Toby, lifted his riding-whip as if about to strike the mulatto, when Cora tlung herself between them. young mistre - yo ith, '.vhi'ii iiy pluymato. lit; knew of •ery, sleight-ofii ho oould am isc an idl.C HE OCTO* hD was, f. it the D\v since 01 reverence. sno is no longer sijnpl.v ft beautiful woman; sho henceforth becomes tho lovely representative "Listen to me, Camlllia Moraqnitos," repeated the planter, resting his hand upon the back of her chair and addressing her with deliberate and icy distinctness. "I sought to wed you for your beauty, your aristocratic bearing, and your wealth. You, amidst all tho beauties of Louisiana, were tho only woman whom I should wished to place at tho head of my table—to make the mistress of my house. Your beauty would have been mine—a part of my possessions ; my pride, my boast. It would have pleased mo to seo you haughty and capricious—treading the earth as if the soil were scarcely good enough to be trodden by your Andalusian foot. Your wealth would have swelled my own largo fortune, and made me tho richest man in New Orleans, This, then, is why I sought to wed you. This is why I seek to wed you still." a hundred ti haisd Ijv \vhiC "Miss Cora is sad," he said presently "will sho forgive the poor slave if ho pri sumes to ask why?" The enervating pleasures of the rich •nulil not win him from tho stern routine -Df (oil study. It was in vain that t nature would liave ion made by Sil generosity of nor unbated with the Gtaig. of cn oppressed peoplo." hour, and even now, ho was often admitted UD airplay his accomplishments before the Spanish girl, her devoted attendant, Pi-pita. and her old governess. Mademoiselle Pauline Oorsi, who still remained with hC r, no lunger as an instructoress, but in the character of companion and friend. ''Your opinions are rather Quixotic, Mr. Margrave," replied Adelaide, with a sneor; "and I fear you will iind yourself almost in as painful a position as the Spanish knight, ir you venture to make them known in New Orleans." '•Whatever danger I maj incur of being either ridiculed or persecuted, I shall never conceal my detestation of prejudice and tyranny, and my sympathy with the weak," answered Gilbert proudly. "Pardon me, if I speak warmly on this subject. Miss Horton; it is not to be supposed that you and I should think alike. Wo represent tho opposite sides of the Atlantic." Sho started at tho sound of the mulatto's voice, and turning toward hiiu held out her hand silentlv. "Strike mo rather than him !" she exclaimed ; then turning to tho elave, she said quietly, "Go, Toby! I swear to you that while I livo none shall harm sc much as a hair of your head." I'd haps the reader has already guessed the fatal truth. prejudices of her eduratio: e was the stronger nd s-1 ride ol con A It TORT OF SLA VERT DATS. but despise Cora, the 'ant of slaves. In thi Toby took the little hand in his anil raised it to his lips. Paul Lisimon, the unknown dependent upon a rich man's bounty, tho penniless lad who knew not even the names of his n' line Tho mulatto lingored for a moment, looking imploringly at Gerald Leslie. BY MISS M. E. BEADDON, natu o g Adelaide Horton wa "Miss Cora does not deny that sho i sad," ho repeated. ; aients, or of the country which hail yiven him birth—l'aul loveCi the peerles - daughter of the wealthy Dan Juan Morarpiilos; ami was it to bo wondered that he loved her? We ha as yet refrained from speak'renchwoman; but as she inav lav by no mean - an insigniti-11 l:e"gre»t lifo drama wo are [continued.J and volatile, ami, in a f almost dismissed Corn' "Not so nuieh sad, Toby, as bewildered," replied the young girl. "My reception at tho house of my old schoolfellow has filled my mind with perplexity. What could bo the meaning of Adelaide llorton's conduct?" "Miss Cora, in the name of mercy, do not. look at mo thus." "Forgive ine, master, if 1 have spoken,' he murmured r.lea.linarir. [inCl t meiiior Indolent spent t lie greater jttut of i n iii her • Toby, tell me," murmured Cora, in a voice hoarse with emotion; "who was my mother?" "i will not nave you excuse yourself," said Cora. "You have only done youi duty. Go!" can all eret From her childhood he had seen her daily, and had seen her every day more beautiful—more accomplished. She possessed, it is true, niu'eh of the pride of her father's haughty race; but that pride was tempered by tho sweetness of Olympia Crivelli; and it was a high and generous sentiment that led the young girl to hate auness or a falsi hood with even a deeper loathing than she would have felt for a crime. :io that tho reader shoulc CHATTER VI roc km "Mistress, dear mistress, for pity's eako do not ask me. I have promised not to reveal—" Toby bent his head and slowly retired. Cora stood motionless, her arms folded, her oyes fixed unon Gerald Leslio. kao ,S b ic lirst euM to Villa Mom .1 WEKTY years |\ before the period ft; of which we are fjninoil by her favorite Mortimer. IVrey was. as v. means the most attentive though livi oeeup but. s fereno "Forgive me,-Miss Cora, if I remind you that your father particularly requested you not to leave tho house dur- Ing liis absence." l aulme Corel v :D!tl vvtir y no "Well," she said, "whv do you not strike mo? Who ami i hat your h?*n4 has not already chastised my insolenoe? Your daughter? ! The cnild of Francilia, a quadroon, a slavo! Prove tome, sir, that I am before my master; for if I am indeed your daughter, I demand of an account of your conduct to ray mother." 'Ptrc Catnillia, iltec therefore thirty writing, a certain wealthy Spaniard, calling himself Juan Sloraquitos, camo to New Orleans ami took up hie abode in a superb villa residence, suffi- o same "Nay, Mr. Margrave," replied Adelaide, whose brief outburst of anger had passed "You said just now that you lovod me," answered Cora; "if you spoke the truth, prove your affection ; toll me who was my mother." rs of ,t the t:mo or which ws *■:it« a thunder cloud in a sunny sky, "J know. Toby, I know. But why that request? Why am I a prisoner here? Why Is my father's manner moro indicative of soriow than joy at my return to Louisiana? Why, on my first visit to the friend of my youth, do I find the door shut in my faee?" "And moro -vainly now than ever," murmured Camillia. tutaltt i amv it this com; ura wounded I lie volatile git loll! \l then ev is I who should ask pardon. I fear I am h passionate and heartless creature, but I cannot help feeling somo indignation against Mr. Leslie for tho cheat he has "Your mother—" faltered the slavo; "no, no, I cannot, I dare not." "Not so fast, lady; we will test your resolution by and by. I have told you why I wooed you, but I have something yet more to toll you." tivelv rli-h beauty of ox she stil r vouth "How wo thought; " grave, the sirtisi eiast!' how different to (jilber Jur- "But I command you—nay, I implore." "Your mother^—was called—Francilia." But to l'aul Lisimon, Canuillia was never proud. To him alio was all gentleness; ali confiding affection. The very* knowledge of his dependence, which had been dinned into her ears by Dun Juan, rendered her only the more anxious to eviui-e u sister-like devotion which should take the i-tintr from his position. Instinctively *no Knew, tnat sptto ol all outward seeming that position was paliing to the proud boy. Instinctively she felt that nature in creating l'aul verv. fair st of her countrywoiner. she •••■ ith larv'o, limpid liiue !th CD" -Iiowcry ! .v-i tlll! PO(Dt Adelaide Horton scarcely dared own to herself that it was jealousy of Gilbert's evident partiality for Cora, rather than anger against the young girl herself, that had been the cause of her cruel word. "Oh, merciful Heaven, havo pity upon me!" cried Cora, hiding her faco In her hands; then, after a long pauso—she eaid sorrowfully— "Y'ou accuse me] You, Cora!" exclaimed Gerald Lesllo. "I am listening, sir." s and a ciently removed from the din and bustle of the city, and yet commanding a view of the wide sweep of waters, and the dense forest of masts that thronged the levee. Alas Adelaide which is given wit him of the bitter huiiiiHa he whom you hav revereneot "But the English gentleman who conducted you homo explained tho reason of that Miss Cora?" "I never loved you 5 No, beautiful as you are, I can gazu with rapture upon your gorgeous faee, but it is the rapture of an artist who beholds a priceless picture in some Italian gallery. 1 admire, and that is all. No throb of warmer emotion disturbs the even beating of my heart. I love—but, lik*1 yourself, who lwe stooped to bestow your affection i! tl-D ft and ha tt'n! svtth dviiiate be wart of th riittirn! 11 of lin ill! I! "I am ungrateful, am I not? Y'es, another father would liavo allowed this child to grow up to slavery; whllo yuu, ashamed of your paternal luve, as "if it had been a crime, you toro me from my mother's arms. In order that 1 might forget her; in order to withdraw me from the curse which rested upon mo; to efface, if possible, the last trace of this fatal stain!" IlIMT to it w mui'.i Dn u!e jatneiaa i-.\- er alluded t«D her retl "No, Toby; Mr. Margrave endeavoied to explain, but in doing so he only revealed his embarrassment. There is "And I did not even know the name of my mother. Francilia! a slave! this then is the secret of my lifo. Alas! she is dead; is she not?" ho wlio-c image rou count ■Jnau that.she was an or- riend He brought many slaves, ami a jount,' wife, a. pale S anish beauty. eot upon the altar of your heart, have worslupe.l in1 the sanctity of sil and of arcamim;— Augustus Ilorton entered the room at this moment, and Adelaido presented her brother to the young engineer. some secret in all this. Somo mystery that— Hark!" ]'CMiniliDss and 1: .-a I- Within six .nonths of the arrival o! Don Juan Moraquitos at New Orleans, his wife died, leaving little Camillia—ul only daughter. -that even lie, the lila "Dead, far from her child who was not even permitted to weep for her." "Thank Heaven you do not curse hei memory," murmured Toby, rising. "Curse her !" exclaimed Cora; would that I could cmbraco her as I do you," she added, throwing her arms about the old man's neck. "Sho Is." ie-js, g'.uii leave sunny bettor Fr:ir Uvo chai cs of J::j.!mjr in 1 ho NtD'A' V'Drid. tno beloved, looks on you with indifference, while another usurps the earnest devotion of his poet soul. There was littlo sympathy between Gilbert Margrave and the planter of New Orleans. Augustus had never quitted ho Southern States, except on tho occan of one or two brief visits to New Hi? ideas were narrow, hispreju- The sound which arrested Cora's attention was tho trampling of a horse's hoofs upon tho carriage drive below the And where all this time was Cora? With the Venetian shutters oi hor apartment closed ; with the light of day excluded from her luxurious apartment, silo lay with her head buried in the aatin cushions of her couch, weeping for the mother whoso mournful faee sho could scarcely recall—weeping for tho father whose youthful sins she so lately learned. Lisiinon had never in tended him tvi fit! a subordinate position, lio was one of those who nr.! born for greatness, and who. constrained by the cruel trammels of circumstances, and unable to attain their proper level, perish in youth, withered by the bl "And I have found better fortune," sho would say, lifting her expressive eyes to tho dark faec of her haughty employer; "for could I have hoped to meet a nobler patron, or to find dt-n.-er friends or a happier homo than I »:avo here. Ah, bless you, noble Spaniard, f:u your goodness to the helpless stiniucr." An old female slave whispered strange stoaies of the paDt. Adelaide Horton had ample time for indulgence in those waking dreams which are often so dangerous. A schoolgirl, youiur, romantic and frivolous, ignorant of the harbh ways of the world, she built fair castles in the air—ideal palaces in a lovely dreamland, which were only too soon to bo shattered to the terrae« "Hulloa!" cried a voice from tho same direction. "Hulloa. there! Is there any ono to lipid my horse?" "A visitor !" exclaimed Cora. "What could I have done more than this, Cora?" For sis years the father scarce noticed 8 York iliefs "You could havo refrained from giving me life! You sent mo to England; you caused me Jo bo educatod like a princess. Do you know what they taught mo in that free country? They taught mo that the honor of every man, the lovo of every mother, are alike sacred." the babo, who reminded him of his wife deeply rooted. Ho was by 110 moans free from the viccs of his fellow- He had a small estate on the banks of the Mississippi. It was a little paradise. citizens; he was known to frequent the gambling-houses, which, in spite of the law promulgated for their suppression, still existed in New Orleans; but he was known, also, to bo prudent, even in the midst of iiis dissipation, and never to Lave jeopardized tho splendid estate left him by his father. "It is Mr. Augustus Horton," said Toby, looking over the balustrade. "Me, Miss Cora! me, a mulatto!" remonstrated Toby, gently repulsing hor. "What of that? does not tho samo blood flow in our veins? are we not of the same down-trodden race? Ah, speak, speak, Toby, you knew my mother; tell me of her; you 6eo I am calm, lean of despair :»r,' nana Here, under caro of two women, the infant was placed. The Slave I'epita, who had nursed Olympia, the mother oi Camillia. in her childhood, and had attended her in her death hour; and another female slave called Zarati, a woman whose husband had been sold to a merchant of Florida, but who had been allowed to keep her son with her. Ho was an active negro boy about six years oM. These two women, with a couple oi stout negro slaves, who worked in the gardens, composed the entire establishment of t lie baby heiress. m Time passed; the rosy lips began to Adelaide's brother! So died the poetChatterton.il virtiin o t he suioido's rash madness. It was in tho summer that r.iuimo Corsi first came to Villa Moratiuit.Da, and it was in the •winter of tho sdnn. y.-ar that Don Tomaso Crivelli expired in the arms of his brother-in-law. him." Then I will see Bitter, bitter were tho thoughts of the young girl, whose life had heretofore been one long summer sunshine. ninny a nculi cte 1  whose nariit iCD (lies ground "But in your fathor's absence. Mis: Cora?" murmured the slave, anxiously. "It is, then, with my affection that you would reproach ine !" replied Gerald Lesllo mournfully. "I would ha.o saved you. and you accuse me, as if that wish had been a crime ! I snatened you from the abyss that yawned before, your infant feet, and in return you ciirso me! Oh, remember, Cora, remember the cares Which I lavished upon you! ltemeinber my patient submission to your childish caprices; the happiness I felt in all yo»v oaby joys; my prfde when your little irms were twined about my neck, and your rosy lips respon led to my kisses I" "No, no! exclaimed Cora; "do not rooiind me of these things. I would not remember them, for every embrace I bostowed upon you was a theft from my unhappy mother." never hoMti by posterity Gilbert Margrave came to New Orleans armed with those brilliant schemes of inventions in machinery, which might, as lie fondly hoped, supersede slave labor, though not militating against the employment of the many. "I will see him," repeated Cora; "he may come to offer an explanation— Heaven knows it is needed." She, the courted, tho caressed, the admired beauty of a London season— sho was a slave—an Octoroon—a few drops only of tho African race were enough to taint her nature and ohange the whole current of her life. Paul loveil till' h«ire?s; loved h«r fr tin* first hour in which she h« thed listen bis boyish anguish at the loss of bis. patron l3ou Tomnso; lovM her in tin; t. ;uiC1D)il years of their youthful -Indies; lovod Iter with tho ueejD devotion of muahiioil, wh''ii his matured pas ion burst forth in Its full foreo. and the filekerini; !ijrht bacanio an unquenchable and steady il.ime. Ho did not lovo in vain. We must request tho reader to bear tiris iu mind, for on tho truth of certain da'es ha£g8 much of tho tale of mystery and crime wuich we are about to reveal. But hospitality is an universal virtue with the Creoles, and Augustus bade the young engineer a hearty welcome to his bouse. "Hulloa! is every one asleep here?' cried the voice below. Sho drew tho mulatto to one of the garden-chairs, and forcing him to sit down, placed herself at his feet; her hand in his; her eyes raised to his face. The gossips of New Orleans werD ready to insinuato that tho Spaniard's heart wovild surely be in a little danger from the presence of so young and iorcly Ca woman as the French governess, hut thev soon grew tired of whispering this, for it was speedily perceived by all who knew Don Juan Moraquitos that his heart was buried in the mausoleum of his fair voting wife, Olympia, aud that all tho lovo of which his proud nature was capable was lavished on his' only Ho came well furnished with letters of introduction from powerful men in England. to the planters and merchants of New Orleans; but though lie met with much politeness and hospitality, the Louisianians shrugged their shoulders and shook their heads when ho revealed his opinions and tried to win their approval of his plans. They looked upon the handsome young engineer with a feeling something akin to pity. He was an enthusiast, and, like all "enthusiasts, uodoubt a little of a madman. "Coming, massa," answered Toby, running down tho terrace steps. "Francilia was but fifteen years of age," Toby began, "when a slavo merchant brought her to Mr. Leslie; she was a Quadroon, beautiful as you are, though her skin was not so white. She had long black hair, and largo dark eyes, whoso sweet and gentle glance I can see again in yours. She was at first employed iu the service of Mrs. Leslio. Oh, Heaven ! poor child, how happy and light-hearted she then was. her joyous voice warbling the soft melodies of her nation; her merry laugh ringing through tho corridors of tho house. I saw hor, and I dared to love hor! That time was the happiest of my lifo, for she too loved mo. Fools that we were. What right has the slave to love? The slave who belongs,to another. Ono day, Francilia left for Her father loved her, but he dared' only lovo her in secret. The proud colonists would have laughed aloud at the planter's affection for his half-caste daughter. And he, too, Gilbert Margrave, the poet painter; he, whose every glance and every word had breathed of admiration, almost touching upon tho borders of love; he would doubtless ere long know all; and he, too, oh, bitter misery, would despise and loathe her! They conversed for some time on indifferent subjects, and Gilbert, having Three minutes afterward Augustus Horton made his appearance in the ilower garden, where Cora awaited him. He bowed carelessly to tho young girl without raising his hat, but fixing upon her lovely faco a gazo of ardent admiration.accepted an invitation to dinner for the following day, was about to tako his leave, when ho was prevented by tho entrance of the slave, Myra. No, ns years passed on. ar.Il tha buDl ehmiged to far lovely blossom, Caiuillia's fellings chat; god toward her father's !Dn lege. No longer could she greet him with a sister's calm smile of welcome. The ardi nt gaze of his dark eyes brought the crimson blush to her bi ' .v ; her slender hand trc rested in his—trembled thrill which shook ;i strong frame; her voir addressed him, and h» veiled tliC tuselves ben. ing lasht s, and dared not selves to his. She loved him ! form hi penile ami 1. learnC'Cl t" s|»;ak i:mrliCnlate murmurs, words. Tho •r nurse's uaui Tho girl approached her mistress with an embarrassed manner unusuul to her. prattle with U'J iK'jzro laCl—Zarah s so IVpila, ll.o lufa lorcd tlm child with il t's fo^tor-mother, ha Dtion. What is tho matter with you, MyruV" Ho carried a light riding-whip in his baud and was smoking a cigar, which ho did not romove from his mouth. arked Augustus impatiently. "What arc you standing there for? Why don't you speak?" Zi'nili attended to the household woi k and waited on tho nurse and her fosterchild."Miss Cora Leslie, I presume?" ho said. Cora bowed. "Your mother! Hold, girl! do not 'peak to me of her! for though I feel that 'he was innocent of the hasard of her Dirth, I could almost hate her for having transmitter to you ono drop of the a$» cursed blood which flowed in her veins." CHAPTER X 'It'll V child Soraogirls in the position of Paulino Corsi might have nourished ambitious hopes, and might have angled for tho heart and hand of tho wealthy Spaniard: but it was impossible to suspect tho light-hearted and frivolous young Frenchwoman of tho vicos of the schemer. She was a thing of sunshlno and gladness - gay and heedless as the birds sho tended in her chamber, careless of the morrow as tho flower that perfumed her balcony. So thought all who knew Pauline Corsl. One of the first houses at which Gilbert Margrave presented himself, was that of Augustus Horton. He found Adelaido and her aunt alone in their favorite morning room; one lounging in her rocking-chair, the other as usual, busy at an embroidery frame. Ttie young Creole looked very pretty in her loose and lloating morning robe of India muslin, richly trimmed with Valenciennes lace, and peach-colored ribbons. Her hair was arranged in clusters of short ringlets, which trembled in the summer breeze, wafted in through tho Venetian blinds of tho veranda. "Oh, if you pleaso, massa," stammered tho girl, "there is a young person below who asks to see my mistress, and who calls herself Miss Leslie." g man s to the As. the baby, Camiliia, grow into a laughing girl, the youns negro lov.-.l to amuse the little heiress by indulging in all kinds of ro-igh and i npi-li gainlDoIs for her gratification. "Mr. Leslie is not at home, I understand?"AMILLIA and Paul Lisimon were no longer children. T li e joung hei.oss had attained her nineteenth yoar, while Don Juan's protege was, as our readers are aware, two years her senior. " Paul still lived at the Villa Maroqujtos, Ho occupied a email a fa!:ered as she hetn eyes lter- "Gerald Leslio's daughter hore!" exclaimed Augustus. "This is too much. This is what hor father exposes us to iu not teaching this girl her real' position." "What is to be done?" asked Adelaide, '•i am expecting his return at any moment, Mr. Horton," answered Cora. "Your hatred was satisfied," replied Cora bitterly. "You sold her. The puiw cliase-monoy wliioh you reoeived for her perhaps served to pay for tlio costly dresses which you bestowed upon me ! The diamonds which have glittered upon my neck and arms were perhaps bought with the price of my mother's blood!" them- Pei«ta often left Tristan, the netrn boy, to watch the slumbering child. It was six yoare after the death of Olympla when tho stern father's hoart first rolented to his oruhan child. ■ Something in the planter's familiar manner, and in his ardent gaze filled the younc girl with indignant surprise, and sho looked at him with a glands of astonishment as ho flung a sealed packet upon the table, and seated himself, without invitation, In one of the rustic chairs. St. Louis, with her master and mistress. They were to be absent some weeks. I was to remain behind. In bidding me farewell she left me this silver ring,, which I wear on my finger. I would give it you, dear mistress, but I liavo sworn to keep it till my d«ath. When Francilia—returned—she—" Kanpy md c?o-dKD«i« Minshino of youth. They loved, and earth beranit transformed into a paradise—tho sky ; ro«f of sapphiro glory ; the sunny river a flood of molted diamonds. The niagif wand of tho young blind god, Cupi.. changed ail things round them iutc splendor. turning palo, Can you ask?" replied her brother. He would see her—even though the spirit of his lost Olympia seemed to rise from the grave, and gazo at him, out o! the e.yos of Camiliia. The little girl wa® asleep upon a grassy bank. "Surely there is but one oourse. I will ask Myra here," ho added, pointing to tho young quadroon. "Tell me, girl, what do you think of this young person?""I have some papers to restore to your father," he said; "but that is not the whole object of my visit. My sister told me that you were lovely, Miss Leslie, but I now perceive that in such a case a woman never tells more than half the truth." "Have a care, Cora! Bewaro how you goad mo to desperation. I havo tried to forget—nay, I have forgotten that that blood was your own ! Do not force me to remember!" Bid any of them know her rightly? Tho hideous skeleton, Time, whose bony hand lifts, inch by inch ami day by day, the dark and pall-liko curtain that hangs beforo the vast stage iDf the future, can alono answer this question. As the name of Gilbert Margrave was announced, the animated girl sprang from her easy-chair, and, flinging down her book ran forward to receive the longlooked-for visitor. The slave paused, overcome with emotion.They dreamed not of the futuro. They thought not of tho stern policy of & father, implacable in the pride of wealth. No, the distant 6torm-cloud was hidden from their radiant eves. She awoko at the sound of the Span* iard's footstep, and uttered a scream of terror- "Why, massa, I—I—thought In spite of the whiteness of her skii, she must be—" Ay "Speak, speak, Toby !" said Cora. "Oh, for pity's sako do not accuse her! You know not what it is to be a slave, bound to obey, body and soul, the commands of a master. Is not even resistance a crime't When Francilia roturned she had become your father's mistress. She confessed all to me, with tears, and heart-rending giief! A terrible rage possessed me. I was like a drunken man ! If in that moment Mr. Leslie had appeared before me, 1 know that I olY iu!d hstyo beedme a murderer. But the habit of suffering teaches resignation to the slave. This lirst fury past, I felt my energy abandon me, and I could  weep with Fiam ilia over our vanished happiness. Alas, poor child she no longer laughed, she no longer sang 1" vPoor t;irl! poor girj!" bui neatly fur- "Of the same rank as yourself; is it "And what if I do remind you ! what would you do with mo?" asked Cora. "Would you send mb to your plantation to labor beneath the burning sun, and die before my time, warn out with superhuman toll? No! sell me rather. You may thus repair your ruined fortunes. Are you aware that one of your  Augustus Horton, offered, not an hour ago, tho fifty thousand dollars that you owo him at tho price of your daughter's honor?" * nished apartment ■lpou the upper floor. Hero were arranged the books he loved: here he often sat absorbed in study till the early morning houra sounded from tho clocks of New Orleans, and tho pale stars faded in tho purplo river. Camillia Moraquitos was much attached to her old governess. All her varied accomplishments she owed to Mademoiselle. Corsi; and, far too generous and high-minded to consider tho handsome salary paid to the Frenchwoman a sufficient recompenso for her services, she looked upon Pauline's do. votion to her as an obligation which could be only repaid by gratitude and affection. The loneliness of her life had made her timid. "At last!" she exclaimed. "I was sure you would come, but I have looked out for you so anxiously—I mean wo all have," she added, blushing. " A thousand thanks for you kind welcome, Miss Horton. Bclievo me, your house is one of the very iirst to which I have directed my steps." not so?' Cora had remained standing during this speech. She now seated herself in the chair opposite to that taken by the young planter, and said, calmly : "Pardon me, Mr. Horton: but I imagined that the object of your visit here—" "My Camillia!" exclaimed thp young man; "think you I can fail to achieve greatness when your love is to be the crown of the stri:g,'lo? Think you I can falter on the road that leads to success, when your eyes will be tho loadstars to guide my way?" "You are not frightenod at me, arC you, Camiliia?" "No." Yes, massa." "Very well, tljen; do you think it possible that your mistress could receive her as a visitor—as an equal?" "Yet you screamed when I first saw you ! It is a strange Dvelcomo for you r father, Camiliia." "Oh, no, massa!" exclaimed tho girl "That is enough, know this." You can let her Deep ia the quiet night, when ail the household were sleeping; when the faintest footfall awake a ghostly echo in the awful si illness of the house, the young st.udent, forgetful of the swiftlypassing houra, tolled on, a steady traveler on ihe stony road which kadi to greatness. "Father?' Are you my father?" "Yes. my Camiliia, will you love me?' "I will try," answered tho child quietly. Don J uan clasped his child close to his breast. ' How good o' you to remember us?" '•Was to reply to the letter addressed by you to my sister, Adelaide? Yes, Miss Leslie, that letter proved to 119 that Mr. Margrave had not properly acquitted himself of the commission which he undertook."Tho reader will see, therefore, that love and ambition went hand in hand in the soul of Paul Lisimon, and thattiigher motives than tho mere lust of gain, or ecen tho hope of glory, beckoncd him on to victory. "Say, rather, how selfish," replied Gilbert. "Do you think it is no happiness, in a foreign country, to find one circle at least where one is not a stranger?" Nay, Mr. Margrave," said Mrs. Mon"will you not call us a circle of Myra courtoslod, and was about to leave tho room, when Gilbert Margrave arrested her by an imperious motion of The young heiress had often endeayored to bestow some handsome present upon hor instructress (a valua de article of jewelry—a ring, a ctialn, a bi aeeiet), but always to bo firmly, though kindly, repulsed. "Oh, Heaven!" exclaimed Gerald Lc%- Ho; "all this is too terrible!" and flinging himself upon his knees at Cora's feet, he clasped hor hands passionately in his own. "Cora, Cora, have pity upon me! What would you ask of me? What would you have me to do? My crime la the crime of all. Is the punishment to fall upon me alone? Am I alone to suffer? I, who have sacrificed my honor— yes, Cora, my honor as a colonist—to the claim of paternal love? Do you know that every citizen in New Orleans would blame and ridicule me for my devotion to you? Do you know that I am even amenable to the laws of Louisiana for having darod to educate your mind and enlighten your understanding? See, I am on my knees at your feet. I, your father, humiliate myself to the very dust! Do not accuso mo ; in mercy, do not aocuse mo!" "Stay!" he exclaimed. "Pardon ma, Mr. Horton, if I presume to say that tnis must not be. I had the honor of meeting Miss Leslie one evening at the house of your aunt. Permit me, therefore, to spare her an insult which I should feel myself a dastard in tolerating. Allow me to carry your answer to Miss Leslie?" his hand "I have a playfellow here," said the child, pointing to the young negro. "How so, sir?" It was to Silas Craig, the attorney, that Don Juan Maraquitos had articled his protege, much to the dislike of the young man, who had a peculiar aversion to the usurer. it is not to be expected that Camiliia Moraquitos was without suitors amongst the higher classes of New Orleans. "Tristan is no fit playfellow for iny little Camillia. Tristan is a slave." The young negro heard every word. "A slave!" he muttered, as Don Juan lei} the child toward the house. "A plave ! Yqs, I haye been told that often 0DOUgh 1" friends xesor; "My sister much regretted not being able to receive you, yesterday, aud 1 should have shared those regrets, had she not chosen me to bring you hej es- "But pray sit down," exclaimed Adelaide, pointing to a low cliair near a stand ■it perfumed exotics in one of the windows, "eit doivn and tell us all your adventures by land and sea, especially tho latter, and how you have survived tho hair-breadth 'si-apes and ventures of tho briny Atlantic." Had sho been blind, lame,- humpbacked, red-haired, a vixen, or a fury, there would yet, doubtless, have been hundreds ready to kneel before the charms of her father's wealth, and to declare the heiress an angel. But when it is remembered that her future fortuno was only exceeded by her glorious beauty, it will be thought little marvel that she had a host of admirers ever ready to ilock around her at her father's soirees, to attend her In her drives, to haunt her box at the opera or the theater, and to talk of her beauty in all the coffoe-houses of New Orleans. Our readers must remember that there is much in this chief city of Louisiana which resembles rat her a French than an English town. Tho inhabitants are many of them of French extraction. The coffee-houses-—or cafes as they are called—resemble those of Paris; the gambling-houses and theaters aro Parisian in arrangements, and tho young men of the upper classes havo much of the polish of .our Gallic neighbors, mingled with not a little of their frivolity. "No, Camillia," Mademoiselle Corsi would reply, "I will tako no gift from you but affection—that is a priceless treasure. Bestow that upon me, and you would amply reward me for a lifetime of devotion; the few brief years I havo given to your instruction have been more than repaid by my pupil's lovo." "It was only when you came into the world," continued Toby, "that she seemed tore-attach herself to life, and I, bestowing on you all the deep devotion that I had felt for her—forgivo me, Miss Cora, I loved you as if you had been my own child." "It is not an excuse which I require, Mr. Horton, but an explanation," replied Cora, with dignity. cuses." "Let me be with any other lawver in New Orleans rather than that nia:'i,' tie said; "I can never tell you how deep a contempt I have for his character." "You, sirl" exclaimed Augustus Horton.A week after this, Camillia, tho nurse, Pepita, Zarah, and the boy, Tristan, were removed to tho Villa Moiaquitos, in the suburbs of New Orleans. Augustus shrugged his shoulders, Don Juan laughed aloud "Oh, pardon mo, Mr. Horton, if I appear to make a bad return for tho kind welcome you were so ready to offer to a stran'ger; but remember that the customs and prejudices of tho South are new to me, and forgive mo if I say that the conduct which on your part would be only natural, would become on mine an abominablo cowardice 1" "What further explanation can you require, Mis? Leslie," he sairl; "the preparations of her approaching marriage? A little touch of headache, perhaps? Is not this sufficient to explain all?" "His character! my dear Taul." he re plied, "what in mercy's name have you ;o do with the man's character? Silas Craig is a hypoejite! a profligate, who covers his worst vices with the all-sheltering cloak of religion. Grants,i! He is not the less one of the cleverest lawyers in New Orleans, and the fittest person to be intrusted with tho cultivation of your splendid intellect." Gilbert Margrave told, In a few words, the particulars of his voyage, which had been a rapid and a pleasant one; "so iapid a passage," he continued with a "But she—oh, how she loved you. With moro than a mother's love; with tho love of tho slave, who knows that even her child is not her own, but is a slave like herself—and who dares nof slumber beside the'cradle of her infant, for they tako away tho children while the mother sleeps, and she awakes, perhaps, to iind the cradle empty." "Oh, cruel, cruel! "Dear Toby." Haughty and reserved as Camillia was to mere acquaintances, she was almost fool!sliiy confiding to those whom she loved. Camillia was now under the care of a governess, a French woman, Mil emoiselle Pauline Corsi. This lady topic no pleasure In the antics of Tristan—so he seldom saw Camillia. imile, "that I trust I am yet in time to Assist at the wedding of Miss Horton and iny old friend Mortimer Percy." "No, sir, it ij not. Because I would rather hear the truth, bitter as that truth may be, than these discourteous mockeries which put me to the rack. Mr. Percy's opposition to my return to America; my father's emotion 011 beholding me; the strange isolation in which I am kept; and lastly, your sister's extraordinary conduct'of yesterday—all these prove to 1110 that, some terrible fatality overshadows me; a fatality of which I am igno-aht, but which lam determined to discover." She had never kept a secret from Paulino Corsi until within this last year, and even then she would have told iill to her trusted companion, had she not been forbidden to do so by obo whom she loved even better than tho Frenchwoman.It was in tho depth of the brief wint-.". when tho brother-in-law of Don Juan Moraquitos arrived at the villa. A shade of vexation crossed Adelaide's pretty face. Sir!" cried tho indignant Augustus, Cora's beautiful faco was pale as ashes, her largo dark eyes distended, but tearless.He was tho only surviving relative of tho Spaniard's dead wifo, her older brother, dearly beloved by her, but he who had forced upon her the marriage with his friend, Don Juan. Ills name was TomasQ privgllp. He had come frona Mexico on a tour through the United States, and had arrived at New Orleans—to die. "I really do nut see," sho said, "why ill the world should bo In 6uch a hurry tor this marriage. There is surely time enough. One would think I was in danger of becoming an old maid, or else that everybody was desirous of gottiug rid af me. " Peforo he could say more Gilbert Mars'l-vvo had bowed deferentially to the ladies, and to the angry planter himself. These conversations were perpetually recurring between Don Juan and his protege prior to the signing of the articles which were to bind Paul Lisimon to the detested attorney; and the young man, finding that all his remonstrances were in vain, and fearing that if he objected too strongly to being articled to Silas Craig the business would terminate in his being compelled to lead a life of hopeless idleness, mado no further difficulty about the matter; and some weeks after the signing of the articles, he took his scat in tho office of Mr. Craig. It was not long before Paul Lisimon discovered that there was a decided disinclination on the part of the attorney to initiate him even in the merest rudiments of his profession. He might have sat In the offico reading the paper and lolling in a rocking chair all day if he had pleased, but whenever he sought for employment he w%i put off with some oxcuso or other, more or less plausible. An idle young man would have been delighted with this easy life—not so Paul Lisimon. Kind and liberal as Don Juan Moraqultos had been to him, tho proud spirit of the young man revolted against a lifo of dependence. He yearned not only to achieve a future career, but to repay tho obligations of the past— to erase tho stain of dependence from his youth; to pay for the education which had beon given him by favor. Thus, where another would have rejoiced In the idleness of Silas Craig's office; where another would havo abandoned himself to the dissipated pleasures that abound in such a city as New Orleans; where another would have snatched tho tempting chalice which youthful passion offered to his lips, Paul Lisimon, in very defiance of his employer, slowly but surely advanced in the knowledge of tho profession whose ranks he was predestined to join. "But this was not the fate with which you were threatened. Mr. Leslie had married a vain and capricious woman. They had no children, and his life was not a happy one. His lovo for you was intense—all tho moro intense, as he was compelled to conceal from all an affection which would havo been considered a weakness. Your father's love for you had reassured Francllia, when one day you were then four years old. he announced his determination of taking you to F.ngland, Francilia did not utter a word; tho silent tears filled her mournful eyes. But when they tore you from her arms, 6ho burst into" a tempest of sobs, and fell Insensible to the ground." "Yes, yes, I romember." "Upon my knees, besido my mother'* grave" sho said, solemnly, "I will ask her spirit if I can forgive you," Sho released herself from her father's grasp, and hurried into the house before ho oould arres| her. Tho planter ros# from the ground and looked mournfully after his daughter, but he did not attempt to follow her. "Oh, it is too clear—he loves her!" exclaimed Adelaide, when they were alono. This secret was tho engagement between herself aud Paul Lisimon. "And even if he does," 6aid her aunt, quietly ; "what difference can it possibly make to Miss Adelaide Horton that Is — Mrs. Mortimer Percy that is to be?" "You will not breatho one word to a mortal of the vows which bind us until death, will you, my Camillia?'' said the young man, as, intoxicated with happiness, ho pressed his betrothed to his wildly throbbing heart. "I do not think there is much fear of sillier contingency," replied Gilbert, laughing. Yes; the hand of death was upon him Three days after he expired iu the arm of his brother-in-law. Crimson blushes mounted to Adelaide's faco at this remark. She made no answer, but with an angry look at her aunt, hurried from the room. "Nay, Miss Leslie, what is that you would seek to know? Why not be content to reign by your grace and beauty ? Mrs 'The truth is, Mr. Margrave," said Monties or, "that my dear Adelaide .s a spoiled child, and because her cousin happens to bo a very sensible, high-prinsipled young man, but not exactly a hero 3f romance, she thinks herself called upon to affect a contempt for him. But I know her better than she knows herself, and I am certain that, at the bottom of her heart, 6ho cherishes a very sincere affection for Mortimer." Amongst the many suitors for the hand of Camillia Moraquitos was no less a person than Augustus Horton. "To no one. dearest," answered Camillia, "until your position will warrant you in asking my father's consent to our union. That is to say." she addod, hesitatingly, "to no one but Pauline. I be so anxious to talk of you, and I kTiow I can trust her." Half an hour before he died ho becam ■ conscious, and implored Don Ju 111 to senC for an attorney. It was necessary tha: he should mako a will. for tho fatality of Which you speak can cast no el pud upon your loveliness; and eve n the jealousy qf qur \yivos and sisters eanput rob you of your sovereignty."Later in the evoning Gerald Leslie returned to New Orleans, and spent the long hours of tho night alono in his solitary oflicc face to face with ruin and despair. The one crime of his youth had risen to torture his remorseful soul—ghastly and horrible shadow, It pursued the sin-, ner in every place; it appeared at every moment. Repentance only could lay the phantom at feat, and he was now only learning to repeat. He had never before looked upon his conduct to the beautiful quadroon, Franeilia, in the light of a crime. What had he done which was not done every day by others? What was she, lovely and innocent being as she was, but a slave— his property—bought with his soidid gold—his to destroy as he pleased? Her melancholy death he looked upoa as an unhappy accident, for which h« himself was in no way responsible. That crime rested upon Silas Craig's overburdened soul. This display of emotion had not escaped the penetrating eye of her brother. But the young plantor did not love tho Spanish beauty; there was something terribly repellent in tho haughty spirit of Camillia to those whom she did not love, and Augustus Horton's pride was wounded by the thought that his attentions could possibly be disagreeable to any woman whom he condescended to honor by a preference. It was not love, therefore, which made him so constant in attendance on tho young beauty. No; mercenary motives, mingled with tho obstinacy of wounded pride. Ho would not confess, even to himself, that there was any fear of his failing to obtain the pri?e. He despised the young fops who whispered soft speeches and high-llown compliments into tho unheeding ear of the disdainful girl, and, thinking these his only rivals, dreamt not of defeat. The attorney sent lor by the Spaniard was no other than Silas Craig. "Pray, what is the meaning of this, my dear aunt?" ho asked. "I do not understand you, sir." "And yet I endeavored to make myself understood. Ah, Miss Leslie! wo are but strangers, newly met within this hour; but we Creoles are the children of a southern clime, and our passions are gigantic as the palms which wave above your head—rapid in growth as tho lilies on the breast of yonder lake. Love, with us. i» 11 llanie; suppressed, it, is true, yet needing but ono spark from the torch of beauty to cause a conflagration.""I very much fear, Augustus, that your sister has no great inclination to marry her cousin, Mortimer Percy." "Not ono word to her, Camiiiia," as you lovo me," exclaimed Paul, with energy. On the reading of the will it was found that Don Tomaso had left his entire fortune to his brother-in-law, Don Juan. But Don Tomaso had not come to the villa alone. Ho had brought a boy— about 8 years of age. He was named Paul. "How can you know what's at the bottom of my heart, when I don't know "And the cause of this disinclination -i? some foolish preference for the insolent European who has just loft us?" "But all that is nothing!" cried the slave, his eyes Hashing with vengeful fury; "nothing to—. Yet, no, no! I have no more to tell." ""What? you mistrust my faithful Pauline?" myself, aunt Lucy?" exclaimed Adelaide, impatiently; "upon mv word I think no Kill Was ever so* cruelly used as I have been. Other people make up a marriage for me, other people tell me whom I love, when I ought to know a great deal better than they do. It's really shii meful?" "Unhappily, yes." "I mistrust no one," answered Lislmou; "yet, paradoxical 83 it may goem, I trust scarcely any one. To your secrets into the keeping of aroUier, is to givo your life—nay, the bettor part of life; for those secrets appertain to the inmost sentiment of your hi-art. No, Camillia, tell nothing until that day comes, when, proud and triumphant, I can claim you before your father and tho world." This Paul was a handsome boy. None knew whence he came, op who he was. "This is too humiliating,' exclaimed Augustus, walking rapidly up and down the apartment; "my sister degrades herself by evlncinga marked predilection for a man who Is indifferent to her, and tho object of her admiration does her the honor to prefer—a slave 1" "But I insist on knowing all," exclaimed Cora, vehemently. "What became of my unhappy mother? How did she dio?" Camillia was the only one from whom he would take comfort. "My ohild, come hither," said the Spanlard, one day, addressing Paul. "Sir!" cried Cora, indignantly. The young girl felt that tho Creole's burning, passionate words veiled a meaning which was an insult to her. "On his return from Europe, Mr. Leslie found ner tranquil, and apparently resigned ; but the glance of those mournful black eyes became an eternal reproach, which irritated andtormented him. He sent her to work on the plantation; but for some reason or other, go where he would, I10 was always meeting her, always encountering the same melancholy look, which seemed to ask him for her child. A1 las=t ho could endure it no longer, lie sold her." If the real cause of Adelaide's indignation couM have been known, it would have been discovered that her anger was '•Tell me your proper name Paul!" —besides "They call me Paul Llsimon." "Lisimon It shall be." CHAPTEll VIII. "Nay, liear me, hear me, Cora," continued Augustus Horton; "there is, perhaps, a secret: there is, it may be, a fatality which overshadows your young life. lie mine, and none shall ever taunt, you with that fatal secret; be mine, and you shall be the proudest beauty in Louisiana, the queen of New Orleans, the Idol of your lover's devotod heart; SWine, and tho debt owed me by your ther shall be canceled; be mine, and I will tear into a hundred fragments tho bill which I hold for fifty thousand dollars, and which it will half ruin Gerald Leslie to pay." Her eyes flashing, her bosom heaving with offended modesty, Cora Leslie rose from her chair. In all the planter's visits to the Villa Moraquitos ho had never yet met Paul Lisimon. "But you believe Pauline to be all that is g«*od?" urged Camillia, her affectionate nature wounded by tho warning of Paul. "Yes, since you tell me so. dearest; but, young as 1 am in tho winding ways of the world, I am older than you, and the experience of Silas Craig's oiliue "has taught mo ninny iniquitous secrets."" Augustus Horton had, as our readers are aware, many business transactions with tho attorney and usnrer, Craig. Despising tho man most completely/it yet suited the young planter's purpose to employ him, for Silas was a master in the evil arts of chicanery ; a useful lawyer for all business, but ubove all useful in such affairs as were of too dark and secret a nature to bear exposure to the light of day. "Do you remember your mother?" "Sho died when 1 was a baby, and I always lived with my father, Don Tomaso."not so much aroused against her aunt against Gilbert Margrave, for the in different manner in which he had spoken of her approaching marriage. N an elevated terrace, fifty feet above the margin of a lake, was I .situated the I summer pavilion occupied by the once wealthy planter, Geralii Leslie. Thick shrubberies of magnolia and arbu- Gerald Leslie utterly forgot that had ho not been heartless enough to sell the mother of his only child, this cruel fat® would nover have been hers. The young Mexican scrupulously held himself.aloof from the rich and frivolous guests who assembled In Don Juan's sp!endld mansion. Auxious to quell tho storm, of which he little knew himself to be the cause, tho young engineer endeavored to turn i ll" conversation, and in order to do so, he a question which had been tren-bling on liis Hps from the ver3~ first. ur friend, Miss Leslie," he said: "the star of your farewell assembly—you wen s,.e her, I suppose. Miss Horton?" GilU'i t Margrave little knew that this very question only added fuel to the lire already raging in tho breast of the im- "Do not fear, my child, your future will be my care," and Paul Lielmon was broutrht ud In the household of the ISpaniard. Camillia and Paul taking les- "Oh, Heaven !" exclaimed Cora. But now the oonsequenoes of his crime had overtaken him in a manner he had never dreamed of; Cora, his beloved, his Idolized child, accused and cursed him as the murderer of her mother. In vain did tLo Spaniard bid his protege to join in the festivities of the villa. In vain did Camillia reproach her lover with coldness and neglect. Paul wc.3 inexorable."He sold horto a man of the name of Craig—a bad man—who, under the mask or a sanctimonious life, concealed the bnsehoai t of a profligate and a villain. He thought, on purchasing the elavo, that ho would succeed her late master in her good graces; btit finding that ho could obtain nothing by por*msion, he would have tiad recourse to violence, when Francilla seized a knife and buried its blade in her heart." uons sido by side, from Madmolscllt Vauline Corel. "No, Camillia," he said, when the young girl remonstrated with hiir, "I should hear your father's guests ask each other In the superb disdain of their Creole insolence, 'Who is this Mr. Lisimon?' I wait the time, Camillia, when my own exertions shall have made this simple and now unknown name of Lisimon familiar toevury citizen of New Orleans." Bill Bowen was at the house of Silas Craig precisely at six o'clock. It was too horrible. After dinner Silas and the visitor retired to the lawyer's private office. "Now we are alone. Mr. Bowen, what want you?" "A thousand dollars." "I gave you a thousand—" "The day after Gerald Leslie's partner, Philip Treverton died !" "Come, ooine,__ Boweu, don't _excitp tus, intersected by winding pathways and varied by rockeries, lay between tiie terrace and the limpid waters below. Tall palms spread thoir feathery branches above the roof of the pavilion, and exotio llowers bloomed beneath the colonnade of bamboo work which surroundod the light ediilce. A flight of marble stopg led from the glass door of He dared not remain at tho summer pavilion. Ho dared not meet tho roproachful glanced of those eyes which appeared to him as the ghostly orbs of the late Francilia. No, alone in his office. surrounded only by the evidences of commerce, and the intricate calculations of trade, he endeavored to forgot that he had a daughter, and a daughtor who no longer loved him. Strange to say, Don Juan, instead of praising and encouraging the Industry of his protege, laughed and ridiculed him for his determined labors. petuous fill "i have never seen Cora'Leslie since our arrival -in New Orleans, sho answerea coldly. "Toby," she called, without even replying by so much as a look to the planter's appeal. "Cora Leslie, what would you do?" exolaimed the Creole, rising. "Tobv 1" rODcated Cora. "Oh. mother! my niothor, my murdered "You are the most extraordinary young man I ever met with, Paul," said the Spaniard. "Whore others of your age will bo haunting the gaming-houses, which. In spit* of our laws for their suppression, secretly exist In New Orleans "Indeed . But I thought you such intimate friends. Miss Leslie—ahe is not ill. I honeV" A Large I.is! "A negro belonging to this Craig stole the knife, which he gave to me. 1 have it still." While the soft echoes of piano and guitar lloated through the luxurious saloons; while the rich contralto voice of Camillia. mincline with the chords of Oi 1'iisiccag, residence anil r»'m pwperUM tor sale tr exchange. Iuvtsimens m»de Rents collected. F H. Eaxkem. Over M tiers'Savings Bank. c&M-il