A Romance of the Republic

le's panniers with several little pasteboard boxes, and, without saying anything to Tulee, mounted and rode

o see a light little figure seated on a donkey riding up the avenue. As soon as Floraci

ns on the island, this and Mr. Fitzgerald's. I don't know that there are any other dwellings except the huts of the negroes." She

parlor, she said, "What is that

brought you some of mine, to see whether you think I succeed tolerably in my im

ir of lightness and grace. I used to think shell-work heavy, and rather vulgar, till I saw those beautiful prod

about their reminiscences of Nassau; and diverged from that to speak of the loveliness of their lonely little island, and the increasing b

nserted in the back, said: "That is a peculiar littl

light chain from her neck, and placed the watch in the lady's hand. Her f

oung lady," said she, "but this face is n

l of New Orleans

me is Gonsal

ayed the incognito assumed at Nassau. "Gonsalez was my moth

er gently toward her, she pressed her to her side, and sa

glow; but a shadow immediately clouded her expressive face, as she added,

ou for any confidence you are unwilling to bestow. But I am a good deal older than you, and I know the world better than you

bout the lady's lips, she made haste to add: "I didn't mean exactly that. I mean I never did anything very wrong. I'm cross sometimes, and I

enuousness into a betrayal of your secrets. Only remember one thing; if you ever do want to

xclaimed Flora, seizing her

riend," continued Mrs. Delano. "Is

particular reasons for wanting to earn some money. You used to admire the shell-work in Nassau so much, that I thought, if you liked mine, you might b

like to have you make me some more; especially of these garlands of

diately," replied Flor

h I could stay lon

come again?"

ed Flora, "for I have t

trange," said

g impatience in her tone. "But please don't ask me, for everything seems to

. Delano, slipping a gold eagle into her hand. "And now

Floracita; "but more than I ought

for a kiss, and the lady drew her to

tinted dress looked lovely among those aerial arabesques of delicate green. The picture impressed Flora all the more because it was such a contrast to the warm and gorgeous styles of beauty to which she had been accustomed. She smiled and k

l's child, and yet she bears her mother's name. And why does she conceal from me where she lives? Surely, she cannot be consciously doing anything wrong, for

cealed anything till within the last few weeks. But, alas! by the fault of another, a barrier had arisen between them, which proved an obstruction at every turn of their daily intercourse; for while she had been compelled to despise and dislike Gerald, Rosa was always eulogizing his noble and loving nature, and was extremely particular to have his s

ake a picnic of it, and return by moonlight. Rosa was full of pleasant anticipations, which, however, were greatly damped when her sister expressed a decided preference for staying at home. Rosa entreated, and Gerald became angry, but she persisted in her refusal. She said she wanted to use up all her shells, and all he

in waiting, and after a flurried scene

Rosa. "She used to be so fond of excursions, an

ch indulged. She needs to be brought under discipline," said Gerald, angr

the Welby plantation. Tulee noticed all this in silence, and shook

hen she perceived a wave of fragrance, and, looking up, she saw Flo

f politeness. "The woods are charming to-day. The trees are hung with curtains of jasmine, embroidered all over with g

ver seen anything so beautiful as the flowery woods and the gorgeous sunset. After being accust

North soon?" inquir

e to Savannah to spend the winter with my friends, Mr. and Mrs. Welby; but I have always taken a great fancy to this island, and when they were suddenly called away to Arkansas by the illness of a son, I asked their permission

ys known you. I don't know what I shall do without you. But when you go ba

r forget you," she replied; "and when I

e I said you wouldn't wish I were your daughter if you knew everything about me. So I have come to tell you my secrets, as far as I can without betraying other people's. I

aid, "Come and sit here, dear, and tell me al

wistfully into the friendly face that was smiling serenely over her. After a moment's pause, she said abruptly: "I don

d: "O, you mischievous little kitten! I thought you were really going to tell me something about your troubles. But I see you are hoaxing me.

ed it is not," rejoined Fl

bt the evidence of her own eyes. "But you told me

always saying she was the dearest and best wife in the world. You don't know how he mourned when she died. He couldn't bear to have anything moved that she had touched. But cher papa died very suddenly; and first they told us that we were very poor, and must earn our living; and then they told us that our mother was a slave, and so, according to law, we were slaves too. They would have sold us at auction, if a gentleman who knew us when pap

th serene lips, and a soft moonlight expression in her eyes. Every attitude and every motion indicated quietude and refinement. The young girl, on the contrary, even when reclining, seemed like impetuosity in repose for a moment, but just ready to spring. Her large dark eyes laughed and flashed and wept by turns, and

ntleman was that married your sister. Ah, I see you hesit

red and pale,

ell-work, and by and by we will examine them. But first I want to tell you that I also have a secret, and I will confide it to you that you may fee

my Mamita!" exclaimed

ry. They carried me off to Europe, and for two years I could hear nothing from Alfred. Then they told me he was married; and after a while they persuaded me to marry Mr. Delano. I ought not to have married him, because my heart was not in it. He died and left me with a large fortune and the little daughter I told you of. I have felt very much alone since my darling was taken

ra sprung up, and threw herself into her arms, sa

Delano again spoke of the approaching twilight, an

. She was in a nervous tremor, and her eyelids were swollen as if with much weeping. Mrs. Delano hastened to

ul love that warmed all the fibres of her friend's heart. "O, I do so need a Mam

ossible, when you have told me yo

d that I can't look my sister in the face. I have tried to-keep out of his way. When I am in the house I stick to Rosa like a burr; and I have given up riding or walking, except when he is away. But there's no telling when he is away. He went away yesterday, and said he was going to Savannah to be gone a week; but this morning, when I went into the woods behind the cottage to feed Thistle, he was lurking there. He seized me, and held his hand over my mouth, and said I should hear him. Then he told me that Rosa and I were his slaves; that he bought us of papa's creditors, and could sell us any day. An

e money and go somewhere, you poor child! Do you think I shall let dear Alfred's little daughte

about my being color

ita, h

riend. "The whole transaction is so odious

eak to her. I knew I should break down. All the way coming here I was frightened for fear Gerald would overtake me and carry me off. And I cried so, thinking about Rosa and Tulee, not knowing when I should see them again, that I couldn't see; and if Thistle hadn't k

ging to Mrs. Welby's daughter in a closet up stairs. I will borrow one of them for you to wear. The boat from Beaufort to Savannah will stop here in an hour to take some freight. We will go to Savannah. My colored laundres

as transformed into Miss Welby, she smiled very faintly as

eplied Mrs. Delano. "I will keep my

her, she began to realize the importance of the step she was taking. She fixed her gaze on that part where the lonely cottage was embowered, and she had a longing to see even a little whiff of smoke from Tulee's kitchen. But there was no sign of life save a large turkey-buzzard, like a black vulture, sailing gracefull

up the scale, then down the scale, with an infinity of variations between. The outbursts of the birds were the same as in seasons that were gone, but the listener was changed. Rarely before had her quick musical ear failed to notice how they would repeat the same note with greater or less emphasis, then flat it, then sharp it, varying their performances with all manner of unexpected changes. But now she was merely vaguely consc