Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1845-06-05
Then YOU are bod mined =.

~A6fu sue euoNco qatAt d slmpatl0Oe
and excitement. as il pine grea. trouble
rested on her mind. This I pressed her
TO reveslto me. offering every aid inmy
power TO defend her. { even 10 avenee
past wrong. | besouglt her to have con {.
hdence in my sffeeion, new Aedeed
though il was. and to est its Strength e.
ven as she might dfecs. She faltered
hesiiated fors mome1, and then. request
ing me to await her reurn. hastily Left the
ballroom. g.
SOBER lnarftec man to,get.into! Perhaps
she may be some beautiful syreu, who
has laid trap 10 invsigIe and rob. and
perhaps 10 murder me Shall | awaftsher
return s-or shall ! fly the danger1 But
AN srmed-why should / fesrs'
/ began also TO think ofmy poor inva
lid vile; and these thoughts, coupled
with my fear Of betrayal, BY the aid Of a
little more solitude. would have conquer.
ed me. aud sent me home but, al this
critical moment, the mask returned, bear
ing in her hands heavy black veil. She
beckoned me 10 follow her into a. neigh.
boring street, where. 10 a moment, we
stood beside close curtaiDed volante. inl.
10 which she sprsng, ] allowing hkr.-
She Immediately enyeloped my head in
the veil which she bad brought caution
ing me on my life not 10 attempt IS re-
move il unless at her request.
The carriage started of With speed; in
deed the driver seemed 70 be urging bis
horses TO rapid gallop. Our road was
long; for even at this speed we must have
ridden for two hours, some Of the time O.
yer rough, rocky roads. and then along
smoother ways, when at last the painting
animals were brought 10 sand.
Immediately thereafterI heard creak
ing noise. as il por.-cullIs were sudden.
ly raised, or some old gate swung back on
its uaoiled hinges.
: Speak not word, whichever you NAV
hear. attempt not 10 raise The veil, or your
life and mine may be the Forfeit whisper.
ed my fair guide; and while she spoke fell
that she trembled from head TO foot. Her
hand was as cold as ice. and her impe,u.
Gus voice stiaed and husky. Before we
advanced from the carriage. she also made
ne vow by al the saints 10 Heaven. new.
er to reveal what might do or see 10 that
night radventure.
She then led me cautiously on, sppa.
rently through large garden, for the cool
night breeze bore the perfume Of orange,
citron, pink. lemon and spice blossoms 70
my cheek. We soon arrived at anoihef
door which creaked rusiily as il opened
before US; and then our way seemed up
a winding stone stair case. through pas
sage so sill. so solemnly silent, that il E.
ven echoed the light football of my com
panion. while my own heavy tread rang,
like groans 10 a cavern, through the still,
damp air. !
Until now. the lady had not spoke6
since we had stepped from the vofantes;
but. as we arrived at the Top Of the Stairs.
end passed into a warmer atmosphere,
she whispered that the hour to test my
courage and love bad arrived. Wesiep-
ped across soft carpet, and she seated
me on yielding cushion. l. could see
nothing through the thick veil which she
had thrown owe. my face. yet kind Of
blueishness in the darkness told me
that was 10 lighted room. No sound
could hear. save the suppressed breath.
ing Of my trembling companion. and the
beating OF my own heart. After remain
ing for a moment oG the ottoman, which
shook from her nervousness, she again ad.
dressed me:
You are armed with pistol and dag
| ger1' II
j am said ]. inwardly praying thar
might have no occasion 10 use them.
You will please give NE those weap
ons. said she.
'Ahr thought | /; am betrayed sne
she asks my wespons Of defence, that
may be made an easier prey ', Let ms
ask said |, your reasons for this strang'
requesi1
AZ true lover never asks for reasons
from one in whom he con6des.' answer
ed the mask: adding-'Ths business
have ia hand for you has need Of courage
calmness and prudence; but your wea
pons could avail you nothing. They vii
not be required She shuddered as sh'
spoke: Such as they have already dom
too much
She paused moment. and SCENE 4
be schooling herself 10 some dreadful task
Again she addressed me:
i have lsleto tell you, sir; no. NOT
tale, but some questions 10 ask. Had yo
an only sister. one who was young, fan
innocent, and ignorant Of the worlds wick
edness. and thus unprepsredto cope wit
vile art and sinfulness: and should SD,
meet with one who was in appearance
all full Of nobleness purity, generosity
aud true Danliness aud in her own full
heartedness, should she love him only q
woman in natures capacity GAN love
and shonld be taking Iool advantage {
her affection for him. work her ruin. On
having succeeded. then scornfully leav
her without rspsraiion. an outcsst fror
even HIS bosom dark thing upon III
world unwilling ,o1tive. uapFepared /
die and should she. IN the hour when
spurned her. dishonored thing, from b
Ieet; even when she was ples ding for ih
love and protection OF one who with bel
ish srt bad Wrough. her ruin should SD
in iha. dire moment Of crowded uiseris
strike poniard 10 bic heart"
! She would nobly do her duty I erie
]. excited 70 madness BY ihe painful Pi'
J ture. 80 - 80
/ Would you aid her in removing al %
lproof Of crime? continued The mask
'would you assist that poor girl 10 Plas
beneath The dark earth al that vss esItl
" Of her dskler: